CHAPTER 106
The One Who Ascends to Heaven's Path
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"Rou'er, you seem different."
Shangguan Rou nestled close to Cheng Liang, feeling the air itself grow scorching. Her master's burning palm clasped hers tightly. Though he wasn't using force, she couldn't pull away.
"Before, this disciple desired too much, so grasped nothing. Now, this disciple only wishes to stay by Master's side, watching over you."
Her clear eyes held less obsession now, growing ever more lucid and captivating, gentle as water.
"Everything on that table is yours. With these, my direct disciple, Cheng Liang, will never be defeated by that Ye Chenmeng."
"Your master never imagined that before his death, the old teacher would pass so many magical treasures to Su Cheng. With Ye Qinghan protected by an immortal-grade artifact, you naturally stand no chance against him."
Shangguan Rou no longer cared about such matters now, treating it merely as playful banter with her master.
Shangguan Rou's origins were humble. Born into an ordinary family in the Southern Realm, her father worked as a laborer at the docks while her mother served as a maid in wealthy households. Her background was unblemished.
Compared to the other sisters surrounding the protagonist, Shangguan Rou was the only ordinary person.
The Fox Demon Princess Ye Qinghan from the North, the Human Emperor's Princess Dongfang Jue from the South, the Holy Maiden Li Shiyao from the East's Sacred Mountain, and the enigmatic Witch Su Muchan—compared to them, Shangguan Rou was as ordinary as could be.
Without her status as the First Disciple of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Shangguan Rou felt unworthy even to look directly at these favored children of heaven.
Yet the man by her side offered her a chance—a chance to spare her parents from groveling, a chance to refuse trading her dignity for sustenance.
Everything she possessed now was bestowed by Cheng Liang. At thirteen, Shangguan Rou had entered the Heavenly Dao Pavilion. Through innate talent and relentless cultivation, she had risen to become the First Disciple and foremost pupil of Cheng Liang.
If Master Cheng Liang desired it, she cared not whether it was this body or her very life.
If possible, she wished to gain strength to help her master accomplish his grand mission, attain immortality, and serve him faithfully for the rest of her life.
Therefore, after sorting through everything—especially realizing Ye Qinghan would never love anyone else—she would no longer seek out disappointment.
Was Ye Qinghan any different from her?
Ever since emerging from that secret realm, she understood that nothing could separate Su Cheng and Ye Qinghan—except death.
But with that Su Sect Leader around, death seemed too distant for Ye Qinghan. Even if the sun were to extinguish, Ye Qinghan might not perish. Hmph.
Opposing them was unwise, yet possessing strength remained advantageous regardless.
Su Cheng wasn't one to seek chaos in the world. If they could befriend him, that would be the best course. If not, then parting ways was perfectly acceptable.
Shangguan Rou swung herself onto Cheng Liang's lap, examining the gift on the table.
There lay an elongated straight-bladed broadsword encircled by chains. Its pitch-black blade appeared rusted, giving off an impression of fragility.
Even so, the blade—which looked as if it might crumble to dust at any moment—was bound by chains, its scabbard placed on the opposite side.
"Master, what is this?"
"This is the Blade of Judgment, capable of severing all things in this world—even space and time itself."
The blade lay silently within an exquisite gift box wrapped in crimson velvet. Shangguan Rou extended her jade-like hand to rest upon the blade named Judgment. As she lightly brushed its surface, she could feel the intense heat radiating from it.
That flame, seemingly capable of consuming everything, felt like it was calling out to her!
"A blade that can sever all things in the world… the Sword of Sanction…"
"Beyond this, I have also prepared a new cultivation technique for you."
Shangguan Rou turned her head to look at Cheng Liang, unsure of the meaning behind his words…
What did Master mean by this?
Still, she smiled and accepted the treasure bestowed by her master. The look of high expectations in her master's eyes made refusal impossible.
She didn't know if, even with this divine weapon, she could match Ye Qinghan blow for blow.
Even more puzzling was why the Master, possessing such a divine weapon, would give it to her instead of using it herself.
Her master wasn't the type to engage in petty rivalries or compete out of spite. Nor would she casually bestow treasures upon disciples like Su Cheng did. Her master had always believed only in true strength.
The cultivation technique was also severely fragmented. Only twelve segments of sword techniques remained, inscribed on both sides of the surviving pages. The moment she touched them, they drifted into the air and were consumed by an inexplicably ignited blaze. Yet, they were etched into Shangguan Rou's heart.
This was merely a casual note scribbled by the blade's master, containing sealed divine abilities never meant for the world.
Yet this very scene caused Cheng Liang's eyes to widen in astonishment!
For in his eyes, the technique was nothing more than a scrap of paper, devoid of any written characters.
"Master, what is this sword called?"
"It has no name. You may name it, Rou'er."
"How dare this disciple?" Shangguan Rou felt a bit bewildered. Her master seemed off today…
The way he looked at her was somewhat similar to how Su Cheng gazed at Ye Qinghan…
Had she done something? Surely not?
"It matters not. Since it is a gift for you, Ruo'er may name it as she pleases."
"Then let's call her… Wind Chant?"
"As long as you like it, Rou'er." A pair of hands gently rested on Shangguan Rou's head, leaving her feeling both flattered and a little overwhelmed!
What was Master up to today?
After accepting the treasure, Shangguan Rou took her leave. She needed to study the gift her Master had given her.
Besides the cultivation technique and Yinfeng, Master had also given her numerous rare treasures for her cultivation. She found a quiet spot and began circulating the technique…
Meanwhile, having left Shangguan Rou behind, Cheng Liang walked to the sleeping chamber. On the bed where Shangguan Rou usually rested now lay a large fox.
Its aura surpassed even Ye Qinghan's. If one spoke of peerless beauty in this world, none could rival its splendor. Even a hundred flowers would pale at its name.
Much like Ye Qinghan's moonlit dance that day, the nine-tailed white fox bore two fox ears atop her head. Her demonic aura far surpassed that of Ye Qinghan, bound by the desire-severing bracelet.
Where exactly did this slight edge lie? It was in her imperial demeanor. Had Su Cheng been present, he would have recognized this old acquaintance at a glance. Yet Su Cheng knew nothing of her survival.
Ye Qinghan was a little fox with the bearing of an emperor, but this great fox before them was the Demon Emperor incarnate—Ye Qinghan on a grand scale.
"Is it done?"
"Mhm." Cheng Liang had even speculated that this might be Ye Qinghan's mother, but no matter how he thought about it, it was impossible!
Ye Qinghan's mother was absolutely dead as dead could be! But if she wasn't Ye Qinghan's mother, then who was she?
"Is there anything you wish to know?"
The great fox was clad in pure white—snow-white hair, snow-white skin, a snow-white fox tail. Her expression remained as cold as ice, revealing no trace of emotion.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I'm just asking. I don't intend to answer."
It seemed like she was toying with Cheng Liang, yet her expression remained utterly unchanging. Since their first meeting two days prior, Cheng Liang had never seen her display any emotion that could be called an expression.
"What else do you need me to do?"
"Whatever you wish. My part is done. Now we wait for Shangguan Rou to make her choice."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll understand, but not yet."
"What's your name?"
"Shangguan Rou is the one destined to inherit the Way of Heaven—never you. Once Shangguan Rou kills Ye Qinghan, I'll tell you."
Cheng Liang felt a surge of anger. This woman… These fox spirits! Not a single one of them is any good!
But anger was useless. This fox's power far exceeded her comprehension—they weren't even in the same league!
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