When Ye Ming awoke from his gentle slumber, he found himself alone in the grand hall.
Fang Junxue and Duolisa had naturally gone to the company. The Qianxue Group was now in direct confrontation with Future Technology, and as its helmswoman, Fang Junxue was understandably occupied. As for Nangong Qian and the other women, they had begun their cultivation experience with the ten-fold time acceleration.
At this moment, Ye Ming's face was adorned with a variety of lipstick marks. Not only that, but Nangong Qian and the others had also promised him that the outdoor swimming pool would be put to good use that very evening. The mere thought of it caused Ye Ming's lips to curl into a subconscious smile, his mind painting vivid, sensual images. It was… incredibly exhilarating.
"A swimsuit party, truly something to look forward to!" He rubbed his nose, preventing a surge of heat from erupting. "I should return to the Destiny Temple to upgrade the time room."
Composing himself, Ye Ming waved his hand, and a spatial tunnel leading to the Destiny Temple materialized before him.
…
The Headquarters of the Kyoto Ancient Martial Artists Association.
"Brother Gu, tomorrow is the day the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree appears. We…"
In a secret cultivation chamber, Gu Taiyi, along with the three presidents of the Kyoto Ancient Martial Artists Association headquarters, were gathered. Their discussion centered on the Enlightenment Bodhi Tree, whose appearance had been announced half a month prior.
"We will not participate this time!" Gu Taiyi looked at the two vice presidents, his expression grave.
The elder to his left was named Xu Zhan. He appeared somewhat gaunt, clad in a simple robe that gave no hint of his true nature. He seemed like any ordinary elder one might encounter on the street. However, he was one of the two vice presidents of the Ancient Martial Artists Association, possessing a formidable late-stage Martial God cultivation.
The other elder was the most lavishly dressed of the three, adorned in a purple robe of brocade. His gaze was exceptionally sharp, such that those with weaker cultivation dared not meet his eyes. He was Lu Jin, also a vice president of the Association, his strength just a step shy of the Martial God peak, making him a supreme expert.
"Brother Gu is right. There's no need for us to take risks again." Lu Jin, perhaps recalling something, shuddered slightly and stated coldly, "I have no desire to set foot in that place a second time!"
A second time? It seemed he, too, had been a participant in the battle of Tianshou all those years ago.
"The cultivation techniques bestowed upon us by the Celestial Envoys are sufficient for us to break through the Martial God bottleneck and reach new realms," Lu Jin continued. "Let those people stir up that murky water themselves!" Clearly, he possessed knowledge of many secrets unknown to outsiders.
"Brother Xu! Are you tempted?" Gu Taiyi noticed Xu Zhan's prolonged silence and a keen glint appeared in his cloudy eyes.
"Brothers Gu and Lu! Are you content?" Xu Zhan did not conceal his true thoughts. He looked at his two long-time friends and said in a deep voice, "You both know very well that the cultivation techniques we possess, while allowing us to break through the Martial God bottleneck and advance further, still…"
At this point, a cold light flashed in his eyes. "…for those people, might be nothing more than garbage! Yet, we treasure them like precious gems. Don't you find that pathetic?" His words clearly conveyed a sense of hatred and resentment.
"Brother Xu! This is merely your conjecture! Perhaps these techniques are valuable elsewhere…"
"Can you convince yourself with that excuse?" Before Lu Jin could finish, Xu Zhan interrupted him directly, saying indifferently, "Let's look at it from another perspective. If you were to give some ancient martial arts techniques to an ordinary person, would you hand over your best ones?"
"I…" This question seemed to render Lu Jin speechless.
"In their eyes, we are not much different from ordinary people! No…" Xu Zhan's tone grew heavier. "Perhaps even less so than ordinary people."
"We are old now, and compared to those youngsters, we no longer have an advantage. The reason they bestow some techniques upon us is merely to extract the last vestiges of our value. Their sole objective is to have us manage the Ancient Martial Artists Association well! So that in the future…"
"They can take over more easily!"
Upon hearing these words, even Gu Taiyi fell silent. He was well aware of these truths! He had merely been deceiving himself.
"Brother Gu! Brother Lu! If not for that unexpected incident last time, we would have entered that place. This time…" A look of resolve flashed in Xu Zhan's eyes. "I have decided to risk it all once more!" He was embracing a determination of 'success or death.'
"Brother Lu! What about you?" Gu Taiyi asked, looking at Lu Jin.
"I… Alas!" Lu Jin shook his head and sighed deeply. "I don't have Brother Xu's resolve. I'll pass."
"Besides, if two vice presidents of the Ancient Martial Artists Association were to disappear around the same time, it would inevitably arouse suspicion." Lu Jin patted Xu Zhan's shoulder and said solemnly, "You go. Brother Gu and I will ensure your tracks remain hidden."
There was logic to his words. Within the Ancient Martial Artists Association, despite their positions as the three presidents, countless eyes watched them. If their so-called "Celestial Envoys" detected any anomaly, the consequences would be beyond their ability to bear. Otherwise, why would the three of them choose such a secluded location for their secret conversation?
One person leaving might indeed be the better choice.
"Good!" Xu Zhan stood up and cupped his fists to the two of them. "If I return alive, I shall share drinks with my two brothers!"
…
In the underground world of the West, the Destiny Temple.
Within the Destiny Divine Palace, a handsome young man emerged from a torn, dark spatial channel.
"Oh!" Perhaps discovering something amusing, Ye Ming's lips curved slightly, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Leaving the hall, he walked down a long corridor, deliberately concealing his aura and treading lightly. He observed a blonde figure ahead, diligently dusting. The woman was dressed in a maid's outfit, her demeanor graceful and light. Her delicate features were framed by a cascade of golden hair that flowed down to her waist. Her beautiful eyes were focused on the specks of dust at her feet, not missing any detail. A radiant aura of devotion emanated from her. Every movement she made seemed to follow an inner guidance, and a perfect smile graced her lips. At this moment, she was very happy. And very content.
Seeing this peaceful and harmonious scene, Ye Ming's initial urge to tease her vanished. Such a lovely girl, he could not bear to play a prank on her.
"Tina!" Ye Ming softly called out the maiden's name.
Hearing the voice, the maiden did not cease her actions. Instead, she smiled and murmured to herself, "Am I missing Master Shen Zhu too much? I seem to be hearing things?"