Chapter 2: Three Ghosts Master (Part 2)
Back in those days, when the Ancient Nether Era ended and the Age of Emperors had just begun, his soul was trapped within the Yin Ya. After countless years of effort, he had managed to temporarily escape the control of the Immortal Demon Cave.
Back in those days, when he first met Mingren Immortal Emperor, Mingren was just a young man who had yet to come into contact with the Great Dao—a kind-hearted and chivalrous boy who loved martial arts!
Back in those days, it was he who had led Mingren Immortal Emperor into the world of Cultivators. Alas, millions of years had passed in a flash, and the invincible figures of that era had long since vanished like smoke.
When Li Qiye's gaze fell upon a charcoal-black wooden stick beside the incense burner at the foot of the statue, he couldn't help but be surprised. A smile then curled his lips. After all this time, he never thought this stick would still be here.
He recalled how he used to beat that group of youngsters until they howled in pain. How full of vigor and ambition those boys had been back then...
At that moment, the Six Great Elders of the Xiyan Ancient Sect filed in. Though they were no longer young, their Blood Qi surged like rainbows. Each elder exuded a sharp and imposing aura, their bodies shimmering with the glow of treasures.
Although the Xiyan Ancient Sect had declined, it was, after all, an Immortal Sect Emperor Lineage. If its elders were willing to accept a title from the Treasure Sacred Upper Country, they could likely be ennobled as Heroic Heroes!
The Six Great Elders fixed their piercing gazes on Li Qiye. Yet, faced with their astonishing auras and sharp stares, Li Qiye remained perfectly calm and composed, sitting there peacefully.
"Where is the Xiyan Ancient Order?" the Great Elder finally asked, his voice deep and cold. For the Xiyan Ancient Sect, the Xiyan Ancient Order was a matter of utmost importance. It was an artifact left behind by their founder, Mingren Immortal Emperor.
Li Qiye slowly opened his palm, revealing a simple, ancient token. When the Three Ghosts Master had dropped him off at the town below the Xiyan Ancient Sect, Li Qiye never imagined the man would immediately dive headfirst into the Cuihong House.
Just before leaving, the Three Ghosts Master had tossed him a Xiyan Ancient Order. In truth, Li Qiye hadn't expected the Three Ghosts Master to possess a Xiyan Ancient Order at all.
Back then, after Mingren Immortal Emperor shouldered the Celestial Mandate, even though Li Qiye was still just the Yin Ya, the emperor had gifted him three Xiyan Ancient Orders. Later, Li Qiye had given those three Ancient Orders away to others!
Seeing this order again after millions of years filled Li Qiye with emotion. He hadn't needed it back then, yet today, he found himself having to use this Xiyan Ancient Order.
The Six Great Elders examined the Xiyan Ancient Order carefully. After confirming that it was indeed authentic, the six elders couldn't help but exchange a glance.
In fact, the Xiyan Ancient Sect had long wanted to retrieve this Ancient Order. They had tried numerous methods to get it back from the Three Ghosts Master, but he knew the order was his protective talisman and refused to return it. To think that today, the Three Ghosts Master would give this Ancient Order to a nameless mortal.
"Where is the Three Ghosts Master?" the Great Elder asked coldly. He had never looked kindly upon this money-loving, gambling, whoring Three Ghosts Master. Even if he really was the previous Sect Leader's illegitimate son, the Great Elder held nothing but contempt for him!
"He went to Cuihong House," Li Qiye replied calmly.
His words made the Six Great Elders flush with embarrassment. Although they refused to acknowledge the Three Ghosts Master as a member of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, he was, in fact, one of their own. Of course, the Six Great Elders knew what kind of place Cuihong House was—it was the most famous and largest brothel for a thousand miles around!
This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, nor was it the Three Ghosts Master's first visit to Cuihong House! The Six Great Elders were utterly frustrated; they wished the Xiyan Ancient Sect could be rid of such a libertine whoremonger!
"What is your demand!" another elder said in a low voice. They didn't know how Li Qiye had convinced the Three Ghosts Master to give him the Xiyan Ancient Order, but the token before them was undeniably authentic.
"I hear the position of Chief Disciple of the Xiyan Ancient Sect is still vacant. The Three Ghosts Master also strongly recommended me for the role. Therefore, I wish to become the Chief Disciple of the Xiyan Ancient Sect," Li Qiye said slowly.
His words instantly darkened the expressions of the Six Great Elders. 'Since when is a whoremonger like the Three Ghosts Master qualified to recommend a Chief Disciple for the Xiyan Ancient Sect? Besides, the selection of the Chief Disciple has always been an extremely cautious process; otherwise, the position wouldn't have remained vacant for so long.'
"The position of Chief Disciple is no laughing matter!" one of the elders said coldly.
"I know," Li Qiye said calmly. "But the holder of the Xiyan Ancient Order is entitled to one request. This was a rule established by your founder, Mingren Immortal Emperor."
"The origins of that Ancient Order in your hands may not be legitimate," the Great Elder said coldly. 'The position of Chief Disciple is a matter of great importance; how can it be treated so lightly?'
Li Qiye was not surprised. He said unhurriedly, "I understand. You elders fear I might have stolen it from the Three Ghosts Master. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to Cuihong House to confirm."
