Chapter 697: Letting Go Now Is Better than A Hundred Years of Waiting
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Faced with the two choices Zhu Yi gave him, Xu Yunsheng did not hesitate at all. He kneeled on the ground before Zhu Yi and kowtowed.
"I do not need to think. As long as I have the slightest chance to continue being your disciple, I am willing to take any punishment."
By picking the second choice, Xu Yunsheng was clear on what would it entail.
Hard labor in the Celestial Wonders World referred to mining and extraction. Normally, it was done by cultivators. However, some ordinary people would work for them too in some tiring and mindless capacities. While it was not as dangerous as mining in the normal world, it was no easy task.
Particularly for metals such as the Matte Glowless Metal which contained rich metal spiritual energy, which was as sharp as a knife. Cultivators could afford not to care, but normal mortals could not.
Hence, such a job was truly hard labor. Normally, only criminals would be sent there to work. While they toiled, they too would experience restrictions on their freedom.
While the Celestial Sect of Wonders did not bully ordinary mortal, those working in the mines of the Celestial Wonders World would still be subject to Celestial Sect disciples' commands.
As one of the most outstanding disciple of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, Xu Yunsheng's normal standing in the sect was not low to begin with. When he cultivated in the Celestial Wonders World, everyone, except the two guardians Dual Polarity Peak and the Virtuous Zen Master, must treat him with respect. Some even flattered him.
Those in charge of mining too must behave themselves in front of him and serve him. They always picked the best minerals and medicines for him.
Picking the second choice would mean that his identity would be concealed. No longer would he be able to command those formerly under him.
From a brilliant disciple to a prisoner serving hard labor, one could only imagine how wide the difference was.
If the sentence was shorter, then it was still fine. However, 100 years was no short time.
For a cultivator, they did not know how much time had passed when they were in their sects. 100 years may seem long, but it would pass quickly as one cultivated non-stop.
However, to an ordinary mortal, many of them could not even live for 100 years. 30 000 days and nights would be spent in hard labor. How many people could actually endure such a life once it actually began? Those who can endure it, how long could they endure it for?
This was under the condition that Xu Yunsheng formed his Aurous Core in 10 years. Then, he would at least have a future to look forward to. However, if he could not form his Aurous Core in 10 years, then he would labor to the day of his death.
No one would know about him. On his death day, he would still be a criminal serving hard labor. No one would know that he was one of the most powerful second-generation disciples of the Celestial Sect of Wonders and one of the candidates for the title of First Disciple of the Heavenly Temple.
He could not live proudly and he would die quietly and namelessly.
While his cultivation would be wiped when he picked the first way and his freedom of movement limited, he could at least lead the remainder of his life comfortably.
Xu Yunsheng thought of everything in the first possible instance. However, he still chose the second option.
Because of the end of that life was the life he dreamed of.
Till now, the life that he had been leading was like an unreal dream to him. Now, there was a chance that it could turn into reality. Regardless how difficult the path may be, Xu Yunsheng was determined to walk it.
He could also feel the warmth of his master on this cruel path.
A hundred years of hard labor may be tough but at least he got to keep his name. As long as he could form his Aurous Core and undergo his reformation through labor, he could explain his absence after his sentence by saying that it was either out travelling or doing closed-door training.
While he may waste 100 years and fall behind many of his fellow disciples, allowing not only Ying Luozha, but even Sun Xue'er, Yang Tie, and the rest to overtake him, he would still be the same Xu Yunsheng once he returned to the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
After wasting a hundred years, he would no longer be the genius he once was in the Heavenly Temple. However, he would be a proper disciple of the Celestial Sect of Wonders. His fellow disciples would not know of his story and they would not view him with tinted lenses.
Wasn't this what he always wanted? Even if he had to spend a hundred years of labor to get it, he could not blame anyone.
Xu Yunsheng lifted his head and his gaze was clear. He was like an eagle that returned to the skies. He believed that he was able to form his Aurous Core in ten years
This was because of his belief in himself, and his desire to not disappoint Zhu Yi.
Zhu Yi looked calmly at Xu Yunsheng. He could sense what he was thinking.
There was no sign of resentment or unwillingness. Instead, Xu Yunsheng appeared to be brimming with vitality and a strong desire to prove himself.
This made Zhu Yi nod his head in tacit approval as he thought, "Yunsheng, you have yet to understand many things. The 100 years of hard labor is both a punishment and an exercise. If your fighting spirit is not reduced through the 100 years, then you would realize that it was not a waste of your time."
Blessing and misfortune are often different sides of the same coin. How much Xu Yunsheng could take away from it would depend entirely on himself.
"Since you made this choice, you must know that you have no room for regret," Zhu Yi nodded his head with a calm expression. "In the next ten years, everything will be as per normal. The sect will not deprive you of resources nor will it give more to you. You must take advantage of everything you have."
