Chapter 758: Tears Streaming Down Both Cheeks
Chapter 758: Tears Streaming Down Both Cheeks
Trueman Shu Yu settled the matter with a casual remark.
Though he wasn't among the most powerful in the San Xian Jiao, he had a clear understanding of the great calamity, thanks to his senior sister, You Yao. He had witnessed firsthand how she had risen to her current position, step by step.
Take Yun Miao of the Spirit Void Cave, for example.
Trueman Shu Yu still didn't know the full extent of this person's strength. However, being the head disciple of a lineage, with the pinnacle of the Nine-Nine Transformations, how weak could he be?
Yet, due to his indecisiveness and hesitation, he had fallen to the point of merely assisting disciples from other lineages and waiting for them to share their spoils.
This great calamity was a struggle for eternal incense offerings, with the situation changing in the blink of an eye. Under the influence of the Imperial Qi, many fellow disciples had seen their cultivation levels rise to unprecedented heights.
Seizing the initiative, showing no mercy, and striving to secure every bit of incense offering within their reach was the only way to ensure their survival in the coming calamities.
"You can invite him out under the pretext of catching up with an old friend from the Southern Continent."
Trueman Shu Yu slowly closed his eyes. With such a major upheaval in the Northern Continent, those idlers who spent their days visiting friends and discussing the Dao would likely return, including Uncle Lingxu.
He didn't want to bet on how this uncle would view a Southern Continent cultivator temporarily residing in the Spirit Void Cave.
Moreover, cultivators not fighting in front of mortals was an unwritten rule in the Northern Continent, and they needed to maintain the dignity of a great sect.
"Senior Brother..." Old Ancestor Shenshan moved his lips.
"Unwilling to go?" Trueman Shu Yu frowned, his voice slightly cold.
"That's not it. This junior merely wants to warn you not to underestimate this Dan Emperor. Though I haven't met him, I have personally experienced the power of the Dragon Tamer and Tiger Subduer Bodhisattva. Anyone who can escape from such a fierce deity is no easy opponent."
Old Ancestor Shenshan knew that these Northern Continent cultivators possessed many skills, but he still feared that they might trip up over a minor issue.
"Ho." Trueman Shu Yu laughed, opening his eyes and mocking, "Didn't you also escape from his grasp? Perhaps Senior Brother's eyes are not sharp enough to see the exceptional qualities of Junior Brother Shenshan."
"That, that's different." Old Ancestor Shenshan stammered, waving his hands, "We were able to..."
"Rest assured, I have a plan."
Trueman Shu Yu stopped teasing and waved his sleeve to cut him off.
He never believed in accidents. If one truly had the strength, they should be able to handle any unforeseen events. In the end, it was the Dragon Tamer and Tiger Subduer Bodhisattva's methods that were lacking.
To kill a Future Buddha's disciple, Jin Chan, and let three of them escape alive was simply unacceptable.
Of course, Trueman Shu Yu understood the gravity of the situation. Even though everyone knew that as the situation escalated, some casualties among fellow disciples were inevitable, it was absolutely crucial not to be the one to start it, even if the Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor was only a half-fellow disciple.
Ruining his reputation would make him a target for everyone.
With Senior Sister You Yao supporting him, it was the disciples of other lineages who should be worried.
"Go on, then. Invite him out and bring him here."
Trueman Shu Yu pressed down on his celestial carriage, having arrived at Heaven Tower Mountain.
He tossed a jade slip and watched Old Ancestor Shenshan fly downward before reactivating his magical device to seek out the few great demons guarding the nearby cultivation grounds.
More hands made the work lighter. Calling a few more to watch the perimeter would prevent the Grand Emptiness lineage disciples from escaping again.
A moment later.
Trueman Shu Yu retracted his celestial carriage and landed before a cave dwelling.
He frowned slightly.
In the past, just sensing his aura would have made these great demons come out to welcome him respectfully. But today, even at the door, there was no sign of movement.
His mind stirred, and Trueman Shu Yu flicked his wide sleeve, grasping a Dao sword in his hand.
He infused it with the Disaster Force and concealed a divine technique within it before stepping into the cave dwelling without changing his expression.
"..."
Trueman Shu Yu slowly stopped, looking around at the unchanged surroundings. After a thorough investigation, he found no traces of battle, yet all four demon lords were missing.
His eyes finally showed a hint of confusion.
He had explicitly instructed these great demons not to leave the area without an imperial edict.
It was a trap!
After a moment's thought, Trueman Shu Yu turned and flew out of the cave dwelling, finding no array to block his path.
He held the Dao sword, staring at the empty sky, his breathing gradually becoming rapid.
After a long while, his face turned ashen, and he finally spat out a curse: "These wretched beasts!"
With no signs of battle and no traps set by others, there was only one possibility.
