Chapter 249 - 157: The Star Emperor Returns

Chapter 249: Chapter 157: The Star Emperor Returns

"I can set aside my own grudges. I only hope my daughter, Niannian, can attend school without any trouble."

"I don’t want her to be in a position where she’s secretly attacked the moment she leaves the city."

"If you’re willing to take me in, I would be more than happy to serve a Healing-type Celestial Destiny Seeker."

"Your potential is limitless. Even during my peak, I would have been just as tempted."

"It’s just that by taking me in, you would effectively become enemies with Cao Xing’an, and it won’t be so easy for me to leave Longya City."

"Instead of asking if I’m willing to join you, it’s more a matter of whether you’re truly willing to take me in."

Tao En frankly laid out his circumstances and the predicament he was in.

Then, Tao En sat up straight, all expression vanishing from his face. He looked at Zhong Yi calmly, his eyes like an ancient well.

Tao En was well aware of his current situation. ’At this point, what right do I have to choose?’

For Tao En, who felt as though he was trapped in a mire, the chance to change his circumstances was already an extravagant hope.

Tao En had just been far too emotional!

Firstly, it was because he had seen Tao Niannian’s face again.

Secondly, it was because Zhong Yi was the first person since Tao En’s soul had been injured to bring about any improvement in it.

Now, Tao En had composed himself and was simply waiting for Zhong Yi to make a decision.

Wen Tao and Cui Heng were also looking at Zhong Yi, awaiting his answer.

Cui Heng and Wen Tao knew Zhong Yi was someone who could see things clearly.

If he couldn’t heal the injury to Tao En’s soul, Zhong Yi would never agree to it.

"Master Tao En, your current strength is only at the level of a Three-finger Creator. If you were restored to the level of a Five-finger Peak Creator, would you still be afraid of Cao Xing’an?"

"I am confident I can heal the wounds to your soul, but it will take a considerable amount of time."

"I’m a bit curious how your soul was injured. Was it really related to Cao Xing’an?"

Zhong Yi’s words instantly sent a wave of excitement through everyone present.

The moment Zhong Yi said this, for Wen Tao and Cui Heng, it was tantamount to Starlight City gaining a Five-finger Peak Creator to watch over it.

But for Tao En, it was a form of salvation.

Zhong Yi had spoken the words that Tao En, in the deepest recesses of his heart, had yearned to hear.

’This young man before me can not only alleviate the injuries to my soul, he can actually restore my shattered soul completely.’

The calm expression that Tao En had just regained was once again broken.

"If I can be restored, then of course I won’t be afraid of Cao Xing’an."

"I didn’t build up a faction like Cao Xing’an did before. For one, I didn’t want to divide my focus too much."

"To advance further as a Creator, you must invest the vast majority of your energy into developing your soul."

"Second, besides distributing the Creator resources I produced to a few Celestial Destiny Seekers, I spent almost everything else on my Lifebound Guardian Beast and my two other Contracted Guardian Beasts."

"My talent as a Guardian Beast Master is pretty decent. Although I don’t have a Beastmaster Talent, the potential of my Combat Type Lifebound Guardian Beast alone was rated as A Level."

"Once my soul is healed, my strength will naturally be restored as well."

"My Lifebound Guardian Beast had just reached the Eternal Tier before I was injured. An Eternal Tier expert isn’t likely to confront me again just for Cao Xing’an’s sake."

At this point, Tao En paused for a moment before continuing.

"As for the injury I sustained, I can’t be certain whether Cao Xing’an was behind it."

"At the time, relying on my strength, I wanted to find a Heart of the Secret Realm for Niannian."

"I had developed a Fifth Level Potion specifically to counter the Soul Hunting Demons and Soul-devouring Demons in the Ghost Secret Realm."

"When using this Potion, it also affects the souls of the Guardian Beast Master and their Guardian Beasts."

"I needed to burn Purple Soul Star Sandalwood and use the mist it released to counteract the Potion’s side effects."

"That Purple Soul Star Sandalwood was prepared for me by my only disciple."

"However, the dozen or so pieces of Purple Soul Star Sandalwood I brought into the Secret Realm had all been soaked in the juice of a Soul-Desecrating Wind Chime."

