Chapter 232: A True Man Lives Between Heaven and Earth; How Can He Be Content to Live Under Another’s Shadow?
“Working with the Holy Son to kill him is simple enough.”
Old Ghost Black Sha’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his gaze probing. “But this Senior guesses that the Holy Son’s purpose in seeking me out today goes far beyond just that, correct?”
Hearing this, Zhao Batian’s eyes crinkled into a harmless, fox-like smile. “As expected of Hall Master Black Sha. You truly have a sharp eye.”
“I do indeed have another major proposition. I just wonder if Hall Master Black Sha has the courage for it.”
Black Sha chuckled darkly. “That depends on whether the Holy Son’s chips are enough to move this Senior’s heart.”
Zhao Batian extended a single index finger. His tone was flat, almost casual. “The deposit is one Divine Infant Pill and one Top Grade Heaven Rank Dharma Treasure.”
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The moment the words left Zhao Batian’s mouth, Black Sha’s pupils contracted violently. His heart began to pound against his ribs like a war drum.
A Top Grade Heaven Rank Dharma Treasure? Even the lowest quality would fetch an eight-figure sum in Spirit Stones!
But the Divine Infant Pill… that was the true heavyweight.
It was a legendary pill capable of catalyzing the growth of a Nascent Soul. In layman’s terms, a single pill could save him decades—perhaps even a century—of bitter cultivation, allowing him to step into the Perfection realm of the Nascent Soul Stage with the bearing of a king!
Such a heavy chip… and it was merely the deposit?
If anyone else had made such a claim, Black Sha would have scoffed. But this was Zhao Batian, the Holy Son of the Sun Moon Sect. Black Sha knew well that for a behemoth like the Sun Moon Sect, such treasures were merely a drop in the bucket.
“What exactly do you want?” Black Sha asked cautiously, not daring to agree immediately.
Zhao Batian’s smile deepened, loaded with meaning. “Heh. What I require is simple. Hall Master Black Sha need only act as our insider… providing us with secrets regarding the Heavenly Void Sect when necessary.”
“Madman!”
Black Sha turned on his heel, ready to leave. He was willing to kill Han Lie, but betraying the sect he had served for centuries was a line he had never crossed in his thoughts.
Zhao Batian didn’t move. He spoke slowly, his voice dripping with poison. “Hall Master Black Sha, do not be so quick to refuse. Opportunity knocks but once.”
“Hear me out. Your Elder position was stolen by Han Lie. If you continue to serve the Heavenly Void Sect, you will never have another chance to ascend to the Elder Council in this lifetime. Moreover…”
“With Han Lie’s temperament, once he solidifies his power in the Council, do you truly believe he will spare your Overlord Hall?”
“Hall Master Black Sha, you are a man of ambition. A true man lives between heaven and earth; how can he be content to live under another’s shadow for long?”
“Why not serve our Sun Moon Sect? I promise you, once you have achieved success and retired, we will prepare an honorary Elder position for you.”
“At the same time, our gates will be open to accept the disciples of your Overlord Hall.”
“Think carefully. Do you want to live under Han Lie’s shadow until you die, or do you want to be a master of your own destiny?”
“The olive branch is extended. Whether you grasp it is entirely up to you.”
Hearing this, Old Ghost Black Sha fell silent.
Zhao Batian waited, his confident smile unwavering. He watched the complex struggle play out across the old man’s face—pride warring with loyalty, fear battling greed.
After a long silence, Black Sha finally raised his eyes. “Hmph. Where are the goods?”
Zhao Batian smiled and flicked his finger. A Storage Ring shot through the air, landing precisely in Black Sha’s palm.
Checking the contents, Black Sha couldn’t suppress the excitement rising in his chest.
“Hall Master Black Sha… let us first eliminate that nuisance, Han Lie.”
“How should this Senior proceed?”
…
Half a month later.
Having finally fed Ye Qingxuan to satisfaction, Han Lie was allowed to return to his small wooden hut for a brief respite.
His exhaustion was well worth it. His gains were immense.
He could clearly feel that his cultivation had improved significantly compared to his session with Grand Elder Chi Lian just half a month prior. The effect was far more pronounced.
The reason was simple. Aside from Ye Qingxuan’s superior cultivation base, the key lay in the Yin Yang Demonic Art.
Ye Qingxuan cultivated the Yin Scroll, while Han Lie cultivated the Yang Scroll. When the two merged, the result was exponential—one plus one was far greater than two.
“Alright. Time to go for a stroll.”
After resting for a day, Han Lie headed to the Violet Heaven Palace, intending to check on Bai Ling. However, a maidservant informed him that the Saintess was in secluded cultivation, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.
“Secluded cultivation?”
Han Lie stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Since the Saintess is in seclusion, I won’t disturb her.”
For a cultivator, interruption during seclusion was taboo. If one was broken out of a state of epiphany, the loss could be catastrophic.
If Han Lie remembered correctly, Ye Qingxuan had given Bai Ling a ten-year deadline to reach the Nascent Soul Stage and return to her master’s sect. Time was her most precious resource. Considering the stakes, Han Lie decided to leave her be.
“Elder Han, hello!”
“Greetings, Elder Han!”
“Elder Han, can we be friends?”
Walking along the mountain paths, Han Lie was bombarded with enthusiastic greetings. Some disciples wanted to cling to his coattails; many female disciples clearly wanted to climb his “high branch.”
The other Elders were elusive figures, rarely seen by the rank and file. But Han Lie was new, young, and famous from the recent tournament. The disciples felt bold enough to approach him.
Han Lie responded with polite smiles but kept walking.
He felt a pang of emotion. In just over a decade, he had gone from a roadside nobody to the most dazzling existence in the Heavenly Void Sect.
Before long, he arrived at the Law Enforcement Hall.
He noticed the foot traffic in the Sect Mission Hall had doubled. It wasn’t surprising; Grand Elder Chi Lian had increased the rewards for the individual competition, motivating even the laziest disciples to “roll up” and compete.
“Han Lie… no, I should call you Elder Han now!”
“Is Elder Han here to see me?”
A familiar voice cut through the noise.
It was Qin Lan!
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I nomi sono cambiati? MC e capo setta sono diversi, anche il grande anziano a volte cambia..
Thank you so much for pointing this out! You caught a mistake on my end—I accidentally uploaded an older, unedited version of the chapter before my translation glossary was applied. I’ve updated it to the correct version now with the proper names. As a token of my appreciation for your sharp eyes, I’ve just added 300 Spirit Stones to your account. Thanks for the support and happy reading!