A satisfied smile spread across Yuan Qi's face. This was exactly the reaction that he had wanted.
Was Lu Yin forcing him to accept disciples? How ridiculous. These two youngsters should count themselves lucky for eight lifetimes to have Yuan Qi as their master. "That’s right."
Ba Liu and Yi Yao exchanged stunned glances. They had never imagined that the person they had been forced to accept as their master would actually be a Seraph.
Instinctively, the two looked at Lu Yin.
His expression was as calm as ever.
A short distance away, Ce Wangtian scratched his nose while rolling his eyes.
Sovereign Dou Sheng was holding his golden cudgel while he stood and stared off into space.
Old Tao was observing things from a distance, and he was just as startled as Ba Liu and Yi Yao. This was the old man’s first time seeing Yuan Qi, and Old Tao had not considered the possibility that Yuan Qi had been captured by Lu Yin.
Old Tao had personally watched as Yuan Qi had been released from Lu Yin’s cosmic ring. How was that even possible?
However, after Old Tao considered the situation for a moment, he realized that this made sense. Seraph Yuan Qi had gone to the Tianyuan Megaverse long ago to lay the groundwork for the Spirit Nidus’s invasion. The High Seraph himself had publicly announced this. If one of the Seven Seraphs had gone to the Tianyuan Megaverse, then what was there to fear from that megaverse?
Even so, the Tianyuan Megaverse was striking first. It was clear that they had already dealt with all their internal threats.
Seraph Yuan Qi had been their greatest internal threat.
In hindsight, it was not at all surprising to learn that Yuan Qi had been captured.
The Seraph looked at the shock on his two new disciples’ faces and felt even more satisfied. "What? Do you feel that such an old man isn’t worthy of being your master?"
Ba Liu and Yi Yao hurriedly bowed low and showed the greatest respect possible. "To become disciples of Seraph Yuan Qi far exceeds even our wildest dreams. Thank you, Master."
The two then turned to Lu Yin and bowed to him as well. "Thank you, my lord."
Lu Yin chuckled. "Happy with your new master, are you?"
Ba Liu replied respectfully, "I would never dare to be dissatisfied. This is more than I could have ever hoped for."
Lu Yin turned to Yuan Qi. "And you, are you satisfied with your two disciples?"
Yuan Qi did not know what Lu Yin was planning, but he did not want to appear too servile in front of his new disciples. “Thank you, Lord Lu.”
Lu Yin chuckled. “As long as you’re satisfied with them, it’s fine. Also, since they’re now your disciples, you had better protect them. There are many people in the Spirit Nidus who would love to see them dead.”
“Why?” Yuan Qi asked, giving Ba Liu and Yi Yao a curious glance. It was clear that Lu Yin’s intentions behind this arrangement were about to be revealed.
Even as a Seraph, Yuan Qi started to feel nervous. He was too familiar with Lu Yin’s tactics. The man had an unconventional way of going about things, though that often yielded surprising results. Yuan Qi was fully aware that he was being used, but he had no idea what the severity of the situation was. After all, the strongest of his two new disciples was only a Spirit Ancestor. Could such people have somehow offended the High Seraph himself?
As long as he was not standing against the High Seraph, Yuan Qi felt confident that he could handle anything.
Ba Liu and Yi Yao exchanged glances. They were not sure how to respond.
“I am from the Primal Beastland, and Yi Yao is from Heavenspire.
“We... are together.”
Yuan Qi frowned. He was momentarily confused, as it took him a bit to realize something, and then his expression turned to shock. “A beast-form Spirit Rebirth and a human-form Spirit Rebirth? You two are together?
“That’s completely forbidden.”
Lu Yin smirked. “Not only that, but the High Seraph has also issued an edict that forbids anyone from Heavenspire from marrying outsiders. Oh, and these two have also adopted a conscient. Go ahead and show your Little Yao to Seraph Yuan Qi. Let your master have some fun.”
Yuan Qi was left utterly speechless. He stared at Ba Liu and Yi Yao for a long time. The Seraph finally understood that Lu Yin intended to make him a target.
Lu Yin’s intentions were clear. He wanted to stir up trouble in the Spirit Nidus, or rather, force the Spirit Nidus to go after him. Some acts were absolutely forbidden in the Spirit Nidus, and forcing these two people to become Yuan Qi’s disciples would place Yuan Qi on the chopping block.
The esteemed Seraph Yuan Qi was sheltering two people who had committed forbidden acts. As soon as word got out, the Spirit Nidus would strip him of his title as a Seraph, regardless of the fact that Lu Yin was manipulating things from the background.
As soon as a Seraph’s seat was available...
Yuan Qi stared at Lu Yin. “Lord Lu, are you hoping to trigger a competition for a Seraph’s seat?”
Lu Yin denied nothing, as that was indeed his plan.
He wanted to create an opening among the Seraphs’ ranks so that he could see just how crazed the mad dogs that Bao Qi had mentioned before dying were. Lu Yin wanted to see just how alluring a Seraph’s position was.
Ba Liu and Yi Yao remained silent. They did not dare to consider their situation too deeply. They understood that they were being used by Lu Yin, but they had never imagined that his plots were at the Seraph level.
Yuan Qi was impressed. “Quite clever, Lord Lu. I’m impressed.”
Lu Yin ignored Yuan Qi and turned his attention back to Ba Liu and Yi Yao. “I saved your lives, and with that, we are even. While we might be on opposing sides of this war, I will do what I can to protect you, and I will even give you a great opportunity. If we are able to safely withdraw from the Spirit Nidus, you will be allowed to join me in the Tianyuan Megaverse. If we cannot retreat, then we will all die together. This is your fate due to encountering me. Remember my name: I am Lu Yin.
“I am the master of the Tianyuan Megaverse.”
Ba Liu reached for Yi Yao’s hand and then slowly bowed to Lu Yin. “We understand. Everything will be as Lord Lu wills it. We have absolutely no complaints.”
Yuan Qi sighed. He had complaints, but what use were they?
With all that he had learned, every time he looked at his new disciples, he felt a flash of irritation.
“Oh, and Seraph Yuan Qi, since they are your disciples, please do your best when guiding them. I hope that you will treat them as though they are truly your own and form a connection with them. This way, you’ll have someone to see you off when the time comes.” Lu Yin’s final remark made Yuan Qi want to curse.
Years passed.
There were already springboards in place between Beacon City and the Spirit Nidus, which meant that Lu Yin’s group did not need to spend time building them, which expedited their journey. It would only take them ten years to reach the Spirit Nidus.
Nine years passed as Boundless continued its journey to the Spirit Nidus.
The ship was only a year away from its destination. There was no doubt they would be greeted by a massive battle.
Even if the High Seraph was not going to participate in the battle, there were the Seven Seraphs and other experts in the Spirit Nidus. Their presence would ensure that Lu Yin and the others would not have an easy fight.