1547 Tian Yingzhe
"I understand your immense talent and prowess, and I've witnessed the full force of your attacks. But, my dear little friend, these Immortals are not like anything you've encountered. They are a force beyond your wildest imagination, and they won't simply stand there to be defeated. I implore you to reconsider your decision." Senior Bai's words carried a weight of urgency, hoping to sway Yuan's determination.
"Don't worry, Senior Bai. I've grown a lot stronger since my visit to the Vanishing Valley. I am also not as reckless as you think. If I deem the opponent too dangerous, I'll run away."
"And what if by the time you realize the danger, it's already too late? It would be far wiser to avoid them altogether," Senior Bai sighed, his disappointment evident as he contemplated Yuan's unwavering resolve to face this immortal.
If anyone else were in his shoes, they wouldn't even think of such a thing.
'I guess this is what differentiates the true prodigies from the talented. They are truly incomprehensible beings. There is also a saying that the more talented an individual is, the more they tend to attract danger. Unfortunately, this is also why they tend to perish earlier than others despite having more potential.'
Normally, Senior Bai would stop trying to persuade Yuan to fight the Immortal, but knowing firsthand how dangerous the Immortals from the Nine Heavens Eternal Grotto are, he continued trying.
"The criminals within the Nine Heavens Eternal Grotto, the Immortals you're so eager to fight, are arguably even more dangerous than the ones sealed within the Primordial Realm. They are also much harder to kill than ordinary Immortals due to their unique physiques, such as the one within the Fourth Heaven, who has the Shrouded Physique, which makes their appearance impossible to perceive even with divine sense."
"And because you cannot see their body, you won't be able to predict their attacks or attack them effectively."
"I see…" Yuan turned silent with a pondering face, but it wasn't because he was reconsidering fighting the immortal. He was wondering how he could effectively deal with them.
"Anyway, thank you for warning me about the immortal. I'll keep my eyes out for them. Also, I would like you to pass on a message to Lady Xu for me."
Senior Bai narrowed his eyes at Yuan, wondering if he'd given up on fighting the immortal or the opposite.
"What's the message?"
"Can you ask her if she knows the name Tian Yingzhe? That's all."
"Tian Yingzhe? Okay, I'll let her know."
"Then I'll see you next time."
"I'm going to warn you again, just in case. Don't engage with the immortal! Just run away and notify me if you sense them nearby!"
"I understand." Yuan nodded with a mysterious smile on his face.
Senior Bai still felt concerned for some reason.
Once Yuan left, he sighed out loud, "Alas… even there's nothing I can do if he truly wants to fight the immortal…"
"Hm? Wait a minute. I can just have someone watch over him!"
With this idea in mind, Senior Bai left his world to contact someone from the Celestial Overlord.
Sometime later, Senior Bai arrived at a massive outdoor training ground that was as large as several major cities.
"This junior greets Overlord Bai."A half-naked, tall, and robust man stopped his training and respectfully bowed to Senior Bai after noticing his presence.
"Sorry for the sudden visit, Kelan."
"You're always welcome, no matter the time and day."
"Are you busy nowadays?" Senior Bai asked.
"It's the same as usual."
"Then, do you mind doing me a favor? I'd like you to watch over a junior of ours in case he does anything reckless."
"A junior of ours? So he's a member of the faction?"
"Yes, he joined very recently."
"This junior must be very special for you to go out of your way to do this." Kelan smiled.
"You have no idea. He was recruited by Celestial Overlord Xu herself."
"What?! Celestial Overlord Xu recruited him?! Alright, I'll take a look at this junior. Where is he?"
"Fourth Heaven."
"Huh? But we're currently in the Eighth Heaven."
"I am aware."
Kelan raised his eyebrows in a puzzled manner.
"Oh, was this junior sent to the lower heavens to find a certain somebody?" Kelan suddenly came to this realization.
"No, this junior was recruited in the lower heavens. He's only a Spirit King, so he's a real junior."
"N-no way…" Kelan wore a look of disbelief on his face.
When was the last time they had someone with such low cultivation amongst their ranks?
"Don't look down on this junior, Kelan. Even though he'd only recently joined, he's already a General."
"Already a General?! That's impossible!" Kelan cried out loud.
Senior Bai smiled, "If his rank had been lower, I would've asked someone else. You're the only Commander with so much free time, too."
"Please don't make me sound like a slacker, Overlord Bai. Training is also working, and I am still healing from my injury."
