Great Yan, Outskirts of the Forgotten Valley
Hua Lian slowly floated on his lotus, 'Why would that Zheng guy do that? I could've saved him easily.' Sighing, he felt the fatigue from his actions, 'I've killed more than a thousand people…'
"Well, we can't change the past." He thought and picked all the storage rings, signaling to the disciples, "Pick up Senior Zheng's body." They didn't even blink as the shock from seeing the slaughter was still sinking in.
Yang Tiandong looked at his Junior Brother and didn't know what to say, so he tried to change the subject, "Junior Brother, your cultivation sure has risen."
Hua Lian nodded, and seeing Zheng's body retrieved, he ordered, "Now, we're going back to Jade Pure Sect!" Nervous laughter and sighs of relief filled the group, making the atmosphere lighter. 'Journey back would take us about a year.'
Giving one last look to the dust that were disciples of Raincoat Sect, Hua Lian turned around, steeling his heart, 'Han Jue was right, only the strong write the rules. Even Chu Shiren would later find that out.'
The year of flying wasn't that peaceful, as many demonic beasts attacked them, but they managed with Hua Lian's strength and sheer numbers. The news spread about a person on a violet lotus slaughtering the whole Raincoat Sect.
Many in Great Yan, and especially the Vermillion Sword Sect, came to find out this person was just a disciple of Deity Slaying Elder. This also increased Han Jue's prestige.
Jade Pure Sect, Cultivate Diligently Become Immortal Mountain
Back at the sect, Han Jue had a problem. A new person had arrived in front of his cave adobe, and he wondered what her intention was, looking at her profile.
[Xuan Qingjun: Third level of the Foundation Establishment realm. Her true identity is the Demon Lord's mortal body. She was born with an Innate Dao Heart…]
On the surface, Xuan Qingjun ignored Tian Lianchen, but was shocked inside. She came up to the door of the cave, "Senior, I'm a disciple of Jade Bamboo Peak. I was mesmerized by your looks a few years ago, I hope you won't blame me."
Inside, Han Jue sighed, opened his cave adobe, "Junior, what is your intention?"
Xuan Qingjun went straight to the point, "I can't stop thinking about you, Senior." She took out a jade piece, "This is a Heavenly Immortal Abode token, it's a holy land of the cultivation world. One can reach Nascent Soul at least."
Han Jue slightly smiled, "Junior's generosity is appreciated, but Jade Pure Sect is my home, and it's not that bad here."
'That's true, the Spirit Qi in this kid's Dao Field is quite abundant. Then…' Taking out a bottle of pills, she offered, "These are Golden Core pills, they'll help you reach Golden Core." While sneering inside, 'Kid, I bet you won't be able to resist.'
Han Jue almost forgot his outside cultivation was Foundation Establishment, "Junior, this…" He sighed inside, 'Maybe a hundred years ago, I would've been tempted, but now…'
Seeing his unmoving look, Xuan Qingjun took manuals upon manuals, "These are cultivation techniques and spells good for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core."
Han Jue was left speechless, "Uh…" 'She sure is rich.' He thought for a minute, "Actually, I'm already a Soul Formation cultivator."
Snapping out of her shock, Xuan Qingjun connected the dots, "Deity Slaying Elder?" Seeing him nod, she felt proud of her intuitive skills, 'No wonder I felt drawn to him, though his looks weren't a turn off.'
[Xuan Qingjun's favorability towards you has increased. Current favorability: 4 stars]
Her smile grew as she took out a bottle of pills, "These are Soul Formation pills, they can help you increase your cultivation. I wonder if Senior Brother is willing to become Dao Companions with me?"
'Playing the pig to eat the tiger!' He asked suspiciously, "If I accept, what will we do?"
Xuan Qingjun laughed out loud, "I won't eat you, we will only cultivate, nothing else. So?"
[Xuan Qingjun wants to become your Dao Companion. You have the following choices:]
[1: Reject. How can we male cultivators be threatened by a woman? You will obtain the Demon Lord's hatred and a Sword Dao Mystical Power inheritance.]
[2: Accept. The two of you will become Dao companions. You will be affected by karma and providence. You will be able to obtain the favor of the Demon Lord and obtain a Mystical Power inheritance.]
Han Jue looked at the choices, 'Obtain the Demon Lord's hatred? Will a peak Mahayana cultivator appear…' Sighing, he picked the second option, "Sure, we'll become Dao Companions."
[You have successfully become Xuan Qingjun's Dao companion. You have obtained a Mystical Power inheritance.]