"I was lucky to make it out of the Secret Realm alive, but before I could even ask a friend to examine my injuries, word had already reached Cao Xing’an."

"I wanted to find my disciple and get a clear explanation, but he died outside Longya City the very night I returned."

"I asked a Celestial Destiny Seeker I was on good terms with to investigate the matter, only to learn he was killed by a retainer of the Jinglong Commerce Association, which has always been backed by Cao Xing’an."

Tao En hadn’t directly stated that his injury was related to Cao Xing’an; after all, he had no concrete evidence.

But the implication behind his words was already crystal clear.

Cui Heng narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Tao En,

"You’re being a bit too optimistic. Someone like Cao Xing’an, who is so adept at scheming, most likely has an Eternal Tier Guardian Beast Master with deeply vested interests under his command."

"You know better than anyone why your situation in Longya City has become more and more miserable."

"You and Cao Xing’an are now mortal enemies. Even if you could let go of the hatred, Cao Xing’an would never believe that you would."

"Besides, ask yourself honestly—can you truly let go of this hatred?"

Tao En replied in a calm tone.

"If I have the honor of following Lord Zhong Yi, then regardless of whether this hatred exists or not..."

"As long as my strength is only at the level of a Five-finger Peak Creator, I will not cause any trouble for Lord Zhong Yi."

"If one day I become a Six-finger Creator, I will naturally be able to settle the score with Cao Xing’an using my own power."

Hearing this, Cui Heng thought to himself, ’Tao En has been laying low for so many years, yet he still has such soaring ambitions.’

’He’s actually still thinking of aiming for the rank of a Six-finger Creator!’

’It seems these years of hardship haven’t cast a shadow of decline over him.’

’Only by recruiting a man like this can Zhong Yi bring out the true potential of a Five-finger Peak Creator.’

’If Tao En had been worn down into a listless loafer who, like me, only wanted to retire after joining Zhong Yi...’

’...then he wouldn’t actually be able to create much value for Zhong Yi.’

The value of a Five-finger Peak Creator lay not only in their influence but, more importantly, in the Fifth Level Potions they painstakingly concocted with time and materials.

Wen Tao sank into thought. He had a feeling that if news of Tao En’s recovery got out, Cao Xing’an would definitely have a countermove prepared.

And Longya City wouldn’t let Tao En leave so easily either!

Just as Wen Tao was wondering whether he should ask You Weiwei to make a trip to Longya City, his phone rang.

Coincidentally, the call was from You Weiwei.

Wen Tao answered the phone, just about to tell You Weiwei about the situation in Longya City,

when he heard her speaking in an artificially high and gentle voice.

"Wen Tao, Star Night and Frost Day are back. They just saw Xiaoxuan."

"They want to see Xiaoyi, too. When are you guys coming back?"

Hearing that Star Night and Frost Day were already back in Starlight City, a smile immediately spread across Wen Tao’s face.

"Sister Weiwei, your voice is so fake. You tried to imitate Star Night’s voice but only managed a vague resemblance, and it just exposed your own duck-like squawk."

"Next time, you should try imitating Frost Day instead."

On the other end of the line, You Weiwei, dressed in black with a gentle and serene appearance, felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Hey, Wen Tao, you haven’t been possessed by Zhuozhuo, have you?"

"Why do you two sound more and more alike? Don’t tell me you two kissed before you went to Starlight City?"

"Nope, I’m going to have to ask Lin Zhuo later why you’re imitating her."

Wen Tao rolled his eyes speechlessly at her words, then his tone became serious.

"Sister Weiwei, Elder Cui and I are with Xiaoyi in Longya City for the Dragon Soaring Association. We’ll be here for about a week, at least."

"You said Star Night and Frost Day are back? Good. I need to talk to Star Night about something."

The moment You Weiwei heard that, she knew Wen Tao had likely run into some trouble in Longya City.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to insist on speaking with Star Night.

After all, Star Night had just returned from a Secret Realm and was in need of rest.

"Ah Tao, Star Night is right here next to me. If you want to talk to her, I can just hand her the phone."

"It’s a good chance for Star Night and Frost Day to chat with Xiaoyi for a bit, too."

"Flower Venerable came back with Star Night. It seems they have a matter they need Xiaoyi’s help with."