Zi Moyan, Bai Zisheng and Baotian were all sitting around a simple but elegant oak table, a cup resting in front of each of them, a relaxing perfume emanating from each of them. As Bai Zisheng took his cup and drank a small gulp of it, he began to speak:
"You two already know it but originally, this senior… Rather, the greater seniors of our path requested the two of you to come here not only to congratulate the two of you, but to grant this dear Zi Moyan a better position in regards to her recent advancement. However, due to a certain news received recently, this had to be, well, delayed for now"
The other two, hearing this, couldn't help but frown slightly. Seeing their reaction, he laughed softly, drinking a few more mouthfuls:
"Do not misunderstand, my precious juniors, it is not a punishment but rather, an opportunity to obtain more gain!" he said. "Indeed, originally, after Zi Moyan's advancement, and in regards to her achievements, she was originally supposed to be granted the title of core disciple. However, when thinking about it, wouldn't it be quite unfair? Young Zhang Baotian, you accomplished just as much as her despite being merely in the first half of Qi Building, yet no reward was planned"
Core disciple as one of the ranks attributed to the demonic cultivators who accepted cooperation with others members of the demonic path. They actually constituted most of the demonic path itself, as a force rivaling a nation. From the lowest to the highest, the ranks went like that: outer member, inner member, outer disciple, inner disciple, core disciple, Elder, Grand Elder, and Demonic Leader.
Core disciple was a position usually given to those in the late or grand perfection stage, Zi Moyan being able to get it after barely reaching the early stage was a great privilege!
"And so, senior, are you saying that such an occasion would allow me to get such rewards as well?"
Bai Zisheng nodded:
"Yes, the opportunity I talk about will not only allow you to directly gain the position of outer disciple, but also to make your advancement to the last stage several years shorter" he said. "To do that, little Moyan simply has to agree to wait until you've completed the task I will give you, and the feats performed during the Void Hurricane will be able to be attributed to you both. In addition, I will even teach you a special killer move, compatible with the scripture you inherited from your master, the Blood Torrent Grandmaster"
A special killer move compatible with the Crazed Demonic Blood Burial Mantra? The more Baotian heard, the louder his mental alarms rang.
"I see, senior, but why can't Baotian receive a higher position right now?" Zi Moyan asked. "I have no problem waiting a bit so he can benefit too, but I just don't see what he is lacking: he already has the strength of a grand perfection stage, and achievements superior to most of them, so isn't he more than qualified enough to receive a promotion, especially if one or the two of us push for us?"
"I fear things aren't so simple" Bai Zisheng. "The elders do not particularly appreciate the formation of factions, as it would disrupt our harmony. Two promising talents gaining influence and associating with a third one, me, would be considered the creation of a faction and, you can guess it, looked down upon. Thus, you will have to contribute more, that way there will be no excuse to block your advancement"
"That sounds… logic, I suppose"
In truth, Baotian wasn't very interested in a higher position. The main advantage would be a large gain of influence, which would allow him to obtain precious information more easily, but that was already something he could do with his senior sister's help.
'That said… I can't really pass on an opportunity to advance and obtain a good killer move, right?' he thought. 'Ahh, greed will be the end of me'
He turned toward his comrade:
"It's a bit embarrassing to ask, senior sister, but would you mind, well-"
"Junior brother, stop blabbering and simply ask me to wait a few weeks to claim my promotion"
"Very well, I, junior brother, stop blabbering and simply ask you to wait a few weeks to claim your promotion"
"Bastard, you-"
"Uhm"
Hearing Bai Zisheng coughing, the two stopped their banter, and looked away, vainly trying to act as if nothing happened:
"So… may you explain to us what the opportunity you talked about is, now, senior Bai?" Baotian asked, trying to switch topics.
"Of course, of course" the demonic cultivator said.
He gave them the details, causing Zi Moyan to frown:
"Wait, if it's that, doesn't it mean that you and Baotian will have to go without me?"
She was clearly bothered by the idea, but her discomfort was nothing compared to Baotian: each second he passed next to Bai Zisheng made him feel more on-edge, and being alone with him for an extended period of time was the last thing he wished to do.
