Chapter 161 - Unexpected Discovery

But Jiang Chen was stubborn. He looked at Su Ming with curious yet untrusting eyes.

All of this was noticed by the soul seed of Demonic Ancestor Mo. Sensing the sudden danger, the bronze ring hanging around Jiang Chen’s neck hummed with a crimson glow.

Almost a decade ago, Demonic Ancestor Mo had planted that ring near the mountain range as an ultimate contingency. Imbued with ancient anti-divination seals, the artifact leaked no demonic aura. He, in his soul seed form, had entered a state of profound hibernation, drawing only a tiny trickle of life force and energy from its surroundings to sustain its slumber.

The soul seed only stirred once every few years. Almost a year ago, when it last contacted Chen Wuhen, he had reported that he captured an elder of the Heavenly Cloud Sect and planned to infiltrate the sect from within.

Assuming everything was going according to his plan, the seed had gone back into deep sleep, maintaining only a faint awareness of its surroundings.

When the mortal woman died and the ring passed to Jiang Chen, that passive sense discovered something astonishing. The orphaned boy possessed a rare Azure Thunder Spirit Root.

The demonic ancestor had intended to slumber for several more years, letting the child grow before seizing his body as the ultimate vessel. But the sudden destruction of his multiple vessels across the continent had ruined everything.

With Chen Wuhen gone, this dormant soul seed was suddenly forced to become the main body. He could still sense two more vessels alive, but they were unresponsive.

’Something must have gone horribly wrong!’

This was never the plan. Inheriting the main body while trapped in the bronze ring should have been the absolute last resort.

’Damn it!’

The sudden arrival of the cultivator at the village gate left no time to hesitate.

Realizing it was cornered, the soul seed was forced into a desperate gamble, attempting to take over Jiang Chen’s body on the spot.

A sinister whisper suddenly echoed straight into Jiang Chen’s mind.

"Boy... do you desire power? Power to topple the heavens and rule this land? Accept me as your master, and you will never have to kneel to anyone again..."

Jiang Chen froze. Visibly confused, he clutched the bronze ring around his neck as an innate sense of repulsion washed over him.

"No!" Jiang Chen gritted his teeth, trying to pull the ring away. "No! Get away! Get away from me!"

Driven by rage, Demonic Ancestor Mo forced his way in.

The bronze ring erupted in dark crimson mist.

As crimson soul tendrils burst from the metal, they wrapped around his body, ready to devour him whole.

"Help!" Jiang Chen cried out in agony. "Help me!"

Before the crimson soul could do anything else, Su Ming appeared directly in front of the boy.

Without holding back, Su Ming waved his hand as a burst of brilliant white flame washed over the boy, devouring the crimson mist whole.

"You—!"

A spiritual cry of pure agony echoed through Willow Creek Village as the white flame completely incinerated the ring and the remains of the Demonic Ancestor’s soul into nothingness, leaving the boy unharmed.

Within a single breath, the ninth soul seed of Demonic Ancestor Mo was completely exterminated.

As Su Ming concluded the fate of the final vessel of Demonic Ancestor Mo, a stream of Samsara Resin flowed into his soul sea, replenishing his depleted power instantly.

Jiang Chen stumbled back as he fell into the dirt on his back, panting heavily. He let go of his wooden spear and stared at Su Ming with wary eyes.

Even though this cultivator had just saved his life, the boy did not trust him. He had already decided that he would forge his own path and never kneel to anyone again.

Su Ming looked down at the boy with his Essence Sight.

’A rare Azure Thunder Spirit Root.’

Apart from that, there was something more. Looking deep within the body, hidden beneath the mortal blood, he found a trace of something familiar, something that resonated with his dragon soul.

’Azure Dragon bloodline!’ This was unexpected.

But that was not the end of it. Looking even deeper and pushing his Essence Sight and Halo of Insight to their limits, he found a trace of a hidden Dao Rhythm. Su Ming did not understand what it was, but he realized it was something ancient and powerful, even more special than the hidden bloodline.

Jiang Chen remained tense. Grabbing his small wooden spear tightly, he stared at Su Ming.

’That Demonic Ancestor surely wanted to play the Grandpa in the ring. With this boy’s talents, he must have coveted his body. He would have been a great vessel to nurture.’

But Su Ming had prevented all that.

’Jiang Chen is definitely a rare talent and a Heaven’s Chosen. I must take him as my disciple!’

Su Ming slowly stepped forward. Without a second thought, he dropped down on one knee in the dirt, bringing himself directly to the boy’s eye level.

Jiang Chen’s eyes widened in complete disbelief.

In this world, immortal cultivators treated mortals like ants. The sight of a cultivator kneeling in the dirt before a mere mortal shattered everything Jiang Chen had ever known.

Su Ming looked straight into the boy’s wide eyes. "Come with me. I can help you achieve the strength you need to protect yourself. Become my disciple."

Su Ming extended his palm as a small porcelain bottle containing Marrow Cleansing and Healing Pills was placed gently into Jiang Chen’s small hand.

Jiang Chen looked at the medicine bottle, then at his wooden spear. The wall of distrust in his heart cracked. Looking at the man kneeling before him in the dirt, a feeling of deep respect took root in his young heart.

He nodded firmly.

"From today onwards, you are my third disciple. You have a senior sister and a senior brother."

"This disciple pays respects to Master!" Jiang Chen bowed deeply.

Once again, the Twilight Nether Lantern inside his soul sea illuminated brightly, and streams of Samsara Resin poured down.

***

As Su Ming told Jiang Chen to grab his things, a transmission echoed in Su Ming’s mind.

’Su Ming, what is the situation on your end?’

’Sect Master! I have taken care of everything here. The ninth vessel is destroyed as well.’

’Good. Come back to Black Crow Ridge right now!’

’Yes, Sect Master!’