Chapter 17: Half a Year Later

Half a year after joining the Thousand Rivers Sect.

“We see you, Young River Lord!”

Wherever Jin went, Thousand Rivers Disciples bowed.

And why would they not? He was, after all, the one next in line to become the Sect Leader of the Thousand Rivers Sect.

However, even if that weren’t the case, he was still rumored to be half a step beyond the Martial Saint Realm. At such a high level, he was among the strongest in all of the Sky Cloud Continent, second to none; his strength demanded respect.

’The Path beyond the Martial Saint Realm,’ Jin pondered, paying little heed to the respectful disciples.

Previously, he determined Essence Refinement to continue being the trend even beyond the Martial Saint Realm. However, after comprehending every technique in the Thousand Rivers Sect—which numbered in the tens of thousands—he deduced an additional factor.

If Essence Refinement was the foundation of the Martial Dao Evolutionary Path, then the newly devised ’Essence Integration’ was the next floor of the building. It involved the consolidation of your Essence, as well as the seamless synchronization between your physical body, potential spiritual energy, and Essence.

“This is the way forward.”

Confident in his comprehensions, Jin moved like a phantom between various mountain peaks.

His speed far exceeded what an average half-step beyond Martial Saint could exhibit. But this was only natural, for the sheer number of techniques he mastered and improved upon were in the tens of thousands.

Whether it be a basic Martial Art or a Divine Heritage Secret Technique, Jin assimilated every single one he got his hands on.

“Dear disciple.”

A pleased voice carried through the air, urging Jin to look toward where a wizened old man stood tall and imposing on a close-by mountain peak. This old man, naturally the Thousand Rivers Sect Leader, possessed the bearings of a true expert.

“Master,” Jin cupped his hands, speaking in a courteous tone. “What do you require of me?”

He owed a great deal to the old Sect Leader for speedily giving access to the Ancient Sect Records. Without them, it certainly would’ve taken several times longer to reach the peak of the Martial Saint Realm. It also would’ve been more troublesome to glean the Path above the world’s apparent peak cultivation level.

If this great service to Jin could be repaid, then he’d do his utmost to repay it.

“Come now, no need for the formalities,” Sect Leader Thousand Rivers said humbly. “As you are now, even I can’t see through you. Perhaps I should be the one respectfully addressing you instead, haha.”
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“Surely you jest, Master,” replied Jin. “Anyway, I can see that something is on your mind. And though I may just be a member of the younger generation, I’ll help you to the best of my abilities in whatever is troubling you.”

“The way you speak… Are you sure you’re not the master here??” Sect Leader Thousand Rivers joked, before suddenly turning serious.

“Do you recall that Ten Devil Sect you personally went out and destroyed some time ago?”

Jin nodded.

Obviously, he remembered. He did, after all, do that for the sake of the Yang Sect to the south.

Three Martial Saints and over a dozen Martial Grandmasters perished the night he made a move against the Ten Devil Sect. A massive loss.

“Well…” Sect Leader Thousand Rivers continued dramatically. “The Ten Devil Sect is actually a subsidiary of the Demonic Devourer Martial Lineage, which is deeply rooted in numerous Factions around the world, including both the Crimson Moon Empire and Azure Wind Empire.”

“The leaders of the Demonic Devourer Martial Lineage have already called for your head, posting bounties and the like,” he added.

“Really?” Jin didn’t look too surprised. And he wasn’t, as this development was well within his predictions.

“Either way, as the next leader of the Thousand Rivers Sect, you are under my protection,” the Sect Leader reassured. “The other world powers can’t do anything to you.”

Jin nodded.

Both he and the Sect Leader were aware that he didn’t require the protection, but it was the sentiment that mattered.

“So, how do you want to handle this?” the Sect Leader asked.

Jin contemplated for a couple of seconds.

Eventually, he turned toward the Sect Leader and said, “I’ll head out tomorrow to pay the Demonic Devourer Lineage a visit.”

Silence…

“You do know that the Demonic Devourer Lineage is possibly the largest and most encompassing martial lineage in all of the Sky Cloud Continent, right?” the Sect Leader asked just to make sure.

And though he expected it, Jin confirmed his awareness of that particular piece of information.

“There will be dozens of Martial Saints defending the headquarters of the Demonic Devourer Lineage…”

The Sect Leader continued in trying to make Jin understand his point, but the young boy merely gave a nod of acknowledgment to every single thing he said.

“Haiz…” The Sect Leader sighed, wondering if the taking in of this unprecedented genius had actually been a good thing.

“Just be careful, okay?” the Sect Leader cautioned, giving up on dissuading his disciple any further. “If not for my sake, then for the sake of my youngest daughter.”

Jin’s nose crinkled at the mention of that girl.

Yu Hua was her name, and being around his age, she almost instantly took a liking to him. This development, while encouraged by the Sect Leader, was quite bothersome for Jin.

The girl was nice, and she was sure to be a looker when she grew up. However, he only cared about furthering his strength and Evolutionary Path; having an obsessive girl like Yu Hua fangirling over him was a pain.

“I’ll inform you when I return,” Jin said to change the subject, already blurring in a profound eruption of light.

Sect Leader Thousand Rivers exhaled sharply. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Sorry, my precious baby girl, but the one you fancy is just too much of a tiger for me to reign in for you. If you want anything more from my disciple, then you’ll have to rely on yourself.”

If it were anyone else in the world, no matter how genius, then the Thousand Rivers Sect Leader would never willingly give up his youngest daughter.

But what was the term ’genius’ in front of Jin?

He had already transcended the word, being a monstrous anomaly never before seen in the history of Huaxia.

It would be Yu Hua’s highest fortune to acquire his favor, even if only by the tiniest amount.

“Possibly only those ancient prodigies from thousands of years ago can compare to Yang Kai. But even then…”

Sect Leader Thousand Rivers sighed for the millionth time this year, his disciple a little too bright a star to bear by himself.

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