CHAPTER 224: SERIOUS SYSTEM UPGRADE

In Yu Xuan’s Cottage, Chaos Heaven Peak.

A faint mist gathered in the quiet cottage before solidifying into the shape of a young man.

Yu Xuan appeared soundlessly, his robes tattered and stained with blood — none of it his own.

His right eye still gleamed with that divine white brilliance, while the left was as deep as an endless abyss. With a flicker of will, light surged from his right eye, making symbols into the air. Golden runes shimmered across the walls, and an invisible lock sealed the space.

Only then did Yu Xuan exhale, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room. His aura fluctuated wildly, like a tide caught between two moons.

"I still cannot fully descend," he muttered, his voice low and rough.

A soft laugh escaped him moments later.

"At least I got a nice pet now. And those little fellas..." he touched the locket hanging around his neck, "...they’ve got a bit more time before they break out of their eggs."

The locket shimmered faintly, as if in response. Within it rested two mysterious eggs — one pulsing with waves of blue and white light, the other darker than a moonless night.

"At least they’ll awaken soon."

He leaned back, sighing.

"Seriously, this system needs a major upgrade. Guess it’s about time, huh?"

He wasn’t speaking to himself — not entirely.

Opening his system interface, Yu Xuan tapped on the [Artifacts] section.

==================

[Goblin Sword] – 1 SP

[Reusable Wooden Toothpick] – 1 SP

[Fancy Hand Fan] – 1 SP

.

.

.

[Qi Replenishing Potion] – 2 SP

[Marrow Cleansing Potion] – 2 SP

[Body Tampering Chocolate] – 2 SP

[Salty Protein Powder] – 2 SP

.

.

.

[Shield made from Nuclear Pasta] – 100,000 SP

[Eye of Celestial] – 100,000 SP

[Body of Negativity] – 100,000 SP

[XCT-001 ver.01 Nano Machine] – 100,000 SP

[Limitless Potential Orb] – 100,000 SP

.

.

.

[True God Slaying Spear: Kixaupnus] – 1 Million SP

[Pure Divine Essence] – 1 Million SP

[Ultimate Reincarnation Ticket] – 1 Million SP

[Seed of Peach Tree of Immortality] – 1 Million SP

[Broken Fragment of Isybaeil Dimension] – ??? SP

[Records of the Keepers] – ??? SP

==================

Yu Xuan’s gaze paused on one item.

[Broken Fragment of Isybaeil Dimension]

As he tapped on it, a prompt appeared.

[Skill Fated Encounter Activated] — Then the price of the Artifact changed.

Price: 2 SP

He smirked slightly, confirming the purchase.

His System Points dropped to 1500, and a small, multicolored gem materialized in his palm — flickering between solid, liquid, and gas, as if reality itself couldn’t decide what it was.

Yu Xuan pressed the gem to his forehead. The instant it made contact, it dissolved into him, leaving a faint shimmer behind.

"I guess Master will be mad when she learns I broke through Core Formation without her guidance," he murmured.

"But... some things can’t wait. At least I will have an otherworldly foundation."

Then closing his eyes he said.

"You’re probably laughing right now, huh?"

***

Deep within Yu Xuan’s Soul.

In that Endless darkness. A white throne gleamed faintly. Behind it, something unseen stirred.

At Yu Xuan’s words, the entity shifted slightly, as though acknowledging him.

Its shadowed hand, brushed against the throne, and the throne, it pulsed in reply — alive, aware.

Then upon that throne appeared Yu Xuan — a older Yu Xuan bound by dozens of golden chains that wrapped around his limbs and chest, anchoring him in place.

The adult Yu Xuan looked down at the restraints and smiled faintly.

"Heavens, huh..." he whispered.

"It’ll still take some time."

***

Back in the Cottage.

The glow in Yu Xuan’s eyes which were white and black flickered and faded.

"Ahhh—" he groaned, clutching his chest as pain coursed through him.

"This damn alter ego... that smug bastard."

He leaned back, wincing. From the outside, his disappearance had lasted only ten seconds — but inside, countless things had happened.

"Fu*k I broke through... and the legacy, too..." he muttered, head spinning. Then, after a pause he said, "Damn, I’m hungry."

He collapsed backward, consciousness slipping away, a faint smile still lingering on his lips.

***

Earlier...

As the golden sky swallowed Yu Xuan, his vision blurred.

The world spun around him, light and sound twisting until everything went silent.

When his senses returned, he found himself standing on a vast golden plain beneath a blazing sky where nine suns hung.

Above him, the golden light trembled — and suddenly, thousands of other disciples rained down from above like falling stars, each glowing faintly as they landed across the radiant plain with ease.

Before Yu Xuan could make sense of what was happening, his face became grave, because he saw a system prompt in black-gold he rarely saw.

[Skill Fated Encounter is Strongly Activated]

The world around him shuddered, colors draining away. The nine suns dimmed into nothingness, and the golden plain shattered like glass beneath his feet.

Then everything went dark.

When Yu Xuan opened his eyes again, he was staring at a night sky — calm, endless, and breathtaking.

Stars glittered like scattered diamonds, reflected in the vast ocean that surrounded him. But as his gaze lingered, he froze.

"These constellations..." he murmured. "They’re... from Earth."

The realization sent a chill through him. The same constellations he once saw in his previous life — Orion, the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia.

These were not the Eternal Star Heavenly World’s constellations. It was an unfamiliar sky.

He turned around slowly, the soft whisper of water echoing in the distance. The ocean was vast and still, stretching infinitely in every direction.

Floating atop its surface were countless glowing lotuses, each blooming with divine brilliance.

Their petals shimmered with hues of gold, releasing motes of light that drifted into the air like gentle fireflies.

Before him, a white jade staircase rose from the ocean, its edges veiled in faint mist. It ascended toward a floating plateau.

"Where the hell am I now..." Yu Xuan muttered under his breath, sighing as he began to climb.

After a few moments, the mist parted, revealing a breathtaking sight.

A small paradise stretched before him — a garden of impossible beauty, filled with flowers he could barely name.

Crimson spider lilies swayed beside silver-white roses, while golden tulips, blue orchids, and frost dandelions shimmered with their own light.