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Chapter 38

( The fck it took me so long to finish the new blueprint. This story is back guys. I'll finish this in no time (˵ ͡° ͜ ʖ ͡°˵) )

The nine tailed fox glanced at Shao Ling with an irritated glare. Shao Ling gritted his teeth, still protecting Lian Ren's unconscious body behind him. He can't act recklessly and attack the nine tailed fox because the fox is a divine being. Although Shao Ling is a Master Cultivator, he is only a mere cat in front of a divine familiar that is a tiger. Shao Ling closed his eyes and bit his lip tighter when the nine tailed fox responded with a mocking laugh.

Shao Ling frowned at what the nine tailed fox said.

Shao Ling replied with a face of bewilderment.

The nine tailed fox laughed even more, his white lifeless eyes was shrinking, embedded with an unknown sinister emotion. The nine tailed fox stared at Shao Ling with a half smile, his eyes filled with sadness and sympathy.

Shao Ling was slightly shaking, his brows knitted into a frown as he stood up, still protecting Lian Ren's unconscious body behind.

The nine tailed fox laughed hysterically and glanced at him,

Shao Ling didn't know what to say,

In a blink of an eye, the nine tailed fox is already in front of him, caressing his cold cheeks as he heaved a breath,

Shao Ling frowned even more,

The tip of the nine tailed fox's long and sharp nails were penetrated through Shao Ling's forehead, white spiritual power were released and rushing on Shao Ling's body, as if it was forcing and sucking all of him. Shao Ling yelped in pain and tried to push the nine tailed fox's chest but the fox responded with a sweet chuckle, releasing more spiritual qi and forcing it inside Shao Ling's head.

"Shizun..."

Shao Ling gasped and paused. For some reason, the sound of kawing ravens and the rustling trees completely disappeared, he can only hear the voice of Lian Ren, gently calling him from behind. When Shao Ling redirected his eyes back on the fox, the fox had already disappeared, and he was suddenly in a dark and uncomfortable place.

When Shao Ling tried to took a step forward, a sound of clacking metal echoed all over the dark room and he felt something tied on his ankle, something cold and heavy, something uncomfortable.

When Shao Ling glanced down at his ankle, he saw a silver chain tied on it. He can feel a strong spell embedded on the chain that deactivate a cultivator's spiritual qi. Shao Ling was enraged, he tried to pull the chain out from his ankle as he groaned in pain. The more he pull and struggle on it, the more the chain glows and burns his skin.

Shao Ling noticed the ray of light on the floor moved. When he shifted his gaze on the source if the light, he saw a dark metal door with a small window outside. A person, dressed in silver armor, was looking at him with a troubled expression. Shao Ling heaved a breath and tried to walk to reach the metal door. But the more he walk, the more the door goes further and further. It was as if something was keeping him away from it, as if someone was trying to imprison him with countless powerful spells inside the dark room.

Shao Long yelled at the person outside. The person glanced at him and immediately averted his gaze, giving him no response.

Shao Ling yelled again.

He was so frustrated in his situation. He can only demand, because of the powerful spell embedded on the chain, he can't activate his spiritual qi. The person who imprisoned him must've known that he has no physical strength. Feeling powerless, Shao Ling sat down on the cold floor, curling himself into a ball with eyes that shows limitless rage.

"Shizun...."

It's that voice again! Shao Ling stood up, followed with multiple footsteps coming outside the door. Shao Ling stared in anticipation, his eyes filled with anger and killing intent. Until he saw the person who had arrived once the metal door opened.

It was unlike the disciple that he had raised. His demeanor was filled with death, sinister spiritual qi was leaking out of his body, as if he had too much spiritual qi inside him to the point that it leaks out.

The person in front of him was Lian Ren. His luxurious black robe embroidered with golden satin leaves was slightly disheveled, revealing his bare chest that looks too muscular and toned. Shao Ling stared at Lian Ren with an unreadable expression. His soot black eyes was slightly glistening and his lips was half open. Lian Ren arched his brows on his expression, letting out a deep chuckle and bending down to him, caressing his chin.

Lian Ren said with a grin.

As Shao Ling stared at him, the more he understand what was going on. He held his breath as he continued to stare at him, slowly lifting his right hand to caress Lian Ren's cheeks. Lian Ren was surprised from his actions, but it doesn't look like he despise what Shao Ling is doing. Rather, he seemed astonished.... And a bit happy.

