Duan Ling Tian naturally did not have a good impression of Lan Xi Lin. Although Lan Xi Lin had been nothing but friendly and polite since they met, he knew it was only because of Zhen Ping Fan’s presence. If he was alone, there was no way Lan Xi Lin would have released Zuo Zhong Tang or given him such warm treatment. He was not even sure that Lan Xi Lin would be so cooperative if Qin Wu Yang came with him without Zhen Ping Fan.
Nonetheless, Duan Ling Tian was not rude. He thanked Lan Xi Lin perfunctorily and did not refuse to exchange Soul Pearls with Lan Xi Lin. After all, he had to consider Zhen Ping Fan as well. Moreover, he was a newcomer in the Pure Yang Sect, and it was wise to make an enemy out of someone like Lan Li Xin who had an extraordinary background in the Pure Yang Sect.
At this moment, Zhen Ping Fan looked at Lan Xi Lin and said, “You’re both young. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.”
Lan Xi Lin naturally agreed with Zhen Ping Fan.
“Let’s go,” Zhen Ping Fan said to Duan Ling Tian and Qin Wu Yang. Before leaving, he said to Lan Xi Lin, “Kid, we’ll take our leave now.”
“Farewell, Old Ancestor,” Lan Xi Lin said, “Brother Ling Tian, let’s meet when you have the time.”
Lan Xi Lin maintained his politeness until the end. His smile remained even as he watched the trio’s backs. However, a hint of coldness could be seen in his eyes when he looked at Duan Ling Tian’s back. When the trio finally disappeared from sight, he turned around and returned to his cultivation ground wordlessly.
Liu Hui naturally quickly followed after Lan Xi Lin.
…
Boom!
As soon as Lan Xi Lin was in the privacy of his cultivation ground, he struck with his hand, turning a pavilion in the front yard into dust.
Liu Hui, who was standing behind Lan Xi Lin, watched Lan Xi Lin quietly.
“You’ve just joined the sect, but you dare to interfere in my matters,” Lan Xi Lin said through gritted teeth.
Lan Xi Lin had completely lost his personable and refined attitude from earlier. His elegant face was twisted in anger, making him look sinister. His insides churned with anger as he continued to vent. “Since I was born, when have I suffered such a big loss? I couldn’t even retaliate!”
…
After leaving, Duan Ling Tian followed Zhen Ping Fang and Qin Wu Yang as they flew in the sky. He saw many floating islands in his surroundings. They continued flying before they finally came to a stop in front of a floating island that was even bigger than the floating island Lan Xi Lin was living on.
During their journey here, they ran into many members of the Pure Yang Sect. All of them greeted Qin Wu Yang respectfully. An observant few noticed Zhen Ping Fang’s identity token and greeted Zhen Ping Fang as well after they discovered he was a Nirvanic Elder. However, since they did not know him, they only greeted him as ‘Nirvanic Elder’.
With this, Duan Ling Tian realized that not many people in the Pure Yang Sect recognized Zhen Ping Fan.
As though he could read Duan Ling Tian’s thoughts, Qin Wu Yang explained, “Junior Granduncle is an elusive figure in the Pure Yang Sect. He usually spends his time on our private island and rarely goes out.”
“I see,” Duan Ling Tian replied with a nod.
After the trio landed on the island, a middle-aged man appeared. Unsurprisingly, unlike the others, he knew who Zhen Ping Fan was. He called out, “Greetings, Junior Granduncle, Brother Qin.”
“Duan Ling Tian, he’s Zhao Lu, a disciple of our progeny,” Zhen Ping Fan said as he looked at the middle-aged man. He did not respond to the greeting and directly began to make the introductions. He said, “Although he’s Little Yang’s peer, a Spirit Void Elder, he’s a little stronger than Little Yang. If you have any issues, you can also look for him. Both of you should exchange Soul Pearls.”
Duan Ling Tian quickly brought out his Soul Pearl.
Zhao Lu, who looked stunned, quickly brought his Soul Pearl out as well. Then, he smiled brightly and said, “So you’re Duan Ling Tian. I’m Zhao Lu, a Spirit Void Elder like Brother Qin. Perhaps, in the coming years, I’ll be able to become a Transcendence Elder.”
In the Pure Yang Sect, Transcendence Elders were advanced Lords of Gods. Their strength was comparable to the Golden Dragon Elders of the Flying Dragon Sect.
As for Spirit Void Elders, they were intermediate Lords of Gods, and their strength was comparable to the Black Dragon Elders of the Flying Dragon Sect.
“Elder Zhao Lu,” Duan Ling Tian called out with a smile. Since Zhen Ping Fan had told him to look for Zhao Lu if he had any problems, he knew this meant that Zhen Ping Fan regarded Zhao Lu highly. At the very least, Zhen Ping Fang must have thought Zhao Lu was very reliable.