[Congratulations on obtaining Mystical Power—Somersault Cloud]
[Somersault Cloud: Movement Mystical Power. One somersault can travel a hundred thousand miles.]
[Xuan Qingjun's favorability towards you has increased. Current favorability: 4.5 stars]
Ignoring the messages, Han Jue looked at Xuan Qingjun's smile, asking, "So… what now?"
Getting up, Xuan Qingjun shrugged, "Nothing, I'll come back when I need you. Cultivate well." Giving one last look to Han Jue, she turned around, leaving him to his own devices.
He went back to his cultivation as he waited for Hua Lian's return. Snow fell and melted as a year passed. Hua Lian and the rest finally made it back to the sect.
Hua Lian and Yang Tiandong made their way toward Cultivate Diligently Become Immortal Mountain in silence, as Hua Lian was still processing the slaughter he'd done.
Tian Lianchen immediately felt their arrival, getting up, he clasped his hands, "Greetings, Master, Senior Yang." He beamed with pride, 'I've accomplished Master's expectations.' A full-blown grin spread on his face.
Hua Lian nodded, taking out the Mortal Dao Pill he had saved up, "You know what this is, your job is to reach Mahayana as soon as possible."
While they talked, Yang Tiandong looked left and right, with the same confusion as Chang Yue'er and Fairy Xi Xuan had. Trying to differentiate between Hua Lian and Tian Lianchen.
Black Hell Chicken rushed over, "Brother Hua, you're finally back! You weren't eaten, thank the Heavenly Dao! Brother Hua, Master was almost eaten by a wom–"
He was interrupted by the cave adobe opening, and Han Jue walking out, glaring at it, he shut it up. Yang Tiandong, seeing him come out, collapsed into a fit of exaggerated blubbering, "Master! Thank the Heavenly Dao, I'm able to see you again!"
Seeing the display, everyone felt awkward, especially Han Jue, who waved his hand, "You did a good job enduring the torment of the Raincoat Sect. Go and cultivate, I'll teach you a spell later."
Han Jue saw a message of increased favorability, but ignored it. Looking at Hua Lian, he said, "Come, I'll teach you a technique." Hua Lian nodded, feeling a bit lighter, as Ruomu Tree began to swing left and right inside.
As they both entered the cave adobe, Black Hell Chicken proclaimed to Yang Tiandong, "I'll become a Phoenix! So from now on, call me Brother Chicken!"
Inside, Han Jue sat down, while Hua Lian stood. Silence covered the cave, and after a minute, Han Jue was the first to speak, "What happened?"
Hua Lian looked downwards, "I wiped out the Raincoat Sect…" Taking out a marble, he crashed it like glass, and Huang Zuntian's body appeared, "He should wake up in a day, given his cultivation."
Han Jue nodded, waving his hand, he destroyed Huang Zuntian's body, and used soul absorption to take his essence soul. Looking at Hua Lian, he gestured, "What did you learn from this?"
Clasping his hands, determination filled Hua Lian, "This disciple has learned not to show mercy towards the enemy, as it's cruelty to oneself."
Nodding, Han Jue changed the topic, "The only thing different is that I would've done it in a low profile manner, but still, good job. Now for the reward, Heartless Flying Sword, a sword manual to lessen one's emotions and lust. It should help you."
Hua Lian knew this sword manual, which Xun Chang'an would later cultivate, 'It could help me deal with my emotions, and stabilize my Dao Heart, plus all three thousand Daos are at my disposal, even the Sword Dao created by Laozi.'
Seeing Hua Lian nod, Han Jue sent the memories of the sword technique, while thinking, 'I didn't plan on cultivating this, I want the full experience of being a man when I'm stronger.'
Inheriting the technique, Hua Lian fell into the Dao Comprehension state. Cultivating the manual, Hua Lian felt like a bucket of cold water had been splashed on his soul. His senses sharpened, and there was clarity in his mind.
Ruomu Tree gave off a certain light, covering the cave with an invisible curtain, and even Han Jue didn't notice anything. But Hua Lian did; his mind expanded, and he stepped on the path of Heartless Dao.
The Deity Realm of the Ruins of End, Secluded Void-Cave
A man with a long beard and sharp eyebrows frowned slightly, "Someone comprehended a Heartless Dao Sword?" Slight amusement arose in the man, "He would be suitable to become my disciple."
Pinching his fingers, he tried to deduce, but came up with nothing, "Oh… interesting. Someone's help or Karma Dharma Treasure, either way, you'll show up one day, I can wait."
