Chapter 278: Disciple, You Must Avenge Your Master!
Do you really think you can beat me?
Even after several hundred years, he was still so arrogant!
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader was incensed. “Zhang Longyuan, don’t be so cocky. Times have changed!
“I have already cultivated the forbidden chapter of the Purple Mansion Imperial Sutra and even the Nirvana Immortal Imperial Sutra!
“If you think you are so good, fight me. I will let you see just how much I have advanced over all these years!”
Looking on as their Purple Mansion Sacred Leader turned from calm to enraged, his fellow same-generation cultivators expressed their understanding. After all, they were all young once.
He was an exceptional prodigy but had been suppressed by those two Divine Firmament Sacred Ground fellows for several hundred years. One could imagine just how deep his grudge ran.
The Divine Firmament’s Sacred Leader gazed calmly at the Jade Lake Sacred Leader, who nodded. “I dare not imagine what might have happened in this ambush mission if not for the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground’s efforts.
“Divine Firmament Sacred Leader, go ahead and battle the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader! No matter what happens, the Jade Lake Sacred Ground will stand behind you.”
Since the two sacred grounds had already acknowledged this bet, the grotto-heavens and blessed-lands did not dare to object.
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader looked thoughtful. A sword enshrouded in divine light appeared in his hand. “Tell me, how do you want to conduct our battle?”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader snorted as he gazed upon the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader and his calm, profound heavenly aura. “You and I are both the leaders of our sects. In order to preserve your reputation, I will not let you suffer a humiliating public defeat. I will fight you in the space turbulence.”
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader’s heavenly aura rippled gently. “In that case, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
With that, the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader stepped out.
A pitch-black door appeared in space, leading to some unknown space-time continuum.
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader entered the door and disappeared in front of everyone’s eyes. His dignified manner was very befitting that of a Sacred Leader.
“We didn’t even feel the slightest ripple in the fabrics of space. But the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader successfully opened a doorway into the space turbulence.”
While a layman would just enjoy watching the spectacle, a true insider would appreciate the expertise behind it.
Everyone knew a Sage who underwent tribulations could pass through time and space. In the blink of an eye, they could travel tens of thousands of miles across oceans and mountains.
But only high-level Sages like the Jade Lake Sacred Leader knew just how difficult it was to open a door in space without creating a single ripple.
Just this one action of the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader was enough to make most of the Sage-level cultivators gape in awe.
What did this mean?
This meant that the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader’s space manipulation skills were very advanced. It was way beyond most of the Sages who had undergone tribulations.
In addition, Sages who were very adept at space manipulation possessed an absolute advantage when battling in the space turbulence!
“Doesn’t Zhang Longyuan practice the Divine Firmament’s lightning arts? How is it that he possesses such great control over space?”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader looked worried. “Purple Mansion Sacred Leader, given his ability... Battling him in the space turbulence... I am afraid... Why don’t we just forget it!”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader snorted. “It’s just a little magic trick!”
With that, the purple aura behind the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader surged fiercely before being completely absorbed into his body, making him look like a God King.
“Zhang Longyuan, I will destroy your divine abilities today!”
The purple figure followed the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader into the space turbulence.
The fabrics of space were very unstable inside the space turbulence, and it was very difficult to send one’s divine consciousness from afar to watch the battle.
To most of the cultivators below the Sage stage, it was more or less impossible for them to peer through into this space turbulence to watch the fight.
For audiences who were Sage-level and above, they all chose to respect the two men’s privacy and didn’t try to sneak a peek.
...
Relentless shrieks and howls could be heard from within the door leading into that black space.
It was created by the wild turbulence inside that space—the more intense the turbulence, the louder the sounds.
After the two Sages stepped into the door, everyone kept their eyes fixed upon it, their faces full of eager anticipation.
Time passed by the minute and second.
Suddenly, the space door burst open, and two figures shot out of it.
One of them was shrouded in divine lightning, while the other was enveloped in purple divine light. No one could see their faces clearly.
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s loud laugh could be heard from within the purple divine light. “Haha, Zhang Longyuan. How the tides have turned. Don’t think you can still bully me!
“1,000 years. A whole thousand years have passed. You are so arrogant that you must have never dreamt that this would happen one day!”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader was all smiles upon seeing the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader so elated. “Brother, you won?”
The Purple Mansion smiled. “I couldn’t defeat him, but he couldn’t defeat me either!
“Never mind. I had a great fight today. This share of the Evil Spirit Sect loot is nothing. Just let them have it!”
