Hello againnn! Here’s my second fanfic for ISSTH.

Once again, kindly skip ahead if you’re in a hurry to read since this will be a little long.

Just like in the first one, to those not using that dark theme thing please do use that while reading. The story is divided into parts and if you hate being distracted/spoiled by the segment headers please do so, since I’ve tried (with embarrassing effort) to make the headers’ text match the background, just like what those translators do when the chapter titles act as spoilers. If you do decide to check the headers out of curiosity, then you could simply highlight them to see.

I hope you guys like this one as well and even though I may not have been able to perfectly portray what I wanted to say through my writing, I still hope you guys are able to get the gist of this short story and of the other one as well.

I dedicate this one to all our masters, mentors, the teachers, and even our own fathers, for without them we wouldn’t be as awesome as we are today. May they serve, and hopefully continue to serve, as our guide in this life and the next. Cheers!

…wait now I remember! I would like to apologize if I seem to be hating on the Ji Clan way too much by using them for both stories. Honestly they’re just False-Immortal-turned-fishermen b-tards for believing they could act around as if the heavens of South Heaven belongs to them (do you even know how to actually fish, bruh?). Really looking forward to Meng Hao royally screwing them one by one once he comes knocking on their door sooner or later.

Cheers… with our cups filled with the blood of Ji!!!

(kidding! seriously… ain’t hating…)

Don't forget to rate and comment!

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I

Getting in the way

Within the grand central lands of the Southern Domain, in the prestigious Violet Fate Sect that had stood since time immemorial, amidst the chaos of the numerous disciples’ everyday work all still unaware of the events currently taking place in the area of the immortal corpse far away,

There in the Pill Concocting Division at the peak of the highest mountain, an old man sat cross-legged right in front of a luxurious-looking pill furnace which was churning at the moment, undulating a kind of archaic aura that could obviously reflect how extraordinary the pill currently being concocted inside was.

He wore a long Daoist robe with both sleeves decorated with an image of a pill furnace. The old man’s hair was white due to age; his skin containing dark blotches all over. With both eyes closed he seemed calm and fragile, as the strong aroma of alchemy pills wafted out around him to fill the area. But if one knew better one would realize the overbearing aura this old man was currently hiding within.

This was none other than Grandmaster Pill Demon!

The head of the Violet Fate Sect’s renowned Pill Concocting Division and who was undoubtedly the peak grandmaster alchemist in the entire Southern Domain, maybe even in the entire South Heaven!

Suddenly his eyes snapped open with profound glow, and with a frown he immediately lifted from the ground, waving his hand as the furnace in front of him disappeared. In the next moment he was already high up thousands of feet in the air, standing still against the turbulent winds.

Earlier he received a sound transmission from the elders, speaking of Meng Hao revealing his true identity, the sect’s decision to denounce him for the crimes he committed, and the worsening conditions in area of the immortal corpse far away where countless other clans and sects currently were.

Pill Demon was in deep thought looking far off beyond the horizon, musing what to do as the image of his disciple who has countless of times impressed his old soul flashed in his mind, remembering all he’s been through with this peerless yet ever-unfilial disciple of his.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, countless elders have already gathered around Pill Demon while he was in the middle of contemplation; their robes extravagant, as clearly they were the top elders of the sect.

But at the moment all these grand elders only had ugly expressions.

Pill Demon glanced around as the sect elders asked for advise regarding the matter concerning Meng Hao. Some immediately forsook Meng Hao’s actions of enticing the wrath of not only the Wang Clan, but even the unfathomable Ji Clan. This action has undoubtedly put him, and in turn their own sect, at the crosshairs of a power no one in the entire South Heaven dare defy.

In the end some elders even directly warned Pill Demon regardless of his position, as if presuming the small possibility that this usually calm and passive sect master of theirs would do something foolish in front of the almighty Ji Clan, all just for this one disciple.

But all they heard was a sigh as Pill Demon already vanished, transforming into a beam of light long disappearing into the horizon. Only a faint voice echoed remained which contained a hint of melancholy yet of decisiveness as well, speaking only a few words.

“He’s my disciple…”

Far away, at the boundary of the Southern Domain where mouth of the vast Milky Way Sea that separated the four major lands of South Heaven was located, the area suddenly distorted as an old man with a staff slowly appeared from nowhere.

With long white hair this old man looked a little gaunt, but his majestic robes spoke of his high position not to mention the ancient dragon staff on his hand that spanned almost ten feet towering even above him. And with his face expressionless, he seemed to be immovable even if all the mountains and seas of this realm collapse.

This old man came from the Ji Clan of the Eastern Lands, appearing here to capture Meng Hao after he killed one of his Ji Clan disciples. But given his position, it was actually shocking for him to personally come. Only a few people in South Heaven knows of his identity and position for he rarely shows himself.

And to those who knew him, he was none other than Ji Fang…

the Ji Clan Patriarch himself!

Foolish child. To dare kill a son of Ji, even if you just barely touch one of our own, you’re already courting death! Ji Fang mused, but suddenly he furrowed his brows stopping his advance as he stared ahead.

The smell of alchemic pills wafted through the air as another silhouette appeared in the same area, revealing an old man in Daoist robes who remained calm even in front of Ji Fang himself.

Ji Fang grunted giving this newcomer a cold look, “What do you think you’re doing here, Violet East?”

This old man was of course Meng Hao’s Master, Grandmaster Pill Demon!

“This junior is now simply known as Pill Demon”, Pill Demon casually replied without even stating his intentions.

“Regardless of what you call yourself now, you should still know your place!” With a snort Patriarch Ji Fang released a formidable pressure intending to push Pill Demon out of the way, but he merely waved his hand in reply as Pill Demon easily countered the pressure.

“I should be the one asking you why you yourself have come…”

“Someone in your position, will you even have any face left once others find out you shamelessly intervened with the affairs of the junior generation?”

Ji Fang frowned at Pill Demon’s candor, but he still calmly said only this time with a cold tone that could freeze the atmosphere around them, “Hmph! Enough!”

“If you don’t cease your hand now… then don't blame me for being impolite!”

With a wave of his hand, the winds of the Milky Way Sea whirred, gathering around Ji Fang like a coiling dragon swimming around him, and in the next moment suddenly attacking Pill Demon without warning!

But once again, with simply a wave of his hand as well only this time with even more power, Pill Demon sent waves of profound energy clashing directly against the howling wind.

Boom!

The area turned chaotic as the air exploded in all directions, the waves of the sea also grew more restless.

“Not bad. But why are you so intent on contending against me? Haven’t I given you enough face?” Now Ji Fang no longer had a smile on his face, clearly already at the limits of his patience.

