Chapter 304 - 281: The Cause
The white-clothed man was unrestrained and carefree, his hair naturally falling, standing in the air, unaffected by any laws, as if he were the master of this world.
He indeed was the master of this world, the artifact spirit of the Nine Nether Tower, and the top-tier figure in the world, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable!
His gaze grew more intrigued, "You actually know me, it seems you have quite a few secrets."
Chen Ming respectfully said, "It was merely by chance that I acquired your sect’s secret technique."
The white-clothed man with hands behind his back, looked at the Four Symbols Army Formation preparing to siege below and casually asked, "Who was that uninvited guest just now?"
"That was an old Taoist, claiming to cultivate the Longevity Technique, and has lived for three hundred years. As for his cultivation, I am not sure."
Chen Ming did not hesitate at all and directly betrayed the old Taoist.
With the Taoist’s divine power cultivation, he probably wouldn’t be caught by this Demon Venerable.
"Longevity Technique?"
The white-clothed man curled his lips into a mocking smile, "Why don’t you tell me what kind of longevity method this old Taoist cultivates?"
"Going along with the mandate of Heaven, avoiding disasters and calamities, to preserve oneself."
This was what the old Taoist had told him as their principle.
"Interesting."
The white-clothed man pondered these words, his eyes lit up, "Unexpectedly, there are still such longevity schools in the world, sadly we may never meet."
Chen Ming thought, you are the source of disaster, the old Taoist avoids you at all costs, why would he let you know?
The white-clothed man waved his hand, and a portal appeared out of thin air.
"This isn’t a place to talk, you may sit at my home."
"Yes."
Under his gaze, Chen Ming steeled his nerves and stepped into the portal.
Behind the door was a courtyard, with many flowers and herbs planted, the blossoms vying for beauty, attracting colorful butterflies.
This scene was beautiful enough to be used directly as wallpaper.
In the courtyard, there was a large tree, under the tree were a stone table and stools, with steaming tea and various pastries prepared.
The white-clothed man smiled, "You are the second guest to visit me here."
Chen Ming asked, "Who was the first?"
"Ji Wanzhou."
He hadn’t heard this name, but could guess that it was likely the name of Great Jin’s founder.
Indeed, the white-clothed man said, "He was your Great Jin’s founder, a deceitful man."
Chen Ming gave a dry laugh, not following up on this, but instead asked, "Have you lived here all these years?"
"How come I hear sympathy in your tone?"
"I wouldn’t dare."
Chen Ming was startled, unknowingly revealed a touch of emotion, which was immediately detected. What a micro-expression expert!
The white-clothed man laughed heartily, "You little fellow, truly interesting. Just like Ji Wanzhou, bold and daring. You were using the Artifact Control Technique just now, do you wish to become the master of this Nine Nether Tower?"
Chen Ming hurriedly said, "I had no such intention, it was just at a critical moment that I sought to save myself."
"That’s true."
The white-clothed man looked at him, teasingly, "With your talent and heritage, the achievements are boundless in the future. Why would you want to associate with Longevity Sect?"
Chen Ming gave a dry laugh, "You jest, Senior."
"Alright, enough teasing. It’s rare for a guest to come, let me show you around." The white-clothed man said with enthusiasm, then waved his hand.
Chen Ming felt the scene change before him, now in mid-air, below was a city bustling with people.
In different houses, people were practicing martial arts, studying, weaving, or engaging in affairs...
What a depiction of humanity.
He even saw the courtyard he was in earlier.
He was somewhat confused, "This is?"
The white-clothed man seemed to guess what he was going to ask, said, "To them, this is paradise. Here, they won’t age or die, they can live carefree forever, doing whatever they want."
Chen Ming’s mouth moved slightly, wanting to ask, do you want to be God?
But he didn’t ask, only said, "So you want to be a creator, Senior."
"Indeed, a creator!"
The white-clothed man clapped his hands, his eyes filled with appreciation, as if saying, you understand me!
Excitedly, he painted the blueprint of the future, "As long as there are enough beings here, constantly evolving. Someday, it will become a real world. Here, there won’t be suffering, nor sickness, nor death, only peace and joy..."
"Such a grand vision, Senior, I’m impressed."
"You say it out of lip service, clearly disapproving of my Nine Nether world."
Chen Ming’s expression stiffened slightly.
Not really, can you actually read minds?
The white-clothed man said, "I observe the loves and conflicts of people in this world daily, after seeing so much, I can deduce their thoughts."
"..."
Chen Ming said, "Junior just feels that trying to realize such a world might not be easy."
The man in white replied, "Of course, it’s not easy, but I have plenty of time."
True, this guy has lived for who knows how many years.
