Chapter 569: Ice Master
"This..."
When Chen Zhen, Ying Xuanzi, and the others saw the elderly figure emerge from the stone tablet, they were left speechless. They were aware that the Great Desolation Tablet had a spirit, but they had never imagined that it would refuse to acknowledge their Dao Sect.
Ignoring the silent Chen Zhen and the others, the Great Desolation Tablet floated towards Xiao Ming with an entirely different demeanor. The spirit now wore a humble smile on its face.
"Esteemed Sir, I possess extraordinary suppression and sealing abilities. Once I fully regain my strength, I can aid you in subduing foes. Please allow me to follow you."
Seeing the spirit's attitude, which was utterly different from how it treated them, Ying Xuanzi and Chen Zhen couldn't hide the bitter expressions on their faces. It looked like they really wouldn't be able to keep the Great Desolation Tablet today.
Who made their own divine object to eagerly court someone else while showing contempt for them?
Xiao Ming thought for a moment and then waved his hand. The shrunken stone tablet immediately fell into his grasp. He could feel the profound energy emanating from the tablet as he played with it.
There was no denying that a divine object like the Great Desolation Tablet could not be found on the Dou Qi Continent.
Although the Dou Qi Continent had its share of weapon forgers, the profession didn't seem to be thriving. As for a weapon like the Great Desolation Tablet that was capable of giving birth to a spirit, he had never come across such an item before.
When it came to fighting, Xiao Ming rarely used weapons.
Not everyone was as lucky as Xiao Yan, who was fortunate enough to obtain a weapon that could be used from the Dou Practitioner to the Dou God realm.
Precisely because he didn't have any suitable weapons, Xiao Ming had only used a sword as a weapon when his strength was relatively low. Once his strength increased, he stopped using weapons altogether.
After playing with the tablet for a while, Xiao Ming suddenly smiled and said, "You want to follow me because you want me to nourish and refine you, right?"
An ancient divine object like the Great Desolation Tablet was not a true living being after all. Its strongest power could only be unleashed in the hands of its master. Moreover, with a powerful master, it could be better nurtured and helped to progress.
The Great Desolation Tabet had been suppressing and sealing Yimo for many years. It had been severely damaged. However, if it could be nourished and refined by Xiao Ming, it would recover quickly and might even progress further.
This was the reason why the Great Desolation Tablet was so eager to offer itself to him.
"Sir has a discerning eye," the spirit of the tablet replied with a bow.
Ying Xuanzi and the others sighed inwardly when they heard this. It seemed that even if the powerful figure in front of them did not take the Great Desolation Tablet, the tablet would still have left on its own. Judging from the spirit's aura, there was no one in their Dao Sect capable of nurturing it.
"Alright, you can follow me from now on."
Xiao Ming finally agreed to the tablet spirit's request. Then, turning to see the unnatural expressions of the Dao Sect's members, he couldn't help but smile. With a clench of his hand, his spiritual strength gathered into a palm-sized stone tablet in his hand. He then tossed it towards Chen Zhen.
"I'm aware that your Dao Sect is mainly interested in the Great Desolation Scripture. I don't want to intimidate you. Inside this is the cultivation method of the Great Desolation Scripture. However, such a Martial Art is too profound and mysterious for you. Without the necessary talent, not only is it impossible to learn, but it could also harm the practitioner. Therefore, those who wish to comprehend it must go through a strict selection process."
He had known for a long time that Ying Huanhuan was a Reincarnator. However, he did not wish for her to awaken from her reincarnation cycle. He feared that once awakened, the Ying Huanhuan he knew would no longer be his daughter.
Therefore, Ying Xuanzi always let Ying Huanhuan do as she pleased and never forced her to start cultivating.
However, what he had not anticipated was that his daughter turned out to be the Ice Master, one of the legendary Eight Ancient Masters and the strongest amongst them. She was one of the mightiest pillars of this world!
At this moment, Ying Xuanzi felt a profound sense of defeat. It was no wonder that this immensely powerful figure had come to their Dao Sect and sought out his daughter right away. Perhaps her sudden awakening was also his doing!
He realized he was not strong enough to protect his own daughter.
"Sigh!"
With a long sigh, Ying Xuanzi's posture sagged. It was as if his appearance had aged a lot in an instant.
As for Ying Huanhuan, after the initial outburst, it seemed like her body, which had not yet begun to cultivate, could not withstand this force. She fell back into slumber and was caught by Ying Xuanzi.
"The presence of the Ice Master in your Dao Sect is a good thing. In a few years, she can regain her 3rd Calamity Reincarnation Stage strength and might even be able to break through to the Ancestor Stage. Why do you seem so troubled?" The tablet spirit looked at Ying Xuanzi's bitter face, somewhat perplexed.
"Alas, I didn't want Huanhuan to awaken. Even if her awakening was inevitable, I wanted her to enjoy a period of happiness..." With another sigh, Ying Xuanzi did not hide his feelings.
Xiao Ming stood nearby. He also knew that his actions in awakening Ying Huanhuan might have been a bit forceful, but he really couldn't afford to wait too long.
"I have to admit that I was a little bit hasty this time. Therefore, I'll grant the Dao Sect a request. Whatever you ask for, whether it's another cultivation method that's more powerful than the Great Desolation Scripture or the annihilation of your sworn enemy, the Yuan Gate, it's all feasible."
Chen Zhen and the others' breath immediately quickened upon hearing this. They might not know the exact stage of the powerhouse in front of them. However, they knew that the other party was immensely strong!
He was a person capable of overpowering their entire Dao Sect. His mere presence was enough to make their breathing difficult!
If such a figure claimed he could annihilate Yuan Gate, they believed he could!
Although Chen Zhen and the others were visibly excited, they refrained from speaking out immediately. After all, Xiao Ming's compensation was meant for their Sect Leader.
Finally, Ying Xuanzi spoke up.
"My request is that you accept my daughter as your disciple!"
Xiao Ming: ???
Xiao Ming was suddenly stunned and felt like he had accidentally dug a hole for himself.
Wasn't Ying Xuanzi supposed to put the interests of the Dao Sect first?