Star Gate

Chapter 157: Eating Dinner (II)

It was very quiet inside the car. The uninjured Wang Ming drove; everyone else was more or less wounded. Even Liu Long was severely burned in a few areas and many blood vessels had burst in his arms.

“Elder Yuan, did everything go smoothly in the city?” Liu Long asked after they drove for a while.

“Well enough.” Yuan Shuo nodded. “The events of tonight tell us one thing—do not underestimate anyone. The most incompetent of supernaturals can still draw upon the might of their domain. While impotent supernaturals are the norm, they will gradually erode the advantages of martial master when they utilize their full strength.”

The reply put Wang Ming and the others in an awkward spot, particularly Wang Ming!

Impotent supernaturals are the norm... this declaration would make the speaker a public enemy. How arrogant!

At the same, this unexpected teacher of theirs had the right to be so cocky. The heads of two Solars numbered among his achievements! One had to know that there were only two Solars in all of the Night Watchers throughout Silver Moon—Director Hou and Hao Lianchuan.

This feat was the equivalent of Yuan Shuo killing the provincial commanders-in-chief by himself. Granted, Director Hou was so powerful that he was on another level entirely.

Yuan Shuo seemed to sense Wang Ming’s thoughts and said calmly, “Wang Ming, although you three are honorary disciples that I casually accepted, I offer you a warning all the same. It’s up to you if you wish to listen. This is what I should do since you are my disciple.”

“Please go ahead, teacher!” Wang Ming responded respectfully. Li Meng also curiously opened her eyes.

“Just remember a few things,” Yuan Shuo intoned. “And not just you guys, this goes for all of you!

“Number one, the supernatural exhausts too much potential. I don’t know if the powerhouses beyond Solar have a way to resolve this. Meanwhile, those below Solar likely haven’t run into this issue yet. Problems are bound to crop up, so do not give up on martial dao as you train the supernatural.

“Although practicing two systems will delay your cultivation speed, remember that nothing good arises from draining the pond to capture fish! Laying solid foundations and making progress one step at a time is the key. Your current speed is not the concern, your future distance is what’s at stake!”

Solemn expressions flickered across the group and heads bobbed, committing the professor’s words to memory.

“Number two, internal force is consumed by the supernatural when it forms and turns into mysterious power. Yun Yao, lass, that’s what happened to you, right?”

“Yes.” Yun Yao nodded. “My internal force transmuted to mysterious power after I crossed over.”

“Therefore, it will be hard for you to generate internal force even if you continue to train in martial dao as a supernatural.” Yun Yao inclined his head. “That is of no worry. My research indicates that internal force is not consumed the absolute second it forms. You can contain it within your organs! Mysterious power will not invade the five organs at first and all of the organs possess their own supernatural locks. You haven’t opened all of them yet.”

“But Elder Yuan,” Yun Yao raised somberly. “Internal force strengthens the supernatural locks and increases the difficulty of advancement...”

“I know that! Believe me if you will, don’t listen to me if you don’t! The choice is yours. Internal force will indeed strengthen the supernatural locks when held within the organs and increase the difficulty of your cultivation. Just remember that what is too easily obtained is usually not valuable.”

The group sank into contemplation, but Wang Ming stirred restlessly.

“Teacher,” he couldn’t help himself. “I... I am a Fullmoon. If my supernatural locks are strengthened with the generation of internal force, then my chances of opening them to become a Sunflare are greatly decreased...”

Rather than all of them opening at the same time, more supernatural locks were opened with each breakthrough, making it possible for the body to contain more mysterious power.

And yet, Yuan Shuo wanted them to strengthen their locks? Why?

“So it’s up to you guys.” Yuan Shuo was as calm as before. “I said that this might delay your cultivation speed! There’s no helping it. Additionally, stronger may not be better in the supernatural world. Perhaps some of your powerhouses can supplement their shortcomings when they reach a certain level. I don’t have the answers to these questions yet and am only offering my suggestions. It’s your call whether or not you wish to take my advice.”

Waving her charred hands around, Liu Yan chuckled. “I’m not a supernatural, Elder Yuan, so this doesn’t matter to me. I’d like to ask if there’s a way to heal my hands? You are widely read and highly experienced, do you think there’s a chance?”

Yuan Shuo glanced at her hands and said casually, “They’re almost completely dead and would be beyond redemption under ordinary circumstances. Let me see if I can come up with something for you. This shouldn’t be an issue.”

Liu Yan lit up and she suddenly thought of Li Hao. Was Li Hao’s energy a unique internal force? Had Yuan Shuo taught it to him? Many speculations popped into her mind, but she asked no further.

Li Meng couldn’t stand her internal urging either. “Te... teacher, my eye... is often injured. Its defenses are very weak. Do you have any solutions for that?”

Her third eye was so weak that it was often injured in moments of carelessness. Its special characteristics were immensely useful, such as the illusion it’d created against the Sunflare, being able to trace the opponent’s trajectory, or seeing through mist and fog... It was powerful, but so weak that it frequently wept blood.

The Night Watchers’ solution was to strengthen her mysterious power. According to them, the stronger her mysterious power was, the stronger her eye’s defenses would be. There was no need to supplement with anything.

“Your eye is very unique!” Yuan Shuo suddenly said. “You are a special type of supernatural as well. There’s two possibilities. First, ancient records speak of unique bloodlines in the ancient times. Some of that may have awakened in you!

