Departure

"It seems Elder Wan has made his decision." Jiang Tianzun spoke with a faint chill in his eyes. "All this time, you have told me I am the sole hope of the Cangwu lineage, pouring every resource into me to sustain my cultivation and nurture my growth. And I, shouldering that hope, never dared slacken for a single moment over all these years. I cultivated diligently and worked tirelessly to improve myself... Now, through my own efforts, I have finally attained success and met all expectations by catching Supreme Elder Yuhuang's eye and being taken as his personal disciple... Yet now, when I ask you to handle a matter for me... this is the attitude you show..." At this point, a touch of alienation crept into his voice. "Your attitude... disappoints me greatly." Before Wan Liugui could even respond to these words, Susan, Yang Han, Hela, and the other Golden Core cultivators could no longer sit still. Jiang Tianzun had already been taken as a personal disciple by Supreme Elder Yuhuang. Once he reached the Void Piercing Realm in the future and competed for the sect's deputy sect master position, the Cangwu lineage would gain a powerful backer, allowing them to take firm, permanent root within a colossal behemoth like the Taiyi Immortal Sect. If any mishap occurred at a juncture like this... The entire Cangwu lineage from top to bottom would be consumed by eternal regret. Why had they rushed ahead to the Cangwu Great World in such haste? Precisely to reestablish the Artifact Sect and curry favor with Jiang Tianzun. In fact... They had even discussed with the people of the Cangwu lineage the idea of renaming the Cangwu Great World to the Tianzun Great World for that very purpose. Naming rights were inherently meant to deepen the bond between the strong and the weak. Yet as Jiang Tianzun was taken as a personal disciple by Supreme Elder Yuhuang, the balance of power between the Cangwu lineage and Jiang Tianzun had already reversed. If the matter of Yaoguang led Jiang Tianzun to become thoroughly disappointed in the Cangwu lineage and disregard their interests from now on... Everything they had done, along with all their years of investment, would be completely wasted. If things went poorly, then several decades or even just a dozen years later, once the first generation of Void Piercing Battle Immortals perished, the Cangwu lineage might be purged from the Taiyi Immortal Sect entirely. When that day came, everyone would be reduced to rootless duckweed, living precarious, insecure lives. At this thought, Susan and the others could not even care that Wan Liugui held a higher status than them. Susan hurriedly pressed, "Elder Wan, what are you hesitating for?! Do not forget your identity—you are True Disciple Jiang's Dao protector!" "True Disciple Jiang's interests are the interests of our Cangwu lineage! Your disciple Li Hanqiu is defying True Disciple Jiang, cutting himself off from our Cangwu lineage! He deserves death!" "Elder Wan, do not ruin yourself! Li Hanqiu is not your only disciple. Think of your descendants in the Taiyi Immortal Sect! Besides, even if you do not strike today, do you think Li Hanqiu and this Yaoguang will survive?! With a single command from True Disciple Jiang, they will have nowhere to run—only death awaits them, even at the ends of the earth! It is merely a matter of dying sooner or dying later!" These Golden Core cultivators shouted angrily. Had Li Hanqiu not already taken the final step and broken through to the Void Piercing Realm, making it suicide for them to step forward, they would have long been unable to resist moving in for the kill. Already tormented by internal conflict, Wan Liugui heard these Golden Cores chattering incessantly and suddenly erupted in a furious roar: "Silence!" Even though it was only a fraction of a Void Piercing powerhouse's majesty, it instantly rendered the Golden Core cultivators mute, not daring to utter another word. On Beihai Star, hierarchy and deference between superiors and inferiors were exceedingly strict. Instances of subordinates being beaten to death on the spot for disrespect toward a superior were commonplace. Even members of the same sect were no exception. The brutally harsh environment ensured that every superior lacked nothing in terms of ruthless, iron-blooded methods. Without cruelty and a hard heart, one could never become a superior or powerhouse on Beihai Star. After rebuking the Golden Cores, Wan Liugui turned his gaze toward Jiang Tianzun. Yet Jiang Tianzun merely regarded him with indifference. It seemed this matter was no longer about whether to kill Yaoguang or not, but rather... Whether he could tame the Cangwu lineage's Void Piercing Battle Immortals, ensuring that in the future he could hold the lineage completely in his grasp and firmly delineate master from servant. Wan Liugui turned back to Li Hanqiu, drew a deep breath, and stepped forward. "One thing they said was correct: Jiang Tianzun's interests represent the interests of our Cangwu lineage... Standing against Jiang Tianzun means standing against the entire Cangwu Great World. I will give you the span of a single breath. Withdraw at once, and I can still spare your life. Otherwise... with your strength having only just barely broken through to the Void Piercing Realm, killing you will not cost me much effort." "So, Master, do you intend to fight me to the death? I am already prepared to die in