It took a moment, as Pill Demon slowly recalled his disciple, flashing back to the day he accepted Meng Hao after he kowtowed to him three times. Pill Demon suddenly had a lamenting look, but still in the face of Ji Fang’s threat Pill Demon still chose to hold his ground.

Even if it’s your Ji Clan, how could I let anyone harm my disciple? He sighed, then suddenly Pill Demon’s eyes reflected his newfound decisiveness as he looked back at Ji Fang and simply said,

“I’m just here… to get in your way.”

Ji Fang’s eye twitched, with his good intentions clearly not being acknowledged he said with a voice that now contained a hint of anger, “It’s already been thousands of years. Let me teach you some manners once again!”

At that moment countless undulations spread around Ji Fang as he released his true aura. This simple act of his easily caused the atmosphere to nearly tear apart, with the earth rumbling and sky roaring.

False Immortal! This was the power of false Immortal Ascension!

This aura represents the pinnacle of South Heaven! Achieving immortality is so difficult and dangerous that countless experts who already reached the peak of Dao Seeking either died trying or have forever remained not being able to take the next step.

And Ji Fang was casually releasing this aura that could cause almost all cultivators in South Heaven to tremble in fear and prostrate themselves to such overwhelming pressure. The Patriarch position of the almighty Ji Clan is truly deserving of Ji Fang, his Immortal Qi clearly already consolidated and has long surpassed those who just barely stepped into Immortal Realm and has long since reached the late stages.

It has to be said that due to certain circumstances of history, only False Immortals have ever been seen in South Heaven and even Ji Fang was one and simply not a True Immortal. But even being just a mere False Immortal, he is already at the summit of this realm, showing why the Ji Clan has always remained the uncontested ruler of South Heaven!

“I’m giving you another chance to hold your pride back and give way. Think of this as this old man’s show of respect for-“

Before Ji Fang could even finish gloating, another aura permeated across the atmosphere and amazingly, it was no less domineering than the first. With the sky intensifying under the pressure of the two interlocking auras, one could tell that the two were even nearly on par with one another!

Ji Fang obviously realized this, and he could only stare blankly asking with a tone of disbelief,

“Y-you… this power… How are you a False Immortal as well??”

II

Immortal Pill Demon?

With their fierce auras clashing against one another right in front of them, how could Ji Nang not realize that Pill Demon was able to confront his own Immortal aura on equal grounds? Even though he didn’t want to believe it, seeing it for himself is more than enough for Ji Fang to acknowledge Pill Demon’s breakthrough finally achieving False Immortal as well!

Right now Pill Demon’s long white hair was fluttering against the wind as the sky dimmed and the seas trembled, as if the heavens were also shocked by the turn of events! Still with a calm expression, he now exuded a domineering impression even more profound than before, to the point that he now seemed to be an existence in South Heaven that not even the Ji Clan could easily mess with.

In a couple of breaths worth of time Ji Fang finally managed to calmed himself down, yet his bearing failed to hide the growing confusion and curiosity at the back of his mind.

“How did you do it? How could it be possible for anyone to reach the realm of Immortal Ascension in South Heaven without me knowing? When this heaven has always belonged to Ji… my own heaven!”

Still acting with a reserved expression, Pill Demon answered back still with a calm demeanor. “So what if the heavens of South Heaven belong to you? You have your methods so why can’t others… have as well?”

With a loud burst Pill Demon’s cultivation suddenly climbed further, already no less than Ji Fang’s aura and has even exceeded his as the moment passed.

Seriousness spread through Ji Fang’s face as he rotated his cultivation to the maximum trying to suppress Pill Demon’s profound aura that was countering him, and it was only then that Ji Fang was finally able to stabilize himself once more.

“Hmph, don’t be so confident! Your cultivation may be able to match mine… but that is your limit!” With a wave of his sleeve a flag appeared on Ji Fang’s hand, which shockingly looked notably similar to the Flag of Three Streamers Meng Hao had.

But what’s even more surprising was that this flag seemed to look even more profound and archaic, as if an original version of a long lost masterpiece has finally revealed itself to the world. With an ethereal glow, this flag became a spark of lightning as it already pierced towards Pill Demon like sunlight!

Finally getting serious?Pill Demon couldn’t help but flash backwards in retreat as he recited three incantations and performed ten seals in succession.

Suddenly three pills that radiated primordial aura appeared and combined into a swirling beam of light directly confronting Ji Fang’s attack!

Boom!

With a loud clap like lightning strike from the heavens, the sky was illuminated by blinding light as the two attacks cancelled each other out, leaving only an area void of life ranging for hundreds of miles out.

A clash between two Immortals was truly beyond terrifying. But before the dusts could even settle a seemingly ancient voice echoed across the sky. “I’ve been lenient for too long. Don’t blame this old me for ending your life here and now!”

Suddenly the world rumbled as a vast portal appeared in the center of the sky, allowing a silver-looking line to slither around downwards to the world as if a heavenly snake was released from a mystical cage.

This was the lone treasure in South Heaven that could even sever ones Karma; the weapon of Ji that has sowed unrivaled fear and have easily put the entire world to their knees!

In the midst of all this Pill Demon was unexpectedly still calm, but inwardly even he could feel his soul shudder seeing the sight in front of him. You think everyone is afraid of your Ji Clan’s petty tricks? Hmph!

With a wave of his hand, eight more pills appeared between each of his fingers, four on the right and on his left. Coughing a mouthful of blood on his hands, the pills suddenly glowed crimson light as a symbol of a demon appeared on each pill!

Without pause, Pill Demon then put his hands together as if praying to the heavens in a slow motion, but at the same time was in fact mysteriously fast! Around him ghost images of countless primordial pills appeared. They radiated like orbs around him in a bizarre manner, and if one looked from far away, the area around Pill Demon now seemed to be drowned by countless stars in the galaxy.

Slapping both hands together, an even stronger echoing boom shocked the sky!

~Boom!

In front of the explosion, Ji Fang could see the silver line of his Karmic Annihilation disintegrating bit by bit, as if melting under the intensity of the scorching light. If the clash earlier that ended to a draw was still within Ji Nang’s expectations, then this next one was beyond what he expected even from Pill Demon!

“Impossible… How could you suppress my mysterious arts so easily? Unless…” With his eyes widening clearly not believing what he thought, Ji Fang suddenly roared with laughter!

“HAHAHAHA!”

“What madness is this? How could you not only reach Immortal Ascension behind my back, you even achieved True Immortal realms?” Right now Ji Fang was more amused than worried about Pill Demon unexpectedly reaching True Immortal.

“You truly do live to your name of Violet East! Tell me, have you finally found a way to immortality through your Dao of Alchemy after all these years?” Since this South Heaven was their domain, the Ji Clan has nothing to fear even if it was against a True Immortal.