Xu Yunsheng replied, "I understand. I will try to form my Aurous Core in the next ten years. I too know that one cannot rush something like this. If I use large amount of medicines to reach my goal, I know that it will only worsen my future cultivation prospects."
'Everything as per normal' meant that other than the daily resources and cultivation, Xu Yunsheng's freedom of movement would not be restricted. In the next ten years, he was still able to venture outside and do what he want to.
Zhu Yi need not say much and Xu Yunsheng understood that everything would be discussed in details after today. If his relationship with the Great Zhou Empire was still murky, then he would bear the consequences of his actions.
Xu Yunsheng did not make any promise nor did he make any solemn vows. Everything was in his heart and he himself knew the gravity of his every move from today onwards.
"Master, if the Great Zhou Empire continues to message me, do I feed them false information or do I cut off ties with them completely?"
Zhu Yi shook his head slowly and said, "Neither. After the spiritual conference is over, I will head to the Great Zhou Empire."
Xu Yunsheng nodded his head and said, "I understand."
Zhu Yi looked at him and said slowly, "Since you have chose the second option, you do not need to care about anything else. However, there's one thing I have to ask as it concerns not only you but also others."
Xu Yunsheng could guess what Zhu Yi wanted to ask. Zhu Yi's gaze penetrated to the depths of his heart.
Zhu Yi nodded quietly and said, "Correct, I wish to ask about Zhuge Wanqiu."
Xu Yunsheng's gaze darkened for a while as his lips twitched.
"Don't misunderstand me. I don't want to make your mind for you by asking about her. Neither will I pressure you to do anything. I only want to discuss." Zhu Yi waved his hands and his gaze was clear. "All I want to know is what do you have in mind."
"Any choice you make, I will not interfere. However, there's one thing I must make clear. Whatever choice you make, you must be responsible for it. Don't be fickle, for you will harm not only yourself but others too."
He had no intention of forcing Xu Yunsheng into doing anything. Neither would anyone else in the Celestial Sect of Wonders. If Xu Yunsheng wished to chase her, then Zhu Yi would permit it wholeheartedly and not stop him. Whether Zhuge Wanqiu accepts Xu Yunsheng or not would be entirely up to her.
However, hesitating and being unsure about one's own choice would bring no benefit to anyone.
Zhu Yi looked at him calmly and said, "You should know that Zhuge Wanqiu likes you more."
Xu Yunsheng fell silent. Due to his upbringing, he was much more sensitive to his environment than everyone else, particularly how others viewed him. He could sense Zhuge Wanqiu's feelings for him, but he only pretended that he did not know.
In reality, he too liked this warm and gentle young girl. She made him feel exceptionally comfortable and interacting with her was relaxing.
However, because of that, he was unwilling to reveal his true feelings.
His identity was awkward and his future was uncertain. How could he bring an innocent girl into all of these?
Now that he finally resolved the question of his identity, he would have to experience 100 years of hard labor based on the choice he made. Furthermore, he could interact with no one in this 100 years. If he could not form his Aurous Core in 10 years, then that would be the end of his life.
Xu Yunsheng had calmed down by then. He sighed, "Junior Zhuge is truly exceptional. She will be able to find a good partner."
"Even I could form my Aurous Core in 10 years, she would still have to wait for me for 100 years. Separation for such a long time and the inability to see each other is an unbelievable pain. Hence, why not just let her forget about it all?"
"It's not that I do not trust her, but exactly because of that, I don't want her to experience such pain."
"I understand that such a decision is extremely selfish. For decisions involving two parties, I should have asked Junior Zhuge first, but I beg master to allow me to be selfish just this once. She should not wait for me for 100 years."
Zhu Yi then said calmly, "Since you have made your decision, then I will not interfere. However, you must think through it carefully. If you regret it in the coming days and cause bad impacts, then I may not simply watch from the side anymore."
"You take charge of your own affairs. However, if it concerns others, then you cannot do it based on only what you think. I have said this since your very first day."
Xu Yunsheng inhaled and said slowly, "I understand. I have made up my mind and I will not regret it."
Zhu Yi nodded his head and said, "If that's the case, then go ahead. After the spiritual conference, come with me to the Great Zhou Empire. I will let you meet with your sister."
Xu Yunsheng kowtowed once more and said, "Thank you master, thank you sect!"
While Zhu Yi talked with Xu Yunsheng, Liang Yuan, the Great Zhou Crown Prince, did not idle too. He was no longer thinking about Xu Yunsheng, but instead, a worse news that the Marquis of Xuanji, Zhu Hongwu, had brought him.
"It appears that the next time the Three Mountains of the Ying Sea appear, it will be more complicated than before," sighed Liang Yuan.
Telepathically, Zhu Hongwu said, "The Three Mountains of the Ying Sea must be seized by the Great Zhou Empire. We have been planning this for a long time and it's time to see the results of our efforts. By controlling the three mountains, we will finally be able to control the Ying Sea."