NOVEL NEXT Chapter 004:
Chapter 004: A Publicity Stunt:
Xie Liuzhen was the first female Sect Master of the Heavenly Mystery Sect, renowned not only for her beauty but also for her high status in the cultivation world.
Even among the mortals, many stories featured her as the main character and circulated widely.
Storytellers often made up tales about her to attract an audience.
Some of these stories were so sensationalized that they bordered on the indecent.
If she personally intervened today to stop Song Ye from jumping into the Fallen Immortal Pool, word would surely spread, inspiring countless tales on the subject.
In these tales, she would naturally be the heroine, while Song Ye would be the hero.
Titles might include something like:
“Disciple Threatens to Jump from the Fallen Immortal Platform; Female Sect Master Pleads Desperately—A Special Master-Disciple’s Bond.”
“The Story of Xie Liuzhen, the Sect Master, and Her Personal Disciple.”
“Disciple Threatens to Jump from the Fallen Immortal Platform; Sect Master Reveals She’s Pregnant with His Child, Succeeds in Stopping Him!”
“Romance Between the Heavenly Mystery Sect Master and Her Disciple Exposed? Disciple Forced to Jump from the Fallen Immortal Platform,”
“The Hidden Truth Behind Song Ye’s Leap from the Fallen Immortal Platform,”
Imagining the absurd rumors that might spring from this, Xie Liuzhen felt it was impossible for her to appear in front of Song Ye right now.
Besides, she doubted Song Ye had the courage to jump into the Fallen Immortal Pool.
For most cultivators, the pain of entering the pool was a fate far worse than a thousand cuts.
With a cold expression, she sat back in her chair and said icily, “If he’s making such a fuss over a minor setback and truly wants to jump into the Fallen Immortal Pool, let him be.”
“If he actually jumps, I’ll simply consider myself short one direct disciple.”
Her four maids exchanged glances, unsure how to respond to this sudden display of indifference.
…
Meanwhile, Song Ye stood on the Fallen Immortal Platform. At its center was a pool of blood-red water, exuding a strange fragrance.
This was the Fallen Immortal Pool.
“Senior Brother Song Ye, don’t jump! Come down!”
“Please, Senior Brother, come down now!”
Many of his junior sisters called out to him anxiously from below.
These junior sisters had all benefited from Song Ye’s kindness at some point.
They had often laughed about him in private, talking about his well-known reputation in the cultivation world as a shameless admirer of fairies.
But now, memories of his kindness flooded their minds.
No other male disciple in the Heavenly Mystery Sect was as warm-hearted and thoughtful as Song Ye.
They didn’t want to see him jump into the Fallen Immortal Pool.
According to sect rules, anyone who entered the Fallen Immortal Pool, even the Sect Master herself, would be expelled from the Heavenly Mystery Sect immediately.
After all, being stripped of one’s immortal veins and losing all cultivation meant becoming a complete waste. Even if allowed to remain in the sect, one would be of no use.
Of course, some disciples believed Song Ye was only pretending to jump to avoid punishment, hoping to gain the Sect Master’s sympathy.
Song Ye’s talent was among the best in the “Sword” generation. Had he focused on his cultivation instead of chasing after fairies, he could have already reached the prestigious Lingxuan Pavilion as a Lingxuan Cultivator.
Yet, even though he’d spent his efforts and monthly allotted elixirs on others, his cultivation was still at the 3rd stage Profound Connection Realm, higher than most disciples in the sect.
This was why many doubted he would willingly give up his cultivation.
But what happened next stunned everyone.
Without hesitation, Song Ye leaped into the pool. Water splashed, and he was submerged entirely in the blood-red water.
Immediately, excruciating pain coursed through his body as his immortal veins dissolved, and his cultivation vanished, transforming into particles of light that merged with the pool.
In mere moments, all of Song Ye’s cultivation had been erased by the Fallen Immortal Pool.
At the same time, a voice echoed in Song Ye’s mind.
[Ding! Mission 1 is completed!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received the following rewards: Great Abyss Heavenly Demon Body Pill and Ancient Demon Forming Pill!]
[Ding! Great Abyss Heavenly Demon Body Pill and Ancient Demon Forming Pill have been automatically consumed!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have now obtained the rare and ancient Tai Ming Heavenly Demon Body! You are one step closer to becoming a true demonic overlord!]
The Ancient Demon Forming Pill would still require some time for his body to fully absorb. After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, once it was completely digested, Song Ye would gain a perfected cultivation in the Demonic Origin Realm.
On the Xuanyuan Continent, the realms of immortal and demonic cultivation were different but nearly equivalent, both consisting of nine major stages.
For immortal cultivation, the stages are:
Body Refinement, Foundation Building, Bone Forging, Profound Connection, Void Spirit, Void Shattering, Eternal Life, Sacred Origin, and Emperor Soul.
For demonic cultivation, the stages are:
Body Corrosion, Soul Refinement, Heart Domination, Dark Profound, Demonic Origin, Demon Transformation, Mixed Origin Demon, Supreme Heavenly Demon, and Emperor Demon Essence.
Previously, Song Ye’s cultivation was at the 3rd stage Profound Connection Realm. After fully absorbing the Ancient Demon Forming Pill and establishing his demonic veins, he would reach the Great Perfection in the Demonic Origin Realm—a considerable advancement over his previous level.
Furthermore, with the Tai Ming Heavenly Demon Body, his combat power would far surpass his former self.
…
(In the Sect Master’s Hall of the Heavenly Mystery Sect)
“Sect Master!”
A disciple rushed in, breathless.
“Song Ye has jumped into the Fallen Immortal Pool!”
Xie Liuzhen’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s already jumped?”
“Yes, he’s fully submerged in the Fallen Immortal Pool!” The disciple replied.
Xie Liuzhen could hardly believe it. “He actually jumped…”
With his cultivation gone, Song Ye would be expelled from the Heavenly Mystery Sect. Their master-disciple bond would end here.
Xie Liuzhen’s gaze fell upon a yanyan flower arrangement inside the hall.
‘From now on, I suppose no one will cultivate these delicate yanyan flowers for me anymore…’