Outside the city.
"Quick, Auntie, there's a city ahead. Let's go inside and hide from our pursuers."
In the distant woods, a young man looked thoroughly bedraggled, his face covered in dirt.
Looking at the bustling city before him, he felt a little hope well up inside.
He was also supporting a deathly pale woman.
"Yang'er, I can't go on. This little city can't stop those people. Go. I'll... I'll buy you some time." Xiao Yu clutched her wound, her voice feeble.
"No, Auntie, I won't abandon you." Xiao Yang's gaze was utterly resolute. "If we leave, we leave together. Even if it can't stop them, it can buy us time to catch our breath. I'll use acupuncture to treat your injuries."
Looking at the city, Xiao Yang had a question he left unspoken. Why was it called the "Chen Lineage"? Could it be just a lineage?
But judging by all the people coming and going, it didn't look like one. With the situation so urgent, he couldn't worry about that.
Supporting Xiao Yu, he started toward it.
Xiao Yu shoved him away with all her strength, though she could barely stand herself, swaying like a withering flower.
"Get lost! If you don't leave now, don't call me your aunt again!"
Internal strife within the Xiao Lineage had erupted into deadly fighting, and they had been pursued all the way here. At this rate, she would only be a burden, and neither of them would escape!
Worse still, they would drag an entire city's people down with them. But Xiao Yang absolutely could not die! As for her, only by joining the city's people in death could she feel somewhat at peace.
Xiao Yang understood that too, but they could barely save themselves. Life and death were decreed by fate, wealth and honor by Heaven!
The strong devoured the weak-who could contend with them! Staying alive was the only right choice!
As for those people in the Xiao Lineage, the river flowed east for thirty years, then west for thirty years!
And at that moment.
His aunt was willing to die for him. But how could he stand by and watch?
"Auntie, I'm sorry." He raised a hand, about to knock her unconscious...
Unbeknownst to them, two pairs of eyes were watching from high above their heads, beyond the nine heavens.
Chen Fan was cringing so hard it hurt.
With a casual point of his finger, he sent Xiao Yang flying.
Now that the Chen Lineage was open for business, there was no need to keep the formation covering it all the time. The Imperial Qilin was enough. Of course, the Imperial Qilin had always stood guard beyond the nine heavens, overlooking the entire Chen Lineage territory, completely undetectable to others.
"This is bad." A chill ran down Xiao Yang's back. He hadn't even noticed an expert approaching. "Who's there?"
He immediately raised his guard.
Xiao Yu slapped Xiao Yang backhanded. He had actually tried to knock his own aunt unconscious!
Don't think I didn't see that.
But she had no time to settle accounts with Xiao Yang now.
They heard...
"I see you have extraordinary bones. Since you're passing through my Chen Lineage, would you be interested in becoming my disciple?" Then Chen Fan slowly appeared before them, as though a phantom were taking shape.
He displayed the bearing of an expert to the fullest.
"Who are you?" Xiao Yang asked warily.
A disciple? Whether this person bore them ill will or not, it was too late to leave now. This man was unquestionably countless times stronger than them.
Moreover, Chen Fan looked extremely young.
"This city belongs to my Chen Lineage," Chen Fan said indifferently.
Xiao Yang narrowed his eyes, then received a slap to the back of his head. "Why are you standing there? Hurry up and take him as your master!" Xiao Yu said weakly.
She could die, but Xiao Yang could not. Now that an expert was willing to take a disciple, there was no need to hesitate.
Xiao Yang felt frustrated, but he knew his aunt meant well. He reminded her quietly, "Auntie, this man appeared so strangely, out of nowhere. We have to be on guard..."
"Yang'er, you need a powerful protector right now. I can't let you die. At least that's true for now. Listen to me." How could Xiao Yu not understand that reasoning? But they were still being hunted. What right did they have to choose?
Besides, Chen Fan looked far too young. He was probably some old monster; otherwise, he wouldn't possess such methods.
So I can die later? You really are my own aunt! Xiao Yang was rebellious to his very bones and wouldn't listen at all. They didn't even know where this man came from. How could they so casually...
He was a Great Emperor reborn! He had been ambushed in his previous life.
Seeing this, Xiao Yu grew frantic. "Senior, on his behalf, I..."
"Auntie!" Xiao Yang hurriedly interrupted.
"Stop arguing! Girl, I'm taking you as my disciple. I never said him!" Chen Fan was getting impatient. Why did they have so much drama?
His tone was that of an old man.
[Ding, host...]
Shut up, system! Do I need you to remind me what to do?
What kind of hero raises disciples who are already geniuses! Turning trash into geniuses, raising them into heaven's chosen blessed with great fortune-that's real ability!
Bai Fengyao: I delivered myself to your doorstep.
