Chapter 344: Do You Desire Power? (Part 1)

From outward appearances, the entire Nanhua Sect seemed little different from the past, everything proceeding in perfect order.

"For what reason has the Patriarch of the Feng Family graced us with a visit this time?" Within the Qianguang Hall of the Nanhua Sect, guests were currently being received; the Feng Family of the Morning Star Sea possessed immense influence, and with their Patriarch visiting, even a major sect like Nanhua had to show a modicum of deference.

"Nothing in particular, I have merely emerged from seclusion recently and came to pay a casual visit to see old friends. I have long heard that your noble sect cultivates a supreme immortal art, where a single flash of celestial light banishes all demons. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation!" Seated in the primary position on the left was an old man clad in gray robes, with white hair and a white beard, bearing the transcendent air of an immortal.

Had he been a stranger, one might have mistaken him for an enlightened sage descended from some legendary mountain.

"Bring up the gifts!" The old man waved his hand, instructing several members of the Feng family.

...

"Ah! I didn't even get my fill of Grand Theft Auto today, why do we have to come back so soon?" On the central square of the Nanhua Sect, several voices could be heard as people approached in small groups.

They were clearly filled with joy, yet laced with a lingering desire for more.

"I wonder when we'll finally be able to pilot that spiritual artifact called the 'Buzzard Attack Chopper'."

"That artifact named the 'Kuruma' is quite nice too. Once we earn some more money, we can buy one as well!"

"We only played for a little while and eight hours already passed. I wonder if that wretched shopkeeper secretly sped up the time," Yue Yan complained.

"We definitely need to find someone to keep watch next time, just to stop the shopkeeper from secretly altering the time!"

"Precisely!" Mo Xian agreed, "Junior Sister Liu, don't you think so?"

"Hmm? Master, what is wrong?" Liu Ningyun felt a bit strange, noticing that Daoist Master Xichi had remained completely silent.

"It is nothing." Daoist Master Xichi shook her head; a moment ago, she seemed to have perceived a fleeting, peculiar aura. "Was it an illusion?"

"I shall return first. You may continue chatting, but remember to finish your lessons," Daoist Master Xichi said, shaking her head as she felt a lingering sense of unease.

"We understand, Master!"

In the past, among Daoist Master Xichi's disciples, Mo Xian's faction and Liu Ningyun's faction had always been at odds; their interactions were purely superficial, and they were never amicable in private. But now...

"How was my performance today?" Mo Xianzi was exceptionally proud today after hitching a ride on Shopkeeper Fang's live stream, looking rather inflated. "Was my marksmanship not incredibly precise? Didn't I bring honor to the sects of our Morning Star Sea? Even the cultivators from the other shop saw it today!"

"Senior Sister is brilliant!"

"Senior Sister is a true veteran driver!"

Mo Xian said triumphantly, "Junior Sister Liu, would you like this veteran driver to carry you tomorrow? After playing a round with Shopkeeper Fang today, I have completely mastered the controls of this spiritual artifact."

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Sister," Liu Ningyun replied. "However, tomorrow I must guide a few newborn junior sisters through the Fleeca Job."

"The Fleeca Job is so simple, just let Junior Sister Yue Yan lead them!" Mo Xian spoke up, "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, together with Master, we sisters shall unite our strength and definitely clear the Prison Break heist!"

"Uh... but Senior Sister, I don't know how to fly a plane..." Liu Ningyun clearly had not fully grasped it today.

"What is there to fear! I will teach you!" Mo Xian guaranteed, "We must perform well in front of Master. We sisters all support you fully, Junior Sister Liu!"

Liu Ningyun: "..."

Just as they were discussing with great fervor, no one seemed to notice that from a concealed spot, a pair of gloomy eyes was staring intently at them.

"Have you heard?" Two passing disciples of the Nanhua Sect murmured to each other as they walked by. "The disciples who went missing a few days ago seem to have returned."

"They're back?!" another disciple laughed. "I told you nothing was wrong. How could anything happen?"

"Yes, it's said they merely slipped down the mountain in secret, and apparently encountered some peril. Their spirits were a bit low upon returning, but otherwise, there was no great harm done."

