Chapter 4: Heaven's gift

Xian Yue was obviously not interested in the Heavenly Dao Golden List. It only made him think that such a list couldn't be relied upon if mere creatures from the Supreme Realm could be included on it. If the Supreme Realm was the best of the best, then how can such so-called strongest in this universe be powerful? Xiao Chen thought it was just some overhyped show.

"A low level?" Xian Wu and the others looked at one another in mute puzzlement at Xian Yue's words. They could hardly credit what they had just heard. The hundredth most powerful being in the universe was the type of entity who, to them, was unattainable, a figure that was to be pursued in reverence and awe-not approached, nor seen-to challenge. And yet Xian Yue had treated them as worthless weaklings.

"And what realm have you reached?" Xian Feng sneered, curling his lips into a smirk. Xian Yue's words hit Xian Feng as pure arrogance, someone claiming superiority over the beings listed in the Golden List as if waving about an air of narcissism was preposterous. After letting out a sigh of relief since Xian Wu recovered, all was calm; the elders, who had been on edge with worry, were now visibly relaxed. Everyone was in high spirits, filled with the feeling of celebration and camaraderie.

"That's the realm of invincibility!" Xian Yue said seriously.

There was a fit of laughter from Xiao Yin standing beside him. She slapped him playfully on the shoulder, grinning widely and teasingly at him. "Brother, do you have to exaggerate in front of us? We're like family, no need for tall tales!"

To say one was invincible because even the grandest cultivators did not have the first clue what it meant to be so was a joke. It was not like Xian Yue not to boast with his chin held high, but surely this was a far reach.

Xian Yue didn't bat an eyelid. "Believe whatever you want," he said with complete calmness and indifference.

Xian Yue had little interest in the Heavenly Dao's list and the rewards that came with it, but the others could not help but get caught up in the idea. It was amazing that the Heavenly Dao can actually give out the rewards to the best cultivators in the universe. The fact that the prize for 100th place included something as precious as the "Origin of the Star Domain" left them speculating about what greater treasures might be bestowed upon those ranked higher.

On a great star shining like a diamond in the darkness of space in one remote corner of the universe, there was seen a young girl standing on a cliff. In her white dress, she meditated over something: the Heavenly Dao Golden List hung loose before her in the sky. Between her eyebrows, a crescent moon shone with an ethereal tinge. The nimbus about her face did indeed seem otherworldly; strength and beauty were incarnate in her.

"I was only able to 100th rank with my present cultivation level?" she whispered to herself in skepticism, the astonishment dripping from her voice. She was Yaoyue, another Supreme Being said to have no master in her place. Nobody could match her strength within her plane. "Who can be higher ranked than me?"

She thought about the question when an intense golden orb appeared right before her. As the light tore apart, an object like a galaxy showed itself, spinning round with countless star-like specks suspended in it. This was a breathtakingly beautiful miniature version of the cosmos. It was there that the Star Domain came from, a treasure containing some unimaginable energy. It can be used to break through any new level of cultivation, or to create a weapon of unparalleled strength.

"Therefore, the virtues are also true," Yaoyue whispered with a grave face. It was not that only these treasures were real; it was that she was starting to understand the Heavenly Dao itself was playing. For such a tremendous thing as this to bestow the treasures meant something greater still had been brought into play. "Heavenly Dao is a legend too."

As she pondered what this revelation meant, the heavenly sound of the Heavenly Dao once more echoed throughout the universe: "Rank 99: Pinnacle Source Supreme. Reward: The Golden Arowana!"

The whole cosmos trembled at the news. Golden Arowana was a legendary treasure which had been suspected to extend even powerful beings' lifespan by thousands of years. Even Supreme Beings lived for a relatively limited period, so normally less than 10,000 years, while others had even shorter lifespans. A chance to receive an artifact of life extension wasn't anything less precious in value.

