Little Chat

Yu Tao was in his favorite training ground with his teacher, named Elder Cai.

The Elder was boiling with anger. "That bitch, she actually dared? I can't believe how petty she still is! And knowing her, I'm convinced this was actually a true blood forming pill too! What a waste. How much did that pill even cost? She's mad!"

Yu Tao was kneeling on the ground. "I present master my deepest apology for failing you."

"It's not your fault, my disciple. But as your teacher, I cannot tolerate that insult. I'll try to find another blood forming pill, this will be my personal congratulatory gift for your magnificent performance at the SCA's tournament. You brought me great honor on that occasion."

"Master is too kind; this disciple is unworthy."

"Come on, stand up. I know the harshness of the training you have been imposing on yourself. This result and reward are not underserved.

But I better not cross paths with that Zhang bitch and her spoiled disciple! A grade 5 talent not even making it to the top 8, she should be ASHAMED. Hehe, she might actually fall from grace if her disciple doesn't show any brilliance. It's the first time that something Zhang Suyin touches doesn't become the best.

Disciple Tao, if you continue on your dominating path, I will most likely be able to provide you with even more help and resources as my position increases. With time, I will be able to supplant Zhang Suyin and her weak methods at the protection department."

Yu Tao placed his hand on his chest. "I swear to master that from now on, I will keep doing everything to solidify my place as the number one rank in the Sect. Last year, I was saving my strength for my revenge on Wei Muchen but now nothing is holding me back."

"Hmm actually I might." An old voice commented after Yu Tao finished his tirade.

Yu Tao and Elder Cai both reflexively turned around to find an old man that emitted no qi fluctuations at all. He looked no different from an ordinary mortal.

After a split second, Elder Cai dropped on his knees to kowtow. He had already analyzed the situation completely. First, he hadn't sensed the old man approaching, which showed that he was at the very worst at the Core Formation level. Plus, even now he couldn't see the old man's presence with his spirit sense, indicating that he was definitely at least at the Nascent Soul realm. Finally, this old man wasn't one of the Sect's Protectors and no alarm was activated. Elder Cai, with his position in the sect, knew very well that if any foreign Nascent Soul realm elder took a single step in the sect, he would be detected instantly. Most of the Sect's arrays were specifically geared towards that threat.

This could only mean two things: either that cultivator had extraordinary means unknown to the sect to stay undetected, or his cultivation was not simply at the early Nascent Soul realm. Both possibilities were terrifying and Elder Cai immediately understood one certainty: he was at the complete mercy of that old man.

Yu Tao on the other hand looked back defiantly. "You will hold me back? How so?"

The old man tutted. "That's not the common etiquette when meeting a senior. Look at your master, he is smart enough to understand the situation. Perhaps he isn't that gifted to correctly teach a disciple though."

Elder Cai felt as though he was sweating buckets. Why was his disciple suddenly showing disrespect?

Yu Tao was still standing upright, unaffected by the implied threats. "Old man, you arrive saying that you will oppose me. I don't even know you, and you expect me to kowtow? The only ones that have the right to accept my kowtow are my parents and my teacher. I will never kowtow to everyone else, even immortals!"

"Those are very brave words that you are not spouting on the right occasion. Let me get this straight, I come here to decide on your fate. I'm sorry to announce that we start off with a poor first impression."

When Yu Tao heard "fate", he immediately thought of an opportunity. Was it actually a supremely powerful cultivator offering a hand to elevate his condition? Perhaps impressed by his performance at the competition?

On the other hand, what Elder Cai heard was to decide "life and death". Before his disciple made any other mistakes, Elder Cai opened his mouth while still facing the ground.

"Great senior, please pardon my disciple's offense. He is still very young and his eyes failed to see your majesty. Is there an issue senior wants to discuss?"

"Hmm, that's what I am here to ascertain. Little Cai, I will ask you to stay silent as I talk to your disciple. Oh, and please stop trying to circulate your qi to contact others from the sect, it's a bit embarrassing to witness.

So, disciple Yu Tao, I saw that you have a strong way to deal with your enemies, am I right?"

"Yes, being lenient against your enemies is the same as harming yourself."

"Will you always kill your enemies?"

"Yes, it's vital to get rid of future threats."

"I see, I see. But you also seem to have a knack for making new enemies all the time. Who are the enemies still on your list today?"

