Xiao Yan took a master!

"Three years!"

"Three whole years!"

"Do you know how I lived through those three years?"

"You old bastard, you were the culprit! Since you were hiding in that ring all along, you must know how much ridicule I endured over those three years!"

Faced with Yao Lao's explanation, Xiao Yan roared hysterically, like a lion that had lost control.

Three years of pent-up humiliation, a fall from genius to trash-how could the fury in his heart be put to rest by a couple of casual words about having no choice?

Turning around, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhan with blazing eyes. "Father, please kill this old bastard and avenge my humiliation!"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Zhan's gaze sharpened. He then looked at Yao Lao's illusory figure and, with a thought, activated the power of the family domain.

The next instant, an invisible pressure erupted, enveloping Yao Lao!

At the same time, the space surrounding him seemed to begin rippling faintly.

As space trembled, Yao Lao's murky eyes flickered violently. A ring of ghastly white flames suddenly rose from his pale soul, and ice crystals formed on the surrounding vegetation.

But under Xiao Zhan's pressure, those protective white flames lasted only a moment before shrinking back as though they had encountered their natural nemesis!

Yao Lao's white soul form also grew faint, as though it would completely disintegrate at any moment.

Yao Chen's expression changed. He felt as though his soul body was about to be torn apart by space itself.

"Senior, although I absorbed your son's Dou Qi for three years, I never intended to harm him. Please show mercy."

Under the pressure of approaching death, Yao Lao spoke with difficulty.

He still had a bitter blood feud to avenge and did not want to die like this.

"Yao Chen, if you had intended to harm my son, your soul would already have been utterly scattered."

At his words, Xiao Zhan withdrew the suppression on Yao Chen with a thought and spoke calmly.

From beginning to end, he had never intended to kill Yao Chen.

His actions just now had merely been meant to intimidate Yao Chen while showing Xiao Yan his strength.

To let Xiao Yan confidently rely on his father in the future, he had to maintain an invincible image at all times. Only then would Xiao Yan act without hesitation.

Hearing Xiao Zhan speak his name outright, Yao Chen froze. His pupils contracted slightly, and shock flooded his heart. "Senior, how do you know who I am?"

"Heh..."

Xiao Zhan gave a meaningful chuckle, then slowly said, "Although I am no longer at my peak, uncovering your origins is still child's play for this emperor."

"Yao Chen, the foremost alchemist of the Central Continent, an eighth-tier alchemist, pavilion master of Starfall Pavilion in the Central Plains, and a Peak Dou Zun who reached nine revolutions, known as Venerable Yao. You fell because of the betrayal of Han Feng, the disciple you raised from childhood. Fortunately, your powerful soul and the Bone Spirit Cold Flame allowed your soul to survive..."

Xiao Zhan looked at the translucent elder with a hint of mockery on his face. With every sentence he spoke, Yao Chen's figure trembled, until he finally stood frozen.

"Senior, you... you..."

Coming to his senses, Yao Chen stared at Xiao Zhan with wide eyes, unable to believe what he had heard. Terror filled his heart, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

He had never dealt with Xiao Zhan before, so how could this man recite everything about him?

Before Xiao Zhan, he seemed to have no secrets at all.

Such abilities were truly terrifying!

"Your abilities reach the heavens, Senior. You have my admiration..."

Only after a long while did Yao Chen gradually calm down. His gaze was filled with respect as he looked at Xiao Zhan.

Previously, Yao Chen had still harbored a trace of doubt about Xiao Zhan's claims.

But now, he completely believed Xiao Zhan's words-that he was the reincarnation of the Desolate Heavenly Emperor from the upper realm.

Who but an Immortal Emperor could possess the ability to see through another person's origins at a glance?

Listening to their conversation nearby, Xiao Yan saw Yao Chen's reaction and understood that everything Xiao Zhan had said was true.

Father truly is the reincarnation of the Desolate Heavenly Emperor. His abilities reach the heavens-nothing can be hidden from him.

While marveling at Xiao Zhan's strength, Xiao Yan looked at the profoundly shaken Yao Chen, feeling rather astonished himself.

According to what Father just said, this old fellow was actually a Nine-Star Dou Zun?

And he was even an eighth-tier alchemist.

