Eternal Life from the Golden Needle Technique

Chapter 287: Chapter 284: Dead Silent

In the plaza,

numerous people raised their heads toward the sky,

gazing at the figure there.

The distance was too great,

and they couldn’t make out the person’s face.

But that didn’t stop a new wave of discussion from erupting.

”It looks like one of the Sect’s elders has broken through. I wonder which one?”

”I can’t see clearly, but we should be able to find out in a few days.”

”Soaring through the heavens, roaming the world... the Soul Emergence Realm! One day, I too will reach that level!”

”That can’t be right. The Sect’s elders are all at the Soul Emergence Realm... Could it be that one of our senior brothers or sisters has overcome the bottleneck and become the first to ascend to the Soul Emergence Realm?”

”GASP! That seems possible! Who’s not here today?”

”That’s quite a lot of people, dozens of them. It’s impossible to identify them one by one.”

”Soul Emergence... I, for one, would like to see if that Shen Changchuan truly has the strength to fight a genuine Soul Emergence Realm cultivator in the grand competition ten days from now!”

”Haha, you’re right. With his Cultivation Realm being surpassed, if he’s publicly defeated in the competition, the grand boast he made three years ago will become the biggest joke!”

The disciples whispered amongst themselves, their discussions lively.

Many of them, in their conversations, had been targeting Shen Changchuan, viewing him as their greatest challenger and vowing to defeat him in the upcoming competition!

Their hearts swelled with excitement,

to the point that they instinctively overlooked the possibility that the ascending figure was Shen Changchuan.

However, it wasn’t that they were deliberately acting like ostriches, burying their heads in the sand and pretending not to see.

Rather, there was a practical reason for it.

Ascending to the Soul Emergence Realm

was no simple matter.

Though the power Shen Changchuan had previously displayed was immense, he had ultimately risen through the ranks in a very short time. He wasn’t even twenty years old yet.

Just a few years ago, he was a mere kid at the Qi Introduction Realm Early Stage.

In just three or four short years,

he had soared to the Ninth Layer Peak Realm.

He had only managed to advance so quickly by seizing some opportunities during the great upheaval in the Border Desolate Land, combined with his own innate talent.

But while a rapid increase in Cultivation has its advantages,

it also has its drawbacks.

If one’s Realm advances too quickly,

there’s no time for consolidation.

The foundation will inevitably be weak and shallow.

’Without a solid and profound foundation, how could he possibly ascend to the Soul Emergence Realm so soon?’

’The chances are slim!’

’Breaking through to the Soul Emergence Realm... / tempering and accumulation over time are major factors!’

In contrast,

among their generation of Disciples, quite a few had been honing their skills at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Peak for several years, some for nearly a decade!

Compared to an upstart like Shen Changchuan,

most people instinctively felt it was more likely that one of the disciples who had spent years honing their skills at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Peak had been the one to ascend to the Soul Emergence Realm.

Of course,

perhaps some had considered the possibility that Shen Changchuan was the exception.

But seeing the fervent atmosphere,

everyone preferred to believe it was one of their own who had ascended to Soul Emergence—someone who could finally give that arrogant guy a heavy blow in the grand competition.

So no one wanted to pour cold water on the mood

and ruin everyone else’s excitement.

...

Shen Changchuan was unaware

of the discussions taking place in the plaza.

He hadn’t noticed the crowd in the mountain plaza at all.

Having ascended to Soul Emergence

and broken free from nearly all his past worries and restraints, Shen Changchuan was feeling absolutely elated.

WHOOSH!

Controlling his Magical Power, Shen Changchuan’s figure weaved freely high above, carving one arc after another through the air.

Feeling the sharp wind whistle past him,

Shen Changchuan’s Heart Spirit was completely at ease.

This was nothing like riding Xiaofeng to fly through the sky.

He was relying on his own power, defying gravity and soaring through the heavens!

Shen Changchuan felt

as if he had shattered all shackles in that instant

and entered a whole new world!

However,

Shen Changchuan’s enjoyment didn’t last long.

”Xiaochuanshi, get down here right now if you don’t want your Sect Contribution Points deducted. No flying around freely within the Mountain Gate.”

A vaguely familiar voice rang in his ear.

Shen Changchuan froze,

halting his flight high in the air.

He looked down,

and finally saw the figures on a plaza nestled in the mountains not far away.

That voice just now...

it was Senior Brother Hong Yang from the External Affairs Hall.

AHEM.

Shen Changchuan gave a slightly awkward cough.

Composing his Heart Spirit, he flew toward the plaza.

On the vast plaza,

a streak of light descended from the sky.

As the glow of Magical Power receded,

the crowd below, which had been buzzing with discussion,

fell silent as if someone had hit a pause button.

In an instant, there was dead silence!

All eyes converged on Shen Changchuan, who had landed on the high platform.

The silence was absolute!

”Hm?”

The sudden quiet,

combined with the shocked stares fixed upon him,

left Shen Changchuan feeling a little uncomfortable.

This was especially true since he had just ascended to the Soul Emergence Realm.

His Divine Sense had undergone a metamorphosis,

making his perception exceptionally keen...

”Greetings, Senior Brother.”

”My Cultivation just broke through, and I got a little carried away. I hope you can forgive me, Senior Brother.”

Shen Changchuan cupped his fist in salute to Hong Yang, his voice full of apology.

Hong Yang was the Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall.

Since he was almost always in the Sect, he also managed their batch of Outer Disciples,

giving him the air of an Outer Sect Grand Elder.

Naturally, Shen Changchuan had to show him respect.

”Haha, think nothing of it.”

”Ascending to Soul Emergence is one of the most important milestones in a Cultivator’s life.”

”Back when I broke through, I shattered the Array of my Cultivation Cave Mansion, shot into the sky, and let out a roar over the entire Mountain Gate...”

Looking at Shen Changchuan’s youthful, spirited face,

Hong Yang found himself lost in a flash of memory.

’Of course,’

’there’s no need to mention getting caught by a Steward of the Yuqing Immortal Sect afterward’

’and being locked up for several days.’

”Congratulations, Little Junior Brother, on successfully ascending to Soul Emergence.”

Hong Yang looked at Shen Changchuan

and congratulated him with genuine sincerity.

”Thank you!”

Shen Changchuan nodded, returning the cupped-fist salute.

Just then,

Hong Yang glanced down at the deathly silent Outer Disciples.

He came back to his senses.

’Oops, I hope this isn’t too big of a blow for them.’

He quickly waved a hand, shooing Shen Changchuan away.

”Alright, I’m still busy. You should go report the good news to your Master. He’s quite fond of you, his little disciple.”

”Besides, if he’s in a good mood, you might even get some nice rewards.”

Under the weight of all those stares,

Shen Changchuan’s keen perception made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

He quickly cupped his fists and took his leave.

”In that case, Senior Brother, I’ll take my leave. After I’ve stabilized my condition in a few days, I’ll come find you for a drink.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries,

Shen Changchuan departed.

Back in the plaza,

the Outer Disciples stood frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded.

Many of them couldn’t understand.

’The one who ascended to Soul Emergence... / how could it be him?’

Their hearts were filled with disbelief...