章 42: You Bullies!
Li Ao found himself back in the cell, bathed and floating in rainbow-light, held upside-down by some force.
First, he was confused enough to ignore the notifications within his vision. He looked around and indeed, this was the same cell he was in before.
There was no problem in his teleportation and whatnot.
Second, he noticed the formation flags in and out of the cell, and as he read the words his expression turned strange.
''Chain, Lock, Shackle, Burden, Weigh, Limit, Soul Chain, Soul Lock, Soul Shackle, Soul Burden, Soul Weigh, Suppress Blood, Suppress Flesh, Suppress Qi, Suppress Spirit...how many words are there?''
Synonyms, when used as flags, tended to produce similar effects with few changes. However, using them was infinitely more difficult than using a repeat of the same word.
The benefit to it was the added effect of suppression. Three Chain flags wouldn't produce the same suppression effect as one Lock and Chain flags.
The principle of it wasn't exactly clear to Li Ao, and it required an Intermediate accomplishment in formations to use.
What he gathered from all this was a single thing: A Formation Master had set him a trap, and he was now suffering from it.
He didn't think it was some enemy or demon. This was the holy capital, and this was the main branch of the Li Family.
Apart from his Grandpa, there were seven Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the estate.
Few people could sneak by without their absence.
''...grandpa?''
Looking at his powerless body, only able to speak, Li Ao shouted at the void.
''Grandpa! Hey, grandpa!''
''Grandpa!''
''GRANDPAAAA!''
His echoing voice answered back.
For a moment, he thought himself alone.
But the next moment, brooding in silence, Li Ao realized the problem.
The demons were unusually silent.
''You old geezer, I know you are there!''
''Help me down! I feel nauseous—''
He heard a pair of sighs.
''...this boy...''
''How is it?''
The latter was his grandpa, who appeared in his vision with a step.
His figure separating from the dark, his head bald, wild beard long, the man seemed exhausted beyond doubt. It was simply impossible for someone of his cultivation to have them, but still the old man carried purple bags under his eyes.
Seeing his frail figure for the first time in years, Li Ao found himself feeling bitter.
He hesitated a great deal in returning so early, but now, relief washed over the lost regret.
''Grandpa...aunt Shu?''
The other person was a middle-aged woman. She had long, silky black hair reaching down her waist. She cradled a shadowy sword, with a topaz on its pommel, and held dark eyes flashing with crimson.
She was his grandpa's sister in law, or his late grandma's sister. She was one of the four friends of his grandpa that survived ten years ago.
''Hush.'' She whispered, and kept her stare on him. Li Ao felt, within his instincts, that she could see through everything within his being.
This kind of a creepy, slimy feeling gave rise to fear.
Yet, he stood there, obedient.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw the complicated gaze of his grandpa. It would be foolish of him to not notice that the old man noted his absence.
The question was, how long ago?
'He must be worried to death.'
As he thought so, Aunt Shu approached him.
His grandpa patted her shoulder. ''Hey—''
''I know what I'm doing.''
Pushing off his hand, she waved her sleeve and the formation deactivated.
''Give me your hand.''
Li Ao obliged.
She placed his hand between her both palms, then cast him a deep look.
''Don't resist.''
When he nodded, the crimson light in her pupils expanded.
In a single moment, Li Ao found himself in another space.
His body was falling through some enormous hole. Hundreds of red threads flowed down like a shower of rain. Some thin, some thick, they all seemed to have no end.
He tried to touch, get a hold of them, anxious, but his hands kept slipping over them.
When he failed, a terrible feeling invaded Li Ao's heart. His heart beat faster and faster, and his Qi started to go berserk.
''Calm down.''
Soothed in an instant, looking around, he saw Aunt Shu falling down beside him.
She had crossed her arms and her hair flung wildly in the air as they descended.
Li Ao couldn't help but laugh.
She raised her thin brows. ''What is so funny?''
''Uh—nothing, nothing!''
''At least you don't seem possessed.''
Li Ao cleared his throat. ''Is that what you two thought?''
''No.'' She put a finger on her lips. ''He was afraid you would come back more retarded.''
''...''
Li Ao, now calmer than before, kept looking around him.
Looking closely, he realized that there were certain patterns on each thread. Thick ones had them in bulk, and focusing on them he could sense a certain aura.
This kind of aura was special to each thread. It was like fingerprints, unique to each person.
Some felt so familiar that he could attribute names to them.
Li Ao glanced at Aunt Shu, who seemed as thoughtful as he was. ''What is this place?''