An out-of-the-way retreat, placed so deep in the folds of space, stood a young man, seemingly at the height of his prime age, still looking in stunned amazement as the Golden Arowana materialized before him. He was Principle Source Supreme, and his sequestered sanctuary was protected by countless formations designed to keep even the most powerful intruders at bay. But the Golden Arowana had evaded all defenses without stirring a leaf. It stood right in front of him.

"Could this really be the work of the Heavenly Dao?" he muttered to himself. For thousands of years, the Heavenly Dao had been seen as something vague and shadowy, not really anything at all, but a haziness in the mind. And yet here was the fact it did exist and was powerful and learned too.

"The Golden Arowana," Principle Source Supreme said, his heart sunk in realization. "I won't be left in peace anytime soon. Countless Supremes nearing the end of their lives will come seeking this treasure."

With Heaven Dao continuing to proclaim their rankings, and hand out rewards, the entire universe grew enraged with jealousy. All of the treasures received were not something that could be fathomed, and even the nine great emperors of the universe waited with envy for their turn. What kind of heaven-defying rewards were awaiting those ranked at the top?

Yet, for all of that, Xian Yue had not budged. As others drooled over their prizes, his Emperor Realm consciousness already pinned their precise locations. He could easily snatch them all with his sheer overwhelming power if he so wished to, but to him, these prizes were nothing in comparison to the rewards his system provided.

He did like the little Heavenly Dao treasures, but the invariable invincible cultivation by signing in every day. Moreover, Xian Yue long since grew accustomed to rewards that far surpassed the so-called gifts from heaven.

Xian Yue sat back and overheard Xian Wu's wistful sigh. "It's too bad our Xiao family is just a small, insignificant group. We're not qualified to receive any of the Heavenly Dao's rewards."

That Heavenly Dao Golden List left them in awe and wonder but instantly knew where they stood. They were far away from the heavens and their powers so little had to be said about them in the grand tapestry of things.

"Xian Yue, you're always bragging about your un-fallen cultivation. Do you think your name is going to appear on the list?" Xian Yin asked with a light teasing tone. Warmth resonated with her words-they were always easy and friendly.

"Who knows?" Xian Yue shrugged with a casual movement. His cultivation was well beyond people's imaginations, and he did not even know if the Heavenly Dao could feel him.

Xian Feng was by temperament more conservative. "The pursuit of these rewards isn't necessarily a boon. If you don't have the strength to defend what you've obtained, you're simply inviting calamity. Better to slowly continue the pace and draw in your strength than to become ensnared by the promise of swift power."

The others nodded understanding heads at what Xian Feng was saying: it would be one's downfall when power was not allied with responsibility.

Xian Yue smiled down at their worrying, however. "As long as I'm here, you have nothing to fear for any threat."

They all left him speechless. No one was able to suspect the real depth of Xiao Chen's power, nor of what treasures he could actually mobilize. All thanks to his system, this was bound to happen sooner or later - something extraordinary. In reality, he had signed in for invincible cultivation; who knew what else the system would bring?

Xian Yue's expression changed suddenly. He turned his head toward the window, his eyes scanning out toward the gate entrance of the Xiao family estate. A sneer curled his lip. "It looks like we have visitors."

"What's wrong?" Xian Wu asked as he noticed the change in Xian Yue's expression. He followed Xiao Chen's gaze toward the gate but was unable to see anything because of the buildings surrounding it.

"The heads of the three families have come with their clansmen," Xian Yue said blandly. "Looks like they want to destroy the Xian family after all."

Xian Yue's smile turned dark as he stood up from his chair. "Shall we greet them?"

Glancing back and forth at each other, the others shook their heads in confusion but with an air of curiosity. Xiao Chen's unflustered assurance was unnerving, but no one could undermine that the stir developing within the group as they prepared to meet their foe was exhilarating.

was obviously not interested in the Heavenly Dao Golden List. It only made him think that such a list couldn't be relied upon if mere creatures from the Supreme Realm could be included on it. If the Supreme Realm was the best of the best, then how can such so-called strongest in this universe be powerful? Xian Yue thought it was just some overhyped show.