battle. Are you, Master?" Li Hanqiu said in a deep voice, "Perhaps you can kill me, but once you strike me down, will you be able to calm your chaotic cavern state again? Will the outcome of this battle be anything other than mutual destruction? Rather than forcing things to such an extreme, why not give Yaoguang a chance? I firmly believe Yaoguang is not one bit inferior to Jiang Tianzun! Furthermore, Yaoguang's character... will never press others so aggressively like Jiang Tianzun!" "Aggressive pressure is not a bad thing on Beihai Star; rather, it is an indispensable temperament for those who achieve greatness. As for what you say about Yaoguang not being inferior to Jiang Tianzun..." Wan Liugui halted less than ten thousand li before Li Hanqiu. "Perhaps... but it is too late. Even if he truly possesses talent rivaling Jiang Tianzun's, without sufficient time to grow, when calamity strikes... it remains too late." "Too late?" Li Hanqiu looked at his master, his mind flashing back to the century they had spent together. He truly had never imagined they would reach such a point. Indeed... After a separation of several decades, everything changed. However, just as he was prepared to fight to the bitter end to secure a slim chance of survival for Yaoguang, a strand of divine sense reached him silently: "My attack will swallow tens of thousands of li of starry sky. Take advantage of the chaos to distort space and send Yaoguang away. If he moves quickly, he might escape Jiang Tianzun's pursuit." "Master?!" This sudden transmission shook Li Hanqiu to his core. Yet Wan Liugui did not respond to him further. Instead, he slowly raised a hand, a terrifying swallowing force beginning to brew at the tip of his fingers. "A breath has passed. It seems you truly have chosen a path to death..." "Master, in truth, it might not be too late... What if Yaoguang not only possesses talent comparable to Jiang Tianzun in cultivation, but also demonstrates even more exceptional talent in other areas—such as artifact refinement and array deployment?!" Meeting Wan Liugui's gaze, Li Hanqiu made his decision. He knew very well that even if his master spared him and Yaoguang, they might not be able to get past Jiang Tianzun. After all... That was an Azure Golden Core cultivator whose combat power was likely not inferior to a Void Piercing Battle Immortal! Therefore... Only by securing Wan Liugui's help could they wrest a sliver of hope from this mortal crisis. As he sent his transmission, a faint, elusive ripple emanated from his body. This was... The moment he sensed this peculiar fluctuation, Wan Liugui, who was closest, widened his eyes in shock. "Dao charm?! The Dao charm of a Dao artifact?!" Even Jiang Tianzun, standing off to the side, seemed to sense something. The aloof expression of an idle spectator waiting for a good show swiftly turned solemn. A look of doubt and suspicion flickered in his eyes. "Yes, the Dao charm of a Dao artifact!" Li Hanqiu's divine sense answered Wan Liugui's shock. "I have... a Dao artifact in my hands." "Impossible!" Wan Liugui rejected the notion without hesitation. "How could there be a Dao artifact in our Cangwu Great World?!" A Dao artifact was an extraordinarily precious treasure. Even among the Void Piercing elders of the Taiyi Immortal Sect—one of the ten great immortal sects—not everyone possessed such a supreme treasure! How could such a treasure appear in the hands of a newly advanced Void Piercing Battle Immortal?! "If I told you this Dao artifact was refined by Yaoguang, would his worth then rival Jiang Tianzun's?" Li Hanqiu asked. "Yaoguang refined a Dao artifact?! Impossible! Without reaching the Void Piercing Realm, it is utterly impossible to refine a Dao artifact!" Wan Liugui asserted decisively. "Do not use our shallow perspectives to judge true peerless prodigies. They possess many miraculous qualities we cannot begin to comprehend," Li Hanqiu said. "Now, Master, do you believe Yaoguang's worth is enough for us to spare no effort in protecting him?" Wan Liugui looked at Li Hanqiu. Then he glanced at Yaoguang... Although he could not bring himself to believe Yaoguang could refine a Dao artifact... It was eighty to ninety percent certain that Li Hanqiu held a Dao artifact. And strategic treasures like Dao artifacts were wielded personally by the masters of the Six Halls and the leaders of the other eight lineages in the Taiyi Immortal Sect! No one knew how much power such a treasure could unleash in the hands of a Void Piercing Battle Immortal. Especially... When that Void Piercing Battle Immortal had cast everything aside, prepared to fight with his life on the line. At this thought, as if realizing something, Wan Liugui stepped back slightly and swiftly sent a transmission to Jiang Tianzun: "True Disciple Jiang, it would be a true pity for a Void Piercing Battle Immortal and a prodigy of fine talent to die just like this." "So..." Jiang Tianzun looked at Wan Liugui. "You intend to betray me?" "I have no such intention," Wan Liugui said quickly. "It is merely that our Cangwu lineage is currently in dire need of capable people. Why not let Li Hanqiu atone for his crimes through service? He is, after all, a Void Piercing Battle Immortal, and our lineage possesses very few powerhouses of his caliber... Furthermore, Yaoguang's talent is not lacking. If properly nurtured, he could become a capable helper for our Cangwu