Chapter 19: Aminos

Seeing Ye Feng’s defiance, Gu Chengyu remained unruffled, rubbing his round belly and raising a hand to quiet the crowd.
“Very well. Heavenly Origin Sword Sect isn’t some demonic sect. We value convincing others with virtue.”
“If you claim you didn’t cheat, I’ll give you a chance to prove it.”

Gu Chengyu approached Ye Feng, his broad palm lightly patting his shoulder, smiling warmly.
To onlookers, it might seem he was genuinely offering a chance.
But Ye Feng knew this guy was just messing with him. The touch on his shoulder sent a chill through him, and that smug expression sparked a bad feeling.

“Take off all your clothes and climb the last hundred steps of the Ascension Ladder at the same speed. Then I’ll believe you didn’t cheat.”

The crushing pressure from all sides vanished, nearly making Ye Feng stumble.
He glared at Gu Chengyu, his face stoic but his mind cursing the elder’s entire ancestry.
What’s this fat guy’s deal? Did I cross him before? Why’s he targeting me like this?
Strip? No way! He’d rather lose his dignity than his principles!

Ye Feng touched his ring. Old Emperor, fend for yourself. I can’t take this. If this place doesn’t want me, I’ll find another!
He’d get soul-replenishing elixirs elsewhere. As for the Taixu Shadowbearing Old Emperor said was fated for him, he’d come back and take it once he was stronger.

Decided, Ye Feng stepped back, slipping a hand into his white robe’s inner lining.
Everyone thought he’d strip, but instead, he raised his middle finger at Gu Chengyu and shouted, “Aminos!”

Chu Huaizhou, blending into the crowd, watched it all unfold.
Thanks to Bai Li’s potent illusion, no one noticed a Golden Core cultivator among them.
Even serious as he was, Chu Huaizhou couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene.

He knew Gu Chengyu well. As the game’s early boss, this elder was petty and vengeful, tripping up anyone who slighted him.
Chu Huaizhou recalled that avoiding trouble with Gu earned the “Guinan” title in the game.
Three hundred years later, with the butterfly effect of his actions, he’d expected massive changes. Yet here was Gu Chengyu, still at Heavenly Origin, even a minor stage stronger than in the game.
Truly, pests last a millennium.

This scene was eerily familiar—almost identical to the game’s plot.
Players had options: one was to curse Gu Chengyu and leave to found their own sect.
But “Aminos”? That puzzled Chu Huaizhou.
In Black Abyss, the developers added immersive dialogue choices, and Ye Feng was a transmigrator from a world like Chu Huaizhou’s Blue Star.
Could Ye Feng be a transmigrator too?
No, unlikely. A transmigrator wouldn’t be at early Foundation Establishment. By this point in the game, Chu Huaizhou was late Foundation Establishment.

No time to dwell—Ye Feng was about to storm off and start his own sect.
Chu Huaizhou stepped forward, signaling Bai Li to project his aura, shifting from Golden Core to Tribulation Crossing.
Bai Li didn’t get why it was so complicated but complied.
After all, her human needed her care, especially after her guilty antics yesterday.

Gu Chengyu, insulted by Ye Feng’s gesture and strange words, was furious despite not understanding.
He unleashed his pressure again to teach the kid a lesson.
But the moment his spiritual power surged, it cut off, and a jolt shook his spirit, alarm bells ringing.
Turning, he saw a figure in a black sword robe, its fabric shimmering with starlight, as if draped in the night sky.
Unbound black hair flowed, stirring faint sword hums in the breeze.
Most striking were the eyes—deep as starry pools, their upturned corners holding a galaxy’s swirl, shaking the soul of anyone who met them.

No pressure, no technique, yet Gu Chengyu nearly collapsed in fear.
It was Bai Li’s illusion—Mirror Flower, Water Moon—perfectly recreating Tribulation Crossing Chu Huaizhou, with an added charm buff.
Already strikingly handsome, Chu Huaizhou’s appearance was now breathtaking.

Most present hadn’t seen him, but older Golden Core deacons and inner disciples recognized their sect leader, shouting excitedly, “Greetings, Sect Leader!”
“Welcome, Sect Leader!”

Gu Chengyu, a Nascent Soul elder, recognized him instantly, bowing deeply.
“Welcome, Sect Leader! We are honored by your presence. May your immortal life endure and your swordsmanship pierce the mysteries!”

Ye Feng, venting his anger and about to flee, was pinned by the elder’s pressure again.
Before he could use a trump card, the pressure vanished.
Hearing shouts about the sect leader, he turned and saw Gu Chengyu groveling like a sycophant. Rolling his eyes, he scoffed inwardly.
What a two-faced hack.

Then he saw the dashing, almost otherworldly sect leader.
His eyes sparkled, his earlier disdain replaced by awe.
My heavens, so handsome!
Old Emperor, plan’s back on. I’m joining Heavenly Origin!

Chu Huaizhou sighed, speaking in a deliberately icy tone.
“Elder Gu, what are you doing? I don’t recall Heavenly Origin having a habit of slandering others. Or did someone bribe you to target him?”

Thud—
Gu Chengyu’s legs shook, and he knelt before the crowd.
His schemes crumbled under the Tribulation Crossing sect leader’s gaze. A single question left him trembling, spilling everything to beg for leniency.
“Sorry, Sect Leader! I took a bribe to secure a good rank for my family’s junior.”
“I was blinded by greed. I’ll surrender a century’s salary and seclude myself for ten years. Please don’t expel me!”

Golden Core deacons, previously silenced by Gu’s status, now piled on.
“This Elder Gu’s always been shady, taking bribes. Finally, he’s getting what he deserves!”
Disciples and aspiring recruits jumped in, shouting, “Sect Leader forever! Sect Leader is the heavens!”
Some female disciples, smitten by Chu Huaizhou’s towering presence, blushed, eyes misty.
“Sect Leader’s so amazing. If only…”
Wait, something felt off?
No matter.

Chu Huaizhou ignored Gu Chengyu, stepping past him to extend a hand to Ye Feng.
“Young cultivator, apologies for the scene. Would you like to continue with Sword Knocks at Heaven’s Origin?”

Ye Feng, struck by Chu Huaizhou’s near-perfect visage, felt his heart skip. Blushing, he turned aside, gripping Chu’s hand.
“I… I’m willing…”