Chapter 68 - Servant?

Out of the remaining four fierce souls, Leng Yan only kept one and withdrew it back into the cave. The other three were detonated with a single thought!

The explosive sounds echoed in the stone chamber, causing it to tremble slightly. Once the dust settled, Leng Yan controlled the sole remaining fierce soul to enter the chamber.

The force from the explosion lifted the dust off the ground, and although it eventually settled, most of the seal was now exposed.

“What kind of seal is this? Why are there so many runes I’ve never seen before? I learned everything my master taught me in his lifetime. Could it be that he didn’t teach me everything?” Leng Yan said in shock as he looked at the runes on the ground.

In truth, Long Tian had indeed taught Leng Yan all the seals he knew, and even if Long Tian himself were here, he would have the same reaction as Leng Yan.

Leng Yan carefully memorized the appearance of each rune, planning to study them thoroughly in his spare time.

After committing these runes to memory, Leng Yan used several more fierce souls to create explosions, ensuring he remembered all the seals before reluctantly taking a few last looks at the Houtu Stele. Having such a treasure but being unable to obtain it left Leng Yan feeling unsettled.

Inwardly, Leng Yan vowed that once he had enough strength, he would take this treasure. As he was about to withdraw his spiritual awareness and leave, a sudden pressure descended, startling Leng Yan. Without hesitation, he triggered an explosion of his spiritual awareness and quickly retreated.

“So powerful! Not even Xuan Yi is this strong. I’ve really gotten myself into trouble this time,” Leng Yan exclaimed in shock.

“Hehe! You’ve got a good sense of judgment, young man. But even if you don’t want this treasure, I won’t let you leave. I haven’t had anyone to talk to for so many years; I’m suffocated.” A hoarse voice suddenly rang in his ear, followed by a withered arm appearing beside him.

Leng Yan felt his body stiffen, unable to move, as the withered hand clasped him in its palm and moved towards the hill.

“Senior, I meant no offense. Please forgive me!” Leng Yan shouted towards the hill.

“Stop with the useless words. Come chat with me first!”

As they spoke, Leng Yan was thrown into the stone chamber, yet he still hadn’t seen the figure behind the voice.

“Dragon Tribe’s essence blood and the Fire Immortal Palace mark, impressive! What made these two young lads treat you so well? Let me see!” The voice seemed to emanate from the distant Void, echoing in the stone chamber.

“Body of belief! I never expected you to have condensed a body of belief. No wonder, no wonder the Fire Immortal Palace marked you with the Fire Immortal Mark so early!” The voice was filled with shock and disbelief. Suddenly, an old man with white hair, clothed in a black robe, and holding a dragon-wood staff appeared silently before Leng Yan.

“Senior, you just want someone to chat with, right? There’s no need to restrain me! Even without your hold, I lack the ability to escape your grasp. Don’t you agree?” Leng Yan said with an ingratiating smile. He was in a position of weakness, after all.

As the saying goes, when one is under a roof, they must bow their head. Keep a low profile when necessary. That’s not cowardice, but recognizing the situation.

“That was the idea! However, possessing a body of belief indicates you’re extraordinary. If I let you go and you escape, how could I face others? No, I can’t release you,” the old man muttered, waving his staff.

“So, Senior, what do you propose?” Leng Yan asked with a smile.

The old man took a couple of steps, then suddenly laughed, “How about this? Become my apprentice and promise to join the demon sect in the future, and I will release you.”

“Senior, you know I have the Dragon Tribe’s essence blood. The Dragon Emperor is my master, so how could I take you as a master as well?” Leng Yan revealed Long Tian’s identity, hoping to deter the old man, but…

“Hmph! A mere earthworm dares to call himself an emperor, and he isn’t qualified to be your master. If you refuse to take me as your master out of respect for him, I’ll capture him and have him expel you from his tutelage. Then you can take me as your master!” the old man snorted, his commanding tone sharply contrasting his frail appearance.

These words stunned Leng Yan. Long Tian, with his mystic tribulation cultivation level, viewed even Xuan Yi, who was at the same level, as a junior. But the old man called him an earthworm, indicating that in his eyes, Long Tian was not even on par with a junior!

“Senior, that’s not really suitable, is it? I’m just a junior with limited skills and mediocre aptitude. Perhaps you should seek a more qualified disciple instead!” Leng Yan forced a smile.

“You call your aptitude mediocre? Then what am I by comparison? Enough, just tell me, will you acknowledge me as your master or not? If you refuse, I’ll simply kill you to prevent any future threats!” The old man tilted his head, appearing completely at ease.

Leng Yan inwardly lamented his bad luck. Suddenly, he remembered the red leaf given to him by Red Leaf’s master and smiled. “Senior, I have something here that someone wanted me to give to you. Please release me so I can take it out.”

“Oh? Something for me? No tricks, or I’ll obliterate you!” The old man tapped his staff on the ground, causing the entire stone chamber to shake.

“I’m in no position to play tricks while in your grasp!” Leng Yan replied, irritated.

“Wise decision. Take it out; let me see!” The old man moved his finger slightly, and Leng Yan felt the binding on his body loosen.

Flipping his palm, the red leaf appeared in his hand, and Leng Yan extended it forward. “Here it is, Senior. Please take a look!”

Upon seeing the red leaf in Leng Yan’s hand, the old man’s expression turned peculiar. With a slight finger movement, the red leaf floated before him. As the old man’s divine sense entered it, his hands began to tremble with excitement on his face.

“My master, my master is coming! Haha! You’d better not wander off; I’m going to fetch my master.” The old man laughed maniacally and vanished without a trace.

“His master? Who could possibly command such a servant?” Leng Yan wondered, staring at the cave entrance in shock.

“Should I escape now?” Leng Yan considered the option but quickly thought better of it. Even if he escaped, the old man could easily locate him with his Divine Power. It would be wiser to stay put and wait for an opportunity.

Within just a few minutes, he heard a voice approaching from afar…

“Who are you? Let me go! Who the hell is your master? Damn it!”

Hearing this voice, Leng Yan thought it sounded familiar. However, when he saw the person behind the old man, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter: “Chu Jianfeng, you’re his master?!”

“How dare you speak my master’s name so casually! Do you want me to destroy you right now?” the old man barked angrily.

“You dare! He’s my brother. Try touching him!” Chu Jianfeng seemed to understand something and glared back, shouting loudly.

“My apologies. Since he is the master’s brother, I would never disrespect him,” the old man replied respectfully.

“Then hurry up and release me,” Chu Jianfeng commanded.

“Master, please don’t run away anymore!” the old man pleaded.

“Alright, I won’t run. But since you say I’m your master, shouldn’t you tell me why?” Chu Jianfeng asked.

The old man loosened the seal on Chu Jianfeng and said, “Master, your origins aren’t something that can be explained quickly. You haven’t unlocked the seal on your memories yet. Once the seal is broken, you’ll naturally understand everything.”

“Are you another reincarnated powerhouse? Damn, why am I always the odd one out?” Leng Yan grumbled. Everyone around him seemed to be getting swept away to unlock their memory seals, while he was still working hard on his own.

“Then help me unlock the seal now!” Chu Jianfeng demanded.

“Well, I can only assist you. Truly unlocking the seal requires your personal effort.”

“What do you mean?” Chu Jianfeng inquired.

“Master, your memory fragments are scattered across the universe. I can guide you and clear obstacles, but you must integrate the memories yourself to break the seal. When all your memories are fully restored, the Houtu Stele will also awaken from its slumber,” the old man explained, glancing at the glowing Houtu Stele.