Conversation on a Mountain Peak
After recovering from his injuries, Shen Ge stayed for another ten days or so. Seeing that there was still no movement up there, he mustered up his courage and climbed up.
Upon closer inspection, there was nothing there except two already decomposing corpses; Huang Tao had long since disappeared.
Although Huang Tao escaped, Shen Ge was genuinely relieved. After all, he had nothing left to lose, so how could he possibly defeat Huang Tao was armed to the teeth?
The thought of this made Shen Ge's heart bleed. Those were all the possessions he had accumulated over the years, and he was just handing them over to someone else. Especially the Spirit Turtle Shield, which was a top-grade defensive magic Law Artifact that could withstand attacks from Golden Core cultivators. He hadn't even used it once before giving it to Huang Tao.
No, I can't think about this anymore. If I do, Shen Ge will really cough up blood.
"Damn it, you bastard, just you wait! You dare to scheme against your grandpa? Just you wait! You'll pay back double for everything you've taken from me today, and your life will come back with you too!"
After muttering a few curses under his breath, Shen Ge summoned the only low-grade dagger magic Law Artifact he possessed, stepped onto it, and flew into the air.
Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, although you can't fly independently, you can basically fly as long as you have Law Artifact, regardless of the Law Artifact's level.
On an ordinary mountain peak within the jurisdiction of Yellow Maple Valley, an old man and a young man are playing chess.
The old man spoke first, "I didn't expect you to have broken through to the Golden Core stage. Time flies! More than 150 years have passed in the blink of an eye."
This old man was Meng Yan's master, Zhu Nian, whose strength was at the Late Golden Core Stage.
"Why have you been suppressing your cultivation and not breaking through? Is it just to use up your lifespan during the Foundation Establishment Realm?"
"Master, let's not talk about that. Do you think it's still possible for me to return to Yellow Maple Valley now? Although I was the one who caused that incident, the cultivation Immortal Realm has always been ruled by the strong. If I live and they die, it's because they were weak."
People die all the time in this world. Although they were all disciples of major sects, they died and that's that. Knowing that the East Approach Secret Realm was fraught with danger, they willingly went to their deaths. Can they blame others for that?
"Yes, you're right, but protecting one's own is human nature, don't you think? Besides, if you were to die one day under mysterious circumstances, your master would do everything in his power to get justice for you."
"Because of you, disciples from all sects suffered heavy casualties this time. Although those righteous sects will not pursue and intercept you, they are all putting pressure on their sects, demanding an explanation."
"But they're alright, because their sect is there to mediate for you. Going back to your sect at this time won't do you any good; on the contrary, it will make it harder for the sect leader and elders to speak up for you."
"By the way, Jin Yun is still in our Yellow Maple Valley. You know who he is, right?"
Meng Yan nodded and said, "Qin Yu's master is Middle Golden Core Stage expert, and you have a good personal relationship with him."
"You know I have a good personal relationship with him, so why did you even mention going back?" Zhu Nian glanced at Meng Yan and said, "He's been blocking me every day, demanding a fight to the death. On one side is my disciple, and on the other is my friendship with a fellow Daoist. I'm in a real bind."
At this point, Zhu Nian couldn't help but complain, "Why didn't you keep an eye on things back then? You had to let that brat Qin Yu die. If it had been Han Yu from the Evergreen Sect or Tang Wang from the Flowing Gold Valley who died, I wouldn't have this headache right now."
Hearing his master's complaint, Meng Yan was stunned for a moment before lowering his head and saying, "As the senior disciple of the Spirit Moon Sect, Qin Yu is the most qualified one. I can't compare to him in that respect."
Zhu Nian nodded in agreement, then sighed and said, "Alas, it's a pity about Qin Yu. If he had been given another two years, he could have broken through to the Golden Core Stage. A few hundred years later, he might even have had a chance to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. Perhaps this is the tribulation of a genius."
After a moment of silence, Zhu Nian stared at Meng Yan and asked, "A while ago, there was a Golden Core Stage cultivator throwing a tantrum in the south of the Hehuan Sect. Was it you who caused that?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Yan chuckled and said, "Master, it's quite a coincidence. I've just broken through to the Golden Core Stage and someone is already offering me Law Treasure. I'm afraid I'm the only one who's ever had such a good thing happen to me."
Meng Yan then recounted how she and Bai Lili had gone to the Desolate Valley to explore the secret realm.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Nian smiled, but he quickly suppressed his smile and warned, "Don't be too happy yet. Because of this, you've been put on the Hehuan Sect's kill list. Without the sect's protection, your future may be difficult."
"Furthermore, this Azure Dragon Flag is not compatible with your Cultivation Method Law Technique, and it won't increase your combat power much. Don't be too arrogant."
Meng Yan nodded and said, "I know that, which is why I'm currently nurturing that Thunder Eagle, aiming to get it to break through to the third-tier Demon Beast within fifty years. When the two of us travel together then, wow, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a tribulation of lightning has descended upon us."
"However, I will still collect the refining materials that are suitable for me as soon as possible, and strive to have my own natal magic Law Treasure soon."
"Lightning-attribute refining materials are always scarce and hard to find, but I will keep an eye out for them for you." Zhu Nian said, then suddenly looked at Meng Yan with a solemn expression. "I don't have much time left to help you, Meng Yan. As your master, I have one last piece of advice for you. You act according to your heart and pursue a carefree life, but I hope that you will not cross your bottom line in the future. This is my final request to you."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yan Orthodox God, stood up, bowed, and Meng Yan, "I will follow Master's teachings and will certainly not disappoint you."
"Alright, get up." Zhu Nian waved his hand and said, "Be careful from now on. You're not exactly a rat crossing the street in the Southern Barbarian Lands, but there are plenty of people who want to kill you. Don't let yourself get hurt."
"The sect has responded to what you mentioned earlier. Because the demonic path has been eyeing you covetously, the sect needs to unite with other righteous sects, so it's not convenient for them to provide you with resources to help you cultivate. However, the sect leader said he can tell you where resources are available, and if necessary, you can raid the resource points under the jurisdiction of Yellow Maple Valley. But his only requirement is that you don't go too far."
At this point, Zhu Nian gave Meng Yan a cold glance, as if warning him.
Meng Yan lowered his head somewhat guiltily, and said with a rare hint of embarrassment, "Um... Master, I know what I'm doing. Although the sect leader said that, I will definitely try my best not to covet the sect's resources."
"It's good that the sect didn't spoil you for nothing. Alright, I should head back now that I've been out for so long, otherwise I don't know what I'll do if that old bastard Jin Yun comes knocking on my door."
Respectfully seeing off Master.