Returning from the Immortal World

Singtuo was also frowning. He could see the thirteen Shaman Guardians returning, but injured, and not bringing Singluen back.

Could it be… An accident happened?

He dashed out of the window and appeared in front of them in the blink of an eye, questioning, “Where’s Singli and Singluen? You are all injured, though only minor wounds. What exactly happened?”

The 13 Shaman Guardian ceased their pace and knelt on one knee at the same time in front of Singtuo. The middle-aged man reported with a complicated and bitter face, “A mishap happened, Patriarch. We weren’t able to save Singkuo, while Singli, who harbors malice and covets the Patriarch seat, ran away.”

The report made Singtuo’s complexion enormously change and caused him to shout angrily, “What rubbish are you talking about? Singli is a high-rank clan elder! How come Singli wants to take over the patriarch seat? You… No! What did you just say? I ordered you to rescue Singluen, but why did you tell me you were unable to save Singkuo? What the hell is going on?”

The 13 Shaman Guardian quickly narrated the whole event and finally said, “Singkuo’s men were all killed, and I’m afraid that he is also dead now. Singli has been harboring malice all this time; he even has two Dark God Thunder. If it wasn’t for Young Master Singluen’s side that forced him to the edge and endangered his life, he wouldn’t have taken out the Dark God Thunder to save his life, making them known.”

Singtuo stared with an incredulous look. He simply couldn’t believe the report, yet he had to since these were his most loyal warriors of the clan. It would mark the end of the Dark Shaman Clan if even the Shaman Guardians were no longer reliable.

Yet, why did this matter end up like this? Was Singkuo really killed by Singluen and those Chinese cultivators?

The 13 Shaman Guardians looked hesitant and spoke again bitterly, “It’s best for us to seize the time to prepare, Patriarch. Young Master Singluen, he…”

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Singtuo with a heavy voice, “It’s still not enough for him to kill Singkuo, so he wants to kill his own father?”

“He said that killing Singkuo will be the first task, and he’ll immediately come to the clan after he kills him,” explained the captain. “He wants you to step down from the patriarch seat and pass it to a more qualified person. He… his ultimate goal is to be the Dark Shaman Clan’s patriarch.”

“How dare he!” roared Singtuo.

“The other party is very powerful, Patriarch,” continued the captain. “Ignoring those Chinese cultivators, Young Master Singluen, his five guardian elders, and that girl have become much stronger now. We thought that Young Master Singluen was not a match for Young Master Singkuo, but they are now equals.”

“That’s nonsense!” yelled Singtuo angrily. “I know Singluen’s cultivation level. I tested his strength some time ago! His power is just weak. There’s no way he can catch up with Singkuo.”

“I stand by my report, Sir. Young Master Singluen is much more powerful now,” replied the captain with a forced smile. “It wouldn’t be easy for me to win against him in a one-on-one fight. Furthermore, the previously mediocre five guardian elders at his side have also become much more powerful now. I can tell that my chance to kill any of them is less than 60%.”

The report was pretty much a shock for Singtuo. Sparks of disbelief clouded his eyes, and he remained silent for a long time.

Whoosh!

A figure flickered and instantly appeared in front of Singtuo and the 13 Shaman Guardians. A thoughtful look was on the old man’s face as he slowly said, “It’s actually not impossible for Singluen and his guardian elders to have their cultivation progress rapidly in such a short period of time. There are indeed some means to make one’s strength progress that rapidly.”

“What kind of means is it, Father?” asked Singtuo rapidly.

“Medicinal pills of China,” said the old man vaguely.

Singtuo himself was well aware that there were some powerful people among Chinese cultivators who were masters at concocting medicinal pills. But it was a thing from legend only. To the best of his knowledge, pill refiners among Chinese cultivators were few and far between, causing each pill to be a priceless treasure for these cultivators.

If… if there was a pill refiner among the cultivators Singluen had befriended, it was impossible that person would give so many of them to Singluen and his men at once!

At the moment, the 13 Shaman Guardians were petrified and stared silly at the old man in front of them. Their hearts were beating several times faster.

‘The previous Patriarch? How can this be? Didn’t the old patriarch die more than a decade ago? How come he’s still alive and now appears here?’

The old man looked at the 13 Shaman Guardians and let out a pale smile. “I know you’re all confused and asking why I, who have died, have turned out to be still alive and now appear before you. Might as well tell you about it now that I’m here. I faked my death since I’ve been in closed-door cultivation in the clan. I decided I wouldn’t show up unless our clan faced an imminent life-and-death crisis.”

The 13 Shaman Guardians instantly understood and respectfully kowtowed to the old man and greeted, “Paying respect to previous Patriarch!”

