Chapter 14: "Master Gave Me an OP Technique… Now I Have a Headache"

Chapter 14: "Master Gave Me an OP Technique… Now I Have a Headache"

[Long Chen's POV]

[Throw away that trash technique the sect gave you.]

"What?! Master, does that mean you're finally going to impart some invincible technique to me?" I looked at the ring on my finger, eyes brimming with excitement.

[Well~ you can think of it that way if it makes you feel better.]

"Okay, Master!" I sat cross-legged, ready to receive my legendary inheritance. The moment I relaxed my mind and let down my mental defenses—

BOOM!

A tidal wave of knowledge crashed into my brain like a dam breaking.

—One hour later—

I lay sprawled on the floor, my limbs numb, my mind fried.

"W-What was that?!" I croaked, my throat dry and hoarse.

[The technique… plus some of my comprehension.]

"...Yeah, that’s what I thought. Because no way in hell should a single cultivation technique feel never-ending."

[You held on better than I expected. That could be attributed to your monstrous talent as well.]

"Huh?"

[Don’t be so surprised. You asked for an invincible technique, plus my 10,000 years of accumulated experience. Honestly, I thought it’d be lucky if you didn’t fall into a coma.]

"But wasn't it you who—" I mumbled, but who was I kidding? My master was an unfathomable existence. How could I ever hide my thoughts from him?

"Master, slightly off-topic, but what do you think of Xu Mo?"

[Him? Well, even I am uncertain… I miss my younger self, back when I could easily deduce the fate of both mortals and immortals.]

"Wow, Master! You could even see the future of immortals?" I flattered him shamelessly, knowing full well that praise was the way to his heart.

[You could try recruiting him. His talent is only slightly below yours, so he’d be perfect as your… back-up life.]

"...Back-up life?"

[Oh, Long Chen, you’re still too innocent for this world. What I mean is—become his friend, win his trust, and if you ever find yourself in an unsolvable situation, use him as a shield and run away.]

"Wait… isn’t that a little…"

[Whose future is more important? Yours or his?]

"My future, of course!" I said resolutely.

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[Then do as I say.]

[Xu Mo's POV]

"Huu…" I exhaled, massaging my stomach as I sat on my bed.

A bowl of hot soup had done wonders to ease my fatigue. My gaze drifted toward the window. The sky, once vast and bright, had dimmed into hues of deep orange and dusky purple. Wisps of clouds stretched lazily across the horizon, tinged with fading gold. The half-submerged sun cast long, wavering shadows over the sect grounds.

A faint breeze slipped through the open gap, carrying the scent of incense and distant cooking fires. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, their glow like scattered stars against the creeping twilight. The world was slowing, settling… yet the hum of cultivation never ceased—disciples meditating, elders pondering, the Dao flowing ceaselessly.

Evening had arrived, draping the world in its silent embrace.

"Alright, time to get back to cultivating."

Failure had only fueled my determination. I was excited—an indescribable feeling.

Just as I was about to sit down on the cold wooden floor, my eyes caught something beneath my bed.

At first, I thought I was imagining things. But upon a second glance, I saw it clearly—a faint silhouette of… something.

Bending down, I carefully reached under and pulled out two objects.

One was an incense stick—long, finely crafted, and exuding a scent that screamed 'high-grade.' The other was a heavy pouch.

I placed the incense stick on my bed and pried open the pouch.

Inside were several perfectly cut stones, all identical in size—spirit stones.

My brows furrowed. "Who the hell would leave something like this in my room?"

Was someone trying to frame me? That was the only logical conclusion. Who would be generous enough to just leave valuables in someone else’s quarters?

Sighing, I placed both items openly on my study table.

If I reported this to an elder, I’d be the first suspect. But if I didn’t and someone searched the male disciples’ quarters, I’d still be accused of theft.

"Well, too bad for them—I’m not entirely without backing."

I chuckled, imagining the faces of whoever set this up when their plan inevitably failed.

Shoving aside my suspicions for now, I sat down and refocused on cultivation.

"How do I get that feeling back?"

I had sensed it before—this faint, golden energy, like air itself. It had no shadow. The orange hues of the sunset didn’t affect its color. I had been able to see this invisible force ever since my talent awakened.

After reading The Mortal’s Primer on Cultivation, I finally learned its name. If I wanted, I could break through to Qi Condensation right now.

And yet… something made me hesitate.

Every time my fingers brushed past this energy, goosebumps crawled over my skin.

I hadn’t told anyone about this feeling. And I prayed no one ever found out.

Because if they did… they might search my soul or dissect my body, just like the stories my father once told me—stories of immortals who went to extreme lengths when they found something 'interesting.'

Shiver.

[Ancestor’s POV]

I stood outside the boy’s window, observing silently.

Xu Mo—the sect’s true successor—had chosen to work his way up from the bottom rather than claim his rightful position. An interesting decision.

Earlier, while he was away, several male disciples had entered his room. I saw everything. I knew exactly who was behind it and why.

But I did not interfere.

If Xu Mo truly found himself in a crisis, Long Bai could help him from behind the scenes. There was no need for an old sack of bones like me to step in.

Hahaha…

I chuckled for no reason, amused at the irony.

The same boy who once buried an ant queen he had accidentally stepped on… was now being framed for theft. A harsh but necessary lesson.

He had chosen this path himself—earning recognition rather than inheriting power. Admirable. He was aware of his shortcomings and knew that acknowledgment earned through effort was worth a hundred times more than privilege.

These small trials would help shape his character.

Only time would tell how long he could restrain his inner demons from abusing his power.

The Hidden Dragon Sect had existed for eons. There had been only a handful of true successors throughout history. And yet, while I still lived, every single one of them had perished—either consumed by their own desires or executed by other supreme powers.

I watched as Xu Mo returned and discovered the planted evidence.

I even heard his muttered suspicions.

Shaking my head in disappointment…

But then—something happened.

Something shocking.

So shocking, in fact, that I nearly lost control of my divine sense.

"Did he just… make contact with Qi?!"