NOVPUBShen Fu hesitated for a moment but did not refuse.
After several decades apart, the slight strangeness that had developed between the two was quickly erased.
Wang Ba pondered for a while before speaking solemnly,
"Junior brother, having cultivated in the Demon Sect for so long, do you still think of returning to your original self?"
Shen Fu hesitated again and nodded,
"This time I left to make more preparations so that when the time comes, I can sever ties with the primitive Demonic Sect."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba couldn’t help but show a look of relief,
"That’s good. You are cold outside but warm inside, not a cruel person by nature. You are not suited for the environment of the Demonic Sect. Once you leave the primitive Demonic Sect, I will definitely ask the Sect to take you in... By the way, I remember your master seems to hold a high position and great power; leaving may not be easy. Is there anything I can help with?"
Shen Fu hesitated again, his heart inexplicably flashing through the end of his ’teacher’s’ unfathomable cultivation base aura, and diverged from the topic with words not matching his heart,
"It’s alright; I have some confidence... Let’s not talk about this. How is Bu Chan doing now? And how is my nephew Yi An? Has he reached Foundation Establishment?"
Wang Ba, perceptive, noticed Shen Fu deliberately changing the subject but did not call him out on it, instead, he replied with a smile,
"Bu Chan is not to be underestimated these days; he is already the Vice Director of the Spirit Plant Department, and his cultivation base has been climbing steadily... As for Yi An, he has long since established his foundation, and it was the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment at that. He has now gone to the West Sea Country to temper his Sword Dao. It may not be long before he can achieve Golden Core."
"He’s learning swordsmanship?"
Shen Fu was somewhat surprised, but upon hearing that Yi An’s cultivation base was close to the Golden Core, a touch of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
"Time flies so fast; the last time I saw him, he still had his hair braided in pigtails, and now in the blink of an eye, he is about to achieve Golden Core." 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
"Yes, time indeed flies very fast."
Wang Ba also couldn’t help but sigh.
When immersing themselves in routine cultivation, they did not realize it, but now, reminiscing with an old friend, the feeling of the passing of time emerged spontaneously.
"Junior brother, is there really nothing you wish to talk about with me?"
Wang Ba suddenly asked.
Shen Fu was slightly startled, then smiled,
"What could there possibly be that I can’t discuss with my senior brother? You worry too much."
Wang Ba hesitated for a moment, and then said,
"Would junior brother dare to let down your Soul Defense?"
Shen Fu hesitated slightly but nodded,
"Since senior brother commands it, I shall not disobey."
Having said that, he immediately and openly dropped his Soul Defense completely.
Seeing this, Wang Ba felt both relieved and moved.
Decades had passed since they had parted, yet Shen Fu still trusted him as much as before.
The rarity of such trust was self-evident.
With this in mind, Wang Ba quickly pondered in his mind and then a hint of crimson flashed in his eyes.
Shen Fu’s eyes, which were clear at first, began to blur as the Power of the Yin God poured into him.
This was the consequence of completely dropping his Soul Defense.
After infusing Shen Fu with all kinds of curses and secret techniques,
Wang Ba moved slightly, surveyed his surroundings to ensure no one was present then looked toward where Shen Fu’s Nascent Soul was and said in a deep voice,
"Could the elder please show yourself?"
On Shen Fu’s body, there was no movement, not a ripple of activity.
But Wang Ba’s gaze gradually became sharp as he looked at Shen Fu’s physical body,
"Does the elder perhaps believe that I’m deceiving you?"
From within Shen Fu’s body, a strange and aging voice suddenly emanated,
"How did you find out?"
No sooner had the voice faded than an old man in black robes with golden threads and white hair materialized swiftly from Shen Fu’s body, coalescing in midair. He wore a hair crown and had an expression of interest as he looked at Wang Ba.
Wang Ba faced the old man’s gaze with a composed expression,
"Years ago, when Junior Brother Shen insisted on leaving, I had my suspicions, but it was not until Junior Brother Shen completely dropped his Soul Defense just now that I became sure... May I ask for the elder’s esteemed name?"
The old man was slightly taken aback,
"You are indeed very observant."
He then let out a slight smile,
"Some call me Jiang, Jiang Taiyin... but others used to call me Tool Master."
"Did you summon me just to find out who I am?"
Upon hearing this, a flicker of recognition crossed Wang Ba’s eyes,
"So it’s Elder Jiang. The name Tool Master is something I’ve seen recorded in the Sect’s books. The outside world believes that the elder has long passed away, yet here you are residing in Junior Brother Shen... May I ask, Elder, do you have any plans concerning your stay within Junior Brother Shen?"
Jiang Taiyin scoffed,
"Do I have to explain my actions to you?"
"If it weren’t for Shen’s trust in you, I would have already made you a part of a magic tool and blown you up for that remark!"
Wang Ba’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly unaffected,
"So, Elder has no designs on Junior Brother Shen then?"
Jiang Taiyin countered,
"Even if I did have plans, what could you do about me, Elder?"
But Wang Ba just smiled faintly,
"Since the Elder has no designs on Junior Brother Shen, then I am at ease. Please forgive my earlier rudeness... However, I wonder, does the Elder feel confident about taking Junior Brother Shen away from the Demonic Sect?"
Seeing Wang Ba talking to himself, not the slightest bit influenced by his own words, although Jiang Taiyin was furious, he couldn’t help but secretly admire him.
Then he became serious,
"You are Shen’s senior brother, the person he trusts the most. I won’t conceal it from you; there is at most a twenty percent chance of success... His teacher is Liang Qiuyu, the great elder of the Demonic Sect, at the late Nascent Soul Stage, and has had his eye on this body for a long time. He most likely intends to refine it into a Ten Directions True Demon Incarnation to attempt to break through to the Void Refining stage."
