<<Previous Chapter | Evolution Begins With A Big Tree | Next Chapter>>
Translator: Ashish
Translation Checker: Silavin
Using other means to stabilize the Master-Disciple relationship was not Yu Zi Yu’s original intention.
However, Yu Zi Yu had no other choice.
Even among the Humans and Titans, there were concerns about Disciples killing their Masters.
So what about someone like Yu Zi Yu, who had attained enlightenment from a Spirit Tree?
According to Yu Zi Yu, it would be strange if no one harbored any thoughts against him.
Some, like Nine Tails or Bull Demon, treated Yu Zi Yu as ‘Family.’
Others, like his Apostles, saw him as their ‘Master.’
As for the majority, they viewed Yu Zi Yu as a Guardian God.
This was why betrayal seldom occurred. No, to be more accurate, Yu Zi Yu’s current overwhelming strength was enough to suppress any disloyalty.
However, this was not a stable long-term solution for Yu Zi Yu.
After all, ‘when a Tiger falls to the plain Sun, even Dogs dare to attack it; when a Dragon swims in shallow water, it’s taunted by Shrimp.’
Although Yu Zi Yu was confident, he could not guarantee that he would not encounter setbacks in the future.
At that time, the loyalty of those around him would be his true source of reassurance.
Thus, ensuring that those close to him would not betray him was something Yu Zi Yu had to do.
But how to do that? What methods should he use? That all depended on Yu Zi Yu.
The Apostles and others were directly enslaved by him. The ten Divine Beasts were bound by emotion and mutual checks and balances.
Additionally, their long-term exposure to Yu Zi Yu’s Life Essence, they felt an instinctive closeness to him.
If they ever did betray him, it would go against their true nature, making their path of cultivation far more difficult.
This could be observed in their future cultivation progress.
If they harbored any disloyalty, their Dao Hearts would be obstructed, and Yu Zi Yu would sense it.
But now… the issue was how he could ensure stability and trust in the Master-Disciple relationship?
Deep in thought, a look of contemplation flickered in Yu Zi Yu’s eyes.
If he could not ensure loyalty, it would be impossible for him to truly treat Shalira as his Disciple. Even if he nurtured her, he would ultimately leave behind many contingencies.
However, if he could ensure loyalty, all resources and everything else would be provided to Shalira.
At that point, Yu Zi Yu could not even predict how far Shalira could go.
However, one thing was certain: if Yu Zi Yu put his full effort into cultivating Shalira, combined with her own extraordinary Innate Talent, she might have the potential to reach the level of a ‘Hegemon.’
In other words, she had the ‘bearing of a Hegemon.’
A Hegemon—a title used to refer to someone at Tier-7!
Their power and terror are beyond imagination. With their strength alone, they could dominate an entire Star Domain.
This was Tier-7, the Realm of Hegemony. At this level, one became an ultimate lifeform bearing complete Principles.
As for Tier-8—the Eternal Realm…
Unfortunately, that was a realm beyond even the dreams of prodigies.
The cycle of eras had seen countless geniuses and prodigies, yet only one or two had ever reached the Eternal Realm.
The odds of reaching the Eternal Realm were so low that it had caused endless geniuses and prodigies to give up in despair.
Therefore, in a sense, Tier-7 was the highest realm most prodigies could aspire to.
This was true for most prodigies. Whereas ordinary beings could barely touch Tier-4.
And the so-called prodigies, they were the one-in-a-million geniuses who have the potential to reach Tier-4. Even so, among millions, or even tens of millions of these prodigies, very few can touch the Realm of Hegemony.
In light of this, Yu Zi Yu’s evaluation of the Zerg Queen—Shalira as having the potential to become a Hegemon spoke volumes about how highly he regarded her.
Of course, all this hinges on whether or not Yu Zi Yu was committed to whole-heartedly nurture her.
However, how could he ensure that the Disciple he fully nurtured would become a trustworthy, razor-sharp blade that won’t end up cutting him?
Yu Zi Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a sharp glint flashed deep within his gaze.
[I got it! More accurately, I’ve an idea who can provide me with a good answer. The previous era was a golden age for Immortals and Martial Artists. There were countless Sects and Clans. Surely, they must have a solution for this!]
With this thought, Yu Zi Yu immediately thought of Golden Monkey.
[Given his insights, he must know something.]
…
Three days later, beneath a Gargantuan Tree that seemed to be the size of a celestial body, a golden divine Monkey, wearing a shiny golden crown and clad in golden armor, stood silently.
“Master, I wonder what business you have called me for?” Golden Monkey inquired proactively, his face showing a trace of confusion.
As Yu Zi Yu grew ever stronger, the times when he was summoned grew increasingly rare. Today was the first time in half a year.
Without a second thought, Yu Zi Yu got straight to the point, “A few days ago, after I signed an Ancient Covenant with the Zergs, I also happened to take on a Disciple…”
“Congratulations, Master. To be chosen by you is a blessing that surely spans many lifetimes of fortune.” Golden Monkey clasped his hands together and, with a slight purse of his lips, offered his congratulations.
He was no stranger to taking in Disciples. After all, on the surface, he also had a Disciple, Auris.
Actually, the fact that his Master had taken on a Disciple at this time was something he had really not expected.
However, he was certain that this Disciple’s Talent must be quite astonishing. Otherwise, it would be hard for him to catch his Master’s eye.
*Mhmm…* Yu Zi Yu nodded slightly, accepting Golden Monkey’s congratulations.
However, after a moment, his tone changed, and he stated bluntly, “However, Golden Monkey, you must understand that strangers are not to be trusted, and even more so when this Disciple of mine is a cold and heartless Zerg… As the saying goes, ‘He who is not of our kind cannot be trusted.’ So, how am I supposed to trust her now?”
His calm voice echoed in the void, causing Golden Monkey to be momentarily stunned.
After a brief pause, as if realizing something, a look of understanding appeared on Golden Monkey’s face.
[So that’s how it is! Indeed, this is a valid concern. After all, Master is not like others—he is a Spirit Tree on the path of proving his Dao. If Master was an Eternal, it would have been nothing, for he would be beyond the reach of any kind of danger and calamity, and even Heaven and Earth would find it impossible to destroy him. In that case, betrayal would not matter. Even if all turned against him, Master would not bat an eye. But now… it won’t do… Master is not yet invincible in the truest sense…]
[In other words, any potential danger must be strangled in the cradle. And a close individual, especially a Disciple, poses the greatest threat if they betray him.] From this perspective, Golden Monkey could understand his Master’s concern.
With this in mind, a smirk tugged at the corner of Golden Monkey’s mouth as he stated, “Master’s worry is not without reason. Moreover, even in the previous era, the most elite Sects and Clans harbored the same concerns…”
At this, Golden Monkey paused, glanced at the swaying branches of Yu Zi Yu, seemingly reflecting Yu Zi Yu’s anticipation, and continued, “However, where there’s a will, there’s a way… As far as I know, there are three methods to drastically reduce the possibility of betrayal by a Disciple, a Clan’s prodigy, or even the younger generation of a race…”
<<Previous Chapter | Evolution Begins With A Big Tree | Next Chapter>>
