"These peaches from the temple orchard are divine. I swear they get sweeter every year!"
"No argument there. And speaking of sweetness, did you hear about Core Disciple San-li and Core Disciple Ran?"
"They were seen strolling by the lotus pond together last night. I think there might be something blossoming between them."
"Ah, young love! It's a beautiful thing. But let's hope they don't get too distracted from their training."
"Well, love can be a powerful motivator. Maybe it will make them even more dedicated to their practice."
On an island, there was a group of disciples relaxing in a serene corner of the turn-way. They sat on a large stone bench, enjoying the warmth of the sun filtering through the branches of ancient trees like they were under a canopy as they chatted.
In fact, these disciples always gathered her to chat as they had spent long years here already, their conversation usually shifting from one topic to another – the latest scrolls in the temple library, the intriguing new training exercises, the upcoming competitions before, finally, gossip.
However, their voices suddenly dropped a notch before disappearing altogether as they saw a purple-robed man walk past the pathway in the distance.
Their jovial expressions all turned solemn in an instant, even fearful, wondering why he was here!?
With him walking in the pathway leading to many abodes left and right, everyone present froze in their tracks.
As they felt their own hearts pound rapidly without a stop, they saw him make a turn and walk past them. However, their hearts almost stopped, sinking deep into the abyss as they saw him stop and turn to look towards them.
"Excuse me, fellow cultivators. Good day to you all. Does any one of you know where I can find Core Disciple Drake Blackburn?"
One of them subconsciously yet speechlessly pointed in a direction, causing Davis to look at a huge abode that was around two hundred meters tall and covered the area of a football ground.
"Many thanks."
He cupped his hands towards them and took his leave.
Only after he left did their bodies shake, and they came out of their reverie.
"No way. So it's as the rumor said!?"
"He really was acquainted with the Emperor of Death."
"Unbelievable…"
The person they were talking to was naturally about Drake Blackburn. They knew he came here recently and enjoyed a certain fulfilling life since it was known he was a dual cultivator. Since that was the case, he had been slightly vilified or kept at arm's length by the female disciples here, as dual cultivation was rarely an acknowledged cultivation method here.
Other than those who have yin or yang physiques and those who are in need, there was rarely anyone who only used dual cultivation methods as their main.
Since he also had the name of the Emperor of Death following his stature, no one went near him, but that wasn't the case for a few since they all thought he was a scammer and entertained him with amusement.
Davis heard the comments even when he was in front of Drake's front gate.
His hearing was extraordinary, and he could even intercept their soul transmissions, although he didn't do that because everything they had to say about Drake was said by their mouths in whispers.
They were extremely weak, not even worth a look from him when he put forth his status as a heavenly genius who could even best the Azure Dragon Clan's heavenly geniuses. However, he couldn't help but envy how carefree they were with their time.
They talked about practicing cultivation as though it was only optional, making him imagine that they were somewhere in the middle of the rankings since they didn't need to get ahead or fall behind.
He joined a sect but never got to experience the full sect life before he self-exiled himself, not that he could remain adamantly, bringing trouble to everyone.
Nevertheless, he shook his head, blaring his aura.
"!!!"
The core disciples ran away, thinking that Drake was going to be murdered.
"Bastard! You're still alive! Ahaha!"
However, came out a resounding voice as Drake flew out of his abode and crashed into his own gate, destroying it in the process as he punched out.
Davis waved his hand, simply canceling the might. He smiled, seeing that Drake still wore that same dark yellow robe, although it was now etched with the symbol of the Aurora Cloud Gate.
"Not bad… your cultivation has entered the Level Nine Immortal Stage, and your prowess is five levels higher… not bad…"
Davis blinked as he commented, "Why are you still a core disciple?"
The other disciples appeared to be shocked as they saw Davis casually talking with Drake. But then, they were also shocked to see Drake's prowess was five levels higher. After all, such prowess was enough to put him at the level of a true disciple.
"Well-"Drake ran his fingers through his raven-black hair, appearing to pose.
But before he could say anything, two women stepped out of the abode, making Davis speechless.
They both wore pearl blue robes while radiating a significant amount of yin aura. Obviously, their undulations were unstable as they just seemed to have entered Immortal King Stage. Their expressions were hidden, and he could see that they were looking at him curiously, perhaps wondering who he was, but he guessed that he didn't need to answer with how he saw their eyes widen in realization.
Drake came closer and threw his arm around Davis's shoulder.
"I just boosted my comprehension of Yang Laws… so I have yet to apply to become a true disciple."
Drake sent a soul transmission before opening his mouth, "Come inside. Let's talk more. I'll introduce you to my new wives."
He then turned around and looked at Schleya but then blinked.
"Who is this lady you're with…?
Davis saw that Drake didn't recognize Schleya despite knowing her.
'So that's the power of a perception-distorting artifact…'
Davis's gaze flickered as he saw that even he couldn't see Schleya's face or figure properly unless he focused his soul sense on her. He knew it was the power of a Mid-Level Immortal Emperor Grade Illusory Artifact they bought from the Aurora Cloud Gate's Treasury to move around outside.
It was particularly effective since people of the First Haven World rarely knew that Schleya even existed or was on his side. Of course, Schleya was also a true disciple of the Aurora Cloud Gate and a part of the Phantasm Verge Alliance, so if people wanted to know her origin, they could trace it, but forming the connection would be difficult as she was rarely seen, her powers unknown.
Nonetheless, seeing that Schleya wanted to hide her identity, he didn't say anything and walked into the abode. The two new wives of Drake quickly ran into the abode, appearing to be careful of him.
Drake appeared confused before he shrugged and gestured to Schleya, allowing her to also enter.
Soon, Davis sat opposite Drake with a table in between them. Schleya chose to stand behind him like a bodyguard, which made Drake further confused, but he chose not to ponder.
On the other hand, Davis saw that the two women sat on a table a few meters away, appearing to be on their edge as they had their hands on the table and their butts slightly raised as though wanting to run or take action at the slightest mishap.
"I heard you refused the goodwill of my wives." Davis raised his brows at Drake, "What? Are you a nobleman now?"
To reward Drake's efforts to help his family by even laying his life on the line, Mingzhi and the others wanted to supply him with resources, but Drake simply rejected it, not providing an explanation. Even Logan went to compensate him, but he said that he didn't want it, so his actions were that of a man who moved for a noble cause.
Because of this reason, Drake only had the resources he obtained from the Starlight Jade Wolf King initially and the resources he earned through his own efforts, so his prowess hadn't reached the level of a powerful true disciple at the topmost rankings.
Even his gate was not strong enough to defend against his meager attack, so it could be said that he was living in poverty, making Davis also wonder how he got these two beauties.
Hearing Davis's question, Drake's lips couldn't help but curl.
"Heh! If I accepted that, I wouldn't be able to accept the resources from the big fish, would I? Speaking of which, I heard you went to a secret realm, so the fact that you are back means that you would've returned with a bountiful harvest, no…?"
"You vile fox…"
Drake grinned while Davis laughed with a wide smirk on his face.
However, the two women in the back shuddered upon hearing Drake act so offensive towards the Emperor of Death.
ker1
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