Chapter 288 - 260: A Slave for Over a Thousand Years, Still Wagging His Tail and Begging

Chapter 288: Chapter 260: A Slave for Over a Thousand Years, Still Wagging His Tail and Begging

Thousand Eyes True Master had suddenly returned.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, his purpose was likely not so simple. Especially with the Golden Core masters of the two great powers, the Primordial Sect and the Star-Picking Sect, all having gone to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea, for him to return so abruptly now...

"Something’s happened!"

It wasn’t just Chen Che who knew; the others who were privy to the inside story also had a vague sense of foreboding.

"We pay our respects to the True Master!"

The valley fell silent for an instant. Then, all the guests scrambled to their feet, and a cheer like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing erupted in unison.

WHOOM—

As the voices faded, the entire valley fell into a deep silence. Many people didn’t even have the courage to look up.

For most Cultivators, they might go their entire lives without seeing a Golden Core True Master this up close. And in the presence of a Golden Core master, everyone suppressed their own emotions to the absolute limit.

Thousand Eyes swept his gaze over the packed Jinyun Valley, his expression unreadable. His voice descended like a heavenly mandate:

"I have just returned from the Black Tortoise Calm Sea and happened to be passing by Jinyun Valley. I did not expect a Foundation Establishment Ceremony to be underway, nor did I intend to disturb your pleasant gathering..."

’You’re already here, so what’s the point of this nonsense?’

"You are too kind, True Master."

While Chen Che mulled over the man’s intentions, Meng Qianxun had already raised a hand and summoned a Pumpon:

"Your presence brings immense honor to both Jinyun Valley and my Meng Family. Please, take the seat of honor."

"No need."

Thousand Eyes descended from mid-air but didn’t stop, instead walking straight toward the main discussion hall.

"I have business with Tributor Chen."

Seeing this, Chen Yin followed him into the hall step for step, as timid as a quail.

Hu Yao, Liang Yuan, Rong Zhongxuan, and the other high-ranking members of the valley exchanged glances, then all looked toward Chen Che in unison.

Chen Che pondered for a moment before drawing upon his True Essence, his voice echoing throughout Jinyun Valley and beyond:

"Today’s Foundation Establishment Ceremony is now concluded. Fellow Daoists, please take your leave."

"As the Valley Master commands."

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators present were the first to respond, transforming into streaks of Escape Light and flying out of the valley.

Afterward, the many Qi Refining Cultivators also departed quickly.

In just a few dozen breaths, the Cultivators present had cleared out completely. In an instant, the only ones left on the plaza were the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of Jinyun Valley—Chen Che, Meng Qingxuan, Hu Yao, Rong Zhongxuan, and the others—along with the members of the Meng Family and Lu Yuntian.

Signaling for everyone to relax, Chen Che finally stepped into the main hall.

Inside the hall, Thousand Eyes True Master sat on the Lotus Platform at the head of the room, listening to Chen Yin’s report:

"...Currently, Hunzhou has a total of one million troops, the Imperial Guard is fully prepared, and provisions are ready. We are only waiting for the new year to launch a major invasion of Shuzhou. If all goes smoothly, we will surely be able to swallow the entirety of Shuzhou within fifteen years."

"That is merely the Mortal World."

Thousand Eyes lowered his gaze. "What about the cultivators’ side of things?"

"Preparations are still underway. We have already commissioned a batch of weapons and Pills from Jinyun Valley. Once the second batch of weapons and Pills is in hand, we will have enough to launch our attack..."

Chen Yin replied with a bow, completely lacking the imposing air of an old ancestor.

"Act as soon as possible. I do not wish to wait too long."

As Thousand Eyes spoke, he seemed to recall something and tapped his fingers on his knee. "What about Tributor Sun?"

"I don’t know."

Chen Yin shook his head. "Since your departure, there has been no news from Tributor Sun. I have tried to contact him several times, but there has been no reply at all."

"No news for nearly a year. Could he have perished?"

