- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 573
“Master… He actually succeeded in entering the path!”
A month later, Yu Ding Zhenren stood frozen, a roasted chicken in one hand and a bottle of Daughter’s Red wine in the other, staring at Leo. A faint layer of mystical light had started to emerge around Leo’s body.
He hadn’t expected that, in just a single month, this seemingly average disciple had actually managed to enter the first stage of the *Nine Turns Primordial Art*.
“Hahaha! Let’s see who dares to look down on me, Yu Ding Zhenren, when the disciples of the Dao Sect gather at Kunlun in ten years!”
“Master, what do you mean by ‘the gathering of Dao Sect disciples’?”
Hearing his master’s words, Leo paused his cultivation, intrigued.
Yu Ding Zhenren cleared his throat, regaining the demeanor of a teacher, and explained to Leo:
“My disciple, every hundred years, the disciples of the Dao Sect gather at Kunlun Mountain on the ninth day of the ninth month to exchange cultivation insights and deepen their connections during a collective retreat.
The next gathering will be in ten years.
However, this time may be different. It’s said that our master plans to announce something significant.”
Upon hearing Yu Ding Zhenren’s explanation, Leo’s mind raced.
If the disciples of the Dao Sect would gather at Kunlun in ten years, it also meant that the Heavenly Court would send the Great Golden Crow and Marshal Tianpeng to capture Yao Ji in ten years as well.
The entire story of *The Lotus Lantern* begins when the three-headed demon serpent stationed at the Lingxiao Palace grows restless and steals the ancient Dragon Pearl that supports the palace, descending to the mortal realm.
The Jade Emperor sent his sister, the Goddess of War and Emotions, Yao Ji, to capture the demon.
However, Yao Ji was ambushed by the demon and severely injured, with her heart shattered. A passing scholar named Yang Tianyou bravely gave part of his own heart to save her, and the two fell in love, sharing one heart between them.
Twenty years later, or twenty days in the Heavenly Court, the affair was exposed, and the Jade Emperor sent the Great Golden Crow and Marshal Tianpeng with 100,000 celestial soldiers to capture Yao Ji.
Yang Tianyou and their eldest son Yang Jiao were killed, while Yang Jian and Yang Chan escaped thanks to Marshal Tianpeng’s age-accelerating spell, which made them grow ten years older overnight.
This meant that, at the current point in time, Yao Ji had already married Yang Tianyou and given birth to Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan.
“I still have ten years. What can I do to gain the greatest advantage?”
After confirming the timeline, Leo fell into deep thought.
He realized that the most important thing was to avoid going against the plans of the Saints. Even though he was a third-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, stepping on the wrong toes could still bring him a lot of trouble.
For instance, if he helped King Zhou in the upcoming war against King Wu, it would be a surefire way to get himself killed.
In ten years, the disciples of the Dao Sect would gather for seven years of seclusion, primarily to refine the *Investiture of the Gods* list and prepare for the great calamity.
The *Investiture of the Gods* was a battle where Saints schemed against each other, with masters facing off. If he caused trouble during that time, especially if he disrupted his grandmaster Yuan Shi Tianzun’s plans, he’d likely end up being added to the *Investiture of the Gods* list himself.
Therefore, all of his future actions must align with the Chan Sect’s interests, allowing him to benefit and grow stronger in the process.
This way, Yuan Shi Tianzun would protect him from behind.
Just like in the television show, when Yao Ji was about to kill the three-headed serpent, Yuan Shi Tianzun suddenly appeared to save it because he foresaw that the serpent would one day become a magical artifact for one of his third-generation disciples.
“I’ll pay a visit to Yao Ji at Guanjiangkou in the near future.”
Six months later, at the Golden Mist Cave on Yuquan Mountain.
“Master, I’d like to return to Chentang Pass to take care of some family matters.”
After finishing his cultivation session, Leo addressed Yu Ding Zhenren.
Yu Ding Zhenren, who was absorbed in studying a Daoist technique, waved his hand dismissively:
“Go, go. Don’t forget to bring me back some fine wine and food. If you run into trouble, just mention that you’re a disciple of the Chan Sect.”
He was quite pleased with his direct disciple. In just six months, Leo had already advanced to the third stage of the *Nine Turns Primordial Art* and had broken through to the Celestial Immortal level.
With Celestial Immortal-level cultivation and the third stage of the *Nine Turns Mystical Arts*, Leo was already stronger than Yu Ding Zhenren himself, so he was confident his disciple would be safe out in the world.
If he encountered any powerful enemies, mentioning the Chan Sect’s name would usually be enough to keep them at bay. Yu Ding Zhenren had no concerns.
With his master’s approval, Leo rode his cloud away from the Golden Mist Cave.
However, his destination wasn’t Chentang Pass, but Guanjiangkou.
At that time, within the Yang family estate at Guanjiangkou, Yang Tianyou held Yao Ji in his arms, watching their three children playing and laughing in the courtyard, his face filled with happiness:
“I wish our days could always be like this.”
“They will be. A day in heaven is a year in the mortal realm. We just need a few more months,” Yao Ji reassured him softly.
As the Goddess of War and Emotions in the Heavenly Court, she was fully aware of how much she had violated the celestial laws by marrying a mortal and having children.
But she couldn’t control her feelings, and all she could do now was hope that the Heavenly Court wouldn’t discover them for another few months. By then, Yang Tianyou’s lifespan would have run out, and their children would have grown up. She would then return to the Heavenly Court and face her punishment.
“It doesn’t matter. The moment I decided to be with you, I was ready. Every extra day we spend together is a blessing.”
Yang Tianyou smiled.
He had long since made up his mind. If the Heavenly Court ever discovered them, he would claim that he had seduced Yao Ji, taking full responsibility and sacrificing himself to ensure Yao Ji and their children would survive.
“My lord, a Daoist priest is here, asking to see you.”
At that moment, a servant approached them from the gate.
“A Daoist priest?”
Yang Tianyou’s face showed a trace of confusion—he didn’t know any Daoists.
Yao Ji, however, thought for a moment and then instructed the servant:
“Invite the Daoist in and be respectful.”
In this era, most Daoists were disciples of the Dao Sect, under the Three Pure Ones. If one had come here, there must be a significant reason.
A moment later, a tall, young Daoist priest entered the courtyard, led by the servant.
“Greetings, Daoist. What brings you here?”
Yang Tianyou respectfully greeted the young Daoist, carefully sizing him up.
Leo intentionally revealed an aura equivalent to that of a Celestial Immortal, then bowed to Yang Tianyou and Yao Ji:
“I am Li Qing, a disciple of Yu Ding Zhenren, under Yuan Shi Tianzun.
As I was passing through Guanjiangkou today, I felt a strong connection. Upon calculating, I discovered that your three children share a destined bond with me as my future junior disciples. I would like to take them under my wing and guide them in the ways of Dao. What do you think?”
“This…”
Yang Tianyou immediately turned to Yao Ji for guidance.
Yao Ji hesitated.
Of course, she knew who Yuan Shi Tianzun was—one of the most powerful beings, even respected by her brother, the Jade Emperor.
Her original plan was to seal her children’s celestial powers so they could live out peaceful, happy lives as mortals.
However, if they could become disciples under Yuan Shi Tianzun, part of the Chan Sect, they would be protected even if their affair was discovered. Her children would be spared from the consequences.
(End of Chapter)