"My enemies have all wronged me first. There is the Golden Crow sect, after what they have done to my village, I won't rest until I have executed every single one of them. Then there is the Mount Wuyi bandits that nearly managed to kill me during a mission. I wouldn't be here without my lucky escape. I have to uproot that scum from the earth. Also, there is Xue Guo, Dai Huiling, Mao Enlai and Gong Hai, all from the Cheng Huang School. They have blood of White Tiger Sect disciples on their hands and their school is up to no good anyway. Then there is the filth in the White Tiger Sect itself. One is Wei Muchen's last teacher; I don't remember what his name is but he is secretly plotting for my death. And finally, there is Han Lingyun and this Elder Zhang who tries to obstruct my path for her disciple to overtake me."

"Hmm I see. You still have a lot of work to be done then. But I'm surprise, all those organizations or cultivators sound strong but I haven't heard of that Han Lingyun. What makes him so special?"

"He is a rat that managed to sneak into the sect. A snake that poisons disciples with his glib tongue. He might act low key but he is a dangerous threat for the sect."

The old man faintly chuckled. "Indeed, that doesn't sound like a positive influence. So, are you planning on getting rid of all those cultivators?"

"They are my enemies, and my enemies will all die by my hands, sooner or later. Just wait till I overtake those pretentious elders in cultivation."

"That's an admirable mentality. But junior Yu, are you not scared of creating more enemies with all that killing, and stronger ones at that?"

"I, Yu Tao, don't shrink back against any threats!"

"Well, that will be all. I think I have made my mind now. Anything you want to add, little Cai?"

The elder, still forehead on the ground, had started to silently sob at some point. The fear of death was encroaching on his mind. He could feel very clearly the killing intent emanating from this benign looking old man.

"P-p-please senior, spare me. I-I don't recognize this brat as my disciple anymore. I-I-I swear I-I haven't seen or heard a th-thing."

"Come on little Cai, you could do better for your last words."

Elder Cai couldn't articulate any more as he was now crying openly. His heart was filled with bitterness, frustration and resentment. 'Why did this happen? Why me? How did my disciple managed to get involved with such a figure? Who did he offend?'

Yu Tao frowned at the sound of the old man's words. He wasn't sure what was going on with his teacher who seemed to have lost his mind. Maybe the two knew each other?

These were the last thoughts the teacher and disciple ever had because the old man waved his hand as if swatting a fly. All trace of the two vanished for eternity. Before leaving, the old man dropped a token that had once belonged to Qiao Fa from the Black faction. It would be up to the White Tiger Sect to forge its interpretation.

Did the old man feel any guilt? No. Did he feel remorse for executing cultivators at a much weaker level than him? Still no. He had just been defending his interests and Yu Tao was threatening his investment by having a grudge with Han Lingyun. Elder Cai was just unfortunate to be caught as well.

The old man then promptly disappeared. Before the blink of an eye, several arrays activated and a Nascent Soul protector stepped at the exact place where the Black Rainbow Sect's token had been dropped.

He was picking it up when two other Nascent Soul cultivator entered the small inner courtyard. At the same time, the protectors were silently communicating via spirit sense and to other protectors with their badges. After several scans of the sect, they had a primary understanding of the situation.

"It's a real token. Yu Tao has either been killed or taken away by that Qiao Fa from the black faction."

"Qiao Fa should be dead, has no one told you about the explosion that occurred near the east coast a couple of days ago?"

"He might not be dead."

The first protector on scene slammed the ground with his foot, silencing the two. "Enough. Yu Tao is dead, and the culprit is the continent's protector. I have discovered his presence a while ago but chose to not intervene. There is no point to enter in a conflict with this figure at this juncture, especially for a mere qi condensation disciple. This also confirms that he is the one that provided a pill to another disciple of ours called Han Lingyun. These two had previously formed some sort of grudge."

The two others frowned deeply as they reflected on the implications. "What should we do in consideration to Han Lingyun then?"

"For now, let's act as though we aren't aware of anything. As for Elder Cai and his pupil, they can only blame their bad luck. No matter if their end is glorious or tragic, this is another indicator that times are moving fast. In this environment, we have to be cautious, faster and stronger than our enemies. Everyone, please settle down and focus on our plans. We will just announce to the school that Yu Tao and his teacher are out on special training. This matter is now over."