Chapter 955: Choices P5: Shuan’s Path of Revenge

Aksai then shifted his attention toward the Seven Stars.

The seven Expert-level cultivators had all made names for themselves across Emerald Cove Island and beyond its shores.

Their affiliation with Aksai was well known, so he didn’t bother asking whether they intended to remain on the island.

That would be suicide.

And none of the Seven Stars was suicidal.

Aksai’s gaze settled on Shuan first.

He gestured for him to step forward.

"Shuan brat, what are your plans for the future?"

Shuan stepped out from the group.

Aksai had particularly high expectations for this man.

Shuan possessed a high-grade Spirit Root Aptitude and rare comprehension capabilities. He was bold without being reckless and prudent without being overly cautious.

Among the Seven Stars, he was the only one to have reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. He was actually faster than Aksai in reaching this level of cultivation at such a young age.

Most of that progress had come from his own efforts. Back when the Emerald Cove Guild was really active, Shuan frequently ventured into dangerous regions of the subcontinent alone, taking on life-threatening missions and tempering himself through actual combat.

Among the Seven Stars, he had the highest probability of becoming a Core Formation Lord.

Unfortunately, he also had one significant flaw.

He held grudges.

Aksai had always worried that this flaw would eventually lead Shuan down the wrong path.

Perhaps unfortunately... that day had arrived.

"Lord Aksai, I..."

Shuan hesitated briefly.

"I wish to return to the mainland and join the Purple River Sect’s rebellion forces in their fight against the Rokur Kingdom’s royalty."

Aksai’s expression remained calm as he listened to Shuan’s words.

"The Emerald Cove Guild has an alliance with the Purple River Sect. If my Lord gives me permission, I and a few of my subordinates can represent the Emerald Cove Guild and support the Purple River Sect in driving away the imperial invaders fighting alongside the royal faction."

Aksai sighed.

He wasn’t surprised.

He had already known what Shuan would choose once the royal faction openly went to war against the sects.

Shuan’s grudge against the Rokur Kingdom’s royalty went back many years.

When he had first begun his path as a Spirit cultivator, news of his high-grade Spirit Root Aptitude had spread. The royals immediately tried to recruit him into the royal army (Chapter 139).

Shuan refused.

At the time, he was being raised by his master, Jainam Bluesky, who had accepted him into his cultivation family in the hope of restoring its former glory. Shuan had even agreed to marry into Jainam’s family, making it impossible for him to swear allegiance to the royal family.

The royals didn’t take the rejection well.

After Jainam’s death, they seized the family’s Blue Sky Restaurants and destroyed the main restaurant in Purple River Gate City right before Shuan’s eyes.

Then came the assassins.

They pursued Shuan repeatedly, forcing him to rely on his prudence and luck just to survive.

Eventually, Jainam’s family fractured and faded away. Only the branch that had followed Shuan and his wife Marishaa to Emerald Cove Island survived.

Jainam had taken Shuan in hoping that his talent would restore the family’s glory. Instead, Shuan’s arrival had almost brought about its destruction.

Marishaa never blamed Shuan, and the surviving branch eventually established itself on Emerald Cove Island.

However, Shuan had never completely forgiven himself for what had happened. Nor had he forgotten the Rokur royals.

He had already sworn in his heart that he would get back at the Rokur Kingdom for doing what they did to him as well as his master’s family (Chapter 140).

For years, Emerald Cove Island had been the only thing holding him back from seeking revenge. He knew that acting against the Rokur Kingdom while under Aksai’s protection could drag the entire island into his personal feud.

At this point, that restraint was gone.

The island was already caught in the imperial storm.

And Shuan finally had an opportunity to settle the grudge he had carried for so long.

Aksai understood him.

After all, he had been the one who originally brought Shuan to Emerald Cove Island to help him escape the royal family’s pursuit.

Now that Shuan had grown strong enough to bare his claws, Aksai knew he wouldn’t hesitate.

Still, he felt compelled to warn him.

"Shuan."

His voice was calm.

"I know what you’re thinking, and I know what motivates you to take action against the Rokur royals."

Shuan lowered his head.

"I won’t force you to give up your revenge."

Aksai paused.

"But don’t let revenge become your only guiding light."

Shuan’s eyes flickered as he listened to Aksai’s words.

"Since you know how to begin your revenge, you should also know when enough is enough."

Aksai looked directly into his eyes.

"And you should know when it’s time to end it."

He sighed.

"You’re a smart young man with a high-grade Spirit Root Aptitude. In terms of natural talent, you’re even better than me."

Aksai shook his head.

"Don’t let that talent go to waste."

He didn’t try to dissuade Shuan any further.

Instead, he produced another storage bag and tossed it toward him.

Shuan caught it and immediately sent his Spirit Sense inside.

His eyes widened.

The bag contained a large number of Spirit Stones, valuable cultivation resources, powerful talismans, and several other life-saving trump cards.

Shuan’s eyes gradually became moist. He looked at Aksai before bowing deeply.

"Thank you, Island Master, for caring about me so much."

His voice trembled slightly.

"In this life, only you and my late master have truly looked after me. I really wished I could have followed you forever, but my Dao Heart is set on this path."

He straightened himself.

"Please forgive me."

His expression became resolute.

"I... I will try not to let you down. If I still have a future left after my revenge, I’ll come to find you once the dust settles."

Aksai shook his head.

"No need to do your best. And there’s no need to worry about letting me down."

Aksai smiled faintly.

"Just make sure you survive the storm. I hope we meet again in the future."