“I have my ways,” then with a smirk Pill Demon continued, “I’m an alchemist after all.”

Ji Fang flashed a cold smile, “Reaching True Immortality is really a grand feat, even if from the looks of it yours doesn’t really seem to be fully acknowledged by the Dao, and is either just temporary or artificial.”

“Either way since you have been so generous in letting me know, let me take that secret of yours from you and send you on your way to the afterlife!”

“Hmph! Let’s see you try!” Pill Demon simply replied. You think I wouldn’t know of your intentions once you found out?

Pill Demon mused, still with a calm expression. Sooner or later you would’ve noticed it anyways, and extract it from me using any means possible. But even if you are blessed by the heavens with all the luck you can acquire from Karma, I’m sure you still can’t steal my immortality from me!

After all this is the fruit of my Dao! My Dao… is mine alone!

Now with a savage expression as if a hunter looking at its prey, Ji Fang smiled with confidence. “Even if you’re a True Immortal, you of all should know that this world… belongs to Ji!

Right at that moment as if answering to Ji Fang’s call, the area thousands of miles around them started to tremble, moaning like an eternal spirit was being awakened from a deep slumber. I would’ve feared you earlier but you obviously only barely reached the True Immortal realm! And from the looks of it your old age couldn’t cope with your path of ascension, and simply not true ascension!

Ji Fang continued, smiling. I’ll let you see firsthand why Planet South Heaven belongs to me!

With the increasing chaos in the area the world energy turned colder all of a sudden, and now not only the area thousands of miles around them was affected, but also the entirety of the Milky Way Sea seemed to plunge into an endless frost!

With a roar, Ji Fang reached for the sky and formed a series of hand seals. In the next moment the already chaotic sky and sea turned even more frantic, as if they themselves have to come to life against their will!

The wind turned sharp as they turned into glass-metal knives cutting through the sky like sharp claws of dancing dragons. The waves of the sea rose to as high as hundreds of feet as even the lands underneath Milky Way Sea started to crumble, endless cracks forming on the deep seabed itself.

Now not only the Milky Way Sea was affected, but also all the qi in the world suddenly turned ice cold and roiling with madness! All cultivators whether weak or strong felt the changes and couldn’t help but tremble in fear in the face of this unexplainable catastrophe.

Suddenly everyone regardless of where they were felt a tiny drop in the world energy around them. Even though it was but a minute quantity, the vastness of South Heaven is not something one can underestimate.

How much this minute quantity of energy accumulated from the entire world adds up to is an amount of Qi that’s simply beyond the imagination anyone could possibly comprehend!

…And all that power was being gathered by Ji Fang!

Standing heroically in the middle of the sky, Ji Fang looked down on Pill Demon like a master looking at his subject. This is the difference between you and me!

This is… the will of Ji!

With a shout Ji Fang sent the highly condensed ball of light the size of a baby’s fist directly to Pill Demon, flashing through the sky like a star falling from the sky and covering the distance of thousands of feet in but a split second!

In front of this kind of power, even Pill Demon couldn’t remain calm any longer and finally frowned. With new resoluteness, he waved his hand and finally he himself chose to use his trump card!

III

Forever cursed under the heavens of Ji

Meanwhile back in central area of the Southern Domain, back in the now chaotic Violet Fate Sect, the elders who Pill Demon left behind were deeply worried for whatever it is he was doing.

“Grandmaster Pill Demon wouldn’t dare offend the Ji Clan… right?” with a trembling voice, a young looking elder asked his senior martial brother.

With a deep expression, this elder could only shake his head in return. “Not even I know what Grandmaster Pill Demon is thinking or doing at the moment.”

“All we could do is hope that this incident won’t turn even worse than it already is!”

It was at this moment when suddenly, beginning from the very core of the sect grounds, a rumble that seemed to be a minor earthquake at first now turned stronger and stronger, as it soon became a roaring no less terrifying than that of an actual flood dragon!

Panic!

No one knew what was happening. Not even the elders knew where this disturbance is coming from! Everyone looked at sky as they saw something that seemed to be a nearly invisible hand descending down unto one of the summits of Violet Fate Sect, only for nothing to happen afterwards.

“A-are we under attack?” a new disciple to the sect couldn’t help but ask in fear. But before anyone could even answer him the entire sect grounds that spanned thousands of miles trembled once more!

Now even the giant bells used for war have been rung!

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!

No one even bothered to see who sounded the alarm or check if there really were enemies attacking, because it was only after a short moment when the sounds of bells ringing slowly stopped as the sky suddenly darkened seemingly turning into night.

There above the entire sect, an otherworldly violet pill furnace as huge as a mountain could be seen being lifted up from the very same mountain peak itself, as if the colossal ethereal hand was pulling out the mountain’s very own spirit!

Until slowly both of them vanished including the mountain as well, only leaving behind a now empty valley and more than a million dumbfounded sect disciples and elders.

“I… I think I’m really stoned right now…” a sect disciple foolishly said.

“…Ate too much spirit stones?” another asked amusingly with a grin.

They stared at one another as they then laughed rolling on the ground, seemingly proud of their profound witty banter.

Back in the Milky Way Sea, just when Ji Fang’s ultimate attack was about to reach Pill Demon, the colossal violet pill furnace as huge as a mountain appeared out of nowhere obstructing the seemingly unstoppable attack.

It was tens of thousands of meters wide and with runic markings all over it. The furnace now seemed to be one of the most archaic treasures birthed in South Heaven. And this furnace was none other than the Violet Fate Celestial Furnace!

The same heavenly furnace that contained… the Violet Fate Celestial Land!

In front of this unfathomable strike the huge archaic furnace stood unmoving, as if willing to carry the weight of the entire sky itself!

BOOM!

The explosion this time was already beyond what words could describe. The bright light illuminated everything in the horizon for hundreds of thousands of miles, even turning night into day in the span of a few breaths.

With the rippling sound waves alone already powerful enough to even destroy a Nascent Soul Eccentric’s soul if caught, the energy explosion itself was so powerful the space around the area started cracking, seemingly unable to contain the destruction of reality.

Clouds have long been blown into nothingness as waves roiled forming an empty dome in the middle of the vast Milky Way Sea. Nothing could be seen even thousands of feet deep with the seabed already visible from the surface. It was only after the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn when the sea stopped parting and began showing signs of forming back, covering the dead empty space and once more entering a calm state.

Even before the aftermath of the explosion Pill Demon was already blown back hundreds of miles away, pale face but nothing more. In front of him the majestic violet pill furnace… held on!

But before he could even be grateful for the outcome, mad laughter echoed in the sky just when the heavens have started to return to their initial silence.

With a sneer Ji Fang mocked with a domineering roar, “Good! Good! Let’s see just how many times you’re able to block my attack!”