lineage..." "What are you trying to say?" "Regardless of everything, they ultimately hail from the Cangwu lineage. Tianzun, you have always valued duty and loyalty. You returned this time to pay respects to your ancestors; if you go on a killing spree in the Cangwu Great World, and Supreme Elder Yuhuang were to learn of it, he might think you are merely trading on his authority... that you have grown arrogant and conceited..." Wan Liugui said. These words made Jiang Tianzun furrow his brow. Given the persona he maintained, embarking on a bloody slaughter in the Cangwu Realm, which was effectively his homeland, was indeed inappropriate. Even if he wanted to kill... He could not act personally. "This is what I propose: Li Hanqiu offended True Disciple Jiang, so he should enter the Immortal Slaying Hall and head to the front lines to atone through meritorious service. As for Yaoguang..." Wan Liugui carefully chose his words. "Yaoguang committed such a grave offense, yet if you can tolerate him in consideration of his remarkable talent, who would not praise such magnanimity upon hearing of it? Of course, all of this is predicated on him truly possessing remarkable talent." The Void Piercing Battle Immortal added, "If Yaoguang can form a Radiant Sun Golden Core within ten years, it will prove his outstanding talent. At that time, you might as well keep him by your side to serve you. Of course, if you do not want him, leave him in the Taiyi Immortal Sect to carve his own path. If he fails to form a Radiant Sun Golden Core within ten years... no one will say a single word when a worthless person is disposed of." Jiang Tianzun appeared to listen to Wan Liugui's counsel. His expression remained unchanged, but his heart was cold. *Damn him!* This Dao protector he had chosen claimed on the surface that everything was for his sake, but in truth, his rebellious intent was as clear as day. If Jiang Tianzun continued forcing him to kill Li Hanqiu and Yaoguang... Overt compliance and covert defiance would be the least of it. If things went wrong... They might turn on each other right then and there. Moreover, he thought of the ripple he had sensed just now... That fluctuation felt like the Dao charm of a Dao artifact. Yet it was impossible for a Dao artifact to exist in the Cangwu Great World. Compared to a Dao artifact, it was far more likely to be some single-use fatal treasure. After all, the Cangwu Realm had been invaded by the Moon Demon Empire in the past, and backing the Moon Demon Empire was the Shadow Moon Sect of the Six Demonic Sects, which specialized in plundering resources from surrounding worlds for their own use. No one knew if something had been left behind. Although this was merely his conjecture and the probability was exceedingly low... There was the shift in Wan Liugui's attitude before him, along with Li Hanqiu harboring an unusual item and harboring a death wish... If Jiang Tianzun suffered any harm, then even if this group of lowly Battle Immortals—who might lose their lives any day—died a thousand or ten thousand times over, it would not compensate for the loss of a single strand of his hair. *I was blinded by this traitor when choosing a Dao protector, thinking he was loyal and devoted!* Thoughts churned in Jiang Tianzun's mind. A noble man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. As for Li Hanqiu and Yaoguang, once he returned to the Taiyi Immortal Sect, a single order would summon plenty of people to handle them on his behalf. When the time came, Li Hanqiu would die, Yaoguang would die, and Wan Liugui would have to die as well. Feeling a sense of danger, Jiang Tianzun dared not press further. His expression eased slightly. "Since Elder Wan has pleaded on their behalf several times, for Elder Wan's sake, I shall give them a chance." He glanced at Yaoguang. "Ten years from now, achieve a Radiant Sun Golden Core, and I will permit you to serve me. If you cannot... then take your own life." With that, he waved his hand, and a flying boat appeared before him. Simultaneously, a majestic wave of energy surged from the flying boat. This energy washed over the surroundings, rapidly creating a spatial distortion. "Let us go, Elder Wan. There is nothing left to see in the Cangwu Great World. Return to Beihai." Jiang Tianzun commanded indifferently. "True Disciple Jiang is indeed peerlessly benevolent and righteous. Old Wan expresses his gratitude to True Disciple Jiang." Wan Liugui cupped his hands in seemingly emotional thanks. Yet in his heart, he knew very well that this matter was far from simple. Only by publicizing Jiang Tianzun's benevolent and magnanimous act far and wide the moment they returned, placing him upon a high pedestal and forcing him to avoid moving against Yaoguang and Li Hanqiu openly to preserve his public persona, could he buy a period of relative safety for Yaoguang to grow. He could only hope... That the youth truly was as extraordinarily gifted as Li Hanqiu claimed. He cast a subtle glance at Li Hanqiu and Yaoguang, transmitting a message, while outwardly assisting in maneuvering the flying boat with apparent enthusiasm. As the spatial distortion grew increasingly pronounced, the astral boat gradually initiated. In less than ten breaths, the astral boat accelerated violently and plunged into the twisted void. Like a drop of water falling upon a lake's surface, it vanished in an instant as ripples rippled outward.