...
Yang Ji left the Myriad Realms Commerce Alliance and returned to the Sect.
At Dao Peak, he had barely sat down in the main hall when the sound of silk and bamboo instruments entered his ears, layer upon layer, wave after wave, unceasing.
"What's happening? Where is this music of zither and flute coming from?" the Buddha Child exclaimed in surprise.
Yang Ji's ears twitched, and he immediately stepped out of the hall.
In the sky ahead, a giant carriage was slowly approaching.
Atop the carriage was a magnificent and enormous mobile palace. On either side of the palace, boys and girls used rainbows as bridges, playing flutes and making music. The melodies spread far and wide, with clouds of rosy light and strands of auspicious vapor, creating an atmosphere of floating splendors.
Beneath the carriage, there were four enormous Kirin Divine Beasts.
The four Kirins were surrounded by whirling flames, their presence majestic. They walked on air with steady steps. Their large eyes were wide open as if displaying indignation, authoritative and yet imperious.
Each one emitted an immensely powerful aura, actually all within the Demon Emperor Realm, equivalent to existences of the Void Refining level.
Yang Ji was astounded, and the Buddha Child was equally dumbfounded.
Who is this?
Such an impressive display!
Just as the two of them were pondering this, the carriage suddenly stopped in the sky close to Dao Peak.
A slender and fair hand reached out, slowly drawing aside the curtain of the carriage.
A figure then gradually stood up. The person showed a slight smile, with a handsome but somewhat feminine countenance that was strikingly beautiful. A black flame-like mark on his brow added a charm to his good looks.
Upon seeing this person's features, Yang Ji instantly recognized him.
It was the True Disciple, Liu Xiaosheng.
"I pay my respects to Brother Liu," Yang Ji immediately greeted with a bow.
"Junior brother, I came uninvited, please don't take offense," Liu Xiaosheng said with a faint smile. His voice seemed gentle, yet it was unexpectedly deep and resonant.
"Brother's visit honors Dao Peak. I failed to welcome you from afar, for which I hope you'll forgive me," Yang Ji said, clasping his hands together and gesturing, "Please, Brother Liu, come into the main hall to talk."
"Very well," Liu Xiaosheng said with a smile, appearing quite satisfied with Yang Ji's attitude. He nodded and casually walked into the main hall.
Yang Ji instructed the disciples of the peak to entertain the rest of the entourage, then he turned and followed Liu Xiaosheng's steps.
Once inside the great hall, he found that Liu Xiaosheng had already calmly taken the main seat, smiling faintly as if he was the master of the place.
Yang Ji's eyebrows imperceptibly furrowed, but he didn't say anything. He simply smiled and took a seat in the guest's area.
"This brat is incredibly arrogant. Even Wang Tianli, the King's Technique holder, didn't presume to take the main seat when he came, and this kid is just a True Disciple. Yet he carries himself with great airs. Damn it, this kid must be up to no good," the Buddha Child muttered in annoyance from within the Mount Sea World.
Having refined the Mount Sea World, which was his magical treasure, Yang Ji could hear the Buddha Child's grumbling without the need for transmission.
He was indeed thinking the same as the Buddha Child, but he didn't show it. Instead, he simply smiled and asked, "Brother Liu, may I know the reason for your esteemed visit today?"
"I won't beat around the bush. I've come today because I've taken a liking to you," Liu Xiaosheng said with a faint smile. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Taken a liking to me? I would ask Brother to speak plainly," Yang Ji said, startled.
"Junior brother, you have outstanding luck and talent. I wish to take you under my wing. In my domain of Reincarnation in the Heavenly Domain, there will certainly be a place for you," Liu Xiaosheng said directly.
"Honored by Brother's high esteem, I am merely of Superior Root Bone, with lowly talents. I have neither the virtues nor the capabilities to climb so high," Yang Ji said, feigning surprise and humility.
"Sect Master, this kid actually wants you to acknowledge him as master. Wouldn't that make him my Sect Master's master? Damn it, he's trying to take advantage of me. I, the Buddha Child, am unparalleled in the world, possessing the Supreme Buddha-Demon Sutra, and will sooner or later become a supreme being, a True Immortal. What virtues and abilities does this kid have to be the master of my master?
Pah!" The Buddha Child was fuming with anger, jumping up and down, ranting and raving within the Mount Sea World.
Yang Ji's mind grew silent.
Acknowledge someone as master?
What a joke!
How could he, a man resolved to achieve eternal life and immortality, recognize another as his master? Wouldn't that be a self-inflicted blow to his ambition and a slash at the very depths of his soul?
Even if an Immortal King came, he would not entertain such thoughts.
For his ambition reached higher than the heavens; an Immortal King was but a being who had practiced for a few more eras than him. Given time, he could achieve the same level as an Immortal King.
He had never thought of doing anything that would lower his own dignity.