According to the records of the Six Gates, the first generation of the Nine Nether Demon Venerable wreaked havoc on the world over fifteen hundred years ago, living for at least a thousand years.
Later, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable vanished. It was rumored that he was suppressed by some mighty figure.
Two other Demon Venerables of the Nine Nether Sect emerged after that, which is another story.
Seeing the Demon Venerable in high spirits, Chen Ming seized the opportunity to ask, "Senior, why has the Nine Nether Tower suddenly changed?"
"You want to know?"
"Of course."
"Then come with me, and I’ll show you a good show."
With a wave of his hand, the man in white took Chen Ming away from the scene.
...
This was a dim space with dark purple surroundings.
As soon as Chen Ming appeared here, he felt like he was in a vacuum, unable to sense even a trace of primordial qi, and even the gang yuan within him involuntarily dispersed externally.
He instinctively sealed all his pores to prevent the loss of his energy.
A middle-aged Taoist was sitting in the center, surrounded by golden lightning, melting a black hole into the dark purple space.
Is this the current Heavenly Master?
As soon as Chen Ming saw the Taoist, he guessed his identity.
The Heavenly Master is a cultivation sect that has been passed down since ancient times, and even in an era where cultivation is waning, it still holds the banner for cultivators.
However, the Heavenly Master Mansion has also experienced several breaks in lineage, with the most recent occasion being until the rise of the Great Jin’s first emperor, bringing it back into the public eye.
"You have finally arrived."
The Taoist opened his eyes, with golden eyes flickering with slight currents, appearing somewhat eerie.
The man in white, with his hands behind his back, said indifferently, "You do have some capability. I had no idea during these twenty years that you left behind such means here. Truly remarkable. Tell me, you waited until today to act, trapping all these noble children in the tower, what do you intend to achieve?"
The middle-aged Taoist said, "I just want to ask the Demon Venerable for a person."
The man in white asked curiously, "What person?"
"Forty years ago, someone in the Heavenly Master Mansion betrayed me to exchange a hundred young boys and girls for the Nine Nether Great Technique with the Demon Venerable. Among them was my sister."
"So that’s it."
The man in white recalled the event, "So you’ve been painstakingly planning for so many years just to threaten me in this way to release your sister?"
"As long as the Demon Venerable releases my sister, I am at your disposal."
"Quite sentimental, aren’t you?"
The man in white showed a playful smile, "However, I refuse."
The middle-aged Taoist stared at him, "Has the Demon Venerable considered the consequences? If all these noble children die in your Merit Tower, they will not let it rest and will surely suppress you and this tower again..."
The man in white said proudly, "So what? Let me tell you plain and simple, the woman means nothing to me. However, I despise being threatened more than anything else."
Listening on the side, Chen Ming realized that the problem with the Merit Tower had originated from this matter.
Watching as their conversation broke down, he became a bit anxious.
Seriously, how can this Nine Nether Demon Venerable, who is over a thousand years old, still act so juvenile?
He shouted loudly, "Seniors, listen to me, if you will!"
Both the Nine Nether Demon Venerable and the current Heavenly Master looked over at him.
The Nine Nether Demon Venerable said coldly, "Boy, you truly have nerve. Do you really think I won’t kill you?"
"Calm your anger, Senior."
Sweating coldly, Chen Ming said, "Since Senior can negotiate with those despicable people, why not make a deal with this Heavenly Master as well? There’s no need to make mutual destruction, is there? Senior still has so many grand plans to accomplish, why delay important matters over this trivial thing?"
The Nine Nether Demon Venerable’s face slightly relaxed, "So you mean I should subject myself to this person’s coercion?"
"How is this coercion? The Heavenly Master is taking such a risky action out of brotherly love. Even I, an outsider, am moved by such a sentiment. Why not fulfill his wish and make it a beautiful affair, Senior?"
The Nine Nether Demon Venerable looked at him with a bemused smile, "You speak so eloquently, but it’s just to escape yourself. You’re worried this person will destroy the core here, making it impossible for you to leave the Nine Nether Tower, right?"
"Senior’s insight is as keen as ever. But this situation benefits Senior, the Heavenly Master, and me. Why not do it? We can clearly all win, so why choose to let everyone lose?"
The Nine Nether Demon Venerable chuckled lightly, "You’re not wrong. If we can all win, why choose to have everyone lose?"
Chen Ming looked at him with hope, "Does that mean Senior agrees?"
"Unfortunately, it doesn’t work because that girl is already dead."
"What?"
Chen Ming and the middle-aged Taoist’s faces changed simultaneously.
The Nine Nether Demon Venerable seemed to enjoy their look of despair, speaking joyfully, "Originally, you both didn’t need to know this cruel truth... How is it?"