“Second, this could be the beginning of a supernatural technique! If it’s the first, your best bet is to enhance your bloodline. To make it purer, you need to be stronger. I recommend using martial dao to strengthen your bloodline, not the supernatural!

“If it’s the second, then certain ancient martial masters naturally produced unique abilities when they were strong enough. If yours is a fledgling technique... then I still recommend you to practice martial dao!”

“......” Li Meng didn’t know what to respond with. Both answers were for her to practice martial dao... Could the elder be trusted? Whatever the answer was, she didn’t dare ask further.

“It’s up to you guys whether or not you wish to believe me,” Yuan Shuo chortled. “You’re honorary disciples, after all. However much you learn is yours, and it’s fine if you don’t learn anything.”

Wang Ming and Li Meng looked sheepishly at each other. The professor was too frank!

Their car re-entered the city. Since it was under curfew and the Inspectorate was out in full force to sweep the city, they were stopped at a checkpoint. When the inspectors on duty saw that it was Liu Long and other colleagues, they snapped to attention and quickly waved them through.

“Inspector General Mu works quickly,” Liu Long expressed his appreciation at the sight of restrictions placed so swiftly on the entire city. There were men at every checkpoint, a clear demonstration of Mu Sen’s control and abilities of execution. “Elder Yuan, is there hope for Mu Sen to become a Dominator?”

Everyone in the car looked at Yuan Shuo and Wang Ming nearly gave his best Li Hao imitation. He yanked the steering wheel away before the car crashed into a wall.

Yuan Shuo glared at him, the handsome young man quickly offered an apologetic grin. He continued driving distractedly—is Yuan Shuo really able to mass produce Dominators?

No way!

“Mu Sen...” Yuan Shuo considered for a while before shaking his head. “I’m not sure, it’s tough to say. Mu Sen is more shrewd than you and keeps a lower profile. He should be peak Sunderer, but I don’t know if he’s perfected his art or comprehended the aura. I’ll only know if he attacks me with full strength or volunteers a demonstration of his aura. Otherwise, you know just as well that a breakthrough is impossible without the aura. Dominators are not apples to be plucked off a tree!”

Grasping the aura first, healing one’s internal injuries, stimulation from another Dominator, and guidance through aura created only the possibility of breaking through. None of that was on the table if the Sunderer in question didn’t know the aura. If Yuan Shuo was able to easily help others to understand the aura, he would’ve shoved Li Hao to Dominator long ago. He wouldn’t let the lad toil on his own like this.

Liu Long didn’t say anything and they soon reached the entrance to the Inspectorate. Someone met them outside when they alighted from the car. Hao Lianchuan looked them over with a displeased expression and briefly scanned Yuan Shuo. He arched a brow and quickly flashed a smile.

“Many thanks to Professor Yuan for helping us Night Watchers eliminate evil supernaturals! Some fellows didn’t wish to see a successful establishment of a Night Watcher branch in Silver City. They stirred up trouble and ambushed our guests. Thanks to proper precautions from Director Liu, those evildoers with malicious intent were struck down! I will report this to Director Hou and seek proper reward for these deeds of merit!”

A few more pleasantries followed, all bellowed at the top of his lungs. “Since Director Liu and the others have returned, the ceremony can officially begin! There’s no need for a speech as the heads of these supernaturals are a good way to celebrate the new branch! Eat and drink up, everyone! You must enjoy yourselves tonight!”

He turned to make his way back to the hall, ignoring everyone present.

“Yuan Shuo!” His voice echoed thunderously in Yuan Shuo’s ear. “I’m showing you face in not berating you in public! Making a move at this time and killing supernaturals... Do you know how long we’ve prepared for those ruins?! If you’ve ruined the partnership...”

Yuan Shuo’s lips moved minutely. “Look at you being lily-livered! Are you the only one who wants that partnership? They want it just as badly! Not to mention, so what if I’ve killed a few outer members? Fob the three great organizations off with an excuse and they won’t even dare fart in your direction!”

“What was with that Solar?”

“What Solar?” Yuan Shuo asked strangely. “A Solar? Are you confused? There was just one Darkmoon...”

“Oh screw you!” Hao Lianchuan spat. Do you take me for an idiot?? How was that not a Solar?!

As far away as they’d been, a presence that he could sense ten thousand meters away could only be a Solar!

“There’s no such person!” Yuan Shuo’s lips vibrated. “Believe what you will. Why don’t you ask the other organizations if they sent a Solar? They’re not idiots, how would they send another after I’ve already killed one? It was just one audacious Darkmoon who thought he could make his name by killing me. What a complete fool! I swept the street with his head.”

“Shut up!” Hao Lianchuan would never believe it was a Darkmoon, no matter how sincere Yuan Shuo was. “An unknown Solar? Or have they run off?”

If they’d gotten away, the various organizations would never admit to sending someone to kill Yuan Shuo. If it was an unknown Solar, their death would be equally unknown to others. It didn’t matter as much then.

Hao Lianchuan was likely the only one in all of Silver City who could be certain that the enemy had been a Solar tonight. Some powerhouses that observed the battlefield afterward might be able to deduce the same, but the battle site had been destroyed and was cordoned off. After tonight, no one would be able to glean how fierce the fighting had been.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Yuan Shuo couldn’t be bothered with him and walked toward his disciple.

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