Pill Demon gritted his teeth and was only able to find his footing after a breath, when suddenly the whole world was drowned under an indescribable aura. This time, the energy in the world clearly dropped by twice the amount it did before!

Absorbing another round of World Qi, this time even those at the weaker cultivation stages and even some of the non-practitioner mortals themselves felt something amiss! Beasts of all kinds roared in confusion and the heavens above South Heaven seemed to turn to a grim night!

With a malevolent smile, Ji Fang then pointed his archaic staff to the heavens and roared, “Heavens of Ji - Eternal Curse!”

Then high above the immortal battle, as if already beyond the realms of South Heaven itself, a symbol-like seal suddenly began to take shape. It looked like it could span endlessly for thousands of miles, and from Pill Demon’s divine sense he was sure that such technique actually spanned the entire horizon above him… from end to end!

And such a grand seal radiated an aura that seemed to even transcend South Heaven’s own ancientness. As the seal started to materialize it only now began to look more and more tyrannical, as its form began to take the symbol… for Ji!

A seal of Ji that could seal even South Heaven itself!

Once completed Ji Fang shifted his withered hand that was holding unto the dragon staff, slowly yet fluidly pointing it back down towards Pill Demon, his face containing an apathetic expression as if he himself was merely stepping on an insect.

Suddenly Ji Fang’s eyes flashed as he roared with profound might!

“SEAL!!!”

With a roaring sound the seal that was so large it seemed to be able to even seal countless mountains and seas, started to descend down to South Heaven. With its massive size it seemed to be descending slowly from afar, but was in truth moving faster than even True Immortals!

Pill Demon finally felt true pressure for the first time, and in front of this mystical technique he could already tell even he had no way out!

Even when the seal was still hundreds of miles high above him, he could already feel his cultivation base crumbling like fragile glass. It was at this moment that without hesitation he used the primordial pill furnace once more!

When the grand seal was already halfway down the sky, the furnace already started trembling as if its very soul was afraid of the impending doom. Cracks then started forming on its vast surface for the first time!

Right now Pill Demon could only look up above to the sky that seemed to be entirely crashing down, as the seal has occupied his entire vision. From end to end, he couldn’t even see the horizon any longer as the seal occupied the entire sky, causing everything in the world around Pill Demon to tremble.

Yet mysteriously only a soundless droning sound could be heard which was so strong that it in turn distorted even Pill Demon’s divine sense.

And once the seal touched the furnace that seemed to be in the midst of breaking, a soundless clash unexpectedly resulted and only a bright light that seemed to akin to a new sun rising in the sky, easily eclipsing the actual sun itself and turned the entire grim horizon white once more blinding anyone and anything, this time as if lasting for eternity.

As the horizon reappeared and the sky settled in an eerie silence, the pill furnace could be seen, only now with almost a third of it already gone as cracks continued to grow all over it.

The heavenly furnace once more withstood the attack!!!

But Pill Demon was already long blown flying away once more, this time vomiting blood ten times before finally stopping. With haggard breathing, he looked even paler, his life force already showing signs of weakness, and his entire body was still trembling from the aftershock long after the soundless mystical explosion.

Even if Pill Demon’s tenacity has shocked Ji Fang again and again, only a wicked expression could be seen on his face. The outcome was already clear as day.

My Violet Fate Celestial Furnace… An actual treasure gifted to me by a True Immortal, yet it still couldn’t last against Ji Clan’s ultimate move…

With his body breaking apart and his soul like a dying flame, Pill Demon could only sigh in regret, hoping that whatever he accomplished here was enough for Meng Hao to be able to escape far away. But with the Ji of South Heaven the one after him, it was already impossible to even run from them in the first place.

Ay, forgive this useless master of yours.Pill Demon inwardly said, but it actually meant more than what it seemed, as if he wasn’t only speaking to Meng Hao but to someone else as well.

Ji Fang only smiled coldly at the now weakening Pill Demon. How could your measly treasure even block my Ji Clan’s most powerful technique?

Even with all the treasures in the Ninth Mountain and Sea, your fate can’t possibly escape from my curse!

It was at this moment when finally, the once majestic pill furnace cracked all the way through.

Dong!

The sound escaped from the pill furnace like a treasure’s dying breath, travelling around in all directions spreading an indescribable sound of sorrow and regret. At the same time, Pill Demon coughed even more blood, but this time it wasn’t any mortal blood but his blood essence!

Pill Demon’s body shuddered, and now he was even aging with every breath. He knew he was finally reaching his end…

With some effort, he shifted his head trying to look up at the heavens; only he knew what he was thinking at that moment as his eyes finally started to dim, losing its bright profound light that all of Southern Domain once knew…

IV

A master only needs three kowtows

In Pill Demon’s dying moments his life flashed by. Even though he had already lived for thousands of years all the scenes of his life still flashed like an endless picture, as if his memories themselves were blinking through time.

Pill Demon has been through countless ordeals to reach the peak in the Dao of Alchemy, and even more to achieve Immortal Ascension by carving his own path.

Among his countless memories only a handful few were able to leave some profound impression on him. One of which was back centuries ago, back when he was still with his first Legacy Apprentice who has now become a famous Grandmaster just like him.

Being a master of such a talented alchemist, how could Pill Demon ever forget the time he was with him? But the glory of his disciple’s achievements will never his own, for their paths have long been separated. In the end one cannot dictate fate and sadly fate has led this master and disciple astray from one another.

Even for an Immortal, how could losing the trust of ones own disciple be easy and acceptable? How could a master live on knowing his own disciple, which he treated like his own son, turned his back against him never to return?

No father could easily accept the day their son leaves their protection, even more so when it was their own son that decided to sever their ties seemingly forsaking their own name and blood. No father would be able to bear such an unforgettable incident in his life, for who is a father without his son? And who is a master without a disciple?

Pill Demon had made mistakes along his journey in the pursuit of his Dao in Alchemy, but that lone moment was the single greatest mistake he would never be able to reconcile with.

In life some mistakes will never be corrected, and such events can only give birth to timeless unresolved regrets. But with whatever mental strength he could muster, Pill Demon finally moved on. He decided to continue down his path after already almost reaching the peak of the Dao.

Yet even as Pill Demon thought he had moved on, he realized he wasn’t really moving forward. His martial heart has once been shattered by guilt and regret, and like cancer it will never be able to truly move tread the path of seeking the Dao any more.

How can one even try to go against the will of the heaven when his own heart has long lost its tranquility?

But that was until he met Meng Hao, who at that time was using another identity back then.

Unlike his personal disciple Chu Yuyan whom he doted like his own daughter, Meng Hao was the only person to ever move him and rekindle his Dao of Alchemy, reminding him of his very first disciple.