With that, the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader morphed into a streak of light and shot back toward the Purple Mansion Sacred Ground.
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader and the two Sage elders behind him were left dumbstruck.
What is going on?
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader left just like that?
Didn’t he say that they would put a dent in the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground’s power and snatch half their loot?
The battle between the two of them ended in a tie—so why did the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader just fly away without demanding anything?
For a moment, the Big Dipper Sacred Leader, the two Sage elders, and the dozen over Heavenly Venerables stood there somewhat awkwardly.
“The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader has already left. Is the Big Dipper Sacred Leader going to fight me too?”
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader’s lightning and heavenly aura rippled gently as he gazed at the Big Dipper Sacred Leader.
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader shivered.
His cultivation level and battle prowess were not as high as the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s.
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader was only able to tie with the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader. Thus, there was little chance the Big Dipper Sacred Leader could win.
At that thought, the Big Dipper Sacred Leader smiled. “The Immeasurable Ancient State is between the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and the Purple Mansion Sacred Ground. It has nothing to do with the Big Dipper Sacred Ground.
“Since the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader chose not to participate in this mission, I will naturally respect his decision. Goodbye.”
With that, the Big Dipper Sacred Leader activated his starlight technique and morphed into a streak of starlight, shooting straight after the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader.
The entire fiasco thus ended in this strange and bizarre manner.
Everyone was completely befuddled by this turn of events. They had no idea what the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader was thinking.
At the Purple Mansion Sacred Ground...
A streak of purple light shot past, followed by a streak of starlight.
Soon, the starlight blocked the purple light. The Big Dipper Sacred Leader appeared.
He blocked the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader and said in an exasperated voice, “Brother, we clearly had the upper hand earlier. Why did you take that chance to put your foot down before the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and Jade Lake Sacred Ground?”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s calm voice echoed from the thick purple divine light. “Although the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and the Purple Mansion Sacred Ground have never seen eye to eye, we are both sacred grounds. The Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and Jade Lake Sacred Ground risked their lives to kill those Evil Spirit sect members and the Lifeless King.
“In that case, all the spoils of the battle naturally belong to them. I cannot carry out such a petty, thieving act!”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader, “???”
What?
Brother, when did you suddenly become so principled?
Moreover, you were the one who sought me out and asked me to help you attack the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground!
Why are you acting like I am the one trying to stir trouble now? Talking about petty thieving? Don’t you feel any sense of shame saying such things now?
Wait a minute!
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader suddenly thought of something. “Did your battle with Zhang Longyuan really end in a tie?”
The purple divine light vibrated intensely. The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader sounded a little panicked. “Ahem. Of... Of course it was a tie.”
A strange expression crossed the Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s face. “We have been as close as brothers for 1,000 years. Do you think you can deceive me? You got thrashed, didn’t you?”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s words were like a final, crushing blow to the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s cover.
He shuddered, and his purple divine aura dissipated.
A face bruised and swollen beyond recognition appeared before the Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s eyes.
For a Sage, even injuries like broken bones would recover in a short period.
However, the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s facial injuries held Dharmic Dao energy. It was impossible for the injuries to recover before the energy dissipated.
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s eyes filled with tears.
“Zhang Longyuan, he is such a big bully!
“He attacked me with over 300 consecutive Mixed Divine Lightning strikes, and... And every single strike was aimed at my face.”
The corners of the Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s mouth twitched. He could more or less imagine the scene. “Since he went so far, why didn’t you retaliate?”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s eyes turned even redder. “I cannot beat him. He... He kept chanting sutras as he attacked me. All my attacks were blocked. In the end, he created a metal chain and hung me up for a beating. I... I have never been so humiliated in my life!”
At that, the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader was nearly bursting out in tears.
Today’s situation was completely different from what he had expected.
Wasn’t the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground powerless because it didn’t have the forbidden chapter or any core disciples?
Why has this Zhang Longyuan fellow become even more fierce after reaching the Sage stage? Is there still a heaven? Is there still any humanity left in this world?’
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader thought that after learning the Purple Mansion Imperial Sutra and Nirvana Immortal Imperial Sutra, he would at least be on par with the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader.
But as wonderful as his own daydreams were, the reality was just too cruel.
Being struck by lightning over 300 times was no joke!
My life is so bitter!
...
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader felt a sense of fearful relief upon seeing the injuries on the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s face.
Luckily, he hadn’t stepped up for the battle earlier. Otherwise, he would be the one with all those terrible injuries.
