Chapter 5: World Honored One Chong Jue  

The morning bell of the Echoing Warmth Sect resonated deeply, startling the birds in the mountains into flight.  

Su Han Sheng pressed his throbbing temples as he struggled to sit up, his gaze listlessly drifting outside.  

It was already the sixteenth day of the eighth month—his birthday—and the sun hung high in the sky.  

The Lifebound Tree extended its withered branches to tidy his disheveled black hair. Su Han Sheng leaned against the trunk, unconsciously biting the knuckle of his bent index finger as he pondered the identity of the man from last night.  

Just one glance from that man had knocked him unconscious for an entire night?  

How terrifyingly powerful was that person’s cultivation?  

Due to the Phoenix Bone, Su Han Sheng couldn’t cultivate properly, remaining stuck at the Qi Refining Stage. Even a cultivator at the Golden Core Stage could make him cough up blood with a single look.  

But he never blamed himself for anything. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. In a fit of frustration, he stomped on one of the branches, pressing down until his toes turned pale from the force.  

“I have to find out who that person was!”  

Suddenly, Xu Nan Xian’s voice sounded beside him: “Find out who? What are you muttering to yourself about?”  

Su Han Sheng froze, then hastily pushed aside the layers of black bed curtains.  

“Senior Brother?”  

Xu Nan Xian had arrived at some point and was sitting casually on a chair by the window, munching on dried apricots with relish.  

Seeing Su Han Sheng awake, he tossed over a Black Bird Holding Branch Pattern Taoist Robe and said vaguely, “You really can sleep—I’ve been waiting forever. Elder Xie asked me to take you to the front sect.”  

Su Han Sheng nodded obediently, shuffling to the edge of the bed and stretching out his bare feet, wiggling his toes.  

The withered Lifebound Tree branches gently moved to assist, but before they could act, Xu Nan Xian flicked a dried apricot at him and scolded, “Will wearing shoes kill you? You’re not a child—put them on yourself.”  

Su Han Sheng tilted his head and caught the apricot in his mouth, then kicked the branches away and obediently put on his shoes and robe.  

The morning sunlight slanted through the window.  

Basking in the warm glow, Xu Nan Xian lazily ate his apricots while watching Su Han Sheng clumsily dress himself. He chatted idly, “The front sect is lively today—the World Honored One of Mount Sumeru has come in person. Impressive, Su Xiao Xiao. Even after three years at the Enlightenment Academy, I’ve never had the honor of meeting the World Honored One.”  

Su Han Sheng frowned as he struggled with his sash, responding absentmindedly.  

Seeing his fingers tangled, Xu Nan Xian finally set aside his candied apricots and stepped forward, swatting Su Han Sheng’s hands away in annoyance. His calloused fingers—hardened from spear practice—quickly tied an elegant bow.  

He held up two jade pendants, comparing them against Su Han Sheng’s robe. “As for the others… if Elder Xie doesn’t introduce you, don’t bother with them. Those old foxes claim to care for their dear friend’s son, but they’re just vultures and wolves eyeing Master’s relics. As the Young Lord of the Yingxu Sect, you don’t have to humor anyone—except the World Honored One.”  

Su Han Sheng had no good impressions of Su Xuan Lin’s so-called close friends. Sullenly, he thought, *World Honored One this, World Honored One that—why is everyone obsessed with him?*  

But fearing a beating, he simply nodded meekly. “Alright.”  

After choosing a pendant, Xu Nan Xian tidied Su Han Sheng’s seaweed-like black hair and gave him a once-over.  

With his striking resemblance to Su Xuan Lin, half of Su Han Sheng’s hair was tied up with a jade crown. The luxurious Black Bird Holding Branch Pattern cloak draped over his slender frame, every movement exuding the refined grace of someone raised in privilege.  

Xu Nan Xian nodded in approval. “Hmm, passable. You’ll do. Let’s go.”  

Ever efficient, he strode out the door in a few long steps, his tall frame moving swiftly.

Su Han Sheng, still young and not fully grown, had to take small, hurried steps to keep up.

Just as they were about to reach the entrance of Frosty Expanse Garden, an unseen surge of Yin Fiend Energy suddenly swirled around Su Han Sheng, transforming into several headless ghosts wreathed in flames that floated ominously around him.

