Chapter 382: A Master and Disciple’s Bond

"This is my own business. There is no need for Venerable Jian Li to concern himself with it." After saying this, Xiao Ran turned around and left.

"I thought she was different. It seems I was wrong about her."

After returning to the Holy Sword Sect with his foundation damaged, his once limitless future on the Immortal Path had been declared cut off.

The people who had once been close to him gradually distanced themselves. He understood the warmth and coldness of human relationships all too well.

Even the sect’s attitude toward him had become strange in many ways. He had exhausted countless methods just to discover that he was somehow connected to the strange changes that had occurred in the Sunfall Domain.

It seemed that his survival in the mortal world and subsequent joining of the Holy Sword Sect had not been as simple as they appeared. Yet he truly knew nothing about it. In fact, he knew even less than the elders responsible for investigating the matter and the Alliance of Myriad Celesia. But who would believe him based on words alone?

He was completely unable to defend himself. He sighed and sad, "I originally wanted to remind her. After all, she is also a pawn left behind by that Little Immortal Palace, just like me. It seems I was meddling in matters that weren’t my concern."

...

Xiao Shou returned to his residence with his disciples and the other sect members using the Minor Teleportation Technique. He had no idea that, because of him, Tushan Qing had become furious and personally taken action, completely annihilating the Gou Family Patriarch, his aunt who served as his backer in the Holy City, the family’s elders, and its elite disciples, leaving not even a trace behind.

This allowed the various forces of the Heaven Origin Realm to witness not only how powerful Tushan Qing was, but also how deeply he doted on his grandson. From then on, no one dared to underestimate Xiao Shou.

He also had no idea that Xiao Ran and Venerable Jian Li, who were destined to become lovers, had developed a rift between them. A crack had already appeared in their relationship, and their future was looking far from optimistic.

After returning, Xiao Shou let his disciples move freely before retreating into his room. He nervously patted his chest and took several deep breaths.

"Master, were you scared?" Fu Young asked with some amusement and concern.

Xiao Shou nodded. He did not feel embarrassed about admitting it to his beloved disciple and said gloomily, "How could I not be scared? That female cultivator who appeared later clearly has a powerful background, and she was obviously siding with the Gou Family. I was really worried that, under her influence, everyone would join forces against me. Haha! Fortunately, I ran fast enough. She probably wanted to attack me at the time but didn’t have enough time to stop me."

"Master, you were simply too softhearted. You should have killed him back then. That way, no one would dare to come forward and cause trouble."

Fu Young poured Xiao Shou a cup of Bodhi Tea as he spoke. He was already thinking about whether he should find some time later to eliminate the Gou Family.

Anyone who harbored hostility toward his Master had no right to remain alive.

A murderous glint immediately flashed through his eyes.

At this moment, he had no idea that although their reasons were different, his decision happened to coincide with Tushan Qing’s.

When Xiao Shou heard this, he quickly shook his head ands said, "No. We have no grudge against them, so how could I simply kill them? I only wanted to use this opportunity to establish my authority. That way, even after those people from the Upper Realm leave, no one will dare to bully you."

"Establish your authority?" Fu Young did not say anything more. From Xiao Shou’s words and actions, he had long since realized that their worldviews were fundamentally different.

His Master believed that displaying overwhelming strength would be enough to make opponents hesitate to provoke him. Perhaps that approach worked in his Master’s world. But in this cruel world where the strong prey upon the weak and survival often depended on killing, strength alone was not enough.

When sufficient benefits were at stake, most cultivators in this world would not give up simply because their opponent was powerful.

Only when they were given an absolute sense of fear would they truly hesitate to act.

Since his Master did not want to kill without reason, then he would be the one to instill that absolute fear in them.

He would make them understand that the Sect Master of the Eternal Prosperity Sect was not someone they could casually offend.

Having made his decision, Fu Young changed the subject. He gently tucked Xiao Shou’s loose hair behind his ear. "I understand, Master. Are you tired? Would you like to rest for a while? I’ll go outside and buy some spiritual food and dishes for you."

"Mm! Then I’ll trouble you to make the trip. Though, speaking of which, you’ve been buying meals for me quite often lately!" Xiao Shou stretched his body, put down his teacup, and sat back on the bed. He planned to recover some spiritual energy and, at the same time, reflect on the flaws in the ninth form of his sword technique that he had used today. Perhaps he could perfect the technique further, or maybe even find some inspiration to create a tenth form.

Hearing this, Fu Young smiled brightly. "Didn’t Master say that you like eating proper meals? I also really enjoy eating with you." With that, he turned around and left.

"Young’er!" Xiao Shou froze for a moment when he heard this. A warm feeling immediately welled up in his heart.

This guy... He had actually remembered something he had casually said at the auction.

Fu Young was far too considerate. If he kept being this obedient, Xiao Shou would definitely be reluctant to part with him when the time came. But, it would probably be difficult for him to adapt to Xiao Shou’s world. Besides, that world was in the middle of an apocalypse. Simply surviving there would be incredibly difficult.