Mo Xian and the others walked across the square while chatting, as various disciples in the vicinity also discussed the recent events within the Nanhua Sect.

And at this moment, those eyes hidden in the darkness seemed to gaze upon it all, as if searching for something.

Before long, it appeared to find a target.

"With strength like yours, you actually harbor the delusion of joining us on a mountain-descending mission?"

"Look at your own talent. I have no idea if Master was blind to accept such a piece of trash into the sect!"

"Exactly! Every time we have a sect assessment or a magical competition, this wench always drags us down!"

"Get lost already!"

"Crying, all you know how to do is cry! What else can you do besides cry?!"

Wherever there are people, there is conflict; clearly, even such a grand sect was not harmonious in every corner. Several male disciples were shouting harshly at a frail girl wearing the robes of a novice disciple: "Get lost! Don't let us see your face again!"

Xu Jing's innate talent was not particularly good; perhaps it would suffice in an ordinary small sect, but in the Nanhua Sect, her standing was awkward. Within her branch, her talent was nearly the worst, and she naturally endured the constant cold shoulders of her seniors.

Right at that moment, countless voices seemed to echo directly from the depths of her heart.

That voice was low and rasping, as if originating from her own inner whispers, carrying a devilish temptation: "Are you resentful? Are you lost? Do you wish to obtain greater power?"

"Do you hate them? Submit to the desires of your heart! Come..."

"Who is it?!" It felt as though a voice within her soul was summoning her, yet when she anxiously scanned her surroundings, she found no one there.

"Submit to the desires of your heart, follow the guidance within, and you shall see what you wish to see, and obtain what you desire..."

Her gaze turned sharp, and her previous fragile demeanor vanished entirely: "Yes... I hate this wretched talent. I want to become stronger!"

As if having made a firm resolve, she walked toward a specific direction.

And that gaze hidden in the shadows seemed to fade away in satisfaction.

"What exactly is wrong with Senior Sister Mo lately?" Liu Ningyun had finally escaped Mo Xian's pestering, looking thoroughly relieved as she prepared to head toward her quarters with a few junior sisters.

"Hmm? Junior Sister Xu?" She noticed this delicate junior sister whose eyes were still somewhat red, unsure if she had just been crying.

"Senior Sister Chen...?" The female disciple's steps suddenly faltered, appearing frantic and flustered, as if caught red-handed.

"An acquaintance from my hometown," a blue-robed female disciple following behind Liu Ningyun hurriedly stepped forward and said. "What is it? Could it be that those seniors of yours have bullied you again?"

"No... no..." Xu Jing shook her head repeatedly, terribly afraid of being found out.

The woman surnamed Chen who accompanied Liu Ningyun took her hand and said earnestly, "Junior Sister Xu, listen to me!"

"Do you feel that your talent cannot compare to others?"

"Are you constantly scolded by your seniors? Do you feel lost?"

Xu Jing widened her eyes: "Huh?"

Chen Lin asked, "Do you wish to obtain greater power?"

Xu Jing was stunned, finding these words incredibly familiar: "Ah?"

Chen Lin asked again, "Tell me, do you want to or not?"

After a long pause, a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz replied, "I... I do!"

"That's the spirit! Come drive cars with us! This veteran driver will carry you!"

"Let's go, let's go! Today I'll get you familiarized with how to play, so tomorrow I can take you to rob the Fleeca Bank!"

Xu Jing stood dumbfounded: "..."

Chen Lin felt a surge of gratification in her heart; it seemed she too could finally act like a veteran driver in front of a novice!

...

Meanwhile, within the Misty Cave Abode in the rear mountain of the Nanhua Sect.

An old man with graying hair and beard was currently in deep meditation, circulating his energy.

Yet after completing one cycle, his face suddenly flushed violently before turning pale, and he abruptly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Still it fails, after decades of secluded cultivation… where, just where did it go wrong?! Why?! Why after all these years must I remain trapped at this realm?! Even fourth junior brother has already surpassed me!"

The Daoist Master Piao Miao was the third elder of the Nanhua Sect, and also the junior brother of Daoist Master Xi Chi, yet in terms of cultivation, he could likely no longer claim the third rank.

"Do you resent it…" Just then, in a trance, he seemed to hear a strange voice rising from within his heart.

.