Translator: Tamon Translation Checker: Silavin Bai Yue was overwhelmed. “Ahhhh!” [How can you ask me that out of the blue, Senior? Did I hear it wrong?] Chen Changan frowned. “Is that a no?” There was no point in only letting Bai Yue become the Heavenly Dao Protector; the upgrade to v5.0 required the new protector to be his disciple. Giving her the cauldron was also out of the question. “Senior, I do, b-but it’s all so sudden.” Bai Yue couldn’t calm down from the explosive news. She did not know why he wanted her as a disciple. Bai Yue knew her position as an Immortal Domain genius, but she was nowhere near enough to be worthy of Chen Changan. Wu Ming shared the same thought, staring dumbstruck at the pair. [With Lord’s supreme disposition and Dao Saint status, only true and ultimate geniuses from the Immortal Domains were worthy of learning under him.] A Buddha’s reincarnation, a god’s son, some cult’s inheritor, or the savior of the world were but a few barely qualifying cases… [Bai Yue has a long way to go to be a peak genius.] Chen Changan smiled. “Good.” Once the Nine Province Cauldron entered Bai Yue, she got Dao’s approval, and a cauldron mark appeared in her palm, the proof of a Heavenly Dao Protector. Nine Province Continent’s Dao was at her whim. Her Spirit Severing cultivation had nothing to do with it. She now had Dao power at her beck and call, even killing immortals. Bai Yue had been passive throughout the process, feeling like she was living a dream. Yet despite her newfound authority, Chen Changan still felt like an unsolvable enigma. She believed Chen Changan could erase her all the same. “Bai Yue greets Master!” She kneeled. “Bai Yue, your Heavenly Dao Protector status is only temporary. If you fail in the disciple contest, you’ll lose the right to wield the Nine Province Cauldron. Not that’s important, as you’re already my disciple.” Bai Yue’s eyes were filled with resolve. “Se-, Master, I shall give my all in the contest and not disappoint you!” “You may go.” Chen Changan waved her away. Once she left, Wu Ming asked, “Lord, why her?” “I have my reasons.” The Absolute Domain System v5.0 requirements checked out, and the System was currently upgrading. Chen Changan took this course of action, all due to Bao’er’s departure for the Immortal Domain. Though taking Bai Yue in was in his plans as well. She had the Huangfu Clan behind her, and it would prove useful in the future to deepen their ties. Furthermore, Chen Changan found Bai Yue to his liking, not like there were other Immortal Domain geniuses around to choose from. The V5.0 upgrade was completed, and Chen Changan gained his new trait, Ruler of Life and Death. It sure was powerful! Chen Changan’s eyes shone. “Wu Ming.” “Yes, Lord?” “I need you to run some tests.” “Of no trouble, Lord. I will do all the Lord asks of me.” Chen Changan smirked. [I hoped you’d say that.] Wu Ming shivered from Chen Changan’s smile. He scratched his bald head, whispering, “Lord, what are those tests?” “You’ll see.” Chen Changan pointed, and a beam of annihilation shot out. Wu Ming paled. “Agh! Lord, why?!” Wu Ming was scared to death. The dreadful power would eat him alive. [Lord’s might is unstoppable!] Pop~ Wu Ming’s chest sported a hole where his heart was. He froze on the spot, clutching at his empty chest with snot and tears running down his face. “A Mi Tuo Fo. I have only ever served you, my Lord. Don’t kill me!” “Oh? I’m impressed you’re still alive.” Chen Changan started. The same attack would’ve destroyed any other immortal, but Wu Ming could survive despite being an Empty Immortal. Wu Ming sobbed, “Lord, I take it back. I don’t want to test anything! Please, spare me!” Wu Ming survived thanks to his secret art, Undying Buddha. It only worked once, unfortunately. He was really going to die. After coming back from the six paths of reincarnation, this life was his last. Chen Changan sighed, amazed to find a grand Domain Lord sniveling like this. “Wu Ming, be obedient. I’ll be gentle.” Chen Changan’s right hand chopped down, sending a death wave. Wu Ming wailed in despair. “Agh! I’m dying!” Now he was dead for sure. Wu Ming’s life force faded, leaving behind a corpse. “Let’s test the new trait.” Chen Changan used the Ruler of Life and Death on the corpse. Wu Ming’s life force was restored, and his wounds healed. It was like time rewound itself. “I-I’m not dead?!” Wu Ming touched himself all over, in utter disbelief. [Didn’t Lord just hack me to death? Why am I still here? Is this an illusion?] Chen Changan chuckled in profound mystery, but Wu Ming found it unnerving. He gulped hard, his voice shaky. “Lord, was that the test?” “How was it?” “I’m… fine.” “Great. Then you’ll get used to it in no time.” Chen Changan struck again. “No~” Wu Ming wailed, soiling himself with terror, and ran like hell. A shame Chen Changan hacked him in eight. Such a gruesome ending would bring any witness to tears, any who heard it to sadness. [Good thing Ling Bao’er and Foxy are cultivating inside.] With a flick of Ruler of Life and Death’s power, Wu Ming’s pieces stitched together. Wu Ming shivered in horror. He was back from the dead, though no less unaffected. [How did Lord do it? The terror, the horror. I wanna go home!] “Why run, Wu Ming?” I’ll just bring you back.” The two revivals told Wu Ming there was no permanent danger and resigned himself to fate. He couldn’t escape anyway, so he stayed put, spreading his arms and legs. “I won’t run. Do what you will to me, my Lord.” “I’ll let you taste different kinds of deaths. Pay attention.” Chen Changan used a huge palm to flatten Wu Ming.