Chapter 57: Ye Tian’s Master

"Elder, I beg you, please don't cripple my cultivation," Ye Tian pleaded, dropping to his knees before Liu Nan could even finish speaking.

Liu Nan feigned difficulty, replying, "You dared to harbor murderous intent toward the young sect master. How could I possibly spare your life? Even if I agreed, the Shengjing Sect would not!"

At these words, Ye Tian crawled forward on his knees until he clung to Liu Nan's leg, sobbing, "Elder, I know I was wrong. Please, just give me one more chance."

Seeing this, Chu Xier rushed in and tried to pull Ye Tian up. "Young master, let's go. The world is vast—we can go anywhere. There's no need to stay here and endure their scorn!"

But Ye Tian shook off Chu Xier coldly. "What could I possibly do if I left with you? Can you provide me with cultivation resources? Let go—I'm staying, no matter what!"

Chu Xier was stunned by his words, her expression falling with disappointment.

Liu Nan glanced at Ye Tian and spoke, "If you wish to stay, you'll need the young sect master's forgiveness and his consent."

At this, Chu Xier declared, "Wherever the young master goes, I go. If you drive him away, I will leave too."

This left Li Jian San at a loss. This girl, he thought, is truly bewitched. He glanced at Ye Tian, then said indifferently, "Enough. I won't haggle with you anymore. I'm tired. Elder Liu Nan, do as you see fit..."

With that, Li Jian San turned and left, unconcerned with how Liu Nan would deal with Ye Tian.

"Senior Brother Li has helped the young master many times. He truly has a good heart. Was I wrong about him all along...?" Watching Li Jian San's departing figure, Chu Xier faltered for a moment. Had she misjudged him?

Ding.

"The system has detected that Chu Xier's favorability toward the host has risen to thirty points," the system intoned in Li Jian San's mind. A sly smile curled his lips—his plan had succeeded.

"Ye, didn't I warn you not to provoke their young sect master here? Your chances of success were nearly nonexistent," a hoarse voice sounded in Ye Tian's room that night.

Ye Tian was not surprised; this, after all, was his greatest reliance—his master.

"Master, that brat was insufferable. I just lost my temper for a moment—"

The elderly voice interrupted, "Ye, what's gotten into you? You used to be calm and steady. What made you so impulsive this time?"

"Master, I—"

"How did you get it? That's a treasure of the Shengjing Sect!"

Ye Tian smiled faintly. "You needn't worry about that, Master. I've already obtained it."

His master nodded with satisfaction. "Good. It will be of great help to you. Normally, only those who reach the Golden Core stage can use it, but with my assistance, you can use it at the Foundation Establishment stage. It will unblock your meridians, strengthen your body, and even improve your spiritual roots—when that time comes, you will be reborn, a true genius."

Ye Tian cupped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

"Heh, don't thank me yet. Your cultivation is still weak. Focus on improving your strength first."

At this, Ye Tian clenched his teeth. "Li Jian San has been deliberately making things difficult for me. I barely have time to cultivate during the day. If not for him, my cultivation would not be so pathetic! One day, I will make that scoundrel taste the humiliation I've suffered!"

"Enough, Ye. Get back to cultivating," his master ordered.

Ye Tian nodded. "Yes, Master."

"Steady your breath and focus. I'll assist you," his master said.

Ye Tian immediately sat cross-legged and began to meditate, gathering his energy. Just then, his master exclaimed, "Not good, Ye—someone is approaching!"

With that, his master's presence faded away.

Naturally, the visitor was Li Jian San. The power Ye Tian had displayed during the day had piqued his curiosity.

"What are you doing here?" Ye Tian asked warily as Li Jian San entered.

"Don't you know why I've come?" Li Jian San replied coolly.

"How should I know?"

Li Jian San dragged a chair over and sat down uninvited. "Still playing dumb? I've come to meet your master."

At the mention of his greatest secret, Ye Tian's expression changed dramatically. How did this bastard know about his master? This was his trump card, hidden in the deepest recesses of his heart—not even Chu Xier knew. How did this boy find out?

Staring into Li Jian San's clear eyes, Ye Tian suddenly felt a chill down his spine. In those eyes, he seemed as transparent as a child, unable to conceal anything.

Quickly regaining his composure, Ye Tian retorted, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Li Jian San was unfazed. "I've come to pay my respects. Will the senior not deign to reveal himself? That seems excessive. If you refuse to show yourself, I may have to take the initiative."

As he spoke, Li Jian San's gaze rested on the jade pendant around Ye Tian's neck, and he reached out as if to touch it.

Alarmed, Ye Tian hurriedly communicated with his master. "Master, ignore him. He's trying to trick us."

His master sighed. With things at this point, can you still not see the situation clearly?

"Gentleman, since you possess such means, why trouble an old man like me?"

A translucent figure drifted out from Ye Tian's jade pendant. Li Jian San looked up. The figure was deeply wrinkled, aged, with a mane of white hair floating about his head.

The image perfectly matched Li Jian San's idea of the archetypal mystical grandmaster.

"Master, why did you—?" Ye Tian was astonished that his master had revealed himself voluntarily.

"Senior, we finally meet," Li Jian San smiled.

"Finally? Did you sense my presence all along?" the old master asked in surprise.

"Of course," Li Jian San replied calmly.

"I always believed my ability to conceal my presence was flawless. How did you discover me?"

Li Jian San glanced at the old man before speaking slowly. "I must admit, your concealment was indeed seamless. However..."—his gaze shifted to Ye Tian—"your disciple borrowed your strength one too many times. Once or twice might go unnoticed, but repeated use becomes suspicious. I simply observed closely..."

The old master sighed. This youth is truly formidable, deducing my existence from such small details. Compared to him, my disciple falls far short.

Just then, the system's voice sounded in Li Jian San's mind:

Ding.

"Random mission triggered. Would you like to accept it?"

"Accept," Li Jian San replied.

Ding.

"Random mission activated.

Mission: Subdue the protagonist’s master.
Objective One: Sow discord between Ye Tian and his master.
Objective Two: Make Ye Tian's master submit and join your faction."

Li Jian San was taken aback. "This system is wicked—if it's not having me steal women, it's making me steal someone's master! You're really making things hard for me."

The system responded, "The mission reward is the divine ability of a third-tier spirit array master. That's just for completing the first objective. Complete the second, and you'll get a grand reward pack."

Li Jian San grinned. "Ahem, the reward isn't important—what matters is that opposing the protagonist is my duty as the villain."

While Li Jian San pondered, Ye Tian's master asked, "Might I ask your purpose in coming here tonight, sir?"