The dazzling golden light gradually receded, melting into Chu Shanhe's body. Like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, it ebbed away until it vanished into the unseen.
The suffocating pressure in the air slowly dispersed, yet that lofty aura—seeming to originate from the source of life itself—continued to shroud him. It was as if it could not be avoided, proclaiming to the world that he had been reborn and had stepped into an entirely new realm.
In the next instant, Chu Shanhe's figure shifted slightly. With a single step, he seemed to shrink the distance, landing lightly before the elders outside the pavilion. A smile he could not suppress bloomed across his face.
"Congratulations, Sect Master/Elder Brother, on safely passing seclusion. The Golden Body shines upon our sect!"
The Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder immediately stepped forward to greet him. Their faces brimmed with sincere joy and excitement as they lowered their hands in congratulation.
For nearly a thousand years, the sect had waited—waiting at last for the birth of the first Gold-tier Body-Type Martial Soul existence. This was not merely a personal breakthrough for Chu Shanhe; it was a historic milestone for the entire Body Sect, and even for all body-type soul masters across the continent!
"Haha, I'm happy! I've troubled you all during this time!" Chu Shanhe laughed heartily. The year-long boredom of seclusion was blown away in this moment. After the breakthrough, his heart felt wholly fulfilled.
His gaze swept across the three elders before finally settling on the Grand Elder. His bright smile paused slightly as a trace of doubt and probing flickered through his eyes.
"Brother, you… you are…" Chu Shanhe asked involuntarily.
With his eyesight, he could naturally tell that this wasn't ordinary rejuvenation—this was a startling leap in cultivation.
Seeing this, the other three elders promptly stepped forward and explained to Chu Shanhe about the Grand Elder's rebirth and the sudden surge in his spiritual power.
As Chu Shanhe listened, the smile on his face gradually turned into astonishment.
He stared at the Grand Elder again, eyes blazing. The other party's soul power level was slightly below his, but that spiritual power felt like a vast starry sky—deep, unfathomable, and faintly rippling. Even Chu Shanhe, who had just achieved a breakthrough, could not help but feel a chill of awe.
"What a tremendous blessing!" Chu Shanhe let out a long breath and lightly patted the Grand Elder's shoulder, his expression filled with emotion and respect.
"Good, good! Brother, this opportunity truly… You turned your back to the world, went into seclusion for a whole year for my sake, and forced your way through danger to break through. You're amazing—quietly receiving such a blessing without making a sound. Truly convincing!"
Chu Shanhe was genuinely happy for him. At their level, each step forward was difficult—especially improving spiritual power, which was even harder.
Now that the Grand Elder had obtained such a chance, his strength would inevitably undergo earthshaking change. For the Body Sect, this was unquestionably a double joy.
The Grand Elder smiled faintly. His expression remained calm, without any pride, as he said lightly, "It was an accident. Thanks to Xiao Yi's fortune."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Chen Yi in the distance, relief surfacing.
Just as the sect's leaders exchanged greetings and sighs, Chen Yi walked over with Ye Lingling, accompanied by Yang Wudi, Yang Wushuang, and Ye Cien.
"Disciple Chen Yi congratulates Sect Master on safely completing seclusion, achieving the third Golden Awakening, and reaching the peak!"
Chen Yi stepped forward and saluted respectfully. His voice carried sincere joy.
He had witnessed the birth of a Gold-tier awakening with his own eyes. For someone like him—someone intimately familiar with the Body Sect's difficult development in this era—the impact was immense.
When Chu Shanhe saw Chen Yi, his smile grew even brighter. He hurried to help him up.
"Get up quickly, Xiao Yi. Why be so formal?"
Chu Shanhe looked at the young disciple before him, his heart brimming with emotion. This breakthrough of his had been the great merit of the youth standing right here.
After a brief sigh, Chu Shanhe turned to Ye Cien and the Yang brothers behind Chen Yi. His expression became slightly solemn.
Earlier, through spiritual transmission, he had already learned their identities and intentions from the Grand Elder. He nodded lightly to Ye Cien.
"This must be Patriarch Ye of the Ye Clan—of the Nine Heart Begonia lineage. I've long admired your name. The Ye Clan's healers are benevolent, helping the world and saving lives. Chu holds you in high esteem."
Ye Cien lowered his head in a very humble manner.
"Sect Master Chu overpraises us. Before a mighty Sect Master, Ye Cien is ashamed."
He had come this time at the Grand Elder's invitation, bringing his granddaughter, hoping to contribute his best to the sect.
Chu Shanhe offered a few more polite words, then shifted his gaze to Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang.
Before he could speak, the two brothers had already stepped forward. They exchanged a glance, and Yang Wushuang spoke.
"Yang Wushuang/Yang Wudi pays respects to Sect Master Chu."
