Villain : After Slacking Off, The Protagonist Collapse - Chapter 44

Chapter 44 : Stepping into the Grand Sovereign Realm, Du Guyun Despairingly Frightened!

Boom! A boundless aura, like a vast ocean, surged unceasingly in all directions, creating terrifying waves. This overwhelming pressure caused many disciples in the Holy Land to feel heart palpitations.

Their heads felt like exploding, as if torn apart by some force. Their bodies were heavy as if filled with lead, rendering them immobile. Brilliant divine light, colorful and dazzling, shot up into the sky, piercing through heaven and earth, spreading in all directions. The disciples were terrified by this intense aura, feeling suffocated by its power.

Elder Liu joyfully announced throughout the Primordial Holy Land, “Congratulations are in order, the Holy Son has entered the Great Master Realm! Not even twenty years old and already in the Grand Sovereign Realm, such a feat is rare throughout history!”

Elder Liu’s voice carried an invisible force that spread throughout the Primordial Holy Land.

Numerous patterns scattered, forming arrays that enveloped the entire Banished Immortal Peak. This was a protective measure Elder Liu took to safeguard Jiang Chen’s breakthrough. Under this array, Jiang Chen’s aura did not affect the outside, nor could the outside disturb his breakthrough.

Under Elder Liu’s protection, the disciples felt relieved, like people who had just been rescued from drowning, gasping for air. The aura they just experienced nearly scared them to death, as if they had walked a thin line between life and death.

“Did the Holy Son break through again?”

“Such a terrifying pace, breaking through two major realms in just a few months!”

“Even in the long history, including the young emperors, none were as formidable as the him!”

“He’s a true freak of nature, with incomprehensible cultivation speed and a foundation as solid as rock!”

“Where did that Du Guyun get the courage to think he could replace the Holy Son? Luckily, he ignored that buffoon!”

“No wonder the Holy Son didn’t attend the inner sect competition; he was in closed-door cultivation!”

“Now, that he has completely left his peers behind. No one of his generation can compare to him!”

“People say that Qin Ershi, Ye Shenzi, and the Holy Son are the three great young geniuses of the human race. Now, it seems the Holy Son has completely outstripped them!”

Upon learning of Jiang Chen’s advancement to the Great Master Realm, the disciples were both astonished and delighted.

They were amazed at yet another breakthrough by Jiang Chen and happy that he had advanced again. For these disciples, the more monstrous Jiang Chen’s talents, the prouder they felt when venturing out into the world.

In another location, Du Guyun stands frozen and stunned in mid-air. The words of Elder Liu, announcing Jiang Chen’s breakthrough to the Great Master Realm, explode in his mind like a bomb, leaving him unable to calm down.

“Another breakthrough?” The gap between him and Jiang Chen was already significant. Now, with Jiang Chen’s latest advancement, Du Guyun feels hopelessly left behind, doubting his ability to ever surpass or replace Jiang Chen.

Especially considering Jiang Chen, not even twenty years old, has reached a realm that Du Guyun, already past twenty, hasn’t attained. At their equivalent ages, Du Guyun was just an ordinary cultivator, while Jiang Chen has become a Great Master – a level of power that commands respect even in immortal forces and qualifies one for an elder-level position in top-tier forces.

Such a status is usually achieved by those in their hundreds, making Jiang Chen’s rapid rise even more extraordinary.

“Master, can I really surpass Jiang Chen?” Du Guyun is filled with doubt, especially after being easily defeated by Yan Ruyu and hearing about Jiang Chen’s breakthrough. His once unbreakable resolve is close to shattering, and he finds himself lost, lacking the confidence and arrogance he once had.

“There’s a chance! The future is unpredictable. Today’s glory doesn’t guarantee future success,” Elder Cang responds, wanting to tell Du Guyun to give up but hesitating because Du Guyun represents his hope for revival. He cannot let Du Guyun fall into complete despair; his dream of resurrection would shatter with it.

“Jiang Chen is indeed a rare genius, but that doesn’t mean he will be invincible forever,” Elder Cang says firmly. “You still have a chance until the very end. Only if Jiang Chen reaches the Emperor Realm can you truly consider yourself defeated.”

“But Jiang Chen is too powerful,” Du Guyun laments. “I’m merely in the Soul Sea Realm, and he’s already in the Great Master Realm. The gulf between us spans several major realms. Plus, his background, resources, and talents surpass mine in every aspect. Even as I grow, he continues to grow too. It seems impossible to catch up.”

As Du Guyun spoke, his confusion and despair deepened. He realized that even if he managed to reach the Grand Sovereign Realm in a decade or so, Jiang Chen would have progressed even further by then. In the time it would take him to make his breakthrough, Jiang Chen could potentially ascend to even higher realms.

Elder Cang attempted to console him, saying, “Subsequent breakthroughs aren’t that straightforward! It’s not just about talent, but also about comprehension. Without sufficient understanding to grasp the Dao, talent alone is useless.”

Du Guyun responded with a hint of irony, “Master, isn’t it laughable to say that? With the Innate Dao Body, Jiang Chen is inherently attuned to the Dao and has the best comprehension. How can his understanding be poor?”

Elder Cang had no response. He knew this all too well. His words were meant more as a comfort than a true belief. He himself was astounded by Jiang Chen’s extraordinary talents, akin to a protagonist blessed by the heavens, making even the thought of opposing him feel like a path to despair.

“There’s a chance,” Elder Cang said, though his voice lacked conviction. Deep down, he doubted Du Guyun had any chance at all against Jiang Chen.

“You should leave the Primordial Holy Land. Staying here isn’t suitable for you right now,” Elder Cang advised. “Only by experiencing life and death situations outside can you achieve rapid breakthroughs.”

“This kind of training, walking on the edge of life and death, is the best way to maximize one’s potential. Many have surpassed others with just average talent through such experiences. Of course, it’s very dangerous. If not handled well, it could lead to death.”

Elder Cang had initially wanted Du Guyun to quietly grow within the Holy Land, but Jiang Chen’s impact on Du Guyun was too severe. Staying would mean Du Guyun’s complete downfall. Jiang Chen had become a demon in Du Guyun’s heart, and only by distancing himself from Jiang Chen could he possibly recover. To prevent further damage, Elder Cang felt compelled to send Du Guyun away.