Chapter 30: The Mysterious Old Man
Thud!
Just as Li Jian-san pushed open Ye Tian's door, a soft, yielding bundle collided with his chest. The sensation was so enticing it stirred a longing within him.
“Li... Senior Brother Li, I’m sorry...”
It was, of course, Chu Xi’er who had bumped into him. Li Jian-san slowly savored the exquisite feeling of her delicate skin, then wrapped his arms slyly around her slender waist.
“Junior Sister Xi’er, are you alright?”
Flustered, Chu Xi’er replied, “I... I’m fine, really.”
After a moment, Li Jian-san finally released her and asked, “Junior Sister Xi’er, what brings you here?”
Chu Xi’er stammered, “I, I came to...”
Li Jian-san smiled faintly, noting that the little girl seemed nervous after his embrace.
Seeing her anxious expression, he found nothing amiss. At that moment, Ye Tian interjected, “Xi’er came specifically to take care of me.”
“By the way, Young Sect Master, what brings you here today?”
Why are you interrupting when I’m trying to bond with my little junior sister, you dog.
Li Jian-san shot Ye Tian a glance and said, “I just wanted to check in on you. How are you doing? Is your injury improving?”
Ye Tian’s brow furrowed, but he managed a smile. “Thanks to the Young Sect Master’s concern, I am much better.”
Li Jian-san waved at Chu Xi’er and Liu Nan behind her. “You two step outside for now. I have something to discuss privately with Brother Ye Tian.”
“Young Sect Master, I know you fancy Xi’er. If you give the word, you can take her—I'm not bothered in the least.”
Once they had left, Ye Tian grinned obsequiously. “Just treat me kindly in return, Young Sect Master.”
Ye Tian wagged his tail like a loyal dog before Li Jian-san, eager for favor. He knew well that Li Jian-san desired Chu Xi’er. For Ye Tian, only cultivation resources mattered; women and dignity meant nothing.
Li Jian-san sneered, “How much do you think Xi’er is worth?”
A greedy gleam flashed in Ye Tian’s eyes.
“Young Sect Master, my request is modest. Just allow me to become an inner disciple and apprentice under an elder—that will be enough.”
“That’s all?”
Li Jian-san could no longer contain himself upon hearing Ye Tian’s words.
“You’re truly scum, wasting Xi’er’s sincere affection.”
Ye Tian asked, puzzled, “Why? Don’t you like Xi’er, Young Sect Master?”
“Heh, the woman I desire, I have my own ways to win her. I wouldn’t stoop to your disgusting methods.”
Ye Tian then flashed a lewd smile. “Young Sect Master, why make it so complicated? I could drug Chu Xi’er for you, and you could enjoy her at your leisure. Once things are settled, she’ll be yours regardless.”
Li Jian-san’s face darkened completely. He kicked Ye Tian to the ground. “You bastard!”
Even after such humiliation, Ye Tian grinned. “It seems the Young Sect Master is skilled—my worries were unfounded.”
“Master, please use your spiritual power to teach this brat a lesson!”
Ye Tian called out to the master dwelling within his body.
“Ye Tian, my soul is somewhat weak right now.”
Ye Tian protested angrily, “This bastard has humiliated me repeatedly. If you don’t help me teach him a lesson, my martial heart may suffer!”
“Very well, I shall help you this time.”
“Ding.”
“System detects a powerful spiritual wave around the host. Would you like to activate the Defense Talisman?”
At that moment, Li Jian-san heard the system’s voice in his mind.
Li Jian-san looked coldly at Ye Tian. Well, what do you know, he really does have an old master as his personal bodyguard...
Li Jian-san replied to the system, “Activate it.”
“Ding.”
“Defense Talisman activated. All spiritual power near the host has been nullified.”
Seeing Li Jian-san remain calm and composed, Ye Tian asked curiously, “Why are you still so at ease?”
Looking at the smile on Li Jian-san’s face, Ye Tian hurriedly contacted his master, “Master, what’s going on?”
But he couldn’t understand why his previously dependable master failed him at this critical moment.
Ye Tian fell into panic and shock.
“You wretch, behave yourself!”
Li Jian-san stepped forward and slapped Ye Tian across the face, then turned and left.
“You think you can bully others just because of your status, huh? When I grow stronger, I won’t let you off easily, Li Jian-san. You’ll pay me back tenfold.”
Watching Li Jian-san leave, Ye Tian spoke bitterly.
Ye Tian knew his own talent; with enough elixirs, his day would surely come.
But for now, he must endure. Endure once more—patience brings calm, but one day, he will kill them all!
“Ye Tian...”
Long after Li Jian-san had left, an aged voice echoed in Ye Tian’s mind.
Hearing it, Ye Tian’s face twisted in fury.
“Master, where were you just now? You promised to help me, how could you break your word?”
At first, when his old master appeared, Ye Tian was delighted. But later, he realized this master was merely a soul residing within him, unable to exert much power, unable to accomplish much. Now, he seemed far from mighty.
And, at crucial moments, he would vanish.
This left Ye Tian deeply disappointed.
“Ye Tian, listen to me...”
From Ye Tian’s brow floated a transparent old man, wearing a wry smile.
“I wanted to help you earlier, but just as I was about to act, a mysterious force enveloped this place and severed our connection. It was so enigmatic that even I couldn’t discern its nature. You know, I was annihilated by a mysterious power long ago...
So, I dare not break through it. If it’s related to the force that destroyed me back then, I’ll be finished.
Rest assured, once my power is restored, I will certainly avenge you!”
After his master’s explanation, Ye Tian gradually calmed. His master was now only a remnant soul with little power left. If discovered, his fate would be dire, so caution was necessary.
“That man was the Young Sect Master of Shengjing Gate. It’s not surprising he carries one or two protective treasures. I was too reckless, failing to consider this before urging you to act.”
Ye Tian said, “I heard the Sect Master of Shengjing Gate collected many strange treasures in the past. Perhaps among them is one related to the force that destroyed you?”
His master’s expression changed, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “If we can find it, perhaps I can recover my strength faster.”
“Where are those treasures kept? We must investigate as soon as possible.”
Ye Tian replied, “All Shengjing Gate treasures are stored in the Treasure Pavilion.”
“Don’t worry, Master. I’m already making arrangements.”