Sworn Brothers with Cangyuan?

Cangyuan lay back in his recliner, watching the bonfire rise in the distance. A peculiar expression appeared on his aged face.

Instead of the Zhou Clan people, two youngsters had arrived. It was different from what he had expected—an unexpected variable.

"Yaoyao, what do you think of those two?" Cangyuan asked casually.

"Both are talented, but Mu Chen seems to be hiding something," Yaoyao said after some thought.

She had never seen a rune like the Devouring Ancestral Symbol before, and it greatly interested her.

"Everyone has their own secrets. That's perfectly normal. But for you to give them such an evaluation, it seems those two left quite a good impression on you," Cangyuan said, pondering something inwardly.

He knew Yaoyao's identity as a deity. Though she no longer possessed that prison-like divine might or that cold, merciless nature, she was still exceedingly distant toward strangers.

Even Cangyuan had only become someone Yaoyao considered close family after living with her for a very long time.

"They're all right."

Yaoyao spoke calmly. Her impression of them was decent, but they were not familiar.

"What if I had you go out with them?" Cangyuan suddenly asked, testing the waters.

Since Yaoyao did not dislike them, another idea arose in his mind. He did not know what the Zhou Clan members arriving soon would be like, nor whether they could get along peacefully with Yaoyao.

Mu Chen and Su Youwei both possessed exceptional talent. Among all the geniuses he had seen, they could rank near the top. Reaching the Law Domain Realm would not be a problem, and they even had hopes of becoming Saints. Once they matured, their growth would be swift.

"Grandpa Hei, what do you mean?" Yaoyao lightly bit her red lip, confusion and reluctance appearing on her exquisite face.

Ever since she could remember, she had lived with Cangyuan and developed familial feelings for him. She did not want to suddenly leave him.

"Grandpa Hei, is some enemy coming?"

"I can help you."

Yaoyao was extremely intelligent and sensed that something was wrong. In an instant, her voice filled with biting coldness. Tuntun's fur stood on end as he stared uncertainly at Yaoyao.

What was wrong with the boss? It was rare to see her this angry.

Mu Chen and Su Youwei shuddered, as though they had fallen into an ice pit. Looking toward the thatched hut, they felt as if some great terror lurked there, and even the Source Qi within their bodies fluctuated.

Mu Chen naturally knew who it was. As expected of Yaoyao—even as the not-yet-fully-awakened Third God, she was terrifying beyond measure.

"Yaoyao, it's nothing. I'll still be here for some time, and besides, you can't remain here forever," Cangyuan said gently.

No matter how one looked at it, Yaoyao needed to go out and see the world. In the eyes of the All Heavens, Yaoyao was the Third God, but to Cangyuan, the current Yaoyao was merely a little girl who did not need to bear those heavy responsibilities.

Yaoyao nodded. Perhaps Cangyuan truly had encountered some trouble and had no choice but to leave. And with her current strength—unless she undid her seal—she seemingly could not help him.

"You needn't worry about me either. If I want to leave, no one can keep me," Cangyuan said confidently.

Over the next period of time, Mu Chen and Su Youwei would occasionally come to sit by the thatched hut. Mu Chen also showed off his cooking skills, allowing even Cangyuan to eat his fill.

At the Saint level, one no longer needed to eat ordinary food. Yet the desire for fine flavors remained. Since they feared being discovered by other Saints if they went out, they had stayed there for many years.

As for why Mu Chen could cook, it all began with living alone. He could not possibly eat out or live on instant noodles every day. He had also worked in restaurant kitchens, naturally picking up a few tricks along the way.

"Senior, do you have any guidance or treasures you could give Youwei and me?" Mu Chen asked shamelessly.

"Heh, we have no relationship whatsoever, yet you open your mouth and ask me for things?" Cangyuan laughed speechlessly.

"For us to meet is fate. As juniors, our family assets certainly can't compare to a senior's," Mu Chen said with complete seriousness.

"How about this? Let's become sworn brothers. I'll call you Big Brother, and you can call me little friend. Wouldn't that make us related?"

Mu Chen was making a joke. Cangyuan would definitely not agree to become sworn brothers with someone in the Meridian Opening Realm. As a Saint, he would be laughed at by many old friends.

Of course, if Mu Chen were also a Saint now, Cangyuan might truly agree.

If Zhou Yuan found out, he would definitely lose it. I treat you like a brother, yet you want to become my martial uncle.

"..."

Cangyuan froze, utterly dumbfounded for a moment.

"What did you say?" Yaoyao's expression turned unfriendly, and a glint of cold light flashed through her clear eyes.

If they truly became sworn brothers, and Mu Chen became Grandpa Hei's brother, did that mean she would have to call Mu Chen Grandpa Mu?

The thought of being taken advantage of made Yaoyao want to blast Mu Chen to death with Source Runes.

Su Youwei's red lips fell open wide as she thought, Brother Chen, your nerve is far too great. You even dare to tease an expert like this.

"You brat, you're quite interesting." Cangyuan shook his head. He truly did not agree.

"You want to become sworn brothers with me, Cangyuan? You really dare to dream. But you're still not qualified."

"Heh, just kidding. Then how about taking Youwei as your disciple?" Mu Chen pointed at Su Youwei, trying to find her a Saint master in advance.

Su Youwei blinked. She had merely been standing there listening quietly—how had the conversation turned to her?

"Her talent is good, but my path is not suited to her. The Zixiao Domain would suit this little girl very well," Cangyuan said after glancing at Su Youwei, shaking his head.

The Yin Yang Source Root was a fine foundation, but taking disciples depended on fate. One could not accept every promising talent they encountered.

If Su Youwei could go to the Zixiao Domain in the future, then with her talent, a Grand Venerable would likely take notice of her around the Heavenly Sun Realm, perhaps even personally nurture her.

"Boy, are you interested in becoming my disciple?" Cangyuan asked with a smile.

The chill on Yaoyao's face faded as she looked at Cangyuan in surprise. Grandpa Hei had actually taken the initiative to ask. She knew how high Cangyuan's standards were. Even if others begged him, he likely would not agree. Had he noticed something unusual about Mu Chen?

Mu Chen was stunned. This was not what he had expected.

However, having a Twin Lotus Saint as a master would be like gaining an enormously powerful backer, with countless benefits. The only drawback was that he would be targeted by those who bore grudges against Cangyuan. They might not be able to find the old one, but dealing with a younger one would be easy.

His attempt at becoming sworn brothers had failed, yet now they were somehow about to become master and disciple.

Even if he became Cangyuan's disciple, Cangyuan could not protect him for now. After all, many powerful experts were still searching for Cangyuan's whereabouts.

"Senior, let me consider this matter of becoming your disciple for a while. If I agreed immediately, it would feel too fake," Mu Chen said.

"Haha, as you wish. Before you leave this place, you can give me your answer at any time." Upon hearing this, Cangyuan looked at Mu Chen with a trace more satisfaction in his eyes.

Neither arrogant nor impatient, and coupled with his talent, his future was limitless.

Cangyuan had made a new decision, which was why he wanted another layer of connection with Mu Chen. A master-disciple relationship was the most suitable.