A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole answered obediently and hurriedly followed closely behind the Grand Supreme Elder, entering the great halls of the Alchemy Pavilion. There was no one there. After the Grand Supreme Elder stepped into the halls, he turned and looked at Wang Baole.

He still had that smile that wasn’t quite a smile on his face. Wang Baole’s hair began to stand, and he tried to put on a more docile smile. He blinked and attempted to show what he thought was his adorable side.

The Grand Supreme Elder remained silent but continued to smile. Wang Baole began to grow nervous. He felt that the Grand Supreme Elder was like an old fox. He couldn’t tell what the other was thinking and wondered if he should switch tactics. At that thought, Wang Baole smiled openly and scratched his head. He tried to appear thick-headed and continued to trade stares with the Grand Supreme Elder.

“Baole, your cultivation is quite impressive.” The Grand Supreme Elder observed how Wang Baole switched personalities within a short span of time before he placed his hands behind his back and spoke coolly.

“Your humble disciple’s current achievements are partly due to my own blood, sweat, and tears, but most importantly, it is due to the grooming and teachings of the sect.” Wang Baole took a deep breath immediately when he heard that and put on the face of a loyal subject.

“You can stop the boot-licking. It’s true that our teachings are useful, but we’ve groomed and taught so many people. I don’t see everyone with your achievements.” Li Xingwen was secretly pleased with Wang Baole’s attitude. However, he knew that Wang Baole’s current accomplishments had more to do with the opportunities he had come across.

“Baole, I would’ve gotten you to make a trip down to the college even if you hadn’t done so. There are some things… that you have a right to decide for yourself now, with your current cultivation.” Li Xingwen eyed Wang Baole and spoke slowly. There was a meaningful look in his eyes.

Wang Baole saw the expression on the Grand Supreme Elder’s face. His eyes narrowed slightly and didn’t speak.

“The Federation Seedlings Initiative was of extreme importance. No one was supposed to be allowed to drop out of it. However, neither Duan Muque or I expect you to have a breakthrough in your cultivation and step into the Core Formation realm before the initiative was rolled out.”

“Because of that, you now have the right to choose. Are you going to continue to participate in the Federation Seedlings Initiative… or are you going to drop out?” Li Xingwen didn’t continue speaking. He waited, instead, for Wang Baole’s reply.

A frown began to appear on Wang Baole’s forehead. He couldn’t make heads or tails of what the Grand Supreme Elder was saying. The information he had was incomplete, so he found it difficult to answer the other. It was clear that the Grand Supreme Elder had done this deliberately.

<em>Is it another trial? </em>Wang Baole secretly sighed as he rubbed at his forehead. He started to analyze what was going on by first recalling what he had read and found out about the Federation Seedlings Initiative.

Based on what he had learned then, the Federation Seedlings Initiative was part of the overall Operation Sword Sun. It was meant to support the latter. Everything was meant to prepare for the Federation’s eventual landing on the ancient greenish-bronze sword.

When seen in that light, the message in Li Xingwen’s words became clear…

<em>Since the Federation Seedlings Initiative has to do with the ancient greenish-bronze sword landing, does dropping out of the initiative mean that I give up my chances of entering the ancient greenish-bronze sword? </em>Wang Baole pondered. He believed that there must be risks involved in Operation Sword Sun, that was why the Grand Supreme Elder had asked him that question.

Li Xingwen waited patiently as Wang Baole deliberated. When he saw a discreet look of realization appear in Wang Baole’s eyes, he smiled lightly.

“You’ve thought it through?”

“How dangerous is it?” Wang Baole didn’t answer the question, asking a question of his own instead. There was a strange light in his eyes when he looked at the Grand Supreme Elder.

Li Xingwen once again showed his approval of Wang Baole when he heard Wang Baole’s reply and saw the light in his eyes. He enjoyed speaking to intelligent people, and he liked this straightforward young person. So he said slowly, “Are you afraid of death?”

“Is there anything in it for me?”

The approval in Li Xingwen’s eyes intensified when he heard Wang Baole’s question. He burst out into laughter as he lifted his right hand and pointed his finger at Wang Baole repeatedly. Finally, he swept his sleeve aside.

“There’s plenty. It can advance your cultivation tremendously. It can gift you with countless unimaginable opportunities. It can let you come into contact with a cultivation civilization that is different from that of the Federation. It can allow you to… trace the origins of the Federation’s cultivation civilization. In addition, if you manage to accomplish something, it can give you a promotion in Noble. Becoming the future Federation President will become something within the realm of possibility!” Li Xingwen hadn’t planned to include the last part of his speech, but he saw how unmoved Wang Baole had been the whole time, that was why he had added the last part about becoming the Federation President.

