After long hours of drinking, Tan Wei finally decides that he's had enough. The table shakes as he firmly places the last cup on top of it, his scarred eye narrowing as he speaks,
''Boy...No, Xu Cheng. It's time to make a promise. A promise on your Dao heart.''
His voice solemn, fully aware of the gravity of the words he just spoke.
''If you can swear on your Dao Heart, I will have full trust in you. Heaven knows what happens to those who break it...''
Dao Heart. I've read about this back in the Lan's family library. The cultivation in this world is under the direct control of the Heaven. The so called Heaven's will has the power to take away any and all cultivation crippling anyone who goes against his oath.
''Of course, Sect Master Tan. I, Xu Cheng, swear on my Dao Heart that I will never betray the Tiger Peak Sect nor you, and I will do everything in my power to bring prosperity to the sect.''
I say my oath without the slighest bit of hesitation. After all, I don't have a Dao Heart. System explicidly told me that it is impossible for me to cultivate, as well as that my cultivation comes from a different world. Besides, I'm not Xu Cheng, although, I doubt that name itself would fool the Heaven.
Tan Wei smiles brightly like never before, as if the last bits of doubt were washed away within a single moment. He stands up and quickly walks towards me. Reaching out his hand to me as he speaks,
''I knew there was a fate between us. And I'm sorry to have you swear on your Dao Heart.''
He scratches his scarred eye awkwardly as he continues,
''I did have some doubts before. But truth be told, I'm desperate. If things continue like this, there will be no Tiger Peak Sect soon...''
Furrowing my brows, as if the sudden piece of information shook me deeply.
''Sect Master Tan, what do you mean by that?''
I take his hand as I stand, picking myself up to meet his gaze.
''You've probably heard of Cloud Valley Sect that sits opposite to us. There was always a bad blood between us, and while we got weaker, they got stronger.''
Taking a deep breath, he speaks in a low voice,
''I have a few...ehm...connections within their sect. And it seems that they want our territory.''
Immediatelly as he finishes his sentence, he raises his hands in a dismissive manner.
''Oh, but this is only if we get any weaker than we are right now, otherwise, they wouldn't dare.''
If we get any weaker, there might be a war...
A smile curls up on my lips. The main difference from before is that this time, it's not forced or faked.
''Please don't worry, Sect Master Tan. Together, we will make big leaps within the sect. Starting with your unruly disciples.''
I pat his shoulder from the side, giving him a friendly nudge of encouragement.
''Will you be returning to the sect, Sect Master Tan?''
He adjusts his clothes and with a nod, he gives me another one of his needlessly strong pats on back.
''Of course. And we're not strangers anymore. Call me Wei when in private.''
He turns on his heels and begins walking outside of the Inn. After a few steps, he glances back over his shoulder, raising his chin in a subtle nod that beckons me to follow.
''Xu Cheng, aren't you coming?''
With a smile, I begin to walk towards him, my steps slow and steady.
'Oh, I am coming.'
'But neither you nor the sect will like my destination...'
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[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 691]
[Trauma: +523/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]