35: Chapter 35 Spreading the Imperial Scripture, Little Nannan's Growth

"Therefore, we need to ensure that Emperor Yuhua 'dies a worthy death'." Chu Tianjiao's gaze was deep. "Emperor Yuhua must be ended by Xiao Nannan's own hands; this is the key to her Dao Heart reaching Perfection and her complete rise."

"I need you to go and secretly protect Emperor Yuhua—not to keep him from dying, but to ensure he isn't killed prematurely by the Immortal Emperor or other factors. He must 'live' until the time comes for Nannan to slay him."

Xiao Shitou thought for a moment, understood his teacher's intention, and nodded solemnly: "Alright, I understand."

Seeing Xiao Shitou agree so readily, Chu Tianjiao patted his shoulder:

"There is no need to go immediately. I estimate that even if the Immortal Emperor intends to act, it will be at least a hundred years from now. Emperor Yuhua was heavily injured by you and also needs time to recover. Use this time to properly stabilize your Realm and thoroughly digest the insights from this life-and-death battle."

He looked at Xiao Shitou with expectation in his eyes:

"You are now at the Peak of the Ninth Heaven of Quasi-Emperor, only a step away from that final threshold. After this death-match with two Supremes in Ultimate Sublimation, your accumulation, will, and excavation of the Sacred Body Origin have all reached a critical point. You already possess the qualifications to take that step and truly achieve Proving the Dao."

"But..." Xiao Shitou showed hesitation, "If I achieve Proving the Dao and become an Emperor now, with the heavenly heart mark added to me, wouldn't Nannan be unable to become an Emperor? Furthermore, once I become an Emperor, my aura will shake the Universe, and Nannan will surely know I am still alive. Then the previous plan..."

"Oh, you." Chu Tianjiao shook his head and laughed.

"Who said you have to achieve Proving the Dao right now? Xiao Nannan is taking the path of evolving the Chaos Body and defying heaven with a Mortal Body. To some extent, this path can bypass or even suppress the Dao of a current Emperor; they are not completely unable to coexist. Even if the heavenly heart mark is needed, that is a matter for the future."

He explained: "My meaning is for you to begin preparing now, adjusting your state to its best and silently accumulating. When Xiao Nannan slays Emperor Yuhua in the future and the heavenly heart mark becomes vacant, you will seize the opportunity, immediately trigger your own Great Dao, and strike for the Emperor Realm!"

"At that time, I will use Heavenly Emperor means to cover for you and act as your Protector, while simultaneously interfering with the heavenly secrets so that Xiao Nannan cannot immediately perceive your aura. By the time she notices, you will have already succeeded in Proving the Dao, and the deed will be done."

Chu Tianjiao's tone turned gentle:

"Only by Proving the Dao and becoming an Emperor can the Sacred Body be considered truly Perfected. Only then will you have the chance to attempt living a second life, possessing a longer Lifespan and a higher ceiling. If possible, I hope you can be like me, relying on yourself to comprehend a Longevity Method and live a second life. But rest assured, even if you fail..."

He paused and said seriously: "I will also use an undying peach to help you live a second life. You are not only my Disciple, but also my Brother-in-law. If I don't give the undying divine medicine to you, who else would I give it to?"

"That is too far off, Teacher, and you should keep the undying peach for yourself!"

Xiao Shitou said hurriedly, his expression anxious, "You must live through nine lives to become a Red Dust Immortal, and every life is a life-and-death trial. The undying peach is one of your most important safeguards! If it is used on me, in case something goes wrong with one of your subsequent lives..."

"You brat!" Chu Tianjiao interrupted him, his tone brooks no argument. "I have my own path and plans. The undying peach is mine, and how it is used is up to me! Your road is still long; you must have enough time to walk it. This matter is not up for further discussion; everything will follow my arrangements."

Seeing his teacher's firm attitude, Xiao Shitou opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed his words, though the look of gratitude in his eyes grew even stronger.

"Alright, enough of that." Chu Tianjiao waved his hand, changing the subject. "As it happens, there is something I need you to do now."

"Please give your orders, Teacher."