“…What are you going out for?”

“To pay respects at your senior brother’s memorial hall? Hahaha.”

Su Han Sheng froze.

In his past life, the first time he left Frosty Expanse Garden, it had indeed been to visit a memorial hall.

Staring at the familiar yet foreign path ahead, his already unstable Divine Soul grew even more unsettled as the headless ghosts disrupted his thoughts, leaving him momentarily lost.

That’s right… what was he going out for?

Just like in his past life, leaving this exquisite “cage,” stepping over scattered yellow paper, passing by soul-summoning banners fluttering in the wind, imaginary vengeful spirits stretching their claws toward him with resentment…

…Until he finally reached the memorial hall reeking of incense ashes.

Xu Nan Xian’s coffin remained unsealed, yet no one dared approach.

Tear-streaked and stumbling as if through quagmire, Su Han Sheng placed his icy hand on the bitter-scented wooden coffin, peering inside with the numbness of a walking corpse…

Suddenly—”Su Xiao Xiao!”

Su Han Sheng’s unfocused eyes snapped back to awareness as he looked up in surprise.

Xu Nan Xian stood beneath a phoenix tree not far away, his expression bold and unrestrained, a hint of amusement in his eyes though his tone was impatient: “What are you standing around for? Come on.”

Su Han Sheng was stunned.

The fierce Lifebound Tree, previously bare, suddenly sprouted a single vibrant green leaf at its crown.

Breaking free from the surrounding demonic illusions, Su Han Sheng fully awakened from his nightmare and waved his hand dismissively.

The headless ghosts dissipated with mocking laughter.

A smile suddenly bloomed on Su Han Sheng’s face as he broke into a run, stepping over the threshold of Frosty Expanse Garden, his layered robes blossoming like spring flowers.

Ever since Xu Nan Xian’s death in his past life, he had feared crossing this doorway.

But now, reborn in this body, the threshold that had once seemed an insurmountable chasm in his memory…

Was merely a narrow span of five inches high.

A single step was all it took.

***

The Lifebound Tree thrashed excitedly, its withered branches stretching and spreading wildly.

Walking up the mountain path, Xu Nan Xian eyed the frenzied vines: “While you were asleep yesterday, I had a physician examine your Soulbound Spirit. They said there’s no major issue. But this damned thing looks like it’s gone demonic to me—are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Su Han Sheng shook his head: “No, senior brother needn’t worry.”

Xu Nan Xian still wasn’t quite used to Su Han Sheng being so docile, but then again—did he really want the brat talking back and driving him to retreat every day?

Hmm, better obedient.

The morning bell tolled again.

Footsteps approached from a fork in the mountain path ahead. Both looked up to see Qi Jian Yi and several Cold Mountain Sect disciples walking toward them.

Qi Jian Yi’s gaze swept over them, his brow furrowing slightly.

Xu Nan Xian gave a mocking “Well, well” as he sauntered forward, smirking: “If it isn’t Young Master Qi. Have your injuries improved?”

Qi Jian Yi’s eyes darkened as he looked at Su Han Sheng.

Normally, Xu Nan Xian’s sarcasm would have Su Han Sheng jumping to his defense immediately.

But now Su Han Sheng stood holding an umbrella, obediently clutching Xu Nan Xian’s sleeve… and smiling.

The Cold Mountain Sect disciples behind them couldn’t swallow this insult. One immediately snapped: “Xu Nan Xian! You go too far!”

Xu Nan Xian lifted an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm: “I was kindly inquiring after your Young Lord’s health—how is that going too far? Is this how Cold Mountain Sect teaches its disciples to slander people without cause?”

The disciple was so furious he nearly toppled over, cursing without restraint: “You dog relying on your master’s power! Don’t think being an Immortal Lord’s disciple gives you the right to be so arrogant and domineering! Without the Echoing Warmth Sect, what are you worth?!”

Su Han Sheng’s face instantly darkened.

Despite Xu Nan Xian’s notoriously fiery temper, he seemed utterly unfazed by the insult, as if accustomed to such verbal abuse. Instead of anger, his expression remained lazily indifferent as he replied, “Yes, yes, my sect is the Echoing Warmth Sect, and my master is an Immortal Lord—this is common knowledge. No need for you to make such a grand announcement on my behalf.”