After the great calamity began in the Northern Continent, great demons had become highly sought-after treasures. Anyone who could afford to keep them would not hesitate to recruit more.
These beasts, driven by insatiable greed, had likely defected to another master!
Trueman Shu Yu took several deep breaths to calm the surging anger in his heart.
There was no need to rush. Since he had spent so much to recruit these great demons, they couldn't hide forever. As long as they emerged to harvest Imperial Qi, there would be a trail to follow.
He had to make it clear to the other party the consequences of coming to the Clear Light Cave to snatch away a spirit beast!
Realman Shu Yu turned around and returned to his cave, slamming his Dao sword on the table with a loud thud.
He had to take care of the immediate matter first.
...
Heaven Tower Mountain.
Shen Yi sat cross-legged, the Shou Yuan he had gained from slaying those great beasts now fully converted into part of the Dao Fruit.
The divine wind had turned to mist, completely enveloping the Bodhisattva's Dharma image within.
With over thirty more strands of Dao Order added, he had now reached the sixty-fourth boundary, just like the Old Ancestor of Divine Void Mountain, standing at the threshold of the next transformation.
His Divine Void Dao path was very pure, solely to conceal his cultivation in the Bodhi Sect.
It seemed to be working quite well.
To forcibly probe another's foundation, one needed to be far more powerful. Once he reached the sixty-six transformation realm, no cultivator at the Third Grade level would be able to see the golden Dharma image in the Gray Mist.
The Imperial Qi he had gained from slaying the White Ape was still fermenting among the people of Heaven Tower Mountain. Although it wasn't as substantial as before, it was still easy to make up for the missing two thousand tribulations.
"..."
Shen Yi sensed the ripple in the aura but did not look up. He quietly opened his eyes.
In the next moment, a streak of light landed.
The newcomer first glanced around somewhat nervously, his gaze landing on the immortal shrine at the summit, his eyes briefly filled with envy and jealousy.
The old man quickly composed himself and bowed to the young man in white: "This old man is Shen Shan from the Southern Continent. I heard that the Dan Emperor also encountered that vicious person. After a long journey to the Northern Continent, I finally have the chance to visit. I have been wanting to come and see you."
Halfway through his words, Shen Shan's face turned slightly sorrowful, and he smiled wryly: "The greatest suffering in the world is to leave one's homeland and never return. Here in the Northern Continent, after many years of cultivation with Yu Chi, I have felt somewhat helpless. Fortunately, now we have the Dan Emperor, and the three of us can rely on each other."
Hearing this, Shen Yi did not show much enthusiasm but simply looked at him calmly.
"This... the Dan Emperor can rest assured."
Shen Shan seemed to sense something and quickly explained: "We two are not here to seek favor because the Dan Emperor has achieved something. Being able to enter the Clear Light Cave and preserve our lives is already a great fortune. We do not dare to ask for more. We simply want to have a chat with you."
According to the old classification, he was the same generation as the Old Ancestor of Divine Void Mountain, making him Shen Yi's senior. Yet, he now used respectful terms.
The old man perfectly portrayed helplessness and despair.
It was inevitable that they would face discrimination after fleeing from the Southern Continent. Even the Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor was no exception; otherwise, he would not still be a solitary cultivator.
Realman Yun Miao ignored the Dan Emperor, and this young man was likely very eager to find another sect to join. He would probably not refuse the company of two fellow sufferers who had already joined the Clear Light Cave.
Sure enough, Shen Yi hesitated for a moment before finally standing up: "If there's nothing else, a chat wouldn't hurt."
"Indeed, indeed!"
Shen Shan rose into the air, leading the way with a smile.
He finally completed the task his senior brother Shu Yu had given him, and he felt a sense of relief. However, he did not notice that the path he needed to guide with the jade slip was already familiar to the Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor, who followed closely behind.
They soon arrived at an unremarkable mountain range.
Shen Shan carefully surveyed the area, found the cave, and, to avoid arousing suspicion, turned back and smiled: "It's a bit shabby, but we just arrived and don't have a proper reception area. Please don't mind, Dan Emperor."
Upon reaching the agreed location, the old man's posture became more upright.
He retracted his gaze and descended toward the cave.
His eyes, however, showed a cold gleam.
Shen Shan could endure the disdain of Northern Continent cultivators for the sake of survival, and he could bow to the Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor because it was his senior brother's order.
What he could not accept was that this Dan Emperor, as a junior, accepted his grand salute in silence, without even a hint of refusal.
Back in Divine Void Mountain, this master and disciple had treated the Old Ancestor Tianwu with no respect. Even after the life-and-death ordeal, they were still the same, showing no improvement.
They were all fugitives; who was more noble than the other? Why could this person maintain his former arrogance and pride, even making Realman Yun Miao furious?
He deserved it!
Shen Yi slowly followed the old man into the cave.
