Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Chosen Ones

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Heaven’s Evolution Sect, Main Hall.

Luo Tangyu, dressed in splendid and imposing robes, sat at the head of the hall, surveying the distinguished guests seated to either side.

In the center of the hall stood Wang Shaoyang, tall and dignified, holding a brilliantly-hued young stag with exquisite antlers in one arm.

“Master Luo, where is Mo Qingli?” asked the man seated to the right. His attire was elaborate, his brows like drawn swords, lips thin, gaze piercing, and his words carried the severity of one long accustomed to command.

This man was none other than Deng Jingyao, the current head of the Profound Intention Sect.

Luo Tangyu cast a careless glance over Wang Shaoyang and replied to Deng Jingyao, “Mo Qingli’s old injuries have flared up again. He cannot receive guests. However, as for the matter of the Nine-Colored Deer, I have already made inquiries on your behalf some time ago.”

Deng Jingyao snorted coldly, “Inquiries? Did Mo Qingli speak the truth? Did he seize the precious Nine-Colored Deer from us?”

“Master Deng, the Nine-Colored Deer was not taken by Master Mo,” Wang Shaoyang interjected solemnly from below the dais.

Luo Tangyu answered in a steady voice, “Indeed, there is no need for such haste in casting blame, Master Deng. As the foremost sect, Heaven’s Evolution Sect will see that this matter is made clear.”

With these words, he shot Deng Jingyao a fleeting glance, his calm eyes carrying a subtle threat.

Sensing Luo Tangyu’s gaze, Deng Jingyao’s face hardened. “Then please, Master Luo, clarify this matter and produce evidence we can trust!”

“Indeed, if you can prove Mo Qingli’s innocence, our Profound Intention Sect will have nothing further to say,” added Ni Jinfen, the elder woman of Profound Intention Sect.

Luo Tangyu’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke with composure, “The mother of the Nine-Colored Deer was indeed reared by your sect, but Mo Qingli knew nothing of it. When the pregnant deer fled your sect and made for Mount Yan Zi, she nearly died in labor, and both mother and fawn would have perished if not for the timely aid of Mo Qingli and his disciple.

By rights, the fawn would be the property of Profound Intention Sect, sired by your own spirit beast. But the Nine-Colored Deer is a primordial spirit species, born with its own will and awareness.

The mother risked everything to escape your sect, seeking out Mo Qingli on Mount Yan Zi, which falls under our domain. This shows the mother deliberately chose Mo Qingli, offering herself to him as master.

Upon birth, the fawn’s first sight was of Mo Qingli, and instantly it acknowledged him as its master. It is true the mother belonged to Profound Intention Sect, but the fawn is a new life, born on our land, and having chosen Mo Qingli as its master, it is now his spirit companion.”

As Luo Tangyu finished, Deng Jingyao and the others’ faces darkened with anger.

“So this is why you sent us the mother’s carcass the other day? The mother belongs to Profound Intention Sect, but the fawn born on Mount Yan Zi belongs to Heaven’s Evolution Sect? Such cunning!” Deng Jingyao spat, his teeth clenched.

Ni Jinfen could not accept this reasoning either, and angrily cried, “Is this the evidence you offer, Master Luo? What can a mere fawn know? This so-called primordial spirit species, with innate will and awareness, has long since vanished into the mists of history. At best, this is just a spirit beast with a touch more intelligence.”

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Wang Shaoyang’s brows arched fiercely as he barked, “As a righteous sect, Profound Intention should show more respect to a primordial spirit species! The mother only lost her awareness because you kept her confined in a dank, sunless water prison!”

The words struck a nerve. Ni Jinfen’s face paled as she shot to her feet, “What nonsense! From the day we found her, she was but an ordinary spirit beast. Without our careful care, how would she have borne new life?”

Deng Jingyao’s expression was dark as night. “Master Wang, mind your words. If you accuse us of confining her to a water prison, bring forth your proof!”

The two sides glared at each other in tense silence.