''Fate Palace.'' She replied. ''It is one of the Nine Palaces within a cultivator.''
''It is the place where all your karma and connections are gathered.''
''Nine palaces?''
''Not something you should worry for now.'' Saying so, Aunt Shu suddenly shot forward and grasped him by the collar.
''Wha—OOOOOOOOOOO!''
Before he had a chance to resist, Aunt Shu picked up speed and shot off. Like an arrow her figure turned blurry and dragged Li Ao with her, passing by dozens of thin red threads.
Aunt Shu rounded a few of them and ascended towards the sky. A gale whipped around her accelerating figure and bore upon the unfortunate boy.
The wind pressure pushed Li Ao's cheeks so wide that he looked like a flying squirrel.
Aunt Shu snorted. ''Don't be a crybaby.''
Saying so, she picked up more speed. Now Li Ao felt air rush into his body and inflate his belly, and in a moment he swelled into a balloon threatening to burst. He let out gasps and cries, but the old woman ignored him.
''Why is your fate hidden?'' She muttered. Her figure flashed past several thick red strands and tugged at them. ''Who hid your past and future?''
Li Ao couldn't answer even if he wished. Tears in his eyes, he could only endure the supersonic speed.
''Oh, this one is available?''
She tugged at another strand, whereupon the entire thing swayed back and forth. It blinked and glared with crimson light, then suddenly turned stiff, and fell back.
Within her hand, a dark-silver seal appeared.
''Okay, let's get out.''
With a thought, she shot up and up, forcing the limits of her speed within the realm. The shockwaves behind her sent tremors running through the Fate Palace.
The threads began to shiver and shake, and below and above them Li Ao heard constant cracks echo within the realm.
Then she came in contact with some sort of barrier and broke through.
A quiet, crisp tick echoed, and everything broke apart.
Sweating, puking, Li Ao found himself back in the cell, held by his Grandpa.
The old man patted his back and sent constant pulses of Qi to relieve his exhaustion.
''Augh, augh, OH!''
He discharged all the tea from yesterday over his knees.
''...'' His grandpa cast a look at Aunt Shu. ''Did you—''
''No, I was pretty slow this time~'' She smiled like a devil. Then, turning her narrow eyes to Li Ao, she pointed at him.
A dark silver seal, shaped like a thin circle connected by a cross, shot at his spatial ring. Her eyes lit up.
''Li Ao, let me borrow Bubbles for a moment.''
''Ough—'' Vomiting instead of answering, Li Ao looked at her with a shaking gaze. ''How do you know her!?''
She pointed at her red-flashing eyes. ''I just saw her—I won't hurt her, don't worry. I'll just take a look at her past to see where you've been.''
''Can't I just say it?''
''You are an unreliable narrator~''
''What the fuck does that mean—''
With a smack, his grandpa sent him reeling on the floor. ''Be respectful to your grand aunt!''
Li Ao laid seething on the ground. He was so aggrieved that he wanted to cry, but he had no way to oppress these two old fogeys!
He was not possessed! He had no hidden grandpa or anything! He didn't have a random magical item that turned out to be one of the three most mysterious and op artifacts in the cosmos!
He was just a poor salary worker for the universe!
Why was he bullied like a Long Aotian!?
''I am not a Long Aotian!'' He began to cry while taking out Bubbles. ''I am not a Long Aotian!''
Aunt Shu had a wry smile as she received the anxious Bubbles from him. Turning around, coughing, she stared at Bubbles with red-flashing eyes.
His grandpa, on the other hand, seemed more relieved than troubled. Rubbing his back, he spoke in a soft voice.
''It is okay, Ao'er, it is okay. I know you are my dear grandson—''
''Yes grandpa—''
''...I know only you can read those retarded things for four thousand chapters, that is my grandson...''
''...''
Li Ao pushed away his hand, straightened his clothes, then flicked his sleeve.
''For nine years, I , Xu Liao, have not read a single piece of mortal fiction!''
''Xu Liao?''
''Ah—'' Li Ao smacked his head. ''I meant Li Ao.''
His grandpa looked like he wanted to beat him to death right now, so Li Ao approached Aunt Shu.
''Oh, is that so? I see, I see, of course you will grow up splendid. What ore you said? How rubbish! He dares to make you eat trash meteorite iron? What a bad boy! Look, your aunt here has some Five-Elemental Divine Metal...''
Bubbles was bubbling in her hand, shaking left and right, and, imitating human hands, waved two dark silver appendages around in defiance.
Aunt Shu nodded to her whims, as if she could talk with her.