Shen Shan quietly looked ahead, seeing his senior brother Shu Yu sitting at the stone table, with no immediate intention to act.
He hesitated, unsure of the other party's intentions, but he didn't dare to defy them. He found another excuse: "Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor, this is Realman Shu Yu of Clear Light Cave. He heard of your deeds and is quite interested in making your acquaintance, so he came with us... Senior Brother, where is Yu Chi?"
"She has some matters to attend to, but she'll be back soon."
Shu Yu smiled, showing no trace of his earlier rage. He extended a welcoming hand: "Please, take a seat."
Unusual events often have ulterior motives. Although the disappearance of his few great demons was likely due to someone else's doing, it was worth testing this Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor, who was right here on Heaven Tower Mountain.
Old Ancestor Shen obediently sat down at the stone table, then looked at Shen Yi. He had thought that the impromptu excuse he had come up with would be hard to fool this person, but to his surprise, the other party didn't show any fear and instead sat down calmly across from him.
Is he so desperate to join the immortal lineage that he sees this as an opportunity?
"I am an old acquaintance of Realman Yun Miao of Spirit Void Cave. I often hear him speak of you."
Realman Shu Yu casually observed the young man before him.
"It's probably not good things", Shen Yi replied calmly, his gaze meeting Shu Yu's. He also sent a mental command to the Guardian Stones nearby to check for any other presence.
Shu Yu's smile grew wider, and he teased: "So you are aware. Brother Yun Miao isn't known for his generosity."
"But..."
He paused, shaking his head: "My senior sister is in charge of investigating the Bodhi Sect. As her junior, I also want to contribute my share. Heaven Tower Mountain is a promise made by our fellow disciples to Sister Ling Su. Now that she has encountered trouble and the matter is unresolved, is it appropriate for you to establish an immortal shrine on the mountain?"
The mention of Heaven Tower Mountain caused Old Ancestor Shen's eyes to light up.
Although he didn't know why Senior Brother Shu had changed his mind, if this Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor were to yield and hand over Heaven Tower Mountain... he would accept it!
After all, once the other party achieved something, even if they planned to come back for revenge, there would still be Clear Light Cave to back him up.
Even Old Ancestor Shen himself hadn't noticed that his thoughts had changed dramatically once the topic of the Daoist site came up, far from his initial desire for survival.
At that moment, he looked hopefully at Grand Emptiness Dan Emperor.
"Inappropriate?"
Shen Yi glanced up, raising an eyebrow: "Then you go and knock it down?"
This provocative and unexpected response not only stunned Shu Yu but also shocked Old Ancestor Shen.
Since coming to the Northern Continent, he had grown accustomed to his submissive stance. Perhaps Yu Chi was a bit more assertive, but only regarding the Daoist site of Heaven Tower Mountain. Elsewhere, she remained humble.
But why did this person dare to respond so boldly and directly?
This stark contrast made Shu Yu's anger flare before he could even react, and a similar feeling rose in Old Ancestor Shen's heart.
We are all kneeling and begging for a way to survive. What gives you the right to stand tall and even show backbone while begging?
"..."
Shu Yu regained his composure, the smile fading from his face.
Only now did he understand why even the timid Yun Miao couldn't stand this person.
Shu Yu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his palm: "You've been in the Northern Continent for so long and still dare not show your true face. Talking to me like this is somewhat disrespectful."
Before he finished speaking, a powerful Disaster Force surged out.
He was growing impatient and decided to use a more direct method. If this person truly had the ability, they would naturally block the attack. He just wanted to see their true face. Even if it was a bit presumptuous, it wasn't a matter of life and death... If the person turned out to be just a weakling, he would kill them outright.
Shen Yi remained seated, his disguise easily dispelled by the incoming Disaster Force.
Shu Yu lowered his sleeve, seeing no anger on the young man's fair and handsome face. Just as he was puzzled, a ghostly scream echoed in his ears.
"Ah!!"
He glanced over and saw Old Ancestor Shen, who had been sitting calmly, now sitting on the ground with a terrified expression, his face contorted, hands on the ground, and legs desperately trying to move away from the table, his entire body drained of strength.
In an instant, the old man was drenched in sweat, tears streaming down his face, his voice hoarse.
"It's you—"
The cave was not narrow, but Old Ancestor Shen quickly backed into a corner.
Under Shu Yu's surprised gaze, he trembled and knelt, banging his head on the ground: "Venerable, spare my life! Venerable, spare my life!"
This bizarre scene was truly chilling.
Shu Yu refocused his gaze on the young man, gripping the Dao sword on the table.
But neither Old Ancestor Shen's exaggerated reaction nor his own movement seemed to faze the young man.
"..."
Shen Yi listened to the reports from the Guardian Stones, slowly stood up, and looked down at Realman Shu Yu, brushing off his sleeve: "Are you satisfied now?"
(End of Chapter)
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