Thousand Eyes glanced at Chen Che. Although he didn’t move, the pressure he exuded was immense, making Chen Che’s heart skip a beat. Only then did Thousand Eyes speak:

"You’ve likely guessed why I’ve come, haven’t you?"

"I have..."

Chen Che said, clasping his hands.

’What else could it be? It’s obviously for Alchemy!’

"Your Realm has progressed quite rapidly. I have been gone for less than a year, yet I feel you have improved again. I imagine it won’t be long before you can prepare for Core Formation."

As Thousand Eyes spoke, he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

’His progress in his Realm is too fast. How many more years of refining Pills can he do for me?’

"The Golden Core Dao is something one can only hope for, not force."

Chen Che didn’t even raise his head.

The perception of a Golden Core True Master was far more acute than that of an ordinary Cultivator.

A year ago, he was only at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer, but now he had reached the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer. At the same time, his Qi and Blood were like mercury, and his skin was like ice and jade. Even a Major Cultivator at the same Realm could sense the changes in him, let alone a Golden Core True Master.

Of course.

What the True Master could sense was only on the surface. As for his true strength, that would only be known once a fight broke out.

"Don’t sell yourself short."

The light behind Thousand Eyes True Master’s mask swirled and shone as he spoke in a gentle tone:

"I have said before that I will ensure your Core Formation. No matter when you undergo Core Formation, my promise will be fulfilled. The reason I came to Jinyun Valley this time is to have you refine some Pills for me."

"...Yes."

Chen Che’s eyebrows raised slightly.

Thousand Eyes flicked his finger, and a Pill Formula slowly drifted over to land in front of Chen Che. "Although it will be somewhat difficult, I hope you can refine it as soon as possible. As for the Materials, Hunzhou will also prepare them for you."

Chen Che glanced at the Pill Formula and couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

Tier Three Middle Grade, Yang God Pill.

Its Materials were of a much higher grade than the Yin Spirit Pill he had refined before. The most direct difference was that the Souls required were no longer from mortals, but from Cultivators.

One of its main ingredients, moreover, was the Souls of nine Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Thousand Eyes rose and walked out the door.

Chen Che and Chen Yin followed.

The banquet in the valley had already been cleared away, returning the area to its previous quiet state. The valley’s disciples had all returned to their duties, and only Meng Qingxuan, Hu Yao, and the others still remained waiting in the plaza.

"Young friend, for your Foundation Establishment Ceremony today, I have no great treasures on me, so allow me to gift you this Jade Guanyin. This jade is a Tier Three Low Grade Divine Soul Defense Magical Artifact. Divine Sense below the Golden Core Realm will not be able to trouble you."

His gaze swept over Meng Qingxuan, and Thousand Eyes raised his hand slightly. A black Jade Guanyin, styled in the shape of a thousand-eyed, thousand-handed figure, slowly flew to her.

Chen Che swept it with his Divine Sense.

He found that aside from its bizarre shape, there didn’t seem to be any mark left by Thousand Eyes inside. It was merely a rather strange and peculiar Magical Artifact.

"Thank you, Senior."

Meng Qingxuan accepted the Jade Guanyin with a solemn expression.

Sometimes, a gift was not so easy to accept.

Indeed.

The thought had barely formed in her mind when she saw Thousand Eyes clasp his hands behind his back and look toward Meng Qianxun. "It has been over a hundred years since we last met, young friend. You have already reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, and the day of your Core Formation is within sight. Unfortunately, Core Formation is not easy. Young friend, would you be willing to enter Hunzhou and become a Tributor?"

"I can guarantee your Core Formation..."

’A Tributor?’

These words from Thousand Eyes made the hearts of the Meng Family members jolt.

He had returned, and his first order of business was to come to Jinyun Valley. Now he was using Core Formation as a bargaining chip, making his offer directly. This was clearly a recruitment drive. If they became his Tributor now, wouldn’t they be doing thankless work, used as someone else’s weapon?

"Thank you for your generous offer, Senior..."

Meng Qianxun frowned, about to refuse.

