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Chapter 797: A Protean Master!

A spatial channel opened. Xia Fei looked back at Huo Yutong’s residence, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

The old demon lord’s smile was a lot wider. In fact, he had been chortling hysterically for quite some time already.

“Huo Yutong thought that he had gotten a hold of the precious treasure Jade Forest Wrap when what he got was a huge burden! Now that you have a handle on Huo Yutong, I doubt that he’ll ever dare give you orders, and who knows? Maybe he’ll be the one taking orders from you in the future.” Oro laughed until tears formed in his eyes.

Xia Fei shook his head. “Who cares about orders? Huo Yutong is still a highly skilled artificer, so there will be no lack of us using each other from here on out. I simply found his attitude utterly distasteful. He may have gotten me to risk my life plundering Thousand Mountains’ crypt today, but there’s no telling if he’ll have some other special request tomorrow.

“A person has to grasp onto their own fate. I have no intention of leading a life being controlled by another, so I decided to rein him in by very readily accepting his request to retrieve that Jade Forest Wrap. After all, it’s my only chance of getting hold of him.”

The calculations that Xia Fei had done left Oro breathless. Normally, a young warrior would be limited in their means due to their lack of experience, but it was very clearly not the case for Xia Fei. Reality had proven that whoever Xia Fei had designs on would ultimately meet with a tragic end.

Oro thought a little before saying, “Still, Huo Yutong figuratively has your number as well, just like your relationship with Hua Hei and Hua Bai or the fact that you messed up Thousand Mountains’ crypt yourself.”

Xia Fei chuckled. “Don’t worry. The Skywing Clan is known for their solidarity and their unreasonableness. As long as I don’t force him into a corner, there’s no way Huo Yutong will think about betraying me.”

Oro was stunned. He suddenly realized that after the initial maladjustment, Xia Fei had gradually accepted the fact that he was part of the Skywing Clan and had used this identity to achieve his own goals.

Without a doubt, Xia Fei had benefited greatly now that he had the name of Skywing behind him.

…

*Whoosh*

A spatial door opened in an instant and closed just as quickly. Xia Fei was back to Wind Garden.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Xia Fei sensed that something was off. Usually, there would only be Xia Wuye, Xia Zonghai, and himself in the Wind Garden, but today, Clan Patriarch Xia Buyun, Law Overlord Xia Tian, and Windrider Pavillion’s Master Xia Laoshi were present. There was also another old man whom he was unfamiliar with, all gathered under a large tree, in quiet conversation. The atmosphere felt very peculiar.

When he spotted Xia Fei, Xia Laoshi became so angry that he nearly went breathless. With his face livid, he coldly snorted. He heavily placed the tea cup in his hand down on the table and furiously turned his head in another direction.

Xia Fei shrugged and approached the group to greet them all. These were all elders of his clan, and he must show respect toward them.

Observing everyone, Xia Fei noticed the very strange expression in their eyes. This made it seem like they were hiding something. Every prominent figure in their clan was present, almost as if they had previously discussed this.

Not mentioning Xia Tian and Xia Buyun, both Law Overlords and backbones of the Skywing Clan, there was even Xia Laoshi, the one in charge of the most important cultivation grounds in the clan, the Windrider Pavilion. An elder whom Xia Fei did not recognize, his head of silver hair flowing in the breeze, was also there. An aura of great majesty exuded from him, so it was quite apparent that he was an important figure in the clan, too.

Xia Fei could also tell from how carefully Xia Zonghai acted; he even forwent his favorite hobby of going to the Law Enforcement Board to play chess just to stay here and accompany these people. He would even refill their tea from time to time. This was a clear indicator that the people gathered represented the upper echelons of the clan.

Xia Buyun slightly nodded as he got up and spoke to Xia Fei, “You came just at the right time. There are some important matters that I wish to discuss with you. Come, follow me inside, and let’s have a chat.”

Given how solemn the patriarch was being, Xia Fei could not help arching an eyebrow in wonder of just what had gone wrong today that these elders of the clan would be staring at him with such strange expressions. It was almost as if they were all preoccupied with something.

Xia Fei followed Xia Buyun to his study, who proceeded to shut the door behind them and invite Xia Fei to sit across from him. In a grave tone, he began. “There’s something I need you to decide for yourself. This isn’t my idea but rather the grand ancestor’s above.”

Xia Fei was surprised. That individual in the God Race, who was backing Skywing Clan, was not someone to be underestimated. It turned out that these elders of the clan had gathered together today all at the behest of their grand ancestor!

After a pause, Xia Buyun said, “Xia Fei, it’s been quite some time since you returned to the Skywing Clan, and we’ve only arranged for Xia Zonghai to impart you the Law of Speed. This isn’t because our clan doesn’t value you but because your situation is highly unique, and neither we nor the grand ancestor has been able to come to a decision.

“There’s no need for you to be shocked, either. As someone with the potential to become a Godwing, whom no one has seen in a hundred years, the grand ancestor has been paying close attention to you this entire time. Be it for the Skywing Clan or yourself, there must be a comprehensive plan put in place. Normally, we Skywings won’t have much of a demand toward our clansmen. Everyone can just do whatever they want and go wherever they wish.

“However, you’re too different. With great power comes great responsibility. You simply have too much potential—something that hasn’t appeared in our clan for a very long time—that the grand ancestor mapped out a path for you. This rarely ever happens in the Skywing Clan; in fact, I’ve never seen the grand ancestor personally make plans for a clan member’s life before. This just shows the venerable one’s attitude toward you and how much he values you.”

Xia Fei was greatly astonished. The grand ancestor of the Skywing Clan had practically been a legendary figure to him. For someone in the God Race to take a personal interest in Xia Fei’s future in the Law Realm, he simply could not imagine this level of preferential treatment!

