Chapter 280
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Chapter 280: Heavenly Path Asks the Heart
“The Master of the Artifact Hall wants me to go to Volcano Fairy Town,” Great Respected Elder Yan said with a peculiar expression.
“What does that old man want from me?”
A faint shadow appeared beside Great Respected Elder Yan, quickly forming into a clone of him before vanishing into the hall.
“Master, you should go in your true form; otherwise, the Master might scold you.”
“Xingci and his master are there too,” Su Rantian said with a grin, clearly looking forward to seeing her master in an awkward situation.
“That old man,” Great Respected Elder Yan muttered reluctantly. Though he wasn’t thrilled, he got up to head to Volcano Fairy Town to meet the Master of the Artifact Hall and possibly his future in-laws.
“If that old man didn’t have an artifact great master for a father in the Immortal Realm, I wouldn’t bother with him.”
Great Respected Elder Yan felt a headache coming on. He was about to ascend to the Immortal Realm and had stopped caring about the usual respect given to master craftsmen. But the Master of the Artifact Hall had a father who was an artifact great master, and that was a problem. After ascending, he’d need that man’s help to craft celestial tools, and that was his weak spot.
Back when that father was in this realm, he was fiercely protective of his son and wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of him. If he found out Great Respected Elder Yan had slighted his son in the Immortal Realm, all the spirit ores he’d gathered would be useless.
Sure, there were other artifact great masters in the Immortal Realm, but their bonds were stronger than ordinary friendships.
“Master, just bear with it for the sake of your future celestial tools,” Su Rantian said, giggling as she followed Great Respected Elder Yan. She knew exactly where her master’s pressure points were.
“You talk too much,” Great Respected Elder Yan shot back, giving her a sharp look.
“Master, Xingci’s master is a highly skilled master craftsman. Instead of pinning your hopes on that great master in the Immortal Realm, why not wait a bit longer?”
“What if Xingci’s master becomes a great master? You’d hit the jackpot, Master,” Su Rantian whispered.
“I may not be an artifact master, but I know the basics. To become an artifact great master, one’s cultivation must at least reach the Core Formation stage.”
“I can’t wait that long,” Great Respected Elder Yan said, shaking his head.
“Master, you’re thinking too small. You’re not the only one who can ascend to the Immortal Realm.”
“You’re saying all this just to get me to approve of you and that little rascal,” Great Respected Elder Yan retorted.
“I don’t think much of that little rascal right now, but if he passes my test, I won’t interfere with your relationship.”
“What test?” Su Rantian’s eyes sparkled.
“Heavenly Path Asks the Heart,” Great Respected Elder Yan said firmly.
Hearing this, Su Rantian felt both nervous and moved. She knew the immense cost of initiating the Heavenly Path Asks the Heart.
“Master, Xingci and I truly love each other.”
“The price you’re paying is too high,” Su Rantian said, her voice filled with emotion.
“No price is too high compared to the life your father saved back then.”
“No price is too high if it ensures you choose the right cultivation partner,” Great Respected Elder Yan said.
By now, the two had arrived at a teleportation formation.
“Let’s go. I want to see your beloved’s true form.”
“And return his clone while we’re at it,” Great Respected Elder Yan added.
In Volcano Fairy Town, an elder discussing artifact crafting with Xu Fan suddenly paused, a smile spreading across his face.
“They’re here,” the elder said cheerfully.
Two beams of red light emerged from the void, solidifying into form.
Great Respected Elder Yan and Su Rantian appeared in the grand hall.
True to his expertise in fire spells, even his attire was a vibrant red.
“Greetings, Master,” Great Respected Elder Yan said with a slight nod.
“Haha, no need for formalities; I’m here today as a matchmaker,” the old man chuckled, his demeanor warm and grandfatherly.
“Haha, no need for the Master to trouble himself,” Great Respected Elder Yan replied, then turned to Li Xingci. “You are Li Xingci.”
“Yes, I am the junior,” Li Xingci responded, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“And you are Li Xingci’s master.”
“Hello, Great Respected Elder Yan,” Xu Fan greeted with a smile.
Su Rantian, standing beside Great Respected Elder Yan, gazed at Li Xingci with unmistakable affection, her longing barely contained.
“Behave,” Great Respected Elder Yan whispered to Su Rantian through a transmitted message.
Once seated, Great Respected Elder Yan immediately exerted his aura, pressing down on Xu Fan and Li Xingci, though he carefully avoided affecting the Master.
Xu Fan, undeterred by the pressure, spoke up, “My fourth disciple and your disciple have fallen in love and understand each other deeply. I hope you will support their union.”
“Support? I have a question for your disciple,” Great Respected Elder Yan said.
“Go ahead,” Xu Fan thought, bracing himself for the father-in-law interrogation.
“My disciple has always been the princess of her sect, the treasure among inheritors, the cherished disciple of this realm’s top respected elder.”
“She’s a core disciple of the Elder Council, destined to become an official disciple in the Immortal Realm, and advancing to true immortal is a given.”
“So, I ask you this: do you think you’re worthy?!”
Great Respected Elder Yan’s voice thundered, each word striking deep into Li Xingci’s heart.
Xu Fan thought to himself, *My disciple is even a future disciple of the Great Immortal Emperor, and I haven’t questioned your disciple’s worthiness.* He mentally added Great Respected Elder Yan’s words to his little notebook.
*On a certain day in the cultivation world, Great Respected Elder Yan questioned my disciple’s worthiness.*
Li Xingci, standing firm under the pressure, slowly rose and walked to Su Rantian. He took her hand and said, “I truly love Su Rantian.”
“What you’ve heard from the elder concerns Tian’er’s future, and I will answer with my own future.”
“I am worthy,” Li Xingci declared with unwavering confidence.
Xu Fan was taken aback, like a spectator at a dramatic show, not expecting his disciple to be so bold.
A flicker of surprise crossed Great Respected Elder Yan’s eyes. He despised those who were timid, and Li Xingci’s boldness struck a chord with him.
“I, too, will soon ascend. I truly wish to stop you both, but I know I can’t hold you back for long.”
“Junior, I ask you this: are you brave enough to face the Heavenly Path Asks the Heart?”
“If you can pass, I will not interfere in your relationship,” Great Respected Elder Yan declared.
“Heavenly Path Asks the Heart? Great Respected Elder Yan, you should think carefully. That’s no trivial matter,” the old man beside him cautioned.
“Great Respected Elder Yan, the cost is too high,” Xu Fan added.
The Heavenly Path Asks the Heart demands a sacrifice of one’s own essence to seek answers from the heavenly principles.
“It’s not too high. After ascending, I don’t want my disciple to stray from the right path.”
With that, Great Respected Elder Yan raised his hand to the sky and silently chanted an incantation.
A golden door materialized before Li Xingci.
“Enter. If you pass the trial, I will support you both,” Great Respected Elder Yan said, his face slightly pale.
“Tian’er, wait for my return,” Li Xingci said, stepping into the golden door.
The door slowly closed, sealed by endless chains of runes.
“What’s the point of this? If your disciple and his truly love each other, wouldn’t you be the one losing out?” the old man said with a tone of regret.
