Chapter 567 - 276: I, the Saint Heir? The Secret of Profound Flame

Chapter 567: Chapter 276: I, the Saint Heir? The Secret of Profound Flame

If we overthrow the court and topple all these Noble Sects, the common people and Loose Cultivators of the world will all benefit!

But if we tolerate this, if we ignore it, then before long, it will be nothing but a foolish dream for any ordinary person to ever achieve the Dao."

Liu Daoist took a deep breath, looking Chen Sheng straight in the eye.

"The reason I’ve come to you is that you also come from a poor family. You should be able to empathize. Chen Sheng, don’t you see how fatuous the court is?

Don’t you see that the Noble Sects are a cancer?"

Chen Sheng looked at the somewhat agitated Liu Daoist, fell silent for a few moments, and then smiled.

"Naive!"

"Are you trying to use the same rhetoric on me that you use to fool the common folk?

It’s one thing for your Taiping Dao to trick the people below you with these words, but do you really think one trick is all you need to get by?"

"You!"

Liu Daoist was at a loss for words.

"If, as you say, the court is overthrown and these Noble Families and sects are toppled, then yes, there might indeed be a reshuffling of resources.

But... then what?

Wouldn’t you just become the new court, the new Noble Sects?

Don’t tell me you wouldn’t. That’s impossible. Where there are people, there is the Jianghu; and where there is the Jianghu, there is conflict.

When that time comes, it will just be a repeat of history."

There were some things Chen Sheng understood very deeply.

Of course he wouldn’t believe the man’s bewitching words.

If the Taiping Dao truly possessed the power to overthrow the Daqian, Chen Sheng might have considered becoming an opportunist and siding with the winning team. But the problem was, they didn’t.

The many rebellions they had instigated had, in reality, changed nothing, only causing turmoil and making the lives of the common people even harder.

Besides, Chen Sheng had a vague idea of their true foundations.

Their so-called slogans were just a deception.

Weren’t their backers still the Sect Leaders of the Noble Families, stirring things up from behind the scenes?

"Even if it is just a repeat, it would still be better than the present."

Liu Daoist hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to be so difficult, so self-serving.

He could only offer a weak rebuttal.

He had originally thought that, given Chen Sheng’s humble origins, he would harbor a natural malice toward those in power.

"Do you have the power to make it repeat?"

Chen Sheng sneered.

"If you came here just to try and bewitch me, you can see yourself out.

I’d never believe such words. I believe only in myself!

Besides, isn’t the only reason you came to me because I possess extraordinary talent and potential?

Instead of abandoning everything I have now to gamble on some ethereal future with you, why shouldn’t I seize the present? You understand. With my potential and background, I too will hold the reins of power in the future."

"With that attitude, you’ll make a fine attack dog for the court."

Liu Daoist took a deep breath.

"When you killed our Taiping Dao messenger and annihilated the Cyan Flood Dragon Water Stronghold, the Taiping Dao originally wanted to eliminate you. The reason we didn’t act was that we believed you also couldn’t stand the way of the world.

That one day, you would take up your blade and stand with us.

It seems we overestimated you. Your eyes see nothing but fame and fortune."

"If you want to talk, then talk properly. If you don’t, then get out. Stop trying to pin labels on me. The truth about your Taiping Dao might be hidden from those you’ve deceived.

But it’s not hidden from me."

Chen Sheng’s tone grew colder.

"You!"

Liu Daoist glared at Chen Sheng, his anger flaring.

"Enough. Since Chen has his own ideas, why must you force yours upon him?"

Suddenly, just as Liu Daoist was fuming, a somewhat aged voice once again sounded from the paper effigy. It carried a sense of calm, as if it had forcibly taken control of the effigy’s right to speak.

Chen Sheng’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of vigilance rising in his eyes.

"And who might you be?"

"I am merely a member of the Taiping Dao with a bit more seniority."

The paper effigy chuckled as if it had come to life.

But Chen Sheng didn’t dare treat the speaker as some ordinary member, and his expression grew much more solemn.

"What guidance does Senior have for me?"

"Guidance is too strong a word. Like Fellow Daoist Liu, I also hope you will join our Taiping Dao.

However, unlike him, I promise you this: if you join our faith.

Not only will we grant you the position of Saint Heir.

