C2 Want to Take Off?

"Ouch! Take it easy, you're rambling on!"

With a cacophony reminiscent of ghosts wailing and wolves howling, Chen Bai finally managed to climb out of the Repenting Abyss.

Before he could even begin to complain, the voice rang out once more:

"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Your reward will now be distributed. You have gained two levels of cultivation."

[Detected that the host has utilized the Qi Refining Stage Advance Card; the reward has been updated to: Cultivation increased by five levels.]

Chen Bai, his face a picture of disbelief, opened the Attribute Bar. When he saw that his cultivation level had indeed reached Qi Refining Stage Level Eight, his heart leaped with joy. Before he knew it, tears streamed down his cheeks.

Realizing he was crying, Chen Bai felt bewildered. He shouldn't be crying, should he? Why were the tears flowing uncontrollably? After some reflection, he understood. It was likely that the original owner of this body had endured much mockery for his slow cultivation progress, creating a deep-seated obsession.

With this in mind, Chen Bai felt moved. He whispered to himself, "Rest assured, with the Divine Artifact in my possession, I will surely clear your name and prove to everyone that my father's sacrifices were not in vain." Having never experienced a father's love, combined with the memories of this body's previous owner, Chen Bai's reference to his father came naturally.

As he finished speaking, a deep sigh seemed to emanate from within him, as if something had been fully released.

"Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Achieving 100% body compatibility. Your reward is as follows: Immortal Grade Spirit Root coupon x 1 (already redeemed), Heaven Soaring Spell x 1, Heaven Soaring Finger x 1, Fiery Sun Fist x 1, Crane Wing Palm x 1. (All automatically mastered).

...

Chen Bai was astounded by the generosity of the rewards, almost to the point of embarrassment. He hurriedly opened the Attribute Bar to check his updated status.

Attribute Bar:

Name: Chen Bai

Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage Level Eight (Using Qi Refining Stage Experience Card)

Cultivation Method: Heaven Soaring Spell (Immortal Grade Cultivation Method)

Spirit Skills: Heaven Soaring Finger (Heaven Rank, Low Grade), Fiery Sun Fist (Profound Rank, Middle Grade), Crane Wing Palm (Yellow Rank, High Grade), Tiger Punch Palm (Yellow Rank, Low Grade)

Physique: Mortal Body

Spirit Root: Immortal Grade Spirit Root

Currency: 20,000,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones

Chen Bai had never encountered terms like Immortal Grade Cultivation Methods or Spirit Roots in his memory. Curious, he posed a question to the system, eager to see what it would reveal.

The Attribute Bar on the display gradually disappeared, replaced by a manual materializing before him.

Spirit Root cultivation methods and spells were categorized into six ranks: Mortal, Yellow, Profound, Earth, Heaven, and Immortal. The corresponding Spirit Root colors were Gray, Yellow, Green, Black, Blue, and White, respectively.

Apart from the Immortal Grade, Cultivation Methods and Spirit Spells were further divided into Low, Middle, and High Grades.

Cultivation levels were segmented into eight stages: Body Refining Stage, Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Infant Stage, Void Discerning Stage, Deification Stage, and Tribulation Crossing Stage, with Rogue Immortal Stage as a special level.

Chen Bai was taken aback by the system's comprehensive response to his offhand inquiry, feeling a sense of immense satisfaction.

Unbeknownst to Chen Bai, this was merely a condensed explanation. A more detailed version would likely have left him feeling overwhelmed. But even if he were aware, it wouldn't bother him; he was not the type to sit through an extensive, elaborate explanation.

As he perused the manual and pondered over his exceptionally "opulent" Attribute Bar, a wave of excitement swelled within him.

Yet, the thought of his adoptive father, Chen Lieh, still detained in the back mountain dampened his spirits. He was ready to dash off and free him from captivity.

But then, Chen Bai reconsidered. The back mountain was heavily guarded by several Foundation Stage Cultivators from the Chen family. With his current abilities, he doubted he could successfully liberate his father. And what if he could overpower them? If Chen Lieh truly objected to his confinement, with his Level Six Golden Core Stage cultivation, who in the Chen family could contain him? For now, Chen Bai resolved that he must first demonstrate that he was no longer the "useless" one before devising any further plans.

As evening set in, Chen Bai couldn't suppress a yawn. The day's events had taken their toll, and he felt an overwhelming wave of sleepiness wash over him. He made his way toward his residence, following the familiar path etched in his memory.

Approaching his destination, a young man leaped off a large rock by the roadside. In his twenties, with a sharp, monkey-like face and an unmistakably sleazy demeanor, he flashed a grin that revealed a set of yellow teeth as he approached Chen Bai.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here! If it isn't the Chen family's prodigious Young Master Chen Bai! How have you been, young master?"

Chen Bai immediately recognized the youth, thanks to the memories of his former self, and replied irritably, "Not good at all, Chen Tianyuan. I'd prefer it if you kept your distance; you're a sight for sore eyes."

Chen Tianyuan was taken aback by Chen Bai's assertiveness. He wondered what had gotten into him today. Could he possibly have backup? After scanning the area and seeing no one with Chen Bai, Chen Tianyuan concluded that Chen Bai must have lost his mind. With a malicious smirk, he taunted, "Chen Bai, have I been too lenient with you? What use are you, other than squandering our family's resources, you third-level Qi Refining waste? It seems you're itching to feel the might of my Crane Wing Palm today!"

With that, he charged at Chen Bai, arms spread wide in an attempt to mimic the elegant Crane Wing Palm. But whether due to poor technique or his inherent vulgarity, his movements resembled a clumsy chicken flapping its wings rather than a graceful crane. Chen Bai couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

With a slight sidestep, Chen Bai effortlessly dodged Chen Tianyuan's overconfident strike. Before Chen Tianyuan could gather his wits, Chen Bai struck him on the back with a swift palm.

