“Their deaths will be on your hands if you go any further than this brother Shen. Just help me perfect this formula and I’ll release them. I won't have to use this method again as well, potentially saving more lives in the future.”
What Lihua had sensed was Li Shen being held captive to do Xian’s bidding.
“I know you’ve contacted the Celestial Academy so they could be here at any moment. I think you’ve stalled enough, tell me how to form the connection.”
Li Shen’s eyes narrowed for a brief moment before he released Xian’s neck.
“The Four Rune Transmutation Principles.”
Li Shen said simply after a while.
Xian upon hearing that had his eyes flicker with thought.
“Of course!”
He suddenly exclaimed in excitement.
“Why didn’t I think of this before? If I could use the Four Principles of Rune Transmutation I could restore the Soul and Core rune inscriptions to match the physique rune without losing or reducing their function.”
What a breakthrough!
Xian’s expression was bright as this was a major leap towards his goal!
But after further thought, his expression slowly fell to be replaced with an ugly expression.
“But the only copy of the Four Principles Rune Transmutation was said to be unreadable.”
Xian looked at Li Shen with furrowed brows. Though a piece of information suddenly popped into his head and he cracked a smile.
“Ah, that’s right. It was said that the Four Principles of Rune transmutation was created by a runemaster from the Li Royal Family. Brother Shen, oh how glad I am to have met you. The circumstances weren’t’ great but we surely have good chemistry between us.”
Li Shen's face remained the same as he said.
“Too bad I neither know it nor even if that elder is still around.”
Li Shen lied through his teeth as he slowly got up from his cross-legged position.
Xian seeing this frowned.
But Li Shen simply turned to him and said.
“This is over, release those people. I’ll find the time to search for that elder in my clan but don’t get your hopes up.”
Xian hearing that wore a hesitant expression.
Li Shen saw he was hesitating and he frowned.
“I give you my word I’ll visit my family to find the creator, release them.”
Li Shen’s tone was commanding and even though he was very convincing, Xian's hesitating expression suddenly vanished to be replaced with a smile.
“Brother Shen, I haven’t killed anyone yet, don’t let me have to.”
“Are you threatening me for information I don’t have?”
Still smiling, Xian responded.
“Until the count of three, if brother Shen doesn’t tell me I’ll turn one half the population into nutrients for my runes and the other half into mindless zombies. One…”
After saying that, Xian began counting.
Li Shen looked at him with furrowed brows, but Xian only continued with a smile.
“Two…”
Xian paused there and looked at Li Shen’s neutral expression. Seeing no response from him, Xian shook his head.
“Your too stubborn brother Shen. What are the lives of thousand compared to me completing my formula?”
“I told you I don’t know the Four Principles of Transmutation.”
“You’re lying brother Shen, I can tell.”
Xian said as he looked at Li Shen deeply.
“Is it because I will pose a greater threat to you as the Faceless Hero?”
Li Shen felt his heart drop at Xian’s words. However, he didn’t show a reaction on the outside other than giving a confused look.
Seeing his reaction, Xian chuckled and said.
“Your acting is non-existent brother Shen. With such a revelation that the once thought crippled Second Prince could cultivate and is even the enigmatic Faceless Hero. I wonder how many forces would want you dead. Even aiming for your friends and family to get to you in the process as well.”
The hidden threat behind Xian’s words was like a knife twisting in Li Shen's chest.
He was still too weak to encapsulate and protect everyone with his current strength. If his importance increased any higher than it was now, and forces like the demonic Cult decided to target him then maybe he could rely on his father.
But what about Yang Su, Jun, and the others?
Would he have to run and hide with them, hoping to keep them safe?
He didn’t want that, why would he want such a cowardly life for them or himself? That’s why he chose to keep his identity a secret, as well as the fact that he could cultivate.
The reaction of the Nascent Soul realm elder had been a tell as to how the Demonic Cult would react once they found out.