“…!” The man hadn’t expected Xu Nan Xian to be so shameless. “You—!”

Qi Jian Yi sharply rebuked in a low voice, “Silence! Show some respect.”

Su Han Sheng’s gaze was laced with venom.

He recognized this person—Qi Yuanshan, a member of the Cold Mountain Sect’s main family, who always flaunted his sect’s influence to act arrogantly.

In their past life, the entire Echoing Warmth Sect had kept tightly sealed the truth that Xu Nan Xian died while gathering herbs for Su Han Sheng, not wanting him to bear guilt and remorse. Yet Qi Yuanshan had taken advantage of Qi Jian Yi’s condolence visit to embellish the story and reveal it to the distraught Su Han Sheng.

At that time, Su Han Sheng couldn’t handle any more shocks. Learning the full truth had nearly shattered him.

Subsequently, Qi Jian Yi used the Harmony Contract to comfort him, making Su Han Sheng grow even more dependent on him—thus effortlessly seizing Su Xuan Lin’s Mount Sumeru Mustard.

The morning bell tolled for the third time.

Su Han Sheng stared at Qi Yuanshan’s resentful face as fine, dense roots sprouted from his feet, burrowing into the soil below.

Having thoroughly mocked Qi Jian Yi, Xu Nan Xian was in high spirits. “Xiao Xiao, let’s go.”

The icy malice in Su Han Sheng’s amber eyes instantly melted into flowing water. With a bright smile, he nodded obediently and followed his senior brother.

Qi Jian Yi watched Su Han Sheng’s retreating figure, an inexplicable ache faintly stirring in his chest—whether from the Harmony Contract or something else, he couldn’t tell.

…From beginning to end, Su Han Sheng hadn’t spared him a single glance.

Qi Yuanshan was still fuming. “It was Su Han Sheng’s own choice to go to Cold Mountain Academy! Why should that bastard Xu Nan Xian take it out on you?!”

Qi Jian Yi closed his eyes briefly before coldly stating, “Fool who speaks without thinking.”

Qi Yuanshan froze.

The nearby Cold Mountain Sect disciples also shot him displeased looks.

Enlightenment Academy and Cold Mountain Academy had always been at odds. It was commonplace for students from both academies to clash over spiritual treasures, and Qi Yuanshan had grown accustomed to speaking recklessly.

But now that his impulsiveness faded, realization struck belatedly.

Today was the Young Lord’s birthday celebration, and many elders above the Transformation Stage were present in the front sect. Even if they restrained themselves, their divine senses could unconsciously extend for miles. If someone overheard Cold Mountain Academy slandering an Immortal Lord’s disciple…

At this thought, cold sweat broke out on Qi Yuanshan’s back.

“Young Lord…”

Qi Jian Yi’s face was grim as he wordlessly turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Qi Yuanshan stood frozen in place, only snapping out of his daze when a hot breeze brushed past him. He hurriedly moved to follow.

But just as he ascended three steps, a withered branch suddenly shot out from the dense forest like a giant serpent, coiling around Qi Yuanshan before yanking him violently into the woods with a thunderous crash.

A magpie landed on a dead tree, its eerie avian eyes reflecting a bloody hue as it tilted its head, staring unblinkingly at the shadowy thicket below.

The world spun.

When Qi Yuanshan regained his senses, his limbs were bound by something, leaving him dangling upside down, his vision inverted.

Panicked, he struggled. “Who’s there?!”

The vines entwined around his limbs slowly retracted. In the inverted view, countless tendrils stretched out from the ground, then wrapped around him like a spider’s web, instantly transforming into a snow-white phantom figure.

Qi Yuanshan strained to look for a while, horrified, “Su Han… Young Master?”

The figure formed from the tendrils was entirely snow-white. Su Han Sheng’s toes hovered in the air, with only a few tendrils rooted in the ground. He opened his snow-white eyes and leaned down to touch Qi Yuanshan’s neck.

“What did you just say about my senior brother? Say it again.”

Qi Yuanshan was overwhelmed by the bitter scent that seemed to emanate from the roots growing underground. Instinctively, he wanted to use his spiritual power to break free, but the more he struggled, the tighter the vines wrapped around him.

