C5 The Promise of Two Years

Despite Qin Mu's modest attainment at the fifth level of Blessing, he was endowed with an array of formidable abilities. As long as his adversaries had not ascended to the Deity Realm, Qin Mu could hold his own against them. In fact, he was considered an unbeatable force within the mortal realm.

Provided the system remained online, he could wield a kitchen knife and sever electrical wires, sparks flying like lightning in his wake.

"Skyhaven Clan? The once-great sect from tens of thousands of years ago? Now it's a sect that any random faction could obliterate. Hahahaha, you're claiming to be the ancient ancestor of the Skyhaven Clan?"

"Everyone's heard about the ancestor from the Skyhaven Clan's rear mountain who's been in seclusion for twenty thousand years. Surely, that's not you, right? Hahaha."

Having ascertained Qin Mu's history, the deacon disciple began to mock him without restraint.

An ancestor, indeed. If such a person truly existed, the Skyhaven Clan wouldn't be in its current sorry state.

The surrounding crowd burst into laughter, convinced that Qin Mu was biting off more than he could chew by impersonating an ancestor of a once-mighty but now fallen sect, daring to challenge a colossus like the Oathbreakers.

It was akin to a moth darting into a flame, utterly futile.

"If you're so intent on protecting him, then you can all go to your graves together!"

With the deacon disciple's words, a colossal bolt of lightning descended from the heavens. Without the full mastery of Abstinence, Qin Mu and his companions would have faced certain death.

"System, activate the Golden Body!"

At Qin Mu's command, a golden shield enveloped them. The massive column of lightning crashed down, stirring up a cloud of dust. When the dust settled, Qin Mu and his companions stood before the Oathbreakers, completely unharmed. At that moment, a majestic Azure Dragon Aspect rose behind Qin Mu.

Witnessing the Azure Dragon Aspect materialize behind Qin Mu, the deacon disciple swiftly descended from his flying carriage and prostrated himself before Qin Mu.

"I, Faang Hai, a junior outer sect deacon of the Oathbreakers, pay my respects to you, Senior!"

Faang Hai's reverence seemed to surpass even the affection one would show their own parents. Seeing their respected deacon bowing before Qin Mu, the other Oathbreakers disciples followed suit, kneeling before him in awe.

Qin Mu showed no sign of surprise. Only those who have reached the Separation Realm can manifest an Aspect, and Faang Hai was merely at the Great Perfection stage of the Abstinence Realm. He wouldn't dare to act rashly in Qin Mu's presence.

Disregarding the Oathbreakers' disciples prostrated on the ground, Qin Mu approached Chu Feng and inquired, "Would you be interested in joining the Skyhaven Clan and pursuing the path of cultivation?"

The Oathbreakers' disciples, once haughty, now knelt before them. Without hesitation, Chu Feng knelt as well and declared, "I, Chu Feng, am eager to join the Skyhaven Clan!"

"Ha ha ha, excellent."

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the mission. You have received a Substitute Puppet (capable of reviving anyone)."

"Mu, the Oathbreakers were just bullying us. Aren't you going to stand up for us?"

Ling Sixiao's words left Faang Hai with a pallid complexion, his murderous intent having been evident. Now, with Chu Feng backed by the power of the Separation Realm, he wouldn't think twice about executing them all.

Before Chu Feng could respond, Gu Xue interjected, "Brother Feng, remember our childhood engagement. You wouldn't kill me, right?"

"Silence! You are nothing to me now. From this point forward, we are strangers. You go your way, and I'll go mine," Chu Feng retorted sharply to Gu Xue, then solemnly addressed Qin Mu, "Ancestor, they belong to the Oathbreakers. They may have sought my life today, but I will personally reclaim this day's disgrace."

"Chu Feng may let this pass, but the offense of harming my disciple will not be easily overlooked," Qin Mu declared.

Hearing this, the Oathbreakers kneeling below shuddered, their cheeks slick with uneasy sweat.

"Today, we establish a wager with the Oathbreakers! You have wronged my disciples, but this is a matter for the younger generation to resolve. In three months, they will confront the Oathbreakers directly to redress today's indignity. Do you accept this challenge?"

