18 Chapter 17: The Wager and Meeting Patriarch Long Zhan

(AN: Edited past chaps so that characters know Ulquiorra would be his first name.)

Nian Zhen and her disciples ate a nice dinner before going to sleep. Ulquiorra ate in an rather unenthusiastic manner, and so the other disciples tried to feed him many things from table. Sadly, they weren't able to get the reaction they wanted from him. The next morning, the disciples were called by Nian Zhen to gather together.

"Okay, I'll be taking Ulquiorra to the meeting hall to see the Patriarch. Wang Yang, go to the alchemy association, and have these pills ordered. We need them for the competion. The rest should just cultivate as always." Nian Zhen said as she handed a Wang Yang a list of pills.

They all nodded, and Nian Zhen took Ulquiorra away in order to head to the meeting hall. As they were heading there, they met up with a certain grumpy elder. Elder Ming frowned as he saw Nian Zhen and Ulquiorra. He always thought that this elder of theirs was too lax in getting disciples. He was one that followed strict procedures and standards.

"Hmph, so this is your newest disciple. A first stage Qi Condensation cultivator? You took in a disciple that had this kind of rubbish talent? What about those marks on his face? Is he some sort of inhabitant of the wild?" Elder Ming spouted.

'You only say that, because you don't know he was completely a blank slate in cultivation yesterday. You shouldn't have interrupted me yesterday.' Nian Zhen thought as she laughed inwardly.

"Oh Elder Ming, you shouldn't underestimate my newest disciple's talent. I can say that he can fight quite well for someone in his realm. You'd be surprised to see what he can do." Nian Zhen replied.

"What rubbish! What can a mere first stage Qi Condensation cultivator do? Even a normal inner disciple could defeat him much less my direct disciple!" Elder Ming said back.

"If that's the case, then why don't we make a bet?" Nian Zhen said.

"A bet?" Elder Ming said with a raised eyebrow.

"Pick any disciple of your choosing to battle Ulquiorra. If Ulquiorra wins, you'll have to give me your earth grade martial technique, Flood Stacking Palms." Nian Zhen said.

"Impossible!Why would I give you su-" Elder Ming said before being cut off by Nian Zhen.

"If you win, I'll give up the Golden core grade beast core that I have." Nian Zhen with a smile.

Elder Ming's eyes widened. The beast core that Nian Zhen was wagering could be considered as an extremely valuable object. Beast cores could be used for pills, weapon, armors, and even with one's own cultivation! That golden core grade beast core could help him reach the next stage as he's hit a bottleneck at third stage Goldern core for so long.

"Deal! Do not go back on your words!" Elder Ming said hastily.

"I swear that on the heavenly dao that I, Nian Zhen, would honor this wager with Fan Ming! You also make this vow, Elder Ming." Nian Zhen said.

Elder Ming was speechless, but he had no choice. He needed that beast core. It was vital for his future.

"In that case, I, Fan Ming, swear on the heavenly dao that I would honor this wager with Nian Zhen." Elder Ming said.

"I thank you, Elder Ming. Well, I should I really get going. The patriarch is waiting. Let's set the battle to be a month from now" Nian Zhen as she took Ulquiorra away.

Elder Ming wasn't able to say another word as the two left. Still, he was exhilarated inside. He needed to make preparations to make sure that he would get that beast core.

"Heheheh. Oh Elder Zhen, get ready to lose horribly. " Elder Ming said to himself.

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At the doors of the meeting hall, Nian Zhen and Ulquiorra finally arrived.

"We're going to meet the patriarch now. Ulquiorra. Are you feeling nervous?" Nian Zhen asked knowing full well about the incoming answer.

"Nervous? I have not encountered a situation where I would experience such a feeling." Ulquiorra replied blankly. He could sense the person inside. It was the second strongest he met thus far in this world, but nowhere near a threat. In that case, why would he be nervous?

"As expected." Nian Zhen said with a wry smile. She then called out.

"Elder Nian Zhen has come along with disciple Ulquiorra in order to greet the Patriarch."

To this, an aged voice replied back.

"Enter."

Ulquiorra and Nian Zhen entered the doors of the hall. Inside the meeting hall, there was only person. It was Patriarch Long Zhan. He sat upon the chair of the patriarch as he observed the two.

"Elder Nian Zhen greets the patriarch." Nian Zhen said with a bow.

Ulquiorra didn't say anything and merely stared at the Patriarch. Nian Zhen noticed this and panicked. Shee urged Ulquiorra to greet.

"Ulquiorra, greet the Patriarch! Hurry!" Nian Zhen said.

"No need. Raise your heads." Long Zhan said.

"Thank you, Patriarch." Nian Zhen said.

Long Zhan stared at Ulquiorra and Ulquiorra stared back. Ulquiorra could feel some sort of sense that seems to be extremely familiar to the spirit sense techniques that they used back in his previous life scan him. It was different from your normal Qi sense as this one could scan your soul in a sense.

Unfortunately, the one that tried this sensing technique on him was not very successful, and was only able to scratch the surface of his soul. What Ulquiorra didn't know was that simple glimpse into his soul made a massive impact on the perpetrator. Who was the perpetrator? It was the Patriarch. Nian Zhen suddenly noticed Long Zhan's complexion suddenly pale as if he was frightened to death.

"Patriarch?! What's wrong?!" Nian Zhen said in panic. She tried to approach Long Zhan, but she was stopped.

"I'm fine! No need to worry!" Long Zhan waved his hand as he tried his best to regain his composure.

"But-" Nian Zhen was concerned.

"It's fine I said! In any case, I see that this is your new disciple. He is indeed a good seed. I, too, sense talent within him." Long Zhan said.

"Thank you, Patriarch! Speaking of my disciple, is it okay if I were to request something?" Nian Zhen inquired.

"Speak." Replied Long Zhan.

"This is a bit presumptuous of me to ask for, but would it be fine for my disciple, Ulquiorra, to enter the Foundation establishment section of the Rising Dragon competition? I know it's a bit absurd tha-" Nian Zhen asked, but was cut off by Long Zhan.

"Permission granted! In any case, go already as there are some matters I have to attend to. I am a busy man" Long Zhan waved his hand as he said.

"Thank you! Ulquiorra, let's go! We have preparations to make." Nian Zhen beckoned Ulquiorra. She thought that the patriarch was a bit grumpy today, but it didn't matter. She got the permission extremely easily. She didn't know why though.

They went out the meeting hall, but at the very last moment before Ulquiorra got out, he locked eyes with Long Zhan. This caused Long Zhan to suddenly ready himself. Fortunately, Ulquiorra was called once more by Nian Zhen and left.

In the meeting hall, Long Zhan slumped down in his seat. His back was extremely drenched by sweat. He felt as if multiple years were taken away from his life. He was a cultivator that also utilized spirit arts, and was able to use a spirit sensing technique that would let one see one's soul and its strength.

He used it on Ulquiorra to get a better idea of what kind of person he was, and if had some sort of talent. He didn't expect to sense such a thing. What he sensed was something that was definitely not of this world.

When his spirit sense tried reaching Ulquiorra's soul, he was immediately greeted by what seemed to be an endless abyss. He tried peering more into it only to be greeted by some sort of presence that was so malevolent and primal. He felt that if he tried prying a bit more, his very soul would be devoured by the beast.

"Nian Zhen, what sort of monster have you brought within the sect?"