Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

Shen Ye was searching for cultivation techniques.

A sudden bout of noise erupted nearby.

He set down the jade slip and went to see, only to discover that in another jade slip room, several cultivators were sweeping the shelves clean.

They were taking stacks of jade slips and shoving them directly into their storage bags.

This caused dissatisfaction among many disciples.

"What are you doing?"

"If you take them all, what do we learn?"

"Does the Sect know about this?"

The crowd buzzed with questions.

"Quiet!" A law enforcement cultivator barked, "This is an order from the Sect!"

"Why would such an order exist?" someone asked.

"These high-level cultivation techniques are to reward those who perform meritorious deeds on the frontline," the law enforcement cultivator said coldly.

Hearing that it was an order from the Sect, everyone was at a loss for words.

Shen Ye also became anxious.

—He still hadn't found the jade slip for refining one's bloodline!

Previously, he had asked the law enforcement cultivator at the Scripture Pavilion. With such a big place to manage, nearly all jade slips could be located, but they had never heard of this kind of jade slip.

And now a large number of jade slips had been taken away.

"Nangong Wantu."

Shen Ye turned his head and saw that it was a Supreme Elder.

"I have seen the Elder," he said hastily as he bowed in greeting.

The Supreme Elder cleared his throat and said, "By the Sect Leader's command, I have come to discuss a matter with you."

"Please speak," Shen Ye said.

The Supreme Elder waved his hand to cast a soundproof barrier before saying:

"Right now, there's a thorny individual in the Indefinite Layer performing stealth attacks on our people; you may be needed to get involved."

"Me?" Shen Ye pointed at himself.

—You've got to be kidding!

Heaven, earth, among countless exceptional talents in the three sects, why should a new disciple like me face this troublesome enemy?

"In the Indefinite Layer, everyone possesses strength at the Eightfold or Nine Layers of the Dharma Realm, so you are not lacking," said the Supreme Elder.

"With so many experts in the Sect, why me?" Shen Ye asked.

"It's one of your own kind, you understand—Anyway, it's still not clear why it would serve humans. If you go, maybe you can get to the bottom of this," the Supreme Elder said.

Shen Ye was struck by a thought.

The remnants of the king species had previously been left in the hands of Song Yinchen.

Could it be...

That made it even less possible to go. What if she suddenly called out "Brother Shen Ye" upon seeing me? Wouldn't that give me away?

"No, Elder. I haven't even mastered the Sect's cultivation techniques, and I already have a mission. I don't want to go to the frontline," Shen Ye said.

"This is an order from the Sect!" The Supreme Elder's eyes widened.

"I have always complied with the Sect's orders, even when the pill furnace was taken away without a word from me. Now you want to change my mission suddenly—I can't accept that," Shen Ye said.

The Supreme Elder opened his mouth but was momentarily at a loss for words.

Throughout history.

Once a mission from the Sect was issued, which disciple dared to say "I can't accept that"?

"Listen to my advice; you have 'disaster' as a keyword. As long as you infiltrate the enemy, you are sure to cause them great trouble—that would be a significant contribution," the Elder said.

"I am not a disaster!" Shen Ye shouted in anger, "That keyword refers to area of effect attacks, which could even harm our own people!"

"Be obedient. The Sect will not treat you unfairly," the Supreme Elder persuaded.

"Treat unfairly? When have I ever treated the Sect unfairly?" Shen Ye said indifferently, "If my mission must be changed and I have to deal with the enemy, then I will resign—no, I will leave the Sect!"

The Supreme Elder was taken aback.

It was the first time he'd heard of someone wanting to leave the Sect over this.

You don't have to go that far!

Before the Elder could speak, Shen Ye, hands on his hips and fuming, said:

"I made it clear when I entered the Sect that I was here to find a dao companion."

"It's only been a few days since then? If it's not one thing, it's another. Is it because the payment isn't right? Or does the Sect think I must find a dao companion here at all costs?"

Once again, the Elder was unable to respond.

Indeed, the individual had stated from the beginning that he was here to find a dao companion.

He had even presented a precious cultivation technique from his elders.

Since joining the Sect, he had thrown around large amounts of money without a single word of complaint.

—And now you want him to go to the frontline?

To be an undercover operative?

It seemed somewhat unjust.

"Wait a moment." After speaking, the Supreme Elder disappeared with a flash.

Shen Ye no longer looked for jade slips.

To hell with this!

If even the secret compartment of the pill furnace had been tampered with, what was the point of staying?

He had already visited the relic site and could open the portal to visit again in the future.

Now you're suspecting me, expecting me to toil like an ox or horse—

So I should leave?

With that, I'll go!

Shen Ye left the Scripture Pavilion, and with a leap, he flew towards the Sect's gate.

Elsewhere.

Council Hall.

The Sect Master Saint was already aware of what happened at the Scripture Pavilion.

Before the Supreme Elder could return to the hall, the Saint gave a moment's thought and transmitted a message across space:

"Go to the gate, call him back. I will speak with him personally."

"Yes."

The Supreme Elder vanished once more.

The next second.

He appeared in front of the gate and, seeing Shen Ye about to leave, called out in haste:

"Nangong Wantu, the Sect Leader requests your presence."

Shen Ye stopped in his tracks.

—He could not win in a fight; running in haste would only make him look guilty.

A few minutes later.

He stood in the Council Hall.

The Sect Master Saint sat upon the high platform, with Supreme Elders to his left and right.

"Nangong Wantu, why do you disobey the orders of the Sect?" the Saint asked.

"I have been following them—since joining the Sect, when have I not fulfilled my duties?" Shen Ye retorted.

"Then why won't you go to the frontline?" the Saint asked again.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, I can spend money and I can work hard, but I cannot sacrifice my life, as you know why I entered the Supreme Tao Palace," Shen Ye said.

The Saint was also somewhat troubled.

On that very night, not only had Shen Ye mentioned searching for a dao companion, but he had also bribed the Saint himself.

Having accepted his favor, the Saint really couldn't reprimand him now.

"The Sect currently needs a master of the king species to go to the frontline and complete a mission," the Saint declared.