Chapter 156- Fast Forward (Arc 5 End)
Just as the smart ones had guessed, things weren't calm.
The stir hadn't been from Zosia's end but from the Princes.
After the banquet started, there was a rebellion. The festive air was destroyed by the sudden smoke bomb that was thrown into the hall, followed by the sound of swords.
"Sister, it seems it has started." Zaphir said with a smile playing on his lips.
Zosia stood up, "Let's go."
Terez didn't say anything despite how confused he felt. He just followed behind them, his mind trying to connect the dots.
"I thought we wouldn't be going with the rebellion route?" Terez suddenly asked.
Zosia didn't pause as she entered their carriage and neither did Zaphir.
"We didn't. But it doesn't mean others wouldn't." Argon spoke slowly, "How many years has the King been on the throne? How old are the princes? How many Princes are still alive today and who do you think among the princes wants to sit down on the throne the most?" Argon asked in rapid succession.
With this, Terez thoughts slowly unfurled, "Is the Fourth Prince really about to die? I thought it was the news he released since I haven't seen any doctor visiting him."
Nobody responded to his query, rather they let him think it through. He can take it as a lesson.
"I understand now." Terez suddenly said, his voice calmer. He realized that it wasn't necessarily the Fourth Prince but the 15th Prince. Despite being the youngest and being quite far from the throne, he was the one with the least backing, but the most malicious.
"You need to be sharp enough to sit on the throne. Do not take anything at face value." Zosia gently advised as the carriage moved.
"Argon, get down." Zosia said calmly, " Take Terez with you and do as planned. By tomorrow, I should hear the news."
"Yes, Master." Argon bowed.
The carriage came to a brief stop before continuing, unnoticed in the night or by other carriages that rushed past them.
Two shadows flickered as they stepped away from the carriage and disappeared into that chaotic night.
"Brother, I have some things to discuss with you."
Zaphir whose eyes had been closed, slowly opened them, his usual smile slowly left his face. He became serious.
Anytime his sister wanted to talk to him, it meant business.
"We have gotten hold of the Majo mountain. I will stay behind for a while to get everything on track,...." Zosia slowly laid out her plans.
.....
The moment they reached their house in the capital, they were stopped by an old man.
"Master, an old man hopes to seek your audience." The carriage driver spoke after futile efforts to drive the old man away.
The carriage driver sent a voice transmission, "Master, he seems to have a higher level of cultivation. I can't see his depth nor injure him."
Zosia hummed faintly. She had already sent out her spiritual consciousness, before they got to the gate, so she was already aware of his presence. And indeed, her power couldn't compare.
"Guide him inside." Zosia responded.
"Is it okay?" Zaphir asked.
"We wouldn't know until we meet him."
After a while, the carriage movement resumed.
-----
Zosia led the old man into the hall. As they sat down, Zosia gently poured some tea for him, "Please have some tea."
"What business do I owe for you to grace us with your presence?" Zosia asked as she subtly guaged his power and how she could handle him.
The old man gulped the tea without a care in the world. He didn't allow Zosia to pour more for him as he used his hand to pour for himself.
Zosia didn't talk again, seeing the way the man kept pouring tea for himself. She allowed him, her mind swirling with many thoughts.
"Good tea." The old man finally spoke, "Burp! Pardon me. I can't help but enjoy such a good tea."
"Mmmm...So..." The man didn't let Zosia continue to question him.
He dug into his ears, "I am tired of hearing those flowery words like they are on repeat. I will go straight to the point."
Zosia nodded, waiting for him to speak. But his words stunned Zosia into silence.
"Be my disciple!"
Zosia looked at the man, her eyes narrowed and her lips became upturned, Is this old man here to Joke?!
"Old sir, you must be kidding. Who goes around standing at people's gate and demanding that they become their disciple."
The man didn't seem surprised by Zosia's response. "I know you wouldn't agree, so I brought you a gift." The man opened his hand and two heads appeared on the ground.
Zosia raised her eyebrows, a bit surprised that the man had gone ahead to kill her enemies.
"I could have still killed them on my own. I don't think this warrants me to become your disciple. If you want payment for the kills, I can happily do that." Zosia said as she sipped her tea, her gaze bearing a nonchalant look, like as if those weren't the heads of the King's ancestor and the other person whom he had given to look after the kingdom.
The man frowned, like he hadn't expected his gift to go wrong.
"What can I do to make you become my disciple?" The man asked after going through all he had.
While he hasn't exactly done his research, he had heard some things, so he knew that his little wealth couldn't rival the little demon sitting in front of him.
Zosia didn't answer, rather she used analyze on him.
