Hong Huang: I am the cowherd

Chapter 6 Breakthrough! The Great Jie Sect Competition!

Time flowed like a fleeting dream. In the blink of an eye, 800 years had passed. Throughout this time, Su Chen remained secluded in Kui Niu’s mountain, diligently cultivating. He had never even stepped down to explore Jin’ao Island.

Kui Niu occasionally guided him, but after seeing that Su Chen had firmly stepped onto the path of cultivation, he relaxed. Instead, he spent his time interacting with fellow disciples or occasionally venturing out.

One day, Kui Niu returned to his cave and found Su Chen still immersed in cultivation. He couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration.

“This brat is truly dedicated… but his innate foundation is simply too poor. After 800 years, he has only broken through to the Earth Immortal stage.”

“Sigh… Birth truly outweighs effort!”

Kui Niu sighed, feeling a tinge of regret. On Jin’ao Island, a supreme blessed land where a Saint personally presided, even an ordinary demonic beast would have reached Heaven Immortal or higher in 800 years.

Yet, Su Chen—despite his relentless cultivation—had only reached Earth Immortal. This alone spoke volumes about how terrible his innate foundation was.

“Although Su Chen’s future achievements may be limited, at least he has attained immortality. As long as he doesn’t provoke anyone, he can live freely for eternity. That alone is worth something!”

After leaving behind some celestial fruits and spiritual herbs, Kui Niu departed so as not to disturb Su Chen’s cultivation.

_____

When Su Chen emerged from seclusion, he saw the pile of celestial fruits left by Kui Niu. His heart warmed.

“Old friend, don’t worry. I will never let you suffer the same tragic fate in the future—not even being able to protect your own child!”

Su Chen etched Kui Niu’s kindness into his heart. In the original timeline, after the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, Kui Niu—the mighty mount of a Saint—was reduced to a mere demonic beast.

By the Journey to the West era, he couldn’t even protect his own son, Red Boy, who was taken by Guanyin and forced to become a celestial servant. But now that Su Chen knew the future, he would never let that happen!

______

Another 200 years passed.

“Crack! Crack! Crack!”

A deafening sound erupted from Su Chen’s body, as though thunder was roaring through his bones.

“Boom!”

At that moment, an invisible shackle inside him shattered completely. His cultivation exploded forth.

“I have finally refined the drop of Pangu’s heart blood! My innate foundation has risen to the level of a top-tier Innate Demon God!”

Su Chen opened his eyes, a brilliant light flashing within them. A single drop of Pangu’s heart blood was equivalent to 100 drops of ordinary blood, and he had used it all to enhance his innate foundation.

Now, his potential exceeded that of countless innate gods in the Great Desolation—even rivaling the Three Pure Ones!

______

“Whoosh!”

At that moment, a familiar figure descended from the sky—it was Kui Niu. The moment he sensed Su Chen’s energy, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Huh? Su Chen… you actually broke through to Heaven Immortal?”

Kui Niu had never expected this!

Based on his estimations, Su Chen would need at least 1,000 years to break through. Yet, it had only taken 200 years!

However, Kui Niu simply assumed Su Chen had accumulated enough strength over time, leading to a sudden breakthrough.

_______

Kui Niu quickly thought of something important.

Perfect timing! The Jie Sect’s grand entry competition is happening soon—it takes place once every 2,000 years. Now that you’ve reached Heaven Immortal, you have a greater chance of catching the attention of the senior disciples. If you can become an official third-generation disciple, your senior brothers and sisters will personally teach you powerful techniques!

Kui Niu genuinely felt happy for Su Chen. Within the Jie Sect, only core disciples were taught the sect’s true inheritance—the supreme Shangqing Immortal Technique and the legendary Thirty-Six Great Divine Powers.

Although Kui Niu knew some of these techniques, as a mount, he had no right to take in disciples. Thus, he had only been able to teach Su Chen external techniques, such as Eight-Nine Profound Art and Grand Immortal Technique.

A Crucial Divine Power—Creation and Reversal

Kui Niu suddenly thought of something and seriously advised Su Chen.

“Su Chen, if you are accepted as a disciple, you must ask your teacher to pass down a technique called ‘Creation and Reversal’!”

“‘Creation and Reversal’ is the number one divine power among the Thirty-Six Great Divine Powers. Its mysteries are boundless.

It is said that the Saint Nuwa used this technique to create the human race. If you master it, you can further enhance your innate foundation, allowing you to reach even greater heights!”

Hearing Kui Niu’s heartfelt guidance, Su Chen was deeply moved. He stepped forward and patted Kui Niu’s shoulder.

“Old friend, rest assured—I won’t let you down!”

Now, with his foundation solidified and his cultivation method being Pangu’s ultimate Dao-Proving technique, his future achievements were limitless. Thus, whether he officially became a disciple or not was no longer a concern.

However, since Kui Niu was so eager for him to participate, he figured he might as well go and see it for himself. After all, he had spent all this time cultivating and had never truly explored the legendary dojo of a Saint. Now was the perfect opportunity!