The Old Man Should Make His Appearance

"Elder Xuan, was that move just now a bit too fast?"

Chen Xuan released his hand and dusted off his robe. "It barely looked presentable, but it was still too slow.

Your Wind Spirit Crane flies like a domesticated chicken."

Lu Yun climbed out of the pit, his hair full of dirt, yet he did not seem to care in the least.

"Then how can I make it fly less like a chicken?"

Chen Xuan clasped his hands behind his back and spoke unhurriedly.

"For a wind-attribute agility attacker, the greatest taboo is making too much noise and causing too much commotion.

Look at Elder Song when she attacks. Once the Azure Shadow Divine Eagle appears, you cannot even see its shadow.

When your Wind Spirit Crane flaps its wings, people can hear it from half a street away.

Isn't that plainly telling them you're coming?"

Lu Yun pondered this. "So I need to suppress the fluctuations of the wind blades?"

"Not just the wind blades. You yourself must learn Wind Concealment.

When you can attack without a sound and land without leaving a trace, only then will your Wind Spirit Crane have truly entered the beginner stage."

Lu Yun nodded solemnly. "This junior understands."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Chen Xuan's expression softened somewhat. "All right, that's enough training for tonight.

Your foundation isn't bad; your path is simply too narrow.

Go back and think it over slowly. Don't rush. Once I'm done with the Zhang Family's affairs, I'll find time to teach you something real."

Lu Yun was overjoyed and quickly cupped his fists. "Thank you, Elder Xuan!"

"All right, get lost and go home. This old man needs to sleep too."

Early the next morning, Chen Xuan did not disguise himself as an old beggar for once.

He changed into a clean, neat dark robe, combed his hair meticulously, and washed his face with a hot towel.

Standing before a bronze mirror, he examined himself from side to side and nodded in satisfaction.

"Now this looks like someone going to take on a disciple."

Before leaving, he took the pale blue sachet from his robes again, gently clenched it in his hand, then put it away.

"There's no need to test that girl's character. Today, I'll just see what attitude the Zhang Family has."

Chen Xuan did not take the front gate.

He went around to the back street of the Zhang Residence, concealed his aura, and walked slowly like an ordinary old man.

As he passed the bridgehead, the old man selling sugar figurines had already set up his stall, while several children gathered around it, chattering noisily.

Chen Xuan looked over a few more times, then suddenly smiled.

"This was the very bridge where I tricked that little girl."

With his hands behind his back, he stood by the river and watched the water for a while before continuing toward the Zhang Residence.

The Zhang Residence was livelier than usual today.

Several servants went in and out through the entrance, carrying red paper and lanterns.

Chen Xuan watched from afar for a while, somewhat surprised.

"What is this for? Could the old man of the Zhang Family be celebrating a major birthday?"

As he wondered, several people who looked like stewards emerged from the residence, discussing something in low voices.

Chen Xuan did not approach. He merely extended his hearing and listened.

"Hurry and get everything ready. In two days, it'll be the young lady's birthday.

The old master said it mustn't be too extravagant, but there can't be any lack of proper ceremony."

"Understood, understood. The young lady is turning nine this year and has just broken through to Two-Ring.

The old master says not to make a fuss, but he's delighted inside."

Chen Xuan understood.

Zhang Lexuan was about to celebrate her birthday. Though the Zhang Family was not making a grand spectacle of it, they still wanted to give their little genius a lively celebration.

"This is a good day indeed. If I can settle the matter before her birthday, the Zhang Family can enjoy the occasion with peace of mind.

When they go to Shrek City in the future, it can be considered a good affinity as well."

He did not enter, merely standing at a distance and watching for a while.

The familiar sounds of martial training drifted faintly from within the residence again. They were more urgent and more forceful than they had been a few days ago.

Chen Xuan listened closely for a few breaths, satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

"She's improved compared to the past two days. Her Two-Ring foundation is quite solid.

What a pity. The resources the Zhang Family can provide her are still too few.

If this continues, it will inevitably delay some of this child's talent," he murmured.

He turned and headed back, having already made up his mind.

"Tomorrow, this old man will pay them a visit. It is time for this old beggar to change identities."

When he returned to the courtyard residence, Lu Yun was already waiting at the entrance.

"Elder Xuan, you're back." Lu Yun stepped forward, carrying a food box.

"I had the kitchen make lotus leaf porridge for you. Please have some while it's hot."

Chen Xuan glanced at him. "You're quite attentive, running over here so early in the morning."

Lu Yun smiled. "It's rare for you to come by. Isn't it only right that I serve you?"

Chen Xuan did not refuse. He entered the courtyard and sat beneath an osmanthus tree.

Lu Yun opened the food box, and the fragrance of porridge wafted out mixed with the scent of osmanthus.

Chen Xuan took two sips, then suddenly said, "The Zhang Family will have a guest tomorrow."

Lu Yun was startled. "What guest?"

"This old man." Chen Xuan set down his bowl. "Tomorrow, I will pay them a visit. You'll come with me."

Lu Yun was both shocked and delighted. "Are you going to formally reveal your identity?"

"More or less." Chen Xuan nodded.

"Before taking on a disciple, I must let her elders know.

Otherwise, if some shabby old man suddenly takes away their nine-year-old granddaughter, what would that look like?"

Lu Yun rubbed his hands together. "Then I'll go make preparations at once. If the Zhang Family learns that Elder Xuan himself is visiting, they'll probably be scared senseless."

Seeing how excited he was, Chen Xuan could not help but laugh and scold him. "What are you so happy about? It's not you taking on a disciple."

"I'm happy for that girl."

Lu Yun chuckled. "Being able to become your disciple is a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes."

Chen Xuan ignored him and lowered his head to continue drinking his porridge.

As he drank, he continued talking to Lu Yun.

"I've thought it over as well. A nine-year-old girl cannot truly be separated from her parents.

If her parents and elders are willing, I'll set aside a piece of land for them in Shrek City.

I happen to have quite a bit of land under my control. Let their whole family move there, and they can look after one another."

Lu Yun's expression did not change after hearing this, and he merely replied with a smile.

"You've considered everything thoroughly.

Children can cultivate with greater peace of mind when their parents are by their side."

Yet inside, his thoughts were already in turmoil.

Damn, Elder Xuan's land is in the true core district.

It's the area closest to Shrek, for fuck's sake.

Countless soul master families do not even have a chance to buy land there.

And he can just set some aside for a newly accepted disciple. The Zhang Family's ancestral graves must be smoking!

Even the hand holding Lu Yun's teacup trembled slightly, but he did not dare reveal too much on his face.

He could only envy the Zhang Family's good fortune over and over in his heart more than a dozen times.

Chen Xuan seemed not to notice anything unusual about him and continued.

"People find it hard to leave their homeland. If the Zhang Family cannot bear to leave, I will not force them.

The Zhao Family is already gone, so they can live peacefully in Azure Mist City.

It's only that this disciple will need to reside in Shrek City permanently in the future."

As he said this, he suddenly looked at Lu Yun. "If they truly do not wish to move, then you'll have to put in some effort and look after them."

Lu Yun immediately turned serious. "Rest assured, Elder Xuan. As long as I, Lu Yun, remain in Azure Mist City, I will never let the Zhang Family suffer the slightest grievance again.

Whoever dares set their sights on the Zhang Family, I'll take their life."

Chen Xuan smiled and nodded. "With those words from you, this old man can rest easy."

He set down his porridge bowl and looked up at the sky.

"Forget it. We'll discuss it when we meet tomorrow.

Some matters cannot be forced, but the path still needs to be made clear to them."