C11 Begging

After a thorough interrogation, Lee Xiao finally departed. Yang Chao remained behind, stroking his chin in contemplation.

"Wang Cuilian, what do you plan to do with that jade pendant you're wearing? It's clear that it's no ordinary trinket—it could very well consume someone's life force."

Yang Chao had sensed something amiss the moment the jade pendant was laid before him. It was as if it contained a peculiar substance capable of effortlessly siphoning a person's energy.

Wang Cuilian hastily removed the pendant from around her neck and set it down in front of Yang Chao, whispering, "It's odd, isn't it? Ever since I've worn this pendant, I've felt a warmth throughout my body, like something is draining my energy."

Wearing the pendant for just a short while had left her feeling unusually fatigued, an experience unheard of for an immortal cultivator like herself. Moreover, Wang Lili and the rest had just finished a meal rich in spiritual power; there shouldn't have been any cause for concern.

The nearby elders overheard the conversation and their faces turned pale. They crowded around, inspecting the pendant from every angle.

"Hey, this is really peculiar. Where have I seen this jade pendant before? I can't quite remember," mused Chen Shouye, trying to recall where he had encountered such an item.

Back when they were mere mortals, unfamiliar with the world of cultivation, they had roamed far and wide, encountering countless wonders. Jade pendants, however, were a rarity. The mystery deepened, hinting at an underlying issue.

"What are you saying? When have you come across this pendant? It's nothing but trouble. I feel so drained, I can barely lift a finger," Wang Cuilian remarked, placing the pendant on a nearby table.

Bathed in sunlight, the jade pendant began to emit a subtle black mist. To the untrained eye, the pendant might seem harmless, even fashionable in certain unconventional circles. But to those gathered, the pendant's true nature was unmistakable. They were no fools—they recognized there was something deeply wrong with these jade pendants.

The jade pendant had the ability to absorb the most fundamental life force in the world, including that within the human body. If worn for an extended period, it would surely lead to trouble.

Yang Chao observed the jade pendant causing such harm and promptly took it into his hands.

As soon as he grasped it, he felt an immense suction force, eager to rapidly drain his spiritual power. Before Yang Chao could react, the system had already intervened.

"Host, you must destroy this jade pendant immediately!"

The system's response was lightning-fast, severing the connection before any action could be taken, ensuring the pendant couldn't transfer anything out.

Yang Chao gave a slight nod, gazing at the pendant and stroking his chin in contemplation. The fact that the pendant could elicit such wariness from the system was telling.

It seemed to be a formidable object. In this world, while many were immortal cultivators, the majority were still ordinary people, with no apparent inclination towards dark arts.

The emergence of this jade pendant suggested the presence of so-called evil sects and heresies, whose potential impact remained a mystery.

Without a second thought, Yang Chao tossed the pendant to the ground and shattered it with a brick. He then turned to the group and advised,

"We may all be immortal cultivators, but are you aware of artifacts like the Immortal Binding Rope? They pose a significant threat to us practitioners, much like those described in novels. Be vigilant going forward."

He had expected the elderly men around him to dismiss his warning, perhaps even to laugh it off. Instead, he was met with their earnest, solemn faces.

Soong Qingfeng was the quickest to respond, rising to his feet with a puzzled expression. "We're all cultivators. How could evil sects and heresies exist among us? They couldn't possibly stand against us, especially now that our abilities have reached the mid-stage of Qi Refinement. What could be our match?"

After observing for some time, they had seen no sign of the evil forces or characters depicted in fiction.

Having never encountered such threats, they believed their greatest adversaries were other formidable cultivators.

They had only just come to the realization that a mysterious organization, unlike any group of cultivators they knew, might be operating in the shadows.

Yang Chao glanced at the class monitor and gave a slight nod, his eyes tinged with a sense of resignation.

"Where there is light, there is also darkness. We can harness this power for good, but inevitably, there will be those who use it for evil. Light and darkness are two sides of the same coin, so stay alert."

The group of elderly men exchanged looks of disbelief. Despite their advanced years, they considered themselves fortunate to have the opportunity to cultivate.

Cultivation had become more than just a routine for them; it was not merely about strengthening their bodies for longevity or upholding justice, but about becoming more powerful.

Now, to their shock, they faced the possibility of an organization targeting them, threatening to disrupt their practice and potentially obliterate their cultivation completely.

"Principal, what should we do? We're worried. We're only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. What if someone really targets us?" Wu Laosan stepped forward, voicing the concern that weighed on all their minds as cultivators.

If these adversaries managed to drain all their power, they would revert to their frail, aged selves, devoid of the vitality they once possessed.

"Indeed, receiving this jade pendant couldn't have been timelier; it's a wake-up call for all of us," Soong Qingfeng added, his face clouded with anxiety.

No one wanted to see their hard-earned abilities vanish after years of dedication. As their prowess waned, the thought of regressing to their former state was unbearable.

Yang Chao, however, didn't dwell on the matter too much. There were always risks, and he saw no point in fretting.

"Relax, don't stress yourselves out. Remember, I'm here. If anyone dares to challenge us, I'll take care of them myself."