“So your Ming Clan is faking the attacks of the Demonic Cult?”
“Yes, I wasn’t aware of our involvement with them but recently secret meetings between a group of unknown people and our Elders have increased. I found out those were Elders of the Top 3 Demonic Sects.”
While the Demonic Cult was moving against the various academies and clans, secret dealings were happening between them and the Ming Clan behind clothes doors.
Li Shen tapped his fingers on the table he was sitting at.
As a member of the Righteous Faction, the Ming Clan allying with the Demonic Cult would be shocking news if it were to be leaked.
Li Shen's eyes narrowed while thinking of what to do with this information.
“Did you find out what their deals are and why they would work with the Demonic Cult?”
Weisheng shook his head and said.
“Forgive me Young Master, I was unable to find out that information, but I did find out that my Clan is teaching members of the Demonic Cult the cultivation path we have developed.”
‘Of course, with that as a bargaining chip the Ming Clan could use it to negotiate for anything, but what? What could have possibly prompted them to risk becoming the enemies of the Righteous Faction?’
Li Shen turned to Weisheng and said.
“Alright, I won’t be in contact for a few months so until then keep investigating this.”
Li Shen stood up and Tai hidden in the void moved to pull him into his pocket dimension, however, Weisheng suddenly spoke up.
“Young Master, wait!
“Have you heard of the Chosen Tournament?”
Hearing that Li Shen sported a confused expression.
Weisheng upon seeing this explained.
“As the name suggests it's a tournament involving the Chosens, not just on our Continent but the Star Bound Continent as well. There are even reports that Chosens from the other Continents will be there.”
Li Shen's eyes flickered upon hearing that.
‘A Chosen Tournament?’
Weisheng continued to speak.
“This tournament came as a result of the missing Hidden Fragmented Realm. All the Powers involved in arranging this tournament have pooled their resources for the prizes for the winners. The tournament is going to be a brutal competition between several well-known as well as hidden geniuses across each continent.”
Something stirred in Li Shen’s heart when he heard that.
The tournament itself seemed to be on a large scale.
‘This is another thing father didn't mention. Forget it, I’m not in the mood to see him again.’
“Young Master, I don’t think my Clan working with the Demonic Cult at this time isn't a coincidence.”
Weisheng had on a solemn expression.
‘Not to mention the predicament of a lack of resources the Demonic Cult is facing. Could the tournament be the reason for their alliance?’
Li Shen thought to himself, but he wasn’t sure, he need more information.
“I’ll leave this to you to handle.”
Weisheng cupped his fist and said respectfully.
“Yes Young Master!”
Li Shen’s figure then disappeared from the pavilion, while Weisheng wasted no time pulling over his hood and exited the pavilion with his head down.
Li Shen floated in the air and watched as he blended into the surroundings while heading for the exit of the city.
“This ability is too convenient. Now I have such a spy in the Ming Clan, if I play this correctly I could be a step ahead of them at each turn.”
However, Li Shen suddenly thought of something and he laughed.
“Now that the Demonic Cult is involved with them I’ll have information on them too.”
This was like threading two needles in one try, and Li Shen was loving this favorable situation.
“And that Chosen Tournament, this couldn’t come at a better time. I want to work on everyone while in seclusion and myself as well. After I exit it should be time for the tournament, the chaos on the Continent should have calmed down as well.”
Li Shen looked into the distant horizon for a moment before he turned and flew off.
– – –
– –
–
“Come on! Are you all this weak? This just reaffirms that you all need this seclusion.”
Li Shen looked behind to see, Mu Fan, Yang Su, Lihua, Fang Chen, and Fei Yin struggle up the path through the forest.
Wrapped around their ankles was a massive metal ball that looked like it weight thousands of pounds. And judging from how they were leaving deep trails on the ground that could be true.
Mu Fan who was in front looked at Jun beside Li Shen and begrudgingly said.
“Why isn’t he doing this? At least give him some weight to not show how biased you're being.”
Li Shen casually responded to that by saying.
“Jun’s training will be different from all of yours. He’ll be by my side while you guys will be on your own.”
“But do we really need these?”
Lihua asked between her gasps for breaths.
“Don’t worry we’re already here.”
Li Shen said as he turned around.
The scene spread out to welcome a large mountain that hid the sun behind it.
“Where are we?”
Jun asked and LI Shen responded.
“This is my Clan’s training grounds where we’ll be entering seclusion. A day inside will five days in the outside world and we’ll be staying in there until the year ends.”
Hearing that the others did the calculations in the heads. It was around four months until the year ends so that was just under two years.
Seeing everyone's unsure expression Li Shen said.
“We might not stay that long, it’s just until you all find what you currently lack.”
Li Shen then continued forward but didn’t stop speaking.
“I’ve come to realize that my method of how I go about things, that's providing you will ample resources and a safe environment to train was not the right solution. The problem is with me and my overprotective nature of you guys.”
Li Shen soon came to a stop at a certain point before he turn to everyone.
“I need to trust that you are your own person and that you can survive on your own. As much as this going to bother me not knowing your safe or not, I’ll have to do it.”
Everyone hearing that wore hesitant expressions on their faces.
They were wondering why it sounded like Li Shen was talking as if they were going to die. Was this place that dangerous?
Li Shen smiled and then waved his hand towards them.
Two pairs of jade slips flew out and landed in their hands.
“The first jade slip is for entering the dimension while the second pertains to how your training will go so listening closely
“Inside this dimension is dangers that even Core Formation and Nascent realm cultivators would avoid. After entering you won’t be in the same location, you’ll need to come and find. I’ll be staying in one location for three days at a time after which I’ll move. I want this to be a journey as well as a challenge for all of you and it ends if you can find me.”
Everyone went into thought upon hearing Li Shen's decision.
“But how will we find you? I’m confident this dimension isn’t small.”
Yang Su asked.
“Don’t worry, that’s where the second jade slip comes in, it’s a two-way tracker so you’ll be able to see my location.”
“So, you’ll be able to see ours as well.”
Lihua commented with a strange expression.
“Uh, that’s right, and you can also use it to contact me for help in case the dimension jade slip is somehow destroyed.”
Li Shen coughed in his fist as he said that.
The second jade slip had completely nullified what he had just said about trusting them to protect themselves. But Li Shen only saw it as a precaution.
Jun who hadn’t received his own looked at the others holding theirs.
“Alright! The first jade slip also has a map of the Dimension so you won’t get lost, it also has information on the different territories inside. Make sure to stay safe inside, use the first jade slip to leave, or contact me if you see no other choice.”
Li Shen was extremely worried and they could hear it in his voice.
While he spoke further explaining more things about the dimension itself, he formed a couple of hand seals causing the massive metal balls attached to their foot to turn to liquid before snaking up their arms and legs to wrap around their wrist and ankles. It wasn't any better but it felt easy for them to move.
“So, who wants to enter first?”
**
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