Luo Tangyu waved a hand. “The mother is dead; only you truly know how she was kept. Let us not discuss that now. Today, we speak only of the fawn’s innate awareness, which has indeed awakened.”

Deng Jingyao turned with a cold face. “What proof does Master Luo have of this so-called awakening?”

A smile suddenly spread across Luo Tangyu’s face. “Master Wang, set the Nine-Colored Deer down and let it choose whom it wishes to approach. Let us see if it will favor the guests of Profound Intention Sect.”

Wang Shaoyang, whose stern face rarely showed emotion, managed a gentle smile. “As you command, Master.”

Deng Jingyao and his companions stiffened with apprehension.

Ni Jinfen opened her mouth, hesitating as she watched Wang Shaoyang’s movements.

The Nine-Colored Deer slipped from Wang Shaoyang’s arms, its clear, innocent eyes wandering over the gathered people.

In the gentlest voice he could muster, Wang Shaoyang said, “Go find the one you like best.”

The fawn blinked in confusion, then turned its head and gazed at the range of lotus-shaped peaks to the south of the sect.

Luo Tangyu smiled. “That is Little Ping Peak, the residence of our Mo Qingli.”

Wang Shaoyang crouched to gently stroke the fawn’s antlers.

Deng Jingyao and his companions looked grim, though they had not given up their argument.

“This proves nothing. Even a mere animal can form attachments. Mo Qingli has raised it for so long; of course it prefers him!”

Luo Tangyu seemed to have anticipated this. Kindly, he explained, “The primordial age is far removed from us. To fully understand the Nine-Colored Deer’s inheritance of awareness, I have perused countless records.

The most crucial point is this: if the Nine-Colored Deer chooses its own master, it will follow that master for life, no matter how far they roam. Should anyone force them apart, the deer would sooner die than live on.”

Luo Tangyu’s gaze swept over them, his confidence unshaken.

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Deng Jingyao and his companions exchanged swift glances, their faces as dark as storm clouds.

Wang Shaoyang’s gaze brushed over them with disdain.

Deng Jingyao turned his cold glare on the young fawn. “True or not, for the sake of the primordial spirit species, our sect will accept this. Still, its mother was our spirit beast. Surely Heaven’s Evolution Sect can’t just walk away with a fawn we tended and nurtured?”

In his heart, he had already been convinced by Luo Tangyu’s words.

When the mother deer had lost control before giving birth, the oldest elder of the sect had declared that her innate awareness had been awakened; she was seeking a new master. But at that time, no one wished to give up a spirit beast they had cared for so long, and none wanted to believe it.

Ni Jinfen’s teeth clenched as she shot Wang Shaoyang a venomous glance from her beautiful, narrow eyes.

Wang Shaoyang met her fury with a cold, unyielding stare, making her shudder.

Luo Tangyu laughed inwardly but spoke with gentle grace, “Master Deng’s words are fair. For the safety of the Nine-Colored Deer, Profound Intention Sect has sacrificed much. Even if our disciple was chosen, we would not let your sect suffer a loss. As the foremost sect, we are magnanimous. Even if this was not a ploy to take advantage, any compensation due will not be withheld.”

Deng Jingyao, angered to the point of laughter, sneered inwardly.

So, the foremost sect must overshadow me in all things.

Even in their words, they act as if chosen by the heavens.

Utterly galling.

With a false smile, he replied, “I have seen Heaven’s Evolution Sect’s magnanimity. I only hope that when your prosperity peaks, you do not fall into decline. Take care not to become wastrels, Master Luo.”

“Rest assured, Master Deng. The foundation of our sect is beyond your imagination. Even with several like myself, we would not fall, but flourish eternally.” Luo Tangyu’s words were mild, yet there was a hint of amusement at his brow.

Ni Jinfen suddenly felt their group seemed like destitute relatives come to demand a debt, her face trembling with indignation.

Deng Jingyao found himself unable to muster a smile; his face was as stiff as a corpse.

(End of this chapter)