[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Supreme Bone. Would you like to bind it now?]
[Supreme Bone]: A mysterious bone engraved with ancient runes. Grants its bearer unparalleled talent and a formidable physique. A destined peerless being.
Ye Junlin's eyes lit up as he silently chanted, "Bind."
A blinding light exploded from his chest, releasing a terrifying aura.
The radiance twisted and surged, burning like a miniature sun.
Within his chest, a translucent bone surfaced, etched with countless cryptic runes. It pulsed with immense energy.
The Supreme Bone.
With this, Ye Junlin's power would skyrocket.
He was thoroughly satisfied.
He'd seen the terrifying might of Shi Tianjue's Undying Blood Body during their battle with the Blood Demon—and that was only an incomplete physique. In this world, the strength of one's body was as important as cultivation itself.
Surely, there were even stronger physiques out there.
But now, with the Supreme Bone, Ye Junlin believed he'd be able to crush them all one day.
---
"What the hell?!"
Sensing the overwhelming energy radiating from Ye Junlin, Hong Qianye shivered involuntarily.
What kind of monstrous power had this guy awakened now?!
He had already seen Ye Junlin's dominance firsthand. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became—Ye Junlin had stumbled onto some terrifying fortune. No ordinary genius could rise like this from a barren land.
"Damn it! I'm still too weak! Once I reach the Unity Stage, I'll challenge him myself!"
Clenching his fists, Hong Qianye gritted his teeth.
---
Swish.
Ye Junlin descended slowly from the sky, silver hair billowing in the wind, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Upon seeing him, the Wei Emperor dropped to his knees, bowing low like a mortal before a god.
"Thank you, Celestial Being, for saving the citizens of Wei! Your kindness will be recorded in our annals and passed down for generations!"
The emperor was in awe, still reeling from the divine battle he'd just witnessed.
Ye Junlin waved him off casually. "Spare me the flattery. Just rule wisely and treat your people well."
The Wei Emperor trembled with emotion and nodded solemnly. "Your words shall be my guiding star, Celestial Being."
"Celestial Being, may I join the Xuantian Sect?" a soft voice suddenly asked.
It was the little princess, her tone hesitant and sweet, like a baby bird chirping for the first time.
"Ling'er! That's out of line!" the emperor snapped, glaring at her.
Did she think joining a celestial sect was as simple as asking? One had to be chosen by fate itself!
Zhao Ling'er lowered her head, flustered, her eyes brimming with panic.
Ye Junlin chuckled and quietly activated his Insight Eye.
---
[Name]: Zhao Ling'er
[Gender]: Female
[Cultivation Level]: None
[Talent]: Premium Water Spirit Root
[Identity]: Princess of Wei
---
"Hmm? Not bad. She has a decent celestial affinity."
Ye Junlin's eyes gleamed with interest upon seeing her spiritual root.
"Does this mean Ling'er is qualified to join the sect?" the emperor asked, full of hope.
Ye Junlin nodded. "If she's willing, I can take her with me."
After a brief pause, he decided she'd be well suited for guidance under the leader of Tianxiang Peak.
"Ling'er, what are you waiting for? Thank the Celestial Being!" the emperor exclaimed, on the verge of tears.
Two potential cultivators in the royal family—it was like the heavens themselves were blessing Wei.
"Thank you, Celestial Being!" Zhao Ling'er cried joyfully, her face flushed with excitement.
Ye Junlin gave a simple nod. "Mm."
"Celestial Being, please allow us to host a banquet in your honor as a show of our gratitude."
"Sure, why not."
Ye Junlin didn't leave immediately, deciding to enjoy some imperial hospitality first.
---
On a misty mountain peak...
Hong Qianye let out a long breath. His eyes burned with fierce determination, his body glowing faintly with crimson runes.
"Finally… I'm healed."
"And my cultivation…"
He stood tall, crimson robes flowing, long black hair cascading down his back like a waterfall. His skin shone like polished jade, and a red flame-shaped mark between his brows added to his ethereal presence.
The brutal battle and personal insight had pushed him to a breakthrough—he had reached the peak of the Transformation Stage.
In any ancient sacred land, such progress would have drawn tremendous attention.
But compared to Ye Junlin's absurd strength, his own achievements felt hollow.
He still had a long way to go.
"Just a little longer. Once I hit the Unity Stage, I'll make him pay back every ounce of humiliation—with interest."
Clenching his fists, Hong Qianye made a silent vow.
In his mind, he imagined Ye Junlin kneeling before him, begging for mercy. Just the image alone sent a thrill through his veins.
"Heh. The thought alone gets my blood pumping."
---
"Xiaohong, come greet your master!"
A familiar voice echoed in his ears.
Hong Qianye's expression twisted. "Tch. Do I look like I have free time?"
Still, in a flash, he vanished—reappearing outside the palace doors.
Forcing a smile, he bowed respectfully. "Master."
Inside the grand hall, Ye Junlin lounged comfortably on a luxurious chair, supporting his head with one hand while flipping through a book written by Wei scholars.
"This martial arts novel isn't bad. Seems like the people here love arrogant protagonists and dramatic plots. If I transmigrated into this kingdom, I could probably make a fortune writing novels. Hmm… I'll start with Horse Breaks the Sky. Instant bestseller from north to south. Pen name? 'Crazy Potato!'"
Hong Qianye's face twitched.
What the hell is this lunatic babbling about now…?
"Oh, you're here."
Ye Junlin sat up and waved his hand. A wooden basin appeared before him, steam rising gently from the water.
He dipped his feet in, then gave Hong Qianye a nonchalant nod.
"Well? What are you standing there for? Get over here."
"You…" Hong Qianye clenched his jaw.
He wanted to explode—but he wasn't strong enough.
Even the Blood Demon had fallen to this man. Picking a fight was suicide.
After a moment of inner struggle, he finally stepped forward, unwillingly.
"Kneel. And wash."
Ye Junlin's tone left no room for negotiation.
Hong Qianye's body stiffened. A mix of rage and humiliation burned through him like fire ants crawling under his skin.
"I'm the sect leader of the Blood Demon Sect—a true Immortal! I've slaughtered countless cultivators. And now he wants me to kneel and wash his feet?!"
His pride screamed in protest, but when his gaze met Ye Junlin's cold, indifferent eyes, it shattered.
Boom!
A cold wave slammed into him like falling into an icy abyss.
This man… wasn't human. He was a supreme being, standing far above all others.
"What are you stalling for? Move."
Ye Junlin's voice snapped him out of it.
"I… I'll do it," Hong Qianye murmured, spirit breaking.
He knelt slowly, his hands trembling as they reached into the water.
"Good disciple," Ye Junlin praised with a faint nod.
What, you thought you could keep acting proud? Even a dragon must lower its head to the true master.
---
"Wait… this water…"
Hong Qianye's eyes widened as a strange sensation spread through him. His breath quickened. His heart pounded.
No way…!
Infinite Taoist Water?!
This miraculous liquid could extend a mortal's life by two centuries and purify a cultivator's body, dramatically boosting cultivation.
Even a small vial would incite bloodshed in the Central Region.
And here it was… being used as foot bath water?!
Hong Qianye nearly passed out.
He stared at the large basin in disbelief.
If I drank this whole thing, my cultivation would skyrocket…!
Then it hit him.
Wait… this is foot water!
The realization crashed into him like a slap.
"Urgh—!"
His stomach turned violently.
---