"W-What?!" The subordinates exclaim.
In an instant, the situation was turned against them.
As I cover He Zhou, she stops holding back and swiftly cuts down on all attackers, sometimes almost killing them.
After the dust from the battle settles, all that remains are groans of pain and people rolling around on the floor.
I tear the talisman Gaoming gave.
He immediately materializes beside us only to gasp at the situation.
"What..."
"Sir, they were trying to kill us." I get to the point.
"Huh? If they did, I could have detected killing intent!"
I take out the stones and talisman I stole from Zheng Cang and passed them to Gaoming. "Does this look familiar?"
He widens his eyes. "Beast summoning stones and presence concealment talisman!!? You bastards dare!?"
The culprits stare at Gaoming, trembling. Zheng Cang tries to crawl his way out but Gaoming stomp on his back, further worsening his situation. "Argh!!"
"You are the mastermind, right?" He says to Zheng Cang. Gaoming throws a glance at me, I nod to confirm his question.
...
Gaoming carries Zheng Cang and glares at his subordinates. "I will remember all of your faces."
Afterwards, he gestures for us to follow him back to the meeting point; it's sunset.
Several people were shocked at the unconscious Zheng Cang on Gaoming's shoulder and the condition of the subordinates that followed him.
Behind them, I show up along with He Zhou. Everyone immediately understood what happened.
...
The journey back was silent. People are either anxious or worried, the latter belonging to those who succumbed to Zheng Cang.
Gaoming was silent; he was furious.
We were given free time after we return as Gaoming deal with the culprits. However, there is one difference.
Rumours rapidly spread about our strength, some speculated that Kai Fei hid his strength to get back at Zheng Cang at the right time while others believe that I attained enlightenment after my months of venturing.
As a result, people no longer bother our group, except for the mysterious lady and Minghe; their bullying intensified.
3 weeks later after the incident, I was approached by Tengchao in the forest behind the sect. His red hair stands out in the night.
...
"What is it?" I asked.
"Is it true that you defeated Zheng Cang and his subordinates?" Tengchao asks.
"Yes, why?"
...
"U-Uhm... Can you teach me please!?" He bows down.
...
"There should be better people to teach you."
"Yi Mu had a condescending gaze...It's...hard to approach her. Li Ruo is too young to understand what I'm trying to ask."
I smile. "Sure. You are doing this because of Zheng Cang right?"
"Ah! Yes! I want to end his tyranny! I want to save this sect from his disgusting facade."
"Haha. Such big words, are you sure you can live up to them?"
Tengchao nods without hesitation. He kowtows to me 3 times and shouts. "Master! Please guide me."
I sigh.
Tengchao no longer trusts Gaoming, probably from the fact that Zheng Cang isn't expelled, albeit it doesn't matter.
"Tengchao, sit down for a bit. I will impart something to you." I say.
?
He complies and I sit behind him.
Infecting Tengchao, I easily assimilate my virus with him; his immune system is almost similar to an ordinary mortal.
-----------------------
Tengchao
Crazed Sword Spiritual Roots(Unawakened)
[Awaken]
1st stage of Qi Condensation
Techniques:
-none
(Add techniques)
Talent:
-Perseverance rank S
-Cultivation rank A(unawakened)
-Sword rank A(unawakened)
-------------------------
Awaken?
I press awaken.
!!!
"Uck!! ARGHHH!!!"
Veins are erected all over his body as Tengchao screams in agony. His pupils redden and the Qi around him fluctuates intensely.
-----------------------
Warning: Tengchao is going into a "Berserk" state.
-----------------------
I circulate the Qi around and within, trying to calm it down.
"Bear with it!!" I shout.
Tengchao grits his teeth and attempts to alleviate his mind.
"Huff huff..."
The situation ease down when I successfully dissipated all the Qi inside him, making him a mortal again. However, he awakened his spiritual roots as a result and will undergo exponential growth soon.
"I...what..."
"I awakened your spiritual roots," I say.
!!!!
"I-I...Thank you! Thank you very much!" Says Tengchao.
Afterwards, I add Dragon Breath to his empty arsenal of techniques.
-------------------
Another 2 weeks passed. Many disciples have started taking on tasks, the core disciples have gone on to take even escort missions, further spreading the influence of the sect. Also, Zheng Cang is released from prison. On his body, there are many marks of whips. He trudges around the sect with his subordinates beside him, supporting him.
I walk past him when I am strolling around the sect.
!
...
He glares at me but does nothing, cowering away.
I smirk.
"Tch." Zheng Cang clicks his tongue.
Everything is as per normal. Disciples lower their heads when Zheng Cang and his subordinates walk by, otherwise, they will be beaten.
However, there is a difference.
Tengchao is glaring at them blatantly.
...
Zheng Cang clicks his tongue in annoyance again. "You..."
His influence within the sect diminishes at the fact that he lost to me; The threat of fear no longer lingers as much.
"Tengchao...what the fuck are you glaring at?" Zheng Cang
...
"You, of course." He replies.
!
"You-"
Zheng Cang's subordinates stopped him.
?!
"What are you doing...?" Zheng Cang asks.
"Boss...you shouldn't mess with him..."
"What?! What are you saying?!"
Tengchao is Zheng Cang's favourite toy, he is jealous that someone so lowly has gifted spiritual roots.
"Are you cowering to a mere dog!?" Zheng Cang exclaims as he grabs the collar of his subordinates.
"Hey." Says Tengchao. "Let them go, if you have anything to say, say it to my face."
That irritated Zheng Cang more. "Fucking hell!" He storms towards Tengchao and grips his shoulder.
Yet, Tengchao barely reacted.
"What...? Why is your body so hard...?" Zheng Cang mumbles.
Tengchao grabs onto Zheng Cang's wrist and pries his hand away.
!!!
"L-Let go! Arghh!!!!" Zheng Cang exclaims.
Tengchao's strong grip is pressing into his veins.
"I had enough...no, we had enough of your bullshit." Says Tengchao. Many people start to gather around them.