The Master’s Arrival

Within the majestic hall,

The leaders of the Seamless Gate, the Ten Thousand Demon Cave, and the Bloodcloud Tower, along with the True Immortal Flowing Splendour, the Empyrean God Abandoned Beast, the Empyrean God Sanyang, the Fairy Withering Grass, the Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao, and the Venomous Clown Immortal, were all gathered here. The forces they had sent to deal with Ji Ning were merely avatars or incarnations, yet they watched with tense, focused stares.

It was because they had all brought powerful magic treasures, Empyrean God puppets, and even Innate spirit-treasures.

“He’s at Swallow Mountain.”

“Good luck. A Greater Teleport to Brightmoon Island and we just happened to bump into Ji Ning.”

“Hurry up and kill Ji Ning.”

They were all staring at the water mirror hanging in mid-air, which was displaying the events unfolding on Brightmoon Island. The Fairy Withering Grass would occasionally chime in with a comment.

“What’s going on?!”

Whoosh!

The woman in green robes and the others abruptly stood up, their eyes locked onto the old artisan who had risen from his slumber, carrying a large pair of iron scissors.

“Who is that?”

“Our avatars… they can’t move. Not even our magic power can flow.”

“Too terrifying. It has to be a Daofather. There’s no other way someone could be this strong.” True Immortal Flowing Splendour, Empyrean God Abandoned Beast, and the others all had ugly looks on their faces.

“How could there be a Daofather on Brightmoon Island?!” the woman in green robes said angrily.

Soon, as the old artisan and Ji Ning spoke, his identity was revealed.

“Source Ancestor… of the Four Ancestors of Sourcewater?” The face of the woman in green robes went pale, and everyone else present was stunned into silence.

“It’s over. My fly-whisk is gone.” True Immortal Flowing Splendour’s face was grim. It was a Pure Yang supreme-grade treasure. Although it wasn’t his most favored or commonly used treasure, losing a Pure Yang supreme-grade still pained him.

“Don’t even bring it up. The biggest loss is Wu Xiao’s.”

They all turned to look at Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao.

Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao had lost an Innate spirit-treasure.

“Damn it all.” Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao ground his teeth in fury. Compared to the loss of the Innate spirit-treasure, what angered him more was failing to kill Ji Ning!

“He made his move.” The Venomous Clown Immortal stared at the scene in the water mirror of the large iron scissors snipping them all apart, and he said bitterly, “This Source Ancestor didn’t show even an ounce of mercy.”

“If Source Ancestor wants to kill you, what can you do about it?” The man in the fiery red Daoist robe shook his head with a scornful laugh. “Don’t even mention avatars of you lot; even if it were a Sovereign, they’d be killed just the same.”

Boom~~~

After everyone in the water mirror had been completely snipped apart by the large iron scissors, the scissors then gave a snip towards the void itself. Instantly, the images in the water mirror scattered and vanished, unable to be scried upon any further.

“Source Ancestor doesn’t want us to watch anymore,” the woman in green robes said. “With Source Ancestor’s methods, he naturally knew we were scrying the scene there. He let us see his attack just now to make sure we, and the higher powers of the Seamless Gate, understand this. It seems he intends to shelter this Ji Ning.”

“Source Ancestor isn’t on our side either, so if he wants to protect him, he can just protect him?” Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao said in a low voice. “Right now, our side is trying to win him over. But when the great catastrophe truly erupts in the future, no one can escape. He will have to make a choice. This Ji Ning already has a Daofather as a master, and it’s on the enemy’s side. If this Source Ancestor chooses our side, then he and Ji Ning’s master would be enemies in the future. I refuse to believe he would still protect Ji Ning then. If he hasn’t sided with us, then we can kill Ji Ning without paying him any heed.”

Everyone else present nodded.

“But the great catastrophe hasn’t truly erupted yet,” the woman in green robes shook her head. “Source Ancestor is still standing on the sidelines, not truly having chosen a side. We can’t afford to offend Source Ancestor now.”

“You’re overthinking it.” Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao let out a scornful laugh. “Is that something for you to worry about?”

The woman in green robes’ face darkened.

This Wu Xiao was far too insolent. With so many people present, he dared to speak to her in that tone.

