As the dust settled from the intense encounter, Shaurya slowly approached Chen Fang, who was still recovering from the shock. Chen Fang, unaware of what was going through Shaurya's mind, offered a polite smile.
"Thank you for helping me, mister," Chen Fang said, nodding slightly. "I will definitely pay you back someday."
Shaurya smiled in return, but there was a glint in his eyes. "Yes, you will definitely repay me... by joining my sect."
Chen Fang froze. His expression twisted with confusion. "W-What?"
Inside his mind, the spirit residing in his necklace quickly warned him, her voice sharp and urgent. "Refuse him immediately. If you join any sect, they may start suspecting your secret, or probably get to know about me."
Chen Fang subtly nodded.
Shaurya noticed this and smirked. "You don't have to worry."
Chen Fang's gaze rose to meet his. "What do you mean?"
Shaurya leaned closer, his voice calm and confident. "I already know about the spirit inside your necklace."
Chen Fang's eyes widened. "What?!"
Luo Chen stepped forward with surprise. "Spirit? Wait... this guy also has a spirit?"
Shaurya nodded. "Yes, just like you once had a spirit in your ring, this boy has one in his necklace."
Turning back to Chen Fang, Shaurya spoke with a teasing smile, "Tell your spirit she can reveal herself. If she's as powerful as I think, she shouldn't have a problem."
Luo Chen blinked. "Wait... the spirit is a girl? No fair! I had an old man spirit, and this guy gets a beautiful one?"
At that very moment, back at the sect, Elder Wu sneezed loudly and muttered, "Someone must be thinking about me..."
Back at the city, a golden light emitted from the necklace as the spirit emerged. A stunning woman appeared, draped in black and yellow robes, her long golden hair glowing, and her yellow pupils gleaming with divine authority. Her elegance alone stole the breath of everyone around.
"She really is a fairy, just like her name" shaurya muttered.
Shaurya smiled. "So, you finally show yourself, Fairy Empress Mo Liya."
Mo Liya floated above the ground, her aura undeniable. "How do you know about me?"
Shaurya pointed at Luo Chen. "That guy also had a spirit once."
Mo Liya's tone turned cold. "Had? What do you mean? What did you do to that spirit? Did you absorb him to enhance your power?!"
Immediately, Chen Fang stepped in front of her, protective. "If you want to absorb power, take mine. Leave my master alone!"
Shaurya looked mock-offended. "Do I look like that kind of man? How can you say such a thing to a handsome person like me?"
Wang Tian stepped forward, releasing a burst of noble aura. "Mo Liya... it's been a long time."
Mo Liya narrowed her eyes. "This aura... it feels so familiar. Why does it resemble that dumb Ghost Emperor's? Are you his descendant? That's impossible—he never even had a partner! He only lived to fight."
Wang Tian flared with anger. "How dare you insult this emperor, you old witch!"
Mo Liya trembled. "Old witch?! Only one person ever called me that..." Her eyes widened. "You—you're not dead?!"
Wang Tian chuckled with pride. "Indeed, I'm not dead. And unlike you, I'm not stuck as a remnant soul inside a necklace. I have a body."
Mo Liya looked stunned, then enraged. "You dare mock me?! Did you forget how many times I beat you?!"
Wang Tian smirked. "Yet I've lived longer and have a body. That counts more."
Their aura surged.
Shaurya quickly stepped in. "Alright, alright. Ancient people, calm down."
He turned to Mo Liya. "You don't have to trust me immediately, but if you pledge loyalty to my sect, I'll grant you a body."
Mo Liya folded her arms. "You think you can trap me with sweet words?"
Shaurya shrugged. "Whether you accept or not, the opportunity is real. Become an elder, and Chen Fang can become my disciple. It's a win for you both."
Wang Tian smirked. "Old Witch, if you truly want to rise again, just do as Master says."
Mo Liya looked at him, shocked. Did that arrogant guy just call someone else "Master"? He never followed anyone... unless...
She took a deep breath. "I accept."
Turning to Chen Fang, she added, "Accept his offer."
Chen Fang looked baffled. "But... Master, didn't you just tell me to decline?"
"Yes," she replied. "But now I'm saying accept."
Chen Fang bowed before Shaurya. "I accept."
Shaurya handed him a form. Chen Fang filled it dutifully.
Mo Liya also bowed. "I accept your offer and pledge myself to your sect as an elder."
---
System Notification:
Mission Completed!
Reward: 3x Lottery Draws + Emperor Level Technique: Nine Spiritual Formation Attack
Additional Rewards:
Spiritual Body for Fairy Empress Mo Liya
Emperor Grade Weapon: Fairy Sword
Minor Level Up
New Disciple Recruited with Special Physique:
Reward: Immortal Sword Art + Immortal Level Sword Technique - Lightning Sword Slash
Hidden Mission Completed: Ancient Powerhouse Joins Sect as Elder
Reward: +200 Dharma Points
---
Shaurya felt giddy. So many rewards. He couldn't hold back—he leaped into the air. "Hoorayyyyy!"
Everyone blinked.
He landed, cleared his throat, and coughed. "Ahem... Well. Chen Fang, give me your necklace."
Chen Fang obeyed. Shaurya held it with reverence. "Resurrection."
The necklace glowed brightly and shot into the sky. The light grew blinding until a new figure descended.
It was Mo Liya—with her real body, her divine aura restored.
Shaurya then took out a gleaming weapon. "This is your Fairy Sword."
Mo Liya held it, astonished. "This... this is an emperor-grade mid-tier weapon. And you just casually give it to me?!"
Shaurya smiled and approached Chen Fang. He handed him a scroll. "This is the Immortal Sword Body Art. Your special physique will awaken with this. And this..."
Another scroll appeared. "...is the Immortal Level Sword Technique: Lightning Sword Slash. Your power will skyrocket, and with it, you can reclaim your dignity."
Chen Fang bowed. "Thank you, Master."
Mo Liya also bowed. Proud, yet respectful.
Wang Tian laughed. "See? Didn't I tell you? You'd gain everything by joining this sect. You should be thanking me, Old Witch."
Mo Liya scowled. "You dumb emperor!"
She swung her sword.
He blocked.
She mock him"Have you forgotten your past defeats, Dumb Emperor?"
Their swords clashed midair.
Suddenly, Shaurya appeared between them, stopping both swords with his two fingers—one on each hand. A gust of wind blew as their energy was suppressed in an instant.
Both stood in stunned silence.
Shaurya appeared serious on the outside, but inside he was thrilled. I've always wanted to do this move. The legendary finger block... It really is the MC moment!
"Stop fighting," he said sternly.
They turned away from each other.
Shaurya teased, "Looks like you two know each other very well."
Muo Qian, watching silently, felt a flutter of jealousy.
Wang Tian answered proudly, "Of course. She's my cousin."
Mo Liya nodded. "Yes. Unfortunately, this Dumb Emperor is my cousin brother."
Shaurya blinked. "Oh... then Muo Qian still has a chance."
Muo Qian blushed furiously. Wang Tian did too.
Mo Liya turned suspiciously. "Wait... who is Muo Qian?"
Before Shaurya could answer, Wang Tian clapped a hand over his mouth. "No one! Mind your own business."
Mo Liya chuckled slyly. "So, the arrogant emperor finally fell in love..."
Wang Tian turned crimson. Everyone laughed.
To be continued...