The Old Heavenly Master didn't say anything more to Lin Xiao. Upon seeing Lin Xiao agree, his figure simply dissipated, leaving only a talisman floating in the air.
Was this a clone of the Old Heavenly Master?
Lin Xiao took the talisman into his hand and then quickly left the place.
In one year, he was confident he could reach the level of the Old Heavenly Master.
Even he himself didn't know where this confidence came from.
...
"Sect Master."
The Great Elder looked at Tian Suanzi, whose expression was amiss. His tone carried a hint of worry, "That Lin Xiao..."
"You don't need to mention Lin Xiao anymore," Tian Suanzi closed his eyes, letting his breathing even out before turning to stare at the Great Elder. "While this Venerable was in seclusion, this is how you developed the Kui Tian Sect? I ordered you to bring Lin Xiao to the sect after he entered the Free and Unfettered realm. What did you do? You destroyed the Lin family before he could grow, thus making Lin Xiao resent the Kui Tian Sect forever."
"I recall never saying you should lay hands on mortals, did I?"
As he spoke these words, pressure filled the entire room. The Great Elder, Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and a group of inner disciples knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this matter was handled by the Third Elder all along. We did have outer disciples closely monitor Lin Xiao's growth, but I was unaware that they did so much to the Lin family and to Lin Xiao." The Great Elder said quickly.
"This Venerable naturally knows you were unaware, otherwise, I would cripple you right now!"
It was evident that Tian Suanzi was truly angered. He had prepared for so many years, even at the cost of a hundred years of his lifespan, just to find a sliver of hope a year from now. And yet, this was the result?
Man proposes, heaven disposes!
Lin Xiao's very existence obscured too much of the heavenly secrets. He could not have predicted that the Third Elder would do such things.
"Who else is aware of what happened back then?" Tian Suanzi glanced at the disciples seated below him.
Liu Fang's body trembled. He quickly replied, "Reporting to the Sect Master, we only acted according to the Third Elder's instructions..."
"As far as I know, only you two inner disciples were involved. However, quite a number of outer disciples are inextricably linked to this matter." Tian Suanzi's eyes instantly turned silver-grey, and he seemed to see through Liu Fang.
"Who exactly gave you the courage, who gave you the authority! Are you not even listening to this Sect Master anymore!"
This feeling of being beyond his control was what Tian Suanzi detested most in his life. For years of preparation, it was almost ruined because of them.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, Lin Xiao's cultivation technique is too peculiar. It is also rumored that he can enhance his cultivation by devouring the spiritual energy of others. It was these disciples and the Third Elder who were driven by greed."
"Greed is never satisfied."
Tian Suanzi snorted coldly. "If this cultivation technique were truly suitable for our Kui Tian Sect, this Venerable would have personally taken action to keep it within our sect back then!" Tian Suanzi pointed at them. "Do you truly believe one cultivation technique can allow you to defy fate? Destiny is predetermined. Without the support of the Heavenly Dao, who can defy fate? Without sufficient destiny, how can one possibly obtain that sliver of hope!"
"After all these years, you still don't understand?"
Tian Suanzi sighed deeply after speaking, "Never mind."