As if he heard his thoughts, the Core Formation cultivator laughed:
"Do not worry, I will obviously sign a spirit contract including everything we have just discussed, along with closes to ensure I protect this dear junior on our way there and our way back, as detailed as you feel the need for" he reassured them.
Baotian still hesitated for a moment, asking Zi Moyan's opinion through spiritual sense, but as she agreed, he ended up accepting, keeping a courteous smile on his face despite his previous slip-ups:
"It's an honor to receive such a great offer from senior" he humbly said. "May I see the contract?"
"Of course. Here it is"
Bai Zisheng took an already-prepared contract along with blood essence to sign it out of his storage bag, not bothering to hide he had it ready from the beginning. Baotian read it thoroughly three times and, while the clauses legitimately seemed to not leave any place to treason, he frowned deeply as he realized something:
"This contract, while it does protect me, seems to be destined to senior sister instead of me?"
"Hoho, I am sorry, junior, but for two individuals to sign a spirit contract, they need to be in the same major realm. Therefore, the simplest solution is to let little Moyan sign it as your garant, is it not?"
Hmm? That… actually wasn't so bad?
'If Zi Moyan is the one signing it, there's no risk that I get trapped by a traitorous clause' he thought.
On the other hand, the effects of a spirit contract were only at their peak when the clauses directly concerned the ones who signed it…
'Ah, screw this, he didn't attack us yet so it means he doesn't want to harm us in the near future, the risk is worth taking'
He turned to his comrade:
"Senior sister, this contract does not seem to have any problem" he said. "I know it's much to ask, but would you be kind enough to sign it on my behalf?"
Though she didn't seem pleased by the idea, Zi Moyan read the contract and, after verifying that there was no mistake, she dipped her thumb in heart essence and pressed it on the contract, sealing the deal:
"You owe me one, you shameless junior brother" she grumbled.
Laughing lightly, Bai Zisheng dipped his thumb and signed the contract as well.
"Then it's a deal!" he said. "In this case, let's leave whenever you feel like you have rested enough, shall we?"
He turned to Zi Moyan:
"Ah, but I do feel like the two of us are abusing your generosity by making you delay your promotion, signing the contract and waiting alone… As an apology, please accept this cave" he said. "Before being one of my favorite residences, it was originally a seclusion place for my training after reaching Core Formation, the formations and arrays in here should help you speed up your cultivation until you reach the late stage"
Zi Moyan's unhappiness disappeared from her face faster than a blink, causing her junior brother to scoff at her.
"I will humbly accept your generous offer, senior!" she said without the slightest hesitation, looking like she was about to start drooling any time now.
Baotian rolled his eyes:
'Well, unlike Zhenyun, she had truly reached high achievements in the dao of bootlicking'
Baotian and Bai Zisheng decided to leave after a night of rest and so, as everyone had reached a satisfying compromise.
At the same time, as he was resting, the young cultivator finally realized what was bothering him about Bai Zisheng:
'His smell… it was the smell of blood! Blood cultivator!'
He wasn't particularly surprised by the fact that Bai Zisheng was one, considering how he offered Baotian to teach him a killer mover fitting him. No, rather, it was the fact that the smell had been so subtle that he only realized now: if he hadn't practiced the Crazed Demonic Blood Burial Mantra, even if he was at the Core Formation stage, he wouldn't have noticed a thing!
Normally, when one practiced blood-related demonic scriptures, either they emitted a strong smell of blood, or none at all. The only scripture that Baotian knew about that only emitted such a faint smell…
'... is the Blood Burial Mantra itself. To be so refinied… it means that the scripture he practices… is at least in the later half of Nascent Soul'
Baotian trembled a bit, his regrets quickly returning. However, it was too late to back down now. And so, the next day, he departed with Bai Zisheng to accomplish the task they had discussed, flying toward the border between the Xuanhe Kingdom and the Lands of Yaoling.
The two of them were about to participate in the two nations' friendly tournament, teaming up with the righteous cultivators for the honor of Xuanhe!