Others cultivate with bitterness, lacking a clear path forward and thus develop a dependent heart.
But his path was crystal clear, bright and promising, joining the Canglan Sect, receiving the legacy of the Demon Emperor, accepting the Buddha Child, acquiring the Three Immortals Formation, cultivating the Taichu Divine Tree, and obtaining the crafting method for the Wings of Time-Space.
His fortune was at its peak; to recognize another as his master would be akin to slashing his own fortune, sharing it with others.
He would never do such a thing that would destroy his own immortal path, nor could he.
He shook his head internally, dismissing the thought.
Seeing his expression, Liu Xiaosheng faintly smiled and said:
"Junior brother, I know you are also a person of opportunity, with a trace of pride in your heart, but your fortunes compared to mine are like fireflies to the bright moon."
"I carry the legacy of three Red Dust Immortals and have even obtained the complete dao inheritance of the Ancient Rebirth Sect, with heavy fortune and unparalleled foundation."
"If I break through the Void Refining, then I must slay three Dao Calamities and achieve the status of Unparalleled Daozi."
"Following someone who is destined to become a Daozi, and even a future Sect Master, will not disgrace your identity, instead, you will receive supreme honor."
"If you join my Reincarnation Heavenly Domain, I will bestow upon you three Low-grade Dao Artifacts, a Creation Divine Pill that can elevate your Spiritual Root to the supreme level, as well as three Divine Skills, and an endless supply of Divine Transformation Pills."
"All you have to do is kneel down and worship me as your master, and then your path of cultivation will be smooth and unhindered."
In the midst of his casual conversation, Liu Xiaosheng actually used 'Worship' and the 'King's Technique', as if engraved in his charismatic personality, his words effortlessly carried the law with them, naturally inspiring belief.
It must be said, Liu Xiaosheng was indeed a character; his slender eyebrows contained Immortal Light, his eyes were bright as stars, each action and word, like the silent nourishment of spring rain, fully displayed his dominance and confidence, permeating hearts, reigning over minds.
Sitting at the head position, with one palm pressing on the Eternal Life Table, he truly had the majesty of a monarch.
The benefits promised were extremely tempting, and most disciples at the Nascent Soul realm would be moved.
They would likely kneel on the spot, bow their heads in worship, and shout in reverence to their lord.
But how could Yang Ji be an ordinary person, possessing the True Rigidity Divine Art, with a spirit upright and unyielding, his mind fearless and brave, and his God of Yang shining like the intense sun, radiant with brilliance—how could he be subdued by mere words?
He was destined for longevity, so how could he be tempted by such frivolous gains in front of him?
Not to mention, he didn't even look up to them.
Just as he was about to look up and politely decline, his gaze suddenly narrowed, as if he had seen a great horror.
And a great horror it indeed was, for at that moment, he actually saw terrifying information above Liu Xiaosheng's head, "Outer Realm Demon, human soul and body, consciousness reincarnated, heart of the Demon Emperor, Reincarnation Transferring Technique."
Reincarnation Transferring Technique?
This Liu Xiaosheng, could he actually have the heart of a Heavenly Demon?
Despite possessing a human soul and body, the memories within his sea of consciousness were from the Demon Emperor's reincarnations—what kind of soul transference was this?
No, soul transference was about the transference of the soul, but his soul was still human; it was the memories and thoughts that belonged to the Demon Emperor.
Such a technique was too against the natural order, the soul of the Demon Emperor had not reincarnated, but his memories and consciousness had, transferred to a human.
Born as a human, with both flesh and soul human, no one could detect that he was a Heavenly Demon.
This demon joined the Wuji Dao Sect, what was his intention?
A tremor went through Yang Ji's heart.
"Hmm? Junior brother, how about it, what have you considered?" Liu Xiaosheng asked with a faint smile.
"Senior brother suddenly bringing up this matter is truly flattering to me, how could I, with little virtue and ability, deserve senior brother's regard. I'll need some time to mentally prepare before I can give an answer, hope senior brother won't mind," Yang Ji said slowly.
What a joke!
How could he pledge allegiance to a Heavenly Demon?
There are no walls that don't leak in this world, if the sect found out he was a Heavenly Demon, and that Yang Ji had sworn allegiance to him, wouldn't he be implicated?
The image of the Great Sage Mu Yuan slaying demons was still vivid in his mind, and he wouldn't forget it.
Yang Ji immediately shook his head, delaying the time to respond.
Seeing the hesitation on Yang Ji's face, as if he might agree yet also doubtful, Liu Xiaosheng smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll await the junior brother's reply in three days. I hope you won't disappoint me then."
Yang Ji felt a sinking feeling in his heart, realizing that Liu Xiaosheng had set his sights on him, determined to have him under his command.
(Thanks to book friend 20211934 for the 500 coin reward.)