Chapter 1315 Partnership
Chapter 1315 Partnership
Emperor Kong sighed: "Fellow Daoist, what do you have in mind?" Emperor Kong relented. Although he did not want to be entangled with this man, he knew he did not have much choice.
Wang Wei smiled: "I don't know much about these people yet to formulate a plan, and a head-on battle is the worst plan possible." After analyzing Blood Dragon's death, Wang Wei realized how difficult it was to kill a Paragon in a direct confrontation. The arrogant dragon would have survived if Xun Junyao had not been strategic and calculated for many variables — including longevity resources and Blood Dragon's Dao Imprint location. His strength would have been drastically weakened, and he might have lost his position as one of the moons, but he would have survived.
Wang Wei knew that it would be useless even if he could kill one of these people after entering the Taboo Realm. Instead, he needed to follow a similar path as Xun Junyao and slowly planned their death.
"So, what's the plan of this alliance?" Emperor Kong asked, almost rolling his eyes.
"You're a scholar; why are you so impatient?" Wang Wei replied. "I have predicted a few things on how these people will react to Blood Dragon's death and came up with a plan that is guaranteed to give us an advantage no matter what. However, this plan can only work once, and I need your help." He summoned a blueprint and showed it to Emperor Kong.
"So, that's why you wanted to work with me," Emperor Kong uttered after seeing the four pillars in the blueprint.
"That's right, So, what do you think?"
"The formation can be improved," Emperor Kong commented before modifying the blueprint.
"It seems one of your sub-Dao is Dao of Array, and your achievement is superb," Wang Wei commented. At a glance, he could tell that Emperor Kong used his Dao — Transformation — as the philosophical core of his Array Path. He probably strives to achieve "all transformation" with his Array Dao.
'He did not fuse Array Dao into his Transformation Dao but used it as a supplement. They work together, forming the perfect synergy. That's a unique path, but what's the purpose of doing this?' It would be better for Emperor Kong to fuse Array Dao with his Transformation Dao, making it more unique and flexible, yet he separated them.
'Is he trying to use the harmony between the two to turn the Array Dao from sub-Dao to primary Dao? If that's true and he succeeds, I'll have to raise my evaluation of him.'
No one can have two primary Daos. Even Chaos Dao cultivators who comprehended many Daos will have one primary Dao: Chaos. However, if Emperor Kong's approach worked, he'd benefit immensely, including acquiring 2 Dao Positions after becoming a peak Paragon. Although Wang Wei doesn't know the actual value of these positions, he knew they would probably be crucial in the Transcendent Realm.
Emperor Kong did not answer his words and continued with the blueprint. Once he finished, the success of their plan rose by 20%.
"I'm glad I chose you as a partner," Wang Wei praised. Although he was going to ask his brilliant wife to help with this formation, now, he might not need to. Could Wu Hong further improve this formation? Of course. However, Emperor Kong's method has already reached the limit of their realm. Wu Hong's improvement would mean they would need a Paragon to set up, and it cannot be just any Paragon, but someone with sufficient understanding of Array Dao. Wang Wei, and probably, no one in the current era met this standard. Luckily, strength was not the primary source of power in this array.
Emperor Kong might have cared or accepted this compliment if this had happened before, but he was not in the mood for such a thing. "You know this is not enough for your plan to succeed?"
"I know, that's why I need your help to find another [Sage of Merit]," Wang Wei said. "I know someone, but he's only an Emperor and has condensed a first-level Golden Body of Merit. In fact, it would be better if we could find two more Empyreans with a second-level body."
"This is your plan; why are you asking me?" Emperor Kong asked in annoyance.
"I know you must have a way," Wang Wei rebutted. He had calculated that Emperor Kong had this kind of connection.
"I know two people," Emperor Kong admitted. "Both Empyreans, but one with a first and the other with a second level Golden Body of Merit."
"That's even better," Wang Wei said. Although he knew Feng Heng would give him face and participate in this plan, his cultivation was too weak and might increase the plan's variable.
"I can convince them to help, but you must bear the karma for their help," Emperor Kong said. These people were [Sages], and Wang Wei's plan was actively putting them in danger. If something went wrong and someone had to bear responsibility, Emperor Kong did not want to be the one. After all, such karma is the kind that can ruin a person's luck. The Death of any [Sage] is not a joke.