Hearing the two words "Cuihong House," the six elders' faces immediately darkened, but they still sent a disciple to verify his story.
Soon, the disciple returned and confirmed that the Three Ghosts Master had indeed given the Xiyan Ancient Order to Li Qiye voluntarily. Of course, the disciple omitted the details of the Three Ghosts Master's merry-making at Cuihong House; otherwise, the Six Great Elders' expressions would have become even fouler.
The Six Great Elders were extremely reluctant to acknowledge the Xiyan Ancient Order in Li Qiye's hands. However, the ancestor's decree could not be defied. The Xiyan Ancient Sect was, after all, an Immortal Sect Emperor Lineage; even in decline, they could not afford such a loss of face.
"Bring the True Mirror." The Xiyan Ancient Order was genuine, leaving the Six Great Elders no recourse. The Great Elder had no choice but to say coldly,
Soon, a disciple brought the True Mirror and aimed its light at Li Qiye. Any mortal wishing to join a sect for cultivation must be illuminated by the sect's True Mirror to observe their physique, Life Wheel, and Life Palace.
Within the True Mirror, Li Qiye's reflection appeared. It was hazy and flickering, like a candle flame that could be extinguished at any moment. Behind the reflection's head was a faint halo of blood-colored light, and within its forehead was a faint ball of light, but both the blood-light and the ball of light were blurry and indistinct.
"Physique: Mortal Body. Life Wheel: Mortal Wheel. Life Palace: Mortal Life." After inspecting Li Qiye's physique, Life Wheel, and Life Palace, the disciple announced the results.
Every person possesses a physique, a Life Wheel, and a Life Palace. The physique directly relates to the body's strength, the Life Wheel determines the length of one's lifespan, and the Life Palace is linked to the quality of one's talent!
Seeing that Li Qiye had a Mortal Body, a Mortal Wheel, and a Mortal Life left the Six Great Elders speechless. Such a physique, such a Life Wheel, and such a Life Palace were a dime a dozen in the mortal world. Any random person would have these same qualities!
"The Chief Disciple of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, let alone someone with an Emperor Body or a Sacred Body, must at the very least possess an Innate Body. The same goes for the Life Wheel. Your qualifications are not suitable for becoming the Chief Disciple," the Great Elder said coldly.
"I know," Li Qiye said, not at all surprised. He continued unhurriedly, "My condition is to become the Chief Disciple!"
"You—!" Li Qiye's words instantly enraged the other elders. 'Someone with his kind of physique can't possibly become the Chief Disciple! He doesn't even meet the minimum requirements to join the Xiyan Ancient Sect, yet now he wants to be the Chief Disciple? How could they not be furious?'
"I trust that the descendants of Mingren Immortal Emperor would not dare to defy their ancestor's decree and commit such a treacherous act, would they?" Li Qiye said slowly, holding out the Xiyan Ancient Order. "If this order were to fall into someone else's hands, the consequences would be unimaginable."
The faces of the Six Great Elders turned ugly. The Great Elder said coldly, "Even so, the Chief Disciple of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, regardless of origin or background, must undergo a thorough investigation! Otherwise, it is impossible to become the Chief Disciple!"
"That is your business," Li Qiye said calmly, looking at the Six Great Elders. "Besides, if you think I was sent by another sect to steal your Immortal Emperor's legacy, then I wouldn't need to become the Chief Disciple. With this order, I could directly demand your secret manuals. You should know this better than I do! With this order in hand, if I truly wished to harm the Xiyan Ancient Sect, it would not be difficult!"
Li Qiye's words made the Six Great Elders exchange another glance, but in their hearts, they still didn't trust him.
"He has a point," Elder Xiong, one of the Six Great Elders, mused. "Leaving the Xiyan Ancient Order out in the world is a hidden danger to our sect. We cannot refuse the holder's request. Why don't we just settle this now?"
"Hmph! This matter cannot be taken lightly!" the Great Elder said coldly.
"Historically, the Chief Disciple has always been the Sect Leader's Direct Disciple. Whether this goes forward or not, perhaps we should ask for the Sect Leader's opinion," another elder mused.
"That makes sense. After all, the position is for the Sect Leader's Direct Disciple," another elder agreed.
"Send a message to the Sect Leader." After a brief discussion, the Great Elder finally commanded in a cold voice.
The Six Great Elders sent a message to the Sect Leader, Su Yonghuang, who was currently away. They didn't expect a reply so quickly, but what they expected even less was that the Sect Leader would actually agree to let Li Qiye become the Chief Disciple.
"The Sect Leader is muddled! This is absurd!" The Great Elder read the message three times to be certain. He was extremely displeased and couldn't help but shout in a low voice.
"Brother Gu, since the Sect Leader has already agreed, what more can we say? After all, the Chief Disciple is the Sect Leader's Direct Disciple. You could say it's the Sect Leader's decision to make," Elder Xiong reasoned.
"The Sect Leader must be confused," an elder sighed and shook his head.
Elder Xiong gave a wry smile and shook his head. "What other choice do we have? At least we can retrieve the Xiyan Ancient Order. That in itself is a great service to the sect!"