After The Death Escape and Ascension, The Male Protagonist of Long Aotian Went Crazy - Chapter 3

A Heaven-ranked Immortal Bone—a thing seen only in ancient texts.

In the cultivation world, the strongest known talent was no more than an Earth-ranked Immortal Bone.

But Heaven-ranked? That meant one day, ascension to the Divine Realm!

Compared to Earth-ranked, those who carried Heaven-ranked Immortal Bones could cultivate with half the effort, cross tribulations more easily, and soar above all.

Shi Hua, though the strongest in combat power in the entire cultivation world, possessed only an Earth-ranked bone—and had just failed her ascension tribulation.

That showed how terrifyingly difficult the final heavenly tribulation truly was.

The pillar of golden light rising into the sky was reflected in Shi Hua’s eyes, rippling through her cold gaze like waves catching sunlight.

For a moment, Shi Hua lost herself.

The Dragon-Proud Protagonist… gifted beyond all in history, dazzling in every trial, attracting countless rivals…

This was Heaven’s chosen one.

Shi Hua could not even describe her feelings.

The system dutifully lectured her about the wonders of the Heaven-ranked Immortal Bone.

Just because he bore this bone, he could surpass millions of years of her own effort, and ascend far more easily than she had ever managed.

While she… had nearly lost her very soul, escaping death by a hair’s breadth.

In that instant, she suddenly understood the jealousy of those so-called vicious supporting characters.

Before such blinding talent, all others were like dust—unable to shine.

【Immortal Venerable, this time you must follow the plot and accept the protagonist as your disciple!】

Shi Hua returned to herself, looking past the crowd at the ashen-faced Wei Shizhou standing before the testing altar.

Her eyes held a flicker of doubt.

This Wei Shizhou—something about him was off.

A gift others would beg for, he cast aside like worn shoes.

“Ha! Wei Shizhou, so you truly are Heaven-ranked!”

Xie An’s delight was sincere.

This would slap the faces of those vile gossips hard!

And yet…

A faint sense of loss wound around his heart.

For in the presence of Wei Shizhou’s Heaven-ranked bone, his own Heaven-ranked Spirit Bone suddenly seemed ordinary.

If Wei Shizhou became Shuyu’s disciple, there might no longer be a place for him.

Wei Shizhou stared blankly at him.

“Wei Shizhou.”

The majestic voice came from above.

The immortals revealed their true forms.

Sect Master Chi Qingxuan was pleased with his composure. He said:
“Ten thousand years ago, the Xuanyin Sect also produced one born with an immortal bone—that was the current Immortal Venerable Shuyu. With your gift, there is none under Heaven but Shuyu who could truly guide you…”

Wei Shizhou’s gaze shifted toward the Immortal Venerable on his right.

Azure robes, long black hair like a waterfall.

Those cold, serene eyes looked upon him steadily.

Even with a veil across her face, her beauty could not be concealed.

For an instant, Wei Shizhou felt his heart struck.

“…Would you be willing to acknowledge Immortal Venerable Shuyu as your master?”

Everyone’s eyes fixed on him.

Wei Shizhou knew he had once more been shoved into the vortex of the story’s plot.

For all these years, every time he tried to resist, some invisible hand forced him back on track.

Back into the script of the tale.

He had rebelled. He had failed.

He saw the deep despair in Xie An’s eyes.

Xie An truly wished to bow to Immortal Venerable Shuyu.

Wei Shizhou turned again, meeting Shi Hua’s unchanged expression.

Everyone awaited his answer.

Suddenly, a sense of futility rose in him. They were like soulless puppets, acting only as the story demanded. No matter what answer he gave, the plot would reset itself.

He loathed it.

Loathed this lifeless, predetermined existence.

His face twisted briefly. Then he strode firmly out of the crowd and bowed low toward the dais.

“Wei Shizhou… refuses to acknowledge Immortal Venerable Shuyu as his master!”

If he had already rebelled before, what difference was one more?

He raised his head, meeting her icy gaze without flinching.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Shock at his ingratitude. Shock that he would dare refuse Shuyu in front of Xuanyin’s sect master.

“Wei Shizhou, are you mad?!”

Xie An couldn’t hold back his curse.

What greater chance could there be? How could he throw it away?

That was Immortal Venerable Shuyu! How many begged to kneel at her feet!

Wei Shizhou said nothing—just gave him a single glance.

And in that glance, Xie An understood.

Wei Shizhou was giving him this chance.

If he did not become Shuyu’s disciple, then perhaps the opportunity would fall to him.

Xie An wanted to grab his ear and scold him.

Who needs your pity?!

But he couldn’t.

For his lifelong wish was to bow to Immortal Venerable Shuyu.

His heart swelled with emotion.

Wei Shizhou, I owe you for this.

“Have you decided?”

Her voice, as clear and cool as a mountain stream, matched her own cold, ethereal beauty.

【Immortal Venerable!】

The system detected her intent, tried to stop her—but she severed their connection with a spell.

System: ?!

How could she cut their link?!

Wei Shizhou looked up at her and nodded firmly. “Yes!”

If not Shuyu, then who?

