Chapter 1014: This Is A Transformation

Yun Yang looked at Shi Wuchen, Luo Dajiang, and the others, his tone unusually somber.

Shi Wuchen's expression was stoic as he said, "This is a necessary martial world toughening, a baptism to life and death. If I were, to be honest, boss, I think you shouldn't help at all. I even know that Elder Dong has most probably helped ae well p... but... not only will your assistance reduce the effects of this martial seasoning, but the disciples will also be dependent, thinking that they'll always be this lucky."

Yun Yang replied, "If we didn't do anything, how many of the ninety-nine children who have gone out with you fellows would have come back? Twenty?!"

"Wuchen, I know you mean well. Eliminating the weak with the cruelest life and death can indeed make them mature earlier and even grow up faster... but..." Yun Yang said softly, "Wuchen, if the members of the Residence of Nine Supremes have to grow this way, what's the use of us, the higher-level management?"

Shi Wuchen was silent for some time.

"Our sect has always existed as a hegemony tool of the martial world. I hope that the Residence of Nine Supremes becomes one big family."

Yun Yang spoke slowly, "Other than to develop and become stronger, the presence of this sect's higher-ups should become the disciples' haven... This should be the state of a healthy sect, a state I'd be happy to see."

"If our members were to be cultivated into cold-blooded emotionless killers, your method could perhaps work. What we want, however, is to create the Residence of Nine Supremes' longevity and eternal presence."

There was a pause before he continued. "Which sect, among those that have stood strong for hundreds of thousands of years and are still glorious in their operations now in the martial world, does not feel proud of their own school? Which of them does not defend their own people regardless of whether they are right or wrong? Which of their members isn't loyal and would willingly sacrifice themselves for their sect?"

"To me, at least, such sects will be able to go farther."

"Those who only see the benefits they could reap right now, like the Passionate League, Clan of Heaven Assassination, Assassin League and whatnot... Most, if not all, will be annihilated within a night and quickly replaced after a few years of fame."

"Wuchen, these protégés we teach... How different are they from being our children? Can we really treat our children so apathetically and so purely rational like how we do to tools? Take this expedition for example; they've seen the ruthless instance of life and death, they've understood the true constant of the martial world and could motivate and encourage each other..."

"They also respect their master and senior uncles from the bottom of their hearts now - these are enough... this is already the environment of a sect I'm glad to see!"

Yun Yang emphasized his words. "Brother, a sect is not a gang, a guild, or a league!"

Shi Wuchen's gaze was rife with his thoughts as he muttered, "Looks like my previous thought has strayed too far from the founding vision of the Residence of Nine Supremes."

"Not totally," said Yun Yang, "You're mainly too impatient for instant success."

"This lesson of sacrificing twenty-four lives in the battle is already too much, Wuchen."

"We don't have a lot of time in preparation to face the impending challenges, but undue haste will only set us back farther and plant seeds of ill consequences."

"After all, they're only children, teens. They've only just set foot on their cultivation journey."

Luo Dajiang and the others considered what Yun Yang said and answered, "You're right, boss."

"Indeed, I think this toughening is a little too harsh as well."

"Yeah, many of them will find it hard to sleep for a long time to come now."

"Shi Wuchen, how have you become so coldhearted and eager for quick success? Have you realized that you've changed, yourself?"

In the blink of an eye, Shi Wuchen was the target of everyone's critique - because everyone felt that Yun Yang was right because they genuinely agreed with him.

Looking back at Shi Wuchen's method, it could perhaps garner the same effect but plenty of sacrifices, too, would come with it. The outcome was one that everyone found hard to swallow, especially when the Demiurge-Flawed Ten had just found their new footing, feeling like they had just built a home for themselves after their previous experiences, and had to watch so many life and death separations.

In addition, this result was a consequence of their incapability to rescue those that were indeed in need as well as their wholehearted efforts to look after each child.

Rather than claiming that this expedition was a memorable experience to the disciples, it was more shattering to the Demiurge-Flawed Ten.

They had an absolute advantage in terms of their combat force as no one among the enemies was a worthy opponent. There was not even a handful who could parry one or half of their forms and style. Yet, it was the higher headcount of the enemies that their disciples were unavoidably killed before their eyes!

The sense of powerlessness was indelible. Undoubtedly, the men would wake up from their dreams with a jolt due to this battle...

Shi Wuchen who had suggested this undertaking, insisted to see it through and had even planned to carry on like this in the future, was inevitably the target of condemnation. Everyone gave him dirty looks.

'This fellow still thinks that the death toll isn't high... Do you know what? I can't even breathe right from how much my heart is aching!'

The Residence of Nine Supremes held an informal but exceptionally ceremonious burial in the afternoon. All the deceased pupils would be buried together here.

Everyone, including the children whom the Residence of Nine Supremes had yet to take in, was required to attend the ceremony. Facing the twenty-four small graves, all children were solemnly quiet.

Their friends whom they were still seeing yesterday had laid there soundlessly today. They were still practicing and hurrying on with their journey together yesterday, still whispering to each other last night, encouraging themselves for today's battle, but they were separated into two worlds today.

"Go back and think. Then, write what you feel during this moment and submit them. Those who don't know how to write, ask someone to write it for you."

Yun Yang had begun assigning a new task. "This is your personal realization towards this battle. What the martial world is, what life and death are. Joining this sect is stepping into the martial world."

"What were you thinking when you faced the critical moment of life and death, when you see fatal loss right in the eye? What do you plan to do after this?"

"The seventy-five disciples, submit your reflections to your masters after you've written them. The other children, submit your compositions to the caretakers."

"This is your first lesson in the martial world, all of you."

All the children looked incredibly serious and grim; the innocence that they were supposed to have was nearly gone.