Chapter 368: The Saint Master's Story (Part 2)
"Back then, I was nothing more than a furnace cauldron scoured up by the Joyous Union Sect, not even worthy of having a name."
The Heavenly Demon Venerable let out a low chuckle, laced with a hint of self-mockery. "In the Joyous Union Sect, disciples like us from the so-called outer court weren't even considered human. We were just walking elixirs."
His gaze gradually grew deep, as if it were piercing through the long years.
"One day, the most cherished Senior Sister Yuyao in the sect suddenly demanded my service," the Heavenly Demon Venerable said, the corners of his mouth twisting into a self-deprecating arc. "I was foolishly naive enough to believe I had been recognized for my own exceptional talents."
"The result? I was half right. She did see my exceptional talents, but her intention wasn't dual cultivation. Her main goal was my furnace cauldron aptitude, my innate 'Nine Yin Profound Body'."
"That woman locked me in a secret chamber in her private quarters. She would harvest my essence herself every day, and occasionally, she would bring different 'good sisters' along to join in. The most outrageous time was when she even held a 'tasting session,' passing me around among a dozen female cultivators like an object."
Chang'an couldn't help but show a hint of sympathy, even picking up the teapot to pour him a cup of tea.
He never expected the Heavenly Demon Venerable to have such a tragic past. It was hard to say whose experience was more miserable, his or Shen Qingwu's.
No, Shen Qingwu's body was his now—
Poor kid.
Chang'an buried the thought in his heart.
The Heavenly Demon Venerable, clearly unaware of the silent criticism, accepted the teacup with a look of flattered surprise before continuing his reminiscence with a blissful expression:
"Just as I was about to be completely drained dry—" his tone suddenly shifted, a strange light blazing in his eyes, "the Saint Master arrived."
That day, the entire Joyous Union Sect was turned upside down.
"First, the mountain-protecting formation was cleaved open by a single sword, then the roof of the Treasure Pavilion suddenly exploded," the Heavenly Demon Venerable's voice suddenly grew vivid. "I was locked in the secret chamber at the time, and I heard screams and howls from outside. Suddenly, with a 'boom,' the entire wall collapsed."
He would never forget that scene—
Amidst the dust and smoke, a black-clad young man swaggered in, leaning on a sword, with the ruins of the Joyous Union Sect behind him.
The man looked around, his gaze finally falling on him, huddled in a corner and barely alive.
"Oh, there's a live one here," the young man said, crouching down. He used his scabbard to lift his chin. "Quite handsome, aren't you?"
Just like that, I was picked up like a chick.
"I was just looking for a capable subordinate," the Saint Master said with a grin. "I overheard a few women chatting earlier, and they said you're remarkably durable. You'll do."
...
"The beginning of that period was simply worse than death," the Heavenly Demon Venerable sighed. "The Saint Master's talent for causing trouble was greater than his cultivation. One day, he'd steal a sect's guardian spiritual beast to roast and eat; the next, he'd pull up a millennium-old spiritual herb from a prominent family to brew tea."
A pained yet amused look appeared in his eyes.
"The worst time was when he insisted on petting a spiritual cat raised by a Saintess. As a result, he got scratched all over his face," the Heavenly Demon Venerable rubbed his temples. "He ran off quickly, leaving me to be surrounded and beaten by a dozen of that Saintess's admirers. By the time the Saint Master remembered to look for me, I had been hung on another sect's mountain gate for three days."
Even at this point, Ji Hongli couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Does this Saint Master sound unreliable?"
"On the contrary."
The Heavenly Demon Venerable's expression suddenly turned serious. "Every time I was beaten half to death, he would appear right on time. Sometimes to save me, other times... purely to come back and continue causing trouble."
He sighed. "I've also asked the Saint Master what he was thinking back then."
He said, 'Do you know why I always make you take the blame?'
'Because you run fast?'
'Bullshit! It's to train your ability to take a punch!'
"I tried to escape a few times," the Heavenly Demon Venerable suddenly lowered his voice. "The farthest I got was over a thousand li away, but I was caught that very night. The Saint Master hung me from his flying sword and dragged me all the way back to his dwelling."
A flicker of nostalgia appeared in his eyes:
"That night, as he was applying medicine to my wounds, he said, 'Are you just going to be content to be a furnace cauldron for those women for the rest of your life?'"
The Heavenly Demon Venerable suddenly sat up straight, a flame igniting in his eyes.
"'If I were you, I would take back everything that was stolen, and take it back fiercely!'" his voice unconsciously rose, "'The day you return to the Joyous Union Sect and make the entire sect your furnace cauldrons, now that would be true satisfaction!'"
From that day on, the Saint Master began to seriously guide his cultivation.
"The first lesson he taught me was how to steal," the Heavenly Demon Venerable said with a strange expression. "He said it was to train my movement techniques. For three months, we 'visited' the treasure pavilions of every sect within a thousand li radius."
His voice gradually grew more impassioned:
"Of course, I eventually did return to the Joyous Union Sect. When I put my sword to Yuyao's throat, that woman was on her knees, weeping bitterly."
The Heavenly Demon Venerable gently swirled his teacup, watching his own reflection on the water's surface.
"Looking back on those chaotic days now..." his voice suddenly softened, "they were, in fact, the most vivid time of my long life."
...
"And then what?" Chang'an couldn't help but ask.
"And then..." his voice dropped a few degrees, "the Saint Master suddenly disappeared for a long time."
"When he reappeared, the Upper Realm had already begun its invasion of the Lower Realm," the Heavenly Demon Venerable said, pulling at the corner of his mouth. "I didn't participate in that great war, hiding in my dwelling and playing dead. As a result, the Saint Master came straight to my door and asked me—"
He paused, mimicking the careless tone from his memory:
"'Hey, wanna be my chess piece?'"
The Heavenly Demon Venerable let out a bitter laugh:
"Of course, I wasn't willing. A chess piece? Sounded like nothing good."
"Then the Saint Master beat me up again," he shrugged. "So I agreed."
Unlock 30 chapters instantly (for the price of the old 20-chapter tier) and get 50–55 new chapters every month.
If you're enjoying the story, consider supporting me here:
patreon.com/Alex_Cruise