The Prime Shadow paused for a moment, letting John digest the information.
"The world my master was defending was this world, the Nine Dao World," the Prime Shadow said, his words surprising even the Guildmaster, who was clearly also hearing this story for the first time.
"He received sound transmission from the war-communication channels for some time, detailing that the Asura's had all seemingly left, and that the war was over. A collective effort was carried out after that, to exterminate all lingering Demons, and some Asura's who were for some reason unable to leave with the rest of their horde.
My master settled down on this world shortly after, and with his cultivation mostly crippled from that battle, cut off all communication with the outside world and settled down. He never did learn why the Asura's suddenly left, and wanted nothing to do with them anymore either. He lived in seclusion for all those years until I stumbled upon him, and the rest is of little importance."
Silence filled the room for quite some time, the heaviness of the story weighing down on everyone. John's mind continued to race with unanswered questions, ones he knew he couldn't get answered at the moment.
"Thank you for telling me the truth of the war," John said, truly appreciative of learning the truth. He could feel the weight of Karma bear down on him harder, as if just knowing the truth would lead to dangers in the future, but at this point, he didn't care. Knowing the truth was far more important to him than avoiding the dangers it would bring.
The Prime Shadow nodded.
"With all that said, it's time to return to the matters that still need to be resolved," the Prime Shadow said.
"What matters are those?" John asked, although he had a vague idea of what it was.
"The matter of you becoming my successor," the Prime Shadow said, then sighed. "When I heard that you were not from a Great or Hegemon World, I had intended to make you my successor as Prime Shadow of the Guild. But now, upon hearing your story, and the future that awaits you, I know your journey will not be limited to just this world."
John nodded silently, but sighed with relief internally. The Prime Shadow had most likely realized that he would refuse the offer based on what he still needed to do, and not having to actually reject the offer was something he appreciated.
"However," the Prime Shadow continued with some vigor in his tone. "That does not mean the business between you and myself is concluded."
"What business is that?" John asked curiously.
"While you would most certainly reject my offer of discipleship, while you are part of the Guild, you will still enjoy all its benefits," the Prime Shadow said, smiling at John's surprised reaction. "You will have access to everything you would have had you accepted to become my disciple. The finest battle arts, the pinnacle resources of the Guild…all of this will be available for you to use."
"What's the condition?" John asked, knowing there was more to this deal, as it was too good to be true without some kind of condition.
? ? ? ? ? ?
While he would be able to help the Guild complete some missions while he was still on this world, he would eventually leave, and with it, take the resources the Guild spent on him with him. It seemed like a bad investment to him, and he knew there was more to the deal than the Prime Shadow was revealing.
"Ah, you saw right through me," the Prime Shadow said, smiling as John rolled his eyes, knowing there was a condition to meet.
"And the condition is?" John asked.
"You will have access to the things I mentioned earlier, on the condition that you agree to learn a single assassination art from me, and master it fully. If you agree to that, the Guild will support you as much as possible."
"You want to teach me assassination art, which I'm assuming is quite profound, and want to reward me with resources and treasures on top of that? How does that make sense? What's in it for you?" John asked, tilting his head to the side.
"The assassination art is one of two assassination arts that my master created," the Prime Shadow said. "You are not suitable for the first one, but the second one…I do not think I could find a better suited candidate even if I looked for one my entire life."
He paused, noticed John's questioning gaze, then continued.
"My master had hoped to hone his assassination arts to the pinnacle, and have his arts known and feared throughout the entire universe," the Prime Shadow said, then shook his head ruefully.
"However, the war stopped his aspirations before he could reach them, and so instead he imparted those assassination arts to me, hoping I could achieve what he could not. Unfortunately, I was not able to live up to his standards, but that does not mean I failed. As long as you agree to learn this art, and in the future, hone it to a level that the entire universe comes to know and fear, then I shall spare no resource to help you achieve that goal. Ensuring the legacy of my master is everything to me."
John felt a weight on his shoulders upon hearing the grand aspirations of the Prime Shadow and his master. However, compared to his other tasks, like finding his mother, or returning the dragon egg to the ancestral origin of the Jade Dragons, this task, while difficult, actually seemed quite reasonable for him.
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