Chapter 25: Taking an Apprentice

"Uh..." Hearing these words that Xiao Han blurted out, although he was very happy that Brother Lin could remember him, why did it feel so wrong?

"You must be over a hundred and some years old by now!" In the end, it was Xiao Han who spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

Given the cruelty of the Dou Qi Continent, low-level cultivators like Dou Shi are very easily caught in the crossfire of accidents and killed.

Moreover, the lifespan of a Dou Shi is not much longer than that of an ordinary person; it is a miracle that Shitou has lived this long.

"Hehe..." Perhaps because he had returned to the days of following behind Xiao Han, Shitou's tone became much lighter.

"I don't know how I managed to live this long myself, and I never expected to see you again, Brother Lin."

"How did you survive back then? I thought you had been eaten by a Magic Beast." Speaking of this, Xiao Han's tone grew increasingly heavy.

"I had run out of the village to play back then, and I didn't expect to accidentally fall into a pit and pass out."

"When I finally returned to the village, I discovered that everyone was dead. It was the Disciples of the Yunlan Sect who saved me."

Shitou's expression was sorrowful; after all, he was only six or seven years old at the time and had witnessed the death of all his relatives, friends, and fellow villagers. This was a scar branded on his heart for life.

"Afterward, I was taken to the Yunlan Sect to serve as a Miscellaneous Disciple, and I was lucky enough to cultivate to the level of a Dou Shi."

"Then, when I was sixty or seventy, because I was too old, I was dismissed and sent back." His tone still carried a touch of playfulness.

"I didn't expect to have lived until now."

"And what about this little fellow?" Xiao Han glanced at the youth beside him; the events of today were truly too unbelievable for this child.

Not having truly known this continent, he heard his own Grandpa Shi actually address this young man of only twenty or thirty as 'Brother'?

And... Hmph! He is also a bad person. At this moment, he still expressed his dissatisfaction with Xiao Han's act of grabbing him.

"Xiao Wu! I found him in the mountains. I don't know how he ended up being abandoned there." Shitou's expression was somewhat pained, then he suddenly became proud. "But this kid's talent for cultivation is truly beyond words. Without any resources, he's an eleven-year-old Dou Zhe! Hahaha!"

"If he hadn't been so dead-set against it, I would have sent him directly to the Yunlan Sect."

*Phew*~ Thank goodness! Xiao Han let out a long sigh of relief.

If you had sent him to the Yunlan Sect, wouldn't that have let that guy Yun Shan pick up a huge bargain?

"Let him follow me. I will take him to the Langya Pavilion in the Central Plains, and he will be my Disciple from now on. You come with us too; I'll see if there's any way to heal your body."

Upon meeting him, Xiao Han had already noticed that due to his advanced age, Shitou's body was now completely frail and riddled with illness.

As one of his few remaining old acquaintances, and also to make up for his own mistakes from back then, Xiao Han had to find a way to resolve his injuries and illnesses.

Although Shitou's time was running out and his body could no longer withstand any Medicinal Pill for longevity, this was no longer something that could be achieved by human effort. This was the way of Heaven.

Although the strong might be able to defy the heavens and change fate, or be resurrected and reborn—which is the original intention and motivation for many to pursue the peak—Shitou was clearly not among them. Xiao Han just wanted to let him walk the final stretch of his life more peacefully.

As for taking this youth named Xiao Wu as a personal Disciple, it was also a spur-of-the-moment decision by Xiao Han.

Xiao Wu's talent was certainly not bad. Without the help of resources, he could achieve the same accomplishments as the original Xiao Yan, or even surpass them, simply by relying on his talent. Although he was not as good as himself, he was still stronger than Xiao Yan; after all, Xiao Yan had a good family background and did not lack resources in his childhood.

And what was even more suitable was that his constitution was also of the Ice attribute. Although it might not compare to the 'cheating' Xiao Yan, it was enough to inherit his mantle.

However, faced with this proposal from Xiao Han, Shitou hesitated.

He had occasionally heard of that place, the Central Plains. Although he had confidence in Brother Lin, they were in a strange place, and what if the child Xiao Wu suffered?

His own strength was fine for this remote town, but once they got there, it would basically be as good as nothing.

Seeing his worry, Xiao Han said, "Rest assured, I am the Pavilion Master of the Langya Pavilion in the Central Plains. How could I let my own Disciple suffer?"

"Moreover, you might have some misunderstanding about Xiao Wu's talent. I can tell you very clearly that even among the first-rate powers in the Central Plains, he could become a Core Disciple."

Xiao Han added, "I still have some reputation in the Central Plains, and you also want to watch Xiao Wu grow up, right? Healing your body will at least allow you to live a few more years in comfort. Don't you agree?"

These words truly touched Shitou's heart. He had lived for so long that he had no regrets left; his only wish was to watch the child Xiao Wu grow up, marry, and have children.

Although his days were coming to an end, he at least wanted to see him go through his coming-of-age ceremony.

"Alright, Brother Lin, Xiao Wu and I will go to the Central Plains with you." Shitou made up his mind.

"Come quickly, Xiao Wu, hurry and pay your respects to your master." He then turned his head and said to Xiao Wu.

"I don't want to take such a guy as my master." Xiao Wu puffed out his little cheeks and said angrily.

"Sigh... you child, I wouldn't harm you." Shitou had a headache over Xiao Wu's sudden willfulness.

"It's fine, let me handle it." Xiao Han said to Shitou with a smile.

He laughed wickedly in his heart: "Kid, I can't handle you? Once you become my apprentice, I'll let you properly understand what it means to respect your teacher and value the Dao."

But on the surface, he remained calm, wearing a hypocritical smile, looking exactly like a creepy uncle coaxing a child.

"Xiao Wu, right? Do you hate me very much?" At this time, Xiao Wu looked at him with an expression as if he were looking at a fool; wasn't that obvious?

"Do you want to hit me?" Xiao Han didn't care at all. I'll let you know about settling scores later.

"I do." He finally relented. "Then do you want to learn from me?"

"If you can learn my skills, maybe you'll be able to beat me?"

"Really?" Now that you mention that, I'm interested.

Very good! Education through love +1!

"Really, and don't you want to become stronger to protect Grandpa Shi? If you take me as your master, all of this can be achieved."

Xiao Wu looked at Xiao Han in a conflict; what to do, such a tempting proposal.

Clearly, Xiao Wu, who had lived in the deep mountains and forests isolated from the world with Shitou since he was small, was a bit naively cute.

And although Shitou saw through Xiao Han's intention to lure him, he was happy for it. Although he didn't know Xiao Han's strength, he must be very strong.

A youthful appearance that never fades is something only the strong can achieve.

After all, he wanted to send Xiao Wu to the Yunlan Sect, wasn't it just because he didn't want to delay his talent?

"Hmm..." After pondering for a long while, Xiao Wu said, "Alright, I'll reluctantly agree."

"Very good!" Xiao Han revealed a smile, only to Xiao Wu, it always felt a bit dangerous.