Chapter 416: Dragon Serpent Heavenly Mandate?

The truth of the world is cruel; the more you know, the worse it is for yourself.

Before, Chen Chuyang thought this saying was just a joke, not to be taken seriously; but now he realizes it is true.

He felt a chill run down his spine.

Terror, fear, dread—various emotions surged up, and even killing intent condensed, locking onto the Spirit Sword True Person before him.

Lingjian Zhenren said slowly: "Not only Spirit Sword Sect and Heavenly Heart Sect, but also the forces of those you killed, like Du Xuzi, have influence outside; the major powers control everything—anyone who leaves this world must either join us or die."

"There is no third choice, Fellow Daoist Chen Chuyang, think it over—join Spirit Sword Sect, and I, as Sect Master, can guarantee you will not become their food."

"The Mu Long family has set its sights on you; you are a tempting target. To kill you, they deliberately sent a powerful one here—you have likely already seen him. He is quickly adapting to this world, and once fully adapted, he will soon act against you."

"Besides Spirit Sword Sect, no other faction will protect you."

Chen Chuyang raised his head and said coldly: "And what about Heavenly Heart Sect?"

"Hehehe." Lingjian Zhenren smirked disdainfully: "The old fogies of Heavenly Heart Sect will not become enemies with them just to protect you. You must understand this—he is no match for me, nor can he promise you anything, for he too is merely a struggling member of the mundane world."

"If you wish to leave this world and not become food, you must prove your worth. Those without use, or those too useful, will all become food."

"Food and slave—pick one. Many are not clever enough; they choose rebellion, only to die regrettably, leaving no remains, becoming their food."

"Although I do not like eating you, my sect still has many spirit beasts that are not picky."

"Whether human or beast, anyone who walks out of this world meets a miserable end."

"And you, Fellow Daoist Chen Chuyang, you may choose a third path."

Lingjian Zhenren reached out, inviting Chen Chuyang.

He admired Chen Chuyang's swordsmanship talent, a talent greatly needed by Spirit Sword Sect.

He himself came this time, showing full sincerity.

Chen Chuyang had no choice; he could only join them, becoming a disciple of Spirit Sword Sect.

Slave, food, or disciple—wise people know which to choose?

Chen Chuyang stared at Lingjian Zhenren for a long time, then said: "Are you not afraid I might be detrimental to Spirit Sword Sect?"

"Hahaha."

Lingjian Zhenren laughed loudly: "Chen Chuyang, you are still too young, unaware of how vast the outside world is. Put it this way: the battles here, in the eyes of true masters, are nothing but child's play."

"Forming a Golden Core? Merely ants—truly, merely having self-defense ability, and you, my friend, what kind of storm do you think you can stir up?"

It is not that Lingjian Zhenren looks down on Chen Chuyang; it is simply the fact.

The outside world is vast, teeming with geniuses stronger than Chen Chuyang, too many to count.

Chen Chuyang's talent is decent in the outside world, but not lacking, nor especially rare.

Lingjian Zhenren took a liking to Chen Chuyang's talent, nothing more.

As for the rest, he truly… does not care.

Revenge?

The might of Spirit Sword Sect cannot be understood without leaving this world.

Only when they depart this realm will they know what a frog in a well is.

After leaving, they will understand the saying: a frog in a well sees the heavenly moon.

"I, as Sect Master, hope you can stir up waves; the outside world is too tranquil, and Spirit Sword Sect needs new strength."

"Junior Sister Xinran admires you greatly, highly recommends you, and I am also willing to give you a chance."

"Become my disciple; from now on, I cannot promise anything else, but I will not let you be bullied."

Lingjian Zhenren came to take on a disciple, not merely to make Chen Chuyang an honorary elder.

That would be nothing but a deception.

Or rather, Lingjian Zhenren saw Chen Chuyang's talent and felt moved to accept him as a disciple.

Chen Chuyang raised his head, fixed his gaze on Lingjian Zhenren before him, his eyes narrowing to a line.

The person before him seemed not of this world, as if standing aloft above heaven and earth.

He was so mighty, so towering.

That silhouette, the shadow behind him, was more formidable and terrifying than the entire world.

"You are not of this world?"

Lingjian Zhenren did not anger but laughed, looking up to the sky: "Hahaha, however, your insight is sharp—you actually saw through it."

"Indeed, I am merely a split soul; even as Sect Master of Spirit Sword Sect, I am only a split soul."

"I entered this world long ago, hiding under this identity; I never expected you would still see through it."

"Are you willing to become my disciple? Thereafter, whatever you desire, I can fulfill."

"The Spirit Sword Sect that seals this world is merely my casual creation."

"Whether or not, it makes no difference."

"The outside world is vast; that is where Chen Chuyang ought to go."

"Such a person should not be wasted in this place."

"I, too, wish for a true disciple to inherit my mantle."

"Ming Jianzi and the others are merely disciples of a split soul; whether they are qualified to see my true form depends on their fortune—if they pass the trial, they may naturally become my disciples."

"Unlike Chen Chuyang, who became my disciple directly, a true disciple."

Chen Chuyang fell silent.

"If that is the case, perhaps I could agree—but I do not wish to be anyone's disciple, nor to be bound."

"Once I agree, I… will be inferior."

"To take him as master, my future…"

Chen Chuyang could not decide, nor could he… guarantee the future of the Chen Clan.

The most important thing is, those secrets on his body, such as the Hunyuan Dao Scripture, etc., are likely to be impossible to hide; Chen Chuyang cannot guarantee that they won't have ulterior motives toward him.

Longshe Shan is the safest.

But if he refuses, in the future he will either become food or become a slave; his status will be vastly different.

Lingjian Zhenren stood there, waiting silently.

Chen Chuyang pondered for a long time, then raised his head again and stared at Lingjian Zhenren.

"Allow me to think."

Lingjian Zhenren laughed and shook his head: "Kid, think it over carefully; this is no small matter."

"The Sect Master hopes you will think it over well and not make a decision you'll regret."

"The Sect Master doesn't insist on you; but if you refuse the Sect Master, your future will be filled with darkness."

He turned and Lingjian Zhenren walked out of the formation.

From Chen Chuyang's gaze he saw his decision and also his thoughts.

He turned and left.

Outside, Ming Jianzi clasped his hands and said: "Master."

Lingjian Zhenren nodded and said: "Let's go, head back."

"Yes, Master."

Ming Jianzi followed the Master away, and Chen Churan was no exception, following along.

Chen Chuyang watched their backs; at that moment he felt a change in fate.

Perhaps the future will become very bad.