Senior Bai glanced at the obvious scar that covered Kelan's arm and said, "I'm just joking with you. Anyway, can you do this favor for me? You'll also be helping Celestial Overlord Xu since she cares about him, too."
"Of course. You just need me to watch over him, right?"
"Yes, since he might pick a fight with one of the escaped immortals who was found in the Fourth Heaven."
"A mere Spirit King daring to pick a fight with an escaped immortal from the Nine Heavens Eternal Grotto? This kid's got guts! We might get along pretty well." Kelen laughed out loud at this information.
"His name is Yuan. Also, he's from outside the Nine Heavens, if you know what I mean."
"I know. The Lost Ones, right? Do you mind if I talk to him, or am I just supposed to tail him like a spy?"
"You can interact with him if you want."
"Alright."
"Don't bully him too much, or you might catch a beating from Celestial Overlord Xu." Senior Bai chuckled.
"When have I ever bullied a junior?" Kelan laughed out loud.
"Then I'll make arrangements for your descent after I speak with Celestial Overlord Xu. You should prepare for your departure, too."
"Understood. I'll see you later, Overlord Bai."
After Senior Bai left, Kelan smiled, "A Spirit King and a General, huh? I have high expectations, so don't disappoint me, junior."
After his meeting with Kelan, Senior Bai went to find Xu Jiaqi.
"It feels like I've been seeing you much often lately. Is this related to him?" Xu Jiaqi spoke the moment Senior Bai entered her office.
"Yes, it's about Yuan. I wanted to let you know that I had sent Commander Kelan to watch over him."
"Why?" Xu Jiaqi raised an eyebrow at this unexpected news.
"One of the escaped immortals was spotted in the Fourth Heaven, and when I warned him about it, he decided to fight them instead of running away. I advised him not to fight them, and even though he said he understood, I cannot help but doubt him."
"Is that so? Fighting an escaped immortal, huh? If he somehow manages to defeat an immortal, our reputation would skyrocket."
"You want him to fight the immortal?" Senior Bai stared at her with wide eyes.
"Of course not. I'm just saying. Anyway, you did the right thing. We cannot let someone as talented as him die in vain. Is that all?"
"There's one more thing. Yuan asked me to pass a message on to you."
After clearing his throat, Senior Bao repeated, "Do you know the name Tian Yingzhe?"
"...What?"
Xu Jiaqi's expression froze after hearing this name.
Seeing her reaction, Senior Bai swallowed nervously.
After a moment of silence, Xu Jiaqi suddenly stood up, slammed the desk before her, and loudly inquired, "Where did he learn of this name?!"
"Uh… I don't know. I didn't ask since it seemed like an innocent question. Who is Tian Yingzhe? Should I be worried?"
Xu Jiaqi didn't immediately respond and fell back onto her chair.
After another moment of silence, she sighed, "He… was the founder of the Celestial Overlord."
"What?! The founder?! But I thought…"
Xu Jiaqi nodded and said, "The founder had two names. One was his true name, and the other was used for the Celestial Overlord. Even among the other Celestial Overlords, only I knew his true name."
"Oh… then was it okay for you to have revealed it to me…?" Senior Bai asked.
"It's fine. Since you would've learned it sooner or later after. However, how did Yuan learn of this name?"
"I'll ask him the next time I see him."
"Please do." Xu Jiaqi nodded with a serious expression on her face.
"Also, although it's just a name, keep it to yourself."
"Of course. I won't tell a soul." Senior Bai nodded.
"Then what about your response?" he then asked.
"Just tell him what I told you."
"I understand."
Meanwhile, Yuan returned to Bai Lianhua's side after leaving Senior Bai's world.
"You're really not being humble." Yuan smiled when she saw the piles of techniques Bai Lianhua had picked out.
"Is this too much? I knew it, but…"
"No, it's fine." Yuan chuckled.
"Are you sure I can have all of this for free?"
"I'm certain."
Once they were prepared, Bai Lianhua brought all of the techniques to the register, shocking the worker.
But before the worker could even open his mouth to speak, Yuan showed his General symbol, shocking the worker even more.
"Thank you for your service!" The worker bowed to Yuan.
Yuan nodded at him before turning to look at Bai Lianhua and speaking, "It's done. You can put them away."
"What? That's all?" she stared at him with a gawking expression, as she had anticipated a much lengthier process.
"That's all." He confirmed with a smile.