Chapter Thirty: Each Gains Their Own Reward

(Chapter Three, Supplement)

Chen Hongxu’s vision blurred; waves of dizziness surged as his energy was completely drained. Sudden exhaustion and drowsiness overcame him. Before closing his eyes, the only thing left in his mind was the number on the outer wall—33.

He did not know how long he had been asleep. When he opened his eyes, the sky remained unchanged. Chen Hongxu instinctively pushed himself up with both hands, and from behind came Fan Caobao’s groan of pain.

Turning his head, he saw Fan Caobao lying on the ground, holding his groin in an unseemly manner, his face contorted with pain and grievance.

Looking at where Fan Caobao lay, Chen Hongxu recalled the soft sensation his palm had touched when he got up earlier, and embarrassedly scratched his head.

...

After a while, Fan Caobao also got up. When Chen Hongxu asked how long he had been asleep, Fan Caobao was just as uncertain. After all, in this place called World City, the sky seemed never to change, and Fan Caobao had indeed fallen asleep.

Chen Hongxu stared at the number 33 and said something Fan Caobao did not understand: “There’s actually thirty-three. Looks like your inheritance really is overwhelming.”

Without further explanation, he raised his hand and pressed on the number once again. Fan Caobao was shocked; he had no desire to experience that draining sensation again.

But before he could back away, he saw Chen Hongxu’s palm pass through the wall, then his shoulder, and finally Chen himself slipped inside. Swallowing nervously, Fan Caobao cursed under his breath, “If I’m going to die, at least I’ll have company on the road to the afterlife,” and followed Chen Hongxu, vanishing into the stone wall.

Wooden chairs, wooden beds, carved wooden railings—this was all Chen Hongxu saw upon entering. He walked to the railing and looked down on the world below without turning his head. He beckoned with a hand and spoke gravely, “Caobao, come see this Glazed World with me!”

Fan Caobao had just entered and heard Chen Hongxu’s call. He sensed the emotion in Chen’s tone, nodded, and stepped forward.

Before them spread vast clouds of mist. Following Chen Hongxu’s gaze, Fan Caobao leaned over to look down at the broken houses, the pockmarked streets, and the flames seeming to trace paths in midair that had frightened him when he first arrived in World City. Together, they formed a surreal scene—like stepping into a mythical realm, yet lacking vitality.

From above, everything appeared crystalline, as if made of glass. But the jagged edges, shattered by human hands, were glaringly obvious.

“So beautiful,” Fan Caobao said sincerely.

“It was even more beautiful when people still lived here. The city was like crystal, the people like flowing water—hence the name Glazed World. But it’s all ruined now,” Chen Hongxu sighed, straightening up. He turned to Fan Caobao and said, “This pavilion is called the Star-Watching Pavilion. The number on the outer wall indicates how many days we can stay here. If we carefully attune ourselves to the fluctuations of the spiritual energy, we might gain unexpected benefits.”

Seeing Chen Hongxu’s serious tone, Fan Caobao knew the opportunity was rare and dared not waste a moment. Sitting cross-legged, he began cultivating, absorbing the spiritual energy and storing it within to slowly comprehend.

Chen Hongxu, seeing Fan Caobao’s understanding, smiled slightly and turned his gaze toward a distant place, murmuring, “I have returned for you, though everything has changed.”

The desolation here did not surprise Chen Hongxu. In his mind, the final battle between that peerless figure and some unknown force had been world-shattering. It was a miracle World City had survived at all.

Burying many feelings in his heart, Chen Hongxu sat down and began serious cultivation. He knew better than anyone how precious this chance was.

...

Thirty-three days passed in a blink. Fan Caobao slowly opened his eyes, letting out a soft sound of surprise. He then noticed Chen Hongxu was still asleep. Sticking out his tongue, he covered his mouth, idly scanning their surroundings.

Half an hour later, Chen Hongxu also opened his eyes slowly. Exhaling a breath of cloudy air, he found Fan Caobao squatting right in front of him, eyes wide as if something on Chen’s body had drawn his fascination.

Chen Hongxu got up and kicked Fan Caobao away, who had nearly gotten his face too close. Looking around, Chen realized they had somehow returned outside the pavilion.

Fan Caobao groaned in pain but seeing Chen’s cold indifference, he stopped rolling around childishly and ran back, grinning foolishly. “Brother Chen, shall we go back in for another look?”

“Do you think this is your backyard, where you can come and go as you please?” Chen Hongxu rolled his eyes, surprised. “You can only enter the Star-Watching Pavilion once per realm. If it weren’t for the limited time we can stay here, I’d wait until you reached a higher level before bringing you up. What level are you now? I can hardly tell.”

“Only fifth grade. But I did notice the spiritual energy here seems to have a magnetic pull. When I manipulate it, I vaguely feel an aura,” Fan Caobao said smugly yet earnestly. “What about you, Brother Chen? Ever since the war spirit returned to your body, you’ve seemed so unfathomable.”

“About the same as you. Just a hint of imperial aura and domain, so I’m a bit stronger than ordinary people. But those aren’t truly mine—they’ll fade soon enough,” Chen Hongxu shook his head and beckoned Fan Caobao, “Come on, let’s visit another place.”

Fan Caobao nodded and naturally peppered him with questions along the way. To him, Chen Hongxu was a fountain of knowledge.

“I’ve heard them talk about the Imperial level. What exactly is that?”

Chen Hongxu answered as they walked, “Cultivation is divided into stages, grades, the Immortal stage, the Human King, and the Human Emperor—the five great realms. This World City suppresses the fortune of our world, so a first-grade cultivator here is already top-tier. That old monk who came up with us is probably Immortal stage. How he broke through, I’m not sure.”

“But one thing’s certain—he’s not from our era, and his cultivation seems to be at the final stage of Immortal. But I don’t think he’s fully corporeal, more like my war spirit—mostly a spiritual form.”

“Wow, so Imperial is the highest realm? Damn, with my charming talents, I actually lost to that guy named Su Ning,” Fan Caobao muttered, recalling Su Ning’s swift rise to Emperor with a mix of awe and envy. Then, mischievously, he added, “So that old monk following the main group silently must have other motives. Looks like Su Daji and her gang are in trouble.”

Chen Hongxu said nothing. Suddenly, a thin crack appeared in his palm, and a strange eyeball floated out, rolling around bizarrely.

...

As they walked on, Fan Caobao’s endless questions would have made anyone else want to pull out a toothpick and sew his mouth shut—if they weren’t so familiar with him.

When they reached their destination, Fan Caobao was baffled. Nothing around here suggested any special fate or opportunity.

Ignoring Fan Caobao’s confusion, Chen Hongxu approached a mound of yellow earth. Clenching his palm tightly, he murmured, “The world you imposed on me—I believed it mostly, but I still want to see it with my own eyes.”

Fan Caobao was perplexed. Then, Chen Hongxu slowly raised his hand toward the mound, softly apologizing.

A dazzling white light flashed, so bright that even Fan Caobao’s keen eyes closed involuntarily. When he opened them again, the air around them seemed to ripple subtly. Astonishingly, they found themselves amidst a crowd of thousands. The faces around them were filled with fervor, all gazing upward to the sky.

Hidden Saint 30_ The full Hidden Saint is available for free reading_ Chapter Thirty: Everyone Gains Something — updated!