Lu Yin glanced over at Grandpa Fa and the others. "This incident has nothing to do with them. Zhan Qianguhou was searching for Ancestor Lin’s descendants, so I took advantage to disguise myself and follow them into the Garden of Passing. They never knew anything, from beginning to end. I hope that you won’t make trouble for them."
Lu Yin had not immediately left, as doing so would have doomed Grandpa Fa and the others. After all, they had been Lu Yin’s key to gaining entry.
It was not possible to simply relocate Grandpa Fa and the others, because Lu Yin was dealing with the Gate of Laws. As long as they remained anywhere within the Spirit Nidus, escape would be impossible. More importantly, they had become a family; he could not just separate them from each other.
If Lu Yin took them aboard Boundless, it would violate their wishes. They just wanted to live peaceful lives.
"Of course, if you want to deal with them, I won’t stop you," Lu Yin added at the end.
Grandpa Fa and the others stared blankly at Lu Yin. It was only at this moment that they finally realized that the man who had been traveling with them was none other than Seraph Lu, a man regarded as invincible in the Spirit Nidus. He was from the Tianyuan Megaverse, yet no one in the Spirit Nidus could do anything to him. Seraph Lu had fought one battle after another, slowly earning a reputation for being unbeatable.
He was one of the most powerful experts in the megaverse, and yet he had been accompanying them on their journey.
They had no idea how to feel about the matter—bitter, upset, or relieved. All they knew was that they were insignificant figures, which meant that they could only accept their fate.
Zhan Ming glanced at Grandpa Fa and his younger companions. "Don’t worry, Seraph Lu. My Gate of Laws will not hold them accountable. Besides, you are not here to target us. You are not our enemy."
Lu Yin nodded. "In that case, until we meet again, Seraph Zhan Ming."
He then disappeared, along with Yi Shang.
The enslaved conscient was left behind.
Zhan Ming stared at the broken grave, his heart heavy. Yi Shang’s capture had completely disrupted Zhan Ming’s plans. Meet again? We certainly will.
A distant voice roared in anger, "Outrageous! That man is too arrogant! The Tianyuan Megaverse is our Spirit Nidus’s enemy! Zhan Ming, why did you let him go? We would have gladly fought him to the death!"
"Old man, speak for yourself! Don’t drag us into things. We’re not that close to dying just yet."
"Exactly! Don’t include us. We just want to wait for our descendants to come and chat with us, to enjoy a bit of family time."
"I only have a few days left to live, so just let me lie down and enjoy some peace."
"Hmph! All of you are cowards! Zhan Ming, capture those people and interrogate them! They must know something about that Seraph Lu. We might even be able to use them against Boundless."
Grandpa Fa and the others were startled. Ah Five tightly clenched the hilt of his blade as he warily eyed his surroundings.
Ah Three's expression instantly grew solemn.
Ah Nine bit her lip, still unable to process all that had just happened.
"That's too despicable! These children were merely being used," Feng Chengzhu protested.
"You fool! Even the tiniest of clues can lead to an advantage."
"I think that might be possible. At the very least, we should interrogate them."
"That’s going too far! These children should be pitied."
Zhan Ming let out a breath as he looked at Grandpa Fa and the others. "You may leave. Ancestor Lin has been dead for a long time."
"Zhan Ming, you intend to simply let them go? That’s unacceptable!"
Zhan Ming turned to look at the argumentative elder, and his expression grew darker. "Old man, this is not up to you."
"You!"
Grandpa Fa quickly bowed to Zhan Ming. "Thank you, Seraph Zhan Ming."
Ah Three and the others immediately followed suit and also bowed.
Zhan Ming left. Such people were nothing more than ants, and they possessed absolutely no value. He did not want to earn Lu Yin’s ire because of a few weaklings. The fact that Lu Yin had spoken for them was nothing more than a superior being showing mercy. Zhan Ming could also afford to show such mercy.
Zhan Qianguhou led Grandpa Fa and the others out of the Garden of Passing and allowed them to leave.
No one in the little group looked back as they left. They were too badly shaken by everything that they had witnessed. They were nothing more than average cultivators, and yet they had come into contact with multiple Seraphs. They had led Seraph Lu into the Garden of Passing and watched as former Seraph Yi Shang was captured. Everything about the day was too overwhelming for them. They had no idea how they had managed to get away from the Gate of Laws.
They never wanted to return to that place so long as they lived.
"Grandpa Fa, Seventeen..." Ah Nine trailed off.
Grandpa Fa’s eyes locked onto the woman. "Seventeen doesn’t exist! Don’t just speak randomly."
Ah Nine pursed her lips and opened her hand as she extended it. "I received this from Seraph Lu."
She revealed several jade slips that gave off a gentle glow.
Grandpa Fa frowned. He hesitated for a moment, but then he picked one up and examined it.
Ah Three and Ah Five each took one as well and examined it.
Grandpa Fa set the jade slip back down with a bitter smile. "I don't know if we were lucky or unlucky, but Seraph Lu has left behind cultivation arts that are highly suitable for each of you. From the descriptions, these methods should allow each of you to become Spirit Ancestors without any problem.
"If even one of these cultivation arts was casually released, there would be a fierce competition fought over them."
He then looked at Ah Nine. "The cultivation art that you received from Ancestor Lin doesn’t suit you. This one does.
"This is for you, Ah Three, and you, Ah Five."
"What about you, Grandpa Fa?" Ah Three asked.
Grandpa Fa stared at a slip of jade that he still held in his hand. "I'm already old and gave up all hope of further progress long ago, and yet this cultivation art can force me into the Spirit Ancestor realm."
Everyone fell silent.
Ah Nine's expression grew conflicted. It was said that Seraph Lu was a cruel and vicious person who was overly arrogant and extremely cunning. It was true that he had been ruthless and arrogant in the Gate of Laws, but Ah Nine greatly desired to see him again, even if only to say goodbye.
Grandpa Fa patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go. Just think of everything as a dream."