The Nature and Essence of Will-and We're Friends

"I wonder if I could ask the senior watching from the shadows for guidance. There are some things about cultivating Blade Intent that I don't understand."

Chen Zhan let the matter of his expulsion from the army drop. After a moment's silence, he cupped his hands and made his request to Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe paused, surprised by the man's nerve. They had only just met, yet Chen Zhan had already dared to ask someone for guidance.

Tang Shan's eyes flickered. Blade Intent and the Spear Intent wielded by Snake Lance Douluo might be the key he had been searching for to break through to Elixir Force. He had held back from asking because he barely knew Snake Lance Douluo, but now that Chen Zhan had raised the subject, he might get a chance to learn more.

After speaking privately with Snake Lance Douluo for a moment, Xue Qinghe nodded. "All right. You can talk, but you must swear loyalty to me from now on."

Chen Zhan hesitated only briefly before making his choice. He stood and bowed deeply to Xue Qinghe. "Your Highness."

His reasoning was clear. He was a citizen of the Heaven Dou Empire and no longer in the army, so pledging loyalty to the First Prince of Heaven Dou posed no problem. Besides, the prince had both the disciple Chen Zhan had taken an interest in and a senior whose cultivation was unfathomable and whose Spear Intent was astonishing.

"Once you pledge your loyalty, you must never betray him. The consequences would be more than you could bear."

Without a sound, a tall, straight-backed old man appeared beside Chen Zhan and lightly patted his shoulder. His tone was calm, but it carried an unmistakable warning.

Chen Zhan started. He had not sensed the man appear right