Chapter 105: Make the Witch Ghost Path Great Again!
After hearing Lü Yang's transmitted words, Ancestor Nether Whisper fell into deep self-doubt—the Witch Ghost Path's 367th generation disciple?
"Outrageous!"
The next second, Ancestor Nether Whisper erupted in fury: "Our Witch Ghost Path's heritage isn't that deep! I was only the sixth-generation sect master at most. How could there be a 367th-generation disciple?"
Facing the ancestor's interrogation, Lü Yang not only remained unflustered but even reddened his eyes, tears streaming down as he choked out: "Elder Ancestor doesn't know... For a thousand years, the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion has relentlessly hunted us down. Now only this single lineage remains..."
There was a fundamental difference between great immortal clans and rogue cultivator lineages.
Any major immortal clan would have at least a Foundation Establishment True Person overseeing it, ensuring stable and orderly succession—often with only a single generation's difference even after centuries.
But rogue cultivators were different.
Most wandered rootlessly, living day-to-day. Add a few enemies to the mix, and their generational turnover could be frighteningly fast—dozens of generations would be perfectly normal.
Thus Ancestor Nether Whisper quickly grasped the logic.
If a branch lineage had truly scattered outside the sect without True Person protection while being hunted by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, accumulating hundreds of generations over a millennium wasn't impossible...
'...Wait, no!'
Soon, doubts resurfaced. As the Witch Ghost Path's last sect master, how could he not know about any external branch lineages?
Thinking this, Ancestor Nether Whisper suddenly asked: "Which branch lineage do you belong to?"
—In truth, the Witch Ghost Path had no branch lineages. The ancestor was purely testing Lü Yang, clearly still skeptical.
Yet Lü Yang responded seamlessly: "Reporting to Elder Ancestor, no branch lineages existed. We were secretly sent outside the sect by the Grand Elder after you achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection but clashed with that lord from the Sword Pavilion over Fruit Positions. He severed our karma to preserve the inheritance..."
He had obtained the Witch Ghost Path's complete legacy.
From the divine sense memories Ancestor Nether Whisper left behind—filled with nostalgia for the sect—Lü Yang knew just as much about it as the ancestor himself.
Take the Grand Elder he mentioned.
That elder had once competed with Ancestor Nether Whisper for the sect leadership, maintaining a love-hate relationship while consistently opposing the ancestor's decisions.
Including the idea of establishing the [Yama Palace].
Thus Lü Yang flawlessly wove himself an identity around this figure. No matter what Ancestor Nether Whisper asked, he could effortlessly respond.
"So it was him..."
After hearing Lü Yang's explanation, Ancestor Nether Whisper momentarily froze as buried memories surged forth, briefly lost in reminiscence.
When he refocused, his tone had softened considerably: "I see... I always thought that old fool opposed me out of spite for losing the sect leadership to me. But it seems he was more far-sighted than I..."
(No, he really was just opposing you.)
While mentally scoffing, Lü Yang deftly shifted topics: "No time to lose, Elder Ancestor! Please wait while I find a way to rescue you!"
"No, wait."
Ancestor Nether Whisper hastily waved his hand: "Don't worry about me—I have my own escape methods. You should leave immediately and avoid being associated with me!"
Lü Yang's story had convinced the ancestor eighty percent.
Not because of Lü Yang's rhetoric, but because through indirect probing, he confirmed Lü Yang genuinely possessed the Witch Ghost Path's legacy.
If Lü Yang were fake, how else could he have obtained these inheritances?
It couldn't possibly have been from himself.
Thus despite finding Lü Yang's identity somewhat fantastical, Ancestor Nether Whisper chose to believe, accepting him as a Witch Ghost Path disciple.
"Regardless, survival of the heritage is what matters most..."
Here, the ancestor suddenly grew urgent: "That Golden Core sword qi still lingers here. You must leave before it locks onto you..."
"Elder Ancestor needn't worry about that."
Lü Yang shook his head before adopting a pained expression: "Actually... there's something I've concealed from you. I fear it may disappoint you."
"After a millennium of persecution by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, our branch lineage dwindled to just me. To survive, I dared not claim Witch Ghost Path affiliation anymore... I disguised myself and joined the Primordial Saint Sect, using their karma to shield myself. Only then could I cultivate to my current level."
Finishing, Lü Yang hung his head.
The very picture of a guilty junior fearing reprimand.
"So that's how it was..."
Rather than surprise, Ancestor Nether Whisper looked enlightened—this explained his lingering doubts about Lü Yang.
After all, Lü Yang's cultivation was suspiciously advanced.
To the ancestor's discerning eye, Lü Yang stood one step from Foundation Establishment while having reconstructed the [Yama Palace]—an incredible feat.
But if the branch lineage suffered so terribly, how had Lü Yang reached this level?
Ah—the Primordial Saint Sect.
That explained everything.
"Perhaps for the best." Noticing Lü Yang's shame, Ancestor Nether Whisper comforted: "Compromising for the sect's survival is perfectly normal."
"Besides, the Primordial Saint Sect likely wouldn't care."
"If anything, you made the right move. Who could have imagined our dying Witch Ghost Path would produce such an outstanding disciple after a thousand years..."
At this thought, the ancestor even cast an admiring glance at Lü Yang.
This child had endured so much!
With a sigh, Ancestor Nether Whisper said: "You've suffered."
"For the Witch Ghost Path, no suffering is too great!"
Lü Yang wiped his eyes resolutely: "To be frank, I came to Skeleton Mountain seeking our sect's remnants."
"Having reached Qi Refining's peak with only Foundation Establishment left, I planned to reopen the Witch Ghost Path's gates immediately after breaking through. Lacking only some resources, I came here hoping to recover our legacy... to make the Witch Ghost Path great again!"
Finishing, Lü Yang gazed expectantly at the ancestor.
Under that stare, Ancestor Nether Whisper grew awkward. He'd gladly offer support, but after a millennium, any sect resources had long been exhausted.
What remained?
Noticing this, Lü Yang's eyes flashed with inspiration as he summoned the [Yama Palace], from which guardian deity Su Nu emerged.
After exchanging a meaningful glance with Lü Yang, she nodded imperceptibly.
"Master, there's still the spiritual vein..."
"What spiritual vein? Nonsense!" Lü Yang immediately scowled, berating her: "How could you suggest such a thing?"
Meanwhile, Ancestor Nether Whisper brightened: "Right! The spiritual vein remains!"
"Elder Ancestor, we couldn't possibly!" Lü Yang waved hurriedly: "You're the sect master! Only you can control Skeleton Mountain's spiritual vein. How could a junior presume to use it?"
"No, your guardian deity makes an excellent point." The ancestor shook his head: "Though I've lived five lives through possession, I'm nearing my limit. My soul is severely eroded with little lifespan left—the vein would be wasted on me."
"Gifting it to you would serve a greater purpose."
With these words, Lü Yang watched in amazement as Ancestor Nether Whisper actually relinquished control of the spiritual vein, allowing Su Nu to steer the [Yama Palace] into its core.
He believed it—he truly believed!