Chapter 20: I am…so old? [Ask for flower review monthly ticket]

But for some reason, his power fell to the mid-stage of the Divine Origin Realm.

A Divine Origin Realm expert, when viewed in the grand scheme of the world, isn’t that remarkable.

However, many have heard of Fen Yantian. Because he is an infamous bandit!

It is said that he has a disciple. When he travels with his disciple, whenever they encounter something valuable, they will never obtain it through proper means if they can steal it.

Many people have suffered at the hands of this master and disciple duo. They have committed all kinds of evil acts—raping, looting, and kidnapping!

Lin Wenwan thought, Who would’ve thought they would run into this wicked pair today? Now this is trouble!  

Noticing the expression on Liu Wenwan’s face, Qin Qu’s lips curled into a cold smile.  His reputation wasn’t great, and he was only in the Earth Spirit Realm. His strength might not even be on par with Yun Luoxi’s. But his master was a renowned powerhouse.

Often, just mentioning his master’s name was enough to avoid a lot of trouble.

For instance, he might not even need to steal, as the other party might just hand over the benefits willingly.

In a world like this, it’s survival of the fittest!* When traveling far and wide, if there’s an advantage to be had, there’s no need to reason when you can rob or steal.

[*”Survival of the fittest (弱肉强食, ruò ròu qiáng shí)”: A Chinese idiom meaning that the strong prey on the weak, often used to describe ruthless competition or the harsh realities of power dynamics.]

The quickest and most direct way to get what you want is always the right approach.

So, they truly were notorious.

But they didn’t care, as long as they got what they wanted and became stronger!

Who would care about a meaningless reputation?

Once they reached the true pinnacle one day, wouldn’t they be the ones to define what’s right?

“Heh heh, so it’s the two of you. I’ve long heard of your famous names!” Liu Wenwan let out a dry laugh. But inwardly, she became even more vigilant and kept thinking.

Others travel the world for genuine training. But this master-disciple pair? They travel the world to burn, kill, and loot. Encountering them today meant that getting the fire essence would be almost impossible.  

Fen Yantian’s old voice rang out: “Since the sect master recognizes this old man, then… there’s no need for me to say much. My disciple is close to reaching the Tianxuan Mirror, and that White Nether Demon Fire essence below—my disciple wants it!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenwan’s expression didn’t change much.

As expected. These two were here to steal.

“First come, first served. What you two are doing… isn’t appropriate, is it?” Liu Wenwan said in a low voice.

Even though the old man was at the mid-stage of the Divine Origin Realm, she was still at the early stage of the Divine Origin Realm. She wasn’t entirely defenseless!

Fen Yantian replied, “Heh heh, indeed it’s inappropriate!”

Qin Qu chuckled and continued, “But just because something is inappropriate… does that mean it can’t be done?”

Hearing this, Liu Wenwan had no words to respond.

It was impossible to reason with this master-disciple pair.

“Sect Master Liu, you certainly can refuse!” Fen Yantian’s aged voice echoed again: “But… both of us are in the Divine Origin Realm. If we fight here, your disciple who’s refining the fire essence below… may get caught up in the crossfire! If the flames retaliate, she could be burned to ashes!”

Upon hearing those words, her heart trembled violently!

There was no way she would let something like this happen.

No way she would let anything happen to Yun Luoxi!

When Yun Luoxi was ambushed by Ling Xue during her seclusion, she already felt deeply guilty.

If now, even while she was present, something happened to Yun Luoxi, she would be wracked with guilt for the rest of her life!

So… it was clear that she couldn’t engage in a full-on fight in this place.

The frustrating part was that she couldn’t call for help here.

If they were outside, with the numerous powerful experts from the Lingxu Sect at her side, mere Fen Yantian wouldn’t even faze her.

It was precisely because of this that this master and disciple dared to rob her.

After all, even if they offended her, once they left this place, with the world so vast, no one would be able to track anyone down.

They could live out their lives without ever seeing each other again!

“Of course, if the Sect Leader doesn’t want to give it, that’s fine too!” At this point, Qin Qu spoke again, “As long as the Sect Leader agrees to do something for me!”

She didn’t immediately agree, nor did she refuse outright. She decided to hear his conditions first.

Qin Qu fixed his gaze on her and smiled, “The Sect Leader is stunning, still brimming with charm, but you’re without a man by your side, isn’t that lonely? If the Sect Leader would be willing to spend a night with me…”

“Shut your mouth!” Liu Wenwan’s angry voice cut him off immediately.

She added, “This beast! How dare he propose such a condition? This was blatant humiliation!”

As the proud Sect Leader of the Lingxu Sect, how could she endure such shame?

“Heh, the Sect Leader is, of course, free to refuse!”