"It's fine," Wang Wei replied. He did not care. His Karma Unbound Physique was not a joke. Although the death of a [Sage] was enough even to affect him, there was still some protection. Additionally, he was also a [Sage], granting him another level of security. So, he'd be fine if he did not directly kill or scheme against these sages. In fact, he'd prefer that something went wrong so these parasites could take the blame. Of course, he was not stupid enough to scheme in the back to ensure that happens.
He knew when to mess around and when not to. [Sages] are a protection class, meaning Heavenly Dao does not mess around. Since Wang Wei was not sure to hide his actions under the ladder's noise, he wouldn't do something so stupid.
Emperor Kong looked at him: "Is there anything else?"
'Is this a hint that I'm no longer welcome?' Wang Wei thought, his lips almost twitching. "No, that's it for now."
"That's good," Emperor Kong nodded before handing him a talisman. "Contact me if there is more." The sign that you're no longer welcome was written on this man's face, so Wang Wei could only sigh.
"Well, it's time to take my leave," Wang Wei said as he stood up. "One last thing: Can fellow Daoist give me some more wine." Emperor Kong summoned a space ring that contained 10,000 large jars of the Immortal Dream Wine. This wine did not affect cultivation and was classified as entertainment, making it not as valuable as one would think. Of course, not as valuable is comparing it to whom. Some poor Empyreans probably cannot buy more than 100 jars.
Wang Wei took the space ring. "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for entertaining me. Say hi to Xu Shi and Lin Fan for me." Emperor Kong watched him and disappeared, and he used his divine sense to ensure he had left before returning to his palace. He sat alone in a dark room, a somber atmosphere enveloping his body.
'When was the last time I felt so powerless and ignorant? It was probably that time.' Emperor Kong suddenly found himself lost in his memories.
"Who…who are you?" asked a young boy about 12 years old, looking at the elderly man before him, dressed in a black robe with a sage-like atmosphere and holding a ruler. The boy was using all the strength in his weak and thin body to prevent himself from falling on the floor or running away screaming.
"I will be your teacher from now on," said the elderly man. "You can call me Master Shang."
"Are you a ghost?" The young Kong Meng said, his face pale. "Do you want to use my yang energy?"
"I'm not a ghost — I'm the spirit of a Saint Artifact," Master Shang explained.
Kong Meng finally calmed down after realizing he was not going to die. "Saint Artifact? Are you talking about the Saints I've read about? Are they so magical?"
"No, I'm talking about cultivators."
"Oh."
Master Shang looked at this body. Anyone who heard about cultivation would be excited, but what's with this boy's response?
"What do you say? Boy Kong Li, do you want to be my apprentice?"
Kong Li became silent: "Sir, the books say that a master chooses a student just as much as a student chooses a teacher."
Master Shang smiled. He appreciated the young boy's demeanor. "Those words are true, so if you have any concerns, you can ask me."
"Why me?" Kong Li did not think there was anything special about him.
"I've watched you in the past few years," Master Shang said. "You have no money to learn how to read, so you secretly listen to Scholar Wang's lessons by climbing through the back walls. Your mind is sharp, and you quickly learn the characters, but had no money to buy paper and pink to practice calligraphy, so you use tree branches and practice in the dirt and sand.
"Due to your poor background, no one wants to take you as a disciple, but that did not dissuade you. You help scholars with their baggage, clean their houses, and repair their clothes and shoes just for an opportunity to learn. You save every penny you make, even forsaken meals, just to buy books.
"Those people looked at you with disdain, beat you up, cursed at you, and even spit at you, thinking your efforts were in vain and you would amount to nothing. But you never give up. Your desire to pursue knowledge and improve yourself is something many of the sages you've read about do not have.
"Those qualities are why I chose you."
Kong Li had tears in his eyes. He was an orphan, and before dying, he promised his adopted mother that he would become a scholar to bring glory to their family. However, no one believed him. No one was willing to help or give him a chance. Even worse, no one acknowledges his efforts.
"Disciple Kong Li has seen the master." He knelt on the ground, bowing deeply.
"Good boy." Master Shang waved his hand to lift him up. "From now on, you're my disciple, and I'll give you the courtesy name Meng. I'll choose an auspicious day to properly worship heaven and earth so you can officially enter my school."