The Gui Ying sect/ Ghostly shadow sect had ten pearless experts, each occupying one of the supreme peaks of the sect. These experts were known as the ten Pinying Elders, and were the main reason why the GUI Ying sect was regarded as one of the four supreme sects in the Martial Grotto continent without having a venerate's legacy.
The other three sects at that time were, the Snow demon sect of the Northern region, Thousand transformations sect and the four extreme sects all located in the central state. Among these four, the GUI Ying sect and the four extreme sects were of the righteous path while the thousand transformation sect was of the demonic path and the Snow demon sect was a demon sect.
Demonic and demon meant two separate views in the Martial Grotto Continent. The term demon was related to magical beast that gain enlightenment after reaching core formation realm or a magical beast born by a magical beast already above the core formation realm. This means that the offspring of a demon is also a demon and is born with intelligence while also having the option to take on human form. An example of this would be Xiao Chen, the young drake that had an encounter with Ling Aotian at the gates of Mar Long city.
The term demonic path however meant something different entirely. It had two meanings where it represented demonic cultivators as individuals and as an organisation. For an individual, the demonic path represented individualism, pragmatism and defiance of moral constraits set by the righteous path. For a sect, it meant following twisted, forbidden and morally repugnant practices to gain power. Often at the cost of other beings lives and souls.
The demonic path sects have always been in opposition to the righteous sects and have been always been kept in check by them. In Ling Aotian's memories of the future, the thousand transformation sect was totally suppressed after the formation of Gui Ying sect. This happened due to the balance of power. Initially, the demonic path was rampant, with only the four extremes supreme sect gathering the righteous path to supress them, while the snow demon supreme sect had always remained neutral. However the rising of Gui Ying sect changed everything and ushered a new era for the righteous path. With ten half- step supreme masters paving the ways to peace and stability. Ling Aotian too was one of these experts whose names shook the world at that time.
Now however, the Gui Ying sect was none existent, it's legacy all at the shoulders of a sixteen year old Ling Aotian. Heaven truly was cruel to those in defiance of its rules. Gui Ying, as an example of a Patriach that defied the rules of the heavenly daos was now nothing more than a memory only Ling Aotian could remember. He was erased to the fact that even the past could not contain him anymore.
... Ling Aotian looked at Wu Xiantian drinking his tea with loads of emotions stirring in his heart. The two had once eaten and drunk together in his memories, but now they were total strangers. Just how cruel was that..? In his memories, Wu xiantian was once a strong Pinying Elder standing at the peak of formations and talismans. Ling Aotian could not help but shiver slightly, this was once his old friend, someone who discussed the dao with when he was incorporating his refining techniques with formations. Wu xiantian was someone who he once drunk with until they all sput out their hearts desires, their dreams, their regrets and their past encounters. He was also the only one who he knew his location in this time period and one of the main reasons why he came to Mar long city.
"Brother Ling.. are you okay...?" Wu xiantian asked after noticing Ling Aotian's tears drop when he reminisced. He couldn't help but wonder..? Just what kind of situation must have happen to cause a 16 years old kid to have this kind of grief.
"It's nothing much, I am just reminded of my home when I heard you discuss the dao. You see, I once had a brother...and just like you he liked to discuss formations and talismans. He was my teacher.." Ling Aotian paused, his tears unknowingly soaking his green robes. He had unknowingly let out some of his burden to Wu Xiantian, who readily listened without uttering a single word.
"Oh am sorry brother Wu..I shouldn't be dumping all my grievances to you. Hopefully this doesn't affect my job application..ha ha " he laughed, making the mood light and warm again. They continued to discuss the dao, each affirming their ideas while having to think about certain roadblocks that seamed clear. There was the occasional " oh I see..., I understand now.." and " how comes I never thought of that..??" It was a fruitful conversation.
It was so fruitfull that Wu Xiantian even felt like their formation mastery and dao was too similar. But how could it not be..? Ling Aotian had used the formation attainment mastery of Wu Xiantian as his foundation on formations and talismans. How could their views be different..?
" Brother Ling..? Who was your master..? I would very much like to meet him. I feel like we would get along .." Wu xiantian asked, making Ling Aotian make a weird expression. Just how was he supposed to say that Wu xiantian was his master..?
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you who he was.." Ling Aotian answered,his voice low.
