Chapter Ten: The Father from the Third Heavenly Realm

“You finally came!”

“How dare you scheme against me! If you don’t give me an explanation afterward, I won’t let you off!” The person who arrived was Lan Bing, immediately demanding repayment. Upon hearing Mo Xuan’s words, she realized she had been tricked and was furious. Her anger wasn’t genuine rage but a familiar, awkward feeling.

Lan Bing’s strength was at the eighth level of the Earth Profound Realm, a tier above the Earth Soul Realm. Although it was just one level difference, the gap was vast, like the difference between clouds and mud. In the entire Luo Chuan City, having two Earth Profound Realm practitioners was already considered top-tier power. Even the Mo family currently lacked anyone at that level, let alone Lan Bing, who was at the peak of the Earth Profound Realm. Here, she could sweep through effortlessly without any difficulty.

So she simply drew her sword and, with a few moves, those people were either dead or wounded. Even Elder Wu retreated shamefully—it all happened too quickly.

“Don’t kill them!” Mo Xuan gritted his teeth through the pain and said to Lan Bing. After all, these were members of the Mo family. Even if they had done many wrong things against the family, those actions were beyond their own control.

Mo Xuan let them go. Some among them, realizing their mistakes, knelt before him, earnestly begging for a chance to redeem themselves and serve the family.

“I really don’t understand what you’re thinking!” Lan Bing finally stopped. She then noticed Lin Mengyao standing beside Mo Xuan and took the initiative to greet her—it seemed they got along well.

Elder Zi Xiao hadn’t expected Mo Xuan to encounter such a fortunate opportunity and receive help from such a benefactor. No wonder his cultivation had rapidly advanced in just half a year.

At last, one matter was settled. Although Mo Xuan’s own strength wasn’t very high, the fact that he had severely injured an Earth Soul Realm eleventh-level elder was noticed by many. Coupled with the support of an Earth Profound Realm practitioner, many saw hope. Those who had been wavering before now sided with the Mo family faction.

As night fell and Mo Xuan was nearly recovered, Elder Qi informed him of the situation that had arisen after he left. Currently, the family had only five Earth Soul Realm practitioners left, which caused others to take notice. Seeing Mo Xuan grow strong gave them confidence. What surprised Mo Xuan most was that the Feng family’s letter of broken engagement was issued after Mo Xuan lost his position as Young Master.

At that time, the Mo family had truly lost face in the entire Luo Chuan City. The main reason was that too few people knew about the matter—even the acting family head was unaware, or else they would never have acted so rashly. The only person who knew was Elder Qi, but he was far from the family’s core and couldn’t intervene in time.

Mo Xuan himself was even more in the dark.

Feng Xiaoxiao was someone he knew—not close, but they had some interactions.

“Actually, it’s because of your father, Mo Yuanhua...” Elder Qi seemed to know something and told Mo Xuan that his father was a powerful figure at the Heavenly Third Realm. He had once done a favor for the Feng family, which led to the proposed marriage, and Mo Yuanhua had agreed.

The reason behind this was unknown even to Elder Zi Xiao, and very few knew Mo Yuanhua’s true strength. To the outside world, he was always said to be at the Earth Profound Realm.

Mo Xuan was moved. Although the situation couldn’t be reversed, now that he had returned, he couldn’t just remain passive. He had to act—not just for pride, but as a responsibility.

***

In the end, Mo Xuan gave strict instructions not to spread the news of his residence here. After Elder Qi left, Lan Bing suddenly appeared before Mo Xuan without a word. Leaning against the table, she casually picked up a peach and ate it while saying, “You’ve recovered so well; don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Mo Xuan remained calm on the surface, though he was quite nervous inside, thinking that women like her shouldn’t be provoked. Of course, her arrival was within his plan. He cleared his throat twice and said, “Next time you come, could you at least knock? That’s the least bit of courtesy.”

Lan Bing shot him a glare. “Hmph, I’m not in the habit.”

Mo Xuan forgot she was a thief, then returned to the point. “Heh, I’ll agree if you help me with three tasks!”

“I’m not interested in that anymore,” Lan Bing said, scrutinizing Mo Xuan with a strange look.

Mo Xuan guessed, “You wouldn’t be…”

“Just you,” she said with a smirk. “You’ve seen me at my ugliest, so you owe me.”

“What! I’m still a minor.”

“Where are you going with this? If you want me to let you off, it’s simple—teach me illusion techniques. I don’t ask for much, just 40% mastery.”

Mo Xuan was at a loss. This was his biggest secret, something he had learned from forbidden arts. Even if he agreed to teach, he couldn’t predict the consequences. “Ah, to be honest, my illusion technique…”

Fearing others might overhear, Mo Xuan lowered his voice and explained roughly by having Lan Bing lean close to his ear.

“I know. That’s mine anyway. I don’t care if it’s not complete. If anything goes wrong, it’s your responsibility, not mine. You’ll just have to live with the guilt forever!”

Mo Xuan didn’t expect Lan Bing to be so unreasonable. “You’re too unreasonable!”

“I’m unreasonable, but if you satisfy me, I’ll reward you.”

Lan Bing continued as if it were nothing.

If it were just the illusion technique, perhaps he could replicate a rough version—it wasn’t complete anyway. “Three conditions, and I’ll give you an illusion technique without side effects!”

***

“Alright, deal! What are the conditions?” Lan Bing finally sat down, looking somewhat pleased, a faint smile showing.

“First, be my guest official for five years.”

“You, a fallen Young Master?”

“So what? If you don’t agree, forget it.”

“No, no, I agree.” Lan Bing agreed amicably.

“Second, return the treasures taken from the Mo family. You can keep the spiritual materials and pills.”

Lan Bing’s expression changed briefly but then she smiled slightly. “Fine, stingy as ever, but we won’t deliver them in person—just a short distance!”

“As long as they’re returned!” When Mo Xuan left that secret chamber, he had taken a mysterious ancient scroll with him. He thought about it constantly. It was a secret technique that could be upgraded. Though the base was low, its effects were quite good. Having these things would significantly boost their combat power, and after all, these were originally the Mo family’s possessions.

“What’s the last task?”

“Let’s leave that for later. I’ll decide when I’m ready.”

“Suit yourself, but deliver it within six months. I don’t have the patience to wait five years!”

“That’s enough.”

Mo Xuan felt a bit scared but was glad Lan Bing wasn’t heartless. Although impulsive at times, she wasn’t bad at heart—much better than many others. With her here, he could accomplish many things and be safe for the time being. Looking at the broken engagement letter, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.