Faang Hai was elated upon hearing the news. In a mere three months, these individuals could at best achieve a breakthrough of one major realm. In his Oathbreakers, they wouldn't even qualify to join the inner sect. So, he eagerly accepted the challenge.

"I am willing to accept the challenge."

Ling Sixiao was clearly unhappy with the outcome and seemed about to voice her concerns, but Ling Siying stopped her.

"Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life!"

Faang Hai and the Oathbreakers called out in gratitude.

They soon vanished without a trace.

They didn't take the wager seriously, not realizing they would soon regret their actions today.

Once the Oathbreakers had departed, Qin Mu led the group back to the inn.

"Well done. You've shown neither arrogance nor impatience. I'll be frank with you; you have a unique physique. Once you begin your cultivation journey, you'll advance rapidly. There will be no bottlenecks before you reach the Immortal Realm. With ample resources, you'll quickly ascend to the pinnacle of the Mortal Realm's cultivation!"

"Moreover, I'm capable of providing you with the necessary resources. I hope you can maintain the determination you have in your heart. Can you commit to this?"

"Ancestor, I can do it!" Chu Feng declared with conviction. He had been forsaken by his betrothed, Gu Xue, for lacking ability and nearly lost his life to the disciples of the Oathbreakers. Though he yearned for revenge, he held back.

He was determined to overcome the indignities he faced on his own merit. Otherwise, the humiliation he endured today could become a mental obstacle, severely hindering his future cultivation.

This was precisely why Qin Mu hadn't intervened on Chu Feng's behalf or punished the Oathbreakers.

The main reason, however, was that Qin Mu's power-enhancing abilities were limited; each use diminished their availability. He wouldn't squander them unless absolutely necessary—they were his lifeline.

It was better to provide a vast amount of cultivation resources to swiftly bolster his own strength.

"Sixiao, starting today, you'll be guiding Chu Feng in his cultivation. He's new to the practice, so teach him well."

"Of course, I will take good care of our junior brother."

Qin Mu finished speaking to Ling Sixiao and turned his attention to Ling Siying.

"Siying, you will only truly begin your journey into cultivation once you enter the Abstinence stage."

"As the leader of the Skyhaven Clan, you must strive even harder to ascend to greater heights. You are the embodiment of our clan. Only with your cultivation reaching new levels can we attract more disciples and restore our clan to its former glory, perhaps even surpassing it. Do you understand?"

"I will heed the Ancestor's command and diligently pursue my cultivation, aiming to reach higher realms as soon as possible!"

Ling Siying's gaze was resolute.

With a grand gesture, Qin Mu summoned a vat of the finest Metamorphosis Liquid into the room and addressed Chu Feng.

"Chu Feng, today we'll begin with the Body Metamorphosis Liquid to purge your body of impurities, enhancing your ability to cultivate. Remember, cultivation requires a steady, grounded approach. Don't sacrifice your future for immediate gains. A strong foundation is essential for reaching the upper echelons of cultivation."

"I will take Master's teachings to heart!"

Chu Feng was deeply respectful towards Qin Mu. Since the death of his parents, no one had shown him such care, and Qin Mu treated him like family.

"I'm going to settle the wager I made, which you've all heard about. We have three months to prepare. After that time, we will confront the Oathbreakers' headquarters and reclaim our dignity from today's indignities!"

Chu Feng's eyes blazed with determination.

"I will avenge today's humiliation with their lives!"

Ling Siying and her sister quickly added, "We will not disappoint you, Ancestor!"

"Good! With your resolve and dedication, I am confident you won't let me down. We'll stock up on supplies in Yan City and then, in a few days, return to Mistmantle Mountain to continue our training at the Skyhaven Clan."

Qin Mu commanded.

"Yes, Ancestor."

"Yes, Master."

Time flew, and soon Qin Mu and his companions had gathered enough supplies to last several months without descending the mountain. Upon their return to the base of Mistmantle Mountain, they were greeted by the sight of thick smoke billowing from the mountainside.