49: Chapter 49 My Disciples: When you're out in the world, you choose your own identity!

Above the Nine Heavens, the gale winds howled.

A massive flying ship, a thousand zhang long, broke through the sea of clouds. Its hull was engraved with the coin emblem of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, reflecting golden light under the sun.

At the front of the flying ship's deck, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

The leader of the Yunxiao Holy Land delegation, Elder Xiao Yuzhu—a beautiful middle-aged woman with delicate features but a stern expression—was lecturing the Core Disciples who had come to participate in the Secret Realm expedition.

"The Azure Emperors Secret Realm is riddled with danger! It is the burial ground of an ancient Great Emperor and a man-eating demon cave!"

Xiao Yuzhu's voice was tense, her expression solemn:

"In every previous opening of the Secret Realm, fewer than fifty percent survived! Once you enter, you must stick together. Do not be greedy for merit or advance recklessly. If you encounter people from other Holy Lands, endure if you can; preserving your life is the priority! Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the Disciples replied in unison. Thinking of the possibility of their corpses ending up in the wilderness, everyone looked serious, their palms sweating.

However, just ten zhang away from this area, the scene changed drastically.

An invisible sound-insulation barrier shrouded the rear of the deck, and the scene inside was completely different from the front.

Lu Chen lay on a specially made reclining chair covered in snow-white animal fur, his face covered by a giant spirit leaf to shade him from the sun. In his hand, he held a cup of iced vermilion fruit juice with a straw—it had just been chilled by Su Qiyue using her ice-element Qi.

"A bit to the left, yes, right there, use some force."

Lu Chen took a sip of the juice and sighed with satisfaction.

Su Xuner knelt on his left side, rolling up her sleeves to reveal arms like white lotus roots. She was channeling the gentle Qi of the Longevity Technique to massage Lu Chen's calves.

Su Qiyue crouched on his right, peeling a crystal-clear grape, and carefully fed it to Lu Chen: "Revered Master, ah~"

Behind Lu Chen, Yun Qianyue lay lazily on her side.

Her nine fluffy, snow-white fox tails served as a natural fan, swaying rhythmically and creating waves of cool, fragrant breezes.

As for the eldest Disciple, Leng Qingqiu, she was dressed in red that burned brighter than fire. Clutching the imperial sword jiuyou, she stood straight, three feet from Lu Chen's side, motionless.

Her cold eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, as if she would inspect even passing clouds, only letting them go after confirming they held no Killing Intent.

Yan Lingji, dressed in a red skirt, was directing two Puppet maids to arrange plates of exquisite pastries on the table, looking every bit like a head steward.

This scene made the corners of Wei Hongyu's eyes twitch as she walked over from not far away.

"Lu Chen."

Wei Hongyu was dressed in fitted attire, looking heroic and spirited. She pointed her folding fan at the nervous Disciples in front, then at Lu Chen: "Look at Elder Xiao, and then look at yourself."

"Are you going on an expedition, or are you going for a picnic?"

Wei Hongyu rolled her eyes in annoyance: "Double the blessings of a harem, even a decadent ruler wouldn't know how to enjoy himself like you. Aren't you afraid of spoiling your Disciples?"

Lu Chen pushed aside the spirit leaf on his face and squinted at Wei Hongyu.

"Little Fishy, this is where you're wrong. I let you on the ship, and now you're lecturing me."

Lu Chen sat up slowly, and Yun Qianyue behind him immediately and considerately tucked a soft pillow behind his waist.

"Disciples showing filial piety to their Revered Master is only natural. How can you call me a decadent ruler?" Lu Chen said righteously.

"Besides, what's the use of being nervous? Can being nervous stop you from dying?"

"Sophistry." Wei Hongyu huffed, but she took a pastry from the table while she was at it.

Lu Chen stretched, swept his gaze over his three Disciples, and suddenly said seriously: "Since the great Guild Leader Wei has brought it up, today I will teach you the first lesson of being out and about."

