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Chapter 38 - The White Ape’s Secret

The mist still clung to Liam Ardent's shoulders as he touched lightly upon the sheer cliff face. His descent was a dance of peril, each step upon jutting stone or twisted pine branch no more than a dragonfly brushing water. Still, the abyss demanded more with each breath—his internal energy surging to steady his fall.

The deeper he went, the heavier the silence pressed. Below, only a pale glimmer hinted at land. His arms ached faintly, the Infinite Upgrade System draining his reserves to match the steep drop.

I cannot delay. If I burn too much qi, I'll face the ape weakened.

Then, through the drifting fog, a stone platform jutted from the cliffside, barely ten fathoms wide. Relief sparked in his chest.

"Here," he murmured.

Kicking off a branch, Liam soared and landed with the grace of flowing silk. His boots touched stone, and before him the cliff's flank yawned into darkness. A cave-mouth, rough-hewn by nature, whispered of secrets within.

Drawing the Heaven-Reliant Sword, Liam pressed the blade's edge against the blackened rock. With but the faintest push, stone parted as tofu. Chips scattered, the sound swallowed quickly by the abyss. Each stroke carved a path forward, a narrow tunnel forcing itself into the mountainside.

Minutes stretched. Sweat beaded at his temple. Then—light. A final strike split the stone wall, and he staggered through into brilliance.

The world beyond was no cave.

A hidden valley unfurled before him, ringed by snow-crowned peaks. Within, the air was balmy as spring. Wild blossoms carpeted the ground, orchids and lotuses mingling with peach trees heavy in bloom. A crystalline pool mirrored the sky, where fat silver fish leapt and vanished. From the canopy, agile monkeys chattered, while mountain goats grazed without fear.

It was paradise itself, sealed away from the Jianghu.

Liam's heart stirred. A secret world, untouched by man. And somewhere within—my true quarry.

He wandered the vale, the System recording every rare herb and spiritual fruit with faint flickers across his vision. Then, at the far side of the valley, he found it.

Perched upon an ancient cedar was a giant ape, its fur gleaming as pure as snow. Its amber eyes shone with uncanny intelligence, fixing upon the intruder with wary hostility.

At once the creature bared its fangs, chest rising like a bellows.

Liam raised both hands, smiling faintly. "Peace. I came not as a hunter. I came… as a healer."

He tapped his chest, then gestured toward the ape's belly.

The beast hesitated. Then, with almost human clarity, it descended. With a low growl, it parted the fur at its abdomen. There—stitched crudely with coarse thread—lay a square swelling, unnatural to the eye.

Liam's breath quickened. So it is true. The scripture rests within you.

He drew the Heaven-Reliant Sword once more, but the ape neither flinched nor attacked. With precise motion, he severed the stitches, sliding out a bundle wrapped in oilcloth. Blood welled, but swiftly he pressed herbs, sewing the wound with surgeon's skill.

The ape grunted, shuddered, then stilled. Bowing awkwardly, it retreated into the trees, gaze filled not with anger, but with quiet gratitude.

Liam stood alone with the bundle. Slowly, reverently, he unwrapped it.

Four books, worn with age, lay nestled within. On their covers, faded golden characters glimmered faintly:

Nine Suns Divine Skill.

System Scan

[Item Acquired: Nine Suns Divine Skill (Legendary Manual – Four Volumes)]

[Effects: Infinite qi generation, instant comprehension of martial arts, auto-recovery, toxin immunity, supreme healing scripture. Cannot be directly auto-cultivated; requires comprehension.]

System Update

[Achievement Unlocked: Discovery of the Hidden Valley]

[EXP +2,000]

Liam exhaled sharply. "Legendary… this surpasses every art I've touched."

But already, the System's cold voice whispered:

[Restriction: Current Level insufficient. Direct cultivation forbidden. Manual must be self-comprehended.]

He smiled grimly. So be it. Even without shortcuts, my comprehension far outpaces common men.

Settling by the valley's central pool, he crossed his legs and began.

The first scroll unfolded with ease, principles flowing like sunlight. For ten days, Liam immersed himself, qi coursing in gentle waves, his skin glowing faintly gold. By the tenth dawn, the first volume was mastered.

System Update

[Manual Progress: Nine Suns Divine Skill, Volume I – Complete]

[EXP +3,000]

[Internal Energy +10,000]

But the second tome resisted him, its language twisting into riddles. A full month of meditation, failures, and reattempts finally cracked its code.

System Update

[Manual Progress: Volume II – Complete]

[EXP +5,000]

[Internal Energy +20,000]

The third demanded far more—a season of grueling nights, fire and frost running his veins until he collapsed in sweat-soaked exhaustion. Three months passed in the valley's timeless light.

System Update

[Manual Progress: Volume III – Complete]

[EXP +10,000]

[Internal Energy +30,000]

The final volume nearly broke him. Its truths were jagged, defying all logic. Half a year vanished, his body and spirit stretched thin. At last, beneath the full moon, Liam's qi surged like a tidal wave, every pore blazing white.

System Update

[Manual Progress: Nine Suns Divine Skill – Complete]

[Achievement Unlocked: King Among Arts]

[Reward: EXP Bottle ×1]

His bones sang as though remade. Muscles thrummed with ceaseless qi. When he exhaled, mist curled into dragons.

System Update – Status Panel

Name: Liam Ardent

Level: 9

Constitution: 208 (Comprehension & Recovery x20.8)

Internal Energy: 270,000 (Super First-Rate Expert)

Skills: Nine Suns Divine Skill (Complete), Heaven-Reliant Swordsmanship, …

A year had passed.

In that time, he had lived as though in exile from the world—playing among monkeys, roasting goats by campfire, tasting fruits the ape brought, immense peaches that strengthened his meridians.

And through it all, the Infinite Upgrade System had remained silent, as though testing his will. Only now, with mastery attained, did its voice return to crown him with triumph.

Rising, Liam clenched his fist. Energy rippled outward, shaking leaves from branches.

"Super First-Rate…" His lips curved. "From here, even the so-called grandmasters may no longer stand above me."

The valley's peace whispered farewell, but already his thoughts turned outward. To Valehart Manor. To Juliana and Selestine's rivalry. To Lord Alistair's schemes.

To the Jianghu, which awaited his return.

Glossary – Chapter 38

Nine Suns Divine Skill – Legendary cultivation scripture, four volumes. Grants infinite qi regeneration, instant martial comprehension, supreme healing, toxin immunity. Completed by Liam after one year of secluded cultivation.

White Ape – Spiritual beast dwelling in Kunlun's hidden valley, entrusted with the Nine Suns manuals. Saved by Liam, now allied by gratitude.

Hidden Valley – A paradise sealed within Kunlun's cliffs, home to rare flora and fauna. Became Liam's secluded training ground.

System Achievement – King Among Arts – Awarded for mastering a Legendary manual. Reward: EXP Bottle ×1.

Super First-Rate Expert – Realm beyond peak first-rate, nearing the threshold of grandmasterhood.

This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .

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