Although Xiao Yan knew little about alchemists, his father always wore an expression of profound respect whenever he mentioned them. That alone showed how prestigious the profession was.

Yet this old fellow before him was apparently the foremost alchemist of the Central Plains Continent. Xiao Yan was truly stunned.

Having such tremendous strength was one thing, but he was also an alchemist of exalted status. That was rather terrifying.

He had never imagined that such a mighty expert would be hiding inside his ring.

But when he suddenly remembered that Yao Chen was responsible for his cultivation inexplicably disappearing all these years, Xiao Yan felt deeply resentful.

So what if he was a Nine-Star Dou Zun? Before Father, didn't he still have to meekly submit?

Seeing Yao Chen look at his father with such reverence, Xiao Yan's heart immediately filled with pride.

Having an Immortal Emperor for a father really feels amazing!

"Senior, I absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi only because I had no other choice. I never intended him any harm. Please spare my life. I am willing to compensate Xiao Yan tenfold."

Age had made Yao Chen shrewd. He could also tell that Xiao Zhan seemed to have no intention of killing him, so he hurriedly offered a guarantee and pleaded for mercy.

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's lips. He said evenly, "In that case, take Yan'er as your disciple and teach him everything you know. Consider it making amends through your service."

"What?"

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Yao Chen looked astonished. He asked incredulously, "Senior, you want me to take your son as my disciple?"

As far as he was concerned, how could his abilities possibly qualify him to teach the son of an Immortal Emperor?

"Indeed."

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly and said, "Had I not divined that you and Yan'er were destined to become master and disciple, I would have destroyed you the day my true spirit awakened. I would never have let you survive until now."

Killing Yao Chen would bring him no benefit, so Xiao Zhan naturally would not do it.

On the contrary, keeping Yao Chen alive would prove extremely useful.

If Xiao Zhan wanted to grow stronger quickly, he had to rely on Xiao Yan to provoke powerful enemies.

The prerequisite, however, was that Xiao Yan had to keep growing stronger himself before he could provoke ever stronger enemies.

With Xiao Zhan's current strength, he naturally could not teach Xiao Yan.

Besides, if Xiao Yan was to rely on his father, he had to go out and stir up trouble.

Xiao Zhan certainly would not follow Xiao Yan around. Once he left the range of the family domain, his safety would no longer be guaranteed.

Thus, Yao Chen, an eighth-tier alchemist and a Dou Zun who had reached nine revolutions, was undoubtedly the best person to teach Xiao Yan.

As for Xiao Zhan, he only needed to remain within the clan. With the family domain in place, he was invincible.

Of course, it was not as though he dared do nothing at all.

Xiao Yan would cause trouble outside, triggering the passive ability that let him rely on his father.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan would stay home, marrying wives and having children like mad to trigger the Many Children, Many Blessings passive ability.

Father and son would work together to strengthen the entire Xiao Clan!

"Destined to become master and disciple?"

"Father, haven't you made a mistake? There's nothing but enmity between this old fellow and me. How could we be destined to become master and disciple?"

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan was utterly bewildered and could not understand.

Naturally, he did not want to become the disciple of this old fellow who had absorbed his Dou Qi for three years.

Besides, with a reincarnated Immortal Emperor for a father, did he even need to take anyone else as his master?

At that thought, Xiao Yan was naturally unwilling a hundred times over.

"Yan'er, do you not even believe your father's words?" Faced with Xiao Yan's doubts, Xiao Zhan asked with a faint smile.

"That's not what I meant..."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan hurriedly shook his head and tried to explain.

"Then listen to your father. Although Yao Chen's strength is meager, he should make a good teacher."

Looking at Xiao Yan, who seemed about to speak but held back, Xiao Zhan gave him a kindly, fatherly smile.

"Yes, Father."

Although Xiao Yan remained unwilling, he obediently addressed Yao Chen. "Your disciple Xiao Yan pays his respects, Master."

Yao Chen, however, grew thoughtful upon hearing Xiao Zhan's words.

Even if Xiao Zhan had not exposed his existence today, he had already intended to take Xiao Yan as his disciple.

In that case, the destiny between master and disciple that Xiao Zhan had mentioned seemed to be real.

"Since you place such trust in me, Senior, I will teach your son everything I have learned throughout my life, holding nothing back!" Yao Chen solemnly promised.