NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: 12
Meeting his classmates felt like he was reborn again.Years didn't make any change on himself.
Xu Qing and Zhao Lin were clearly up to something in the restroom when I walked in on them. The moment our eyes met, the air grew heavy with awkwardness.
Zhao Lin wore a smug expression, practically screaming, 'See? I managed to take her down.'
Meanwhile, Xu Qing had that faintly embarrassed look as if to say, 'Why should I feel awkward? He's just my ex.'
I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing.
"Ha... ha... HA! Sorry, it's just....! Congratulations, Qing'er, truly.
Don't let this get awkward. And Zhao Lin, maybe pick a better spot for this kind of thing next time. Especially with our new class teacher—if she finds out, she'll explode. You know how strict school is about campus relationships."
Zhao Lin's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, puffing up with pride again. I couldn't help but think, 'Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts. Let's see if you can actually keep her.'
"Hey Chen, wait up," Zhao Lin called as Xu Qing walked out. "I need a word with you. Qing'er, can you give us a moment? It's just... guy stuff."
Once she left, Zhao Lin turned to me, his tone suddenly serious.
"Hey, Han Chen, do you... resent me?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Which reason are you referring to?"
He blinked. "Wait, there's more than one?"
I chuckled faintly. "Don't worry about it. Honestly, I'm happy for you two ".
'Relieved, even.'
Zhao Lin scratched the back of his head, his pride shrinking just a bit. "Yeah, well... I guess I'm sorry too. It's just, when we were dating, she'd always idealize other guys. It wasn't exactly easy, you know?"
I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I get it. She always had that quirk—comparing people without even realizing it. Annoying, yeah, but harmless. Look, if you're serious about making this work, be patient with her. That's all I'll say."
He gave a dry laugh. "Well... I'll try. Thanks, I guess."
Then I narrowed my eyes slightly, leaning in. "She didn't ask you to come talk to me, did she? It's not at all like you."
He shook his head quickly. "No, this is all me."
I nodded, stepping past him. "Good. Well, it's getting late. Let's head back before someone starts wondering where we are."
As I walked out, I noticed Zhao Lin's lingering uncertainty. Maybe he wanted to prove something but not getting any result from it — yeah like punching a cotton.
' Yeah, what should I have done differently? If I had to taunt Xu Qing and showed my disgust, what reason so I have to justify? Resentment to future action?
And about Zhao guy. He beat me up using his followers. But I needed that, my life's principles had significant connections to what I have experienced. It made me strong. Besides, I killed that arrogant guy his relative, consider I repaid my resentment.
It gave me a reality check. Yeah, when I reached peak, I once again lost those principles and enemies made use of it. Why do I have to choose that heroine Lín Yǐn anyway, even my most loyal subordinate was better than her in everyway, except system didn't mark her... And that damn Ye Fan...
Yeah, those bitches , I will pay my resentment in full terms since they killed me. But these Zhao Lin and Xu Qing what will they achieve?...hmm may be like myself, others get chosen? ....Hiss.. That's a scary thought...
Well there are billions of worlds entirely different from us, and not much systems well it's low possibility. What I am scared is about that systems that give immortal emperor realm as beginner novice gifts ... It's infuriating..whats the point in cultivating...
And I remember that I stripped system of that harem family guy? Will that guy still have a system in new timeline, probably not.'
My classes went through. 2 more months passed.
After getting along and relaxing for a while, he went back into the spirirt bead cultivation tower. With 4 months of refinement, he once again shed his previous pollution just by existing on earth, and raised the cultivation to 9th qi refinement and went one step further. Due to a combination of reasons involving, mutated spirit root, divine technique or no influence of heavenly dao, the realm climbed all the way to qi cultivation 13 from the usual 9. Feeling the completely liquefied viscous qi inside the Dantian, I knew it was time to advance ranks.
Satting cross legged inhaling and exhaling spiritual energy through every pore,
"Before the heavens recognize the self, the foundation must echo the universe. Bind the chaotic streams of qi within, temper the vessel of essence, and awaken the guiding star of spirit. The three shall converge as one, forming the unshakable base of the Dao."
Refining Qi, Essence Tempering, Spirit awakening steps being done, it's time to step into next step.
"The pillars of heaven are built upon the stillness of earth. Condense the energies of trinity into a singular form, forging a bridge to the divine. Only by standing firm amidst chaos can the path to immortality be paved."
Convergence
"Using the Trinity Refinement technique, channel the purified qi, tempered essence, and awakened spirit into a singular base within the dantian. Allow them to spiral and intertwine, forming the embryonic foundation base. This is the unification of self with the universe."
Compression
"Compress the embryonic base, forcing it to withstand the pressures of heaven and earth and the rhymes of dao. Infuse it with the power of the elements—wood for growth, fire for transformation, earth for stability, metal for sharpness, and water for fluidity, thunder for essence tempering, yin and yang for balance and stability, void and cosmic for connections to Dao.Each element must harmonize, forming a balanced and stable base."