In all the cultivation world, only Shuyu had once borne an immortal bone and knew the path of cultivating it.

Chi Qingxuan’s face darkened. “If you will not take Shuyu as master, who else can teach you?”

Such a seedling—letting him slip away was unthinkable.

“Disciple already has a master in mind.”

Chi Qingxuan blinked. “Who?”

He was determined to see for himself. If need be, he would steal this disciple away!

Wei Shizhou smiled faintly.
“I wish to acknowledge the Sect Master as my master.”

Without giving Chi Qingxuan a chance to refuse, he added quickly:
“Sect Master and Immortal Venerable spring from the same lineage. Their cultivation paths are alike. This disciple believes the Sect Master’s way is most fitting.”

Chi Qingxuan nearly choked.

Cultivation is not some spot-the-difference game!

If similarity was enough, then every bone-bearer under Heaven could be taught so easily!

He fumed, chest tight.

“Keep him here first,” murmured Immortal Lord Jin Qing. “Once he’s within the sect, we can resolve the rest later.”

Chi Qingxuan knew he was right. The key was to secure this Heaven-ranked disciple.

The trouble was—he had just offended Shi Hua. Hoping for her guidance in the future would be difficult indeed.

He glanced toward her. “Senior Sister…”

Behind her veil, her lips curved faintly.

This was exactly the result she wanted.

She had never planned to take the protagonist as her disciple.

So long as he joined the Xuanyin Sect, the plot point would be satisfied.

The story required him to join the sect—not necessarily her tutelage.

“As he wishes.”

…That was that.

Chi Qingxuan knew his senior sister well. That cold indifference meant she was likely seething inside.

He sighed. “Wei Shizhou, pay respects to your master.”

Wei Shizhou’s joy burst forth.

Had he truly escaped the plot this time?

Before fate could pull him back, he dropped to his knees and performed the disciple’s three bows.

“Disciple Wei Shizhou pays respects to Master!”

The ritual completed.

Chi Qingxuan passed him the jade token of discipleship.

Once claimed, the bond could not be undone.

Wei Shizhou grasped the jade. At last, success!

“You rascal!”

Xie An’s voice caught as he thumped his chest.

“This time, I owe you!”

Wei Shizhou’s feelings were mixed.

He had not wanted to defy the story—he truly did wish to become Shuyu’s disciple.

But for now, they had merely fulfilled each other’s wishes.

He only hoped this deviation might one day change her fate as well.

Such a beautiful woman—why must she walk the role of a vicious villainess?

“Xie An.”

That clear, cold voice rang out.

“Disciple here!” Xie An straightened at once.

Could it be—?!

The jade token flew into his hands.

Tears filled his eyes.

“From this day forward, you are my disciple.”

“Disciple Xie An greets Master!”

He shouted it, dropping to his knees without hesitation.

Shi Hua’s gaze swept the disciples who had mocked them.

“Xuanyin Sect has no place for petty, jealous tongues. Expel them.”

The elders bowed. “As you command.”

Those disciples were thrown out without chance to protest.

Xie An shot them a triumphant glare. Serves you right!

“Xie An.”

“Yes, Master!”

Before he could react, his collar was seized—suddenly he was soaring through the air.

The wind slapped his face as Shi Hua carried him off on her sword.

The crowd looked on with envy.

Only one youth in violet, the other Heaven-ranked Spirit Bone, finished his bow to Lord Qingxuan and stole a glance toward them.

In his eyes was no envy.

Only a silent, abyss-like emptiness.

【Aaaaah! Immortal Venerable, why did you take Xie An as your disciple?!】

【According to the plot, you should have taken the protagonist!】

【Heaven itself will strike you with thunder! Have you forgotten being blasted until your soul nearly perished?!】

The system, regaining its link, babbled in panic.

Shi Hua could never forget the agony of heavenly lightning.

“If I feared it, I would not have accepted Xie An. Let Heaven send its thunder. If it kills me, I will see who else will bother helping it.”

She was certain Heaven dared not touch her.

In this world, if it truly had other choices, the system would never have been sent to her.

The system, however, thought only of itself.

【Wuwuwu… you don’t understand! Systems have rules! If I don’t follow the plot, the Main System will recycle and remake me! I don’t want to be reforged!】

It wailed miserably.

Shi Hua had never considered that.

“Reforged?”

【Yes!】

It sobbed like a child fearing death.

Shi Hua pressed her lips together.

She owed the system—without it, she would have perished long ago.

They were partners. It had saved her, and she must help it in return.

She looked up toward the heavens, then said gently:
“Don’t worry. You won’t be reforged. You were brought by Heaven itself to sustain this world. As long as the main story holds, you will not be recycled.”

The system sniffled, still uncertain.

【Really?】

Shi Hua nodded. “The key point is simply that your protagonist joins Xuanyin Sect, befriends disciples, faces trials, and grows together. So long as he is within the sect, the plot will continue. Who his master is does not matter.”

She tilted her head toward the sky.

“If something were truly wrong, before you even warned me, Heaven itself would have already struck me down.”

The system blinked. 【So that’s it?】

At last—it understood.

That damned Heaven had been bluffing it with the story all along!

This wasn’t over!