Xian being so sure he was the Faceless Hero made him believe he wouldn’t be convinced otherwise. On top of holding everyone in the city hostage, he release this information that if told could prove deadly to Li Shen.
Xian looked at Li Shen and said.
“I was surely shocked when I made the deductions, but I wasn’t going to reveal brother Shen’s secret. As I said before, I’m not like my fellow demonic disciples. I have absolutely no attachment to the Poison Demonic Sect or the Demonic Cult. They’re only a means for me to achieve my goal.”
Xian then shook his head and continued in an exasperated voice.
“Being chased by a horde of disciples one day and backed into a corner having your life hanging by a thread, you get desperate and poison them with a variety of poisons. But suddenly news started to spread that you’re some Poison Progenitor, Eh? Completely ridiculous really when I haven’t concocted a single poison in my life. As brother Shen can see from my formula after completing it I’ll be an unstoppable force in terms of Daoist Magic Spells. No spell will be too hard to cast and even multi-casting will be a breeze for me.”
Xian had on a relaxed smile.
“So, brother Shen, are you going to tell me the Four Principles of Rune Transmutation? Or…”
Xian didn’t finish his words but Li Shen got the message.
Looking at him, Li Shen.
“I refuse to give you not because of fear, but because you don’t deserve to complete this formula with your methods. Don’t get it twisted.”
While saying that, the sword moved as Li Shen used his Divine Will.
Xian looked at what he wrote and his eyes flickered. Then with a wave of his sleeves and a forced left his hand to decimate the ground the formula was carved on. Destroying any evidence of it ever existing.
Standing up, Xian looked at Li Shen and said.
“Despite the different paths we walk, we’re kindred spirits you and I. That’s whether you want to admit it or not. I’ll release these people after I escape safely brother Shen.”
Xian release his signature smile before his body vanished.
His voice could be heard lingering in the cavern.
“Oh, and if that Kun Peng boy decides to come looking for revenge, as a Master make sure he’s at least strong enough. And goodbye my Goddess Lihua!”
Lihua who was seen coming back from searching the pavilions had her face turned dark when she heard Xian’s goodbye.
To think she had ever shown sympathy for someone like him, especially now that she knew he was the one who had put Jun in that state. She wished she could take it all back.
Li Wen approached a silent Li Shen from the pavilion as well.
“Were there any survivors of the experiments?”
Li Wen shook his head.
“Alright then, let’s leave and head back to the Academy. As much as this was bad for us, for finding this secret base we could negotiate for more share of resources at the Faction Leader Meeting coming up. Let’s go.”
Li Wen went to say something, but Lihua shook her head, and instead, both of them just followed Li Shen out of the cavern in silence.
Xian had proven dangerously cunning, completely outsmarting Li Shen. But with the situation so unfavorable to Li Shen there was no other outcome.
But they would meet in the future, and under different circumstances, Li Shen was going to twist his neck. If not him then he’ll train Jun enough to beat him.
While heading back to the academy numerous emotions toiled in his heart, and his thoughts fumbled about in his head.
‘It can’t stay like this, I have to do something drastic to increase my strength and the others.’
Li Shen finally settled down his emotions and racing thoughts.
He had a feeling that everything wasn’t over yet. Call it his sixth sense, but Li Shen could sense that something was coming. A blockage in his road forward that he would need to overcome. And it wouldn’t just affect him, but everyone around him.
“Something drastic…”
Li Shen mumbled as his eyes narrowed into slits.
The sun over the horizon was beginning to raise in full as the Celestial Academy appeared in the distance.
‘I know what to do, to increase mine and everyone else’s strengths.’
Li Shen clenched his fist as if he made up his mind to go this route after hesitating.
The sun rose fully when they reached the academy, but even as the peaceful mourning began, it was only a calm prelude to the terrifying events that will take place across the entire Maple Continent.
And it all centered around Li Shen.
**
//Tseth: Hey guys, remember to show some love by voting with golden tickets and power stones!//
This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by (f)reew𝒆b(n)ovel.com