Upon hearing this, Tian Chen did not hesitate. He immediately knelt and said solemnly, "Elder Yi, I, Tian Chen, wish to become your disciple."
At that moment, Tian Chen's heart brimmed with excitement and anticipation. He had long yearned to become Elder Yi's disciple and study Undead Magic. Everything Electrolux had done in the original story proved that he was an exceptional teacher. Not only had he mastered the essence of Undead Magic, but he also possessed profound wisdom and noble character.
In the original story, despite meeting Huo Yuhao by chance, he had repeatedly helped him through peril, imparted everything he knew without reservation, and even entrusted his own life to him. None of it had been for his own sake. He had only wanted to help his disciple weather those trials.
More importantly, he had always taught his disciples to respect life. Even Undead Magic was not a symbol of evil, but a means of protecting and perpetuating life.
On those merits alone, choosing Electrolux as his teacher was undoubtedly the right decision.
Tian Chen raised his head, his eyes filled with respect. "Elder Yi, your teachings and accomplishments are what I've always aspired to. I hope to become your disciple, learn true Undead Magic, and use it to protect everything I cherish."
Elder Yi smiled faintly, his gaze gentle and profound. "Tian Chen, I can feel your sincerity. Since you have such resolve, I will accept you as my disciple. But remember, power is mighty, and it is also dangerous. You must always treat it with reverence."
Tian Chen nodded solemnly. "I understand. I will always remember your teachings, Master. I will neither abuse my power nor violate my principles."
Elder Yi nodded in satisfaction. He could sense how pure Tian Chen's soul was. Gently patting his shoulder, he said, "Rise. From today onward, you are my disciple. I will teach you everything I know."
Tian Chen nodded excitedly.
"By the way, now that you are my disciple, would you answer a few questions for your master?"
Tian Chen nodded at once and said respectfully, "Please ask, Master. I will tell you everything I know."
Elder Yi pondered briefly, his gaze deepening as though he could see into a person's heart. "Tian Chen, when I first arrived in this world, why were you there at that very moment? Why did you bring out the gold of life then, and how did you know of my existence? If all of this was coincidence, that would be rather difficult to believe."
Tian Chen froze at those words, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes.
Electrolux saw what was on Tian Chen's mind, and his gentle voice rang out.
"There's no need to be nervous. If you don't want to speak, I won't force you. Whatever happens, you are still my disciple. I won't hold anything against you because of this."
Yet, unexpectedly, Tian Chen's eyes filled with tears upon hearing that.
He clasped Electrolux's hand tightly and said, "Master, do you believe in fate?"
Electrolux paused, then smiled gently and patted the back of Tian Chen's hand. "Fate is difficult to explain. Perhaps it exists, or perhaps it is merely countless coincidences layered upon one another. Still, I believe that some things are arranged by unseen forces."
Tian Chen could not stop his tears from falling. Choking back sobs, he said, "Master, I can't really say whether all of this is coincidence or fate either. But I truly believe that our meeting was no accident."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Tian Chen wiped away his tears and said, "I feel that this world's fate is like a vast net, woven long ago and held in one person's hands."
"I saw that this world has a Child of Fortune. The person I love most, and you as well, Master, were both taken away under that person's manipulation."
"Afterward, that person arranged an accident that took your life for good."
"Then, through what you had given him, this Child of Fortune climbed the steps to godhood."
"And all of it stemmed from the schemes of a certain god in the heavens. I don't want to watch this tragedy unfold while being powerless to stop it. That's why I came here-to free you, the person I love most, and all living beings from this great net of fate."
Electrolux's brows knitted slightly, surprise and gravity flashing through his eyes.
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly digesting everything Tian Chen had said. At last, he sighed softly, his voice carrying a trace of complicated emotion. "Tian Chen, everything you've described sounds like some form of foresight, or insight that transcends ordinary reason. How exactly did you learn these things?"
Tian Chen raised his head, his eyes carrying both determination and helplessness. "Master, I don't know how I came to know any of this either."
"I only remember that when I woke up, these memories appeared vividly in my mind, like a dream. I saw many scenes. I saw the person I love, and the path that Child of Fortune would follow. I even saw your final end..."
His voice trembled slightly, but soon steadied again. "All I know is that I can't let any of it happen. I can't stand by and watch you and the person I love become playthings for that god. I have to do something, even if I have only my own strength."
Electrolux remained silent for a long time, his gaze profound and complex, as though he were contemplating something of great importance. Finally, he spoke slowly. "Tian Chen, if everything you say is true, then this is indeed an enormous secret. Fate's great net and the schemes of gods are not realms we can easily reach. But since you already know of them, perhaps we really can do something."
He raised his head, a glint of resolve crossing his eyes. "Since you saw my end, you must also have seen my character and convictions. Throughout my life, I have never readily bowed to fate. If someone truly is manipulating everything from behind the scenes, then we must break this net and return fate to its rightful course."
A light flashed in Tian Chen's eyes as he gripped Electrolux's hand tightly. "Master, that's exactly what I think too. I hope to break all these shackles together with you, so that this world will no longer be controlled by gods."
Electrolux smiled faintly, his gaze carrying approval and encouragement. "Tian Chen, your resolve and courage make me proud. Since you have already seen these things, we have a chance to change them. However, before we begin, you must first improve your strength. Only with sufficient power can we have a better chance of victory when we face fate's challenges."
He paused, his tone turning serious. "Tian Chen, your soul power has likely reached the peak of rank forty. You must obtain a Soul Ring as soon as possible. You must understand that the enemy we face may possess power far beyond anything you can imagine. You need to grow stronger quickly, and I, too, will do everything in my power to help you."
Tian Chen nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Master, I understand. I will cultivate diligently and keep improving my strength."
Seeing this, Electrolux nodded in satisfaction.
The next moment, Tian Chen withdrew from his Sea of Consciousness, then quickly examined his soul power and spiritual power.
"My spiritual power has actually reached the threshold of the Titled Douluo level! Not only that, even my soul power is much purer than before."
Then he opened both hands, revealing two white Soul Rings. They were the Soul Rings he had just condensed by analyzing Tang Ya's soul power pathways: one was a life Soul Ring embodying the Blue Silver Grass's unceasing vitality, and the other was a devouring Soul Ring embodying the Blue Silver Grass's darkness and evil.
Tian Chen summoned the Emperor-Slaying Ghost Blood Blade and tested it.
Then he shook his head in disappointment. "Neither of these Soul Rings is a good enough match for the Emperor-Slaying Ghost Blood Blade. Looks like I still need to find a suitable candidate."
At that thought, someone immediately came to Tian Chen's mind: Ma Xiaotao. Perhaps he could replicate her soul power pathways to condense a Soul Ring. After all, her evil fire was quite a good match for the Emperor-Slaying Ghost Blood Blade.
Besides, now that he thought about it, Ma Xiaotao should be coming to see him soon, shouldn't she?
Before you continue