The Witch Hunter System

Chapter 1069: Incurable Problem, Outerworlders

"With many people constantly trying to hinder your progress, Young Noble won’t be able to cultivate with any peace of mind. It might not seem so bad at first, but your mental state will only keep deteriorating over time due to the persistent harassment."

"Many so-called geniuses have fallen like this because they were too arrogant and offended too many people they couldn’t afford to offend. Young dragons and phoenixes cannot fly if they are caged."

"As such, it would be in your best interest to change your mind and accept the Myriad Sea God Palace’s special privilege, Young Noble."

"Competition between Noble Beings is inevitable, whether you like it or not, Young Noble. Even if you don’t take your share of the Myriad Sea God Palace’s resources, the other Noble Beings will still not leave you alone. In fact, it will only give them a chance to step on you."

"At least, with the Myriad Sea God Palace’s special privilege, you won’t be at too much of a disadvantage against them."

Although Vaan clearly understood everything Elder Zephyros told him, he still didn’t intend to change his mind.

While his choice had many disadvantages, it also had plenty of advantages.

After all, there was no free lunch in the world.

Thoughtlessly receiving the Myriad Sea God Palace’s goodwill might benefit him in the short term, but not so much in the long run.

Vaan didn’t want to be indebted to the Myriad Sea God Palace; he wanted it to be indebted to him. Otherwise, it would be hard to become its master but easy to become its puppet.

The path to the top was never easy. Success only came to those who were willing to endure hardship.

As the saying goes: No pain, no gain.

"I understand everything you said very well, Senior. However, I still want to walk this path I have chosen," Vaan stated.

"You..." Elder Zephyros felt speechless.

Yet, at the same time, Elder Zephyros secretly admired the fact that Vaan wasn’t easily swayed by his words. He was determined and had a clear sense of his direction.

In fact, Vaan figured Elder Zephyros didn’t really want him to change his mind regarding the Myriad Sea God Palace’s special privilege.

After all, his original decision had likely attracted Elder Zephyros’s interest. Otherwise, Elder Zephyros had no reason to approach him with such goodwill.

This person didn’t seem to have a positive opinion of the current Myriad Sea God Palace.

"What is your opinion of the Myriad Sea God Palace, Senior?" Vaan calmly asked with an enigmatic smile.

The sudden question immediately surprised Elder Zephyros. However, he also smiled shortly after because it piqued his interest.

At the same time, Elder Zephyros also waved his hand, stirring the seawater slightly. Although nothing seemed to have changed visually, the space was sealed to prevent other people from eavesdropping. Ɽ𝙖ΝóᛒĚṨ

"Why do you ask, Young Noble? What is your opinion of the current Myriad Sea God Palace?" Elder Zephyros returned Vaan’s question.

He was more interested in Vaan’s answer.

Vaan took a moment before replying, "From what I have seen and learned so far, the Myriad Sea God Palace is very powerful and grand. I expected no less from one of the top Holy Lands in the Eternal Darkheaven Sector."

"However, that is all—just big and strong. Considering the Myriad Sea God Palace’s long heritage, I didn’t expect it to be a place that favors bloodline and suppresses talent."

"Honestly, I’m surprised the Myriad Sea God Palace is able to reach its current position with this kind of practice," Vaan said.

"Hahahaha, so Young Noble has already noticed the Myriad Sea God Palace’s problem," Elder Zephyros softly chuckled, nodding with approval.

At the same time, his impression of Vaan improved by several levels.

"Indeed, the Myriad Sea God Palace is not how it used to be and is currently on a path of decline due to the practice of favoring bloodline and suppressing talent."

"However, this is an incurable problem, and it’s not limited to the Myriad Sea God Palace. Every Holy Land is also facing this problem," Elder Zephyros sighed sadly.

"Why is that?" Vaan asked with genuine curiosity.

There was only so much information he could learn from the general rulebook. It only covered smaller issues that might arise from disputes and confrontations between disciples and higher authorities.

Potential or existing major problems weren’t mentioned or recorded.

"Because of the Outerworlders and their power of corruption."

"The Outerworlders?"

Vaan raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar term. That said, he suspected it was just another term for the Outer Beings.

"That’s right, Young Noble. The Outerworlders are invaders from beyond the borders of Chaos. They don’t belong to our world. They are very destructive and cruel; they normally hunt on sight and possess strange abilities beyond everyone’s imagination."

"Although the mighty Lord of Chaos has fended off their invasion in the past, he is alone while the Outerworlders are many. The Lord of Chaos can’t shield everyone from their influence at all times."

"Even control of Chaos had been split between the Lord of Chaos and the Outerworlders. The Wild Chaosverses are basically all under their control."

"You can think of the current Chaos as a Yin-Yang diagram, where the Lord of Chaos controls one half, and the Outerworlders control the other half, and within these halves, their powers still have some slight influence."

"Just as the Lord of Chaos can influence some beasts in the Wild Chaosverses to go berserk, the Outerworlders can also corrupt beings of the Cultivated Chaosverses to become their puppets."

"However, Noble Beings, who have been blessed by the Lord of the Boundless Seas and Skies at birth, are incorruptible by the Outerworlders’ influence."

"As such, while the Noble Beings are your greatest rivals here at the Myriad Sea God Palace, they are also the most dependable allies whom we can trust when facing external threats."

After listening to Elder Zephyros’s explanation, Vaan grasped the situation.

Essentially, the higher-ups allowed talented disciples without a background to be suppressed as a form of test.

If they couldn’t overcome the unfairness and strengthen their mental fortitude but succumb to the darkness of their hearts and become corrupted by the temptations of the Outerworlders instead, then it would be a waste of resources nurturing them.

No one wanted to sharpen a sword that could be pointed at themself.

That said, Vaan couldn’t agree with this approach.

After all, this approach was simply pushing talented disciples to the Outerworlders’ side, and the constant loss of talents would only result in the Myriad Sea God Palace’s decline and Chaos’s weakening overall.