After Transmigrating Into The Body Of The Chief Disciple, The Villain Was Reborn. - Chapter 12

Six years later.

A young man sat outside a cave dwelling, chin resting on his hands, staring blankly ahead in boredom. He was sixteen years old and possessed a stunning appearance. His skin was like snow, a pale complexion tinged with a faint rose hue, as if carved from the finest mutton-fat jade.

Hearing movement behind him, he turned his head and his face immediately lit up with joy.

“Senior Brother!” his voice rang out, clear and melodious.

A man emerged from the cave. His figure was tall and straight, his proportions perfect, as if he were a masterpiece meticulously crafted by the heavens. He wore a white and gold robe embroidered with intricate patterns, making him appear even more noble and mysterious.

Ning Yuzhao darted toward Lu Shi’an like an arrow released from a bow. He hugged Lu Shi’an tightly, clinging to him like a koala, wrapping his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist, hanging entirely off him.

“Senior Brother, you have finally come out of seclusion! I have waited so long. I came to see if you were out every single day, but you never appeared.” Ning Yuzhao’s voice was soft, laced with endless grievance and resentment, enough to evoke pity from anyone.

Looking at the junior brother clinging to him and refusing to let go, Lu Shi’an showed a helpless smile and whispered, “It is Senior Brother’s fault for making Yuzhao wait so long. After this, Senior Brother will not go into seclusion again.”

“Really?” Upon hearing this, the once dim eyes of Ning Yuzhao became bright and clear, sparkling like radiant stars.

“Really!” Lu Shi’an nodded with a smile. He gently tapped the tip of Ning Yuzhao’s pink, delicate nose, his tone soft and doting. After successfully breaking through to the peak of the Golden Core stage a year ago, he had chosen to undergo a long period of secluded cultivation to consolidate his foundation. During this time, not only had Ning Yuzhao missed him, but Lu Shi’an had also missed this adorable junior brother dearly.

Seeing his senior brother confirm the promise, Ning Yuzhao was finally reassured.

After leaving seclusion, they had to pay their respects to their master. Along the way, Ning Yuzhao chattered endlessly about the interesting events of the past year. Lu Shi’an did not find it annoying and responded from time to time. Before long, they reached the Sect Leader’s cave dwelling. Lu Shi’an transmitted his voice, “Disciple Lu Shi’an requests an audience with Master.”

A moment later, the barrier protecting the cave opened. Lu Shi’an led Ning Yuzhao inside. Seeing his eldest disciple at the peak of the Golden Core stage and his youngest at the peak of Foundation Establishment, the Sect Leader nodded in satisfaction. He looked at Lu Shi’an and asked with a smile, “Shi’an, do you have any plans now?”

Lu Shi’an looked at the Sect Leader and replied respectfully, “Master, I have been stuck at the peak of the Golden Core stage for a long time. I wish to go out for training to see if I can break through to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Hearing this, a gratified smile appeared on the Sect Leader’s face. This disciple had never caused him worry; not only was he exceptionally talented, but he was also incredibly diligent. He nodded contentedly and said, “Very well. If that is the case, then go. However, be careful. Do not push yourself if you encounter danger, and return to report back in time.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will remember it,” Lu Shi’an said gratefully.

The Sect Leader nodded with a smile, then turned to Ning Yuzhao. “Yuzhao, what about you? What are your plans?”

Ning Yuzhao looked at the Sect Leader and then at Lu Shi’an, saying, “Master, disciple wishes to go out for training with Senior Brother.”

The Sect Leader nodded in satisfaction. “Since you wish to train with Shi’an, then go together. This way, you can broaden your horizons and improve your cultivation. If you encounter danger, your Senior Brother can protect you.”

Ning Yuzhao and Lu Shi’an exchanged a glance and bowed simultaneously. “Disciple will obey your command!”

“Very well,” the Sect Leader nodded with a smile. “Prepare yourselves and leave tomorrow. Remember, this training will last for half a year. Do not forget to return for the Sect Tournament in six months. It is a major event for our sect, and I hope you achieve good results.”

“Yes, Master, we understand!” Lu Shi’an and Ning Yuzhao replied in unison.

