Silent Dao Sovereign

Chapter 10: Why is He Here?

[Third Person POV]

Two hours later,

Everyone came back to their senses.

[How was it?] The soul in the ring asked curiously.

Long Chen answered with excitement, "Master, whatever it was, it was unbelievable."

Then, Long Chen started discussing the visions he had seen while in his dazed state.

[This is just the beginning. See? I told you your talent is the highest, but you didn't believe me.]

"I am sorry, Master." Long Chen wanted to slap his past self for even doubting his master's words for a second.

Hearing the sincerity in Long Chen's voice, the soul in the ring forgave him.

Long Chen looked around and saw that everyone was animatedly discussing what had just transpired, but no one truly understood what it was—except for him, of course.

Heh~ Fools. You should be thankful that I'm even breathing the same air as you.

Long Chen had once again become arrogant. The soul in the ring noticed but let it slide, knowing that Long Chen was still inexperienced.

I wonder what Xu Mo would have gained? the soul thought.

However, Long Chen was unable to hear this because of the vast difference in their cultivation levels. While Long Chen's inner thoughts could be heard by the soul, the soul's powerful divine sense blocked its own thoughts from being heard by Long Chen.

Many disciples who had been stuck at bottlenecks in their cultivation felt that the barrier to the next realm had softened, making a breakthrough possible at any moment. Others, who had struggled to comprehend certain techniques, now found that these techniques were no longer as difficult as they had initially thought.

Many powerful elders, like Long Bai, who had been stuck in minor realms for years without any progress, felt their shackles loosening.

The Ancestor of the Hidden Dragon Sect, who had believed he had exhausted his potential in this lifetime, also felt the blessing extend his lifespan considerably. Cultivation wasn't about who was the strongest but about who lived the longest. The Ancestor had always been cautious—many of his companions had long since been buried, despite being more talented than him. Yet, he was still here, and now, with his lifespan extended, he had a chance to break into the next major realm and live even longer than he had initially expected.

The Sect Master of the Hidden Dragon Sect, still in his prime, had been blessed with a unique cultivation technique—one that could only be described as defiant. It also provided the solution to his most pressing problems.

Then, he glanced down at Xu Mo, who had long since regained consciousness. The Sect Master suspected that Xu Mo's gains might not have been significant.

It was common knowledge that those who remained in the enlightened state the longest had the greatest advantage.

He could only shake his head. The heavens were fair and balanced. If they took something away from someone, they would compensate them in another way. There was no point in comparing oneself to others.

The Sect Master lifted his gaze, his eyes penetrating the Ethereal Heights.

[First Person POV]

I noticed the Sect Master looking at me before shaking his head. He was obviously disappointed in my behavior, or perhaps something about me displeased him.

"Sect Master, what just happened?"

Cough~ "I am unsure myself. But it seems the firmament has passed down some sort of blessing to all living beings."

"But why?"

The Sect Master raised an eyebrow, but I continued, "I mean, this has never happened before."

"...Who knows? Before the Grand Dao, even immortals are mere mortals."

I fell silent upon hearing the Sect Master speak in such profound terms.

"Your True Successor robes are inside. You can wear them now or wait until tomorrow, when it will be announced throughout the region that the True Successor of the Hidden Dragon Sect has been chosen."

"..."

"I thought you would cry or dance with excitement," the Sect Master said, looking at me as if I were some strange species.

I didn't know why, but I felt a strange sense of apprehension. As if accepting the title of True Successor would seal my fate.

Two voices echoed in my mind. One urged me to accept—it would help me exact my revenge immediately. The other said nothing, but it made my instincts scream at me not to accept.

This had never happened to me before.

Accept or refuse?

I was stuck in a dilemma. Refusing the offer would upset the Sect Master and the elders, who had high hopes that I would lead the sect to greatness. But if I accepted, my own life might be at stake.

"Sect Master, I..."

"Here are your robes, and this is the cultivation technique used by every outer disciple. The only condition is that they must not have started cultivating yet."

"Thank you, Elder," Xu Mo said, bowing slightly.

The elder who had handed Xu Mo his outer disciple robes watched him leave. Something about his back view seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before—not too long ago.

I don't know why the higher-ups ordered me to be humble in front of this disciple. Does he come from some powerful background?

So what? I am not like those people who flatter others for benefits. In this world, status is determined by strength, not by inheritance.

Instantly, the elder's impression of Xu Mo plummeted. But no one was there to tell him that although Xu Mo was an important figure, he was not from the mundane world—he was an asset of the Hidden Dragon Sect itself.

Xu Mo walked aimlessly.

No one guided him. No one showed him the way to his residence.

The outer sect was vast, even larger than the inner sect in terms of land, as it was situated at the foot of the mountain.

Encountering an acquaintance here was almost impossible.

Perhaps his adoptive father was right—the world was indeed too small.

Xu Mo's reflexes kicked in instantly as he swiftly hid the flask of water behind his waist, moving it away from his left thigh.

Because standing opposite him—was Long Chen.