Hearing "class," the three Disciples immediately pricked up their ears. Even Leng Qingqiu, who always pretended to be aloof, turned her head slightly.

"What do you think is the most important thing when going out to a Secret Realm to seize treasures?" Lu Chen asked.

"Killing people?" Leng Qingqiu said coldly.

"Snatching treasures?" Su Qiyue raised her hand.

"Staying alive?" Su Xuner tested the waters.

"Wrong, all wrong."

Lu Chen wagged his finger, looking inscrutable: "Whenever you go out, the most important thing is—identity."

"Identity?" The three women looked at each other.

"When out and about, your identity is what you make it."

Lu Chen tapped the table, his tone firm: "If you think of yourself as a Disciple here for training, then you are a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. You will bow when you see the strong and give way when you see treasure."

"But if you think of yourself as a leader here for an inspection, a wholesaler here to restock, or even a landlord here to collect rent..."

Lu Chen's mouth curled into a smile: "Then aren't the Opportunities in this Secret Realm just chives in your backyard?"

Wei Hongyu covered her forehead. It's over. This guy is starting to instill these outrageous values again.

"But Revered Master..." Su Xuner raised her hand weakly.

"If our strength isn't enough, won't we be beaten to death for acting... *cough*... for giving ourselves such identities?"

"Silly."

Lu Chen glanced at her: "If your strength is insufficient, make up for it with your background. Whose Disciples are you?"

"Your Disciples!"

"And what is my cultivation level?"

"Great Emperor!" Su Qiyue answered quickly.

"There you go." Lu Chen spread his hands.

"As long as I don't die, you can walk sideways across the Eastern Wasteland without any problems."

"Remember, once you enter the Secret Realm, keep your backs straight! If anyone dares to glare at you, glare right back!"

"If anyone dares to snatch your things, snatch them back!"

"If anything happens, your Revered Master will cover for you!"

"Remember, you are all Cultivators now. Either rely on your background and act like a bully, or rely on your cultivation and bully the weak!"

"But pay attention, as long as the other party isn't desperate, you can walk sideways!"

A red light flashed in Leng Qingqiu's eyes, and her hand tightened on her sword. Revered Master is right. She is the Devil Emperor reborn; she should rule the world, why should she be timid and submissive?

Yun Qianyue covered her mouth and chuckled, her fox eyes curving into crescents. Revered Master's protective nature is truly mesmerizing~ As a Loose Cultivator, she finally has a background too.

Nearby, two sneaky figures were pricking up their ears to eavesdrop. They were the Yunxiao Holy Land Saint, Lin Bufan, and the Saintess, Shen Mengyao.

The two had originally wanted to ask Lu Chen for some advice on Cultivation, but as soon as they approached, they heard this shocking "identity theory."

Shen Mengyao's face was flushed red; she felt that this Junior Martial Uncle Ancestor Lu was simply too Heaven-Defying.

"Have you heard enough?" A lazy voice suddenly appeared in their ears.

"Ah!" The two were startled, and before they could react, they felt an irresistible suction force. Swoosh! Swoosh!

Shen Mengyao was grabbed through the air by Lu Chen and, unable to stand steady, stumbled and fell onto the carpet in front of the recliner.

"Ancestor Lu!" Lin Bufan shivered in fear and hurriedly knelt down properly. Shen Mengyao also hurriedly saluted, and both kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.

Lu Chen looked down at these two "face representatives" of the Holy Land. Lin Bufan had good talent, but was a bit of a chuunibyou; Shen Mengyao had a gentle personality, but was too timid.

"Did you hear what I said just now?" Lu Chen asked.

"We heard it!" Lin Bufan stammered.

"Good that you heard it. I will explain it to you in detail. As people of the Holy Land, you must understand the style of our Holy Land!"

"My dear Saintess, can you get up? Stand straight. You are standing in front of me saluting, and with you bent over like that, I can't speak properly!"

After Shen Mengyao stood up, Lu Chen quipped: "The younger generation nowadays all have such surging Aura!"