Shao Ling slightly tilted his head, letting out a word, Lian Ren waited from what he would say next with a slight smile. But what he received was a slap from Shao Ling.

The servants behind Lian Ren were about to unsheathe their swords when Lian Ren raised his left palm with a deadpan expression.

The subordinates do what he said and locked the metal door. The footsteps slowly disappeared while Shao Ling and Lian Ren stared at each other.

As soon as the footsteps disappeared, Lian Ren spoke with a deep and sharp voice,

Lian Ren paused at what Shao Ling said. When he stared at Shao Ling intently, Shao Ling was looking at him with an expression of disgust and disappointment. Lian Ren's eyes shrunk and he stood up with a gloomy expression,

Shao Ling frowned,

Shao Ling flinched at Lian Ren's shout. It was more of a Tiger's roar in Shao Ling's perspective, as if a wild beast is wreaking havoc in front of him.

Lian Ren's eyes were getting more and more blue as he yelled

Every word that Lian Ren shouted brings every fragment of memory back to Shao Ling's head. Every details of the past, everything that happened, the people, the places, the battles.... Everything came back to him. He already remembered everything. On how he treated Lian Ren, how he watched Lian Ren leave the Yun Sect, how he was humiliated by him, how he lost something so important to him, and how he died by Lian Ren's blade.

Lian Ren glanced at Shao Ling. His expression was looking twisted, it was to the point that it became unreadable and miserable to look at. Lian Ren gritted his teeth, walked forward and aggressively grabbed Shao Ling's shoulder,

Shao Ling opened his mouth to speak. But finally remembering why, he closed them again and averted his gaze.

Lian Ren released him and took a step back, No.... That's not it.... You're wrong....

Lian Ren was looking at him with a miserable expression as he spoke, Lian Ren stared at him one last time before exiting the metal door with a loud bang.

Shao Ling bit his lip and clenched the old fabric of his robes. Before he could realize it, tears were falling down on his eyes. Now that he remembered everything, it feels so painful to him. He wanted to say it out loud. He wanted to shout it to Lian Ren at the top of his lungs. But he knew that it wouldn't change everything. Lian Ren will only hate him more.

Because he did it for his own selfishness.

After the former Yun Sect Master, the old man who adopted Shao Ling when he was a slave died, the elders of the Yun Sect took control and made him the leader. Of course, Shao Ling was a promising man, a bright cultivator that walks the path of righteousness that will bring hope to the people. But in the elders, he was only a mere puppet to control.

"Xiao Ling is making things go smoothly!"

( xiao is a name suffix that elder ones use to address younger people in china. Xiao means little. )

"At this rate, we will be able to do our plan!"

"We must not disappoint our lord."

"Now that we got an ice attribute cultivator, the ritual resurrection will be complete."

"No, it's not time yet?"

"What do you mean?"

"We need another one."

"Another ice attribute?! Do you know how rare ice attribute is?!"

"There are many unseen gems in this world. We are gathered here to find them."

"Only twenty percent of the world can awaken their spiritual roots! And these roots can differ from varieties of attributes! Fire, water, wood, wind, earth, shadow—not to mention ice! The most rare type of attribute! You expect us to find one?!"

"Calm down, everyone."

"How can we calm down?!"

"I contacted the messenger in the Empire of Qiaochen. Someone has awaken an ice attribute there. We must recruit him at all cost before anyone does. Make sure that the kid will be Xiao Ling's direct disciple."

"Yes!"

"With two ice attributes, the resurrection ritual will be more effective!"

"It must be completed at all cost."

"To awaken the Demon King."

Shao Ling knew everything from the beginning. He overheard the conversation of the Elders that he and the kid will be sacrificed in the future to awaken the demon king who was sealed deep inside the Realm of the Underworld. If the Demon King awakens many innocent people will parents. Shao Ling didn't wanted that to happen, so he did anything he can so that the elders won't succeed on their plan. He mistreated Lian Ren. He did everything he can, just so that Lian Ren will loathe the Yun Sect and leave it. But when Lian Ren did, everything went upside down.

Shao Ling hugged his knees and started sobbing. He felt so miserable, he knew himself that what he did wasn't right. But despite his ability, he is powerless against the elders. In the end....

He didn't prevented the resurrection of the Demon King. He created a demon himself.

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