East Sea, Wanling Island Territory, a desolate island.
On a misty mountain peak, a simple cave dwelling was built, with a concealment array inside to isolate one's aura.
A thin man sat cross-legged, dressed in a black robe, with long black hair casually draped over his shoulders. A black lotus mark was on his brow, and his whole body exuded an aura of coldness and ruthlessness.
The black-robed man trembled just from sitting cross-legged there.
"We request an audience with the Ancestor!"
The man in black robes was none other than the Black Lotus Patriarch, the founder of the Black Lotus Sect. Upon hearing his trusted subordinate's request for an audience, he waved his hand to lift the restrictions.
"Come in."
Outside the cave, a white-clad man who had been waiting for a long time broke through the barrier and entered the cave, bowing respectfully:
"Master."
The Black Lotus Ancestor nodded, and then said:
"Xuanlian, what was the response from the Myriad Spirits Pavilion when you went there?"
The man in white was named Xuan Lian, a disciple of the Black Lotus Ancestor. Not long ago, the Black Lotus Ancestor sent him to visit a high-ranking member of the Myriad Spirits Pavilion with gifts.
Of course, he was just an elder from one of the factions within the Myriad Spirits Pavilion.
This elder has a past relationship with the Black Lotus Ancestor, and can help him make connections.
It was because of this connection that he dared to come overseas.
The Myriad Spirits Pavilion, as the top power ruling the Myriad Spirits Island region, has a Martial God in charge. Although it is not as powerful as those great sects and holy lands, it is undoubtedly a behemoth with a long history.
The Black Lotus Sect wants to join the Myriad Spirits Pavilion. If they succeed, Da Xuan will not dare to easily attack them, they will no longer need to hide, and they will have a powerful backer.
Xuanlian's expression was somewhat strange as he said:
"I went to Thousand Machine Island and paid my respects to the island lord. He refused to let my master take the position of vice-island chairman, but said that we could go there first..."
"They went back on their word?"
The Black Lotus Ancestor frowned, looking displeased.
He had already made arrangements with the other party, but they went back on their word.
"The other party seems to know that we have offended Da Xuan and is unwilling to bear this pressure. However, their idea is that we can go over first and discuss it later."
Xuanlian said cautiously.
Upon hearing this, the Black Lotus Ancestor's face darkened even further.
He finally understood what the other party was planning.
To put it bluntly, they felt that the Black Lotus Cult had a bad reputation and had offended other forces.
But they are still a significant fighting force, and we can let them do the dirty and hard work first.
The Black Lotus Ancestor's expression shifted, akin to his past role as a henchman or retainer...
"I made rapid progress using ancient evil techniques. Although I have successfully broken through to the Celestial Realm, it is difficult to make much more progress. I will go there first to use its resources to deal with my own hidden dangers..."
According to divine guidance, staying in Da Xuan would be a calamity, while going overseas would bring both fortune and misfortune.
That's all...
After a while, the Black Lotus Ancestor's expression softened, he sighed inwardly, and then got up to summon his disciples.
Although it is said that when the time comes, one has no choice but to bow one's head when under someone else's roof.
But at least he has a powerful backer, and Da Xuan can't do anything to him.
As for joining other demonic paths, he had absolutely no such intention.
He's an expert at double-crossing.
...
The East China Sea, the Wanling Island region, is so vast that it is unimaginable to ordinary people.
A vast, clear blue ocean stretches to the horizon, where the sky meets the sea, seemingly endless. Occasionally, a gust of wind will rise, whipping up whitecaps.
Li Ming, riding his flying boat, only dared to fly in the near-shore area.
Otherwise, if they encounter a storm at sea, the airship will be capsized.
"Although Thousand Machine Island, where Ling Yongyi is located, is close to the Great Xuan, it seems to be nearly a thousand miles away in the sea."
Li Ming flew at a moderate pace over the sea.