Caught off-guard and in a moment of weakness, Chen Tianyuan was sent sprawling to the ground, unable to regain his balance. He picked himself up, disheveled and seething, glaring at Chen Bai as if he were the worst of enemies.

"You dare to resort to trickery! If you're brave enough, face me directly!"

Chen Bai looked at Chen Tianyuan's mud-smeared face and let out a scornful chuckle.

"Heh, fool! Do you really think I'm the same Chen Bai as before? You want a direct confrontation? Fine, today I'll indulge you. Observe closely what the true Crane Wing Palm is!"

With those words, Chen Bai leapt into the air, spreading his arms in an impeccable imitation of a crane spreading its wings. As spiritual energy surged around him, a vivid phantom of an immortal crane materialized behind him. He then thrust his palm toward Chen Tianyuan, who, though he remained motionless, watched in horror as the phantom crane brutally collided with his chest.

Chen Tianyuan, facing the wrathful immortal crane, abandoned all attempts to resist.

"Pfft!"

Blood sprayed from Chen Tianyuan's mouth, but he seemed unconcerned. He simply glared at Chen Bai, whispering in awe,

"The crane manifests physically, striking with its talons – this is the hallmark of mastering the Crane Wing Palm. I've practiced the Crane Wing Palm for seven years and only just scratched the surface, yet you've already mastered it! Moreover, the Crane Wing Palm can't be cultivated by anyone below Qi Refining Stage Level Five. Chen Bai! Have you been concealing your true power?"

In response to Chen Tianyuan's realization, Chen Bai just laughed nonchalantly and replied,

"Chen Tianyuan, let me offer you some advice: in the future, it's best you don't mess with me. You're nothing but a dog. Next time, have your master come to see me himself. I've been looking forward to a meeting with him for quite some time."

Whether it was Chen Bai's words that stung him or his injuries were too severe, Chen Tianyuan coughed up another mouthful of blood and then passed out.

Chen Bai paid no mind to the fallen Chen Tianyuan and continued on his way home. As for Chen Tianyuan? Regardless of the circumstances, he was still recognized as a prodigy within the Chen family's side branches. It wasn't in the Chen family's nature to die from merely losing consciousness.

Once back at his place, Chen Bai slammed the door shut with a resounding thud, then clenched his fists in triumph. When he had witnessed Chen Tianyuan deploying the Crane Wing Palm, it dawned on him that the system had granted him a Crane Wing Palm Spirit Spell as well. He had decided to give it a try, and it paid off. After all, even if he hadn't been able to execute it, with his current prowess at Qi Refining Stage Level Eight, defeat was not an option.

Chen Bai never expected the system to be so incredibly effective, achieving great completion through its automatic learning capabilities. If he hadn't reined in a significant amount of power at the last second, Chen Tianyuan might have ended up more than just spitting blood and fainting; he could have been completely obliterated.

Regardless, the power seemed excessively strong, especially considering Chen Tianyuan was only two minor realms below him. It didn't seem plausible for it to be that overwhelming. And to attribute it to the strength of the Spirit Spell was even less convincing. After all, if someone like Chen Tianyuan could learn it, it was clearly a common Spirit Skill. With this in mind, Chen Bai decided to seek further assistance from the system.

This time, however, it wasn't the Attribute Bar that provided the information, but the system's female voice.

"Due to the host's cultivation of an Immortal Grade Cultivation Method and possession of an Immortal Grade Spirit Root, the purity and intensity of your Spiritual Qi far surpass that of your opponent, which is why he was so easily defeated," she explained.

With this clarification, Chen Bai came to terms with the recent events and casually expressed his gratitude with a simple, "Thank you."

After making sure the system had no further interest in him, Chen Bai let go of the notion that the system's notification sound was a trick. He relaxed, yawned deeply, and climbed into bed, quickly falling asleep.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, when Chen Bai awoke and looked out the window, he realized it was already well into the day. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in a day. Despite being a cultivator, he still needed food to sustain himself until he reached the Foundation Stage.

He thought bitterly about how, after his father was deposed and the great elder took over, the people who used to bring him food and supplies had all been dismissed. It infuriated him that even after securing the family head position, the great elder had been so merciless, forcing him to queue up in the communal dining hall for meals. Was this some kind of petty game?

Hunger, however, trumped his resentment. Chen Bai resigned himself to heading to the dining hall for food. Along the way, he noticed servants whispering and pointing at him, but they all fell silent and quickly looked away when he met their gaze.

Chen Bai hadn't encountered anyone looking for trouble along the way, which left him feeling quite disappointed. He had missed out on any opportunity to make a name for himself. But then he remembered that the dining hall should be bustling with people at this time of day.

Ignoring the odd looks from those around him, Chen Bai made a beeline for the dining hall. As he approached, a gruff voice echoed from within.

"What did you say? That nobody knocked Chen Tianyuan out cold and he's still out? Ha, impossible. What's that nobody's cultivation level? Qi Refining Stage Level Three? As if he could touch Chen Tianyuan, who's at Level Six. Chen Tianyuan probably took a bribe from that nobody to put on a little show. If that nobody shows his face around me, I'll twist his head off with my bare hands."

At the sound of this, Chen Bai's excitement surged. He called out into the dining hall with a booming voice, "You want to twist off my head? Ha, that's quite the claim! I'm Chen Bai, and I'm right here. Let's see you try to take my head off!"

With his words, Chen Bai channeled some spiritual Qi to amplify his voice. The sound reverberated like thunder, sending shivers down the spines of everyone in the dining hall.