The group chatted for a moment as they enquired about Han Cai’s whereabouts, but none of them could come with an answer to the Grand Elder’s question.

Shui Tao was the first to shrug it off. “Why worrying Grand Elder? It clearly shows that he isn’t interested in participating. Wouldn’t he be here like the rest of us otherwise?”

The Grand Elder remained thoughtful as his several attempts to contact Han Cai through the amulet proved unsuccessful. In the end, he decided to wait some more. However, when an entire hour had passed, he had no other choice but to start the meeting without him.

“Listen well, you little shits! In a month’s time, five disciples from our sect shall depart towards Zhongyang Palace to participate in the Yellow Moon Festival. I guess there is no need for me to waste my time in explaining the importance of this festival, both for our sect and alliance. We know of our limitations though, so the main objective is to preserve our previous rankings.

“So, who wishes to participate?”

Master Shi was prompt to voice out his opinion. “Grand Elder, I don’t wish to attend.”

“Oh…? Why not? Are you afraid that the Patriarch will end up fancying one of your concubines while you are away? Or is one of them experiencing her menstrual cycle and she needs you by her side? Useless good for nothing! Those damn mistresses of yours are going to be the death of both you and me!”

The golden-haired disciple could barely hold herself as she covered her mouth. “Grand Elder, Tian Jinse can volunteer if you want.”

“I am up for the challenge.” Shui Tao was more confident.

The Grand Elder nodded. “Then it’s settled! In a month, I shall personally come and pick you two up.”

Shui Tao was confused. “Only us two? And is this new disciple really participating? Aren’t you sending him towards his death?”

“Shui Tao, if you have any problems, go and complain to the Patriarch. It’s his decision. And don’t underestimate our new addition. Our Jack is a solid 5th Qi Seeking Realm Cultivator.”

Many were left stunned by this revelation. They suddenly recalled the crazy rumours about a mortal becoming an inner sect disciple not so long ago. Then what followed were gossips that he was actually a 3rd Qi Seeking Realm Cultivator. But clearly, these rumours were still underestimating Jack.

How was this even possible? Was it all a lie and he had kept his real strength hidden for all this time? Most assumed that this was the case. They didn’t want to believe otherwise.

On the other hand, Hui Lang arm’s couldn’t stop shaking. It only took a couple of months for this monster to progress from the 3rd to the 5th Qi Seeking Realm. This rate of progression was simply terrifying!

Shui Tao remained the calmest as he turned his gaze at Jack. “5th Qi Seeking Realm? When compared to the geniuses of the elite regions, even I who is at the 8th Qi Seeking Realm is nothing. Are you aware that the odds are well stacked against you?”

Jack looked straight in Shui Tao’s eyes but didn’t reply. In reality, he didn’t care much about this competition, let alone making new enmities. His only objective was to obtain a rainbow-coloured camellia.

The Grand Elder’s hands were itching to smack Shui Tai’s mouth, but he controlled himself, releasing a long sigh. “The other two nominees are my own disciple and someone special...”

The already shocked disciples couldn’t stop themselves from staring at each other with blinking eyes. Someone else was participating? But who else was qualified to participate if not them?

The Grand Elder could assume their thoughts. He let out a hearty laugh, departing without notice. His disciple followed after him.

As everyone watched the Grand Elder’s silhouette shrinking into the distance, Jack’s uneasiness was growing at a rapid rate, realising that he was now alone with an entire group of inner sect disciples. He didn’t wish to linger here any longer as he slightly lowered his head respectfully, then hastily flew away.

Tian Jinse smiled as she turned her attention towards Shui Tao, seemingly observing the latter’s reaction.

“Bleh! No point in bullying small fries. If I were to dirty my hands before the festival, the Grand Elder would surely come knocking at my door. Besides, he is yet to piss me off.”

Tian Jinse smiled wryly. “That’s it? Since when did our mighty Shui Tao become softhearted?”

She flew away, her giggling fading away shortly after.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Shui Tao sniffed as he turned his attention to a particular person. “Hui Lang, who told you that you could leave? Explain exactly what happened between you and the new disciple?!”

Hui Lang froze his steps as his ugly expression turned towards Shui Tao. It was true that he wasn’t on good terms with Jack, but the same could be said about Shui Tao.

“We just happened to cross paths. And don’t act full of yourself, that kid’s strength is unfathomable. All I know is that if you two had to fight, the outcome wouldn’t be set in stone.”

Hui Lang also departed unceremoniously, followed by the remaining disciples, leaving the frowning Shui Tao all alone.

Meanwhile, Jack had already travelled quite a considerable distance.

This was his first time flying instead of walking, and he was enjoying the gardens from a different perspective. Along the way, he wondered about his villa’s status. It has been some time now since he left that place, and hopefully, his treasures were still there. His heart racing, he soon arrived at the villa’s gate.

His eyes instantly opened wide. The once glorious villa was not only restored to its former glory, but it was now more majestic than before.

