Chapter 100: The End of the Chosen One

Ling Xiao didn’t understand what was happening. Although he was the Child of Destiny, he failed to demonstrate his advantage and ranked near the bottom. This forced Wang Li to constantly deal with setbacks and make endless promises.

After nearly two months of enduring these setbacks and promises, Ling Xiao finally appeared above the Abyss.

Wang Li was somewhat impatient. After exchanging a few polite words, he urged Ling Xiao to go and have the Sacred Artifact acknowledge its master.

Ling Xiao, bewildered, flew down into the Abyss.

He saw Yun Jingzi following Wang Li and guessed that Wang Li had helped him deal with the others ahead. Feeling moved, he also couldn’t help but harbor some doubts.

How could Steward Wang be so sure that he would successfully claim the Sacred Artifact?

But since the Sacred Artifact was right before him, Ling Xiao didn’t ponder further. He descended beneath the Abyss and followed the energy fluctuations from the Artifact to a sacrificial altar made of piled earth and stone.

A veil of light shrouded the altar. Sensing his arrival, the light dispersed, revealing the Sacred Artifact itself.

The Artifact was shaped like a long sword, slanting into the timeless stone altar.

The sword was unsheathed, about three feet long, and its blade barely wider than two and a half fingers. The hilt was pitch black, material indiscernible. Aside from its weathered appearance, the sword held no remarkable features—just an ordinary long sword at a glance.

Yet, in Ling Xiao’s eyes, this sword was the finest treasure.

Without hesitation, he stepped onto the altar and grasped the black hilt.

A low hum sounded as the sword vibrated, and a warm current flowed from the hilt into Ling Xiao’s body.

“Cause-Cutting Sword, kills without binding to cause and effect. Indeed, a true Sacred Artifact!”

Feeling the warm energy conveying information, Ling Xiao learned the name and nature of the sword.

The sword was called “Cause-Cutter.” As the name implies, it could sever cause and effect.

Though this Sacred Sword appeared ordinary, it was actually formed from the power of virtuous merit. Not only did it kill without incurring karmic consequences, but it was also indestructible. In moments of peril, its master could invoke the power of merit within to protect themselves, making it a treasure that perfectly balanced offense and defense.

“Low-key is good, low-key is good!” Ling Xiao murmured.

“From now on, I’ll call you Cause-Cutter. I hope you can help me sever countless causes and effects just like your name suggests.”

Caressing the cold blade, Ling Xiao suddenly found himself conflicted.

He had claimed the Sacred Artifact, but what should he do next?

The Sacred Artifact!

Once he left, how many would envy him?

But if he kept it for himself, would the sect accept it?

He hesitated... What if the sect leader and others demanded he surrender the Artifact?

Hand it over? But he was its rightful master!

“Slap!”

Ling Xiao smacked his own face.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Why am I thinking like this?”

“I’m a disciple of the Pure Yang Sect. I grew up here; if I obtain the Sacred Artifact, then the Pure Yang Sect obtains it. Why would the sect leader forcibly seize it?”

With that thought, he seemed to realize something and tried to place the Cause-Cutter sword back onto the stone altar.

“Hum!”

The sword vibrated again as soon as it touched the altar, as if reluctant to leave Ling Xiao.

Ignoring the sword’s reaction, Ling Xiao withdrew his hand.

“...So this sword can even influence my thoughts!”

His suspicion confirmed, Ling Xiao fell into deep contemplation.

After a long while, he still couldn’t understand why the Chosen One trial would entrust such a peculiar Sacred Artifact to someone.

The joy of claiming the Artifact had vanished, replaced by great confusion.

“Should I keep the Sacred Artifact or not? That’s the question!”

Ling Xiao was cautious by nature. He had been somewhat high-profile when first entering the Chosen One relic, but after meeting Wang Li, he toned down his sharp edges.

If even a senior like Wang Li was so careful, how could he dare to stand out too much? He deliberately suppressed his cultivation speed in the relic battlefield to appear steadier and avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Thinking of Wang Li, Ling Xiao grew even more puzzled.

Why did Wang Li favor him so much and go to such lengths to ensure he was the first to contact the Sacred Artifact?

He touched the sword and immediately succeeded in claiming it; the so-called trial of mastery had not occurred at all.

There had to be some connection, Ling Xiao was certain—especially since the Artifact was not as holy as he imagined...

He wanted to ask Wang Li about this but dared not.

He feared Wang Li was scheming against him...

Taking the Artifact felt wrong, but not taking it was also impossible.

Ling Xiao remained trapped in indecision beneath the Abyss for nearly half a month.

Meanwhile, the other candidates grew impatient and banded together to force their way forward, only to be mercilessly expelled from the Chosen One relic.

Wang Li and the others waited anxiously.

Yun Jingzi suspected something had happened to Ling Xiao below, but Jiang Yue said no. Wang Li kept calling out to Sheng Ye repeatedly.

It seemed Sheng Ye was truly drained; only after several days of calling did he respond.

Listening to Wang Li’s report, Sheng Ye squinted and said, “When storms gather, chaos ensues. That kid Ling Xiao is cautious—he’s probably frightened by the Sacred Artifact down there.”

Wang Li frowned. “The Sacred Artifact at most wouldn’t recognize its master. How could it scare him?”

“You’re oversimplifying the Chosen One trial.”

Sheng Ye smiled. “That Sacred Artifact is formed from virtuous merit and can sever cause and effect, which sounds formidable. But it’s also a source of chaos. I reckon that chubby kid Ling Xiao discovered its hidden dangers and is struggling over whether to take it out.”

Wang Li shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

He truly did not.

According to Sheng Ye, the Sacred Artifact was powerful. If he dared to alter the outcome of the Chosen One trial, he might even try to snatch it.

Severing cause and effect suited him perfectly!

What puzzled him was why it would be a source of chaos.

Sacred Artifact and source of chaos—those concepts didn’t align at all!

Sheng Ye hesitated briefly, then said, “Go down and tell Ling Xiao to rest assured and take the Artifact with him. Finish this trial first. The spiritual energy here is too scant; staying too long won’t benefit his cultivation.”

“How should I put it?”

“Just tell him to give the Artifact away once he’s out, or even discard it.”

“Would he be willing?”

“If he were, he’d have come up already.”

“What about the World Will’s reaction?”

“There’s a backup plan. Why worry?”

“Ah... so that’s possible? Having Ling Xiao give up the protagonist role?”

“Exactly. The World Will doesn’t care about balancing the Heavenly Profound World and us.”

“Alright then. Ling Xiao will be fine, right?”

“If he’s no longer the protagonist, who will pay attention to him? Life must be fought for—if he’s lying down, who’d want to entangle fate with him?”

Wang Li gathered his thoughts and descended into the Abyss.

Ling Xiao froze upon seeing Wang Li, unable to move.

Wang Li paid no mind and said, “Take the Sacred Artifact with you. We’re returning to the Pure Yang Sect. Once back, just discard it. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Though puzzled, Ling Xiao dared not refuse.

However, he did not dare touch the Cause-Cutter sword again and instead stored it in his spatial ring.

The two ascended above the Abyss.

Wang Li did not see Yun Jingzi and asked Jiang Yue where she had gone.

Jiang Yue told him the trial had ended, and Yun Jingzi had been teleported back to the Pure Yang Sect.

Jiang Yue glanced at the somewhat nervous Ling Xiao and smiled, “You’re now first on the Talented Youth ranking. How do you feel?”

Ling Xiao was speechless...