Through many fortuitous events this young alchemist finally became his second Legacy Apprentice, and it was only then that Pill Demon believed that maybe, his own martial heart was possibly still worth saving. Even though they’ve only been master and disciple for a short time, they were truly master and disciple not only in name but in fate as well.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

The day they tied their Karma to each other, the day when Meng Hao paid his ultimate respects and committed three kowtows to his new master, was the same day Pill Demon found another hope in his now ending path in life. But even Pill Demon with his countless years of experience and endless profound wisdom in the Dao, wasn’t able to foresee the future to turn out like this.

Meng Hao’s fate after encountering the Ji was already terrible to say the least, but his master Pill Demon in truth was the one who had it worse.

Just when he decided to share his path with another disciple opening his heart of a father once more to that of a new son, and be able to finally reconcile with his initial failure as a master before he finally entered what may be his last secluded meditation, fate actually takes a cruel turn for the worse.

How could Pill Demon accepting another true disciple only end with even more regret?

Without even the chance for him to cultivate his new disciple and see him grow, after promising him he will be his master for life, what kind of Karma did Pill Demon sow before to even deserve such fate? Even if many call him Grandmaster Pill Demon, but if he himself failed as a master, does glory still even matter?

It was as if the heavens were mocking his efforts even in his dying moments, but who could Pill Demon blame when his own fate have long forsaken him as well.

I am after all this time destined to forever regret my mistakes, even in the face death…

Pill Demon sighed. A lot knew him as the ultimate grandmaster in alchemy, the pinnacle in Southern Domain maybe even the entire South Heaven, but only a few truly understood the pains behind this legend that was sadly reaching his end, without even anyone acting as witness.

With a last look at the sky with his eyes nearly void of life, Pill Demon barely reached out his trembling hand with his little remaining strength, as if trying to grab something he could never reach,

As if his life and his destiny has always been… out of his reach.

Today would be the day the world would lose another peak expert, and even though he failed to be a True Immortal, his pursuit of the Dao was no less than any of the Immortals in all of the Nine Heavens. But that doesn’t matter now. No one would be able hear a falling tree in the middle of a forest.

Countless souls are born and ended simply as part of the cycle of life, and today Pill Demon is but one of those souls that would be forgotten by South Heaven.

It was at this moment back in the Southern Domain, amidst the chaos Meng Hao created before escaping the area of the immortal corpse, a girl could be seen surrounded by her fellow cultivators all from Violet Fate Sect.

With skin as white as jade, long black hair flowing in the wind, and a peerless beauty that made her known as one of the top beauties in the entire Southern Domain, Chu Yuyan was standing there staring at Meng Hao’s silhouette as he was flying through the air and finally escaping from both Wang Clan and Ji Clan elders through the help of some unfathomable expert.

At the moment her feelings were in chaos after finding out Meng Hao’s true identity; that the man she liked the most and the man she hated the most were actually one and the same.

How could a maiden’s heart endure such disturbing realization?

Suddenly Chu Yuyan couldn’t help but tremble as she felt her own soul shiver with unknown apprehension, finally falling to the ground and coughing a mouthful of blood.

What’s going on?With a face even more flustered than when she was in life or death earlier, Chu Yuyan couldn’t help but let out a scream that seemed to come from her very soul!

“Master!!!”

Far away a young man who was beaming through the sky with the help of the mysterious Immortal from within the Rebirth Cave, currently had an expression that was beyond ecstatic. His long hair whipped about wildly against the wind as his robes fluttered in response. His handsome face and amiable smile made him look more like a scholar than a cultivator.

This young man beaming through the sky at terrifying speed is actually Meng Hao!

Looking back at the devastated experts from the Ji Clan and Wang Clan far away, Meng Hao could only smile with a mocking tone. “Hmph! I will remember this debt. I will definitely return to Southern Domain and even go to the Eastern Lands and seek compensation in the future!”

But before he could bask in elation after escaping his seemingly inevitable end, this time he also felt his heart tremble. He looked over to the horizon behind him, feeling something amiss, like a calling to his name but not actually hearing anything.

But Meng Hao could feel that it wasn’t something like a greeting to him, and was actually a feeling that was mysteriously… of farewell?

He could feel his heart tremble even more than ever as he couldn’t keep his calm, he started panting confused by his worried heart, and he felt his own soul immediately tightened seemingly incapable of breathing. He didn’t understand what was happening, and by now Meng Hao had already felt the changes spreading across South Heaven.

These were the ripples from battle of his master and Ji Fang far away, but he wasn’t aware of this earlier since he was busy escaping.

It was at this point that his master was hopelessly grasping for the sky, already in his dying breaths. And for some coincidence it was also at this point that something Meng Hao didn’t expect to happen occurred.

His soul has for some mysterious reason suddenly resonated with Pill Demon who was a million miles away!

This was the bond between a master and his disciple. These were two people who were tied by karma; a master and disciple locked by an eternal promise. Regardless of the distance or the machinations of fate, how could they not tell when a tragedy has befallen one of them? When the other’s path was reaching his end?

It was only then that Meng Hao finally understood!

He just realized right now how ignorant he was, thinking he was desperately doing his best when he didn’t even know what was going on behind the scenes, and believing his luck was enough to be able to allow him escape this time.

Meng Hao roared to the sky exuding an aura of tragic bleakness, tears already flowing down his cheeks. He felt utterly weak and powerless. He shouted but no one heard.

Everyone left me. My friends and acquaintances, my own sect, even Xu Qing had no choice. Meng Hao recalled the day he decided to accept Grandmaster Pill Demon to be his master for life and no one else. No one else!

And yet as his disciple not only couldn’t he do anything to save his own master who was now nearing his end, he was even the cause of his master’s demise!

I’ve fought through life alone, and even now I though I was fighting alone, yet there’s actually someone who chose to stand by my side when I needed it the most!

Who chose to stay behind for me when I needed it the most!

And that same person… my own master… met his end because of me???

“ARGHH!!!”

He let out another scream, his own soul desperate to be heard, desperate to be forgiven!

Meng Hao has always been like a silkpants himself, but he knew where to draw the line.

“Master! This disciple of yours has been unfilial!!!”

Not only his heart but his very soul was now in deep sorrow and unfathomable pain as he kept screaming with a hoarse trembling voice. He knew he would lose someone today, and that person was his own master. The one and only master he will ever have in his life.

Master for a day… a father for life!!!

These words repeated endlessly in his soul, as if desperate to remember and never be forgotten. How could a disciple not mourn for his master? How could a son not mourn for his father?

It was at this moment the final light in his master’s eyes flickered like dying flame and finally…

They were extinguished.

Suddenly with all his effort, this time Meng Hao chose not to shout but instead decided to actually fight against the Immortal aura pushing him away!

