Chương 99: Who are you?

When he heard the unfamiliar voice, Shu Yang snapped his head around and saw an old man sitting on one of the cushions. His hair was white, tied up in a knot, and he was stroking his long beard as he smiled at the two of them.

"Junior Song Hongchi greets the senior." Song Hongchi stepped forward and bowed. Shu Yang hurriedly followed and introduced himself, "Junior Zhuo Zhangye greets the senior."

"Oh?" The old man raised an eyebrow, looking Shu Yang up and down, "You know, it's not very polite to use a fake name when introducing yourself to a senior." Shu Yang could feel the old man's gaze on him, and a shiver ran down his spine.

'Lying doesn't work! This old man is crazy powerful.' Shu Yang couldn't tell how strong the old man was; it wasn't like the usual aura on people. It was more like a primal sense of danger, warning Shu Yang that this was a being in a different league of existence.

"I'm sorry, senior. I was using an alias and forgot myself. My name is Shu Yang," Shu Yang said.

"That it is," The old man said, nodding.

"Are you…are you True Person Jiami?" Song Hongchi asked nervously.

"It appears my name is still remembered after all this time," True Person Jiami admitted with a smile. But then the smile disappeared and was replaced with a frown.

"But some things have been forgotten, it appears. Some people actually have the audacity to interrupt my trial." True Person Jiami looked past Shu Yang and Song Hongchi, appearing deep in thought as the tremors kept coming.

"Has it been so long?" True Person Jiami questioned, "In my day, it was a great sin to disturb an inheritance."

"It still is," Song Hongchi replied, her voice slightly shaky.

"I believe that the circumstances for this inheritance are a bit special."

"Oh? Do tell," True Person Jiami said.

"For starters, your inheritance was believed to be left behind by a Foundation cultivator. I think many people feel they were cheated when the trial started and it was revealed to be a Golden Core opportunity," Song Hongchi said.

"I also suspect that tensions are high, as Yuanchi Immortal Land is now under the rule of the Green River Sect, while True Person Jiami was an Elder of the Silver Feather Sect. I think it's not so clear which side can claim this inheritance, and trouble was bound to happen. Considering the trial has been going on for a year without anyone emerging, the people outside might have run out of patience.

Perhaps they think that since everyone who came to the inheritance was seeking the inheritance of a Foundation cultivator, no one of sufficient talent would come here, and no one would succeed in passing your trials."

"You're a clever one," True Person Jiami said with a smile.

"That makes a little more sense. Still, only a year has passed; these youngsters outside are too impatient."

"They certainly are," Song Hongchi agreed. True Person Jiami looked at Shu Yang and asked, "You look like you have a question on the tip of your tongue. Ask it."

"Er," Shu Yang hesitated for a moment. He was indeed very confused.

"Excuse my ignorance, but weren't you supposed to have…moved on?"

"Hehe," True Person Jiami chuckled.

"Yes, I'm dead, if that's what you meant. What you're seeing is simply a small wisp of will that I left behind. I have been lying dormant for hundreds of years, and my only purpose is to determine who will receive my inheritance. It was supposed to be one person, the one who cleared the final trial first, but we were interrupted." Shu Yang glanced at Song Hongchi.

'Supposed to be one? Does that mean it's two now?'

"It's her. Don't get your hopes up, kid," True Person Jiami said.

"Right, of course," Shu Yang said, his hopes dashed.

"I…I succeeded?" Song Hongchi asked, face slightly flushed.

"Even though I had to interrupt the final trial, I've seen enough," True Person Jiami said with a nod.

"At first, I was deeply disappointed with this batch of trial takers. Only four of you managed to get past the first stage without help. When I designed it, it was supposed to be the first one hundred who could move on. Needless to say, we never got that far.

"But it worked out in the end. At least the two of you managed to figure out the purpose of the grand hall, and you have shown that you can make use of the inheritance and not just break through formations with brute force." True Person Jiami turned to look at Shu Yang and called out his name.

"Shu Yang!"

"Yes!" Shu Yang replied, straightening his back.

"You are nowhere near Song Hongchi's level. I assume you don't have any objections to that statement?" True Person Jiami asked.

"No objection," Shu Yang said. How could he dare object? Even if it was only a wisp of will left behind, Shu Yang could feel it was much more powerful than he was. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Good," True Person Jiami said with a nod.

"Nonetheless, you have learned well over the past year, and can be considered half a student of mine, I suppose. Considering your Bloodline Ability, you should have a future as a formation master." True Person Jiami waved his sleeve, and a storage ring flew over and landed in Shu Yang's hand.

"It's not much, but the contents inside should have some use, and be enough for you to keep progressing in the path of formations," True Person Jiami said.

'There really is a prize for coming in second?' Shu Yang hoped there were spirit stones inside, more so than any formation inheritance. But he didn't dare look at the moment. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your kindness, True Person Jiami. Please give me your instructions."