'wait.. what if..' suddenly, an ingenious idea crept into his mind. He shuffled his plans and adjusted them to the scenario where he convinces Wu Xiantian about his memory rebirth. He weighed the pros and cons, he looked at the convenience he would get if he had free will on the purple ore sitting ownerless beneath this shop. He calculated the amount of effort and time he would spend in Mar long city if he would be able to rope in Wu Xiantian to his goal and plans. It should be known that Wu Xiantian was currently a formation master and at the body and soul tempering realm.This was very influencial at this period of time.
Ling Aotian thought about it.., he thought about how good it was just to speak his mind openly and have someone share his burdens. He thought of the scenarios where he had someplace where he could be free and someone whom he could fullproof his plans. Initially, Ling Aotian had other plans where he would slowly but surely make Wu xiantian trust him. In this plan, he would then recruit Wu Xiantian to join his knew sect where he would give him samples of ingenious formation arrays that were created by Wu Xiantian's future self. In this plan, Ling Aotian does not reveal anything and has to mine the purple ore in secret.
"Brother Wu..? Do you know of the Ying Yang truth talisman..??". Ling Aotian had already made his decision. He knew he had approximately two thousand years for the Venerate Luck palace to appear. But that could only be the case where the past replays itself exactly as it did in his memories. However It was impossible now, this was due to the absence of Gui Ying who had played a major role in history. This could only mean one thing, the timeline was now totally messed up. Did that mean he had to take over Guu Ying's role in history..? But who would take his own role..?? It had just become one huge messed up problem. Ling Aotian was confused. He was utterly lost and he did not know what his next plan should be. Should he reveal the truth to Wu Xiantian in exchange for a helper, or should he try to guide things by taking Gui Ying's role to create another GUI Ying sect in this world.
"Yes I know of them.., I just created a pair not long ago. Does brother Ling have a use for them..?" Right at this moment, Ling Aotian was brought back from his thoughts by Wu Xiantian's voice. He looked at this formation master with his assured air gone with the wind. He was no longer calm and composed. Wu Xiantian noticed this.
Ling Aotian looked at Ke'er who was now asleep by Wu Xiantian's lap, having been bored to death by the two's dao discussion. He then looked at Wu xiantian and...." I'll risk it, the future is better left to my future self.." he made his determination, already knowing that his knowledge of the future could only be used for the time he would stay at Mar long city. Mostly due to his plans of wiping this city dry of all it's treasures and opportunity.
"Brother Wu. I have something to confess. I just hope you would give me some face and allow me to say my heart's desire."
" You.. you're not confessing your love to me right..? You should know I could be your grandpa, right..? " Wu xiantian joked as he made exergirated arm movements to distance himself from Ling Aotian.
Ha ha ha ...the two laughed haughtily for a brief moment before Ling Aotian abruptly turned serious. He asked for the Ying Yang truth talismans. Wu xiantian readily took them out, showing sincerity towards Ling Aotian.
The Ying Yang talismans were both golden talismans, treasures that Wu Xiantian had hid from public view. They were talismans that allowed heaven and earth become witnesses to an oath and truth. Each of them activated their talisman with a special formation inside the shop after Wu xiantian did some hand seals. The talisman's floated around their heads in a loop before divine golden light showered them with the blessing of heaven and earth.
"Brother Ling..I feel heartache from using these two talismans... I just hope what you want to say is worth it." Wu xiantian grumbled.
"Brother Wu , dont worry" Ling Aotian conforted then asked in a sombre tone.
"Don't you find it strange..?"
"What is strange..?" Wu xiantian answered, confused as to where this conversation was going. He couldn't help feel regretful for using two golden talismans.
"Don't you find it strange that you readily used such precious talismans so easily...? Is it because ke'er doesn't suspect me..? I don't think so, your character is not such. Could it be that all it takes is to discuss the dao for a few hours for you to trust me this easily..!!" Wu xiantian was stunned. He couldn't help but wonder..' why did I use the talismans..? Why do I trust him..? ' this sense of familiarity..
" Brother Wu.., please enlighten me..?could it be you cursed me..?"
"Ha ha ha.. I see you are still as humourous as ever.." Wu xiantian narrowed his eyes, looking at Ling Aotian to see if the talisman would react. It did not. But what did that mean..? He couldn't help but notice the wording of humourous as ever..! It was as if they had known each other for a lifetime.
Ling Aotian looked at him with a smile, then made his resolve and said.." You see brother Wu, the brother who taught me formations, although passively in this life was in fact..you..!!"
Wu xiantian looked at this youth with bewildered eyes, his tea spilling as his mind went blank after seeing no reaction from the Ying Yang truth talisman rotating above Ling Aotian's head.