Best Young Master

The setting sun gradually descended, and the western sky was dyed a deep red. The flowers, grasses, and trees on Spirit Mountain seemed to be draped in a golden coat, shimmering with light, outlining a beautiful canvas.

"I hope you all know when to retreat."

Ye Fan, with an old black canvas bag in hand, stood on a mountaintop. He seemed to be overlooking the scenery below but was actually looking at the Enchanting Soul Array laid out by Chu Xuanji.

Raised by Chu Xuanji himself, he was well aware that Chu Xuanji, famed as the Divine Doctor, wasn't just immersed in the art of medicine. He had deep knowledge in many domains, such as Qimen Dunjia, Martial Arts, and even had some dealings with the Outer Eight Sects.

Once, it wasn't that the high officials and nobles couldn't see Chu Xuanji, but rather, they couldn't find his residence at all. They were trapped in the Enchanting Soul Array, wandering aimlessly around Spirit Mountain, and eventually had to leave in disappointment.

"Awooo!"

Just as Ye Fan was recalling the trio Su Liuli and the others, a loud wolf howl echoed, breaking the tranquility of Spirit Mountain.

"Little Wolf!"

The sudden howl snapped Ye Fan back to reality. His face brightened with joy, and he hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound. To his surprise, he saw a wolf sprinting towards him at an incredibly fast pace.

"Woo... Woo..."

Soon, Little Wolf reached where Ye Fan was standing, joyously barking and circling around him. Then, playfully jumping, it stretched its paws in the air as if to say, 'Hug me' to Ye Fan.

"Missed me, huh?"

Ye Fan smiled and crouched down. First, he smoothed Little Wolf's fur ruffled by the wind, then gently patted the wolf's cheek.

Before Ye Fan, Little Wolf completely lost the ferocity typical of its kind and acted more like a mangy dog, whimpering tenderly while sticking out its tongue to lick Ye Fan's palm.

Feeling Little Wolf's attachment to him warmed Ye Fan's heart.

For him, if there was anything in Spirit Mountain that made him reluctant to leave, the first would naturally be the old fellow who had raised him since childhood, and the second would be Little Wolf right before him.

Little Wolf was the creature he had found one snowy night at the age of twelve. Just born not long ago, its mother wolf had fallen off a cliff while searching for food.

He had carried the barely breathing Little Wolf back to the old fellow's place and saved its life.

Since then, Little Wolf had treated him like a mother wolf, highly dependent on him, and he regarded Little Wolf as his little companion.

"How many times have I told you, you need to learn to be clean."

Ye Fan chided laughingly as he wiped his hands on Little Wolf, cleaning off the drool. Then, out of habit, he asked, "Is the old fellow around?"

Little Wolf didn't understand 'be clean,' but it understood the term 'old fellow' that Ye Fan had been using for years and nodded in response.

"Come on, let's go find the old fellow!"

Ye Fan stood up, patted Little Wolf's head, leaped forward, and dashed toward the deeper part of the mountain forest. Little Wolf howled and followed closely behind.

As the sun completely set behind the mountain, Ye Fan arrived at a clearing deep within Spirit Mountain.

Several wooden cabins stood in the clearing, and in one of the cabins, a candlelight flickered. Chu Xuanji, his hair half white, sat on a chair engrossed in an ancient book.

"Old fellow, acting like I don't exist, huh?"

Entering the cabin, Ye Fan was annoyed to see that Chu Xuanji was still staring intently at the book, completely treating him as if he were invisible.

"Hmm... Oh, you're back."

Upon hearing Ye Fan's words, Chu Xuanji, who was rumored to be reclusive and eccentric, didn't get angry. Instead, he tossed the book, which he had just been treating as a 'beloved partner,' onto the table and looked at the black canvas bag in Ye Fan's hand with a smile, asking, "Did you bring back the things?"

"No longer pretending?"

Ye Fan had been raised by Chu Xuanji since childhood and had long been used to acting without restraint in front of him. He rolled his eyes and tossed the black canvas bag to Chu Xuanji like he was throwing out trash, saying, "It's just a lousy Qilin, was it really worth the risk to snatch it back from the hands of the Dao Sect?"

"You don't know shit."

Chu Xuanji took the black canvas bag, took out a white jade-carved Jade Qilin, and said, "If this Jade Qilin fell into the hands of those collectors, I'm afraid they would literally die laughing."

"Old man, I recall you weren't interested in these broken things before, so why the interest in this Jade Qilin now?"

Seeing Chu Xuanji cradling the Jade Qilin like a lover, Ye Fan voiced his confusion. In his view, given Chu Xuanji's 'merit,' if he wanted these antique treasures, those big shots would probably turn the earth upside down to get them for him.

"Can't an old man have a whim?"

Startled by Ye Fan's words, Chu Xuanji's smile stiffened for a moment, then he smiled and cursed, seemingly trying to hide something.

"Your eyes tell me you're lying."

Despite Chu Xuanji's good cover, Ye Fan caught on. He chuckled mischievously, trying to get more out of Chu Xuanji; he had always felt the old man was hiding many things from him.

Chu Xuanji put on a stern face intentionally, "Are you asking for a beating, kid?"

"Psh, what else can you compare to me in besides showing off your strength?"

Ye Fan looked disdainful; all his capabilities were taught by the old man. Up until now, apart from being overwhelmingly outperformed in the martial arts domain, Ye Fan surpassed him in all other areas.

"Hmm..."

At those words, Chu Xuanji was haunted by some unpleasant memories, his face getting a little hot.

Seizing the opportunity, Ye Fan said with a teasing smile, "Old man, there's something I want to discuss with you..."

"Unless you reach the Innate Realm, forget about it." Chu Xuanji, clearly aware of what Ye Fan was about to discuss, cut him off immediately.

"Innate... Innate, oh heavens, I've been stuck at the threshold of the Innate Realm for nearly two years now, when will it end?" Ye Fan slapped his forehead despondently.

From a young age, Chu Xuanji told him that martial artists were divided into Postnatal and Innate, with each having four stages: Entry, Great Success, Peak, and Great Perfection.

As he mentioned, two years ago, he entered the Postnatal Great Perfection Realm. Not only was he an absolute expert in the eyes of ordinary people, but he was also strong even within the entire Martial Arts World. However... Chu Xuanji demanded that he could only leave Spirit Mountain once he had reached the Innate Realm.

Only—

Over the past two years, no matter how hard he tried, he could not step into the Innate Realm.

To help him, Chu Xuanji sent him on numerous tough missions over the past two years, hoping he would break through amidst the bloody battles, but to no avail.

Seeing Ye Fan's despondent expression, Chu Xuanji didn't mock him like usual but instead unusually showed a complex expression, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

At this moment, he seemed to be making some decision.

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PS: I see many familiar faces; welcome old friends home and new friends to join us, please save and vote if you like~

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