"There is no need for you to do anything," True Person Jiami said.

"Our fate ends here. You can be on your way now. If you enter the grand hall again, you will find only one opening there now. Enter it, and it will lead you to the exit."

'Exit? To where the Golden Core cultivators are?' Shu Yang hesitated slightly. If he pushed for it, he might be able to be given another way out.

"Please wait, True Person Jiami," Song Hongchi suddenly interrupted.

"What's the matter, child?" True Person Jiami asked.

"Won't he reveal to everyone what happened here? I will be hunted down, and your inheritance will end up in someone else's hands," Song Hongchi said.

'Is she trying to have me killed?' Shu Yang thought with a deep frown.

"You have your own exit," True Person Jiami said with a smile. He waved his arm, and a passage opened up on the right side of the room.

"If you are hunted down and killed, that just means you don't have what it takes. The world is dangerous, and becoming my heir comes with risks. If you are unwilling, you may refuse."

"That…no, of course I'm willing," Song Hongchi said.

"It's just that, since he is somewhat of a student of yours, shouldn't we stick together?"

"Speak clearly," True Person Jiami said.

"I suggest he take a Blood Oath," Song Hongchi said, "To never reveal what happened here, and to protect me until I advance to the Foundation stage. In return, I'll teach him to the best of my ability during that time. I believe that makes for a better outcome for both of us."

'A Blood Oath?' Shu Yang frowned; he knew about Blood Oaths. They were said to be impossible to break, and the best guarantee when you wanted someone to keep their word. It actually wouldn't have been so bad, considering it would give him a safe escape, except that he had to find Tianyi. He didn't have time to be a protector. But if he encountered those Golden Core cultivators outside, the risks might be even greater. He might never have a chance to get his daughter at all.

"What do you say?" True Person Jiami asked, turning to Shu Yang.

"How long before you advance?" Shu Yang asked Song Hongchi.

"At most, three years," Song Hongchi answered.

"That can be part of the wording." Shu Yang took a deep breath, thinking through all his options.

'This is probably my best option. I can still look for Tianyi while being a protector. It might even be better this way, since the Song family should know something about the people the Qing family brought back.'

"Fine," Shu Yang agreed.

"Good," True Person Jiami said with a nod. A tremor shook the room they were standing in. The biggest one yet.

"We don't have much time, it appears," True Person Jiami said. He waved his hand and a storage ring flew toward Song Hongchi.

"I did my best to prepare resources for my heir. Unfortunately, not many resources can survive the passage of so many centuries. But I was lucky enough to stumble upon a bottle made of Everlasting Jade in an auction once. I put a Core Condensing Pill inside that bottle, and the pill is still good to use. In fact, it has even improved slightly in quality.

"As for the other resources you might need. I planted quite a few spiritual medicines when I built this place, and they have all been collected and placed within the ring. That should be enough to have any alchemist curry favor with you. The path to the Golden Core stage is laid out in front of you; all you have to do is survive."

"Thank you. Thank you, True Person Jiami. I will forever be in your debt," Song Hongshi said, bowing deeply, her face red from excitement.

'Damn. I hope I didn't get totally screwed and something of value was placed inside my ring.'

"Live well. Learn my way of formations, try to improve upon it, and pass it on to someone worthy someday. That is all I ask," True Person Jiami said with a smile.

"I will definitely do as you say," Song Hongchi said with a firm expression.

"Good," True Person Jiami said with a nod. He then turned to Shu Yang, "Now, a drop of your blood."

"Right." Shu Yang stretched his hand forward and was about to make a small cut, but True Person Jiami waved his hand, and Shu Yang felt a small sting and saw a drop of blood forming on his finger. True Person Jiami waved his hand again, and the drop of blood flew toward him.

"Never to reveal a word about what has occurred here, and protect Song Hongchi until she builds her Foundation, with a time limit of three years. That's it, yes?" True Person Jiami asked. Shu Yang and Song Hongchi both nodded.

"Then you need to-" True Person began speaking but stopped himself, looking closely at the drop of blood floating in front of him.

"I sense quite a few traits. But what is this…" True Person Jiami waved his hands around the drop of blood, turning quiet. Shu Yang had no idea what he was up to.

"What's this? No!" True Person Jiami suddenly shot to his feet, with a look of deep fear. It was only for a moment, but an ancient, oppressive, and vastly powerful aura gripped the throats of the people in the room. The aura of a Golden Core cultivator was nothing in comparison; it was like a pebble next to a mountain. Song Hongchi dropped to her knees, her face pale and pupils trembling in fear as she looked at Shu Yang.

Shu Yang himself was largely unaffected, but even he felt the presence of something immense, if only for a brief moment.

"Who…are you?" True Person Jiami managed to squeeze out, staring at Shu Yang with eyes filled with deep fear, before his body slowly disintegrated.