Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west-don't bully an old man for being poor!

When Yao Chen saw that Xiao Baichuan had even counted eating, drinking, and relieving himself, he immediately protested.

"Wait, you brat, you're charging for eating, drinking, and relieving myself too?"

"I'm a soul body! What use would I have for those things? Are you taking me for a fool?"

Xiao Baichuan immediately countered, "Old man, that's where you're wrong. I did provide those services. You just never told me you wanted them."

"You didn't want them at the time, and that's my fault?"

For a moment, Yao Chen actually had no reply.

Forget it. Let him tally it however he liked. Yao Chen was all alone anyway, without a penny to his name.

As for his life, he had died long ago.

After adding up all the expenses, Xiao Baichuan glanced at Yao Chen, thought it over, and changed his tune.

"Forget it. You don't even have a body right now, old man. You probably couldn't pay me back anyway."

Yao Chen was instantly touched. He thought the boy was decent, recognizing his many present difficulties and showing consideration for an old man.

For that kindness alone, he could make an exception and take him as a nominal disciple.

But just as he was about to speak, Xiao Baichuan said,

"Old geezer, come here. Sign a twenty-year indenture contract first. Work for me for twenty years to pay off your debt."

The touched expression on Yao Chen's face instantly froze.

"You!"

He pointed at Xiao Baichuan, his finger trembling, so furious that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged.

"I am the continent's greatest Alchemist, and you want me to sign an indenture contract?!"

Xiao Baichuan looked as though it were only natural.

"Paying your debts is a law of heaven and earth. You live in my jade pendant and absorb my Soul Force. Shouldn't you repay me?"

Yao Chen spun in midair in fury, his soul body swaying so fast it left afterimages.

"You... you... you wet-behind-the-ears brat!"

"Do you really think I'm so easy to bully?!"

"Boy, consider yourself warned! Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west-don't bully an old man for being poor!"

Watching Yao Chen's furious, flustered state, Ling Xi rocked back and forth with laughter inside Xiao Baichuan's mind.

Sure enough, watching someone else get put in their place was the most satisfying thing!

"Hahaha, lecher, I'm starting to like that mouth of yours."

"Judging by his presence, this old man was at least an eighth-tier Alchemist in life. To think you could infuriate an eighth-tier Alchemist like this!"

"But what's going on with the Dou Qi Continent? How does a mere eighth-tier Alchemist dare call himself the greatest on the continent?"

Seeing Ling Xi's confusion, Xiao Baichuan immediately gave her a rough explanation.

"Those powerful ancient clans have their own circles. Naturally, they look down on these petty contests over titles."

Ling Xi understood at once.

"I see. They're on different levels."

Then she reminded Xiao Baichuan,

"That's enough. He's an eighth-tier Alchemist, after all. Handle him well, and he might make a good Protector."

Xiao Baichuan immediately understood what Ling Xi meant.

She wanted him to coax and trick Yao Chen into becoming his bodyguard.

After all, although Ling Xi was an ancient Dou Di, she could not use Dou Qi or Soul Force.

The entire burden of keeping him safe would naturally fall on Yao Chen's shoulders.

Xiao Baichuan gave Yao Chen a wicked grin.

Under that gaze, Yao Chen's heart lurched.

With that smile, this boy must be harboring some wicked scheme.

Then Xiao Baichuan immediately regained his composure and spoke with a perfectly serious expression.

"Old man, let's make a deal."

"I want you to be my Protector and teacher."

Yao Chen put on a proud, haughty expression upon hearing this.

Inside, however, his heart was already blooming with laughter.

He chuckled inwardly. Brat, now you realize my worth and want to give in and beg me? Too late!

Unless you show me a satisfactory attitude, I won't take you as my disciple so easily.

Seeing Yao Chen's defiant expression, Xiao Baichuan knew the old fellow wanted to put him in his place.

He had to seize the initiative.

Then he casually shook the jade pendant in his hand.

"Old man, since you say you're the continent's greatest Alchemist, I imagine quite a few people would be interested in you."

