As for killing Duge, the South Peak Emperor had never thought about it.
Not to mention the Daoist Rhyme greatly helped him, just killing an Innate Spirit Item would burden him with endless karma, and he feared his cultivation level might never advance again in his life.
Besides, the two had no grudges nor grievances, and Duge’s growth did not affect him, so it was better to form a good relationship, which would be more advantageous for his future.
"Master is very kind," Duge said with a laugh, his smile filled with innocence. "Since I gained Spirit Intelligence, no one has ever been so kind to me. Although Master is after the Daoist Rhyme within me, without Master’s elixirs, I would have never made a breakthrough. Plus, Master said he would protect me in the future. So, Master is a good person. The Daoist Rhyme within me is always available for Master to observe."
The South Peak Emperor felt a flush of embarrassment; looking at Duge, he suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, as if he was deceiving a child: "Qing Sheng, if one day, your cultivation surpasses your master’s, would you still be kind to your master?"
"If there really comes a day when I’m more formidable than Master, then Master can just turn around and become my disciple," Duge said jokingly, "At that time, I’ll bring all the good things in the world to Master to help him make a breakthrough."
"..." The South Peak Emperor paused for a moment, then broke into a resigned smile and stroked his beard, "Alright, your master will wait for that day."
"There will be such a day," Duge nodded with certainty and asked, "Master, do you have any more elixirs? At the moment of Integration Dao, many things came into my mind, and they condensed into the One Yuan Heavy Water you spoke of. I feel that after my cultivation level rises, I can comprehend even more."
The South Peak Emperor nodded, and with a wave of his hand, he took out another five bottles of elixirs: "Qing Sheng, do you trust your master?"
"Master has been so kind to me; naturally, I trust you," Duge nodded.
"I can give you elixirs, but you must promise your master to slow down your cultivation," the South Peak Emperor said.
"Why?" asked Duge.
"I’m not very familiar with Innate Spirit Items, but I see that your cultivation has no bottlenecks," the South Peak Emperor explained. "I could use elixirs to forcibly increase your cultivation level, but it wouldn’t be long before you would have to face Overcoming the Tribulation and ascending."
"Isn’t that a good thing?" asked Duge.
"Ascension is indeed a good thing," the South Peak Emperor said solemnly, "With me by your side to protect you, even if your cultivation is bolstered by elixirs, nothing should go wrong with the Tribulation.
But you are naive in character and know too little about the ways of the world; as your teacher, I’m busy with official duties and can’t always guard you. Should you be misled by villains, it would be easy for you to stray onto the Demon Path. With your innate gifts, if you entered the Demon Path, it would be a disaster for all beings, and a tribulation for you as well..."
Shit!
Spot on!
Duge furrowed his brows and asked, "Master, what should I do, then?"
"Before ascending, experience the world, observe all the myriad conditions of life, and if you can still hold to your original heart, then you can attest to the Great Dao," the South Peak Emperor advised. "Qing Sheng, your cultivation has already reached the Unity Realm Stage. Apart from a True Immortal, there’s basically no one in the Mortal Realm who can harm you. In the coming days, I’ll have Senior Brother Qing Luan take you to gain worldly experience. When you have seen through the red dust, you can return to continue your cultivation. How about that?"
Sleep brings the pillow.
Just as I was worrying about finding an opportunity to stir up trouble outside, you’re letting me go out to gain experience!
South Peak Emperor, you really are a good person!
Duge was silent for a moment: "Alright, I’ll listen to my master." He looked at the South Peak Emperor and asked, "But what about you, master? When I’m gone, how will you comprehend the Daoist Rhyme?"
The South Peak Emperor said with a smile, "Silly disciple, comprehending the Daoist Rhyme doesn’t require constantly watching you. Observing you once is enough for me to ponder for several months."
"Alright, then I will let master have a good, long look in one go," Duge said seriously, nodding, performing the naivety of a child to perfection.
"Good," the South Peak Emperor chuckled and pushed the five bottles of elixirs toward Duge. "Take these elixirs. If you need to replenish them, do so in a timely manner. Later, I will teach you the Mustard Seed Method, which you can use to store these possessions."
"Thank you, Master."
Duge thanked him sincerely.
In fact, he didn’t need any Mustard Seed Method.
The power of the God of Darkness embraced the ability to conceal and hide; his Soul Suppressing Vase, Black Tortoise Pearl, as well as the flying swords he had snatched in the Capital City were all hidden in his shadow, easily accessible.
But learning an extra art technique was an extra tool in his arsenal; nobody complained about having too many such things.
The South Peak Emperor had decided to invest in Duge. With a flip of his hand, a token appeared: "Qing Sheng, this is your master’s token, with which you can command all the City Gods and Day and Night Roaming Gods within South Peak territory. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, you can let the Day and Night Roaming Gods report to me."
Shit!
You’re so nice, I can hardly bear to trick you. What should I do?
Duge silently took the token from the South Peak Emperor, inwardly commenting.
Having gone through so many Alien Battlefields, he had always looked after others; being cared for was a first for him, and he felt somewhat moved.
Especially when he thought about how the South Peak Emperor would feel at the end of the month when he discovers his most beloved disciple is actually the top-ranked Evil Demon?
"Qing Sheng, what are you thinking about?" the South Peak Emperor inquired, as he looked at the daydreaming Duge and asked gently.
"I’m thinking, why is Master so good to me?" Duge raised his head to look at the South Peak Emperor, playing with the token in his hand as he said, "Since I gained Spirit Intelligence, I have observed the birds and beasts in the forest, and the humans in the Mortal Realm. They all have fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, but I had nothing. I’ve always wondered what it would be like if I had family. Now, I think I might have an idea."