"Old Li, you're in such a hurry? Aren't you worried you might have picked the wrong person?"
Just then, another elderly man shuffled over to the Divine Mountain Grand Elder's side and teased him.
"Hahaha, with the great age of contention upon us, it all comes down to one's eye for talent. This old man thinks my eye is pretty good. If I chose wrong, then I'll just count it as this old man having bad luck."
The first old man looked at the elder beside him with utter disdain.
"Kid, the road ahead is fraught with extreme danger. Want this old man to deal with a few of them for you? Don't let these old bones fool you—I'm still plenty sturdy."
The Divine Mountain Grand Elder smiled kindly at Ye Lin. That smile was brimming with affection, as though he were looking at one of his own juniors.
"There's no need, Senior. I'll bear the trouble I caused myself."
Ye Lin raised his head and declined.
"Good, good, good. Since that's the case, kid, this old man will be going back. Remember this: you're one of Divine Mountain's people now. If anyone wrongs you, tell this old man. Even if I have to exhaust Divine Mountain's very foundations, I'll drag them into the water."
"Oh, right, kid. My name is Li Tian—the Li from plum tree, the Tian from Heavenly Dao."
With that, Li Tian turned and left. All he left Ye Lin was a lonely, aged silhouette.
"Old Li, are you serious?"
The old man from before was utterly shocked when he heard that.
But after his words fell, he received no response whatsoever.
"Everyone, come out. I, Blood Baleful, am here."
After Li Tian left, Ye Lin keenly sensed that the providence he carried had grown richer.