Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-479

Inside the brightly lit palace.

Ling Xian was sitting on top of his tatami and was holding onto a cup of aromatic tea. He fell into silence.

Dao Wu Ji had already explained everything. The advantage of this was that he could take whatever treasure he wants from the Imperishable Temple. The disadvantage was that he might end up having to pay with blood.

Don't forget, this entire ordeal is going to cause a clash between the many different kinds of beings. Every life that was going to enter the Temple will be powerful and courageous. When these Heaven's Favorites gather together, what kind of violent war will happen?

This is about the glory of the humankind. If he loses, even if nobody blames him, he will not feel great about himself. If his loss ends up causing a shift in power in the continents, then won't he become a criminal?

Don't ever think that this statement is an exaggeration to scare others. During the ancient times, the nirvana kind was the ruler of the planet and the humankind was merely a weak race on this world.

Because the humankind was not blessed with talents and was weak in capabilities, everyone else bullied them and gave them a hard time. However, every time the humankind was about to extinct, a few supreme leaders would step up, show their powers and stop the extinction of the humankind.

From the original three emperors and the five empresses, to the Keeper of the Land and Sea, they were the defining leaders of the humankind. It was because of the existence of these people was the humankind able to pass down their bloodlines and not exterminated.

As time went on, the humankind became more and more prosperous and produced more and more powerhouses. After a long while, the humankind was finally able to turn the table and eventually became the rulers of the land. Nowadays however, everything has been going downhill.

Of course, the term "downhill" is used to describe the number of humankinds, not capabilities. Despite this, the other kinds were favored by the Gods and continued to produce powerhouses who were talented battlers!

However, because the reproduction rate of the other kinds were weak, and the humankind appear to be better at it, the other kinds were outnumbered. Slowly, they exited the stage of ruling this planet and went into hiding all over the place.

Thus, the human kind became the rulers of the Taoism community!

Though the nirvana kinds fell, they did not extinct. Many powerhouses remained with them and thus, there is a chance for them to once again outcompete the human kind.

The nirvana kind had never stopped thinking about exterminating the human kind. On top of that, they were once glorious. But because they were outnumbered by the humankind, they never dared to take actions.

Though the humankinds are powerful in number, its ratio of powerhouses to normal cultivators have been low. When they fight the humankind one on one, they greatly overpower the humans. This is why the humankind never attempted to wipe out the nirvana kind.

Using Yunzhou for example, other than the 10 dynasties and nine Houses, thousands of other kinds were scattered over this piece of land. It is because everyone was similar in power, everyone hid themselves and suppressed a large scale war.

However, this does not mean the hidden kinds are not trying to snatch back the ruling position. It also does not mean that these kinds have no thoughts of attacking!

For this reason, when the Imperishable Temple appeared, all the leaders from the dynasties, Houses, and kinds made an agreement. The agreement that every time the Imperishable Temple activates, only those of the younger generation can enter and slaughter as they wish!

In other words, the Imperishable Temple was a battleground where the different kinds of beings avenge themselves.

Ever since the initial activation 300 years ago, the humankind have always lost. Afterall, the humankind lacked in talents and very few people can defeat the Heaven's Favorites from the nirvana kind. In other words, every time the temple opens its door, the humankind loses one to two Heaven's Favorites.

To know that these sacrifices are always the best of the bunch. If they didn't die of unnatural cause, they could've easily became leaders in the future. However, they end up being slaughtered in the Imperishable Temple. Even though only a few are lost every time, these numbers accumulate to a great loss.

Thus, every time the Imperishable Temple activates, the 10 dynasties and nine Houses end up with a headache. The other kinds of beings however, are ecstatic about it.

For this reason, Ling Xian was silent. It wasn't that he was afraid of the Heaven's Favorites who weren't human, he simply felt like the weight on his shoulders was too heavy. Heavy enough for him, who has been paving a path in the storm for years, to hesitate.

After all, if he goes, he will be responsible for the humankind's glory. Additionally, Dao Wu Ji had stated that he wanted Ling Xian to be the leader. What did this mean?

It meant he wanted Ling Xian to be responsible for the other Heaven's Favorites' life and ensure they do not die in the Imperishable Temple!

This was why Ling Xian was hesitant.

"Aye…"

Against Ling Xian's silence, Dao Wu Ji sighed. He though it was because Ling Xian was afraid of the other Heaven's Favorites and he was disappointed at this.

However, just as disappointment flashed by, he heard a stern statement that made his eyes flicker with joy.

"I accept."