Afterward, the Sect Leader provided the two disciples with protective items—such as magical artifacts and medicinal pills—and urged them to be cautious and not be careless. After thanking him, they retired.

The moment they left the Sect Leader’s cave, Ning Yuzhao hopped around like a happy rabbit and approached Lu Shi’an, asking impatiently, “Senior Brother, where are we going to train? I am finally going down the mountain; I felt like I was growing mold up here!”

Seeing his junior brother’s curiosity, Lu Shi’an could not help but laugh. Since their trip six years ago, they had stayed on the mountain cultivating. Yuzhao had never asked to leave, instead choosing to enter seclusion with him. Lu Shi’an had thought about taking him down the mountain to relax over the past six years, but every time he thought of the protagonist from the book about to appear, he had to set aside all other thoughts and focus on cultivation.

The protagonist in the book emerged at the early Golden Core stage. Because the original host had not been as diligent, he only reached the mid-Golden Core stage at the age of twenty-six. A twenty-six-year-old Golden Core cultivator was a genius among geniuses in the cultivation world. Yet, precisely because of this distinction, the protagonist—who had inferior talent—used the original host as a stepping stone during the Sect Tournament. The original host was defeated, his pride as a genius shattered, though he did not fall into total despair; he worked even harder, but alas.

Seeing that his senior brother had not answered him and was deep in thought, Ning Yuzhao grew angry and shouted, “Senior Brother!”

Lu Shi’an snapped back to reality, rubbed his nose, and apologized, “Senior Brother was wrong. I should not have failed to answer Yuzhao immediately.”

Seeing his senior brother apologize, Ning Yuzhao’s anger dissipated, but he said solemnly, “Senior Brother, you are not allowed to ignore me next time. If you do, I will not talk to you for three days!” Realizing three days was too long, he quickly amended, “Three days is too long, it will be… no, one hour! I will not talk to you for one hour!”

In truth, even one hour felt like an eternity to Ning Yuzhao; he wished he could never be separated from his senior brother. But he had to set a punishment, or else he would be ignored again.

Ning Yuzhao’s struggle amused Lu Shi’an. How could his junior brother be so adorable? He pinched Ning Yuzhao’s cheek and said dotingly, “Fine, Senior Brother will listen to you. If I do not answer you next time, you can ignore me for an hour.”

Even though he was now grown, Ning Yuzhao’s ears flushed crimson as his senior brother pinched his cheek, but he still replied with a haughty air, “Hmph, that is more like it!”

“But Senior Brother, you still have not told me where we are going.”

Lu Shi’an thought about how, even six years ago, he had not been able to avoid meeting the protagonist shou. This time, he had no intention of avoiding it. Furthermore, he was at the peak of the Golden Core stage and only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage; he did not believe he would become the protagonist’s stepping stone.

“We are going to the Nether Secret Realm.” This realm was not as simple as the Phantom Moon Forest; it was rife with danger, and one could lose their life at any moment. It was a chaotic place, teeming with cultivators ranging from the Qi Condensation stage all the way to the Spirit Severing stage. Typically, those with low cultivation only dared to scavenge on the outskirts; only those at the Nascent Soul stage or above dared to enter the depths. The Nether Secret Realm was also where the protagonist obtained a major opportunity—the very thing that allowed him to defeat the original host in the Sect Tournament.

“The Nether Secret Realm?” Ning Yuzhao’s eyes lit up. “I heard there are many precious medicinal herbs, magical artifacts, and powerful demonic beasts there! We can go catch mounts!”

“Fine, we shall catch the most beautiful mount for Yuzhao,” Lu Shi’an nodded with a smile, though he had his own agenda. He planned not only to improve his strength in the Nether Secret Realm but also to search for the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

More importantly, he wanted to see if he could find that legendary treasure—the Nether Soul Pearl. It was said to be a supreme treasure left behind by an ancient master, containing infinite spiritual energy and mysterious power. Whoever possessed it could control the power of life, death, and reincarnation. In the book, however, the pearl was not obtained by the protagonist; the text simply mentioned it had been taken by someone, without specifying who.

“Senior Brother, let us go!” Ning Yuzhao grabbed Lu Shi’an’s hand impatiently and hurried back to their living quarters to pack their essentials for the journey.