However, Li Ao could sense Bubbles' indignation through their bond.
She wasn't mad at him, she was mad at not being understood.
She wasn't complaining about Li Ao!
She was trying to defend him from her accusations!
Cheeks twitching, also proud, Li Ao shot forward and snatched Bubbles from her hands.
''Don't you dare corrupt my sister!''
''Oh, come on! We were getting along fine~''
''You home breaker!''
His grandpa teleported behind him and smacked his head at supersonic speed.
''Be respectful to your grandaunt!''
Li Ao crashed onto the ground and Bubbles rolled down his palm to the ground. With great fury, she increased the number of her appendages to four!
Then, as if a god of death walking down the earth, she wobbly walked to his grandpa's feet and began striking at his white socks.
In a fury, she threw 0.105 punches a second, which was a record time! The strong feelings breeding in her heart, her desire for revenge, and her determination to make her older brother brought to justice, her blows took another level of strength.
Aunt Shu and Li Ao's grandpa looked at the little thing with worry.
''He has corrupted her...''
''A retarded Heaven-grade tool...how impressive...''
On the ground, Li Ao groaned with indignance...
In the end, it seemed nothing was so worrying.
As his grandpa led him out of the dungeon, he explained what happened.
As it happened, the governing sect of the Four Mountains Realm had released a notice to recruit new disciples.
The sect was called Four Saints Sect!
They were actually originating from the Sage Planet, which was where the Great Wei Dynasty, Li Family, and other old families originated from.
It was established fifteen years ago in a joint effort to resist the Demon Realm and the descending Demonic Emperors.
Soon after its establishment, the Four Saints Sect became the highest authority of the Sage Planet. When the Demon Cataclysm ended ten years ago and the Realm Barrier separating them from the rest of the universe shattered, they became the ruling figure of the Four Mountains Realm.
In essence, they were akin to Six-Fold Immortal Sect—but, as they originated from this plane, their policies differed greatly from them.
Four Saints Sect only had one objective; let humanity survive!
For that reason, not only did they publicize martial arts to the common populace, they also researched methods to improve the daily lives of all kinds of folk.
In just a short fifteen years, they raised the cultivation threshold of common martial artists from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment. Rogue cultivators could achieve Core Formation by relying on themselves and free martial arts.
Through improvement with research on nature of Qi, formations, Spirit beasts, and agriculture, the last two generations grew especially strong. Infant mortality rate was the lowest in its history and small sects and schools flourished everywhere.
This was the main reason for the strong foundation of the Four Mountains Realm.
So, when such a high-tier power announced a new wave of disciples to be accepted, even The Great Wei Imperial family would make preparations.
However, Li Ao found the entire affair slightly troublesome.
''Can't I stay with you, grandpa?''
The old man cast him a curious glance. ''Let's talk about it in the study.''
Then he shared a look with Aunt Shu, and she made a curt nod.
On the way to his grandpa's study, Aunt Shu made a short but succinct summary of what she saw through Bubbles's fate.
Most of the memories were her climbing random furniture or playing with her siblings. However, there were a lot where she attended Fan Yueyin's lessons.
Some of them included him reading out loud his answer sheets for the lessons, and few included him cultivating.
Through nit-picking information, Aunt Shu could gather what happened to him, and knowing of it made his grandpa a lot more relaxed.
However, none of them asked anything about how it all came to be.
To them, it was enough to know he was in no danger. It was an opportunity he received, and any opportunity came with its own dangers.
So long as he was not duped, it was all in good spirit.
Now, sitting in his grandpa's study, Li Ao looked at the old man.
''Why? Did you suddenly decide to be filial?''
''Can't I? Ehehehe~''
''...Li Ao, you should stop laughing. Actually, why don't you become the stoic type?'' Aunt Shu spoke while cradling her sword. ''Young girls your age like that, you know? Cold prince who is actually warm inside—''
''I have no interest in girls!''
His grandpa turned pale for a moment. ''...you don't like women?''
Aunt Shu let out a hollow laugh. ''Ah, it is okay, it is okay. It isn't nothing weird...sometimes, people just like their own gender—''
''Why are you bullying me!?''
When he shouted so, for a moment, Li Ao thought of a girl.
Shaking his head, Li Ao cupped his hands.
''Grandpa, must I join them?''
That was the most important question here.
With the Agent System, Li Ao lacked neither resources nor manuals. So long as he worked, he could get anything he wanted. Of course, the ceiling for his gains were also higher than Four Mountains Realm.
