The Birth of Sword God-Chapter 38 - 37: The Seventh Gate

Early the next morning, Liu Tianfeng brought everyone to find Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.

Obviously, with the secret realm opening, the Liu father and son, who had been planning for a long time, were already impatient.

Niu Yuanshan was also brought along by Steward Liu.

He intended to bring this old good man to guard outside the secret realm for them.

If something really happened, wouldn’t he be helpful?

Old Niu readily agreed to this request.

In Liu Tianfeng’s eyes, this ox-like man was still as easy to talk to as ever, with a warm heart.

Little did he know that this was exactly what Niu Yuanshan hoped for.

There was no helping it; Old Niu had a great curiosity about Chu Huaixu.

But he didn’t want to get slapped again.

However, me actively peeking, and someone calling me to help, are two different things.

Moreover, for this Daoist secret realm, he naturally hoped Chu Huaixu could succeed.

Wouldn’t that mean all the benefits inside would be pocketed by our [organization]?

Therefore today, I’m not intentionally approaching this fellow Daoist, nor satisfying my personal curiosity; this is an... action!

It’s my and this newcomer’s first action within the Daoist Sect!

Chu Huaixu, having prepared everything the night before, stretched lazily under everyone’s gaze.

The so-called preparation was actually just stocking up more food, water, daily necessities in the Storage Token, and... bringing along the tool, Han Shuangjiang.

"Today let me see, as the world’s protagonist, how useful you really are." He thought.

"I’ll leave the house to you." Chu Huaixu turned and instructed the young servant.

Xu Ziqing nodded and said respectfully, "Yes."

He didn’t expect that having just arrived here, he’d be left alone.

He envied them greatly for being able to explore the secret realm.

"I wonder if I could ever have such an opportunity one day," he thought eagerly.

The group arrived at the Cold Pool.

Along the way, Chu Huaixu observed the registered disciples following Liu Chengqi; they were also secretly watching him and Han Shuangjiang.

Liu Tianfeng gave a simple introduction and persistently instructed these peak Acupoint Opening Stage registered disciples to also protect the two of them.

But only he knew what was truly on his mind.

Upon reaching the destination, everyone observed the cold pool in front of them.

Nearby, some cold-property spirit herbs were planted, which used to absorb the chill of the cold pool.

At normal times, anyone approaching the cold pool would feel an overpowering chill.

Yet today, it was like ordinary pool water.

The eerie chill had long vanished without a trace.

Liu Tianfeng took out ten azure beads from his Storage Token and handed them to everyone: "These are Water-Repelling Beads, take them with you."

Han Shuangjiang and Junior Sister Chen’s eyes lit up slightly.

After all, for girls, if they were to dive in directly, there might be a wet-look temptation show later.

Seeing everyone pocket the Water-Repelling Bead, Steward Liu began giving his final instructions.

"No one knows what mysteries each Daoist sect secret realm holds."

"But rest assured, while there may be dangers, the secret realm within the sect is a test from the seniors and will not cost you your lives."

"Also, remember the sect rules: all opportunities are for the fated, do not break the rules, and do not harm your fellow disciples!"

This was actually a hint to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang, not to act recklessly with their background!

After all, it is a grave taboo, and if found out, even the Sixth Elder couldn’t protect them!

As for the seven registered disciples he’d sent, they were handpicked confidants.

Each one trained by him, promised many benefits this time.

Under normal circumstances, after completing the Nine Acupoints, registered disciples would be eager to head to the Library Pavilion, rather than not attempting a Realm Breakthrough, like these.

They were instructed by Liu Tianfeng to wait for the secret realm to open!

Once inside, they would fully support Liu Chengqi and aid him.

"Alright, off you go." Liu Tianfeng waved his hand broadly.

Niu Yuanshan stood to one side, ever-smiling, hardly saying a word.

But his gaze was almost entirely focused on Chu Huaixu.

"The Fifth Acupoint?"

"He’s already opened the Fifth Acupoint?"

Niu Yuanshan couldn’t fathom how this was possible.

Moreover, he clearly remembered that night, the Sixth Elder came seeking him, asking where the Jade Scroll of "Refining Sword Formulas" came from, calling it an evil skill.

Back then, he’d felt a wave of worry.

"Thinking back now, could it be because it’s an evil skill, thus progressing rapidly?"

This kindly middle-aged man’s heart began to worry slightly.

Unconsciously, he truly regarded Chu Huaixu as a younger member of his family.

At this moment, under Liu Tianfeng’s watchful gaze, a slightly chubby registered disciple was the first to leap into the cold pool.

The Water-Repelling Bead was indeed magical; his jump made little splash.

Everyone entered the cold pool, with Chu Huaixu being the last.

The cold pool was very deep, requiring much swimming.

Gathering at the bottom as instructed by Liu Tianfeng, everyone took out the fragments of the Pill King Token.

The glowing fragments floated in the water by themselves and then gathered together.

The weak glow grew brighter, and a massive vortex suddenly appeared at the bottom!

Before the ten could react, they were all sucked into the vortex.

A dizzying sensation hit, making them want to vomit.

Their vision blurred, unable to see anything around.

Some registered disciples, nervous, felt their hearts leap to their throats.

Only Chu Huaixu bore it with mental clarity.

The reason was simple; when the vortex appeared, he heard a system notification.

"[Ding! Entering the dungeon—Pill King Token!]"

"[The dungeon is opening...]"

Ah, so it was loading.

After nearly a minute, they fell heavily to the ground, from about a little over a meter high.

Most registered disciples groaned in pain.

Han Shuangjiang let out a muffled hum.

Only Chu Huaixu was silent, just feeling slightly nauseous.

Such little pain, why scream?

He climbed up first and looked forward.

He wasn’t sure if this was a space beneath the cold pool or elsewhere.

Before Chu Huaixu, there were ten entrances.

They looked like ten caves.

"Does this mean the ten of us must split up, each picking an entrance?" Liu Chengqi frowned.

For some reason, after speaking, he instinctively looked at Chu Huaixu.

He wanted to hear his insight.

Unexpectedly, Chu Huaixu called Han Shuangjiang aside, whispering, ignoring him.

"Which one do you choose? Follow your intuition." He said softly to the girl with a cold face.

The girl, unaware of his intentions, raised her eyes, scanning the ten entrances.

"From the left, the seventh." She said.

No particular reason, simply because from one to ten, seven was her favorite.

"Alright." Chu Huaixu nodded.

Then, he turned to Liu Chengqi and the others, speaking loudly: "Senior brothers and sisters, haven’t you chosen yet?"

"Then how about yielding to the junior brother first?"

"We choose these two entrances." He pointed to seven and eight.

Liu Chengqi heard this, eyes darkening, feeling displeased.

Luckily, his preference was toward nine.

—Nine is the utmost number!

Thus, his eyes shifted, but he ultimately smiled, "Alright, we’ll leave seven and eight for Junior Brother Chu and Junior Sister Han."

Soon everyone selected their entrances.

"Then... shall we enter?" Liu Chengqi naturally took the lead again.

This time Chu Huaixu responded to him: "Alright."

Everyone moved forward, somewhat impatiently.

As Han Shuangjiang was about to enter the entrance, a large hand grasped her arm.

"What’s wrong?" She questioned, glancing at Chu Huaixu holding her.

Through the fabric, she felt the warmth of that big hand.

Chu Huaixu held her arm, meeting her gaze.

"We won’t separate, I’ll enter with you."

...

(ps: Second update, asking for monthly votes.

In the future, it might be better to release both Chapters together at noon.)