Even the old demon lord was just as greatly astounded. He pursed his lips and said nothing. He was, of course, more than aware of just how great Xia Fei’s potential was. He had once tried many times to recruit Xia Fei to the Lionhearts, but as Xia Fei’s identity got revealed and his strength increased, this possibility had already dropped to near zero. After all, despite the small size of the Skywing Clan, its strength was widely known. Even the Lionhearts would not dare underestimate them. Moreover, there was no longer a reason for Xia Fei to give up his identity and join the Demon Race at this point.

“A plan has been formulated, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you wish to accept this or not. If you dislike the plan, tell us directly. There’s no need to take into account the grand ancestors’ thoughts over this; What he values the most is freedom and individuality, so he won’t ever blame you for rejecting it.” Xia Buyun reassured him.

Xia Fei nodded. “If you would please, patriarch.”

Xia Buyun stared at Xia Fei with a profound gaze as he solemnly stated, “The plan is actually very simple. It’s just two words: protean mastery!”

“Protean mastery?!” Xia Fei was taken aback. This term sounded very tempting, and Xia Fei’s expression could not help but turn serious.

Xia Buyun continued. “After observing you during this period, we discovered that you have many talents beyond just law powers. Your control of energy can be considered perfect, giving you the potential to become a great energy master. Though you haven’t said a word about your knowledge in pharmacology, we are well aware of your study of it and how you’ve got quite a decent foundation in it. There’s also your skills at forging. To possess the potential to be an energy master yet not learn artificing, that will be too much a waste. Besides, you don’t lack the most important quality of an artificer: logical thinking.”

“The grand ancestor said that he had had a very hard time making a decision, feeling that it would be a waste for you to give up on any of your talents. There are two possibilities if you learn everything: It’s you fail completely or succeed stupendously. That’s because the many things you’ll devote your time to are so varied and involve plenty of time and concentration, so you may end up achieving nothing at all.

“But,” Xia Buyun changed his tone as he said, “if you overcome the many difficulties, you may ultimately achieve a mastery that no one has previously attained! There’s never been a protean master in the circle, so you’ll be the first in all of history!”

This was definitely an insane plan!

Xia Fei and Oro were both stupefied! Even Furball could feel the heavy atmosphere in the study and quietly raised his head up.

Xia Fei could ever have imagined that his grand ancestor would actually have such high hopes for him, actually wanting him to become the first protean master in the Law Realm!

It must be mentioned that such an insane plan could only come out from the Skywings. No other clan would dare take such a huge risk. After all, learning and improving in every field meant that Xia Fei would have to work a hundred times harder than anyone else! He would be facing unimaginable difficulty!

Even if Xia Fei was a genius, an over development of his potential could very well end up turning him into a loser!

“That’s too great a risk!” Oro exclaimed. “You dabbled in multidisciplinary training in the past, but there’s always been a sequential aspect to it. Combat techniques are primary, while pharmacology and machinery studies are secondary. Your grand ancestor isn’t expecting you to advance these side by side! He wants you to train in every aspect to the extreme!

Xia Fei’s heart beat fast. Though he had not once met the grand ancestor of the Skywing Clan, he could already guess that he was a lunatic for even coming up with such an insane plan!

He did not exert the dignity of seniority on Xia Fei, allowing the young man to choose his path. This made Xia Fei feel quite warmly of this person. Open, free, and insane. Every unique characteristic that the Skywings held were all vividly demonstrated in their grand ancestor!

Xia Buyun was still waiting for Xia Fei’s response as he gravely stated, “I know that it’s very hard to make this choice. After all, the risk is too great, and you’ll essentially be gambling with the rest of your life. There’s no need for you to answer me right now. Take your time and mull over it if you wish to.”

Xia Fei smiled, the corners of his mouth curling as he softly replied, “There’s no need to mull tis over. I like this suggestion.”

…

A crazy decision was bound to give rise to a series of crazy actions.

Xia Buyun was very happy to hear Xia Fei say that he liked the grand ancestor’s idea.

“The grand ancestor said that if you’re crazy enough, you’ll surely accept this idea. Looks like the venerable elder has been right on the money!” Xia Buyun’s eyes glowed as he patted Xia Fei on the shoulder.

He opened the study’s door and called everyone over.

Xia Buyun stared fixedly at everyone as he announced loudly, “The grand ancestor has decreed that, from today onward, the level 1 Law Overlord Xia Tian of the Skywings shall henceforth be in charge of imparting the Law of Space and Law of Speed to Xia Fei, two days every week.”

“Understood.” The bespectacled Xia Tian, who usually meditated, was very reserved. He lightly nodded his head, indicating his acceptance of the grand ancestor’s arrangement.

“As for energy and artificing, Level 4 Master Xia Laoshi, shall personally take over to impart knowledge of both energy mastery and artificing from today onward. This will also be done two days every week.” Xia Buyun would normally be afraid of seeing Xia Laoshi, given how much money the former owed the latter, but this time it was an order from the grand ancestor, so Xia Buyun had to seem confident when addressing the old man.

Xia Laoshi shrugged, helpless. “I understand. I’ll do as I’m instructed.”

“Level 5 Apothecary Master Xia Changchun. From today onward, you’ll be in charge of Xia Fei’s study of the apothecary, one day every week.” Xia Buyun hurriedly continued.

Xia Changchun was that elder with silver hair and a dignified aura. He appeared to be in a relatively good mood, nodding and not saying a word.

Xia Buyun swept his gaze over everyone present. This was a gathering of the strongest individuals of the Skywing Clan! Xia Fei would surely see his cultivation soar under the tutelage of these three powerful clansmen!

It was just that the road toward becoming the only protean master in the Law Realm, this path that Xia Fei had chosen to lead, was an extremely arduous one.