Chapter 111: And Still Want to Be Released Like This?

The Fourth Elder cut the classic figure of a scholarly cultivator, dressed in a spotless white robe and holding a paper fan; his stride was measured and steady, his demeanor gentle, and he dealt with the world with flawless poise, treating all disciples with equal favor: "You would do well to keep your distance from Old Nine. It is a blessing he vanished recently, else he would have surely corrupted you."

"You must cherish the opportunity to study under Yun Zhi. There is no future in learning from Old Nine."

"The sages say a gentleman possesses five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Old Nine does not possess a single one. He is a scoundrel through and through, given to cheating and swindling. I cannot even count how many times I have had to bail him out of the celestial prison."

"Do you know what your master's ultimate sword technique is?"

Lu Yang replied, "I heard the Eldest Senior Sister mention it once. It is 'One Sword Transforms into Ten Thousand Swords.' When unleashed with full might, a single sword can proliferate into tens of millions, like dark clouds pressing down upon a city, blanketing the sky and earth with absolute dominance. Once the enemies are slain, the myriad swords converge back into one, without a single drop of blood remaining upon the blade."

When Lu Yang had listened to the Eldest Senior Sister's description back then, a deep yearning had bloomed within his heart, believing that the so-called elegance and freedom of a sword cultivator could find no grander expression than this.

The Fourth Elder nodded. "Indeed, One Sword Transforms into Ten Thousand Swords. Possessing the Sword Spirit Root, Old Nine is truly a rare genius of the sword dao. Very few living sword cultivators can hope to reach his domain."

Lu Yang found it strange; he sensed an quality in the Fourth Elder's tone that was difficult to describe... was it teeth-grinding resentment, a deep shame at being associated with him, or a bitter frustration at his failure to live up to his potential?

It felt roughly like that.

He then heard the Fourth Elder continue: "On one occasion, Old Nine manifested his sword technique, transforming one sword into ten thousand, and promptly sold those manifested swords to the Luodi Jinqian Merchant Alliance. The moment he pocketed the gold, he enacted the 'Ten Thousand Swords Return to One.' If I had not personally intervened to smooth things over and appease the alliance leader's wrath, your master would still be rotting in prison today!"

Lu Yang fell silent.

His master was indeed currently confined to a prison, which could be considered a fitting retribution for his misdeeds.

"Furthermore, have you ever heard of the spell known as 'Size As You Wish (Localized Edition)'?"

"I just heard about it from the Third Elder."

"The existence of this spell must not be spoken of to outsiders. The younger disciples today know nothing of it. If you look back a century ago, newly initiated disciples fought tooth and nail to join Old Nine's lineage just to learn this technique."

"Fortunately, Martial Niece Yun Zhi understood the greater good and destroyed the copies of the manual, leaving only the original locked away in the upper levels of the Scripture Pavilion. Coupled with deliberate concealment, we finally have a generation where no disciples are clamoring to learn such an art."

Lu Yang felt too embarrassed to confess to the Fourth Elder that he, in fact, had also wished to learn that very spell.

I am sorry, I shall reflect upon my shortcomings.

The Fourth Elder's tone softened slightly: "Yet, Old Nine is not entirely without merit. At the very least, since he assumed the mantle of Sect Master, our Wendao Sect has grown considerably stronger than before. Of course, this cannot be credited to him alone; the eight of us have contributed immensely."

Lu Yang could not quite discern whether the Fourth Elder was praising his master or singing his own praises.

"By the way, why have you suddenly taken such an interest in what kind of man your master is?"

Lu Yang offered a vague, casual laugh: "It is nothing, really. I have simply never laid eyes on him since entering his lineage, so I was merely curious."

"Curiosity is a fine trait, but do not waste it on Old Nine. It is a futile endeavor."

Having questioned three people in succession, Lu Yang had arrived at a rough understanding of the sort of character his master possessed.

And with a reputation like that, he actually hoped to be released?

The Tiance Sect was situated on the eastern expanse of the continent, occupying a vast territory. Viewed from the heavens, the sect resembled an inverted Bagua disc, presenting a magnificent and singular spectacle.

The Tiance Sect was shrouded in stillness and sparse of human presence, akin to a hidden sect sequestered deep within ancient forests—quiet, yet harboring a subtle terror.