Enlightenment of the Dao
"Seek the resonance of your foundation with the Dao. Visualize the heavens aligning, the stars descending, and the earth trembling. Your base must reflect the universe, becoming a microcosm of all existence. Only then shall the breakthrough occur."
The transformation took a month of time to complete the realm advancement. The foundation was immortal level foundation which transcends the usual limitations heaven imposes on, and no tribulations occured either.
I sensed the power coarsing through me. It's unlike anything I have had when I condensed the dao foundation in previous life after recovering my spirit root.
Vitality increased and life span in reased over 2300 years. A regular foundation establishment has 500 years. The Tao platform holds reserves comparable to entire qi refining realm energy refined combined, no wonder a vortex of qi formed earlier.
My body and qi act synchronisily as a natural armour. The twin dragons skim through the meridian and spirit root as they are in a water channel. I opened my hand, a real immortal fire was condensed operating law of fire, similarily every other elemental energy were created except time, that's still weird. The attributeless energy runs all the while without a trace of fluctuation outside.
Used sword controlling technique, call forth a spirit sword 🗡️ from inventory, I stepped over it. 'Haha.., it's good. Nostalgic feeling coming back'
Flew around for a while inspecting the small world and returned back.
Picked up a storage ring. Bonded with my blood and spirit and put some spirit swords, pills and star convergence arrays and went outside. Arranged it over the home. Basically, within the range of home, an intangible barrier is formed, which isolated the cosmic energy refined into spiritual qi, within.
After being inside the array, everyone at home felt extremely comfortable with no plausible explanation.
Dad stepped into dark jin. Mom stepped into half step master as per her. It's just innate. This happened over a time of 2 months after it was installed and set to run only when Han Chen is around.
The final classes were done. People exchanged their thanks and gratitude.. Only thing, I, as an ex- immortal got distressed was writing homeworks. So I would completely write every solution and just submit it together. With the speed writing technique it wasn't much of a hassle. But got annoyed by it over time.
Year end exams done. No surprises, I was first in class. Then the national entrance test happened. There was no impeding events. Exams happened as per usual for a total of 3 days.
I have roughly 3 months till the accident can occur. Changes happened. I won't know the differences, so better be prepared. Inside the small world, in a treasure trove of puppets, he selected the immortal substitution puppets. It just needs blood essence from the person and the puppet will create a duplicate of the person as in flesh and blood through elemental transformation, with any cultivation until true immortal level.
At night, in home.
" Sorry for the offense mom and dad. " The extremely powerful spiritual power knocked both of their souls into sleep.. they need spiritual consciousness to reawaken them. No biological changes will wake them up.
Moving over, which his techniques, a swirling mass of red blood was condensed at his fingertips from their bone marrow. And each of them were given into the puppets and refined. The puppet began to change and flesh and blood condensed and the power was sealed at 4 th level qi and 2nd level qi refinement. Transferring spiritual imprint to their bodies and set the criterion for activation as mortal danger. The puppet transformed into ray of light and entered their bodies. Destination of teleport swap will be the final point, which is this bedroom. Crushed a medicinal pill and some of it was transferred back to hosts for the consumption of blood essence.
And now, I need to go to Beijing Han Family to meet grandpa.
He put up and invisibility spell, but after thinking about Li Mei, he once again optimised technique for non discovery via any ground based radar of other wavelengths. So now it absorbs radar & em waves and just put on an invisibility barrier over. Prepared his sword, the whole body raised finally checking the direction and turning of the tracking of phone signal he sped towards main family location. It took about 3 hours for speeds at 440km/h.
Seeing the large compound again, his mind was filled with memories. Through a spiritual scan, identified grandpa, just sleeping over.
" Sorry for the offense, " the procedure was repeated, but this time, teleporting swapping location was given back to the same coordinates as other two puppets. Remaining medicinal essence was introduced to his body just like before. Walking him up , he left returned back in less time and woke up his parents too.
So basically it can happen anytime. Rescue is also available. Unless the attack level crosses the threshold of true immortal or attack involved law damage, it would recover upon instructions. Only 3 weeks has passed.
He heard grandpa would be coming over from Beijing. Parents agreed to meet half way inbetween. He was also asked to come but he refused under some made up nonsense.
' Sending my parents to death still feels guilty. Yeah, but on the bright side, their life feels ordinary and had no good stories to tell.....well this will be a fun one, no worries I would solve any and every problem they may receive. Not even the trauma will remain.....'
'I am really evil. '
' If I hadn't accessed the spiritual consciousness earlier, I would be a grandmaster by now. My option would be to go with them and reveal the power, protect them and then I need to answer a lot of things for parents, make up a lot nonsense for the investigative agency... My peaceful life would be over.'
"Minor events may deviate, but unless continuously influenced, the effect & causality will naturally realign with its intended course." I chose to continue the path with minimal influence.
Next day, he sensed the sudden appearance of 3 burned bodies in the room, yeah the people will be dead of I don't treat them soon.
The three bodies stood infront of him under his control in air and then making everyone truly unconscious, the law of wood and water condensed to form a swirl of spiritual mist in his hands which under his purification Yīnyáng Liáo Qì Jué technique for healing, rapidly regenerate burned skin , broken bones melded and and restored them back to previous good condition. Only the burnt clothes are present, well be as it is.
