"I have made my decision."
Ye Tian Yun turned around, looking at him, he asked, "Oh? Which league then?"
"I will still remain solo. I don't want to be a pawn for others." Zheng Xiang said as he tightened his fists.
Ye Tian Yun stared at him for a second, shook his head and resumed his way towards the Martial Book Pavilion.
Zheng Xiang, who was expecting a reply, followed him and asked, "What happened? I thought you would discourage me again from going solo?"
Ye Tian Yun sighed, "Before I came to the sect, my father once told me that fate has its own plans for everyone. Everyone has their own destinies. And believe me, this father of mine is no small deal."
Zheng Xiang smiled, "I know about Fang Clan Patriarch. But if fate has its own plans, then why did you tell me to join the Heavenly League when we were on the chain bridge?"
"It was out of impulse. The path of cultivation is long and only the steady will survive. Make your decisions carefully."
"Why have you suddenly started to preach me? Who doesn't know of these things? Cultivation has always been a long and cruel path. I just don't want to be held back because of these leagues. I have no interest in political power."
Ye Tian Yun shook his head and said, "I will tell you a story. A famous and powerful prince of a huge empire once also thought like you. He had no interest in politics. He thought he could rule his empire if he has enough cultivation and strength. He offended many people, acted arrogant and tried to force his regime. He thought he was the centre of the world. Everything revolved around him. But on the day of him crowning, he was challenged. Challenged by an old enemy. This old enemy of his was also undeniably talented and arrogant like him."
"But what this Prince lacked was true friends and people who he could trust. In the end, after about an year long struggle, and battles, he lost. He lost everything. He lost his goal, he lost his empire, he lost his life."
Zheng Xiang raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked, "Then what about his parents? Where were they?"
Ye Tian Yun felt as if something pierced his deepest wound. Clenching his jaws, he took a deep breath and replied, "He also wanted to know. Where was his father, who ruled this huge empire, where was his mother who was the most talented cultivator of that era, where were they when their son was beheaded in front of the whole realm."
Zheng Xiang sighed, "Maybe there were some unknown circumstances? Maybe there is another side of this story which we don't know?"
Ye Tian Yun pursed his lips as he said, "Maybe."
He then shook his head, "Well, they are not important in our story. The thing I want you to understand is the importance of brotherhood. The Crown Prince lost not because his enemy was very talented, but because he was alone. He had no one behind his back who could reassure him to move forward."
Zheng Xiang looked at him and said, "But… Why is this Crown Prince's story related to me going solo?"
"It is. I am not saying that you think of yourself as the centre of the world, but I want you to know the importance of having brothers. That enemy of the prince had nine brothers. He made these people friends by not going solo, but by understanding the importance of having someone trusted with him in times of trouble and dangers."
"Are you saying that I can most likely find someone trustworthy if I join the leagues? Aren't you saying something too far-fetched?"
"Think whatever you want, I just told what was in my mind." Ye Tian Yun shrugged and continued forward.
Zheng Xiang followed him while frowning as many thoughts passed through his mind about the story he had just heard from his friend and his own future plans.
Soon, both of them had crossed the stall and stands of other disciples at the base of the First Peak.
The whole place was no less than a mini market, with a lot of small stands and stalls, mostly opened by Outer Court Disciples who had gained something from their missions outside the sect.
And finally, Ye Tian Yun and Zheng Xiang stood in front of the Martial Book Pavilion.
Scrutinizing this tall building from up to down, Ye Tian Yun narrowed his eyes, and stepped forward.
Zheng Xiang followed him, however before they entered the Pavilion, he asked Ye Tian Yun, "Brother Fang, I can't help but think about what would that Crown Prince do if he ever got a chance again? Since you told me about the importance of having brothers, will he also make friends with other cultivators who were his enemies earlier?"