Unfortunately, this Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao was not under her command, and she couldn’t see through his depths. His abundance of treasures was already suspicious. For this expedition to the Grand Xia world, Wu Xiao had brought two major treasures with his avatar: a Pure Yang supreme-grade treasure, the ‘Yin-Yang Profound Qi Vase,’ and an Innate spirit-treasure, the ‘Nine-Petal Snow Lotus.’

“This is something the Godkings and other higher powers above need to consider,” Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao said coldly. “Whether or not Ji Ning should be killed, I trust the Godkings will issue their orders soon. You shouldn’t be meddling in matters that aren’t your concern.”

“Hmph.” The woman in green robes scowled but said nothing more.

Celestial Immortal Wu Xiao glanced at her, a trace of mockery in his eyes, then turned and left. He harbored a deep disgust for this Seamless Gate leader, Azure Fox, because it was on her orders that Zi Cao had died. As for the Seamless Gate leader’s anger? He couldn’t care less about it.

…

In the Grand Xia world, Brightmoon Island on Serpentwing Lake.

Ji Ning couldn’t be bothered with what the Seamless Gate’s reaction might be. His current headache was dealing with Source Ancestor.

Take him as master?

He could see it now. This Source Ancestor had personally come to observe him, clearly recognizing him as a promising talent. First, he had asked him whether he would kill members of the Seamless Gate, and when Ji Ning said they deserved death, he killed them without hesitation, which made Ji Ning feel quite relieved. Clearly, Source Ancestor was trying to earn his goodwill.

Afterwards, he had even given him all the treasures left behind by the Seamless Gate, making Ji Ning even more grateful.

Then he’d spoken of how Heartforce could be applied to the legs and even the entire body, which had indeed sparked a deep craving within Ji Ning. And right after that, he’d asked Ji Ning to take him as master.

“He’s thought this through carefully.” Ji Ning understood. “It seems this Source Ancestor truly does want to take me as a disciple.”

“The world really is like this. You desperately try to be taken as a disciple by a powerful Daofather, but you can’t. When I wanted to become a disciple of Daofather Crimsonbright, he thought too little of me. Even when Master Subhuti finally took me in, it was because I was still worthy, and because I was the sole inheritor of his old friend Daoist Threelives’ Starseizing Hand divine ability. At the time, although I was considered a genius, in the eyes of a Daofather, I clearly wasn’t attractive enough. Now, my strength has increased immensely. My power, even as a Void-reversion Fiendgod body, has entered the threshold of an Empyrean God or True Immortal. I haven’t had to ask for it, and yet top-tier Daofathers of the Three Realms are proactively coming to me.”

If one’s potential was truly shocking, the Daofathers would come knocking on their own.

Ji Ning now possessed that qualification.

He was a piece of extraordinary, unpolished jade!

But…

“What do I do? What exactly do I do?” Ji Ning hesitated.

“Are he and my master, Subhuti, friends? Are they enemies? Or are they just acquaintances?” This was what Ji Ning was worried about now. “This Source Ancestor killed people from the Seamless Gate, and the Seamless Gate hasn’t dared to make a peep. The higher powers behind them didn’t react at all. This is the faction that is stirring up the great calamity that will sweep across the Three Realms. The higher powers behind the Seamless Gate definitely aren’t afraid of Source Ancestor. So, it seems Source Ancestor’s relationship with the Seamless Gate is probably decent. And my master, Subhuti, is an enemy of the Seamless Gate.”

“If Master Subhuti and Source Ancestor are also enemies…”

“Then, without first gaining Master Subhuti’s consent, if I were to take Source Ancestor as my master… where would that leave me? How could I face my master in the future?” This was what Ji Ning worried about.

The Dao was not passed on lightly.

A master is the one who transmits the Dao. There’s a reason the term ‘master’ in this context is so profound. A master is like a father. Subhuti had transmitted to Ji Ning complete Fiendgod Body Refining and Ki Refining techniques, numerous sword technique manuals, and even the supreme major divine ability, the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, Houyi’s Archery, and the Candle Dragon’s Eye.

He had even painstakingly created the divine ability ‘Nine Heavens Distorting Wind’ and the top-tier sword formation ‘Great Thousand Sword Formation’ specifically for Ji Ning.

When he had been banished to the Realm of Annihilation, his master had gone to find him.

The grace of transmitting the Dao, the grace of saving his life… no matter what, if he was going to take another master, he had to get Master Subhuti’s approval first.