Blood endlessly sprayed from his mouth yet he continued to rotate his cultivation that has long been overused when he was still trying to fight for his life earlier on, now pushing his limits even further regardless of the consequences! Finally Meng Hao slowly reached a full stop, trembling in place against the profound pressure bearing down on him, defying the power of an Immortal with his mere Core Formation strength!

Before Meng Hao could even reach the ground without even the slightest hesitation, his knees were already bent directly crashing to the ground, his hands clasping the earth as if afraid they’d leave his grip. Finally with a slam that echoed along the unknown valley he was in

Meng Hao… kowtowed!

His forehead knocked on the ground as powerful as he could, tears long falling down his cheeks, now mixed with dirt and fresh blood that was flowing from his forehead, sobbing hoarsely seemingly like a wild beast being tortured.

It was a truly ugly sight, but Meng Hao didn’t care what he looked like at the moment. This act was his respects to his master and all that mattered to him now was if his act could reach his master one last time!

These were… his final respects!

And with all his effort barely able to keep himself on the ground, he had already lifted his head once more and immediately made his second kowtow.

By now his body was scraping across the ground as if being dragged by something invisible against his will, the Immortal Will starting to win his weakening body over.

“ARGH!!!”

And with a last push, the echo of Meng Hao’s third kowtow finally sounded, and in the end when his fingers were already bloody from tightly clutching the ground with simply his raw physical strength, Meng Hao was finally flung back far away.

Further and further away until the lands turned into a blur once more…

Further and further away until Meng Hao couldn’t sense his master any more…

V

Sacrificing ones Dao is Dao itself!

Back in the Milky Way Sea with his body slowly crumbling into pieces, Pill Demon’s now ethereal body was slowly falling from high above, basking under the warmth of the new sunlight amidst the sudden calm sky and sea.

From afar it seemed to be a transcendent sight to see.

Within his soul the last embers were but a spark away from eternal rest. Silence could already be heard as even his soul was finally falling into eternal slumber.

Dong!

But it was at this moment that Pill Demon’s soul shook, like final act of defiance against his already clear fate, because just now… he heard it! He heard a sound, a knocking that he alone was familiar with!

Dong!

By the second knock his soul flame rekindled, now brighter than a mere ember. His eyes regained a hint of life, his body trembling showing signs of movement once again.

Dong!

Finally by the third knock his soul fully exploded! Awakening from his stupor and finally regaining some clarity, and it was then that Pill Demon finally understood! His soul finally heard what he wanted to hear all this time!

This was… acknowledgement!

The same acknowledgement from his own disciple regardless of what the master thought he had long regretted. For a true master’s purpose is to pass on his knowledge, to guide his disciple treading the path beyond what he himself could pave way and be a guide to the next generation

But until now Pill Demon always felt he has failed his two Legacy Apprentices, his two sons. He believed that even with his matchless Dao in Alchemy, he didn’t actually have the right to be called Grandmaster Pill Cauldron.

Until now Pill Demon thought he has failed as a master. Until now he had been living in regret.

But as that final knock echoed within, as his soul was fully enlightened once more, it was in that moment when Pill Demon finally experienced true acknowledgement that a master will always be searching for from his disciple, the same thing a father will be searching for from his son.

Now he felt his soul could be at peace with karma, and finally reconcile with his own fate.

With a smile on his aged face, Pill Demon felt true peace for the first time. Tears were flowing from his aged eyes as now he looked like an old man who was finally able to reconcile with destiny.

With a smile on his face and his eyes still looking at the sky, this time with all his remaining strength Pill Demon reached for heavens once more, not because he believed he couldn’t ever grasped what he wanted to, but because Pill Demon knew he already had what he always wanted!

Closing his eyes he mused with newfound certainty in his heart.

I have no regrets.

I have… no more regrets!

With a final push that his own body could muster, Pill Demon’s eyes snapped open with a newfound sense of purpose as his martial heart has finally cleared itself of all impurities.

He then roared towards the sky as if defying the heavens themselves! He roared to the sky as if seeking its very permission!

”BURN. FOR. ME!!!!!!”

Far away Ji Fang was confused, startled by Pill Demon’s dying shout who clearly was already at the end of his ropes earlier on. But before he could even understand why Pill Demon still acted defiantly even now, a disturbance echoed out around the sky together with his final roar.

Finally Ji Fang realized what he was doing! “You!!!”

Ji Fang’s face suddenly turned ashen white, paler than it has ever been and even a hint of fear could be seen in his eyes for the very first time. This isn’t the burning of his life essence. This also doesn’t seem to be the burning his soul, nor his cultivation…

He’s ac-actually bu-bu-burning… his own Dao!!!

This shocking act was akin to closing off ones own path in cultivation, forsaking ones immortality and closing the doors to the heavens forever. But this is not the same as someone forsaking his own Dao or his Dao forsaking him, for this isn’t as simple as either of the two.

No, this act simply can’t be done by anyone, because the burning of ones Dao is more than a mere decision.

This was actually… recognition!

Pill Demon wasn’t merely ending his path. Right now he was in truth pushing it beyond what it is supposed to be, like a final prayer to the sky, and in the end… even receiving divine permission from the heavens in return!

Now with an indescribable fear that no one in the entire Ji Clan had ever seen from their own Patriarch in thousands of years, Ji Fang roared with a voice that was now lacking any elegance and aloofness it previously showed.

“YOU MADMAN!!!”

In the midst of all this chaos that was happening, Pill Demon was simply calm. I know full well I’ve long already reached the end of my path…

I already know full well I could never defy Ji in the first place, but now that the heavens have acknowledged my wish, and that my Dao has allowed me to paint the final moments of my life as my own legacy,

So how could I simply let this opportunity pass?

With a smile on his face, Pill Demon calmly stared at Ji Fang at the distance. Allowing me to sacrifice my immortality, allowing me to sacrifice my own Dao, this is the greatest honor for someone who could never reach True Immortal such as me, could ever receive!

Slowly Pill Demon opened his mouth, barely able to say a few words. “A moment ago I was acknowledged by my disciple,”

“A moment later I was acknowledged by the Dao!”

“…This sacrifice of mine, I finally understand!”

Pill Demon tried to move his withered hand once more, trying to reach for the heavens high up above.

As his palm finally faced the sky, his fingers couldn’t stop trembling any longer as he could barely even keep up the entire weight of his arm by this point.

Sacrificing my own Dao… is Dao itself!

These words imprinted in his mind. This time he was only able to barely mutter his next words, as he was already too weak to be heard due to the rumbling noise of the entire space above the Milky Way Sea that was collapsing around them, but even more so due to his own growing weakness.