"Oh no.. I didn't thought of clothes for dummies...well it's good for future reference"
Well, next he disappeared along with the three people into the small world. Putting them inside the prepared formation. He clapped his hands looking at the unconscious people.
The spiritual consciousness pierced their souls and burned away those memories of emotions associated with facing death. It will be as they saw a horror movie and walk up in a daze.
"Well, it took some effort to devise this array," Han Chen muttered softly. "You won't feel any discomfort. This array will inject mild, refined spiritual energy under my control into various acupoints, substituting for nourishment and healing. Who knows, perhaps you'll even reverse in age when I retrieve you..." He paused, a faint smile crossing his lips. "All those experiences refining spiritual energy came in handy, after all. You won't die, even if every organ in your body fails."
He sighed, brushing the edge of the array lightly. "I treated you well, you know. I saved you from certain death. Call it my filial piety. Though..." His voice grew quieter. "I suppose I used it for my own motives too. But... forgive me, will you? My real parents have been gone for a long time. Meeting you again, saving you again... that's good enough for me."
With this another hear demon mental blockade in his body crumbled. The thoughts became more clear and felt a sense of liberation again. Chuckling to himself, he returned back to his home.
Looking at the mirror, seeing few drops of tears filling those eyes, he said to himself,
" it's good to have a second chance.."
Next day.
Han Chen called the police, reporting that his parents hadn't returned calls or arrived home. He provided detailed information, enough to set their investigation in motion. Later, officers came to inquire further, and Han Chen accompanied them to the station to file an official missing person's report.
That night, police received grim reports: three people burned to death near a mountainous curve. Upon investigation, they discovered a vehicle that appeared to have collided with a truck or tanker, igniting in flames. Blood, charred bones, and what little remained of the bodies were painstakingly collected and put together.
And he was allowed their view to confirm if possible. His eyes were red and voice was hoarse... ' it wasn't difficult to act, he thought of the despair he felt in his first life and emotions were real. He didn't cry nor did he make a scene .. quietly stood near the corpse making the people involved feel pity and sympathy. Infact, he marked them with his spiritual thoughts and left and went back to the emergency vehicle he came in, with silence, closing eyes.
The bodies were sent in an ambulance for post mortem studies. When the distance between them widened more than 500 m, the corpse inside the ambulance turned into light and went away, similarily the burnt fragments from place of accident were also suddenly disappeared and flew over to his ring in an instant, which no one found. There wasn't any monitoring around where he sat and he made sure of it.
The sudden change left the operatives in panic. It overwhelmed their reasoning...and a few minutes later, police diverted entire traffic back to the place and sealed off the place.. they came to notify me..
I questioned with a baffled face " ...what do you mean they are gone? ..... Let me see.."
The situation here was easily reported to supernatural department. And the people incharge came. There were so many martial artists who came with advanced equipments and they soon exposed the corpse and fragments turning into light and disappear.
Han Chen was questioned of the incidents. Later his class teacher cum agent Li Mei, called " Don't do anything worrying okay... We will help you handle the rest." She assured.
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In the following days, the Supernatural Department confirmed that the fingerprints and other evidence found in the vehicle matched his parents. Even a hair sample from Han Chen was collected for DNA verification, and he subtly manipulated it to decay naturally, ensuring no anomalies were detected.
Han Chen's calm demeanor throughout the process, devoid of public outbursts of anger or grief, led to a psychiatric evaluation to assess his emotional state. The evaluation concluded that he was stable but recommended assigning someone to monitor him for support. Li Mei volunteered and moved into his home for a few days.
During her stay, Han Chen brought up the possibility of securing legal assistance. He asked if the department could help arrange a lawyer or notary to ensure a smooth transfer of his family's assets, preventing any legal maneuvers that might lead to their confiscation. Li Mei was initially hesitant, but when Han Chen mentioned his suspicions about members of the main family branch being involved in the accident, citing past tensions and his parents' concerns over business dealings, she quickly arranged for assistance.
A team from the department, including auditing and legal experts, began investigating the situation. They uncovered multiple instances of external exploitation and deliberate undermining of his family's business efforts. The evidence was meticulously documented and submitted for further processing.
Meanwhile, the driver suspected of causing the crash was found dead by a bullet wound near a riverside, further confirming external involvement. The family's main branch acted swiftly, attempting to cover up traces of their involvement.
Soon after, a family envoy arrived, urging Han Chen to return and assist in managing family matters. Unlike last time, the approach was more urgent and serious, given the circumstances. The department assigned a monitoring guard to accompany him for protection.
In the grand hall of the Han family estate in Beijing, Han Chen faced a gathering of relatives, including uncles and distant family members. Many expressed sympathy and offered words of comfort, though some gestures felt insincere. His uncle and a few others staged a display of exaggerated concern, including group hugs and invitations for him to live with them for a while.
Han Chen was unlike before he didn't need emotional comfort from those people and some people seeing him and guaging him.
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