LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 79 - I Am Fate Itself, Keep Laughing
Before the Beast’s Cavern.
The void shimmered, rippling with an ominous light, before shattering into countless fragments of law. The entire beast’s cavern dissolved into dust, scattering into the ether like a fleeting memory.
“What’s happening?”
“Is this the precursor to a powerful cultivator’s secret abode emerging?”
“If so, with all the Northern Province sects converging here, wouldn’t it be even harder to find the traitor who killed our young master?”
The elders of the Mystic Heaven Sect, stationed in wait, exchanged uneasy glances. If the criminal managed to blend into the crowd, all their efforts over the past ten days would be for nothing.
“Patriarch, perhaps we should send disciples inside to investigate? With so many sects around, that wretch wouldn’t dare harm our people,” one elder suggested.
The others nodded in agreement, their patience worn thin from the prolonged vigil.
“Hmph! Useless fools!”
Venerable Xuanqi’s scornful voice cut through the air. His eyes glinted coldly as he sneered,
“That thief thought concealing the Magnetic Earth Heart would let him sleep soundly, but he made one fatal mistake—the storage ring also bears my seal!”
“Come. Follow me to exact vengeance for my disciple.”
A chilling malevolence seeped from his words, as if the air itself froze.
“Ten days of waiting, thief. That’s how long I’ve allowed you to live.”
“From today onward, you will beg for death as I make you pay for new and old grudges alike.”
Overwhelmed by his wrathful presence, the elders fell silent, their spines tingling with fear. Without another word, they followed Venerable Xuanqi’s lead, streaking across the sky in a vengeful blaze.
Under the Spirit Boatl.
“Where is Xiao Ye?”
An elder scowled, his tone laced with displeasure.
“Senior Brother Xiao said he’ll come down later,” a disciple answered nervously, head bowed low.
“Insolence! This is a momentous occasion for the entire Qingming Sect! How dare a mere disciple act so presumptuous?”
The Heavenly Thunder elder’s face darkened, his voice booming with fury.
He had long harbored disdain for Xiao Ye’s arrogance. The youth, spoiled by the peak master’s favoritism, strutted about unchecked, even seizing the finest cabin on the vessel. If not for the peak master’s repeated insistence that Xiao Ye was a prodigy deserving of leniency, the elder would’ve personally taught him a lesson by now.
“What should we do, Elder?” the disciple asked cautiously.
“We’ll wait a little longer,” the elder sighed. As much as he hated it, defying the peak master wasn’t an option.
Coward, the disciple muttered inwardly. Big talk only works on us lowly disciples, huh?
It wasn’t long before all thirty-five peaks’ disciples had disembarked, gathering in an open field.
“Elder, why haven’t we entered the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion yet?”
“Yeah, if we delay any longer, the other sects will beat us to it!”
“We need to secure the advantage!”
Impatience bubbled among the disciples as they noticed powerful figures in the distance transmitting messages via jade slips. It was clear reinforcements were being summoned.
“Silence! One person has yet to disembark,” an elder barked.
“Who? Who does he think he is, making everyone wait for him?”
“If he’s not interested in the cavern’s treasures, let him stay on the vessel!”
“Exactly! Why should we waste our time on one person?”
“He’s Xiao Ye,” a Heavenly Thunder disciple whispered, stirring the crowd further.
“Ugh, him again!”
“He’s strong, sure, but does he have to be so insufferable?”
“He’s only at the Foundation Establishment realm. What’s the big deal?”
“Actually, the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion limits entry to those below the Core Formation stage and suppresses everyone to the peak of Foundation Establishment. In this scenario, Xiao Ye really does have an edge,” someone added begrudgingly.
“Ugh, so this cavern’s practically tailor-made for him!”
“Elder Qu, when is your Heavenly Thunder’s Xiao Ye coming down?”
“If he keeps delaying, our peaks will enter without him.”
Even the other peak elders began expressing their dissatisfaction. Xiao Ye’s arrogance had crossed a line, especially since he was no more than a Foundation Establishment disciple.
Finally, Xiao Ye emerged from the vessel. His ordinary features carried an air of smug superiority as he descended deliberately, savoring every step as if basking in admiration.
“Elder Li, everything is falling into place! The spotlight is back where it belongs—on me!”
“This overwhelming attention feels incredible!”
“Look at their eyes—full of awe and reverence! I am fate itself!”
Xiao Ye smirked, convinced his nonchalant demeanor exuded effortless charm.
‘Is it awe or disgust?’
‘If you’re that blind, might as well pluck your eyes out and let me lend you a third one.’
Elder Li refrained from voicing his thoughts, opting instead to humor Xiao Ye with hollow praise.
“You’re absolutely right, young master.”
At that moment, a group of radiant streaks approached from the horizon. The figures emitted a suffocating aura, with the leader radiating a power akin to a primordial beast. The mere pressure of his presence was enough to leave spectators trembling.
“A Void Shattering Venerable!”
The Qingming Sect elders froze, their pupils constricting in alarm.
“Fellow Daoists, this area belongs to the Qingming Sect. Please—”
“Save it.”
The speaker’s voice was cold, his expression unreadable. “I am Venerable Xuanqi, Sovereign of the Mystic Heaven Sect in the Eastern Wastelands. I have no quarrel with your sect. My purpose here is singular.”
He extended a finger, pointing directly at Xiao Ye.
The Qingming Sect elders glanced at each other hesitantly before parting ways, even Heavenly Thunder’s elder refraining from interference.
Xiao Ye was momentarily stunned, but his face soon lit up with excitement.
“Elder Li, my reputation has reached even the Eastern Wastelands! Hahaha!”
“Though I’ve never heard of the Mystic Heaven Sect, their leader is a Void Shattering Sovereign. Their influence must be significant!”
“For someone of his stature to come all this way to recruit me as a disciple… What unparalleled sincerity!”
“This is a rare opportunity. How could I refuse such a gesture?”
He concluded smugly, “It’s only natural to seek higher ground. I’m sure Master Wanjun will understand.”
Xiao Ye had already made up his mind. As long as Venerable Xuanqi extended an invitation, he would immediately accept. After all, he couldn’t fathom any other reason for a Sovereign to seek him out.
In the jade pendant, Elder Li let out a resigned sigh.
As expected, the ring was a trap. This is the disaster it has brought.
With a pitying glance at Xiao Ye, he muttered to himself,
“Keep laughing… You won’t be smiling for long.”
The murderous intent of a Sovereign could shake the heavens. Even with the protection of fate, Xiao Ye’s survival was far from guaranteed.