C4 Returning to a New World

At this moment, Su Chen was unaware that the doyen had nearly figured out his true identity. Yet, if Su Chen were to realize he held the esteemed status of a Celestial Being, he would be over the moon with excitement.

The notion was no laughing matter. Su Chen was puzzled by the type of bamboo used by the inhabitants of the Otherworld to craft their tiles, which shimmered with a faint light under the sun, resembling emeralds.

Currently, Su Chen was gazing at the food laid out on the table: a bowl of what appeared to be porridge, a plate of meat, and a dark item that seemed to be a type of bread, perhaps a steamed bun.

But how was he to eat without utensils? Well, that wasn't the main concern. The real question was whether he could safely consume food from the Otherworld without risking poisoning or bacterial infection.

After much deliberation, Su Chen opted not to risk it. He packed the food into a plastic bag and stowed it in his backpack.

As darkness enveloped the surroundings, Su Chen surveyed the area and noticed that all the lights had been extinguished. Assured that he wouldn't be disturbed, he made his way back.

The very moment Su Chen vanished, Shou Kun and the doyen, who had been vigilant, sensed it immediately.

"The patriarch, he's gone," Shou Kun exclaimed, astonished.

"A Celestial Being is bound to be extraordinary; there's no need for surprise," the doyen replied, maintaining his composure despite the slight twitch in the corner of his eye, which only reinforced his belief in Su Chen's extraordinary nature.

Back in the comfort of his familiar room and bed, Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief; he had truly returned. He quickly checked the battery icon, which showed half its charge remaining—presumably re-energized from his time in the Otherworld. But what was this tiny speck of light?

Su Chen noticed a new point of light in the lower right corner of his vision, adjacent to the battery icon. As he concentrated on the light, a familiar scene flooded his mind—the bamboo-tiled house from the Otherworld, complete with the chair he had once occupied.

A flash of insight sparked in Su Chen's eyes, and his heart surged with joy. The light had transmitted a world coordinate, pinpointing the exact location he had just traveled from.

Su Chen glanced at the battery icon. This meant he could travel to more than just one world; he could explore other places as well.

After a moment's thought, Su Chen managed to quell his rising excitement. Venturing into unknown worlds could be perilous, and considering his own vulnerability, it seemed wiser to play it safe for now.

Upon checking his phone, Su Chen was astonished. Although he had spent over half a day in that other world, less than three hours had passed in reality. Clearly, the flow velocity of time differed between the two worlds.

He peered into his backpack. The Otherworld food was untouched. Su Chen had no intention of eating it, still wary of the risks. Instead, he stashed the food in the fridge, then used his phone to order some takeout—he hadn't eaten in quite some time.

...

In the waning years of the Yuan Dynasty, heroes emerged and the martial arts world was in turmoil. It was said that whoever possessed the Dragonbane and Heavenly Sword would ascend to become the King of the Martial World, with unrivaled authority. It was a time of splendor for the martial arts, yet a dark chapter for the nation.

Sitting in a teahouse, Su Chen, clad in traditional attire, eavesdropped on the surrounding chatter, struggling to contain his excitement. He took a sip of water to mask his emotions.

Despite the risks, Su Chen couldn't resist the allure of the New World. He hadn't given a second thought to how he would explain his sudden disappearance to the Untamed Tribe.

He was in the world of the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre, and he was right where he needed to be, armed with knowledge of the plot. Knowing the story meant knowing where to find opportunities, vital energy, martial arts, and supernatural forces. Su Chen felt as if he was soaring to the heavens, on par with the sky itself!

As for his attire, Su Chen had his ways. Years of reading modern novels had taught him a thing or two about trading—a simple compass had done the trick.

The sound of a gavel striking wood silenced the bustling teahouse.

"The martial arts world is fraught with conflict. Today, I shall share with you a significant tale from the martial arts world. Does anyone know what tomorrow brings?" A storyteller ascended the stage and began his tale.

The audience immediately erupted into a commotion.

"Come on, Old Lee, no more beating around the bush. Today is April 8th, and tomorrow's the 9th, but there's got to be more to it than that," chuckled a wandering martial artist.

"The gentleman is correct. Does anyone know when the Wudang Sect's founder, the revered Sage Zhang, celebrated as a living immortal, has his birthday?"

"Is it perhaps tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, the storyteller nodded affirmatively. "Exactly, tomorrow marks the centennial birthday of the venerable Sage Zhang. Life is fleeting, and few live to see a hundred years. Even fewer can claim a life like that of Sage Zhang."

"The story has reached this point already!" At this juncture, Zhang Cuishan must have made it to Wudang Mountain, while Zhang Wuji has been taken by the Yuan Dynasty, afflicted by the Shadowed Void Strike. Tomorrow, various sects will pretend to celebrate the birthday, but their true intent is to pressure Zhang Cuishan for information about the Dragonbane.

"Haha, Sage Zhang is indeed a divine figure."

"It seems Sage Zhang is on the verge of transcending mortality."

"What immortal? It's all myth. I believe Sage Zhang's martial arts have attained such sublimity that extending his life comes naturally to him."

...

The crowd below buzzed with speculation, but the storyteller let them be. Once the chatter subsided, he resumed his tale.

"While Sage Zhang's centenary is certainly cause for celebration, I have another significant piece of news to share. It's said that the festivities on Wudang Mountain are in full swing, and even the long-absent Zhang Cuishan has returned from overseas."

The teahouse fell silent in an instant, all eyes fixed on the elderly man on stage, including Su Chen's.

The King of the Martial World, wielding the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre, commands respect from all, and none dare defy. Next to the Dragonbane, Zhang Cuishan is but a footnote. The true prize is the Dragonbane itself.

At this point, Su Chen had lost interest in the storyteller's tale. Something was off about him, but what did it matter to Su Chen? Having stumbled upon the historic birthday of this legendary figure, it was imperative for Su Chen to witness it firsthand. He couldn't possibly miss such a momentous event.

Money made distance a trivial matter. The teahouse where Su Chen found himself was conveniently close to Wudang Mountain, close enough for him to make the journey. Yet, Su Chen felt no urgency to head straight to Wudang Mountain. Instead, he sought out a secluded spot to change back into his modern attire. After all, one couldn't pay respects without bringing along a suitable gift.

As someone from the present, meeting a legendary historical figure was not an opportunity to be taken lightly. Su Chen couldn't afford to tarnish the reputation of a Time Jumper. Moreover, a subtle plan was beginning to take shape in his mind.