Top Tier Providence, Secretly Cultivate for a Thousand Years Chapter 5: Unparalleled Finger Divine Sword, Prepare for Foundation Establishment

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Han Jue felt incredibly tense.

He forced a look of pleasant surprise while bracing for Xing Hongxuan's imminent strike.

Abruptly, Xing Hongxuan stepped up and clutched his hand firmly. Beaming with excitement, she exclaimed, “You’re really my lucky charm!”

“I’m happy as long as you’re happy.”

[Xing Hongxuan’s favorable impression of you has increased. She can become your companion. Her favorable impression of you is at the level of three stars]

A bitter smile formed on Han Jue's lips as the text popped up before his eyes.

Unaware of it, Xing Hongxuan circled around him, snatched the recipe, and started leafing through its pages.

She appeared to be searching for a particular item.

Tension gripped Han Jue as he waited.

Should he strike now?

Losing the recipe to Xing Hongxuan meant no sword technique for him.

Her unstable breathing hinted at an injury.

Ambush her?

Force her to retreat and abandon her goal?

While Han Jue wavered, a chilling gust blasted through the doorway.

Caught unprepared, Han Jue flew backward, slamming into the wall before tumbling to the floor.

It didn't hurt much.

Merely frightening.

Gazing toward the source, Han Jue spotted Elder Iron!

He cocked his head and jerked his right leg wildly, feigning unconsciousness.

“Put down my alchemy recipe!” Elder Iron commanded icily.

Xing Hongxuan retorted coldly, “You’re actually back!”

Expressionless, Elder Iron replied, “I’ve been back for ages, just waiting for you to appear. Last visit, I caught sight of you two right away. Over the years, no other disciples took my tasks—only you pair. Something's suspicious.”

With those words, Elder Iron lunged at Xing Hongxuan, thrusting his palm forward.

A talisman glowed within his palm.

As Xing Hongxuan dodged instinctively, a bolt of lightning erupted from Elder Iron’s palm, coiling around her.

Elder Iron followed with a kick that hurled her backward.

In a flash, he reclaimed the alchemy recipe.

Xing Hongxuan hit the ground, convulsing wildly.

Pressing his edge, Elder Iron chased after the fleeing Xing Hongxuan.

The pair dashed out in quick succession.

Flat on the floor, Han Jue pondered rising.

No!

Standing would invite suspicion.

Escape crossed Han Jue's mind too.

Yet danger loomed everywhere—he had no clue where to flee.

Thus, he lay in wait patiently.

An hour later, Han Jue itched to scratch his rear.

Suddenly, an aura neared the pavilion.

Elder Iron!

Han Jue froze motionless.

Spotting him upon entry, Elder Iron scowled.

Han Jue let out a sudden cough.

Elder Iron claimed a close chair, silently eyeing him.

Han Jue unleashed his finest, most convincing performance.

Rubbing his head, he rose unsteadily.

Scanning about in bewilderment, delight lit his face at Elder Iron's sight.

“Elder Iron! You’re finally back!”

Han Jue cringed his neck, glancing around warily.

Tentatively, he inquired, “Then, where did the witch go?”

Elder Iron regarded him stoically.

Han Jue scrambled upright, bowing his head submissively before Elder Iron, unease plain.

Han Jue was taking a gamble!

Betting Elder Iron missed his exchange with Xing Hongxuan.

Discovery meant Han Jue must fight desperately.

“What did she tell you?” Elder Iron questioned.

Han Jue held nothing back, recounting truthfully.

“Hmph. She wants to train you to be her husband. What a joke.”

Laughter born of fury escaped Elder Iron. This fool dreamed impossibly.

He scrutinized Han Jue intently.

Huh.

Indeed true.

The boy had grown strikingly handsome. His features and eyes rivaled inner sect disciples.

Astonishing transformation!

Could it be...

Elder Iron seized Han Jue’s right wrist, probing deeply.

Poised for combat, Han Jue tensed nervously.

“This kid lacks cultivation potential or base. Am I imagining things?”

Elder Iron mused inwardly. Han Jue's terrified, jittery look evoked his parents, sparking irritation.

He barked, “Go back to sleep!”

Relief washed over Han Jue; he bowed hastily and sped from the pavilion.

Elder Iron set about restoring the room.

...

Returning to his quarters, Han Jue slipped quietly into bed.

[As you did not help Xing Hongxuan steal the alchemy recipe, you successfully obtained the sword technique—Unparalleled Finger Divine Sword]

Elation filled Han Jue. At last, a lifesaving skill!

He chose to learn it right away.

Memories flooded his consciousness.

Unparalleled Finger Divine Sword was no mere martial technique—a spell, truly. Finger as sword, spirit Qi forming the blade.

Sword prodigy Han Jue mastered the spell overnight.

Still, he concealed his prowess, staying low-key.

Next day.

Upon waking, Han Jue learned from fellow servants of Zhang Ge's death.

A gruesome end, blood streaming from every orifice.

The herb garden's male cultivator vanished at dawn. Major events unfolded last night.

Pity stirred in Han Jue for Zhang Ge.

[Xing Hongxuan’s favorable impression of you has increased. She can become your companion. Her favorable impression of you is at the level of 3.5 stars]

Stunned, Han Jue paused.

Why the surge in her affection?

Absurd!

Yet Xing Hongxuan likely wouldn't reappear soon, granting Han Jue peaceful cultivation.

...

Half a month passed.

Elder Iron departed the herb garden once more.

Frequent outings marked his last decade.

Old Man Wang revealed Elder Iron neared life's end, hunting lifespan-extending herbs.

Not all shattered limits like Han Jue.

Stuck at Qi Refinement Realm's seventh level, Elder Iron stagnated.

Talent's cruel divide.

Elder Iron embodied mortal cultivators defying destiny.

Silently, Han Jue wished death upon the elder en route.

Such malice stemmed from Elder Iron's lingering 1-star hatred.

A lurking foe!

...

Time flew.

Two years vanished.

At twenty, Han Jue elevated all four spiritual roots to Qi Refinement Realm's ninth level.

Lightning and fire potentials at ninth level would pave Foundation Establishment path.

Yet no lightning or fire spiritual Qi lingered near the herb garden.

Han Jue realized departure loomed.

That night, he slipped away unseen.

A thousand superior-grade spirit stones remained hidden—his bold venture's backbone in the cultivation realm.

En route, divine sense swept his surroundings ceaselessly.

Jade Pure Sect discipleship beckoned next.

Ninth-level Qi Refinement cultivator? They'd welcome him surely.

Dawn broke.

Han Jue reached the Jade Pure Sect.

Nestled in mountain-flanked valleys, ethereal mists swirled, flanked by colossal kirin-like stone guardians at the gate.

“Halt! Present your sect pass,” a Jade Pure Sect disciple demanded, sword aloft.

Four guards stood at the entrance, each at Qi Refinement Realm's fifth level.

Han Jue deactivated concealment, cupping hands politely. “I’m Han Jue, a rogue cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refinement Realm. Do I have any way to join the Jade Pure Sect?”

Ninth level of Qi Refinement Realm!

Attitudes flipped instantly among the four.

The sword-holder whispered to his comrade, who dashed off promptly.

“Hold on. I've notified the outer sect warden,” the sword-wielder stated.

Gratitude flowed from Han Jue.

Within Jade Pure Sect, only Elder Iron knew his name—and absent, perhaps perished. Identity exposure held no fear.

Harmless to the sect, nothing barred his entry.