Xu Xiao had already thought of three things.
He could use one of those three things to gain entry to that treasure trove.
As long as he got inside, Xu Xiao would be like a hidden dragon plunging into the sea. Nothing would be able to stop him.
Of course, Xu Xiao wasn't about to say that openly.
After thinking it over carefully, Xu Xiao looked at Chen Jianjun. "Senior."
"Will you agree to anything, no matter what it is?"
Chen Jianjun nodded. "I give you my word. I've always kept my promises."
Xu Xiao understood.
"Then this kid will shamelessly make his request. If it gives you trouble, Senior, you can refuse."
Xu Xiao spoke modestly.
Those words made Chen Jianjun think even more highly of him. What a clever move.
It seemed that if he refused, he'd look like a man who went back on his word. A sharp little brat.
Still, Chen Jianjun didn't mind. The kid was nothing but a weakling; he wasn't worth making a fuss over.
"Go on. I, Chen Jianjun, wouldn't stoop to deceiving a child." Chen Jianjun spoke calmly.
"Then I won't hold back."
"Senior, for my first request, I'd like you to give each of the four of us a protective sword aura!"
Chen Jianjun paused, his gaze sweeping over the four youngsters present. He thought even more highly of Xu Xiao.
Earlier, he'd wondered why Dugu Bo had been willing to spend the last of their goodwill over that letter. Now he understood.
Their big brother really did care for them. It was no wonder Dugu Bo had been so willing.
Xu Xiao had made this request partly because he was worried Yue Guan and the others might draw unwanted attention. It would be good for them to have a means of protecting themselves if that happened.
Now that they'd sworn brotherhood, shouldn't he, as their big brother, look out for them?
Yue Guan and the other two froze, then looked at Xu Xiao, deeply moved.
Big Brother!!
"Fine!"
Chen Jianjun didn't refuse. The request was reasonable, and he could accept it.
Chen Jianjun took out four small swords and imbued each with one of his peak-strength strikes before handing them to Xu Xiao and the others.
"These little swords contain the full force of my level-98 attack. They can keep you safe."
"To use them, just channel your Soul Power into them!"
Chen Jianjun explained how they worked.
Everyone thanked him repeatedly.
Chen Jianjun waved a hand. "You still have two requests, Xu. Go ahead."
Xu Xiao hesitated. He'd already obtained what he wanted. As for the remaining two requests...for a moment, he truly couldn't think of what to ask for.
These little swords were enough to protect them on their way into that treasure trove.
Suddenly, an idea seemed to occur to him.
He bowed to Chen Jianjun. "Senior, could I use those two requests to ask for something else?"
Chen Jianjun's brows knitted slightly, but he still nodded. "Go on!"
Xu Xiao took a deep breath and looked nervously at Chen Jianjun. He hesitated for a long while before speaking. "Senior, I hope you'll let Chen Xin travel with us and train!"
At those words, Chen Jianjun gave a faint smile and looked at Xu Xiao in disbelief.
"You? What makes you think you can?"
Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of Yue Guan and the others. They were afraid their big brother had offended the senior. Their big brother was certainly bold, daring to make such a request.
Xu Xiao drew a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I can help Chen Xin find his own path in the Sword Dao!"
Before Chen Jianjun could reply, Xu Xiao continued, "At the age of twenty, he found his courage in the Seven Kill Sword, but a weapon shouldn't be the limit of its wielder. Chen Xin must be at that point now."
"Your Sword Dao can be called the strongest in the world today. You can guide Chen Xin, but in the end, it isn't his own path in the Sword Dao."
"Only by finding his own way can he go further in the Sword Dao."
"I, Xu Xiao, may be young, but I've heard Senior speak a little about the Sword Dao. That's already enough for Chen Xin."
Xu Xiao spoke slowly, afraid the other man might refuse.
Chen Jianjun chuckled. Having lived for so long, how could he fail to see what Xu Xiao was thinking?
But he couldn't deny that some of what Xu Xiao said was true: Chen Xin needed to find his own path in the Sword Dao.
He knew that his son was still following in his footsteps and hadn't yet found his own way out. He was also worried that if Chen Xin remained immersed in his Sword Dao, Chen Jianjun would limit his future.
"Three years. I'll give you only three years."
"If Chen Xin hasn't made any progress after three years, you know what the consequences will be!"
Chen Jianjun's words amounted to an agreement, but he also set Xu Xiao a condition: within three years, Chen Xin had to gain some insight and make some progress!
Having lived so long, how could Chen Jianjun fail to see Xu Xiao's little scheme?
The other boy wanted to borrow his influence. Why shouldn't Chen Jianjun take a gamble too? He was betting that what Xu Xiao knew could transform his son. Even if it didn't, what Chen Xin learned would eventually prove useful.
And Chen Jianjun would only be lending the boy his reputation. How could that be a bad deal?
What's more, Chen Jianjun had reached level 98. That alone made it worth it.
Hearing Chen Jianjun's words, Xu Xiao immediately grinned. Good, good, good. As long as Chen Xin joined him, how could he not get Chen Jianjun to take the bait?
Xu Xiao wasn't discouraged that Chen Jianjun hadn't become their protector. With Chen Xin around, it made no difference whether he was there or not.
This was no loss at all.
Xu Xiao knew Chen Jianjun understood his intentions, but he didn't care. So what if he knew? In the end, Xu Xiao would be the winner!
"Senior, I can agree to three years!"
"But I need you to prepare three swords for me: two flexible swords and one heavy sword."
"A heavy sword has no edge, yet achieves great mastery through simplicity. A heavy sword is tremendously useful!"
Sword Monarch Chen had no objection to Xu Xiao's proposal and nodded in agreement.
"Three months from now, meet me here. I'll have Chen Xin come on his own," Chen Jianjun said.
Xu Xiao didn't refuse. Three months? By then, he'd have finished absorbing the Immortal Herbs. If Chen Xin proved suitable, giving him an Immortal Herb might not be out of the question.
One Xu, two ghosts, three chrysanthemums, four poisons, five swords!
Their team now had five people. Things were looking brighter and brighter.
Chen Jianjun said goodbye to Xu Xiao and the others. As soon as he left, Yue Guan and the others let out a breath of relief.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei slumped to the ground, panting heavily.
"Big Brother, do you know how close I was to having a heart attack?"
"A Titled Douluo, and you still dared to make demands of him. If it were me, I wouldn't even be able to speak straight."
Yue Guan breathed heavily, unable to calm down for a long time.
Dugu Bo chuckled. "Chrysanthemum, look at you. What a coward."
Yue Guan snorted. "Hmph, you weren't any better than me. If I'd known Senior, I'd definitely have handled things better than you."
Xu Xiao cut off their bickering. "All right, all right. We're all on the same side."
"It was my first time facing a powerhouse like that too. Even I felt my heart quail. Chen Jianjun could be called the strongest person in the world today, aside from Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect, Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall, and Bo Saixi of Sea God Island."
"It's normal to react that way."
Yue Guan and Dugu Bo both snorted.
"Big Brother, why did you ask for that Chen Xin to come with us?"
"Aren't you just making trouble for yourself?"
Gui Mei leaned against the side, curiously watching Xu Xiao. He couldn't understand why Xu Xiao had made that request.