But Qin Qu continued to sneer, “However, the Sect Leader should be well aware, here in this ancient tomb, you are all alone with no one to help!”

“If you try to fight by force, you have no chance of winning!”

“We could have solved this peacefully, but if the Sect Leader insists on opposing us, then it will come down to a contest of skill!”

“But… in the end, not only will you submit to me, but even your beloved disciple will suffer alongside you!”

“Heh, the thought of having the two of you, master and disciple, one on top, one on the bottom… that’s something I’ve never experienced!”

“Hmm… thinking about it, maybe taking action directly is a better idea?”

As he spoke, Qin Qu exchanged a glance with Fen Yantian.

Their faces showed an unmasked, lecherous grin.

Seeing their expressions made her stomach churn with disgust!

In truth… from the very beginning, she had known that any so-called “conditions” were nothing but lies.

These two had planned to take action by force from the start!

Pretending to negotiate was merely a game to them!

Encountering them in such a place, there was no way they would let her and Yun Luoxi go.

“In that case… Master, why don’t you make a move? I don’t want to let these two beauties slip away!” Qin Qu sneered again.

“You brat, all you ever think about is filth! Oh well, a man is only young once, and you are my disciple after all,” Fen Yantian chuckled, without the slightest objection. He indulged his disciple to an extreme degree.

After all, he had once been the same kind of person! As he finished speaking, gray spiritual flames erupted from his old, withered body.

The White Nether Demonic Flame, he had to get it for his disciple.

As for her and Yun Luoxi, he had to get them for his disciple as well.

Facing them, her face darkened, and she glanced down at Yun Luoxi, who sat cross-legged, meditating with her eyes closed.

Now… there was no other way!

She decided that no matter what happened, she would stand in front of Yun Luoxi.

Even if it meant dying!

But just at this moment, before she or Fen Yantian had a chance to make a move, a cold voice suddenly echoed slowly: “You even fancy an old woman like this? I must say, I admire your taste!”

This voice carried an indescribable sense of authority.

An indescribable sense of nobility.

This unexpected voice caused her and the master-disciple duo opposite her to change their expressions.

The three of them simultaneously turned their gazes towards another entrance to the cave.

There, they saw three figures standing—one man and two women!

It was Ling Xue, accompanied by Xiao Xiangyu and Yu Yaoyao!

“The Demon Sect’s Demon Lord?” Upon seeing Ling Xue, both Qin Qu and Fen Yantian’s faces changed simultaneously.

The new Demon Lord of the Demon Sect suddenly appeared here? Liu Wenwan was also startled, but then a trace of joy arose in her heart.

She thought, If Ling Xue was willing to lend a hand, wouldn’t that mean she was safe?

But then, she suddenly realized!

Wait, what did Ling Xue mean by “old woman”* just now?

[*”老婆娘 (lǎopó niáng)” – Literally “old wife woman,” a derogatory term used to describe an older woman in a condescending manner. In this context, it’s meant as an insult, referring to her as old and undesirable.]

Who was he talking about?

Frowning, she instinctively glanced around the entire sea of molten lava.

Who’s the old woman?

It wasn’t Yun Luoxi, nor was it Yu Yaoyao or Xiao Xiangyu by Ling Xue’s side.

Then who else could it be?

Was it… me?

What the hell!???

Her chest immediately heaved with anger, and she clenched her fists instinctively!

Old woman? Are you calling me an old woman?”

Screw you!* You’re the old woman! Your whole family’s full of old women!

[*”去你大爷的 (qù nǐ dàyé de)” – A common Chinese curse phrase, which translates roughly to “screw you!” or “to hell with you!” It’s a colloquial expression of anger and frustration.]

Am I really that old?

She glared at Ling Xue above, so furious that she wanted to rush up there and rip his mouth apart!

But of course, she didn’t actually make a move, nor did she dare utter a single word to anger Ling Xue. Because right now, the only person who could help her and Yun Luoxi was Ling Xue!

Under her furious gaze, Ling Xue took a step forward! His foot hovered in the air as he walked step by step toward Qin Qu and Fen Yantian.

Seeing Ling Xue approaching, both Qin Qu and Fen Yantian instinctively stepped back half a step.

It was as though Ling Xue carried an invisible aura of dominance, suppressing the previously arrogant master and disciple duo, who now seemed somewhat timid.

The two were notorious villains, infamous for their ruthless ways.

They were indeed accustomed to acting with impunity most of the time.

But they were well aware that compared to the Demon Sect, they were utterly insignificant.

It was like the difference between a petty thug and a mafia boss!*

[*”小混混和黑社会老大的区别 (xiǎo hùnhun hé hēishèhuì lǎodà de qūbié)” – A metaphor comparing someone to a small-time gangster (petty thug) versus a mafia boss, highlighting the massive difference in status and power.]