Clearly at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage, he was rendered immobile by a mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator, unable to use any spiritual power.

Su Han Sheng continued to smile, “Speak.”

Qi Yuanshan swallowed hard, trying to be flexible, “Young Master, I didn’t mean to… ah—!”

Before he could finish his sentence, a hard, withered branch suddenly pierced through his chin, drawing a line of blood straight from his mouth.

Blood flowed continuously down the withered branch.

Qi Yuanshan’s eyes widened in pain, his previously arrogant gaze now filled with tears of fear. He struggled as if wanting to plead for mercy, but not a single word could escape his lips.

“Mmm—!”

Su Han Sheng slowly straightened up, his snow-white hair cascading down to his ankles, tangled in the vines, his tone cold and casual.

“Since you won’t speak, then you shall never open your mouth again.”

Su Han Sheng brought his fingers together, his eyes unblinking as he controlled the vines to burrow down his throat, ensuring that he could never utter a disrespectful word about his senior brother again.

Tears streamed down Qi Yuanshan’s face as he trembled in terror.

“Mmm!”

“Clang—”

Suddenly, a surge of spiritual power came from the side, forcefully piercing through the shield formed by the withered branch, shattering the deadly branch at Qi Yuanshan’s neck.

Finally freed from his restraints, Qi Yuanshan crawled forward, crying and bleeding profusely.

Su Han Sheng’s expression darkened suddenly as he looked down at the residual spiritual power in the vines. The Lifebound Tree bared its fangs and claws, transforming into a hard shield that enveloped Su Han Sheng completely.

The withered branch seemed like a great net, and in the hazy shadows, Su Han Sheng recognized that surge of spiritual power, coldly stating, “…the one who hurt me last night?”

The withered branch gently moved its tendrils.

Yes.

Su Han Sheng had suffered setbacks at the hands of the same person repeatedly, and a rare hint of malice appeared in his brows and eyes as he urged the withered branch to strike again.

The person attacking from behind could no longer bear to watch. A resonant sound struck into Su Han Sheng’s brow.

Su Han Sheng staggered backward and was caught by the Lifebound Tree, his long hair disheveled and hanging from the treetop, resembling a bird caught in a net.

Qi Yuanshan crawled forward, blood streaming down, a scene both bloody and tragic.

The mastermind, Su Han Sheng, stood there with a bewildered expression, his eyes suddenly reddening.

Su Xiao Xiao had spent half her life trapped in a corner of the Frosty Expanse Garden without guidance, and the other half in Avici Hell, witnessing nothing but bloodshed and depravity.

Avici Hell was filled with sinners abandoned by the Heavenly Dao, and he had been influenced by it, much like the withered branches of the Lifebound Tree, growing wildly without anyone to prune them.

Su Han Sheng did not understand what moderation was, nor could he distinguish what cruelty meant.

In his perception, since Qi Yuanshan had spoken ill of Xu Nan Xian, it was only right for him to kill him.

This was the rule.

—The rule of Avici Hell.

After being repeatedly thwarted in what he deemed “justified,” Su Han Sheng felt an overwhelming surge of grievance. His eyes reddened, the corners even glistening with unshed tears.

Coincidentally, Xu Nan Xian had already brought Su Han Sheng’s true form to the front sect.

Su Han Sheng stared fixedly at Qi Yuanshan, realizing he likely couldn’t kill him today. With an expressionless face, he moved gracefully, his snow-white robes and hair like a deathly specter, floating before Qi Yuanshan.

Qi Yuanshan, covered in blood, was terrified to the point of trembling uncontrollably, nearly fainting.

Yet Su Han Sheng didn’t strike again. Instead, he leaned down slightly, his pale eyes gazing coldly at him. His icy hand patted Qi Yuanshan’s bloodied face twice—*pat pat*.

“Don’t tell Qi Jian Yi,” Su Han Sheng said softly. “Or I can’t guarantee what might grow in your throat.”

Qi Yuanshan, dazed, reached for his neck and only then noticed a small, hard lump near his Adam’s apple.

In his throat…

Something seemed to be taking root?

The root-formed body suddenly dissipated on the spot, withered branches slithering like snakes into the ground before vanishing.