However, the primary reason for this profound quietude was that they had dispersed their disciples across the realm to earn money to repay their debts, leaving the grand sect with only a handful of souls remaining.

Reducing expenditures while tempering the heart in the mortal world could truly be called killing two birds with one stone.

A sudden shout shattered the tranquil atmosphere of the Tiance Sect.

"Master, Master, I have returned!" Luo Bu shouted as he sprinted into the sect grounds, heading directly for his master.

Hearing his disciple's cries, the Sect Master of the Tiance Sect emerged from his immortal cave: "My good disciple, why have you returned so soon? Could it be that you have devised a way to clear our debts?"

Luo Bu was panting heavily, out of breath: "Not... not yet. While I was traveling and casting divinations to earn a living, I encountered a troublesome figure. I wanted to return and give word so the sect can take precautions."

"Sit down and speak slowly."

Luo Bu steadied his breathing before continuing: "My travels took me to Yanjiang County. Being entirely penniless at the time, I intended to perform a few casual divinations to swindle some unfortunate fools out of their coin."

"As chance would have it, I encountered three disciples from the Wendao Sect and one disciple from the Yuegui Xian Palace. They were all fat sheep ripe for the shearing."

"I had no intention of performing a genuine reading and meant only to offer perfunctory words, but to my astonishment, one among them proved to be extraordinary beyond measure."

"That person is named Lu Yang. Though his cultivation is modest and he has only recently embarked on the path of immortality, his future is terrifyingly profound."

A thought stirred within the Tiance Sect Master's mind: "Are you suggesting we invest in him early, so that once he achieves greatness, he might help us clear our debts?"

Luo Bu hurriedly extinguished his master's perilous train of thought: "No, no, no! I saw that Lu Yang's future is destined to be entangled in karmic bonds with several Immortals."

"Entangled in karmic bonds with several Immortals?!" The Tiance Sect Master lost his composure, his voice rising in shock. Generally speaking, an entanglement with even a single Immortal could easily cause one's body to perish and their dao to vanish. How could this Lu Yang survive a grand karma involving multiple Immortals?

For those of their Tiance Sect, crossing paths with individuals burdened by great karma was the ultimate taboo; it hindered transcendence. The heavier the karma, the more arduous the cultivation, and struggling to break free would only cause the karmic threads to bind even tighter.

"That is not all. I also discovered that Lu Yang will spread the corrupt customs of the Wendao Sect across the entire cultivation world."

The Tiance Sect Master drew in a sharp breath of cold air. Why had such a crucial matter not been disclosed sooner? Compared to this impending disaster, what did the karma of Immortals even matter?

"In short, we must do our utmost to avoid any contact with the Wendao Sect. Especially that Lu Yang—the further away we stay, the better!"

Suddenly, the Tiance Sect Master's countenance shifted dramatically.

"What is it, Master?"

"An exceedingly tyrannical aura is flying directly toward our Tiance Sect. I fear the visitor bears no good intent! Activate the grand defensive array immediately!"

With decisive resolve, the Tiance Sect Master activated the sect's protective formation.

The nodes of the array ignited like starlight in the night sky, weaving together to form the shape of a massive Bagua disc.

The colossal Bagua disc draped over the Tiance Sect, seemingly indestructible. Its eight cardinal directions were intricately woven and complex, making an exit nearly impossible to find. Once ensnared within the formation, one could exhaust a lifetime of effort and still fail to unravel its mysteries. Countless grandmasters of the Integration Stage had returned empty-handed, and those with impure motives had even been trapped until they drew their final breath!

The sheer power of the Tiance Sect's defensive array was evident.

Yet the approaching figure showed no intention of slowing down upon seeing the activation of the grand array, displaying an unparalleled and arrogant disregard.

Confronted by the bewilderingly complex formation, the newcomer merely extended a hand and struck out with a casual palm, shattering the grand array instantly.

Only then did the Tiance Sect Master discern the visitor's appearance: graceful and elegant, resembling a deity or an immortal, possessing an inviolable majesty.

"Yun Zhi of the Wendao Sect arrives to pay respects to the Supreme Elder of the Tiance Sect. I request an audience."

The Tiance Sect Master's face turned white as ash. The moment they spoke of the Wendao Sect, the Wendao Sect had arrived.