As he expected, the look on Wang Baole’s face began to shift after he said the last few sentences, his eyes glowing with an intense light.

“Everything your humble disciple has now has been given by the sect. As long as the sect requires it of me, I will climb mountains and cross oceans without any complaints!” Wang Baole smacked his chest and declared loudly. He appeared completely selfless, as if he was doing everything for the sect.

Li Xingwen was rendered speechless at Wang Baole’s ability to make such proclamations, regardless of the occasion. Dumbstruck, he laughed.

“Alright. In that case, you will continue to be a part of the Federation Seedlings Initiative. I believe you will soon find out the reason that this initiative was developed, so I’ll not say too much at this juncture.

“As for Zhou Xiaoya… there’s no need for you to be angry at the Grand Elder of the Alchemy Pavilion. Zhou Xiaoya’s proficiency at refining standard pills is mediocre, but her soul has certain unique elements. That’s why she has displayed great results when refining the Enlightenment Pills that are unique to my bloodline.”

“Because of that, I’ve taught her a cultivation technique. It emphasizes gaining enlightenment, which is why she needs to be away in seclusion for long periods of time. Once she’s gained enlightenment, I’ll take her in as my personal disciple!” Li Xingwen explained Zhou Xiaoya’s situation. It might have been fine if he hadn’t done so, but once he had, Wang Baole immediately sucked in his breath.

“Enlightenment?” Wang Baole held no goodwill towards the Dao Enlightenment faculty. He had thought those from that faculty were all nut jobs when he had been on the Lower Academy Island. From what the Grand Supreme Elder had just told him, Bunny had somehow indirectly become one of the Dao Enlightenment faculty.

“Why, do you have complaints?” Li Xingwen glared.

Wang Baole sighed as he felt Li Xingwen’s terrifying cultivation. He replied resentfully, “Such a fine girl in her youth, who’s been misled and is now wasting her life away in a secret chamber in seclusion. Even if she’s to achieve enlightenment like Li Wuchen, she’s still not going to be able to put up much of a fight…”

“Rubbish. My Dao Enlightenment faculty is invincible. Just you wait, once Zhou Xiaoya gains enlightenment, she’ll crush you like an ant!” Li Xingwen snorted. Even though he didn’t think that was really possible, he had to stand up for the Dao Enlightenment faculty after seeing the dismissive attitude Wang Baole had towards it.

“As long as you’re happy… but a person shouldn’t be in seclusion all the time. Shouldn’t there be some sort of work-life balance…” Wang Baole sighed and looked at the Grand Supreme Elder.

“Fine, fine. I’ll make some arrangements later and give Zhou Xiaoya a few days off.” Li Xingwen coughed. He did feel that he might have been too harsh and cruel. To have a girl in the prime of her youth locked away in seclusion every day… he agreed with a wave of his hand. With that, Li Xingwen prepared to end the conversation and leave.

“Wait, dear Grandfather Grand Supreme Elder, there’s still something else. I mean… I’m already at the Core Formation realm, but I still don’t have an equivalent cultivation technique. Does the esteemed Grand Supreme Elder, my dear grandfather, have some amazing cultivation technique that you can share with me?” Wang Baole said hastily, his eyes shining with anticipation.

“I’ve already gotten someone to prepare the full set of Core Formation realm cultivation techniques that the Ethereal Dao College has. Go look for Little Zhao, he’ll explain to you in detail. Also, you should remain in the college during this period. Don’t return to Mars first. Stay for another two weeks… I’m going to create an opportunity for the disciples of our sect!” Li Xingwen laughed arrogantly before he strolled out of the halls and vanished.

Wang Baole blinked. He could vaguely guess what the Grand Supreme Elder was referring to. He was slightly excited and looked forward to it. Then, he wondered about the Little Zhao that the Grand Supreme Elder had spoken of. After a great deal of thinking, he still couldn’t figure out who this person was.

Curious, Wang Baole pulled out his voice transmission ring and sent a voice transmission to the Sect Lord of the Ethereal Dao College.

“Sect Lord, the Grand Supreme Elder told me to find Little Zhao for my mystic art. Who is that? I thought about it for a day, but no one comes to mind.”

There was dead silence on the other side of the voice transmission ring. Then, a long moment later, the Sect Lord’s ghostly voice drifted over.

“My last name is Zhao!”