Master of the System

Chapter 145

An old lady stood in front of a doorway with her back straight, her head held high. Her hands were resting on top of a cane which was firmly planted in the ground. Beside her, there was a young woman who looked to be around thirty years old. The young woman bowed her head towards the old lady. Master, she said. Who are we waiting for? As an elder of the Moon Lotus Sect, her masters position was quite high. Her master rarely left her lair to do anything, but today, she had called upon Sapphire, the young woman, and ordered her to drive an airship to the teleportation gate, saying someone important was arriving. Since Sapphire was driving, she didnt have any time to ask her master who they were going to receive.

The old lady didnt respond, staring straight ahead. Her body was small, gradually grinded down by the millstone known as time. How many years had she been alive to make her, a nascent-soul cultivator, look like a ninety-year-old woman on her deathbed? It was clear the old lady was on her last legs, her time about to run out. Her thin lips pressed together as images flashed through her mind, her eyes becoming glassy. Back then, she was a gifted child, not a genius but not an average individual either. She had been accepted as the main disciple of an elder of the sect and had succeeded her in the end, but her glory was nowhere near what her fellow disciples had achieved. A weak voice came out of the old ladys mouth. The one were waiting for, once upon a time, you couldve addressed him as my rival, but now.

Sapphire waited, but her master didnt finish the sentence. However, from her masters words, Sapphire already had a good idea as to who they were waiting for. After all, there was only one man who had ever been a part of the Moon Lotus Sect. Even though thousands of boys participated in the sects recruitment drives, they had all been turned down no matter how good their talent was. Even those who seemed like they were capable of becoming soul-seed cultivators were declined and offered a spot in a vassal sect instead. The standard for joining the Moon Lotus Sect as a male was simple. If ones potential was enough to surpass Elder Vremyas achievements, then they could join. No, judging from the news she had read, elder was no longer an appropriate title. Perhaps hed have to be addressed as Ancestor Vremya now; although, a lot of people on the internet liked calling him Venerable Vremya.

There was a flash of light coming from underneath the doorway. Moments later, the mechanical doors slid open, revealing two figures: a beautiful woman and an old man. Sapphire easily recognized both of them, having seen their images in her history textbooks. They were Elder Azalea, who should also probably be addressed as Ancestor Azalea now, and Ancestor Vremya. Sapphires master lowered her head, bowing at the two. Elder Ruby greets the ancestors.

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Grandpa Vremya nodded at Ruby, seemingly unable to recognize the girl who had once declared she would travel further than him in cultivation. Four hundred seventy years had passed, but that was no excuse. Even if he had seen her in her prime, he wouldnt have remembered who she was anyway. Behind Grandpa Vremya, four feathery and scaled heads appeared. They were extending out of a backpack which was a life pouch, an interspatial item capable of holding living creatures. Rather than having them stick to his limbs, hindering his movements, Grandpa Vremya asked Azalea for an easier way to transport them around. Luckily, Azalea had the same idea as him a long time ago; although, the phoegons didnt listen to her and ignored the pouch, leaving it unused for over four hundred years.

Its been a while, Elder Ruby, Azalea said. She glanced at Sapphire. Is this the disciple youve chosen? She seems to be quite talented.

A dry laugh escaped from Rubys mouth. None of us can talk about talent in front of Ancestor Vremya, she said. My disciple is just alright. Shell uphold the legacy of the Moon Lotus Sects knowledge on formations.

Azalea nudged Grandpa Vremya. Youre not going to say anything?

Grandpa Vremya raised an eyebrow. Did anything need to be said? His gaze shifted onto Ruby and Sapphire as he stroked his beard. Hasnt the sect expanded while I was in secluded cultivation? Theres still only one elder dedicated to formations? It made sense for one elder to be in charge of the defensive formations when the sects territory was limited to one planet, but now that the Moon Lotus Sect was the owner of the federation, shouldnt their reach have spread to more places? They couldnt possibly have the same amount of people running a much larger plot of land.

Shes the most knowledgeable elder when it comes to formations, Azalea said, resisting the urge to bury her face in her hands. Why did she have to explain the sects inner workings to someone so high up in the sects rankings? She maintains the defensive formation in the sects holy land in the Moon Lotus World. The ones maintaining the formations elsewhere are core disciples doing their duties. The sect has expanded in personnel, but the number of elders has remained relatively unchanged.

Grandpa Vremya nodded, but he still didnt understand what exactly Azalea wanted him to say. Words of encouragement? Words of acknowledgement? Were they even necessary when the disciples of the Moon Lotus Sect severed their emotions? At that moment, his bracelet beeped, and he glanced at the screen.

Azalea had sent him a text: Say something about her disciple, or say something about her. Cant you see shes at the end of her life? She obviously wanted to see you before she died. If you dont remember, shes the one Elder Formation picked as her disciple after you rejected her offer nearly a thousand years ago.

With his cultivation base, it took less than a quarter of a second for Grandpa Vremya to read and digest everything Azalea had sent him. He met Rubys expectant gaze. Youve come a long way, surpassing your master, he said and glanced at Sapphire. With enough effort, your disciple will go even further. Perhaps, in ten thousand years, your great-great-great-great-great-great-grand-disciple will become an immortal, and the efforts of you and everyone who came before you wont go to waste.

Azalea closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Were those supposed to be words of encouragement or words meant to destroy ones spirit? Why the hell did he have to add the word perhaps in there? No, that wasnt right. It was her fault for not elaborating when she knew Grandpa Vremya was a blockhead when it came to social interactions. She shouldve told him to praise Rubys disciple and hand over a meeting gift. What was done was done. Azalea reached into her interspatial ring and took out a fruit. It emitted a golden mist, barely visible to the naked eye. A gift for you, she said and handed it to Sapphire. Strive hard to fill your masters footsteps. She met Rubys eyes and nodded. Perhaps this would be the last time the two saw each other. No one knew what the future held.

Come, Azalea said and grabbed Grandpa Vremyas hand. We arent too far from the area where the coalitions false immortal is blockading us. Once you take care of him, therell be nothing else to obstruct the sects growth.

Sapphire watched, golden fruit in hand, as the two ancestors of the sect walked past her and her master. She couldnt help but glance at Ruby. As expected, there wasnt any hint of emotion on the old ladys face. That was how it should be. Sapphire stared at the backs of the two ancestors. For her, it was jarring to see people who expressed their emotions. How could they become so powerful whilst being held back by their base instincts? She stroked her chin, copying Grandpa Vremyas action of stroking his bearddespite her not having any facial hair. Then, she raised an eyebrow, copying Grandpa Vremya once more.

What are you doing? Ruby asked, her eyes trained on her disciple. Quickly, put that fruit away. Itll be helpful for your cultivation, but youll have to eat it within a formation to obtain the maximum effects.

Yes, Master, Sapphire said, stowing the fruit. Then, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, copying Azalea. A moment later, she opened her eyes, and her face returned to a neutral expression. The outwards display of emotions was so tiring to maintain. Surely, severing ones emotions was the true correct path. Ancestor Rachel had proved it before disappearing.