Name: Master Shenmu
Cultivation Level: Peak Mahanya
Affiliation: Sect Leader of Beautiful Sect
Age: 500 years
Skills:
Divination — Mastery Peak
Puppetry — Perfect Peak
Thunder Punch — Perfect Advanced
Weather Control — Perfect Advanced
Alchemy — Perfect Advanced
Spatial Concealment — Perfect Peak
Soul Suppression — Perfect Advanced
Instant Decapitation Slash — Perfect Advanced
Voice Transmission — Perfect peak
Sword flight- Perfect Peak
A million miles to one — Perfect Advanced
Seal Crafting — Perfect Advanced
Shadow Movement — Mastery
Sword Cultivation — Perfect Advanced
Qi Manipulation — Perfect Peak
Elemental Control — Perfect Advanced
Array Formation — Perfect Peak
Beast Taming — Perfect Advanced
Illusion Arts — Mastery
Reinforcement technique — Perfect Advanced etc.
Loyalty: 60
Other details.....
Zosia was stunned by the puppetry and alchemy skills. Her mind suddenly waivered. Wasn't this like giving her a pillow when she wants to sleep.
"Who exactly are you?" Zosia asked, this time around her demeanor was more serious.
Mahanya— a cultivation level she had only felt exists when she had communicated with the Heavenly Dao. Even the Dao had said that only one person with that cultivation exists.
Zosia compared her Cultivation journey with the old man and realized she was no genius.
If she was the one, she knows she might be 1000 years old before she could even attempt entering the Mahanya stage.
This time around she took the old man more serious than before.
The old man eyes suddenly lit up, he searched his storage space for something and brought it out.
"I heard from your servants that you are a collector. I am sure this is up to your liking." He said, giving Zosia a black stone.
Feeling that it wasn't enough, he brought out some other things which may look like junks when given to another person, but Zosia's eyes just kept widening.
Zosia threw analyze on all of them and the more she saw, the more her heart grew shocked.
The stone alone was worth more than all her assets, well except her space.
The stone is a reincarnation stone with the ability to build a reincarnation pathway in a new world.
She wasn't sure the man new it's value.
"I will be your disciple, just explain to me why you want me to become your disciple." Zosia said not feeling shameless in the slightest as she sent everything into her world.
"Hehe..." The man laughed, finally feeling satisfied that he made Zosia shocked.
"Will you believe me if I said, I saw your potential and wanted you in my sect?" The man said with a shameless smile.
Zosia didn't believe his words at all.
Speaking of sect, why does the old man sect have such a cringe name.
Seeing that Zosia didn't believe him one bit, he scratched his head awkwardly and decided to be upfront about his request.
"I want to ascend and I have tried all methods to ascend, even creating a sect that has only me in it just to get the luck of the world and ascend but it's not working.
While I was divining, I was able to communicate with the Dao. That was when I realized that my only way of ascension is through you, but I don't know how?" His voice ending in skepticism.
Zosia's eyes became clearer and the feeling of suddenly becoming a protagonist vanished.
"I knew I suddenly wouldn't have a master who is willing to spend lavishly on getting me as his disciple." She muttered.
"I can help you with that but only after a few years. Before then, as my master, teach me all the skills you can teach me. Do you agree?"
From his words, Zosia understood what the man was looking for.
Currently, being a transmigator in this world, you could say that a part of the heavenly dao protects her soul, which also acts as the ejection force when it is time to leave.
So, what the man needs is for a part of the heavenly dao to protect his soul and once he starts ascending, since this world has no ascension ladder, it will help him in ejecting his soul and body to a higher plane of existence while giving him perks, like eliminating the language barrier he would encounter as well as attuning him with the Dao of that world.
As for why she promised to help him a few years later. It's because by that time, her soul would be leaving this world and she can direct that part of heavenly dao wrapping around her soul into him and he would be able to successfully ascend.
In a way, she is the one benefitting most.
"I agree." To him, a few years wait was nothing, besides, he'd be getting himself a disciple who can continue his legacy.
-------
Years passed and soon it was time.
These past few years, not only had Terez taken over the throne but he has also gotten married and had children, same thing with Zaphir and Argon.
Now, she was the only single one amongst their midst.
Soon, she would be leaving this world and so would her master.
She has been able to learn all his skills and travels across the world. Not only had she hoarded many things but she her space had undergone so many changes. Now, it even has hell and a reincarnation channel.
If she wills, she could connect her space to a higher plane, but she wouldn't.
The D-Day soon arrived and it was time to go. The moment her master leaves, her host would become the next Mahanya cultivator in the world.
The old man with creases around the corner of his eyes spoke. "It's time."
"Mmmm."
They began the process... Her master first ascended, then she rose to Mahanya level before following the increased ejection force to leave.
Zaphir and the rest who had come to watch the scene, stood in awe as they stood at the extreme part of the world.
They were the only ones who witness the ascension of a Mahanya cultivator and thought that, they were blessed by the fruit fo Dao which not only helped to increase their cultivation level but also Increased their comprehension.
The moment the host soul entered back into her body, she only felt an overwhelming comfort that filled her to the core.
The memory packets that Zosia had stored in the body, quickly opened, filling the host mind with memories of all she needed, immediately erasing any awkwardness she would feel interacting with people.
Slowly, the host body floated down as it gently hit the floor with the person going into a light sleep to digest everything.