Chapter 138: It Is Good to Have a Grandmaster

Yi Tianling felt much more at ease. Following the method provided by Xuan Yuan Tunhan, he absorbed the fundamental fire energy from the Fire-Devouring Stone. His cultivation level surged instantly, propelling him directly into the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage.

Before long, once he consolidated his cultivation, he would be able to break through the Nascent Soul stage and ascend to the Spirit Transformation stage.

It was the first time Xuan Yuan Tunhan had encountered someone who cultivated so rapidly. Even he had to admit that in terms of cultivation, Yi Tianling had bypassed many of the pitfalls that hindered ordinary practitioners. However, because of Yi Tianling’s dual spiritual veins and his heaven-defying speed of progress, his heavenly lightning tribulation would likely be exceptionally severe.

"When you are ready to enter the Spirit Transformation stage, it is best to find someone to protect you. Otherwise, the lightning tribulation may inflict lasting damage on your foundation."

Some people, when undergoing the tribulation, were struck by the lightning in a way that wounded their very essence, making it impossible for them to make any further progress thereafter. In his long journey through the path of immortality, Xuan Yuan Tunhan had seen many such individuals.

Yi Tianling thanked him for his concern and looked at him, asking, "I wonder if, when the time comes, this junior might request Senior Xuan Yuan to stand guard for me?"

He felt that they shared the same goal, and since Xuan Yuan Tunhan was the most powerful entity in the Six Realms of Yunhuang, having him as a guardian was the best possible choice.

The System, meanwhile, was mocking him: [Xuan Yuan Tunhan is cold and indifferent; he has never cared for juniors. With his level of power, why would he ever protect you?]

Yi Tianling had actually asked with a "wait and see" attitude. Given Xuan Yuan Tunhan’s temperament and usual conduct, he knew it was unlikely the man would agree. Yet, Xuan Yuan Tunhan simply looked at him.

For some reason, the way Yi Tianling lowered his head in silence looked exactly like Ning Xianyu when she spoke to her system. It seemed Yi Tianling was also talking to the system within him. However, while he could hear Ning Xianyu’s system, he could not hear the internal thoughts of Yi Tianling. Not that he was interested; he simply nodded slightly and replied, "Very well."

"Very well"? Did that mean he agreed? Yi Tianling, stunned by how simple it had been, hurriedly offered his sincere thanks. "Thank you, Senior. Thank you."

Xuan Yuan Tunhan gave him a talisman. "If you encounter any trouble, you may notify me."

Yi Tianling thanked him repeatedly. The System was indignant: [He’s trying to use you; he’s buying your loyalty.]

Yi Tianling was quite annoyed: [Even if he is buying me, it only proves that I am worth buying.]

The System fell silent, thinking that one day its host would see Xuan Yuan Tunhan’s true colors; there had to be a reason why people called him the Great Demon Lord.

Yi Tianling handed the now-depleted stone to Xuan Yuan Tunhan. Seeing the man prepare to leave, he couldn't help but ask, "Senior, are you going to look for Senior Ning?"

Xuan Yuan Tunhan glanced at him, which served as his answer.

Yi Tianling pondered for a moment and said hesitantly, "Although I do not know why Senior Ning suddenly left, I know that she is a soft-hearted person with a pure heart. Please, Senior, speak with her gently; she won't stay angry with you for long."

In his view, Xuan Yuan Tunhan and Ning Xianyu were a perfect match. Their dynamic, while strange, was harmonious. If Ning Xianyu had run away, it was likely because Xuan Yuan Tunhan had provoked her. All he had to do was say a few kind words, and she would surely return.

Xuan Yuan Tunhan, however, narrowed his eyes dangerously. "You have only met Ning Xianyu a few times, yet you seem to understand her quite well?" Calling her soft-hearted? That woman wasn't soft-hearted; she was just incredibly lazy.

Yi Tianling, oblivious to the man’s irritation, smiled and said, "People connect through their hearts. Having spent a few days together, one naturally gains some understanding, just as I have come to realize that you, Senior..." He was going to say that Senior was not as terrifying as the rumors suggested, but rather a hero with a broad mind and a sense of justice.

But Xuan Yuan Tunhan had no desire to hear more and flicked his sleeves, turning to leave. As Yi Tianling watched him walk away, he couldn't help but think that his temper really was quite difficult.

Su Yun'er, seeing the man depart, came over to ask what they had talked about and why Senior Xuan Yuan had left so abruptly. Yi Tianling recounted their conversation. "Senior went to find Senior Ning; he seemed very anxious."

Su Yun'er chuckled. "Brother Yi, you are truly adorable sometimes. Senior Xuan Yuan was clearly jealous, and you kept talking and talking. It's no wonder he left."

Yi Tianling was puzzled. "Why jealous?"

Su Yun'er put on a mock-angry expression. "You are so familiar with his woman; do you think he wouldn't be angry? And furthermore, you are so familiar with other women—do you think I wouldn't be jealous too?"

Yi Tianling thought for a moment, finally grasping her meaning, and quickly stepped forward to apologize. "I have no improper thoughts toward Senior Ning. I simply felt that she and Senior Xuan Yuan were a perfect match and didn't want them to have a falling out over a misunderstanding."

Su Yun'er, of course, was not truly angry with him. They exchanged a few more words, and their bond felt even stronger than before.

Meanwhile, Xu Nian, watching Xuan Yuan Tunhan leave, felt a sense of unease. He had a nagging suspicion that his disciple's sudden departure was related to the World-Nurturing Soil, though he could not quite fathom the connection.

Ning Xianyu, bored in the cave, paced back and forth, calling out to see if her captor would emerge. When no one appeared, she emptied her storage bag and began to eat and drink. She even claimed the stone bed, layering it with cushions and a pillow, and added a bamboo wife for comfort, feeling it would be a lovely place for a nap.

After a while, she craved a drink, but since all her wine had been taken by the Great Demon Lord, she had none.

[Nian Laisheng’s storage bag is with you. Take a look and see what's inside.]

[Right, I forgot about that!]

Ning Xianyu suddenly remembered she had the storage bag of her newly appointed grand-master. She sat up on the ground and dumped the contents out in one heap.

At first, a mountain of spirit stones spilled out, all of them of top quality. "Wow, my grand-master is truly wealthy." Since her grand-master was so sincere, the suffering she had endured in the ancient tree space had been worth it.

Ning Xianyu tucked the spirit stones away and checked the other items. There were many pill bottles, and one could tell they were high-quality goods just by the look of the bottles and the scent. There were weapons and other treasures, all quite decent, which she also stored away.

Nian Laisheng had likely not eaten in many years, so there was no food or wine. However, there were vials of celestial dew and rare herbs in jade boxes—all precious items. Ning Xianyu was deeply moved.

"It’s so good to have a sect, a grand-master, and a master."

She finally understood the mindset of those who loved reading stories about being the "group's favorite." Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by wealthy, capable powerhouses who spoiled them exclusively? This feeling of being the center of attention, enjoying everyone’s favor, was truly wonderful.

Just as she was thinking this, a voice sounded from nearby: "If you wish, I can be the only one to dote on you as well."

That voice... why did it sound so familiar?