Ling Xian spoke. His voice was not loud and his tone was calm. However, it was stern and full of determination.

Instantly, Dao Wu Ji's face became ecstatic. He complimented, "Good! You are courageous. You truly are the Core Elder of the Wan Jian House and you deserve my liking."

"You flatter me. Because this task is important, I had to think through seriously." Ling Xian had a faint smile on his face, his collected ways almost pained others.

Originally, he was hesitant because he had to be careful, not because he was indecisive. The reason why he agreed now is for both the many treasures of the Imperishable Temple and for the battles he will get to fight!

Remember that the nirvana kind had talents that surpassed the humankind. Even for those of the same cultivation level, the humankinds trail behind a little. Thus, the Heaven's Favorites of the nirvana kind was the true scale to measure a Heaven's Favorite's abilities!

Thus, Ling Xian agreed. Because he desired to battle it out with Heaven's Favorites of the nirvana kind!

"It is important to think cautiously. It proves your collectiveness and that you are not irrational like normal young people." Dao Wu Ji was full of compliments. He laughed at Ling Xian's unsettling behaviour, "What is it? Are you this impatient to fight against the other powerhouses?"

"That's right. They all say the nirvana kind are better than the humankind. I want to test if the rumors are true."

Ling Xian's gaze was heated. Ever since he began cultivation, he has never fought against a Heaven's Favorite of another kind. On top of that, the rumors stated that the Heaven's Favorites of the other kinds surpass the humankind. Thus, he had high expectations.

"What a Heaven's Favorite! The best of the humankind really should be a man this brave!"

Dao Wu Ji smiled in praise. Then, his smile disappeared and he warned, "Ling Xian, it is good to be courageous, but do not be reckless. Every single being is very powerful and have stronger physiques and spiritual energy than us. If this wasn't the case, we would not be losing every time."

"Do not worry, I understand." Ling Xian smiled. He never treated his enemies lightly, he wasn't about to start before other beings.

"Good."

Dao Wu Ji nodded and sighed, "It's been 300 years. The Imperishable Temple opened six times. Every single time, we lose a few Heaven's Favorites."

"We lost all six times…"

Ling Xian frowned and asked, "Headmaster, are there anything extraordinary about the Heaven's Favorites from the continents?"

"Yes. There is Sun Ze Nan from the House of Void, and Xia Ling Mu from the House of the Undead. They are all of the undefeatable completion level, like you." Dao Wu Ji smiled.

"Oh? Then it's great news." Ling Xian raised an eyebrow, but not too overly surprised.

Yunzhou was very large in size and had multiple talents. To have two undefeatable completion among them was not that hard to accept. After all, the world is too big and some geniuses are bound to be born.

"Yes, the quality of this generation's Heaven's Favorites seem to be better. Two undefeatable completion…" Dao Wu Ji grinned in happiness, "With you, there would be three unmatchable Heaven's Favorites. Thus, our chances of winning increase."

"We will only know after we try." Ling Xian grinned, his eyes full of high expectation.

"I hope so. I hope you guys can supress the other beings and glorify us humankind." Dao Wu Ji's expression was serious, "Ling Xian, I am entrusting this on you."

Looking at Dao Wu Ji's serious face, Ling Xian's smile vanished as well, "Do not worry, Headmaster, I will do my best."

"Very good."

Nodding in satisfaction, Dao Wu Ji suddenly remembered something, "Right, I am sending two other completion levelled cultivators with you. I hope you can make sure they remain alive by the end of it."

"Do not worry about that. Suppressing the other kinds of beings is not something I can promise, but I can promise that the two will come back alive."

Ling Xian's confidence lit up the entire cave.

Seeing this, Dao Wu Ji no longer worried. "Okay, then I will be at the Wan Jian House, waiting for your victorious return."

He then disappeared, leaving only behind a calm statement echoing throughout the palace.

"In a month, I will personally send you off."

"A month…" Ling Xian mumbled, his eyes full of anticipation.

He was not someone who loved violence, yet he looked forward to this war against the real Heaven's Favorites of the other kinds. Because it was a way for him to personally test if his capabilities were considered to be weak or strong.

The activation of the Imperishable Temple in a month is without a doubt, a great opportunity. Not only will he acquire many treasures, he will also become a hero and win for the entire humankind!

"Good, very good, my blood is already boiling." Ling Xian's lips curled up, revealing his confidence and high expectation.

"In a month, I, Ling Xian, will fight against all heroes from all over the continent and repress all the enemies who stand in my way!"