"I founded this sect, and it lacks a strong protector. Why not become the guardian of my sect, if you are willing, that is," Li Shenrong said after a moment of silence. Then he added, "When the time comes, I will take you with me."
The old man was overjoyed by the fact that he could build a deeper connection with an expert like Li Shenrong.
"Thank you, Lord. I am willing to become the sect guardian," he said, standing up and clasping his fists.
Li Shenrong smiled. "Good. From this day forth, I confer upon you the title of Second Guardian of the Illusory Dao Sect."
The old man hesitated, then spoke nervously, "Lord, I have another request…"
"Speak."
"A few years ago, I adopted a child. Her talent is extraordinary. Would you be willing to take a look and see if she is worthy of becoming your disciple?"
Li Shenrong stroked his chin. "Since you said her talent is good, I'll take your word for it. There's no need for me to verify. I have no plans to take in disciples for now, but she may join the Illusory Dao Sect. I'll give her pointers from time to time."
"As you command, my lord." The old man's lips curled in satisfaction.
When Jessi learned that the old man had been made the Second Guardian, she couldn't hold back her curiosity. Who's the first guardian then? she asked Li Shenrong, but he only replied, "You'll know when the time is right."
So she could only stomp her feet in frustration.
The sect was growing rapidly. Many newly established forces chose to become its subsidiaries. In this age of chaos, survival meant clinging to a powerful thigh and with a Demi-God in residence, the Illusory Dao Sect was the best choice.
One day a startling news spread which made cultivators boil in anger. A sect founded by fiend cultivators had emerged the White Fiend Spring Sect.
"How dare those lowly scums call themselves an orthodox sect!"
"Humph! These fiends grow more arrogant by the day!" A sect master spat, hatred burning in his eyes. He had deep grudge against the fiend cultivators.
"We must destroy the White Fiend Spring sect!" Everyone was furious and discussed what should they do. There was no way they'll be able to sleep peacefully at night without destroying the fiend sect.
The fiend cultivators had always been reviled, hunted down, killed or suppressed by the orthodox factions. Before the calamity, no fiend cultivators dared to walk openly in daylight. They lived like rats crossing the street. Now, the situation was different. They had the audacity to build a sect openly. To the orthodox powers, this was nothing less than a slap to the face.
The atmosphere of the eastern territory was boiling and a war could break out at any time. All the forces unanimously considered the Illusory Dao sect as the strongest so they gathered outside the sect, waiting for its decision.
Inside, Jessi was having a headache. She had just broken through to the Demi-God realm, but her foundation was still unstable and the endless stream of sect matters gave her no peace.
When this new crisis arose, she sighed and dumped everything onto the Grand Elder before entering seclusion.
The grand elder's white beards shook as he cursed silently. He felt bitter and could only take responsibility. After all her cultivation was important.
In contrast to the atmosphere outside, Li Shenrong was cultivating inside the ancestral ground peacefully. He was comprehending the mysteries of the Art of Nirvana. His cultivation was still at the Heaven Congregation realm and wanted to have a deeper comprehension of the Nirvanic arts before making a breakthrough.
As the most mysterious and elusive technique since ancient time, it was extremely difficult to comprehend. For a peerless genius it might take hundred thousand years to completely master just one art.
The Nirvana Arts were divided into thirteen sets, each representing a distinct path
Thirteen style Nirvana sword, one of the set from Nirvana arts focusing in Swordsmanship which Li Shenrong was now practicing.
Myriad Transformation Nirvana art, focusing in transformation of one's body. It was said, if someone could master it, then they could transform into anything they desire.
Nirvanic Calamity Fist art, focusing in fist Dao. Someone who mastered the Nirvanic fist Dao could bring calamity with just his fists alone.
Eye of the Heaven, a nirvanic arts that could derive any mystery, see through all illusions and distort reality.
Style of Genesis, a nirvanic art that makes one stronger as they bleed. Each drop of blood could amplify the power by hundred times. One could only imagine, if a wounded person use Style of Genesis during a fight, how much power they could burst forth. It would extremely terrifying.
Each set contained thirteen layers, and only by comprehending all thirteen could one truly master it.
Li Shenrong's Thirteen Style Nirvana Sword Dao had reached perfection in his previous life. Now, he wanted to reach greater perfection. With the Transformation art he only reached the third layer, he was still improving his comprehension day by day.
His Fist Art had reached greater perfection, it couldn't be improved any further, unless he could evolved it into a higher level but currently the situation wasn't appropriate.
As for the Eye of Heaven, Li Shenrong was most proud of it. Because, in his previous life, he had mastered it to greater perfection and evolved it into a higher version "All penetrating Heavenly Eye." It was unprecedented since the dawn of creation. But, there was certain criteria and restriction so he couldn't use it wantonly. But, after forming his own Heaven with the help of the Ultimate physique it became easy for him to use even with his low level cultivation.
The lowest mastery he had in The style of Genesis. It was only at the first layer. He wanted to improve it but this art couldn't be comprehended just by cultivating in seclusion. One needs the baptism of blood and iron to improve it. So, he had different plans in mind for this.
Few hours later, he opened his eyes. His iris glowed with inexplicable sharpness. Then he exhaled slowly. "Sigh, to improve my sword style the same method for the Style of Genesis needs to be applied."
"If i can gather all the Thirteen set, master them to greater perfection, then evolve them and fuse into one…." A faint smile appeared on his lips.