"The Hunyuan Heavenly Scripture I have perfected has been split into five chapters and spread out. Didn't you take in a few Disciples in the outside world? Pass the first three chapters—'Sea of Wheels', 'Dao Palace', and 'Four Poles'—to them for their Cultivate."

"Observe the effects carefully to see if it truly fits those with ordinary Aptitude as I have deduced. Meanwhile, have them also appropriately pass on the basic techniques of the first two chapters to some Mortals or low-level Cultivators with good Heart-Nature, provided they do not attract unwanted attention."

"Yes! Teacher!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Shitou's face showed heartfelt joy. He knew well his teacher's grand ambition in creating this scripture, and to be able to participate in it, spreading the Dao and benefiting low-level Cultivators, made him feel deeply honored.

"Mhm." Chu Tianjiao nodded and added, "On this trip to the outside world, besides spreading the scripture, take the opportunity to travel around more. Secretly keep an eye on the movements of the various forbidden zones to see if there are any abnormalities. Additionally..."

A faint, knowing smile played across his lips:

"You can also pay some 'special attention' to the Yuhua Divine Dynasty. Emperor Yuhua is in seclusion to heal his wounds and won't emerge. The foundation that his dynasty has accumulated over these several thousand years is not small; there must be many good things inside."

"Take what should be taken, dismantle what should be dismantled. Cause some trouble for them; don't let them be too comfortable. Consider this as collecting some interest in advance for Xiao Nannan."

Hearing this, Xiao Shitou immediately understood his teacher's meaning, and a knowing smile also appeared on his face: "Yes, Teacher! I understand what to do."

"Go then, and be careful in everything. If you encounter danger that cannot be overcome, immediately trigger the aura of the human emperor banner's Sub-banner, and I will sense it." Chu Tianjiao gave a final instruction and waved his hand.

"Take care, Teacher!" Xiao Shitou bowed respectfully, then turned and transformed into an imperceptible golden streak of light, skillfully passing through the layers of Formation Patterns laid by the human emperor banner and quietly leaving the Undying Mountain.

Watching Xiao Shitou depart, Chu Tianjiao stood for a moment before turning back into the house.

"human emperor banner, I am going to begin seclusion to further deduce the path to the fourth life and attempt to refine and absorb the Dao Fragments and Life Essence obtained from slaying several Supremes this time. Do not disturb me unless there is an urgent matter."

"Wake me up exactly one hundred years from now."

He sat down cross-legged, and the Chaos Qi around him began to flow slowly.

"Yes, Master." The human emperor banner responded, its surface unfurling as it hovered above the roof, shedding a faint golden glow that completely enveloped the small cottage. At the same time, it connected with the great array outside, guarding against any movement within the Undying Mountain.

Chu Tianjiao closed his eyes, his aura gradually becoming tranquil as if merging with the surrounding space, beginning his deep-level seclusion.

---

On the other side.

Deep in the Universe, on an Ancient Life Star named 'Canglan Star', above a certain deserted island in the eastern sea region.

The Void Realm rippled slightly, and a graceful figure wearing a silver mask and a plain white long dress, carrying an ancient-looking long blade and a peach tree rooted in the void swaying with immortal light, slowly descended.

It was exactly Xiao Nannan, who had left Beidou and traveled for ten years in the starry sky to Cultivate.

Ten years of wind and frost had left no mark on her; instead, they had made those eyes visible outside the mask even colder and more profound, as if they contained an eternal frozen pool. Her aura was restrained, yet there was a mysterious charm of devouring the myriad Daos and evolving the Chaos.

"The Spiritual Qi here is acceptable, and it is remote with few Cultivators to disturb me." She spoke softly to herself, her voice crisp yet carrying an unquestionable indifference. "I shall enter seclusion here to Breakthrough to the second heaven of the Immortal Ascension Realm."

She lowered her head and looked at a blood-colored jade pendant held in her hand—it was one of her brother's 'relics', stained with Sacred Blood. Deep in her eyes, a flash of bone-deep pain and an extremely cold killing intent flickered.

Emperor Yuhua... all the Forbidden Zone Supremes... and that mastermind behind the scenes who ambushed my teacher...

You all... shall die.