The pride on Yao Chen's face instantly vanished.

This is bad. The boy has me in his grip!

The Soul Hall was already hunting him. If he were exposed now, they would surely surround and capture him.

After weighing his options, Yao Chen still chose Xiao Baichuan.

After all, compared with the Soul Hall, a wet-behind-the-ears boy at the eighth stage of Dou Qi was clearly easier to control.

There was an old saying on the Dou Qi Continent: a wise man recognized the way the wind bwowed!

Yao Chen cleared his throat twice and spoke solemnly, as though he had not heard Xiao Baichuan's threat at all.

"Since you wish to become my disciple, and I am indebted to you, I naturally cannot refuse."

"In that case, perform the disciple's salute first."

Xiao Baichuan did not dawdle in the slightest.

With a proper attitude, he performed the disciple's salute to Yao Chen.

From that moment onward, the two officially became master and disciple.

No sooner had Xiao Baichuan accepted Yao Chen as his master than he exposed his purpose.

"Old man, now that I'm your disciple, shouldn't you at least give me a welcoming gift?"

"I'm not asking for much. Just a few Heaven-Tier Cultivation Techniques and a few bottles of eighth-tier pills will do."

Yao Chen's face darkened as he listened.

He really could not take it anymore.

This boy is positively begging for a beating. If I don't give him one, there might be something wrong with my Dao heart!

Without the slightest hesitation, Yao Chen used his Soul Force to lavish Xiao Baichuan with loving caresses.

Seeing that Yao Chen had no intention of killing him and was merely teaching this lecher with no respect for his elders a lesson, Ling Xi naturally watched from the sidelines with gleeful delight.

After those caresses from his fists and feet, some of the malice in Yao Chen's heart finally dissipated.

He told Xiao Baichuan smugly,

"Your aptitude is too poor. I'll loosen up your meridians first. Consider that your welcoming gift."

"As for a cultivation technique, we'll discuss it once you've formed your Dou Qi Vortex."

The Flame Mantra was his most closely guarded treasure. Naturally, he had to observe Xiao Baichuan first and ascertain his character before handing it over.

Yao Chen did not want to raise another Han Feng.

Xiao Baichuan glared at Yao Chen indignantly.

Although Yao Chen had given him a beating, he could indeed clearly feel his Dou Qi circulating more smoothly.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

Because Xiao Baichuan's public annulment of his engagement the previous night had caused such a stir, all of Wutan City was discussing it.

"Did you hear? That adopted son of the Xiao Clan publicly repudiated the Misty Cloud Sect's young sect leader!"

"What? Wasn't Nalan Yanran there to break off the engagement?"

"Who knew the boy had such a backbone? They say that Xiao Baichuan was like a completely different person at the time."

"Whoa! That boy's a real man! An adopted son daring to repudiate the Misty Cloud Sect's young sect leader?"

At first, everyone's discussions were fairly normal.

But as time passed, the story grew increasingly outlandish with every retelling.

By noon, an entirely different version was circulating in the roadside teahouses.

"Hey, did you hear? The Misty Cloud Sect's young sect leader, Nalan Yanran, actually fell for that handsome adopted son of the Xiao Clan!"

"Huh? Is that true?"

"How could it be false? The younger sister of my second uncle's cousin's aunt works at the Xiao Clan. She saw it with her own eyes last night!"

"They say Nalan Yanran came with a fortune and tried to force Xiao Baichuan to leave with her, but Xiao Baichuan wouldn't bow his head to the rich!"

"Tsk, tsk, what a handsome young man, refusing to bend his back for five pecks of rice!"

"I heard Nalan Yanran lost her composure right there and even left him with a threat!"

"What threat?"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west-don't bully a young girl for being rich!"

"Bravo! That's the spirit the young men of our Wutan City should have!"

"That was close, so close! The boy nearly ended up never having to worry about food or clothing!"

Cheers filled the teahouse. Anyone who did not know better would have thought they were listening to a storyteller recount a legendary tale.