Closing his eyes, the man continued to cultivate, his amusement quickly vanishing. The space returned to silliness.
Jade Pure Sect, Cultivate Diligently Become Immortal Mountain
Hua Lian slowly opened his eyes, where there was the turbulence before, now stillness and certain numbness ruled. His lilac eyes shone, making Han Jue feel his calmness.
Looking at the emails, Han Jue was shocked.
[Your disciple, Hua Lian, created Heartless Dao Sword Mystical Power because of your guidance.]
Pride swelled in Han Jue's heart, 'I'm awesome as always.' Looking at Hua Lian, he couldn't deny his own talent, 'As expected of Dao Ancestor's inheritor. To turn a simple sword manual into a Mystical Power, remarkable.'
Hua Lian felt his newfound clarity pleasing, and although he still felt a bit conflicted about the slaughtering of the Raincoat Sect, he felt it was necessary, as they were the enemy, 'I see clearer now and it's all thanks to this new Mystical Power.'
Looking deep within his soul, Hua Lian saw a small black lotus emitting cold light, 'Sword of Heartless Lotus, my own spin of the technique Han Jue thought me. Lotus born from stillness, and a sword born from emptiness.'
Clasping his hands, Hua Lian immediately bowed, "Thank you, Master, for the opportunity!"
Han Jue smiled, "This opportunity isn't only on me, your comprehension is extraordinary as always. You already mastered that Mystical Power, haven't you?"
And seeing Hua Lian nod, he was tempted to enter the Simulation Trial right then and there, but held back. They chatted for an hour before Hua Lian stood up and left. Han Jue wasted no time and entered the Simulation Trial.
Choosing Hua Lian as his opponent, Han Jue tried to attack instantly before the lotus barrier took place, but he was too late, as the barrier was already in place. Hua Lian immediately took out his Moon Wail Guqin, playing the Decaying Melody.
Han Jue was unprepared for it, so he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Though he didn't age in appearance, he felt his longevity slipping away, "What is this?!"
Seeing this wasn't enough, Hua Lian infused his Violet Qi in the melody, making Han Jue show an aged appearance. His hair had strands of white, and his flawless skin had few wrinkles, 'To make my Unparalled Beauty show signs of aging…'
Han Jue used the Ten Thousand Sword Sect to summon swords from ancient history, however, the swords were no match for the melody, as they were corroded by it.
Using the Qilin Sword, Han Jue tried to execute Heavenly Punishment Ghost Deity Sword, while activating Burning Fined Bell, 'Bell's defense is everything below Void Amalgamation Realm.'
But as the Sword Qi reached Hua Lian, it was already weakened by the melody, it only left a scratch on the barrier. Han Jue, seeing this, frowned, 'Even that didn't work, then–' Summoning three shadow swords, he willed them, attacking the same spot.
This time, the melody couldn't weaken them in time, as they all hit, but left no crack on the barrier. Han Jue tried multiple attacks, but none were able to even break Hua Lian's barrier.
Frowning, Han Jue exited the trial, 'I guess I've become complacent, to think I would be fighting to a draw with my own disciple…'
[Simulation Trial lasted 10 minutes.]
Looking at the result, he felt dejected, "He didn't even use any other spells or Mystical Powers, just that lotus and guqin. Where did he get that treasure… And that melody of his, ridiculous!"
Thinking for a moment, he came up with a solution, "He may have unparalleled Dao Comprehension, but so do I in the way of the sword." Closing his eyes, he tried to combine the Ten Thousand Sword Sect and Heavenly Punishment Ghost Deity Sword.
Quickly falling into Dao Comprehension state, he designed his new Mystical Power, 'Sheer number of Ten Thousand Sword Sect and lethality of Heavenly Punishment Ghost Deity Sword.'
Hua Lian was unaware that his presence pushed Han Jue to create a new Mystical Power so early. He was calmly exploring his own new Mystical Power.
Searching through the treasures of the Raincoat Sect, Hua Lian found a decent sword, 'A Sixth-grade Numinous Sword, not bad. With a few enhancements, I could push it into Fifth-grade.'
The sword was made of green jade; the blade was 60cm in length, and its handle was two coiling dragons. Dropping a drop of blood, Hua Lian made it his treasure, 'I could be considered a sword cultivator now.'
Outskirts of Jade Pure Sect Territory
A certain individual was headed toward the Jade Pure Sect, hoping to become a disciple of Deity Slaying or Violet Lotus, "They'll surely make me their disciple, I can't wait."