The old man happily nodded and waved his sleeve. A stream of energy flowed out from it and raised up the 13 Shaman Guardians as he said, “You’ve carried out your job well. It was I who trained you in the past; all of you have become much stronger now. You also have contributed a lot to the clan while assisting Tuo. After we pass through this crisis, I’ll open the Dark Altar to help improve your cultivation further.”

Ecstasy covered the 13 Shaman Guardians’ faces. The last time they used the Dark Altar to enhance their cultivation was more than a decade ago. If they could use the Dark Altar’s power to raise their power again to a higher level, it was very likely that their strength would compare to the current Patriarch.

“We offer our gratitude to the old patriarch.”

Singtuo looked at the old man and said, “What do you suggest in resolving this incident, Father? Is it really necessary to give Singluen the patriarchal seat?”

“If you pass him the patriarch seat, the position of our Dark Shaman Clan’s patriarch is his. But if he seized it with force, then he commits a capital crime for rebellion,” said the old man faintly.

Singtuo slowly nodded and said, “I understand what you mean, Father. You can rest assured about it. I’ll prepare everything right away. If Singluen keeps working hard, I’ll pass the patriarch seat to him in the future. But if he dares to rebel and seize it by force, I’ll get rid of this scourge of a son by my own hands.”

Shortly after, a lot of Dark Shaman clansmen received orders from the patriarch to return to the clan at once. The decree made all of the clansmen of the Dark Shaman Clan around the world stop their activities to rush to the clan’s land in Bangkok.

****

Near the ruins of the coconut plantation.

“Huh?’ Singluen’s face suddenly changed after receiving the news.

Tang Xiu, who was next to him, saw his face and immediately asked, “What’s the matter?”

“It must be because of the report by those 13 Shaman Guardians. Hmph, they must have told my father that I want to seize the clan’s patriarch seat by force.” Singluen coldly snorted and said, “My father just issued a decree that all the clansmen outside the clan must return at once. Oddly enough, my men and I didn’t receive it.”

“Ah, it seems your old man has begun to take precautions against you, Singluen,” sighed Tang Xiu. “We’re probably going to face your whole clan if we don’t speed up our pace.”

“Let’s rush to my Dark Shaman Clan’s land now, Mr. Tang,” said Singluen. “It’s obvious that my father doesn’t want to pass the patriarch seat to me. The only option left is to use force.”

“That being the case, we’re going then!” Tang Xiu nodded. “Jin Shi, you’re staying here to protect Tang An. Make sure she’s safe.”

“I won’t let anyone disturb her unless I die, Boss,” replied Jin Shi respectfully.

“No need for that!”

A hazy shadow suddenly flickered from the distance and appeared in front of the group instantly. Tang An was still in her usual black suit, bronze mask, and black gloves. After she turned to Tang Xiu, she respectfully said, “I’ve recovered more than seventy percent, Grand Master. I believe my injuries will be much better by the time we arrive at the Dark Shaman Clan’s land if I keep recuperating on the trip.”

“Are you really okay now?” confirmed Tang Xiu.

“I’m fine, Grand Master. It won’t affect me much, even if I have to fight again,” ensured Tang An. “I’m best at sneak attacks while you fight at the front.”

“Let’s set off now, then!” Tang Xiu nodded.

Quickly, more than a dozen cars rushed toward the Dark Shaman Clan’s ancestral land. Tang Xiu borrowed these cars from Kanaja and Zuo Daquan to seize time and facilitate movement.

After half an hour, the cars had passed downtown Bangkok and continued traversing the wide roads. A shadow flickered and moved lightning-fast from the distance toward the car. After the car’s door opened and shut again, Tang Guang was already sitting next to Tang Xiu.

“How was it? Did you get them?”

Tang Xiu turned his head to look at him and lightly asked.

“Got no traces on them yet, Boss.” Tang Guang forced a smile and added, “Singkuo has got quite the good means of hiding, while that fella who fled with him is quite capable as well. I found their traces a couple of times and pursued them, yet still lost their tracks.”

“We’ve got quite a number of enemies we have recently provoked, don’t we? It seems like we need to take some measures once we get back to the mainland, huh?” sneered Tang Xiu. “Guang, there’s something I need you to carry out once Singluen becomes the Dark Shaman Clan’s patriarch.”

“Please instruct me, Grand Master,” said Tang Guang respectfully.

“I’ve been planning to send you to Japan. You’re to help Kuwako to take over the House of Yamamoto completely,” explained Tang Xiu. “Also, help her train a group of experts. They will be pivotal for future battles with our enemies. Having some Japanese fighters to charge and shatter our enemies would be a good option.”