After leaving Elder Yunnie’s cave abode, Jiang Chen returned to Danxia Valley.
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen, hello."
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen."
The guards at the entrance greeted Jiang Chen with polite smiles and friendly words upon seeing him. Their attitude was completely different from the earlier provocative stance.
One doesn't strike a smiling face. Jiang Chen understood that these guards were merely trying to survive in a precarious position. Whether they had previously sought trouble or now greeted him with smiles, it was all done out of necessity for survival.
Jiang Chen nodded slightly in acknowledgment without saying much.
Their current behavior was obviously because he had humbled Yan Hongtu, elevating his status significantly, and likely also because he had gained Elder Yunnie's favor.
Palace Master Dan Chi had promoted him, but obviously wouldn't interfere with Danxia Valley's affairs.
Elder Yunnie was different. The news that Elder Yunnie had slammed the table in argument with Elder Liancheng during the sect's high council meetings had spread, and after much embellishment, being linked to Jiang Chen gave it an entirely different flavor.
Elder Yunnie was openly looking after Jiang Chen.
Who would dare disrespect a genius who was a distinguished guest of the Master of the Herbal Hall?
Back in his cave abode, Jiang Chen entered a brief period of secluded cultivation. The gains from the Spirit Wood Spring were not yet fully assimilated.
Jiang Chen's physical body, having undergone several transformations, actually had its aptitude greatly enhanced already. The purification from the Five Dragons Open Heaven Pill in particular had elevated his bloodline potential to the level of a genius.
This second baptism from the Spirit Wood Spring further raised his aptitude by another level, reaching the tier of an upper-tier genius.
Although his bloodline potential still couldn't compare with the most monstrously gifted top-tier geniuses, the gap had undoubtedly narrowed significantly.
"The gap in bloodline and bone aptitude can also be closed. And the advantage I possess, no one else on the Divine Abyss Continent will have."
Jiang Chen was filled with confidence. His time at Dan Chi Palace had deepened his understanding of this world and further bolstered his self-assurance.
"The Supreme Zone, Heavenly Origin Realm geniuses, the Huabo Mountain Alchemy Tournament, the Myriad Phenomena Hidden Dragon Rankings, the Myriad Phenomena Grand Ceremony, the Myriad Phenomena Extreme Realm…"
Challenge after challenge fueled Jiang Chen's fighting spirit.
He knew these successive challenges were the grindstone for his rapid growth. His current cultivation speed was already astonishing, but he was far from satisfied.
"Father left me a letter and departed years ago, heading alone for the Upper Eight Regions. Years have passed; although my cultivation has reached the Origin Realm, the gap between me and the geniuses of the Upper Eight Regions remains vast. If I were to go to the Upper Eight Regions now, Father would surely be displeased."
Thinking of his father, Jiang Feng, in this life, Jiang Chen felt a deep concern. This father had given him so much support and care when he first arrived in this world, winning Jiang Chen's genuine recognition from the bottom of his heart.
Jiang Feng's principled and loyal character further commanded Jiang Chen's utmost respect.
"The Sage Path… Once I enter the Sage Path, I will definitely go to the Upper Eight Regions. I will make the name Jiang Chen known throughout the Upper Eight Regions, letting Father know I have not failed his expectations."
In his letter, Jiang Feng had firmly warned Jiang Chen not to seek him in the Upper Eight Regions before his strength had fully matured.
Jiang Chen had originally thought reaching the Origin Realm constituted full maturity.
But now he saw that to be considered fully matured in the Upper Eight Regions, the Origin Realm was far from sufficient. The Sage Path was the absolute minimum starting point.
Jiang Chen believed that if he entered the Sage Path and went to the Upper Eight Regions, his father would have no reason to object.
Yet, thinking of the dangers of the Upper Eight Regions after all these years, he couldn't help but worry about his father's journey there.
"Mmm, time is pressing. Not a single day can be wasted." Jiang Chen's resolve hardened further, and he resumed his cultivation.
Three days later, Jiang Chen emerged from seclusion.
Mu Gaoqi came to visit him enthusiastically, excited the moment they met. "Brother Chen, the Supreme Zone has opened four new cave abodes, did you hear?"
Jiang Chen nodded. "You registered?"
Mu Gaoqi nodded excitedly. "I actually missed the registration deadline, but I went to ask Elder Yunnie. He knew I had gone out with you recently, so he agreed to let me register late. Brother Chen, this time, there are two spots for alchemy geniuses as well. If only you and I could both break into the Supreme Zone!"
Jiang Chen smiled. "Are you confident?"
Mu Gaoqi thought for a moment. "I've considered it. My alchemy talent is among the top among core disciples. Plus, many alchemy geniuses are also martial arts geniuses. They might compete for the martial arts spots instead. So, I think there's still hope."
"Gaoqi, your only flaw is being too modest sometimes. When you want to compete, you must go all out and have full confidence in yourself. You possess an innate Wooden Spirit Body, and your alchemy talent is exceptional. I also gave you the Icefire Spirit Pearl, which will refine your talent for fire control even further. Combined with the baptism from the Spirit Wood Spring, if you still lack confidence, what would it take to make you confident?"
Mu Gaoqi chuckled sheepishly. His personality was naturally cautious and modest. In truth, he had considerable confidence in challenging for the Supreme Zone spot this time.
"Thanks largely to Elder Yunnie's full support this time," Mu Gaoqi sighed gratefully.
"Prepare well. See you in the Supreme Zone," Jiang Chen encouraged.
Jiang Chen now had everything in place. Emerging from seclusion, the gains from this trip had been converted into solid results. Though currently at the third level of the Origin Realm, even if he competed for a martial arts spot, Jiang Chen was highly confident.