When Ji Ning had gone to the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, hoping to take a True Immortal or even a Daofather as his master, the Diancai Immortal had been in complete agreement. Naturally, he had hoped Ji Ning would achieve even greater heights. When Ji Ning had taken Subhuti as his master, he had first asked the Yellow Bear and learned that Daoist Threelives and Subhuti were close friends. That was the only reason Ji Ning had agreed. If Subhuti and Threelives had been enemies, it would have been very troublesome.

“What’s all this hesitant, wishy-washy nonsense?” Source Ancestor frowned from the side.

“Senior…” Ji Ning began, “This matter requires the consent of my master.”

“Your master?”

Source Ancestor suddenly seemed to think of something and smiled. He waved his hand.

Whoosh.

A person appeared beside them out of thin air. It was the Diancai Immortal, who was holding a wine cup, his face full of stunned surprise. That morning, the Diancai Immortal had been sitting on a mountain peak, watching the sunrise and drinking Immortal fruit wine. He never expected to be teleported here.

“Disciple?” The Diancai Immortal saw Ji Ning, and then he saw Source Ancestor beside him. Source Ancestor’s features had shifted, his form had changed, becoming thinner.

“Master!” Upon seeing him, the Diancai Immortal grew incredibly excited. He even fell to his knees, tremulously saying, “Master, I have finally seen you again!”

“Hey, hey, hey… don’t go claiming a relationship that isn’t there!” Source Ancestor quickly called out. “I saw you were desperate to die back then, and you had decent talent. I took pity on you, so I casually passed on a sword technique to you. I have a lot of techniques like that sword technique and spells; they’re nothing special. What’s more, your aptitude is too low. Your perception is too poor. How could you possibly be qualified to be my disciple? It would be a disgrace to me!”

One moment he said the Diancai Immortal’s talent was passable, the next he said it was poor.

But everyone understood.

Among the countless cultivators of the Three Realms, the Diancai Immortal’s talent was considered decent, but when it came to being Source Ancestor’s disciple… it was a far cry from being sufficient.

The words were harsh, but the Diancai Immortal wasn’t offended in the slightest. Still kneeling, he said emotionally, “How could I ever forget the grace of transmitting the Dao? I know I have low talent and lack the qualifications to formally enter your tutelage. But in my heart, I have always considered you my Master.”

“Think whatever you want. Anyway… this Ji Ning has a close relationship with you. This old man wants to take him as a disciple, so you help me persuade him,” Source Ancestor said.

“Take one as a disciple?” The Diancai Immortal was overjoyed. He quickly looked at Ji Ning. “This senior has unfathomable power. Even after I became a Celestial Immortal, that same sword technique remained profoundly mysterious, and I’ve only just touched its surface. He must be at the Daofather level! Taking a master is no big deal. In the Three Realms, plenty of people have several masters.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I am, indeed, a Daofather.” Source Ancestor stared at Ji Ning, his eyes wide. “I am taking you as a disciple. Why don’t you kneel down in joy?”

“Senior, of course I am overjoyed that you would take me as a disciple.” Ji Ning quickly replied. “But I have previously been accepted as a disciple by another Daofather. This is widely known now. Without my master’s express approval, I really cannot take you as a master, Senior.”

“You sure have a lot of respect for that Daofather master of yours.” Source Ancestor laughed. “I guessed long ago that your master must be a Daofather, and probably not a weak one at that. Tell me, who is your master? I will go and speak with him. What’s the big deal about taking on one of his disciples? Besides, I’m not asking you to betray your sect. It’s a small matter. Hurry up and tell me. What is the name of that Daofather master of yours?”

The Godking behind the Seamless Gate knew, but Source Ancestor did not. After all, when it came to intelligence gathering, the Seamless Gate was indeed terrifying.

“My master’s name is something this junior dares not speak aloud,” Ji Ning said honestly. Subhuti had long commanded him not to reveal his name to outsiders.

“You blithering fool! You can’t even say your master’s name? Who is your master to be so damn impressive? Is it Nuwa?” Source Ancestor glared at him.

“His master is me.”

A calm, indifferent voice sounded.

The surrounding natural energy coalesced, and a thin, elderly man with a full head of white hair and a beard, dressed in a Daoist robe, appeared out of thin air.