[Imperial Capital – Heavenly Light Sect]
This was the Wang Jinhu's martial sect.
A 'Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land', it was, in essence, a pocket dimension established within a vast stone cavern.
Though its disciples numbered fewer than one hundred, the place constantly buzzed with a boisterous, noisy, and lively atmosphere.
Heavenly Light Sect, it seemed, taught a miscellany of arts; their Founding Master had specialized in the unorthodox schools, and thus his students concurrently pursued various 'side paths' like artifact forging, alchemy, talisman creation, and so forth.
Inside, disciples, both male and female, could be seen everywhere, either deep in discussion or engaged in spirited, vociferous debate.
Yet one dwelling amidst this lively sect seemed strangely out of tune.
This was the area where the Heavenly Light Sect housed its spirit beasts. Here, a powerfully built, bald man with limbs of silver carried a shoulder pole laden with baskets, both overflowing with spirit beast manure.
Now, the dung of these creatures, especially that of any 'Spirit Beasts Kings' among them, was an exceptionally rare and valuable substance; it could be used to generate Beast Fire for forging or alchemy, and was also perfect for fertilizing the spirit fields within this Grotto-Heaven.
"Yaotie," Wang Jinhu's voice was filled with concern, "You... put that down! Stop carrying it!"
Wang Jinhu had just come back from an important assembly only to find Li Yaotie still engaged in this menial task of hauling manure.
It had been five years since Wang Jinhu brought back the storage ring entrusted to him by Li Tianshuang – the very ring that had held Li Yaotie, saved from the calamity. Yet ever since arriving at Heavenly Light Sect, Li Yaotie – a man of such exceptional talent in artifact forging – had been utterly dejected, lost in a profound melancholy, almost as if he had completely forgotten his true calling as both a Master Artificer and a Spirit Puppet Master.
Though Heavenly Light Sect had clearly offered him a place as a disciple, he had stubbornly refused, insisting instead on performing only the most menial of labors.
Wang Jinhu recalled that back in the Azure Cloud region, this same Li Yaotie had been known for his explosive temper. But from the moment he learned how Li Tianshuang had sacrificed her own life to ensure his concealment and escape, this fiery young man had transformed.
He became almost preternaturally calm, no, more accurately, it was as if his very spirit had been extinguished. Gone was all his former fire and drive; in its place was a heavy silence, a man of few words.
Here in Heavenly Light Sect, he never picked a fight with anyone. Even when met with disdain, contemptuous glares, or outright verbal attacks from others, he would simply bear it all in silence, returning to his menial tasks.
"General Wang," Yaotie said, his voice flat despite the words. "Just this last load and I'm finished for now. Later on, I still need to tend the Beast Fire for Master Liu, see. Heheh."
Li Yaotie gave Wang Jinhu a fleeting, empty smile, then resumed his task, hauling the manure towards the spirit fields.
"Ai." Wang Jinhu sighed, his heart heavy with pity.
Watching Li Yaotie's departing figure, Wang Jinhu sighed heavily, his eyes brimming with profound pity.
For years, he too had sought out other Li family survivors, but all his efforts had yielded nothing. And this sole remaining Li member he sheltered... all his former fiery pride was gone; it truly seemed as if he had completely given up on himself.
Later that night, after a long day toiling within Heavenly Light Sect, Li Yaotie returned to his modest dwelling. There, he moved towards a Spirit Tablet positioned in the center of the room and began to kowtow deeply. His eyes were filled with sincere devotion and an unexpected, fervent hope!
"Ancestor," he murmured, his voice surprisingly steady, "This child... I am no longer the reckless fool I once was. This child now understands the need for constant vigilance."
Li Yaotie Kowtowed again, his gaze fixed on the storage ring in his hands – the very one Wang Jinhu had given him upon his arrival at Heavenly Light Sect, the same one that had once held him safe.
"This child perceives," he continued his prayer, "that agents from other regions are present within the Heavenly Light Sect. They covet this child's knowledge of the Spirit Puppet Art. However, Ancestor, please do not worry. So long as this child stays within Heavenly Light Sect and remains content to be seen as a mere menial laborer, the people from other regions will not dare to act against me."
As his words trailed off, the Ancestral Spirit Tablet before him began to pulse with light! Into Li Yaotie's eyes, for so long dull and lifeless, a spark of their former radiance suddenly returned!
"Old Ancestor!" he cried, his voice thick with emotion. "You're back! You've truly come back!"
"Yaotie..."
Li Wei found himself seated upon the Spirit Seat within the Ancestral Hall.
He yearned to reach out, to comfort Li Yaotie, but as he extended his hand, he found it was shaking uncontrollably. He had witnessed it all – Li Yaotie, reduced to hauling manure day after day in Heavenly Light Sect.
"Back in Azure Cloud region," Li Wei thought, a wave of anger and sorrow washing over him, "who would have dared force such labor upon him? When had his proud Yaotie ever been so utterly meek, so subservient?!!"
But with the Li family's enemies, and those who coveted their power, lurking everywhere, Li Yaotie had felt he had no other choice these past five years but to maintain this facade.
A gentle luminescence now emanated from the Spirit Tablet, its golden glow bathing Li Yaotie's face in warmth. It was as if he could physically feel the Ancestor's concern. He broke into a wide, almost childish grin at the tablet.
"Ancestor," he said, his voice filled with relief, "Don't worry. This child... I'm alright now. There are numerous skilled artisans here in Heavenly Light Sect – Artifact Refiners, Array Masters, Puppet Masters... And even though this child has only been a lowly menial servant here, I've taken every opportunity to secretly observe and learn many of their skills and techniques. Whenever this child desires it, I can break through to the Nascent Soul realm at a moment's notice! And becoming a Rank 6 Spirit Puppet Master? That too is within my grasp whenever I wish!"
[System Update: Your descendant Li Yaotie, upon awakening in Heavenly Light Sect and assessing the unfamiliar, perilous surroundings, resolved to feign utter despair.
While appearing broken, he has been covertly studying Heavenly Light Sect's techniques, all the while steadfastly awaiting his family's summons.
Acquired Trait: Enduring Humiliation to Nurse Vengeance.]
[Trait Effect: While cultivating in secret, Cultivation Speed +20%, Comprehension +20%.]
"Yaotie... he hasn't despaired. That's right," Li Wei thought, a new strength igniting within him.
"Why then should we abandon all hope?" Li Wei murmured this to himself, the light in his eyes growing noticeably brighter.
For Yaotie, he left behind just two words displayed via the tablet: [ALL IS WELL].
Then, he vanished from the Ancestral Hall.
"Yes, Old Ancestor!" Li Yaotie responded with renewed vigor. "This child will absolutely press forward!"
Li Yaotie looked down at the storage ring resting in his palm.
"If only, five years ago," he thought, a deep ache in his heart, "I had possessed the composure and vigilance I have now... Tianshuang... perhaps then, the one to arrive safely at Heavenly Light Sect... would have been you."
"It's my fault, I was useless, your Grandpa couldn't save you. But mark my words, one day this old man will grind that villain Tian Xing to dust and scatter his remains in a dung pit!"
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