23 Between Power and Tradition
"If you take the technique, you should be prepared to witness the destruction of the Wudang Sect," Ling Han said coldly.
His words, however, only served to incite the anger of everyone present, but Shi Huang immediately gestured for calm.
"Oh, you're so confident, are you?" He saif dismissively.
"Well..." Ling Han stepped forward. In the next breath, an aura of formidable pressure erupted from him like a slumbering beast awakening. This pressure, palpable and potent, suddenly enveloped the room, pressing down on the Elders and Shi Huang.
"I could kill you all if I wanted to," Ling Han declared, his voice as cold as an arctic wind.
The response to Ling Han's proclamation was absolute silence, his pressure aura too powerful, too daunting. It felt as if the icy hand of death itself was reaching out, lingering within a breath's distance.
Shi Huang's face contorted with solemnity. The aura was extraordinarily potent, even he, despite being a cultivator at the 6th level of the golden core realm, was feeling the brunt of it.
Was it possible that this man actually harbored a power surpassing his own?
His eyes darted to the Elders; their faces contorted in discomfort under the sheer weight of the aura. The very air seemed denser, heavier, filled with a formidable pressure that seemed to bear down on their very souls.
"Enough, I won't take this technique," he quickly said.
"Give me the technique," Ling Han said, extending his hand.
Without hesitation, Shi Huang tossed the technique over to Ling Han.
The oppressive aura gradually faded away.
"Who are you? Are you an elder of the Long family?" Shi Huang asked earnestly.
"I am merely the bodyguard of Young Master Long," Ling Han responded.
Hearing this, Shi Huang was shocked once more. With such strength, Ling Han was merely Long Tian's bodyguard?
It was hard to believe, but Ling Han's expression remained unchanged from the beginning. He sighed, if a mere bodyguard was this strong, what about those elders? He couldn't imagine how powerful the Long family was; it seemed that this was why they were one of the ancient families.
"So, what about my offer, master Shi?" Long Tian suddenly asked, a smile playing on his lips.
"What if I refuse?" Shi Huang replied.
Long Tian smirked, "Well, perhaps I'll approach the Heavenly Demon Sect and offer them the technique," he taunted.
Shi Huang's expression turned sour at the mention of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
"You're not actually offering the technique to them, are you?" He asked seriously.
"If you refuse, that's my only option. I don't care whether they're evil or good, it's no problem if it benefits me," Long Tian replied with a smirk.
Shi Huang's countenance darkened; he didn't expect Long Tian to be so cunning. The Heavenly Demon Sect was the opposite of the Wudang Sect, a sect that studied demonic techniques.
If they obtained the soul bonding technique, their power would undoubtedly rise, and it would pose a threat to the Wudang Sect.
If he agreed to exchange the thousand stars training method to Long Tian, he would essentially be selling out the sect's integrity. But on the other hand, the overall strength of the sect would increase with the soul bonding technique.
He didn't expect a youngster to corner him with such a difficult choice.
"What's your decision, master Shi? Take it or leave it," Long Tian said.
Shi Huang exhaled a deep sigh, "I agree to exchange the soul bonding technique for the thousand stars training method," he declared.
His statement, however, elicited a wave of disapproval from the elders.
"Sect master, why did you agree? That's the sect's treasure!" An Elder protested.
"Right, no matter how valuable the technique is, it cannot fetch the thousand stars training method!" Another agreed.
"I agree!"
"Agreed!"
Once again, the room erupted into chaos, all the elders disagreeing with Shi Huang's decision.
"Quiet!" Shi Huang shouted, releasing a domineering aura, silencing everyone.
"I have made my decision and it is not open to debate!" He declared.
Long Tian smiled, he had finally obtained the legendary training method. For the elders, the training method might be a treasure, but for him, its value was beyond that. Only he knew how powerful star power was.
"But, Long Tian, I have one condition," Shi Huang suddenly said.
"What is it?" Long Tian asked.
"Join the Wudang Sect. You don't need to pass an entrance test and I'll make you a core disciple, most of the cultivation resources will also be provided to you. With that, I agree to your offer," he said.
"Master Shi, you know my relationship with the Xuantian Sect, right? I can't possibly join the Wudang Sect, but I can ensure to maintain this good relationship," Long Tian said, a smile on his face.
Hearing this, Shi Huang sighed, he had almost forgotten about the Xuantian Sect. Long Tian's grandfather, Long Zuandi, was the great Elder of the Xuantian Sect, he would naturally join them.
"Fine, I guess I have no other choice, I agree to your proposal," he said.
"That's the wisest decision you've made, master Shi," Long Tian smiled.
"I hope so," He sighed. "Elder Hu, please fetch the thousand stars training method," he instructed.
"Okay," Hu Jian nodded.
With that, he left for the back.
*********
The room was still in a state of tension, but the elders had a major question about why the sect leader agreed to exchange the thousand stars training method for a single scroll.
At this moment, Hu Jian returned with a wooden box intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes.
He handed it to Long Tian.
Long Tian opened the box, revealing an ancient-looking book. It was the thousand stars training method. He could confirm that it was genuine.
He closed the box and looked at Ling Han, "Uncle Ling, I've gotten what I wanted, give them the scroll," he said.
"Okay," Ling Han nodded.
With that, he handed the scroll to Hu Jian.
"Nice doing business with you, master Shi. I've gotten what I wanted. With this, we shall take our leave."
