Chapter Sixty: Shackles

“Are you here to participate in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, young friend?”
“Yes.”
“Are you interested in the position of Celestial Master, or perhaps the Tongtian Talisman in Old Lu’s hands?”
From the perspective of the old Celestial Master, someone like Ye Yan, with such strength, had few things left in this world that could catch his eye.
The position of Celestial Master and the Tongtian Talisman might be among those few.
So the old Celestial Master assumed Ye Yan had come for either the title or the talisman.
“You overestimate me, Master. I have no interest in either the Celestial Master’s position or the Tongtian Talisman.”
His expression was earnest, and his words sincere.
He still hadn’t figured out how to unlock the Dark Lord, so how could he have the time or energy to covet anything else?
“Not here for those two things?”
The old Celestial Master was taken aback by Ye Yan’s reply, but seeing the honesty in his eyes, he realized the words were not a lie.
He was puzzled—besides the Celestial Master’s position and the Tongtian Talisman, what else on Mount Dragon Tiger could anyone covet?
The old Celestial Master pondered Ye Yan’s intentions over and over, but found no clue.
Just as he was lost in thought, Ye Yan spoke at just the right moment,
“Rest assured, Master. I truly have no interest in either of those things. I’m here simply because of a deal with Xu Si, and my only purpose is to clear the way for Zhang Chulan to seize the position of Celestial Master. I have no other intentions.”
The old Celestial Master believed him, mostly, but not entirely.
So,
He decided to probe further: “You’re clearing the path for Chulan, but isn’t that just making a wedding dress for someone else with your own effort? Can you accept that?”
“A fair trade is just that—gains and losses are normal.”
“Then tell me honestly, have you ever been tempted by the Celestial Master’s position? Even just a little?”
“No.”
Ye Yan was direct and decisive, utterly sure.
“Truly not?”
“Truly not.”
“This is the Celestial Master’s position, you know.”
“I know…”
…
After this round of questioning,

Ye Yan felt that the old Celestial Master before him had, somehow, lost his aura.
He was neither kind nor imposing, nor did he possess the demeanor of a strongman. Instead, he seemed more like a street vendor, quibbling over trivial matters.
He fussed over the same question again and again.
Yet, facing Ye Yan’s steadfast and resolute expression, the old Celestial Master’s worries dissipated entirely.
This should have been a good thing, for the greatest uncertainty at the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony had now been eliminated.
Yet inexplicably, hearing Ye Yan’s words, the old Celestial Master felt a twinge of defeat—a certain dissatisfaction.
“Young man, let me ask again: do you perhaps misunderstand what the Celestial Master’s position really is?”
The old Celestial Master thought Ye Yan’s lack of interest must stem from ignorance.
If Ye Yan truly understood it, he wouldn’t think the way he did.
After all, who in this world could refuse such a chance to rise in a single leap?
A misunderstanding?
Ye Yan was bewildered.
What misunderstanding could he have about the Celestial Master’s position?
He was about to explain, but the old Celestial Master interrupted: “To become Celestial Master is not only to inherit Mount Dragon Tiger, but to become the leader of the Orthodox One Sect, to gain unrivaled power. Even an ordinary person could leap to the very top and become the most powerful in the world. With all this, are you still unmoved?”
The old Celestial Master listed all the benefits of inheriting the Celestial Master’s position, staring intently into Ye Yan’s eyes, seeking any sign of desire.
But to his disappointment, even after enumerating all these advantages, Ye Yan remained unmoved, his expression unchanged.
Ye Yan was quite helpless: “Master, I’ve already said it—I have not the slightest ambition for the Celestial Master’s position, nor any interest in the so-called power to ascend in a single step.”
The old Celestial Master seemed ready to say more, but this time Ye Yan interrupted,
“Perhaps, as you say, wielding the Celestial Master’s position brings change and a turning point to one’s life; that power may drive one mad.”
“But most people only see the golden robes on the outside, and know nothing of the shackled flesh beneath.”
“Your strength is already supreme, yet sitting atop the Celestial Master’s seat, I ask you honestly—have you ever been free?”
“Or were you ever free?”
“The gifts of fate are always marked with their price in secret…”
…
Ye Yan’s voice was forceful, each word heavier than the last. For a moment, even the old Celestial Master across from him fell silent.
The seat of Celestial Master sounded enticing.

But was it truly so wonderful?
Just as Ye Yan had said.
He wore golden robes and sat upon the throne.
Family, friends, disciples, the millennia of Mount Dragon Tiger’s legacy—countless rules, like chains thick and thin, bound him tightly, fastening him to the mountain, unable to take a single step beyond.
What good is supreme power if it cannot be wielded?
That… is the true Celestial Master.
After a long silence, the old Celestial Master looked up with a bitter smile, “You see things clearly, young friend. As for me, I judged with a petty heart.”
“At this age, to be taught by you young people… I must be getting old.”
Looking at the old Celestial Master before him, Ye Yan saw, for the first time, a dimness in his eyes.
In that moment, the dignified and kindly elder seemed to carry an inexplicable sense of time’s weariness, as if a candle flickering in its final years.
Ye Yan realized he’d said too much and quickly clasped his hands, bowing, “Forgive me, I misspoke.”
“No matter.”
The old Celestial Master did not erupt in anger as one might expect; instead, he waved his sleeve, and the dimness quickly faded to a smile: “It’s just reality.”
Shaking his head, he continued,
“If you help Mount Dragon Tiger, I thank you in advance. In the future, should you visit, all my disciples will treat you as an honored guest.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Ye Yan was quite delighted—he had, by accident, achieved something significant.
Achievement unlocked: Mount Dragon Tiger?
Striking while the iron was hot, Ye Yan decided to take the opportunity to consult the old Celestial Master about some matters—
questions that had long troubled him.
“Master, there are a few things I wish to ask. I hope you might answer.”
“Ask freely.”
After their earlier conversation, the old Celestial Master’s opinion of Ye Yan had improved greatly.
So long as the questions weren’t too sensitive, he would answer whatever he could.