Nine Venoms Sect Founder

While Harun and Jiyan left for the Dark Stone Capital, Mukri and Gulseni observed them from the temple's roof. The World Devouring Serpent's watchful eyes stood above them, with its outrageously large body coiling around the village. In the past 15 years, many of the Birusk clan's resources went to feed this silent beast whose size increased at an alarming rate. And though all knew that it cultivated the Myriad Poisons Bridge, few knew its cultivation level.

"With a guardian like this holding the fort, I'm afraid you won't have much to do," Gulseni told Mukri, who in his humanoid bull form, had the looks of a hulking minotaur. That appearance heavily contrasted with his cult robe—weaved by the puppets to fit the over two meters tall monster.

"Perfect. I can use the extra time to build more connections in the clan and prepare for the boss' return. If at least those three brats vouch for me, I'm sure the boss won't be stingy and pull me onto the Myriad Poisons Bridge," Mukri leisurely replied. A man of high adaptation skills, Mukri had already made a reputation for himself as a gentle and dependable bull, loved by all except Gulseni, who couldn't stomach his polished fawning skills. The two stood at opposed ends of the moral compass, which made their relationship a clusterfuck of conflicting views—or so it seemed, at least.

Unsurprised by Mukri's reply, Gulseni shook her head. But as she prepared a ripost, the bull added:

"I guess it's time I give you a solid piece of advice. Girl, you are delusional. With all the Vermilion Brides have done for the boss already, your betrayal is complete. You think the Saint-Empress cares that you did it against your will? Nonsense. You're only one of the many pawns she planted in the Mountain Edge World to clash with the other Holy Lands. But unlike those titans in the Sixth Range, you're entirely expendable. Should you return to the Saint-Empress Court and plead mercy, the best result would be...memory theft plus execution," Mukri said in a level tone. Though he never stood in Heaven's elite circles, with 2,000 years of emissary work, he'd seen many deities, and had long since learned how they functioned.

Gulseni's talent in yang-suppressing arts was rare, but not irreplaceable. At best, Dilnaz would take her memories and achievements—transferring them to someone more reliable. And though the words rattled her ears, Gulseni couldn't refute them.

"Indeed, there is no scenario where I salvage the situation. But so what? If before difficulty you can give up all principles, are they still principles? To know that you face destruction but still move onward—that—is true loyalty. My beliefs will not waver." Gulseni countered, but this time, Mukri sneered.

"The problem is, no one gives a fuck. Who cares about your heart when the boss owns you, body and soul. The Ladies and high-ranking disciples of the Vermilion Brides have already turned coats, and secretly try to fawn over the boss. If not out of fear of the mistress' sword, they'd crowd him day and night. You're the only one still playing the bigot and failing to live with the times. Loyalty? Principles? Nonsense, Dilnaz created the Saint-Empress Court to capitalize on the resentment Fairies and Goddesses have been accumulating across millennia. The True Dragon Clan's extermination was the strongest message she could send.

Your mistress is one of the chief culprits of the anarchy and seas of blood that fill this world. To seize the Mandate of Heaven and become the new God-Emperor, she doesn't hesitate to unleash wanton destruction on the innocents. What kind of principle makes you devote your life to that kind of barbaric lunatic with such a self-righteous stance. Hypocrisy?"

"How dare you?!" Gulseni wanted to say, but restrained herself. Faced with Mukri's sharp ridicule, she had no way to counter besides an outburst of rage. But the reaction felt so hollow that the words couldn't leave her lips.

"Most of your disciples joined you to dominate the historically stronger gender. With your skills, a Celestial Kin can control a top Celestial Guard, a Celestial Knight can control an Ascending God. How appealing? They can use all the moral justifications possible, but at the end of the day, everything in this world is about power. You now have two choices before you:

A) Wallow in mediocrity for the rest of your existence.

B) Move on, accept your new reality, and make the best of it." Leaving those words behind, Mukri turned heels and left—not giving Gulseni the time to process or challenge them. But as conflicting thoughts clashed in Gulseni's mind, she didn't notice that the serpent had awoken, and in silence, observed Mukri.

…

In the meantime, Harun and Jiyan's chariot exited the Birusk clan's territory to step on the royal road that led to the capital. Though there were several other paths, the royal road was the fastest and, in the past, also used to be the safest. Of course, nowadays, safety often was a matter of debate.

"Third Objective, initialization.

Description: With a unique cultivation path and diverse sect skills, the host is now ready to accept disciples, and should find three to inherit his craft. However, there can be no Supreme Founder without Supreme Disciples.

Objective: Recruit three legacy disciples with an overall potential of at least 41, and a minimum of 6 in Charisma." Harun set up the new objective. In System terms, overall potential included Physique, Senses, Dao Attunement, Willpower and Luck. However, Charisma wasn't a part of the equation. Some may argue that Luck wasn't a part of potential. However, reality was different. With high talent but low luck, most cultivators could never achieve their full potential. And even if they did, they'd die before enjoying it fully. On the contrary, someone with low talent but sky-high luck could either turn his fate around, or live without mishaps. In the cultivation world, luck was of capital importance.

But as he crossed the Dark Stone Country's royal road, Harun wondered if Luck hadn't abandoned this state.

"Timeframe: 30 years.

Reward: Infinite Dao Pit, Ancestral Hall choice." The system determined the appropriate timeframe and reward. Though he felt that 30 years to find the three disciples he needed was a bit low, Harun ignored it, and alongside Jiyan, spread his Divine Sense across the surroundings.

Barely out of the Birusk clan's territory, the air had turned so dry that true mortals would break their lips with a random smile. The temperature went from a gentle spring to the harshest of summers, dust storms loomed on the horizon, and signs of soil erosion stretched far and wide—a hint of drought.