Chapter 106: A Ray of Hope for the Celestial Master Clan
“Reporting to the Guest Senior, the Grand Preceptor has sent a letter!”
Just as Zhou Tong and the others were enjoying their feast, a guard from the palace suddenly arrived with the news.
“Let him in.”
Zhou Tong sat up straight, taking the letter and opening it in front of everyone.
What came into view was an invitation.
“The handwriting is quite good, though a bit arrogant. It may not end well.”
Zhou Tong smiled as he read aloud: “Auction event to be held tomorrow. Admiring your esteemed name, I eagerly await your presence. I have exquisite wines and wonderful dances to share with you. Will you come?”
Below the letter was an admission ticket, with golden characters printed on the back, signifying its nobility.
“This place is filled with treasures, surely there is something of your interest. A private room is reserved, please do not decline. Room Number One!”
Zhou Tong crushed the letter between his fingers until it turned to ash, leaving only the admission ticket.
A sharp gleam brewed in his eyes.
When tomorrow arrives, everything will be decided.
…
You Yelan had escaped outside the Imperial Capital, feeling lost, akin to a walking corpse.
Zhou Tong’s sympathetic gaze lingered in her mind, haunting her like a nightmare.
“Destiny’s judgment… judgment… What right does fate have to judge me? I refuse to accept it!”
She shouted silently in her heart, and before she knew it, tears streamed down her face.
She wasn’t a fool; in fact, she was quite clever.
Despite repeatedly telling herself that it was just Zhou Tong’s attempt to frighten her, trying to break her spirit, it still did little to ease her distress, like thorns in her back!
“What do I have to fear? I’m not afraid!”
She yelled, “Since my birth, I began cultivating at three, established my foundation at five, became a talisman master at seven, and now, at twenty, I have reached the Sky Cleaving Seventh Level, while also being a peak sixth-level talisman master!”
If others were to learn of such accomplishments, they would surely be astounded, revering her as Heaven’s Pride.
And indeed, it was true.
Within the entire Celestial Master Clan, the Family Head favored her, the Senior Elder cherished her, her parents were proud of her, and even her peers, including the young master, regarded her with trepidation, seeing her as the hope of the entire clan!
In the past, she had accepted this status with ease, but now, it felt suffocating.
To take first, one must first give.
In this world, there is absolutely no pie falling from the sky.
“Could it be… I truly am…”
Kneeling on both knees, she trembled violently at the thought of that possibility.
“Who is crying so sorrowfully? Oh, it’s little Yelan! Don’t worry, grandpa is here. Tell me what grievances you have.”
A kind voice came, instantly warming You Yelan’s heart.
“Grandpa Jingfeng!”
She broke into a smile, looking at the old man with silver hair beside her, all her gloom lifted away.
“Why did you come so late? Your little Yelan was almost bullied to death by others!”
With all her grievances, she threw herself into the old man’s embrace, indulging in her childishness, as if this was her only shelter from the storm.
“Don’t cry, who would dare to bully you? Grandpa will teach them a lesson!”
The old man spoke firmly, giving the girl a bit of comfort.
“Grandpa… you won’t abandon me, will you?”
You Yelan lifted her reddened little face, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
This expression caused the old sage’s heart to tremble, nearly breaking.
As the mainstay of the family, he naturally understood the fate that befell those seen as resources.
This was also his most resented issue.
Unbeknownst to him, he recalled his youth.
Watching those brothers and sisters bound to the altar, he had shouted at the clan leader at the time, “Why sacrifice my brethren? Give me time, I will break the limits and lift the curse on the talisman masters!”
And he truly had done so, rejecting all sacrifices, battling against death, and breaking through three gates of life and death.
Now he was a sage, a ninth-level talisman master, standing at the pinnacle of the world.
This was a great miracle, worthy of worship and admiration.
Yet he never fulfilled his own promise.
Breaking the limits and lifting the curses.
That very phrase was itself a curse.
No one could define the limits, no one knew what the end of the road was.
Stepping onto the path of no return, one would ultimately become heartbreakingly lost!
All these years, he had only been able to watch one talented successor after another bound to the altar.
Before their final moments, some cursed, some railed, some wept, yet none could accept their fates with understanding.
Because the meaning of their lives had never been meant for death!
“Even if it costs me my life… I will protect you.”
The expression of You Jingfeng was filled with an indescribable sorrow, yet also resolute.
It was those words that gave You Yelan boundless courage.
“Grandpa, there’s something I need to tell you. That guy who bullied me seems to possess a method to break the curse on the talisman masters.”
“What!”
Upon hearing this, the old man’s eyes sparkled with astonishing light.
“Shall we capture him? Force him to hand over that Seal Art.”
“No… he’s not easy to deal with. We’ll meet him after the auction is over.”
The old man made the final decision, leading You Yelan toward the Imperial Capital.
…
Fengxiang Tavern…
Mo Liushu had gathered her disciples, and for some reason, she appeared bright and spirited, her energy reaching a new peak as if she were about to break through cycles and step into the Semi-Sage Realm.
“Master looks radiant; could it be there’s good news?”
Xia Hongxiu smiled, yet inwardly wished she could grind her silver teeth to powder.
Why was this wretched person still alive? Clearly, just a few days ago, she was nearly destroyed by calamities, yet now seemed to have survived tenaciously!
At this thought, her gaze turned vicious as she stared at Zhou Tong.
If it weren’t for this waste returning just in time, Mo Liushu might have already been crippled, and she would have long devoured Mo Liushu’s fortune, becoming the young supreme one!
“But it’s fine; thankfully, I have secured a great fortune bearer.”
She thought to herself, her gaze shifting to Tang Qi.
“As long as I help him eliminate that Guest Senior tomorrow, Tang Qi will fulfill his promise and help me clear the obstacles.”
Her heart settled; if the great fortune bearer personally dispatched Zhou Tong, she would not have any ties, and Mo Liushu’s fortune would be hers!
“Red Sleeve is right; Master is about to break through.”
Mo Liushu’s mouth curled into a smile as she glanced casually at Zhou Tong.
In these past few days, she believed she had passed through the Three Calamities and Four Trials; if she could break into the Semi-Sage Realm, she would achieve complete liberation.
At that point, she would no longer need to rely on Zhou Tong.
Just the thought of Zhou Tong daring to oppose her ignited a surge of anger within Mo Liushu.
She had made up her mind: once everything settled, she would create a plan for Zhou Tong, making him forever submit to her, always under her control!
“Tomorrow, you all will accompany me to the auction; let me show you the world.”
Mo Liushu held an admission ticket, prominently featuring the location of Room Number Two.
“You fool!”
Lian Hanxing sneered inwardly, discreetly touching the red string around her wrist.
Mo Liushu thought she had passed the calamities, but in reality, it was merely an illusion granted to her.