We will also fully support your cultivation. Judging by the talent you’ve shown, I cannot guarantee you’ll reach the Refining God Realm, but attaining the Golden Core is certainly well within your reach."

The old man continued.

"And what’s the price?"

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"The price won’t be too heavy. After all, I think quite highly of you."

"I am grateful for Senior’s high regard, but I cannot agree to this. Your faith has its own philosophy, and I have my own ideas. They are fundamentally incompatible. Forcing them together would only create chaos."

Facing a mighty expert who was likely in the Refining God Realm, Chen Sheng’s tone became much more modest.

Whether you called it respect for power or simply bullying the weak and fearing the strong, Chen Sheng was indeed wary.

In any case, Chen Sheng was indeed wary.

The paper effigy fell silent for a few moments before changing the subject.

"In that case, how about a trade?"

"What kind of trade?"

"I will give you an opportunity to break through to the Golden Core, and in return, you will take first place in the upcoming Martial Examination."

"Senior overestimates me. This Martial Examination has drawn heroes from all over the Central Plains. I cannot be certain of victory."

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes.

’He gives me resources and also wants me to win first place in the Martial Examination.’

’I’ve never heard of such a good deal.’

"I know you have your concerns, and it’s true that I have other plans. But if you don’t agree, I cannot tell you what they are. Alternatively, you can name your price for anything you desire.

As long as it is within my means, I can consider it."

The paper effigy continued.

"This..."

Chen Sheng hesitated, then shook his head after a few moments of silence.

"I cannot agree to this. First, I am not confident I can win first place. Second, I do not wish to get involved in the conflict between the Taiping Dao and the court."

At least, he wouldn’t get involved right now.

A Mystic Realm Cultivator might be a significant figure in Ning’an Prefecture.

But on the stage of the entire world, he didn’t even have a seat at the game board.

Without a clear understanding of the situation, Chen Sheng would not rashly agree to anything.

"You are too modest. Even before breaking through to the late stage, you were able to suppress Yikong and Li Chengyin. Now that you have broken through, your strength must have grown even more. As for the battle for first place, I wouldn’t say it’s a sure thing, but you certainly have a fighting chance."

Chen Sheng did not speak, remaining silent.

"Fine. If you are unwilling, I will not force you. Before I leave, allow me to offer you a few words of advice as a parting gift."

The paper effigy said suddenly.

"Please, Senior, enlighten me."

Chen Sheng lowered his gaze.

"If the opportunity arises, you must do everything in your power to take first place. It is crucial for your future cultivation. I am not trying to trick you; you will understand the reasons why one day.

But for now, knowing too much would only put you in danger."

’Another one who speaks in riddles!’

Chen Sheng complained inwardly.

’Fortunately, with the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil, I won’t have to fear any riddles when the time comes.’

But on the surface, he remained respectful.

"I understand. I will do my best to strive for it."

"Furthermore, although powers like the Celestial Dragon Temple and the Vast Sea Sect appear to have ceased their activities on the surface, they are secretly preparing to make a move. However, I am not clear on the specific details.

That is all I have to say. Chen, farewell!"

"Wait, hold on."

Seeing that the other was about to disappear, Chen Sheng suddenly called out to stop him.

"Willing to join our Taiping Dao?"

The paper effigy looked at Chen Sheng with a teasing expression.

"No, I just want to know what exactly is the secret within the Profound Flame Daoist’s inheritance? Of course, if Senior does not wish to speak of it, I will not insist."

Chen Sheng had been curious about this secret for a long time.

Now that he had the chance, he wanted to try and probe for information.

"Hehehe... very well. It’s not much of a secret, so there’s no harm in telling you."

The paper effigy fell silent for a few moments, then chuckled.

"Inside the Profound Flame Cave Mansion, if there is a piece of white broken jade, then it is very likely the Void Spirit Jade. It is connected to a secret realm opportunity in the outer seas. As for the specifics, you can investigate them yourself.

If there is no broken jade, I advise you not to look for it. At your current realm, getting involved in this matter will cost you your life..."

"Void Spirit Jade..."

Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought of that broken jade.

He showed no sign of this, however, and immediately turned back to the paper effigy.

However, the speaker seemed to have already departed. The paper effigy levitated into the air and spontaneously combusted without any fire.

It turned into specks of ash that scattered throughout the cave mansion.

————