“Never thought you’d grow this strong in just a few short years,” Feng Qingzi sighed softly. In his eyes, his adopted apprentice had always been extraordinary, but after the merging of the myriad realms, the cultivators of the great races advanced by leaps and bounds. He had thought his apprentice might no longer keep up.
But now, seeing him face to face, Feng Qingzi was left speechless with astonishment.
A few short years—this wasn’t just shooting up like a rocket, was it?
“Not bad, I guess. But there are so many supreme beings from the various races. Compared to them, I still have quite a distance to cover,” Lin Fan replied casually.
“Oh, by the way, old man, why are you alone? Back at the Guardian Realm, wasn’t there another old guy with you?”
At that moment, Lin Fan noticed a hint of sorrow in Feng Qingzi’s expression.
“So much has happened in these past few years,” Feng Qingzi shook his head, clearly unwilling to dwell on the past. Let bygones be bygones.
“But you, kid—you’ve really made it. Your current cultivation must rival even the supreme beings without fear,” Feng Qingzi said enviously. Comparing people could be so depressing.
Once upon a time, he had taken in an apprentice, and now the kid had surpassed even him. How could he possibly hold his head high anymore?
“Nothing special,” Lin Fan replied indifferently, waving his hand as if it were nothing at all.
“Praise you a little, and you get cocky,” Feng Qingzi shot back with a glare. His disciple was great in many ways, but he could be such a brat.
Still, thinking back, it was probably precisely because of that brashness that his apprentice had survived until now and climbed to such a level of strength.
“Old man, want to tag along with me?” Lin Fan asked casually.
The straightforwardness of the question caught Feng Qingzi off guard. Something felt off. Was there ever a master who followed his own disciple? His expression darkened. “Hmph, I haven’t fallen so low as to follow my own apprentice yet.”
“Heh, come on, old man. You know us—we’re family. You were always so good to me, so it’s only right I protect you now. How about it? Let’s adventure together. This is the final era, and I sense that the world is about to change drastically. The supreme beings might soon go all-out.”
“How do you know so much?” Feng Qingzi asked, puzzled. This kid knew way too much—more than he did.
“Who do you think I am?” Lin Fan said with a confident smile, pointing at himself.
“Feng Qingzi’s disciple,” Feng Qingzi answered.
“Fine,” Lin Fan gave in, shaking his head. Well then, he’d let the old man have this one. After all, today had been quite a blow to him.
Feng Qingzi savored the small victory, his sense of defeat easing slightly. “Since my disciple is so considerate, I’ll reluctantly agree to tag along with you. Let me allow you to indulge your filial devotion.”
Inside, Lin Fan cursed, “Shameless old man.”
Then, as if remembering something, he grinned. “Old man, let me introduce you to a few… companions.”
As Feng Qingzi watched in astonishment, Lin Fan flicked his sleeve, releasing Ji Da and the others.
“Cluck cluck, this chicken was suffocating in there!”
“Woof woof, what’s going on, what’s going on?”
As soon as they emerged, shaking off the dust, they saw an old man standing before them and looked on curiously.
“Old man, let me introduce them. This is Ji Zi, that’s his son Ji Da, and this is his son’s friend, Tai Ritian.”
“This is my master. He’s getting old and lonely, so from now on, you all should keep him company. Got it?” Lin Fan said.
“Cluck cluck cluck! His master? Then naturally, we must keep him company well!” Ji Zi leaped forward and landed on the old man’s head, then sat down heavily on Feng Qingzi’s scalp.
“I’m Ji Zi.”
Ji Da hopped onto Feng Qingzi’s left shoulder and adjusted his shiny jewelry. “I’m Ji Da.”
Tai Ritian jumped into Feng Qingzi’s arms. “Woof woof, I’m Tai Ritian.”
Feng Qingzi was completely stunned. What in the world was going on? Where had these bizarre creatures come from?
Lin Fan watched the scene unfold with a slight smile. “Heh, wanted to play tricks on me? Let my army of pets keep you company instead.”
As Lin Fan was thinking this, a sudden ripple tore through the void.
“This…”
Lin Fan’s expression changed instantly—he had a bad feeling. That aura felt far too familiar.
Feng Qingzi and the others also sensed it, their faces paling. The pressure was immense. A supreme being had arrived.
“You all hide in my pocket realm for now,” Lin Fan said without hesitation. He flicked his sleeve, enveloping Feng Qingzi in his realm, then turned his gaze warily toward the void.
“How did you find me?” Lin Fan was close to cursing. He never expected the Emperor of Water and Flame to show up.
He was extremely wary of this woman.
She was ruthless, especially fond of tormenting her “little brothers.”
Memories of past encounters flooded back. If it weren’t for his unusually strong combat abilities, he might have been drained to a husk by the Emperor.
What frustrated Lin Fan most was that this Emperor of Water and Flame seemed to have implanted a tracking device on him. Every time she looked for him, it was disturbingly easy—downright terrifying.
“Never thought my personal plaything would grow so strong, managing to defeat seven supreme beings. Truly impressive,” a voice echoed from the sky.
A figure draped in flowing robes of water and flame appeared, exuding an overwhelming imperial aura that covered the heavens and earth.
In the past, Lin Fan might have been intimidated by the Emperor of Water and Flame, but now things were different. His combat power had grown immensely. If he fought a supreme being, the outcome would be seven to three in his favor.
Seven parts him, three parts the opponent.
“What do you want from me? Don’t tell me you want to have your way with me again. I’m warning you—I’m malnourished. If you do it again, I might die,” Lin Fan had developed a strong aversion to such experiences.
That last time had been brutal—lasting for years. If it weren’t for his robust physique and high tolerance, he might have vomited at the sight of the Emperor.
“What? You don’t want to see this Emperor?” The Emperor’s voice turned sharp, as if warning that if Lin Fan dared to answer “yes,” he’d face endless torment.
“How could that be? I’m so happy you’re here,” Lin Fan replied with forced cheerfulness.
“Good,” the Emperor nodded, then fixed her gaze on Lin Fan. “Your cultivation is now strong enough to rival a supreme being. As my personal plaything, I can’t allow you to perish in this era. There is an upcoming opportunity—come with me.”
With a delicate flick of her finger, the void trembled, and Lin Fan felt himself enveloped in an invisible force.
But he made no resistance, allowing the Emperor to take him.
Damn it, the weak have no rights. If she says “go,” then you go.
One day, I’ll make sure you’re the one completely under my thumb.
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