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Zhang Longyuan has been so low-profile over the past few hundred years. Never expected that his cultivation has progressed to such unfathomable levels.”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader glared at the Big Dipper Sacred Leader. “I was beaten up so badly by him, yet you are still praising him? You are no longer my friend!”
The corners of the Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s mouth twitched. He suddenly thought of something. “Ahem, actually, you don’t need to feel so bad. I have an idea of how you can seek revenge. I wonder if you are interested?”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader looked doubtful. “What idea? Tell me?”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader smiled. “There’s a saying that a son should repay his father’s debts. Since you cannot beat the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader...”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader could feel the air of resentment grow even thicker as he spoke, but he forged on. “Why don’t you put your hopes into the next generation!”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader whined. “My son cannot defeat Zhang Yunting. He probably can’t even beat Zhang Yunxi!”
The Big Dipper Sacred Leader said in exasperation, “It doesn’t have to be your biological descendant. Disciples also count!
“Shaoxuan is a rare Golden Core 10th Refinement Stage prodigy. I am sure he is without a foe among his own generation.
“Shaoxuan is now invincible across the entire Eastern Wilderness. He has defeated all the prodigies from the other sacred grounds. Why don’t you have him step forth and challenge the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground?”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s eyes brightened at the Big Dipper Sacred Leader’s words.
That’s right!
Although I cannot beat Zhang Longyuan, my own disciple has the potential to become a Thearch.
A master is like a father. Shaoxuan is like a son to me.
I have been so humiliated by Zhang Longyuan. I must have Shaoxuan go forth to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground and dominate over his same-generation peers there! Help me regain some dignity!
Disciple, you must avenge your master!
At that, the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader took a deep breath to calm himself down.
The thick purple divine light covered his body again, making his profile look majestic and dignified.
He crossed over tens of thousands of miles to land within the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader Palace with one step and sent his divine consciousness toward the Saint Mountain.
“Shaoxuan, come and see me now.”
Within seconds, six flood dragons pulling a golden chariot flew across thousands of miles to arrive at the palace in style.
“Greetings, Master.”
A valiant-looking man alighted from the chariot.
He was dressed in Black Dragon Armor and holding a Heaven’s Halberd. Behind him was a soaring Divine Dragon avatar.
He looked like a God King in his youth. Gazing at him, the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s originally desolate heart felt somewhat soothed.
Although he had the humiliating nickname of “The Purple Mansion Saint who suffered the worst defeat in history by a Divine Firmament Saint”, at least his disciple possessed extraordinary talents.
Shaoxuan was destined to be without foe in his generation. He suppressed his own peers so much that no one dared to say otherwise.
All the humiliation I endured, my disciple will repay you tenfold!
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader spoke up. “Shaoxuan, how has your cultivation been coming along?”
Qi Shaoxuan looked very confident. “Master, I have challenged seven great sacred grounds over the past few days.
“Those Saints on the Golden Core List couldn’t even handle more than 10 moves from me. Meanwhile, the Great Void Saint, Wang Shenxu, has gone missing.
“I think he must have heard that I have reached the Golden Core 10th Refinement Stage, so he panicked and fled! Hahaha!”
A fatherly smile appeared on the face of the Purple Mansion Sacred Leader upon seeing Qi Shaoxuan’s arrogant manner.
Accepting Qi Shaoxuan as his disciple was the best decision he had ever made in his life.
Of course, as smug as he felt, he had to maintain his stern image.
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader’s calm voice rang out from the purple divine light. “Very good. Shaoxuan, you have the potential to be the Thearch.
“You can effortlessly reign over all your peers. But remember, being without a foe among your own generation is not your only goal.
“Your goal is to become an invincible cultivator and break into the Thearch realm in the future. Hence, do not be too self-satisfied now.”
Qi Shaoxuan took a deep breath. “I understand, Master. The other prodigies are just fleeting clouds. I am my own worst enemy.”
The Purple Mansion Sacred Leader felt very pleased.
He smiled. “Very good. But even so, Shaoxuan, I want you to take a trip to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground!
“The Divine Firmament Sacred Ground has had extraordinary providence this generation. First, they had their top three disciples, Zhang Yunting and the other two, and now they have this Shen Tian.
“I want you to go and defeat those four. Completely suppress the Divine Firmament’s providence. From then on, you will truly be indomitable.
“Can you do that?”
The Heaven’s Halberd in Qi Shaoxuan’s hand vibrated gently. His face was full of a thirst for battle.
He smiled. “I hope that those four can join forces and give me some form of challenge. Otherwise...”
“It is very lonely being without a foe.”