But then he saw Thousand Eyes wave his hand, and a Jade Scroll flew out from his palm:

"Over four hundred years ago, I visited the Cave Mansion of True Master Chilong and obtained many Beast Taming Techniques. The Meng Family is a great Beast Taming Race; you should know who True Master Chilong was. The techniques he left behind are certainly no ordinary things."

Chen Che’s eyelid twitched.

’So that’s how it is.’

’True Master Chilong’s Cave Mansion was broken into by Thousand Eyes. Right, Thousand Eyes has been alive for over two thousand years, after all. He must be extremely familiar with the whereabouts of the Golden Core True Masters of his era. It would be perfectly normal for him to find their Cave Mansions.’

’It seems that the Tree Seed True Master Chilong obtained must have been taken by Thousand Eyes. But for him to use True Master Chilong’s legacy to recruit the Meng Family... This is...’

Chen Che’s mouth twitched slightly.

Any other Beast Taming Clan would have been ecstatic to hear the name True Master Chilong.

But the crucial point was...

"Ah?"

Meng Qianxun was stunned on the spot, seemingly unable to process this news. Only after a moment did he seem to recover, his expression becoming extremely complicated.

"This... this... this is actually a Cultivation Technique from True Master Chilong?"

Meng Qianxun’s shock was not feigned.

That day, his son Meng Changtu and Chen Che had gone to the Marsh Forest, killed the Red Dragon Remnant Soul, and brought back the Cultivation Technique. Most people in the Meng Family were unaware of this matter, but he knew the whole story. That was why he had gone against all opposition to let Meng Changtu implement a series of reforms in the clan.

To avoid any leaks, the complete legacy of True Master Chilong was still in his hands; only a portion had been released to the clan.

But he never expected that the man would use the legacy of True Master Chilong as the price for him to join Hunzhou!

"Heh heh..."

Seemingly satisfied with Meng Qianxun’s shock, Thousand Eyes nodded slightly. "This is only a part of it. If you are willing to become my Tributor, I will give you the rest..."

"Thank you, Senior, for bestowing this technique! I am willing to become your Tributor!"

Meng Qianxun forced a look of excitement onto his face and cupped his fist in a salute to Thousand Eyes True Master.

"Study the Cultivation Technique well. If I have orders, I will send someone to instruct you."

Thousand Eyes nodded slightly, his tone shifting. "But you have accepted my gift. If you take orders but refuse to act on them, then do not blame me for being ruthless and merciless."

As soon as his voice fell, a black cloud appeared beneath his feet, carrying him and Chen Yin as it flew straight toward Hunzhou.

...

"That little brat from the Meng Family actually made me bring out True Master Chilong’s Cultivation Technique before he would agree."

In mid-air, Thousand Eyes recalled the previous scene and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

"Your Eminence."

Chen Yin stood behind him and asked cautiously, "Is it really appropriate to give him that Cultivation Technique so easily...?"

"It was only twenty percent."

Thousand Eyes said faintly, "The remaining eighty percent is still in my hands. If the Meng Family wants to obtain the subsequent parts of the technique, they will have to risk their lives for me. Even after he achieves Core Formation, he will still have to obey my commands for the sake of this technique!"

Chen Yin naturally understood this was a promise of great benefit.

For Chen Che, a promise of Core Formation.

For the Meng Family, a promise of True Master Chilong’s legacy.

"I originally intended to bestow it upon Sun Hao. Since he has no intention of staying in Hunzhou, it naturally won’t be his."

Thousand Eyes said faintly, "If there is still no news of him in half a year, kill him."

"Yes!"

Chen Yin respectfully accepted the order. After a moment of hesitation, he finally asked, "Master, your sudden return this time, is it because of what happened at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea...?"

"Is that something you should be asking about?"

Thousand Eyes lowered his gaze, his tone chilling.

Chen Yin knew he had misspoken and quickly lowered his head, silent as a cicada in winter.

A slave for over a thousand years, still wagging his tail and begging for scraps.