"Yes, that's right. I want to obtain that evil weapon". Sanchez repeated again.
Sam was dumbfounded when he heard this. He couldn't find himself to believe this. Sanchez wanted the evil weapon which was refined after reaping the life of millions of the innocent citizens the late righteous nation.
The weapon which was one of the root cause of the destruction of righteous nation, a sweet heaven to the innocent and weak cultivators and mortals.
The weapon which brought death and destruction, a product of baseless massive murder and slaughter, a weapon refined the blood and bones of innocents.
"That's right". The Oldman nodded too when he saw the look of struggle on Sam's face.
"B-but..h-how could you...?" Sam stuttered while speaking as he did not believe the nonsense that Sanchez and Oldman were feeding him. Rather, he choose not to believe his ears.
"You don't have to look so conflicted". The Oldman patted the shoulder of Sam as he continued: "Every weapon weather a evil or a righteous depends on the hand of the weilder. Even a evil weapon when welded by a righteous person could be called righteous. Weapons don't distinct right or wrong, only you can".
Sam kept mumbling the those words in his heart. 'Weapons don't distinct right or wrong, only I can'.
The old man continued: "The evil weapon was sealed inside the ruins of abyss by our master Venerable twoswords during his last moment. He wanted to purify that evil weapon using the righteous aura of this land during the long period of time. But however the evil energy contained in that evil weapon was too strong. Furthermore, the soul of the Venerable hallow is also locked inside which prevents the evil weapon from being purified".
"After years of conflict between the righteous aura of this land and evil energy, the righteous aura of this place was depleted. All the evil energy of the weapon accumulated by the despair, rage and other emotion of the deceased citizens were purified and converted into pure death essence energy. After which the ruins of abyss became a treasure land for cultivation for undeads like us".
Sam nodded his head in understanding. But with his sharp brain, he picked up some information through the words of the Oldman. He asked, "Oldman, you mentioned that the treasure, that evil weapon is inside the ruins of abyss. But from your words, it feels like the whole ruins of abyss is a treasure. What does this mean?"
"Hehehe". The Oldman laughed, "That because the whole ruins of abyss is the treasure. The evil weapon was the lifeblood weapon of the venerable hallow, one of the ten venerable sovereign. It's name is the 'Archilees's Staff'. It is one of the most powerful treasure, forged by using Archilees stone, one of the most powerful and unbreakable metal which could emit evil energy naturally".
"Venerable hallow as a evil summoner used this staff to house his evil army so that he could summon them any time. Thus, it has a large space inside it. To be safe from any and all kind of attacks during the battle, Venerable hallow had carved aleast a hundred different kinds of the most powerful defensive, trapping and killing formation in the staff like the myriad weapons killing formation which could be activated at any time".
"To make it even more powerful, venerable hallow wanted to give life to the Archilee's staff itself by sacrificing the million of the lives of Righteous country. Unfortunately, our master foiled his plan and even sealed him inside the core of the staff".
"However, his plan did not entirely failed. The staff managed to gain some sentience and after being nourished inside this land, it had gained some intelligence, like that of a newborn child. Thus, it is the best period to connect with the staff and become it's master. So, I sent Sanchez to the abyss to communicate with the core of the staff located deep inside the abyss".
"However, the venerable hallow also noticed this. Thus, we battled against him once to kill him for good but we were defeated. However, venerable hallow is also cunning. He let Sanchez go and even didn't interfered when he tries to connect with the Articles's staff. If I am not wrong, he is making preparation to possess over Sanchez's body. So that, once he is done, he will have a youthful body which has a connection with his weapon and is not even bound by the city of dead. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. Thus, everything is going smoothly until now".
"So, now that Sachez has established a good connection with the articles's staff, you guys want to make a move and even kill that venerable hallow if possible". Sam easily surmised their plan. After listening the whole story, it was not difficult to put one and one together.
At the same time, he was surprised by the schemes of the two old foxes. They both had their own plans to kill each other but they were pretending to not see each other waiting for their chance. If it were any other person they would surely try and make another attempt to kill venerable hallow unlike the Oldman who was biding his time collecting trump cards.
