Yun Ze stared at the ethereal apparition with shock, never imagining such a bizarre sight could appear before him!
This was a soul!
Souls truly existed, and those ghost stories were all real!
What about the Yellow Springs and reincarnation from novels and storybooks? Were they real too?
"Kid, what are you thinking about?"
The old beggar held the steward's soul in one hand and picked his nose with the other. "If you don't ask soon, this thing will dissipate."
"Ask!"
Yun Ze quickly snapped back to reality and asked, "Tell me, what exactly happened to my parents!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the steward's soul seemed to trigger a switch and began to answer stiffly, "Dead! All dead! Their skin became drums, their bones became drumsticks, their souls became vengeful spirits, and their flesh and blood were hidden within... their bellies~!"
As the last word dissipated into the air, the steward's soul began to disintegrate, vanishing into thin air like wisps of smoke.
Yun Ze fell silent.
He pondered the meaning of the steward's words.
Skin became drums, bones became drumsticks, souls became vengeful spirits, and flesh and blood hidden within the belly.
"Demonic arts."
The old beggar said, discarding the head he was holding and casually dusting his hands as if flicking off dirt. "To torture those with spiritual roots into vengeful spirits, then use their skin to make waist drums, their skull to make drumsticks, and hide their hearts within the waist drums to bind the vengeful spirits.
If one were to feed it the innocent spiritual souls of ten thousand children, a first-tier demonic artifact could be forged, with power at least above the Foundation Establishment stage.
Oh, I forgot you don't know what Foundation Establishment means, but just know you can't beat it."
Yun Ze clenched his fists. With his understanding, it wasn't difficult to grasp what the old gentleman meant.
His parents weren't just dead, but had been turned into instruments in such a manner?
Who could tolerate this!
No wonder these children seemed soulless; there was this connection!
That immortal... no, that devil, deserved to die!
The image of that immortal flashed in Yun Ze's mind, and he looked up at the old beggar, "Senior, I want to..."
"Want revenge, right? I knew it, you kid never has anything new to say."
The old beggar dug in his ear again and walked towards the exit of the secret chamber, completely ignoring Yun Ze.
"Senior!"
"Stop calling."
Bu Bu uttered three words indifferently and turned to follow the old beggar. "Since he said he would avenge you, he won't go back on his word. Have you had your revenge now?"
He had, but not entirely.
The revenge now was for He Lai Chao's village massacre, but the one who killed his parents was someone else. This revenge was not fully settled.
Yun Ze suddenly realized, but hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can this senior be reasoned with?"
He had witnessed the old senior's eccentric personality. If he didn't agree with this line of reasoning, Yun Ze's rash approach might backfire.
"Trying always offers a chance, but not trying means no chance at all."
Bu Bu turned to look at Yun Ze. "Unless you believe you are now qualified and capable of seeking justice, otherwise... if an opportunity presents itself before you and you don't seize it, then you're just foolish."
"Well said!"
Yun Ze said and then hurried to catch up.
By the time he caught up to the old beggar, the old man was already waiting outside the rockery.
The waiter and a group of children stood in the distance.
To avoid further disturbing the children, he had settled them in a farther location.
But before Yun Ze came out, to avoid being captured by the guards of the He family, he had to wait nearby, not daring to go far.
When he saw Yun Ze emerge, he was about to step forward when Yun Ze raised his hand to stop him.
Yun Ze strode quickly to the old beggar. He was about to bow again, but before he could bend his waist, he saw the old beggar wave his hand, looking impatient.
"Alright, alright, you're not a dog with a boneless spine, why so much bowing and scraping! Straighten your back!"
The old beggar turned around, glanced at Yun Ze, and asked, "You want revenge, right?"
"Yes! I beg Senior to fulfill this wish!"
Yun Ze no longer bowed but straightened his back and cupped his fists in reply.
If possible, who would want to bow down to people every day?
"You answer so readily. How about I ask you a question first..."
As the old beggar took a step forward, an immense pressure descended upon Yun Ze's shoulders, as if to crush him. "Cultivation or revenge, which do you choose?"
Instantly, Yun Ze swayed precariously, trembling all over, as if about to be snapped in two.
What kind of question was this!
Just as he was about to bend down to relieve the pressure, he heard the old beggar's voice again!
"Answer me after you straighten your back!"
Yun Ze forced himself to hold on, the vortex in his lower abdomen condensing, spinning wildly like a whipped top, drawing in the profound energy of heaven and earth!
His mind was also racing!
This old senior, though seemingly carefree and unrestrained, acted with purpose in everything he did. He wouldn't ask such a question without reason.
He must have another motive!
Yun Ze's thoughts shifted, and he suddenly caught a question in the old man's words. He quickly said, "This junior cultivates for two reasons: first, for revenge, and second, for longevity, and third, to seek justice for all beings under heaven!
Therefore, I must avenge this wrong, and I must also cultivate the immortal path! Since Senior did not say I could only choose one, this junior will boldly take both! I beg Senior to grant this!"
"Take both? Hahaha! Well said, 'take both'! And you even added 'all beings under heaven'?"
Upon hearing Yun Ze's answer, the old beggar did not lessen his oppressive aura. Instead, he took another step forward. "You claim to seek justice for all beings under heaven, yet why do you place revenge and longevity before the common people!
If your path of revenge and longevity requires stepping on all beings under heaven, then what will you do!"
"Find!"
Yun Ze uttered only one word, then looked at the old beggar before him. "The path of revenge and the path of longevity do not necessarily have to coexist with all beings under heaven. If it is necessary to step on all beings under heaven to advance, then I..."
"Then what will you do!" The old beggar pressed forward again!
Yun Ze did not hesitate. Under the immense pressure, he almost instinctively blurted out his true thoughts: "Those who obstruct my revenge and cut off my longevity are not 'beings under heaven'!"
If I achieve immortality, I will willingly protect all beings. But if beings under heaven obstruct me, then... then I don't mind changing them!
"...Good!"
The old beggar was silent for a few moments, then withdrew his pressure and placed a hand on Yun Ze's shoulder, patting him. "Well said, 'then I don't mind changing them'!"
"Kid, I really didn't misjudge you. Your talent is indeed extraordinary!"
"Then Senior..."
"Hey, don't rush to talk about revenge yet, there's one more thing I need to ask you!"
"Please ask, Senior!"
"You..."
The old beggar took a step back, a clear smile in his eyes, and asked, "Are you willing to give me the Immortal Jade?"
Yun Ze was stunned for a moment, then was about to agree.
The old senior was the one who led him onto the path of immortality, and was his immortal destiny.
Since that was the case, giving him the Immortal Jade was of no consequence.
This was the vast immortal path!
What was the harm in giving away a mere piece of jade casually bestowed by an immortal?
Moreover, this jade was the source of his family's ruin. Giving it away would also relieve his worries. As for its profound mysteries... perhaps there were many similar things in the legendary immortal realm?
Why should he treat it as a treasure?
But just as Yun Ze was about to agree, Bu Bu suddenly stepped forward, blocking him, and spoke first.
"Even though it's night, don't rush into your dreams."