And even though the chaos drowned out his voice, Ji Fang far away could clearly see the movement of Pill Demon’s lips, as all the blood in Ji Fang’s face immediately disappeared!

In that instant all he did was in truth whisper a single word, at the same time slowly clenching his outstretched hand into a firm close for the last time.

“break…”

Amidst the already unexplainable chaos due to the Dao Sacrifice, not even Pill Demon’s final word could be heard even if one chose to stand right beside him, and only mourning sounds could be perceived echoing across the horizon. Right now one could feel as though the heavens were crying, mourning for the Dao’s choice to allow itself to be destroyed!

In the next moment the reality around them was already crumbling, seemingly causing even the laws of time and space to fall apart. This terrifying phenomenon could never be brought by an Immortal’s power, but that of an unfathomable force caused by the profound interference of the Dao!

Without waiting idly by just to be killed in this unexpected twist, Ji Fang retreated with all his might Ji Fang flickering backwards with a booming sound, his face contorted as desperation and insanity reflected in his mad gaze.

With a roar he continued teleporting backwards as fast as he could, throwing out countless treasures that could each make any cultivator in South Heaven envy the wealth of Ji, and without hesitation even burning a few of his life essence at the same time!

At first he launched three priceless defensive artifacts at the same time in formation, then a dozen, then a couple of dozen, until finally he was going through more than a hundred treasures at a time just to be able to protect himself from Pill Demon’s suicidal attack!

He knew even if it was only a clone that was the one caught within this chaotic anomaly, the damage to the real body will be no less frightening than dying itself!

Then what more if it was his actual body right now that was unable to escape in time?

With the end coming for him and all his treasures unable to hinder the Dao Sacrifice even for split second, Ji Fang finally used one of Ji Clan’s ultimate treasures, waving his hand with a face full of regret.

Before him suddenly appeared… the Celestial Gate of Ji!!!

This was the same gate defending the Ji Clan ever since time immemorial, built from countless rare treasures and with only one found in every Imperial Palace of the Eastern Lands.

With countless golden nails across its surface that seemed indestructible and the profound treasures on its core just to be able to build one, this was truly an ultimate treasure that could stand at the peak of South Heaven, a treasure for every cultivator to dare dream of but never reach.

But shockingly, even the Celestial Gate proved to be useless as it crumbled easily like paper in front of the might of the Dao Sacrifice!

Ji Fang paled. With a face full of fury he finally overcame the last hints of hesitation. He then waved his hand once more; regret even more showing in his eyes. He knew this was the only treasure left that could possibly save him from certain death!

In front of Ji Fang the space distorted not because of the primal chaos caused by Pill Demon’s Dao Sacrifice, but because of his final trump card appearing from within the void.

In front of him a huge gate-like bridge could be seen materializing. The gate-bridge spanned for miles long, filled with powerful runes all around its borders as three archaic characters that seemed to surpass time itself could be seen on its very center.

South Heaven Gate!

In front of the Dao Sacrifice’s primal chaos, this gate-like marble bridge was destroyed but was mysteriously instantly reformed, only to be destroyed and reform once more in mysterious unending cycle. But Ji Fang knew that each instantaneous reformation that seemed to outlast the Dao Sacrifice was only made possible in return for a huge price, and that was damaging the cultivation of each and every Ji Clan member in South Haven with every iteration as repayment!

His retreat while wasting countless treasures to finally including the South Heaven Gate as his last resort in truth all came one after another within a single breath! In that short moment even beyond what Ji Fang initially predicted, the South Heaven Gate has already been destroyed and reformed… for a dozen times!

Even as he was retreating, Ji Fang’s cultivation was slowly lowering bit by bit. His dragon staff already long broken into pieces.

By the time he was a hundred miles away he was down to Dao Seeking and the South Heaven Gate already reformed another dozen times.

By a thousand miles his cultivation further lowered to Spirit Severing and his treasure had already reformed at least fifty times.

Until finally after reaching the lowest realm, he disappeared from the horizon successfully escaping, only after the South Heaven Gate was destroyed and reformed… more than a hundred times!

One can only just imagine the repercussions of such damage to all of the Ji Clan cultivators in South Heaven!

And long after Ji Fang’s silhouette completely vanished did the world slowly return to silence, with the skies also returning to their initial calm once more. Such an unprecedented battle that was never seen before within the lands of South Heaven finally came to an end. And such a battle…

Will forever remain unknown.

VI

Master for a day; A father for life

Amidst the now abrupt silence, the faint ocean waves could be heard once more in rhythmic alternating crashes that were now simply soothing to hear.

Pill Demon’s silhouette finally became visible, only his face now looking beyond pale and more decrepit, and his body suddenly seemed fragile like thin glass as toxic death Qi lurked around him.

Dead but still living, living but already dead.

But what’s most shocking was the fact the Pill Demon wasn’t above the waters of Milky Way Sea any longer. In front of him was a sea of violet shade.

It was surprisingly… the Violet Sea!

Years after the seemingly endless rain had stopped, long after Meng Hao journeyed into the depths of the Violet Sea to achieve enlightenment in his Nascent Soul, Pill Demon now stood in the skies above the Violet Sea, patiently observing and lingering with a small smile on his face.

He was there because he could tell that his lost disciple was within the Violet Sea, or to be more precise, became the Violet Sea itself!

By now Pill Demon was growing weaker by the moment and his cultivation already failing; yet he still had a calm expression, only this time it wasn’t simply calm the he felt before but even a sense of peacefulness that contained a hint of true tranquility!

I have no regrets.

As your master I’ve done what I could. As my disciple, you have yet to reach the end of your journey and will keep pushing forward even further.

My path is ending while your path is starting. But without any misgivings our Karma will hold for eternity… even beyond death!

With a faint whisper that was barely audible yet already took all his effort to be able to say, as if hoping his disciple way down below the Violet Sea would be able to hear,

“Don’t worry child. Your three final kowtows, your master has heard.”

“Your master… has heard!!!”

Pill Demon coughed. With barely any strength he took out and destroyed a jade slip. If one looked closely before it completely turned to ash, one would see the jade slip had the marking… of the Black Sieve Sect!

Smiling, with absolute tranquility reflecting on his face, Pill Demon mused once more. The end of your journey is still a long way to go, this sea can’t possibly keep you here forever.

I just hope this person in your heart is strong enough, and that she will be able to guide you back…

Now that your master can’t any longer.

And with that Pill Demon took one last look at the vast sea, as if a master was directly looking at his disciple, and in turn knowing his disciple was also looking back directly to him!

Rumble!

The Violet Sea suddenly turned chaotic, seemingly moved by the old man’s words standing high above in the sky… seemingly unable to say its own farewells!