Qi Yuanshan’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

***

The grand halls and pavilions of Echoing Warmth Sect’s front sect exuded majesty. A crane soared through the air, alighting gracefully on the sect’s stone tablet. Below the ninety-nine white jade steps, intricately carved magpies held branches in their beaks.

Upon the tablet were the characters “Echoing Warmth,” personally inscribed by the Profound Advent Immortal Lord with his Lifebound Sword—bold and vigorous, each stroke powerful.

Su Han Sheng, feigning meekness, tugged at Xu Nan Xian’s sleeve as they reached the main hall’s entrance.

Xu Nan Xian nodded respectfully to the man waiting by the door. “Elder Xie.”

Countless roots slithered back through the cracks in the bluestone pavement, returning to Su Han Sheng’s meridians. His previously vacant amber eyes finally regained their spark. Su Han Sheng stepped forward. “Greetings, Elder Xie.”

Xie Shizhi’s gaze flickered briefly over the gaps in the pavement before he calmly averted his eyes.

“You honor me too much, Young Lord.”

Su Han Sheng had always been wary of Xie Shizhi.

Not out of fear of punishment, but because this Elder Xie, though outwardly aloof, was adept at tattling.

As a child, whenever Su Han Sheng’s Lifebound Tree caused trouble in Echoing Warmth Sect, Xie Shizhi never intervened directly. But the next day, Xu Nan Xian or the senior brother would storm into Frosty Expanse Garden, ready to discipline him.

Xie Shizhi, the black-hearted informant, wore a slightly worn Daoist robe, his demeanor cool and detached.

“The World Honored One has been waiting. Young Lord, follow me.”

Su Han Sheng nodded obediently.

Xu Nan Xian, unwilling to engage in hollow pleasantries with those old foxes, waved him off.

Su Han Sheng glanced back twice before following Xie Shizhi into the main hall, his expression gradually turning icy.

The spiritual energy earlier had carried Buddhist chants—the attacker was undoubtedly a cultivator of the Buddha path.

Inside the hall, many sat on either side, sipping tea and conversing. Though they restrained their auras, the pressure still made Su Han Sheng’s Qi Refining Stage meridians sluggish.

As Su Han Sheng entered, the chatter ceased abruptly. Dozens of eyes turned toward him.

Su Han Sheng remained composed, offering a slight nod.

As the son of an Immortal Lord, his status was exalted—even those senior to him couldn’t accept his formal salutations.

Just as Xu Nan Xian had said, Xie Shizhi made no effort to introduce Su Han Sheng to those scheming old foxes. Instead, he strode forward to the main seat, bowing respectfully to the man at the center.

“World Honored One.”

The withered branch clinging to Su Han Sheng’s shoulder twitched against his neck.

“The one who struck earlier… was him.”

Su Han Sheng expressionlessly closed his umbrella and lifted his gaze, intending to see just what this bald donkey who had repeatedly thwarted his plans looked like.

When his eyes landed on the main seat in the grand hall, Su Han Sheng suddenly froze.

The grand hall of the Echoing Warmth Sect was located halfway up the mountain, and it was midsummer—hardly cold.

Yet there sat the World Honored One of Mount Sumeru to one side, as if the perpetual frost from the mountain’s peak had spilled forth from his very being. The entire hall was filled with a crisp, snowy fragrance carrying an indescribable sense of Zen-like tranquility and purity.

The World Honored One wore snow-white robes embroidered with lotus patterns, without monastic robes, without a shaved head, not even Buddhist prayer beads. Amidst the clamor of the mortal world, he gave the impression of countless divine Buddhas, the Bodhi tree upon snowy mountains…

And the eternal snow atop the towering Mount Sumeru.

Su Han Sheng stared blankly, his consciousness like underground flames surging violently, leaving only silent ashes in their wake.

—It was Chong Jue.

Chong Jue sat in reverent silence, his dark green eyes glimmering like falling snow.

Su Han Sheng wanted to bite his hand to see if he was dreaming.

But just as he raised his hand, Xie Shizhi pulled him forward. “Young Master, the World Honored One was your father’s closest friend. He even held you as a child—you should call him Uncle.”

Su Han Sheng: “…………”