I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 621 Cao Youqian: I Didn’t Expect to Encounter a Heavenly Chosen Here

"What, are you unwilling?"

Noticing the young man's prolonged silence in response to his query, Cao Youqian pressed the matter once more.

"To answer Lord, it's not that this lowly one refuses, but my meridians have been utterly shattered, leaving me incapable of cultivation. Hence, I dare not join under Lord's banner, lest I bring shame upon Lord."

With those words, Xiakang bowed his head even deeper, avoiding any further glance at the imposing figure ahead.

Cao Youqian extended his spiritual sense across the youth's frame; indeed, the boy spoke true. Luckily, the youth's Dantian remained intact.

All it would take was a touch of spiritual power to mend the pathways running through his entire form.

A grin crossed his face as he remarked, "I figured it was something grave. But broken meridians? Mere trifles to me. Still, I can't help but wonder—with talent like yours, how did you end up in such dire straits?"

"I won't conceal it from Lord. This humble one erred gravely in the past, leading the clan elders to shatter my cultivation base..."

Xiakang laid out his tale in vivid detail.

It was the classic misfortune. In a bid to aid his betrothed's breakthrough, Xiakang pilfered a precious elixir from the clan vault. Yet, she promptly handed that very treasure to the Heavenly Chosen from their rival faction.

Once the clan uncovered the betrayal, they enforced their harsh codes and ruined his cultivation. Had Xiakang not been the Chief's own grandson, he'd have faced no path to redemption at all.

"Excellent, excellent!"

Upon absorbing Xiakang's account, Cao Youqian exclaimed in approval over and over. This lad perfectly fit the criteria for entry into their Miscellaneous Dao Academy.

The pair of "excellents" left Xiakang utterly puzzled. He stared at the Lord in sheer astonishment, his mind racing futilely to grasp why such words of praise had come.

Cao Youqian clapped a hand on Xiakang's shoulder and inquired, "Tell me true. Do you crave vengeance? Do you yearn to reclaim all that was rightfully yours?"

"Yes."

Xiakang responded instantly, without a shred of doubt.

"Meet my gaze squarely; show me the fire in your soul."

Cao Youqian's voice boomed louder, laced with an air of commanding presence.

Flashes of his tormented history flooded Xiakang's thoughts. Clenching his jaw, he lifted his face gradually and bellowed with unyielding eyes: "Yes."

A pleased smile lit Cao Youqian's features as he declared, "Then why delay? Kneel and take me as your master without further ado. Your tribe? I'll shield it personally."

"Disciple Xiakang greets his Master."

Those said, Xiakang dropped to his knees and performed three resounding kowtows toward Cao Youqian.

Cao Youqian lifted Xiakang to his feet with a warm chuckle, announcing, "From this day forward, you're under my wing as the Grand Senior Brother of the Tyrant Fist Sacred Ground. For now, as your master, I'll restore those meridians of yours right away."

As soon as he finished, a strand of spiritual power flowed from him into Xiakang's core. Everywhere it flowed, the damaged meridians knit back together flawlessly.

Feeling the surge within himself, Xiakang's eyes bulged wide, his expression alight with wild thrill. In his mind, he roared: My strength returns! At last, I can seize back my former splendor!

Shortly after, Cao Youqian withdrew his palm and stated calmly, "Join your Martial Uncle in the disciple hunt for now. Have them report to me come morning."

"Understood."

With that, Xiakang spun on his heel and departed.

Gazing at the youth's fading silhouette, Cao Youqian's lips curved upward faintly. Inwardly, he mused: This kid—what wonders might you unleash for me?

Afterward, Cao Youqian plunged back into the Demon Lake to resume his routine cultivation.

Meanwhile, Lei Qilin conducted the recruitment with steady efficiency. By the point Xiakang emerged, it had already gathered three recruits: a human, an ape, and a tiger.

"Martial Uncle."

Xiakang offered a deep, respectful bow to Lei Qilin.

Lei Qilin grinned and noted, "So, you've entered Brother Qian's fold, eh, kid?"

"Indeed, my deepest thanks to Martial Uncle for pointing the way."

Deep gratitude filled Xiakang toward this Martial Uncle. Without such timely counsel, he'd never have met his Master, much less healed his ravaged body.

Lei Qilin probed, "What task did Brother Qian set for you?"

Xiakang bowed low in reply, "Master bids me aid Martial Uncle in gathering more disciples."

At those words, Lei Qilin inwardly flashed a silent thumbs-up to Brother Qian. No one grasped his aversion to such chores quite like Brother Qian did.

"Very well. Handle the rest from here. With this Great King overseeing, no chaos will ensue. Now, regarding your Master's guidelines for selecting disciples, they're like this..."

Once briefed, Xiakang clasped his fists and affirmed, "Disciple understands fully."

As the tribe's firstborn grandson, he'd long assisted his father in managing clan affairs. Scouting talent posed no real challenge.

Come midday, Xiakang had examined every aspirant from the Hundred Races. Beyond himself, just three humans and three demons cleared the Master's stringent bar.

He regarded the six before him and instructed, "Follow me up the mountain. We'll honor the Master at dawn tomorrow."

Those words sparked pure elation across the faces of the three humans and three demons. Yet, the failed hopefuls among demons and humans grew frantic, pleading in chorus: "Young friend, might you plead our case to that Lord? Our loyalty to him is absolute. Grant us just one shot, we beg."

Xiakang saw through their desperate ploy—his own Xia Tribe harbored similar hopes. He responded, "Then linger beyond the Five Elements Mountain. Once I've paid homage to Master tomorrow, I'll relay an answer."

Relief washed over the crowd of demons and humans, who showered him with thanks.

"Much obliged, young friend. Should you ever require our aid, command us freely."

"Absolutely, we'd brave infernos or floods, perish a thousand deaths without a flinch."

"..."

Witnessing the fervor, Lei Qilin held Cao Youqian in even higher esteem. True to form for Brother Qian—one simple gem had unearthed a true gem of a youth.

At first light the following day, Lei Qilin and Xiakang guided the three demons and three humans toward the Demon Lake's edge. Long before arrival, Lei Qilin detected a fearsome demonic aura fading away. It halted them sharply: "Hold."

Perplexed by Martial Uncle's sudden command, Xiakang queried, "Martial Uncle, trouble brewing up ahead?"

"Your Master's cultivation isn't complete yet. We'll bide our time."

Lei Qilin was well aware of Cao Youqian's practice method. It wasn't secrecy that concerned him, but shielding these novices from the baleful demonic essence. Brother Qian might shrug it off, but these fledglings surely couldn't.

After an hour, Lei Qilin confirmed the demonic pressure had vanished entirely, then announced, "Forward. Your Master's awaiting."

The group trailed Lei Qilin onward. Soon, they spotted Cao Youqian seated lakeside, immersed in meditation.

The fresh trio of humans and demons quaked at the overwhelming aura radiating from Cao Youqian, their knees buckling as if to collapse.

Detecting the approach, Cao Youqian eased his eyes open and uttered, "You've come."

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