Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Ascent to Power

The main hall of the Divine Blue Sect stood at the highest peak of the holy land. The air here was dense with spiritual qi, almost forming clouds. Mysterious lights flashed across the sky, and the place carried an endless Taoist charm, as though it existed between the mortal and immortal realms.

Xiao Ming was brought to this sacred place by none other than the Holy Lord himself, a rare honor even among the sect's elite.

"Xiao Ming," the Holy Lord began, his voice steady and powerful, "you are now a true disciple of the Divine Blue Sect. Every true disciple has the right to compete for the position of Holy Son. Do you wish to participate in the competition?"

Xiao Ming lowered his gaze slightly, masking his ambition behind a calm expression. "Yes, Holy Lord, this disciple wishes to compete."

Hearing this, the Holy Lord nodded, a trace of satisfaction flashing across his face. "Talent is important, but determination is what truly matters. Good."

The position of Holy Son had remained vacant for years. Duan Chaoyun, the strongest core disciple, was previously the most likely candidate. But Xiao Ming's sudden rise had thrown the sect's hierarchy into disarray. With talent as monstrous as his, the competition's outcome was no longer certain.

"As a core disciple, you are privileged to certain benefits," the Holy Lord continued. With a wave of his hand—

Swish!

Several objects appeared, floating mid-air. Among them was a radiant mirror, its surface shimmering with a deep, abyssal light.

"This is the Sixth-Order Nine Abyss Soul-Locking Mirror," the Holy Lord said, pointing to a dark, radiant mirror. "It is a legendary treasure that will protect and nourish your soul. Even someone at the True God level will find it hard to harm you with this."

Xiao Ming bowed deeply. "Thank you, Holy Lord."

"There's more." Another wave of the Holy Lord's hand conjured a glowing jade slip. "You've just become a core disciple, and the cultivation techniques at the King level may not suit your needs. You may visit the library to choose one, but I believe this technique will be more fitting for you."

Xiao Ming accepted the jade slip, his heart racing. "This disciple is very grateful."

The Holy Lord smiled faintly "You will also have a protector appointed by the sect. For now, focus on your cultivation, and don't let me down." With those words, the Holy Lord vanished, leaving Xiao Ming to ponder the treasures he had received.

Moments later, a deacon approached him. "Master Xiao Ming, your residence has been prepared. Please follow me."

The deacon led him to a magnificent palace surrounded by lush vegetation and teeming with spiritual beasts. A crystalline spring bubbled nearby, exuding vitality. The entire area felt like a fairyland.

"This will be your residence. What do you think, Master Xiao Ming?" the deacon asked respectfully.

Xiao Ming's gaze swept across the ethereal surroundings and nodded. "It's quite good. I will stay here."

The deacon smiled. "The sect will soon arrange for servants and a protector. If you need anything, please let us know." With that, he bowed and left.

Once alone, Xiao Ming wasted no time. He placed the Nine Abyss Soul-Locking Mirror within his soul palace. Instantly, he felt its effects—a profound sense of protection enveloped his soul, and its strength grew exponentially.

"Well, even a True God would struggle to destroy my soul now, legendary weapons really live, up to their reputation," Xiao Ming thought, a satisfied smirk on his lips.

Turning his attention to the jade slip, he activated it.

"The Sacred Beast's Prison-Breaking Power?" he murmured, astonishment flickering in his eyes.

This was no ordinary technique. According to the novel he remembered, it was a supreme cultivation method once wielded by Duan Chaoyun, who would eventually fall to the protagonist. The technique, capable of creating divine elephant strength, had played a pivotal role in the protagonist's rise to the Big Three Thousand Realms.

"Fate truly favors me," Xiao Ming mused, a devilish smile spreading across his face. "With this, I don't even need to target Duan Chaoyun anymore."

Without hesitation, he began cultivating the technique.

The Sacred Beast's Prison-Breaking Power utilized blood and qi to condense drops of Divine Elephant Blood. Each drop represented immense strength, capable of unleashing earth-shattering power.

As Xiao Ming cultivated, the qi within a thousand-kilometer radius surged toward his palace like a tidal wave. Inside his body, he felt a primal force awakening—a colossal, ancient elephant roaring to the heavens.

Crack!

An audible crack echoed within him as his blood and qi condensed into a luminous drop of Divine Elephant Blood.

Swish! Swish!

One drop became two. Then three. His aura surged with each addition, growing more terrifying by the second.

Boom!

A deafening explosion reverberated across the holy land, flattening nearby peaks. A massive dragon-elephant shadow burst into the sky above Xiao Ming's palace, its roar shaking the heavens.

"What's happening?"

"Did someone awaken another physique?"

"No, I saw the shadow of a dragon elephant! Someone must be cultivating a secret technique!"

Even the Holy Lord was alarmed by the commotion. Standing atop the main hall, he observed the vision with a mixture of shock and admiration.

"To think he comprehended the Sacred Beast's Prison-Breaking Power in a single day and began practicing it to such an extent... His talent is beyond extraordinary," the Holy Lord murmured.

Turning to an elder at his side, the Holy Lord said, "Summon Elder Su. Inform him that I personally appoint him as Xiao Ming's protector."

The elder hesitated. "This... Elder Su may not agree."

Elder Su was the sect's second strongest figure, a reclusive sword cultivator known for his unyielding temperament.

"Tell him this: Xiao Ming may be the sect's hope in the upcoming Great War," the Holy Lord replied firmly.

By morning, Xiao Ming opened his eyes, his cultivation session complete. He had condensed 46 drops of Divine Elephant Blood. While his cultivation realm had not advanced, his strength had multiplied several times over.

As he flexed his newfound power, a deacon arrived with a message. "Master Xiao Ming, someone from the Xiao family of Moonshade City has come to see you."

Xiao Ming's eyes gleamed with interest. "Bring him to me."

"Yes, Master," the deacon replied before departing.

"So, the Xiao family has finally come. It seems the plot is about to begin," Xiao Ming muttered, a sly grin on his face.