The Undying Immortal System

Chapter 266: Life 75, Age 16, Martial Disciple Peak

A week later, JiaQi and LiTing showed up. I gave them the same rough information that I had given YuLong and showed them to a room where they could cultivate in seclusion.

Then, I also entered seclusion to begin cultivating a new technique, the Writ of Metal from Charred Earth. Since I was returning to the Nine Rivers Sect, it might have been better to take this opportunity to cultivate the fire essence technique and permanently raise my fire affinity to peak four-star, but changing one’s cultivation technique after ascending to the Ruler Tier was a bit complicated, and I needed access to both metal and earth qi if I wanted to learn how to make memory orbs.

So, I chose a technique that was similar to the Writ of Wood-Burned Earth which I had cultivated previously. There wasn’t much new that I needed to learn, and thankfully, this technique didn’t require experiencing the pain of burning alive.

With the help of pills and formations, I was able to return to Peak Disciple after only a few weeks.

At the end of the first month, Yan finally made an appearance, so I gathered both my friends and my two disciples in the manor’s sitting room. As I looked around at everyone, my feelings were... mixed. I was happy about seeing them again, but I was worried about how they would react to what I had to tell them.

I closed my eyes, breathed out, and began.

“Let’s start with some introductions.” I looked at Bao and SuYin and gestured to the others. “These are Zhuge Yan, Shi YuLong, Chai JiaQi, and Lin LiTing. They are the companions who joined me on my first trip through the Nine Rivers Sect.”

Bao and SuYin both gave the others a quick martial salute.

I turned to this group of four and gestured to the pair opposite them. “This is Bao Wen and Ye SuYin. They are personal disciples that I accepted in my most recent life.”

My four friends gave this pair martial salutes in return.

“As I have already told everyone, in the past, the five of us made it to Heaven City in the Nine Rivers Sect. We did this twice, in fact. After the first time, I took the Path of the True Chosen and was killed nearly instantly. While I still have questions about that path, I have become convinced that the sect is looking for people who have found a way to cultivate their physical bodies instead of their energy bodies.”

Yan looked like he wanted to ask questions, but I held up a hand to stop him. “We can discuss everything in more detail later. Suffice it to say that my first trip to the Summit ended in my near-immediate death.”

Yan nodded in acceptance, but I could see a glint in his eyes that told me we would be having a talk later.

“For now, what is important is this: the Summit is a lie. You might be allowed to ascend if you make it there, but whether you are allowed to ascend or not, reaching the Summit means that you will be required to swear a venomous Oath that will lock you into a soul contract for all eternity. Through this Oath, you will forswear all existing allegiances, friendships, and familial connections. If, for some reason, you do not feel inclined to swear such an Oath, then they will implant you with a soul gu and force you to do so.”

Bao, SuYin, LiTing, and JiaQi gasped at this news. YuLong got angry. Yan... Yan just looked disgusted.

“Successfully walking the Path of the True Chosen might allow you to get around this Oath, but I doubt it. The Saint’s Emissary didn’t give me the impression that the Saint was any better than the Sovereigns under him. My guess is that you will simply be required to swear an even worse Oath to the Saint himself. So, in short, joining the Nine Rivers Sect means nothing but eternal servitude to the Sovereigns.”

This caused Yan to clench his teeth in anger, but I just smiled viciously at him.@@@@

“That’s why I plan to break the rules. You may have noticed the others gathered in this manor. They are members of my new clan. I intend to use them to break through to Sovereign without the Saint or his lackeys even being aware of it. I don’t know how easy it will be to bring you with me, but if you’re willing to work with me, I will do my best. So, the question is, are you willing to join my clan?”

LiTing’s response was muted, but it was nearly instantaneous. “Yes.”

JiaQi cocked her head to the side. “What does joining your clan mean?”

“I know... I just... I would prefer to put that off for now.”

I glanced around the room. “Does anyone have any questions?”

An hour later, I held a meeting between my clan’s leadership council and my new group of Revered Elders. We all sat around a circular table with the ‘world orb’ inset into its center.

“ShouLi, Liang, Mo, NiangBa, GuiAi, GuiMing. The six of you form the clan’s leadership council and are responsible for ensuring that it continues functioning properly. I appreciate your service, but if we want to take the next step forward, we will need more help.”

I gestured to Yan and the others. “These six will take up positions as the clan’s Revered Elders. You are already familiar with Elder Bao, and I am sure you know how capable he is. The other five at this table are no less so. They will help guide our clan forward, and they will help each of you ascend through the Ruler Tier.”

Everyone on my leadership council tensed at this. They likely felt that they were being replaced.

“The Revered Elders will not interfere in the day-to-day operations of the clan, and I would be surprised if they even had any desire to do so. Instead, they will serve as protectors and guides as we take the next steps on our journey.”

ShouLi still seemed nervous, but she bowed her head to me. “Yes, Ancestor.”

I did my best to give her a comforting smile. “We are headed to the Nine Rivers Sect. This sect is divided into nine factions, one for each element. The Revered Elders will lead groups to the Wood, Water, Earth, Metal, and Light Peaks. I will lead the group to the Fire Peak.”

I looked at Liang. “We do not have a Revered Elder of Lightning, so I will need you to do your best to lead anyone who chooses to follow you to that peak.”

Liang, filled with mixed emotions, gave me a nod of assent, and I turned to ShouLi.

“I do not expect anyone to go to the Wind Peak, but there should be a few of the illusionists who will wish to join the Dark Peak. Since none of the Revered Elders will be able to accompany them there, I would like the council to appoint someone to serve as their leader. Liang, we will discuss the situation in the sect with both you and whoever is leading the team to the Dark Peak, but you should come to us if there are any questions. Elder Shi has extensive experience on the Lightning Peak, and Elder Zhuge has experience with the Dark Peak.”

After a long pause, I revealed the oath stone that I had acquired from Emperor Li.

“While I trust everyone here, the Nine Rivers Sect is a dangerous place. Aside from the risk of someone betraying us willingly, there is also the possibility that someone will be forced to do so. If that were to happen, it would put everyone in the clan in danger. So, anyone who chooses to join the sect will need to swear an Oath. If this Oath is violated, they will instantly be struck by lightning and destroyed, body and soul. While I do not enjoy asking this of you, I hope that you all understand the reason for it.”

I passed the oath stone to Yan, and he placed his hand upon it.

“I, Zhuge Yan, hereby swear that I will not divulge anything that Su Fang or his Revered Elders has told me is a core secret of his clan to anyone who has not sworn this same Oath.”

This wording was a bit broad, but I felt that it struck a balance of covering everything that might be dangerous to spread around while not feeling too restrictive. For now, the only ‘core clan secret’ would be the existence of the ‘world orb,’ but eventually, we would have to add time travel to the list.

After swearing, Yan passed the stone around the table, and everyone copied him.

When it was her turn, ShouLi gave me a strange look, and I realized that this was the first time she had solid confirmation that I was not Prince Fang of the Proud Mountain Kingdom. I was Su Fang of the Su Clan.