The Oldman nodded, "This is a good time to make a move. You are one of the greatest variable in this battle. First, you have my both weapons which will increase by battle prowess by a level. Secondly, you have the world devouring divine body and divine eyes. If venerable hallow notices that, he willnot try to possess over Sanchez but target you instead. This will make it easier for Sanchez to take control over the Articles's staff. But since, you will be the one controlling the undead battle formation, he will not be able to possess you if the formation is not defeated completely".
"Thirdly, you have brought that back with you". The Oldman pointed his fingers at the earring of the Sam. "It will be our trump card that the venerable hallow will never be able to guard against. You just have to use it at the most critical moment".
"This? " Sam was confused because his earring was the gift he got from his master. Surely, it could not have been another item from this swordridge valley, right? "This is just a sword that my master gifted me. Other than controlling the protection formation of my sect, it has no other function except for cutting woods if situation calls for it".
"Heh!". The Oldman smiled ambiguously and did not explained further. "Fate has brought everything together for this last battle. You will know everything when the time is right".
Sam also did not asked further. He already knew that the Oldman would not answer him even if he egged him on.
Sanchez was quite throughout the entire conversation. He finally spoke, "Grandpa, since we have planned everything and Mr. Desvons has already agreed to help us. Let's begin the battle formation training right away".
"My name is Sam Desvons. You don't have to call me Mr. Desvons. That makes us look like strangers. Just call me Brother Sam". Sam said to Sanchez when he heard Sanchez calling himMr. Desvons. He liked the sound of it but it was rather distant sounding.
"OK, then I will do as you say. Brother Desvons". Sanchez replied.
"You can can call me Brother Sam like everyone else".
"I think I will call you Brother Desvons instead".
"Why? But Everyone calls me Sam".
"I have my own reasons, brother Desvons".
"But why?"
"Please, don't make me say it loud". Sanchez was begging at this point.
"Please, say it. I won't mind it". Sam was eager to know that reasons.
Sanchez was already gritting his teeth hard at this point. He closed his eyes hard like he was struggling with his inner self as he finally said it out loud. "Because Sam sound kind of sissy".
'Sam sounds kind of sissy'.
Bang. Something shattered. It was Sam's heart and his pride of his name.
Sam face lost his colour as he suffered a great trauma. If Dacre saw him,he would say he and Marvyn had made similar face.
After a long while of awkward silence.
"Cough.. Cough". The Oldman coughed and brought back Sam to his sense. He said, "Sam, since you have agreed to take part in this battle, you must be prepared well. Take some rest and recover to your peak state. Ponder over these whole you are at it".
He threw two scrolls at Sam. One of them read 'sky floating technique'and other one read 'Undead battle formation'. One was a movement technique while other was a battle formation.
The Oldman explained: "The sky floating technique will help you fly even though you are only at the essence core realm. All other undeads who will be the part of the formation know how to fly. So, you must master it so that you can cooperate fully with them. Other one is the battle formation. You will be the core of the formation. You will be the one who will receive the essence energy of all undead and channel it. It will not be as hard as you imagine but your special body constitution will make it even easier".
Sam nodded and cupped his fist. "Thanks Oldman. I will use it well".
"Do your best. And take care of yourselves too. If you need anything, just say to little Sanchez. He will take care of it all. I will be leaving then". The Oldman dissppeared from their sight as he melded into the darkness.
Only Sam and Sanchez remain inside the room.
Sam took this chance to inspect his body. He had exhausted all the essence energy inside his Dantian before but he had recovered after sleeping for two day.
He closed his eyes and used his spirit sense to inspect his dantian. He was surprised by what he saw.
His dantian was brimming with essence energy. Nine hundred essence cores were floating inside his Dantian like some shinning pearl.
'Huh? I remember only having eight hundred essence cores. When did I form extra hundred colourless essence cores? '
Sam was surprised. However, if he knew that his body had absorbed all the essence energies inside the cultivation chamber of the Oldman, he would not be so surprised. After all, the Oldman had unfathomable cultivation base. Even though, he was depressed to core formation realm, his cultivation chamber would not be anything normal.
He stood up with a light jump. He found his body was more light and agile than usual.
'I have a bit more stronger'.
"Where is the training room? Let's go there. I will begin training in the sky floating technique first. Then, we will train the undead battle formation". Sam said to Sanchez.
"Follow me". Sanchez also did not dilly dally as he walked out of the room with Sam following behind like a tail. "Good. Train faster and master them. We will attack the ruins of abyss after you are ready".