682 The Path of Hardship
Everyone was looking at White as if he was some kind of lunatic.
No one expected that there would be someone who could reject five Union High Elders at once just because of some silly promise and beliefs.
“Do you even know what you’re rejecting?” The tenth High Elder of the devil race’s voice was somewhat cold now.
White nodded and said, full of bitterness, “I know. But I’m a man of my word, especially if those words are my last promise to my parents. I promised my father that I would never run from hardship and always strive to be better. While I promise my mother that I will become a righteous man.
“From that day onward, I also live by these words, and I know if I chose to abandon this path now, I would never have a path of my own. Besides, Elders didn’t want someone who could flip to any side just because of some riches, right?”
Ace’s words rendered everyone speechless, and they didn’t know what to say anymore. They had never encountered such a scenario before.
“You are indeed valiant and someone with principles. But you are not abandoning your path by accepting our offers at all. If you want, you can still keep your word to your parents by following our teachings.” The 13th High Elder kindly advised.
He was now looking at White in a different light because his character was quite straightforward, and he was a man of his word as well, which meant he wouldn’t betray the power which showed him kindness.
People like him were quite rare, even among their races.
Just this trait of his was enough to earn him many people’s respect, much less if he had the absurd talent to boot.
“Thank you, but I’m still going to follow the path that every High Elder took. Tell me, Elder, you were once like me as well, right? Or were there always High Elders who were keeping you safe from all hardship and showing you the right way?
“Someone at your level will know better than anyone that power comes with experience and hardship. Those who persuade the easy path are bound to be mediocre!
“So, I would like to follow Elders’ footsteps and make the Union proud of me, not people. I hope Elders will only watch and not do anything. I will forever remember your kindness. Even if I perish, I will forever remember the kindness everyone showed me today, even as a ghost of union!”
White passionate words and righteous words rang in the silent vicinity, and they managed to stir everyone’s heartstrings, especially those five high elders.
As White said, they climbed through the ranks with their own efforts, especially those high elders before them. There weren’t always high elders to protect them or sectors for races.
Everything has a beginning, and in the beginning, everyone is the same.
They had forgotten why they started cultivating after they had a taste of authority and turned the union into their playground for silly racial games.
“The Union is for everyone, and everyone is for union…” The demon high elder muttered these words left behind by the founder of the Union.
Everyone’s heart jolted hearing those words, which sounded empty before, but now they could feel that they somewhat understood the meaning behind them.
Then they looked at the human who was stubbornly standing there with a resolute expression, and his ambitions were as high as the sky. But he wanted to achieve those ambitions through his own effort, not by stepping over someone else.
This moved the heart of those four newcomers, and they looked at White with true admiration and respect.
The tenth high elder looked at White, who had ‘bitterness’ and ‘reluctant’ in his eyes, as if he was fighting the temptation with everything he had.
“Sigh… I never thought I would meet a human like you, a little guy who can convince me. I just hope you won’t change like us…” He sighed ruefully as he remembered something from the past and shook his head before he suddenly turned into a dark streak and vanished from his spot; he left!
“I’ll be watching you, little guy!” The demon also left after uttering those ambiguous words.
The other three also left after saying subtle words, but they no longer persuaded White. They all thought that since he could reject them and remain true to his path, he wasn’t someone who could get involved or distracted by the matter of race.
In their eyes, a soul gates junior could never hide his true feeling from them, and that’s why they were fully convinced that White wouldn’t join them or the humans. He had a heart of a true cultivator.
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If White showed signs of getting derailed, they would not let him off lightly, especially if his talent turned out to be as they suspected it.
As for those other four who passed with him, those High Elders didn’t even look at them since they were only interested in White.
Now, only those ten Union Elders remained, and they were quite dumbfounded about this whole situation as they looked at the young human who had even convinced High Elder by his words.
In the end, they knew they couldn’t sway this youth as well as they decided to do their duty as invigilators.
The five women from the moon domain take the two girls from the group toward the silver mountain.
While the five men enveloped the three boys and flew toward the golden mountain.
Elder Willie finally couldn’t stay silent as he said to White, “Little fellow, I must say you might not get this kind of chance again. You might regret it for your life.”
“I will naturally bear full responsibility for my actions, Elder.” White solemnly stated.
Joseph was feeling far more complicated than anyone else as he knew better than anyone just how difficult it was for humans to keep their greed in check, and yet this young man had done it!
However, for Ace, it was nothing but a small play. He was taking advantage of his charm fully as well as using his acting skills to the fullest to achieve this end result.
The reason he didn’t want to go into any sector was he didn’t want to be under these guys’ constant watch, while he also wanted them to have a strong impression of his ‘character.’
This way, he’ll be free as well as appear too righteous in everyone’s eyes, and no one will suspect him for about to come!