Only after the time it took for an incense stick to burn did Pill Demon’s silhouette turned around and flashed, as he already disappeared from the Violet Sea. And only a moment after, Pill Demon reappeared this time even fainter and the death Qi around him even more visible, but still his face was calm and his soul tranquil.

Whatever happened to him now, he has long reconciled with his fate.

In front of him was a different boundless sea. He was back in the Milky Way Sea after centuries of being away, but this time in a different area. Right below was a huge island that in reality could possibly be already counted as a continent.

This island that was within the Milky Way Sea was an unfathomable existence that’s been roaming around the seas for hundreds of years. But if one knew very well, even though the rivers and mountains of this continent have already changed and the coasts themselves were long altered already, this island continent was none other… than the state of Zhao!

Only after a short while did Pill Demon slowly bow his head and said in a faint respectful tone “This old man pays respects to this Demon Immortal. I was wondering if this great expert would give this old man some face?”

Even after a long time nothing answered back. Still with a calm look Pill Demon decided to ask once more. “I was wondering if this expert would help this old man regarding someone called Meng Hao?”

Suddenly, as if a great calamity has fallen from the sky the huge island continent started rumbling and instantly caused giant waves all around to form, as if trashing about like a huge convulsing dolphin at the sea!

And if one listened clearly, within the rumbling noise one would actually be able to hear a high-pitched, soul-bending scream echoing all around the place!

It sounded like… a pig being tortured!

Within the island in a majestic temple, an old man in luxurious Daoist robes could be seen in his throne room. Currently he was sweating buckets and would’ve looked glorious in his golden throne but at this moment he had lost all color and was trembling all over, pulling out his hair looking like an old man gone mad.

Only after calming down after panting for a couple of breaths did this clone vanish, and with a roar that contained profound power a humungous head slowly emerged from the sea.

It was black and full of wrinkles, and was so huge that it looked like it could pierce the sky and even cover the sun! Only after seeing this spectacle one would actually know that it was not an island but… an unfathomably colossal turtle!

And who else in South Haven could it be other than Meng Hao’s old friend… Patriarch Reliance!

With a brazen tone he roared at Pill Demon, “Screw off old beggar! Meng Hao? What Meng Hao?”

“I’m known as Patriarch Footloose! Footloose! I don’t know anyone named Patriarch Reliance!”

Initially shocked, Pill Demon calmed down quickly and smiled, “This esteemed expert, I never said your name was Patriarch Reliance though…”

At this moment the large eyes of Patriarch Reliance that seemed to be two balls of sun on his humungous black head, repeatedly twitched with anger and even made a comical scene for anyone to see.

“Bahh!!! Wrong person! I said you have the wrong person! Now head along! Shoo! Shoo!” To him this old beggar was something trivial.

It was only because he mentioned a name that could make his own soul leave his body that he even bothered to entertain him. But it was at this moment, only after seeing the old man from up close did Patriarch Reliance finally recognized the old person in front of him.

It’s actually the master of that brat? This person really changed and is now really ugly, but without a doubt he is the same person!

He thought he’d never hear of Meng Hao again but was suddenly disturbed today. Then when he thought it was only false alarm it turns out to be the little bastard’s master that was personally disturbing him!

Right now Patriarch Reliance really wanted to cry but had no tears.

“I have no more connections with that little bastard! Go disturb other turtles lurking in the sea and screw off from this Patriarch’s sight!” Patriarch Reliance didn’t stop there; even further mocking Pill Demon for choosing to stand by that Meng Hao all this time.

Even he could tell with his divine sense what happened back then centuries ago when Meng Hao clashed with the Ji Clan and how his master decided to save him.

Still with an amiable expression Pill Demon could only reply to this shameless turtle in front of him, “Forgive my words. After all these years I truly feel sorry for the fate of the Immortal Demon sect. Your own Immortal Sect…”

”After all I could sympathize with you, even if my own sect can’t compare to Immortal Demon Sect’s glory during those years.”

“I pity you for your fear of being left behind that has been deeply imprinted into your soul ever since your sect’s demise, so now you choose to be alone wandering aimlessly, pretending to have freedom but deep inside you know full well you will never be able to experience what true freedom feels like.”

“But maybe it is time you allow karma to share your path with another once more, and maybe learn that life doesn’t have to be lived alone and be painful if one chooses to share his with others.”

Then before deciding to head back to what would may be his final closed door isolation, Pill Demon ends his sermon to this rebellious childish turtle in front of him with simpler final words.

“You wondered why I chose to stay by his side? My answer is truthfully simple.”

“Because I am his master, and he is my disciple.”

To Pill Demon’s last words Patriarch Reliance could only frown. Turning around he decided to leave this senile man alone, but in the end he didn’t refute his words. Only after a while did Patriarch Reliance murmur, grumbling about something that’s been bothering him all along.

“What the hell? As if my punishment in life so far isn’t enough? Now I have to be reminded by that little bastard not only through that mysterious marking on my back as if the heavens themselves have branded me, but also by his damnable master in person???”

“GAHHH! Meng Hao this! Meng Hao that! Fudge! I’ve had enough of that little bastard!!!”

While staring at the colossal turtle slowly turning to depart, Pill Demon only kept his further thoughts to himself.

I’m proud to be the master of my disciple, and this kind of good karma is just one of many under the heavens.

But I don’t expect you to understand, because only when you understand what it means to have trust in another will you finally understand what I’ve said today.

Then before leaving, when the turtle finally fully turned his back towards him, Pill Demon caught a glimpse of a mark behind Patriarch Reliance. It was the same mark he already noticed earlier but didn’t bother with, but now in this angle this mark became even clearer.

From the looks of it, it seemed to be a mark left behind by someone and must be what Patriarch Reliance was muttering about as he was leaving. But now with a better view, obviously Pill Demon could see for himself what the mark really looked like, and now he understood that it was more of an engraving than a mere mark.

With a confused and even a little embarrassed look, he silently mused to himself.

That disciple of mine, how did he even accomplish this feat? Ay… at this rate this grumpy old turtle will never understand…

At this point, Pill Demon could only shake his head. With a final look at the etchings that seem to be increasingly similar to his disciple’s name, Pill Demon thought deeply, trying to figure out the other possibilities.

But all he could think of was this turtle’s childish arrogant temper, mixed with his disciple’s “creativity” and unrivaled shamelessness when it comes to seeking revenge. With the two together Pill Demon could pretty much tell what kind of relationship Meng Hao and his Dao Protector shared with one another.

It was obviously a hostile one.

But brazenly etching ones name on the back of this terrifying beast out of all places? Like casually marking ones property? If this is true then this is a new high even for someone like his own disciple.

With only a wry smile and even a hint of sweat, Pill Demon couldn’t help but shake his head and remain in disbelief.

This is just mere coincidence… right?

(end)