Xiao Yang was dumbfounded. What was that supposed to mean?
Huh? Xiao Yu was embarrassed. So it was me, the aunt.
Just then, a group of figures came pursuing them.
"This is bad." Xiao Yang's expression darkened. Their pursuers had caught up.
In their current state, they were no match whatsoever.
Seeing this, Xiao Yu moved to kneel and acknowledge her master despite her weakened body. "Master, please accept a bow from your disciple, Xiao Yu!"
She was utterly resolute. Though her body was frail, her expression and eyes could not have been more determined.
Yang'er, if you can't seize this opportunity, let your aunt do it.
Though she didn't know why.
Even if Chen Fan had ulterior motives, she was willing to sacrifice herself to protect Xiao Yang!
Besides, if Chen Fan refused to let them go, they couldn't leave anyway. They had no other choice.
Xiao Yang rubbed his eyes. His talent was countless times greater than his aunt's. Why didn't Chen Fan want him?
No, judging from experience, he must have ulterior motives. He covets something about Auntie. I have to be on guard.
Of course, Chen Fan had long since noticed their pursuers, but he hadn't taken them to heart.
Only now, hearing her words, was he satisfied.
"All right, Yu'er, get up. From this day forward, you are my second disciple."
[Ding, disciple accepted successfully. Congratulations, host, on obtaining one copy of the supreme-grade heaven-tier cultivation technique, the Qianyuan Art.]
The system was a little stingy, but who knew that Chen Fan had been operating up in the stratosphere all along! Teaching disciples also earned rewards. The weaker they were, the more rewards he would receive while raising them.
A long-term meal ticket.
"Yes, Master." Only then did Xiao Yu dare raise her head to look at Chen Fan. She also felt... it was all rather sudden. Everything had unfolded so strangely, like a dream.
After all, however she looked at it, Yang'er was far more talented than she was. An expert should be able to detect that, shouldn't he?
Could this old monster want to harvest me through dual cultivation? Her delicate body trembled.
"Xiao Yang, Xiao Yu, let's see where you can run this time."
"Hahahaha!"
The distant figures rapidly approached, laughing loudly.
"Kill Xiao Yang and take his aunt back as a bed-warming maid."
Hearing this, the old man leading them charged ahead of the others.
He sneered repeatedly. "Don't think finding some brat to help you and kneeling to him will save your lives!"
He paid Chen Fan no heed whatsoever.
Xiao Yang instantly flew into a rage. How dare they insult my aunt! I won't stand for it. I'll fight them first!
Xiao Yu's face was deathly pale. Her lips moved as she tried to say something...
But she heard Chen Fan say, "Yu'er, come home with me."
He would take her home; talking would be easier behind closed doors.
Xiao Yang seethed inwardly. This master of Auntie's won't even act for his disciple! He isn't worth it, Auntie!
Seeing this, those people grew even more excited. "Brat! Scared now? Too late!"
"Since you want to keep that girl, die with her!" With a roar, they charged straight at him.
Xiao Yu panicked and hurriedly warned him, "Master, they're Void Return Realm experts..."
As her words fell, a terrifying beast's roar suddenly rang in their ears.
It came from beyond the nine heavens.
The Imperial Qilin crouching on guard over their home let out a roar.
It sneezed.
That group of people instantly exploded into clouds of bloody mist.
Without so much as a wail, everything in this world ceased to have anything to do with them.
They departed together, very peacefully.
Xiao Yang looked up. In the sky! I can't see it, but it's an extremely powerful demonic beast!
Xiao Yu was dumbfounded. That was it?
Only then did Chen Fan respond. "Yu'er, so what? Come back with your master. We'll talk there."
Like ants, they were gone with a casual movement from the Imperial Qilin.
Xiao Yu had no time to think further. She hurriedly beckoned. "Yang'er, hurry and follow..."
Chen Fan cut straight in. "He cannot enter my Chen Lineage!"
"Why!" Before Xiao Yu could respond, Xiao Yang laughed in anger.
He had to stay with his aunt! Just in case!
Because he suspected Chen Fan had ulterior motives. Otherwise, why would he take his aunt as a disciple?
At worst, they would die together!
Chen Fan looked back. "Why? Without me, today's incident would likely have dragged this entire city's people into the grave!"
"And you ask me why? Get lost. For her sake, I'm sparing your life..."
Taking disciples depended on affinity and fortune.
Though the strong devoured the weak, life and death were decreed by fate, wealth and honor by Heaven, the capable could rewrite everything, and the weak were all ants.
At his level, however, that rule did not exist...
The Chen Lineage's rules were his to decide!
Xiao Yu was good. Her talent was poor and her fortune insufficient, but there was no denying their affinity.
He had seen everything just now perfectly clearly...