Such being the case, he didn't want to be away from his family.
For some reason, Klein's words took a place in his heart. Perhaps it was premonition, or a primitive instinct.
Still, it didn't matter to Li Ao what it was.
''Why are you unwilling?'' Aunt Shu asked right back. ''It is a safe environment for you to learn, grow, and take up important responsibilities. You can also get wealth and status from being affiliated to them.''
''I don't need money or status.''
''Ao'er, be realistic.'' His grandpa frowned. ''Who can improve their cultivation without resources? I can see your Physique has improved a great deal—you must have obtained it through your opportunity.''
''That means you will need twice, nay, thrice the resources to grow. Resources require wealth—''
''Grandpa, I'm not stupid. I can just get money when I need it.''
The duo frowned again. Feeling constipated, Li Ao just decided to show a bit of his winnings.
Ignoring other notifications, Li Ao clicked on Transfer Rewards.
*Scanning Environment*
*Environment Unstable*
*Still Proceed?*
Approving again, Li Ao saw a single pouch appear from empty space.
His grandpa and Aunt Shu turned sharp at the sight. With a flash, Aunt Shu grasped at the space where the pouch appeared.
Suddenly, veins popped on her forehead, and she released her sword to turn both hands into claws.
Space popped and crackled, and Li Ao saw the scene in front of his eyes warp. A terrifying force appeared within the twisting darkness.
With one movement, she tore through Third Space.
A terror seized his heart. Sweating, Li Ao retreated towards his grandpa's side and watched the space further break apart.
Yet, there was nothing still.
Breathing out, Aunt Shu gave up after a minute. The crack repaired itself with a pop.
''How did it come here?'' His grandpa mused, gazing at the pouch in his hand.
''What matters is how it went out—'' heaving, Aunt Shu settled on a chair and wiped her forehead. ''Are you sure this is a safe opportunity, Li Ao?''
''I never claimed it is safe.'' Li Ao shook his head.
''...that is good.'' His grandpa nodded. ''A safe opportunity is just a dream. There is no cheat or shortcut to greatness in the world.''
''Still, try to be more on guard.''
''Just wait a few years, grandpa!'' Li Ao put a thumbs-up near his bald head. ''Then I'll be able to tell you what I do.''
Once he became a second-rank agent, he could recruit an aide to himself. For now, his only candidate was his grandpa.
''Oh, don't bother. I'm not so interested.''
Li Ao just grinned, then remembering the previous topic, opened the spatial pouch.
A single high-grade spirit stone fell from the pouch. It tumbled, then rolled towards the other end of the table.
His grandpa nervously scratched his beard. ''Ah...well, it is certainly impressive...''
Aunt Shu, however, didn't seem surprised. Instead, she cast a glance at Li Ao's spatial ring.
Only she knew the kind of things he held there, all of which Bubbles committed to her memory to protect...
''Wait, it is clogged—'' Poking the entrance of the pouch, suddenly, a dozen spirit stones fell on Li Ao's head.
Grunting, he stretched back and let the stones fall.
One by one, then by dozens, high-grade spirit stones started to fill up the room.
At first, the duo looked on, slightly impressed. Then bit by bit their jaws dropped to the floor.
In a minute, A mist of Spiritual Qi filled up the room and leaked through the open window to the estate.
Down the floor, where Li Ao's cousins made merry with wine and food, several of them noticed the rich smell in the air.
Stopping drinking for a moment, the group of youngsters looked up.
Today was a sunny day with few clouds. Sun shone bright, and carried no wind. Hence, it was warm and dry.
Then there was suddenly a hundred meter-wide mist of Spiritual Qi escaping out of the second floor, and it kept rapidly expanding in size. Eyes bulging out, the group of a dozen people ran outside to see the entire scene.
In a minute the aquamarine mist encompassed the entire Li Estate. Sunlight dim, winds blocked, a silence overcame the ancient buildings. As if a host of ghosts descended, the mist created a dreadful aura.
Servants and attendants turned cold.
When the mist expanded further, curious onlookers on the streets noticed the commotion. Those that noticed the rich Qi had their eyes lit up.
Some chose to sit where they stood and cultivate, madly absorbing the residual mist, while others took out jade bottles to store it as Spirit Dew.
Back in the study, seeing everything with their Divine Sense, the duo cast a flaggerbasted look at Li Ao.
With arms on his hips, chest stuck out, and his smile smug, Li Ao looked down at the two old geezers.
''What do you think?''
The duo looked at each other, stood up, then smacked Li Ao on the head.
''You bullies!—''
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