Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate (Old Version)

'Could this be...?'

'Am I about to be drawn into a new protagonist's storyline!?'

Jiang Chen pondered inwardly, his gaze shifting towards Feng Jun.

"Well, it's related to you!"

"Let me explain."

"Someone has uncovered a Cave Heaven secret realm at the shared border of the Mysterious Truth Continent, the Bright Cloud Continent, and the Snowy Wind Continent!"

Feng Jun nodded, speaking deliberately.

"What?"

"A Cave Heaven secret realm?!"

Surprise filled Jiang Chen's eyes as he exclaimed.

According to ancient texts,

The so-called Cave Heaven was a unique subspace, formed by a specific method and connected to the vast Immortal Martial World.

The quality of Cave Heavens ranged from high to low.

Even the most basic Cave Heaven surpassed the Heavenly Origin realm.

A Cave Heaven secret realm signified opportunities beyond the Heavenly Origin realm within!

No matter what it contained.

As long as it exceeded the Heavenly Origin realm, it was an invaluable treasure for cultivators from the Mysterious Truth Continent and its neighboring continents!

"That's correct!"

"A Cave Heaven secret realm!"

"This matter has already been deliberated among the ten major sects of our three neighboring continents."

"The allure of a Cave Heaven secret realm is immense. If left to unrestricted competition, it could very likely plunge our three continents into war."

Feng Jun nodded, his emotions slightly stirred.

"So."

"After the meeting of the ten major sects, they decided to send an equal number of disciples to compete inside?"

Jiang Chen licked his lips and ventured a guess.

"How did you know?"

Feng Jun regarded Jiang Chen with astonishment. "Did someone disclose this to you?"

"No."

"I merely guessed."

"Competing for the opportunities in the Cave Heaven secret realm this way would be fairer, and more acceptable to everyone."

"Furthermore, Sect Master, are there any restrictions on the Cave Heaven secret realm itself, such as collapsing if a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator enters?"

Jiang Chen offered a smile and a shake of his head, then inquired with a hint of uncertainty, "So, this time, can only cultivators at the Mysterious Platform realm and below be sent in? Preferably recently promoted disciples?"

"..."

"You're aware of this as well?"

"I can't help but suspect someone has informed you!"

"Yet, you've remained at the mountain's base all this time, and merely a handful of individuals knew about this mattermyself and the Grand Elder."

Feng Jun gazed at Jiang Chen, his expression one of disbelief, "You shouldn't have knowledge of such things!"

"I inadvertently discovered information on the Cave Heaven secret realm within some 'ancient records'."

Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, "My earlier statements were merely conjectures based on that."

Such storylines involving secret realm dungeons...

However, wasn't that true for the vast majority of them...

"Really?"

"Are there any other valuable details mentioned in those ancient records about the Cave Heaven secret realm?"

Feng Jun's face displayed astonishment as he eagerly inquired.

"That's all there is."

"There are only brief references to the Cave Heaven secret realm within those ancient records. I didn't pay much attention to them initially, but I never anticipated their accuracy."

Jiang Chen shook his head as he spoke.

While the settings of secret realm dungeons often shared similarities, the narrative within each dungeon could vary.

Furthermore.

Even if he possessed more knowledge, he wouldn't divulge it openly.

"I understand."

"What a shame. If we could uncover additional details regarding the Cave Heaven secret realm, we might gain a strategic advantage and seize more opportunities!"

Feng Jun shook his head in disappointment.

He also refrained from interrogating Jiang Chen any further.

After all, the number of people who knew about Cave Heaven secret realms was scarce, making information difficult to come by.

Stumbling upon even a few lines of description within ancient records was already a surprising revelation, and expecting more would be unrealistic.

"Well then."

"Sect Master, I should be eligible for a spot in this Cave Heaven secret realm too, correct?"

Jiang Chen smiled and said, "That's why you mentioned it's relevant to me!"

"Indeed!"

"The ten major sects across the three continents have reached a consensus that each sect may send thirty disciples into the secret realm."

"The requirement is that the disciple's bone age must not exceed fifty years. If I were a hundred years younger, I could enter as well."

"As it stands, within our sect, the Mysterious Platform realm disciples under the age of fifty include only the chief disciple and two true disciples."

"Beyond that, there are core disciples like you all at the Spiritual Awakening realm!"

"Furthermore, any opportunities secured by disciples within the secret realm won't be claimed by our sect. Instead, they will be reserved for those of you with the greatest potential, allowing the sect's future to shine even brighter!"

Feng Jun spoke fervently, his expression brimming with conviction.

'All opportunities are mine to seize!'

'It's yet another secret realm dungeon setting.'

Jiang Chen mused to himself, and with a subtle smile, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sect Master, for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. I will certainly treasure it."

"Mm!"

"Jiang Chen, although you're only at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm and don't hold a high ranking among the core disciples, your combat prowess has reached the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, which is quite remarkable!"

"As you venture into the Cave Heaven secret realm this time, make sure to give your utmost effort and seize as many opportunities as you can!"

Feng Jun patted Jiang Chen's shoulder approvingly and offered encouragement.

"Understood!"

"However, during my recent departure from the sect, I happened upon some fortuitous encounters, and I have already advanced to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm!"

Jiang Chen nodded before revealing this astonishing news to a stunned Feng Jun.

As he spoke,

Jiang Chen manipulated the Moondust Ring, gradually amplifying his aura until he attained the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm.

Although Jiang Chen was a prodigy,

Advancing through two minor realms in less than two months was still incredibly exceptional.

Even other disciples with Upper Grade aptitude typically required one or two years to achieve a breakthrough.

"Sect Master,"

"I had been in the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm for quite some time, but I managed to break through after returning home."

"Subsequently, over the course of the following two months, I encountered some experiences which led to another breakthrough."

Jiang Chen elucidated with a smile.

"I see."

"Nonetheless, this only serves to emphasize the extraordinary caliber of your aptitude!"

"When compared to the other core disciples, your aptitude is undoubtedly among the most exceptional!"

"Here, accept this sword. It is a personal gift from me."

Feng Jun nodded in immense satisfaction, then magnanimously produced a long sword and presented it to Jiang Chen.

As for its quality,

It was a top-grade long sword of the Spiritual Awakening rank.

Such a weapon would require considerable effort and resources for a Mysterious Platform realm cultivator to acquire!

If exchanged using Villain Value points, it would still amount to around six to seven hundred.

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

Jiang Chen smiled, accepted the long sword, and promptly placed it within the Moondust Ring.

Although the top-grade long sword of the Spiritual Awakening rank was exceptional, it was no longer suitable for his use.

With his cultivation base at the Mysterious Platform realm, he could wield a superior weapon!

Jiang Chen intended to obtain it from the system mall.

By unveiling his cultivation base before Feng Jun, Jiang Chen also wished to determine if Feng Jun would grant him something to invest in his own growth.

As anticipated,

Feng Jun bestowed upon him rewards!

Though he couldn't utilize them, he could exchange them for other resources!

In essence,

There were occasions when it was crucial to display one's prowess, and it wasn't always wise to conceal one's capabilities.

Naturally,

Everything should be exercised with moderation.

Jiang Chen would not recklessly expose his true strength, choosing instead to reveal only his Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivation base, which represented merely a small portion of his full potential.