<strong><b>Chapter 17: A CPU</b></strong><strong><b>n for Hou Tu! The Quasi-Saint Era!</b></strong>


    Hou Tu truly found herself unable to refuse and could only respond with a frustrated blush and a hint of grievance, saying, “Understood!”


    Di Jiang paid no mind to Hou Tu’s discontent. On the contrary, he seemed almost eager to push things forward. If a Wu Ancestor could bear offspring, it would indeed be a boon for the Wu race. However, Wu Ancestors usually showed little interest in such matters, and long-standing friendships made it difficult to force them. But now, with Chu Xuan in the picture, things might just change. As the leader of the Wu race, Di Jiang was truly burdened with responsibility.


    After Chu Xuan left the Pangu Pce with Hou Tu, she gradually regained herposure. Yet, as she gazed at Chu Xuan and sensed his familiar aura ofws, she couldn’t help but feel slightly unsettled. Once her tribesman, he was now her peer, and along with the recent events, Hou Tu couldn’t avoid feeling somewhat ufortable. She stiffly said, “Little brother, since you’ve now consolidated your true Wu Ancestor form, it’s only proper for you to lead a tribe of your own. Do you have any preference?”


    Her feelings toward Chu Xuan wereplex. There was the care she’d always felt for her tribesman, the exasperation from her brothers’ matchmaking attempts, and a mixture of pride and resentment toward Chu Xuan for his cunning achievements. Naturally, to maintain herposure, she instinctively thought of suggesting that Chu Xuan leave her tribe first. There would, after all, be other means of providing him guidance. However, she hadn’t anticipated Chu Xuan’s outright rejection.


    He exined, “I can’t. Even though I’ve be a Wu Ancestor, I can’t reveal this openly. After all, my previous identity can’t be hidden. How could a mere Golden Immortal suddenly ascend to a Wu Ancestor? Leading a tribe would only expose this as a w. We’re at a critical juncture, so I mustn’t act rashly. Besides, I’ve lived in Hou Tu’s tribe since my birth and have made many friends. There’s no need for concern, as I’m perfectlyfortable here.”


    Hearing Chu Xuan’s well-reasoned response, Hou Tu felt a sense of helplessness.


    <em><i>You may befortable here, but I am not!</i></em>


    Yet, he wasn’t wrong; this matter couldn’t be easily exposed. She had indeed been slightly unbnced earlier. Clearing her mind, Hou Tu steadied herself with a deep breath and addressed him calmly. “Since that’s the case, then do as you wish. However, if you’re hiding your identity, I can’t frequently appear by your side to guide you.”


    Thinking of the benefits, she realized that this might actually be an advantage. Spending less time together would give her a chance to adjust. But then, just as she was feeling relieved, Chu Xuan’s words took her by surprise again.


    With a smile and a p, he said, “There’s no need for you to worry, Hou Tu! I only need to return to the tribe briefly to see my friends, and then I’ll be on my way! When the timees, I hope you’ll shield me along the journey.”


    “What?!” Hou Tu eximed, her gaze growing increasingly uneasy as she looked at him. Every suggestion she made, he refused. Could it be that he actually… She was his leader, after all!


    A faint blush surfaced on her face as she hesitated and intended to rify things with Chu Xuan. Her mind was set on the path, and she harbored no thoughts of romance. But before she could speak, Chu Xuan continued, “I already sense that the Wu race is once again at a life-and-death crossroads. I need to leave the Wu territory to seek a solution. So I hope you’ll shield me along the journey.”[ED Note:It stands for “Critical Point Upgrade,” which signifies a pivotal moment or action that significantly enhances a character’s abilities or status.]


    Chu Xuan’s serious expression made it clear he wasn’t joking, which effectively silenced Hou Tu. She trusted his wisdom, as proven many times before. Though she had found his strategies ruthless, she knew they were for the Wu race, so she held no resentment against him. When Chu Xuan spoke of the Wu race’s survival, Hou Tu instinctively refuted, “How could that be? Even the Yao race…”


    Yet she abruptly stopped. Realizing they were no longer in Pangu Pce, she feared sparking any supernatural responses that might betray secrets, as it could mark her as a traitor to the Wu race. Though a Wu Ancestor’s Pangu blood could conceal certain heavenly secrets, it was no match for Pangu Pce’s protection. Caution was key. She finally settled for a questioning gaze.


    Chu Xuan smiled at her questioning and noticed that even she hadn’t realized her slightly puffed cheeks lent her a cute look. Nheless, he simply shook his head. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to exin. It’s that what I’m about to do may have no less impact than what I’ve done before, and it cannot be disclosed. All I need is for you to shield me. Everything I do is for the Wu race!”


    With righteousness, Chu Xuan earnestly lectured Hou Tu from a moral high ground. Hearing his serious words, and knowing he wasn’t joking, Hou Tu nodded solemnly, though her face warmed slightly. She’d initially thought he was interested in her and had wanted to rify her intentions, but she now realized he was worried for the Wu race. Embarrassment filled her heart, but she was grateful she hadn’t spoken earlier.


    Yet, what Hou Tu didn’t know was that she’d actually guessed half the truth. Chu Xuan was indeed using his moral high ground to push her forward. Indeed, he harbored an admiration for Hou Tu. In front of him was a beautiful Goddess of the Primordial Realm; how could he not feel moved? Cultivation didn’t make one stone-hearted after all. Moreover, Hou Tu was destined to embody reincarnation in the future and be a saint of reincarnation—beauty and destinybined into the finest match of the era. He’d already considered taking refuge in the underworld to save his life if his fate-altering attempt failed!


    This was why Chu Xuan wouldn’t pass up on such an opportunity. Of course, he wasn’t in a rush just yet. He still had ns to change his fate, which led him to another half-truth—he genuinely intended to address the Wu race’s next crisis.


    “Hongjun’s second sermon will discuss the Quasi-Saint Dao. It not only indirectly shelters the Wu race but also hides a great threat to the Wu race. The Primordial Realm is about to fully enter the Quasi-Saint Realm. Previously, our Wu Ancestors held an advantage due to their mastery over Heavenly Tribtions, which allowed early breakthroughs. But with Hongjun’s Quasi-Saint teachings, that advantage will vanish. More Quasi-Saints will bring the Yao race back to our level, making them harder to defeat. And without a primordial spirit, the Wu race won’t benefit from his teachings at all. It is a clever calction!”


    Chu Xuan silently marveled at Hongjun’s methods. His actions followed the natural course yet wielded skill beyond words, which left Chu Xuan thoroughly impressed. However, he wasn’t discouraged; his opponent had always held an advantage. Forcing Hongjun to preach early was, in itself, a kind of victory. The three sermons had their own set conditions and reasons; advancing the timeline could bring challenges even for Hongjun. Such urgency suggested a sacrifice, a hint of desperation.


    Moreover, Chu Xuan had begun forming a countermeasure.


    “Let’s see whose skillse out on top,” he mused, leading the still-flustered Hou Tu back toward her tribe.


    …


    Meanwhile, in the Purple Heaven Pce within the chaos.