The Nine Dao Gate Elders seemed determined to win.
"Since you've seen it, you know what it is. Since this item belongs to the Daoists, Victor Wu, you ought to return it to the Daoist heir. That's the rule. No matter how you try to joke your way out, you still have to give it back."
Master Cloud spoke again, and this time, the momentum had shifted toward the Nine Dao Gate Elders.
"Master Cloud is right. Senior Virtue, as far as I know, this Yin Talisman Seven Techniques, according to records, was entrusted to you by Gregory Gu in his old age when he couldn't find anyone else to pass it on to. He gave it to you, his childhood friend, hoping you would find the Dao Sect's heir and pass it down. Now, we, the Nine Dao Gate Elders, are the rightful heirs of the Dao Sect. So, Senior Virtue, we ask you to return the book to us."
Poison Dreadstar's face turned ashen, while Ghost Fiend Star kept making faces at me from behind, as if to say I deserved this.
"Ethan, it looks like they've been preparing for months, every step meticulously planned. Haha, and more than two years ago, the agreement between Poison Dreadstar and the Yellow Springs was already leaked. That's why they can stay calm in a crisis and keep forcing Victor Wu to hand over the item, all under the guise of reason and evidence."
John Chou remained silent throughout, while the other Ghost Sovereigns watched as if it were a show. Poison Dreadstar seemed extremely anxious.
"How about this, Senior Virtue, since you have no intention of staying with the Daoists, we won't force you. We only hope you can entrust the book to us. Then, the task Gregory Gu gave you will be complete, and you can go live your life in peace."
There was no way to refuse. Sage Newton's words left Victor Wu looking troubled.
"Actually, I have my reasons."
Victor Wu spoke plaintively, then looked over at me.
"I'm busy teaching my apprentice, so for now I don't have time to copy out the Seven Techniques of Yin Talisman for you. After all, I have to recall it bit by bit, which takes a lot of time. My agreement with my apprentice is to train him well, so could you possibly give me a few decades of grace?"
Coming up with such a lousy idea, I couldn't help but smile. I was powerless now. Though all this happened because I believed in Samuel Young, I truly had no way out.
"Oh, Senior Virtue, your apprentice must be quite talented. Why would you need decades?"
"Sigh, don't say that. He's mediocre at best, and easily duped. If I don't train him properly, I'd be ashamed to be called his master. It's only because I feel a connection to him that I took him on. You know how much effort it takes to teach a disciple. Now all my energy is devoted to him, so a few decades is nothing. You nine have already mastered Daoist arts to perfection, so a few decades shouldn't matter, right?"
Victor Wu continued justifying himself, while Sage Newton smiled.
"Then, in that case, Senior Virtue, please call your apprentice out so we can see him."
Victor Wu smiled, then turned around and pointed in our direction.
"No need to call. My apprentice is right there."
At that moment, Hugh Thompson and Mr. Brown stepped aside. I was about to move too, but Victor Wu's finger tracked me as I shifted.