Chapter 788: The Obedient Disciple Comes Into the Embrace 22

But they were shocked nonetheless; yet to say that this is not right, nobody dares.

Perhaps this is how their master-disciple relationship works.

Moreover, the venerable of the Lingxu Order has an otherworldly, impeccable appearance, with not a hint of incongruity!

Xu Lan and the other person ate noodles in silence, hiding their inner surprise.

Jin Chen naturally took the chopsticks and fed him, and neither felt anything wrong.

One intentionally cultivated Fei Mian's habit, and the other was indeed raised to be very obedient.

On the other hand, Qiu Shi clenched his fists, feeling that this had already surpassed the normal master-disciple bounds.

He plucked up his courage to advise, "Master, Little Master Uncle no longer needs you to feed him, right? This will surely have a bad influence…"

He actually felt that the Lingxu Venerable's desire for control was too strong, which prevented Fei Mian from having a chance to be independent.

Jin Chen gave him a meaningful glance, his eyes deep, as if he could see through his thoughts.

"What's wrong with that?"

Qiu Shi's heart jolted; he hurriedly lowered his head, and instantly broke out in a cold sweat all over.

Fei Mian also frowned, unhappy, "What bad influence?"

He feared the Master might really take it to heart, and hastily said, "Don't listen to him."

"I know, Master."

He gently pinched the soft flesh at the back of his neck, and Jin Chen soothed him in a soft voice, "Be good and finish your meal; later I'll take you to meet someone."

Recalling yesterday's promise, Fei Mian hummed in agreement and sped up his noodle-eating.

"Master."

Luo Yi Ping finished eating, then went to ask the shop attendant about recent events, reporting them one by one to Jin Chen.

"The locals say that strange phenomena frequently occur in the neighboring mountains and forests, and there are man‑eating monsters; probably the demons coveting the divine artifact have already appeared."

This means they must hurry in and wait for the divine artifact to appear.

Jin Chen leisurely wiped the youth's mouth clean, then said in a calm voice, "Split into two teams: you take one team to first approach the edge of the divine artifact and stand guard; Fu Xi leads the other team to probe in from the outskirts and slay the monsters."

"Remember, safety comes first; opportunity follows the heart."

"Disciple, I accept the order."

All the disciples rose together and bowed.

Since Fei Mian would be acting together with Jin Chen, Luo Yi Ping didn't even need to ask; he simply swept past him and assigned the other disciples to their teams.

Qiu Shi couldn't be placed on the same team as Fei Mian; his face fell with sorrow, and he occasionally glanced over.

But Fei Mian clung only to the Master, not sparing even a glance his way.

Jin Chen gave two jade pendants to Luo Yi Ping and Fu Xi.

"If anything happens, use this to stay in touch."

"Yes."

Having finished all the arrangements, Jin Chen took Fei Mian and left the inn first.

Xie Xi suddenly seemed to think of something and stepped forward to ask Luo Yi Ping.

"Senior Brother, what are they going to do? The Master won't favor Fei Mian, will he? If the divine artifact appears, with the Master's strength so great, he might just give it directly to Fei Mian!"

"All right, don't be angry; the Master said he's only responsible for protecting our safety."

Luo Yi Ping rubbed his shoulder and said, "But Fei Mian is, after all, his personal disciple; receiving some preferential treatment is normal."

Over these past few years, he has clearly become very good at making Xie Xi angry at Fei Mian.

Sure enough, upon hearing about preferential treatment, Fei Mian's lingering anger flared up, and he let out a snort.

——

Jin Chen brought Fei Mian into the bamboo grove, and saw his expression grow increasingly solemn, as if he were about to face some difficult problem.

Finding it somewhat amusing, Jin Chen stopped and asked him.

"What are you nervous about?"

"I have never yet seen the Master's close friend."

Fei Mian simply felt a nervousness he couldn't quite put into words.

The Master's friend is surely formidable, perhaps even a great figure.

What if they think I'm unworthy to be the Master's disciple?

"They are very kind; there's no need to worry."

Jin Chen took his hand and gently stroked it, undoing the seal on the bamboo grove.

A bamboo hut suddenly appeared before Fei Mian's eyes.

"Oh, finally you've come."

The next second a voice came; Fei Mian nervously hid behind the Master and peeked out.

Out came two youths with an otherworldly bearing—one dignified, the other elegant—making a fine pair.

Chang Sun Lang also poked his head out to look.

"What are you hiding for, little brat? Come out quickly so we can see you!"

This was not the solemnity they had expected.

Fei Mian stepped forward, obediently bowed and paid his respects.

"Disciple Fei Mian, I pay my respects to the two Immortal Lords."

"Heh heh, come on in quickly."

Chang Sun Lang let out a laugh, "Still a pretty little doll."

"All right, restrain yourself; don't scare them."

Si Tu Yu slapped his shoulder, annoyed.

After drinking a cup of hot tea to warm himself, Fei Mian's last trace of tension vanished completely; he obediently snuggled up to Master, curiously watching the two elders interact.

Master said, "They are Dao partners."

A Dao partner is a companion in the mortal world, who will hold hands through this life and remain together forever.

The familiar throbbing came again; this concept seemed to have planted a seed in Fei Mian's heart, waiting to take root and sprout the next day.

He was lost in thought, not even realizing what they were talking about.

When he came to, it was Si Tu Yu asking him to extend his hand.

Fei Mian finally understood why Master had brought him here—it was still because of his sleepiness.

As soon as he touched Fei Mian's wrist, the faint smile on Si Tu Yu's face faded.

That expression made Chang Sun Lang a little surprised, and he immediately turned solemn as well.

He leaned close to Jin Chen and whispered, "I haven't seen him in years; when A Yu takes someone's pulse, he shows this expression."

"Before, when someone who was about to die came over, A Yu would always be smiling."

Jin Chen: ……

【Turns out there's still someone who can't speak as well as I can.】

Spicy Comment.

Finally realizing the remark was inauspicious, Chang Sun Lang gave an awkward laugh twice and hastily shut his mouth.

Otherwise, that icy face would start attacking!

After half an incense stick's worth of time, Si Tu Yu finally withdrew his hand, his expression still stern as he looked at Jin Chen.

"This child's meridians are fine; his soul is damaged."

Hearing the words "soul," Jin Chen's expression shifted; he frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

"His soul… likely has been corroded by demonic energy since childhood, leaving an irreversible gap; at Foundation Establishment it's not obvious yet, just making him prone to sleepiness."

Si Tu Yu paused, then glanced at the dazed Fei Mian and said bluntly, "But later, as his level rises, the danger will grow—one slip and he could… burst and die."

Clang—

The cup in Fei Mian's hand fell to the ground.

He seemed to have been suddenly startled, lowering his head to look at his palm, his fingers clenching into a fist.

Jin Chen took his hand, his expression growing colder, and asked, "How can it be resolved?"

Si Tu Yu lowered his eyes, shook his head, and said, "There is no cure."

"But… perhaps if we find the demon tribe that once harmed him, there might be a way."

"Until then, I will do my best to find a solution."

Chang Sun Lang hadn't expected the problem to be this serious.

Heaven knows, his brother had finally managed to take on a disciple, only for this to happen.

"Good."

Jin Chen replied.

【Host, don't worry! I'll go check the original plot right now!】

0731 hurriedly comforted.