At this time, Zhen Ping Fang looked at Duan Ling Tian and said, “Duan Ling Tian, I left the sect for a quite while this time. Now that I’ve returned, I should go and greet my father. These two kids will help you settle down. I’ll come to look for you again when I’m free.”
Apart from the time when Duan Ling Tian and Zhen Ping Fan were cultivating on the flying ship during the journey back to the Pure Yang Sect, Duan Ling Tian had spoken at length with Zhen Ping Fan during the journey to Linghu City and Skywind City.
Duan Ling Tian had told Zhen Ping Fang many anecdotes during his time on Earth that fascinated Zhen Ping Fan. Zhen Ping Fang even agreed to open a spatial passage to the lower realm after 300 years so Duan Ling Tian could bring him to have fun on Earth.
Duan Ling Tian, as a modern-day person on Earth, did not adhere rigidly to etiquette of seniority. He spoke comfortably with Zhen Ping Fan like a peer, slowly forgetting that Zhen Ping Fan was an Emperor of Gods with high status in the Pure Yang Sect.
With this, Duan Ling Tian and Zhen Ping Fan grew closer. At the very least, Zhen Ping Fan no longer treated him as merely an outstanding prodigy of the younger generation.
Duan Ling Tian nodded. “Alright.”
Qin Wu Yang was already used to Zhen Ping Fang and Duan Ling Tian’s casual way of conversing so he was not surprised.
On the contrary, Zhao Lu was stunned.
Seeing the expression on Zhao Lu’s face, Qin Wu Yang said with a smile, “Don’tneed to be so surprised, Those two got along as soon as they met. They’re like friends. Unless Duan Ling Tian becomes his disciple, there’s no order of seniority between them.”
A complicated expression appeared on Qin Wu Yang’s face as he spoke. A youngling who was not even 3,000 years old treated his junior granduncle like a friend, and his junior granduncle reciprocated the treatment as well. Unless Duan Ling Tian formally became his junior granduncle’s disciple, it was likely that there would be no order of seniority between them.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lu nodded in a daze after listening to Qin Wu Yang’s explanation. When he regained his senses, he looked at Duan Ling Tian again.
“Elder Qin, you mentioned earlier that arrangements had been made before my arrival?” Duan Ling Tian asked.
Contrary to Duan Ling Tian’s expectations, Qin Wu Yang and Zhao Lu pointed at a few buildings and told him to choose.
Duan Ling Tian was confused. After all, Qin Wu Yang had told Lan Xi Lin that a cultivation ground had already been prepared for him.
Seeing the confused expression on Duan Ling Tian’s face, Qin Wu Yang explained with a smile, “I only said that because of Xi Lin. He wanted you to stay on their island. It’s either to make things difficult for you or he’s trying to pull you to their faction. My junior granduncle personally went out to invite you here. Wouldn’t we suffer a loss if you join them? Naturally, you can choose which faction you want to join. My junior granduncle and I won’t force you. However, I have to say that our faction is stronger than the others. Perhaps, the other factions might be able to provide a better cultivation environment or resources, but none of them have a Nirvanic Elder who would treat you like an equal.”
Although Zhen Ping Fan and Qin Wu Yang had brought Duan Ling Tian back to the Pure Yang Sect, it would not stop the other factions from trying to recruit Duan Ling Tian once they learned about his arrival. They naturally would not be able to and would not force Duan Ling Tian to stay against his wish.
Upon hearing Qin Wu Yang’s words, Duan Ling Tian shook his head and said with a smile, “Elder Qin, there’s no need to say so much. I came here because of you and Elder Zhen. Moreover, I don’t know anyone else in the sect. If I don’t stay here, where will I go? Apart from that, I won’t forget Elder Zhen’s kindness to me.”
Qin Wu Yang smiled brightly when he heard Duan Ling Tian’s words. “Kid, I knew you’re not a heartless person!”
Duan Ling Tian only smiled in response to Qin Wu Yang’s words. Then, under Qin Wu Yang and Zhao Lu’s lead, he continued searching for a suitable cultivation ground.
Zhao Lu, who had been stunned in the beginning, had learned about Duan Ling Tian from Qin Wu Yang as well. He confirmed the rumor of Duan Ling Tian killing two intermediate Lord of Gods despite being a rudimentary Lord of Gods and found the story to be even more shocking than the rumor. With that, he understood why Qin Wu Yang was worried the other factions would snatch Duan Ling Tian away. He had also been worried if Duan Ling Tian would be lured away by another faction. After all, there were a few factions in the Pure Yang Sect that were quite unscrupulous and would use any means to achieve their goals. However, he felt at ease after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s words. He also felt that Duan Ling Tian had become even more pleasing to the eyes.
After a dozen breaths, Duan Ling Tian’s eyes rested on a building, and he said, “That one.”