Yang Wudi followed immediately.
"Thank you, Sect Master Chu. Back then outside Clear Sky City, you took action and helped my clan break through."
As they spoke, both bowed deeply.
Chu Shanhe waved his hand. A soft yet irresistible invisible force lifted them up. He shook his head, his tone calm but carrying unquestionable meaning.
"You two need not be so courteous. What happened back then was ultimately a transaction—we each took what we needed.
"This sect moved, but not necessarily solely to help you. I understand your gratitude, but there's no need for such a grand salute."
Chu Shanhe spoke frankly. Back then, he had acted to help break the clan's bottleneck, and he had also gained unexpected joy in return.
Chen Yi watched quietly, looking between Chu Shanhe, the Grand Elder, and the Yang brothers, thoughts racing.
When he saw the greetings were nearly done, he rolled his eyes slightly and asked with a face full of curiosity and anticipation, "Sect Master, now that you've broken through successfully—how far has your strength reached compared to the legendary Ultimate Douluo?"
Hearing this, Chu Shanhe's gaze passed faintly through Chen Yi's eyes.
What kind of person was he? How could he fail to understand Chen Yi's intention?
This was clearly Chen Yi using his mouth to "show the guests the muscles."
But Chu Shanhe did not dislike it. Instead, he felt happy.
The sect was strong now—it was time to display power.
Chu Shanhe thought for a moment, then glanced at Yang Wudi, Yang Wushuang, and Ye Cien. They immediately listened with full attention.
His voice was steady, and he spoke slowly with absolute confidence.
"Since you asked, I'll tell you. This seclusion succeeded by good fortune. I completed the Gold Realm—the third awakening of my cultivation…"
"And I have stepped into Rank 98."
Rank 98!
Those words exploded like thunder in the hearts of Ye Cien and the Yang brothers.
After the title "Douluo," each level was a world apart. Rank 96 was already peak. Rank 98…
What was that concept?
One step away from Rank 99—the Ultimate Douluo.
Chu Shanhe continued, "As for comparing to an Ultimate Douluo…"
"If I go all out and use the power of the third Golden Awakening, I admit—"
"I have the qualification to fight an Ultimate Douluo!"
His tone was flat, yet it contained unparalleled dominance and confidence.
He had never fought an Ultimate Douluo before, but during the battle of the Twin Peaks, he had witnessed from afar the clash between Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen and Angel Douluo Qian Daoliu.
Back then, it was like gazing up at a sacred mountain—something unreachable. But now, with his Golden Awakening complete, he believed he would not be weaker than either of them.
Those words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
Yang Wudi's breathing shortened slightly. He had once felt Tang Chen's aura—an overwhelming force that seemed to dominate heaven and earth. It was unforgettable. And now Chu Shanhe dared claim he was not inferior.
Ye Cien grew even more excited, understanding what it meant—
Among the continent's top powerhouses, there would now be another name:
Body Douluo, Chu Shanhe.
Even Chu Shanhe himself was overwhelmed with emotion. He recalled the perilous path of his seclusion.
First came the exquisite medicinal power of the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, guided by its dignified, tyrannical life force. He forcibly shattered the barrier of Rank 97, then, with the momentum of that power, desperately assaulted the Gold-tier third awakening that had existed only in imagination!
The pain and danger—outsiders could never understand.
After successfully awakening, he pushed again. Relying on his powerful bloodline and the lingering medicinal power of a Gold-tier Body-Type Martial Soul, he condensed a soul core and charged into the extreme realm of Rank 98 in one burst!
It could be said that without the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng—an immortal herb that stimulated qi and blood and tempered the body—he wouldn't even have touched the threshold of the third Golden Awakening, much less had the qualifications to break into Rank 98.
Thinking of this, Chu Shanhe looked at Chen Yi, unable to hide his gratitude.
This youth was truly the Body Sect's lucky star!
It started with discovering the secret of whale glue, helping the sect's disciples solidify their foundations and improve their physique.
Later, he provided an unparalleled, mysterious method for condensing a soul core, showing the sect's top powerhouses a road forward.
And indirectly, he contributed to the Grand Elder's chance to obtain the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Finally—even the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, most critical to his breakthrough, was inseparably tied to Chen Yi!
"If Chen Yi hadn't existed, I would still be an ordinary Titled Douluo—wasting away at Rank 94, struggling to find a breakthrough without a door. How could I ever reach a height I never even dared imagine?"
Chu Shanhe sighed inwardly. The more he looked at Chen Yi, the more he felt it.
This child was the greatest treasure the heavens had bestowed upon the Body Sect.
He sighed again, then spoke aloud with heartfelt relief and joy.
"Our Body Sect truly has a great lucky star!"
…