He wasn't in a hurry, but instead kept an eye on the movements below, sensing the natural order of heaven and earth.
After leaving Da Xuan, he discovered that the spiritual energy overseas was indeed much stronger.
"No wonder many people are willing to risk storms at sea and the danger of attacks by terrifying sea monsters to venture overseas."
Li Ming couldn't help but sigh.
Suddenly, he heard a cry coming from the sea.
"Father...Mother!"
"I'm so miserable!"
A series of tragic cries echoed through the sky.
On the merchant ship, some people died and others were injured.
Some people cried out in despair, while others were in excruciating pain from their injuries.
Although Li Ming was in the air, he could see the scene below clearly and couldn't help but sigh:
"This world is indeed a dog-eat-dog world, no different from anywhere else. Bandits and thieves run rampant in the Great Xuan, and demons cause trouble. Even overseas is not peaceful."
The pirates hadn't left yet; after looting the ship's cargo and money, they were torturing the men and women for their own amusement.
...
"Oh no!"
Lin Fan couldn't help but pound the ground, crying his heart out.
He was tortured beyond recognition, with one arm and one leg broken, and his martial arts skills were almost completely destroyed.
"Mother!"
A tragic life story surged within him.
His mother was the eldest daughter of the Lin family, but she became pregnant unexpectedly after going out for training. She gave birth to him and then died of illness.
It's easy to imagine how much the people in his clan disliked him.
He grew up in the cold eyes of others.
Although he had decent martial arts talent, he didn't receive much assistance from his clan.
It all depends on my own hard work.
With the help of friends, I finally organized a shipping business and was ready to expand it, but it ended up like this.
"Heavens, why are you so cruel? Now I'm afraid I can't even cultivate martial arts anymore!"
"I... I'd rather be dead, I'd rather be dead!"
Lin Fan was utterly devastated. He got up and rammed his head against the ship's pillar.
At that moment, a sigh rang out, and the many bandits who had been committing violence were instantly reduced to ashes.
In an instant, the noise of the world seemed to be completely silenced.
Even though Lin Fan put all his strength into it, he couldn't go any further and his body came to a stop.
Then Li Ming waved his hand, sending him flying several meters away.
"Senior... please, kill me!"
Looking at the peerless young man, who seemed like a banished immortal, Lin Fan felt a mix of emotions.
"..."
Li Ming fell silent.
He originally didn't want to get involved, but on a whim, he stopped a suicide attempt.
Several thoughts flashed through Li Ming's mind, but not wanting to hear the other person crying, he reprimanded them:
"Why are you crying?"
"Senior, you have no idea why I'm crying..."
"I don't need to know why you're crying. Does crying really change anything?"
"ah……"
Hearing the reprimand, Lin Fan froze, then looked at his mangled body, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Legs broken, arms crippled, dantian destroyed, where am I... what future do I have... what can I possibly change?"
"...Then you'll keep crying?"
Li Ming didn't really want to get involved in the first place, so he couldn't be bothered to offer any comfort now.
He slowly got up, intending to leave the place.
"Wait... Senior, please accept me as your disciple!"
Lin Fan suddenly realized something.
Bang, bang, bang!
He knelt down and kowtowed heavily.
Li Ming, on the other hand, began to look at the other party's entry with great interest.
Name: Lin Fan
Cultivation Level: None
[Entry]: [Good comprehension (green), familiar with maritime affairs (white), plagued by calamity (white), straightforward and decisive (white), signs of early death (gray), lost all cultivation (gray), missing limbs (gray), accomplished nothing (gray)]
At first glance, he appears unremarkable, like an extremely mediocre or even miserable person.
But Li Ming felt something was wrong, so he opened his third eye and focused his mind.
Let's go take another look.
I just realized that.
Several hidden terms appeared before his eyes.
[The reincarnation of the God of War (orange), born of destiny (purple), having undergone tribulations (purple)...]
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