It was then that a young female cultivator appeared at the gate. When she noticed Jack, here eyes started shivering, disappearing again within the villa.

Not much time had passed before a number of young female maidens started coming out one by one, sometimes bumping into each other. A brunette with big round eyes rushed ahead from the group.

“Esteemed Young Lord! We greet your return! Please instruct us, we will follow your orders with the best of our abilities!”

Jack felt awkward as he glanced at the trembling maidens. He quickly assumed that this whole affair had something to do with the Creature’s schemes. Even though he didn’t like the idea of people serving under him as it reminded him of his past years, he couldn’t hold himself from teasing these girls a bit.

Jack’s mouth curved upwards. “This young master happens to be in an excellent mood today. I am very pleased about you taking care of my villa during my absence. I will reward you handsomely later.”

The Head Maiden remained to stare at her master for a long moment. “Really? Young Master isn’t going to punish us for not greeting him in time?”

Jack smiled wryly. “Why? You want me to punish you?”

“No, no ah...” She let out a soft moan when she noticed that Jack had walked inside the villa. She hurriedly glanced at the other maidens, seemingly understanding each other with the movement of their eyes alone, then hurried after Jack.

During their brief moment together, she explained to Jack the changes that transpired inside the villa, including the identities of his maidens and the location of his treasures. She then did a fist and palm salute, preparing to leave Jack alone.

Jack smiled. “Thanks, Fan Xinyue… but the lot of you should stop acting so formal in front of me. Otherwise, I might really spank you…”

Fan Xintue nodded innocently and saluted Jack with a fist and palm salute again.

Jack sighed at the retracting shadow. Although these group of maidens appeared a bit clumsy, they seemed reliable. If they behaved well in the future, he surely wouldn’t mind sharing some of his riches to aid them in their cultivation.

He let out a soft laugh as he jumped on the Pagoda’s roof. There, his smile transformed into a snort when he noticed a furry Creature waiting for him.

“Wow! Look who has the heart to come to visit!”

The Creature was busy licking its tail. “Shouldn’t you be thanking me for protecting your villa instead?”

Jack acted like a little spoiled kid as he sat slamming on a cushion.

“Hmm? Something bothering you, kid? You might lose the fur on your head at this rate. So? Is it about the essence, or about the herb?”

Jack could only exhale softly at the Creature’s intuition. In actuality, he wasn’t that worried about severing his second essence. He had a strange feeling that if he had to try severing another essence right now, he would definitely fail. He thus had decided to wait for a moment of enlightenment before trying.

Not the same could be said about the matter of the rainbow-coloured camellia though. Jack was indeed lucky enough to make it this far, but it would only take him one moment of bad luck to lose everything.

“Hmm? Scared that they will kick you out of the sect? So what? Their loss! They can lick our butts for all I care! I’ll follow you wherever you go.”

Jack smiled wryly. “Not sure if I should feel better or worse. I might end up being hunted down by a bunch of monkeys in the future...”

The Creature ignored him as it opened its dimensional pocket, revealing the heavenly dice in all of its splendour. Unlike when it was first utilised inside the Azure Realm, it was now brimming with energies and seemingly in an activated state.

“All yours. Take it and hide it inside your dimensional pocket.”

Jack blinked his eyes stupidly.

“Are you an idiot? Quick! Place it inside and never show it to anyone! Or do you want every immortal under the heavens to hunt you down?!”

Jack shivered as he swallowed the dice inside his pocket dimension. “W-what exactly is this thing?”

“Hmm… just one of those seven weapons. Immortals call them the weapons of the fallen sovereigns, while some others call them artefacts of the ancients. Those idiots who can’t even agree on a simple name, bleh! Ah, am I overthinking again? Anyways, just don’t show that thing to anyone!”

Jack felt his mind spinning. All the bizarre stuff seem to happen whenever he comes into contact with this Creature. “Why are you giving this to me? Isn’t it yours? How does this thing actually work?”

The Creature had no other option but to explain everything, including the reason for Jack’s Buddha transformation. It then hopped on the fence, completely ignoring Jack’s surging emotions, it’s expression instead turning grim.

“You’ve been too careless, Jack. You’re fortunate that Elder Tian and his servant are ignorant and didn’t blabber anything about the events of the lake, or you would have been in great trouble. I’ve already paid them a visit in the past, so don’t worry about them. Ah, and you also did good by not mentioning that event during the Patriarch’s assembly.

“Hmm, confused? The man from your memories possessed the Golden Bamboo stick, another of those heavenly artefacts… including the terrifying matter of the reemerging godly essence… seems like that cursed cycle of tribulations is starting all over again—”

As it was speaking, the Creature’s body suddenly shivered. Its soft breath turned heavy, and the fur along its face turned wet with sweat. It seemed like it had just suffered from a seizure as it lost balance and toppled over.

Jack rose in shock. However, the Creature seemed to recover a moment later as it stood up on one leg. “Ah, my tummy hurting me again...”

Its body flashed, vanishing from Jack’s sight, leaving him staring dumbfoundedly at the nothingness.