I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 579: In the past, we had no choice; now, we just want to be good people.
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 579: In the past, we had no choice; now, we just want to be good people.
"The Dao cannot be lightly transmitted."
Liang Yi was naturally unable to reveal the profound insights his Master had shared with him. Having spoken his piece, he gripped his treasure sword and proceeded directly toward the subsequent stone chamber.
This display of indifference incensed many of the gathered experts. Upon seeing the youth's dismissive attitude, the Master of the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain instinctively reached out to seize the masked brat, but Old Ghost Fu quickly intervened to stop him.
"Sinful disciple, why are you blocking me?"
The elder glared at his subordinate with a face full of irritation, demanding an explanation.
"Master, you must not do this," Old Ghost Fu whispered urgently. "This individual hails from a Holy Land, and his Master suppressed one of the Five Elders of Sky Zen with a single sword strike."
The moment those words were uttered, the cluster of experts who had been poised to strike froze in their tracks.
The power of the Five Elders of Sky Zen was equivalent to their own. Even after a millennium of Cultivation within these secret chambers, none of them would dare claim they could defeat such a foe with a single blow.
Furthermore, the memory of the other masked man remained fresh in their minds. They knew that if a conflict erupted, they would likely come out on the losing end.
The subtle shifts in the crowd did not escape Liang Yi's senses. Before he had even spoken, he was already clutching a communication jade talisman; should anyone dare to lay a hand on him, he was prepared to summon his Master instantly.
Halting his steps, Liang Yi glanced back at the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain and remarked, "You guys are quite sensible."
Leaving those words behind, he disregarded the rest of the group and pressed onward.
The Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain exchanged looks before immediately trailing after Liang Yi.
They simply refused to believe they wouldn't find an opportunity to secretly learn the teachings. This movement was obvious to everyone else, and many others began to follow behind the four ghosts.
Their logic was simple: if trouble arose, the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain would be the ones to face the danger first.
Meanwhile, within the final stone chamber.
Shi Xuan sat in a cross-legged position, attempting to grasp the true essence of the Great Dao. For reasons he couldn't grasp, despite his True Intent being at the Great Perfection stage and feeling as though it were ready to burst forth, he remained unable to take that final definitive step.
Rustle...
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the corridor, breaking Shi Xuan's focus. He slowly unsealed his eyes and looked toward the entrance, finding Liang Yi standing there with a beaming smile.
"Master, my Sword Intent is complete," Liang Yi announced with visible excitement.
"Very well, you have not let this Seat down. But why have you ceased your Cultivation?" Shi Xuan inquired.
Liang Yi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Master, while my Sword Intent is finished, reaching Great Perfection isn't something achieved overnight. I felt the need to let my mind settle for a while."
Shi Xuan pondered this for a moment, murmuring, "Could it be that this Seat is being too hasty?"
He stood up and added, "You make a fair point. It just so happens that the Secret Storehouse will open in a day's time. If you have any inquiries, you may ask this Master freely."
"Thank you, Master," Liang Yi replied. He cast a subconscious glance toward the doorway, catching the sight of four shadows darting past in the next instant.
Shi Xuan noticed this as well, though he remained unconcerned. He had no intention of revealing the deeper mysteries of the Secret Storehouse to the outsiders; it mattered little if they overheard the foundational principles.
Liang Yi began to voice the various complications he had encountered in his Cultivation over the past few days.
Even though his Sword Intent was now complete, the speed at which it happened left him feeling slightly disconnected and surreal.
Shi Xuan addressed each of his disciple's concerns with patience.
A day passed in the blink of an eye.
The same voice that had spoken previously resonated through the halls once more.
"The allotted time for Cultivation within the Secret Storehouse has concluded. The exit shall remain open for one day. Those who do not wish to depart may remain and continue their Cultivation until the next opening."
Upon hearing the announcement, Shi Xuan rose and told Liang Yi, "Let’s go. It is time for our return. I also have certain doubts I wish to discuss with your Ancestral Master."
"Mn," Liang Yi nodded, following closely as Shi Xuan led the way out.
As they moved through the halls, the master and disciple were the center of attention for every cultivator in the stone chambers.
However, most only offered a brief look before returning to their meditative states.
Several hours later, the pair emerged from the Secret Storehouse. Upon exiting, they realized that several groups were trailing them.
The followers included the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain, the Four Elders of Sky Zen, and Jin Xi’s party. Most other cultivators had opted to stay behind in the chambers.
Shi Xuan wasn't surprised that Jin Xi or the Sky Zen Elders left, but seeing the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain follow them out was unexpected, as it contradicted their usual behavior.
Shi Xuan ignored them at first, taking Liang Yi onto his sword to fly away.
Watching the terrifying figure finally depart, the Four Elders of Sky Zen let out a collective sigh of relief.
Once they had put some distance between themselves and Sky Zen Mountain, Shi Xuan suddenly came to a halt. He turned his gaze toward the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain, who were still tailing them closely, and asked coldly: "What business do you have?"
Jin Xi and his companions, who were about to go their separate way, paused to watch the confrontation. They were filled with curiosity—if not for their dread of the masked man, they would have asked if these four old fools had a death wish.
Old Ghost Fu stepped forward first. "We are willing to become your running dogs, Young Master. Please take us in."
Their decision was driven not just by a desire for the secrets of the Secret Storehouse, but by a desperate need to secure a powerful patron like Shi Xuan.
"Bah!" Liang Yi spat. "Look at yourselves. You are notorious demonic cultivators, yet you think you can climb up to my Master?"
Shi Xuan remained expressionless, silently observing the four men.
Old Ghost Fu pleaded, "Young Master, being demonic cultivators in the past was a choice we did not have. Now that we have an opportunity, we just want to be good people."
"Hehe," Shi Xuan laughed softly. "Putting it like that, do you truly wish to reform your ways?"
"That is certain. We only hope the Young Master will grant us a chance," Old Ghost Fu insisted.
Shi Xuan smiled. "The opportunity exists. However, while this Seat is a top-tier Heavenly Mandate Great Villain, I am not one to slaughter the innocent without cause. If the weight of the sins on your souls is too heavy, you will die."
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The listeners were stunned by the phrase "Heavenly Mandate Great Villain." It was their first time hearing someone boast of being a villain, yet no one dared to challenge him.
Old Ghost Fu pressed on, "I wonder what the Young Master requires before he will accept us?"
"If you can successfully pass the Heart-Reflecting Mirror of Ask Dao City, you shall earn the right to become this Seat's followers."
As the Imperial Grandson of the North Wasteland, Shi Xuan believed that anyone useful could be turned into a subordinate. The only conditions were that their past slaughter wasn't excessive and they hadn't compromised themselves to Extraterritorial Heavenly Demons.
Realizing there was a path forward, the four bowed deeply. "We are willing to take the test."
"Let’s go," Shi Xuan commanded, departing once more on his sword.
"As you command!" the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain shouted, hurrying to keep pace with him.
Jin Xi watched Shi Xuan’s disappearing figure and whispered to himself, "I wonder when Ask Dao Academy produced such a genius who walks the line between righteous and evil?"