"I am one of the Four Divine Guards of the Eighth Prince's Estate. I have come to the Sword Furnace today with no other intention than to find a severely injured person. Do you know if Senior has seen him?" Xuanwu cupped his fists slightly, his tone exceedingly respectful.
"I have not seen him!" the aged voice replied again.
After the voice finished, there was no other sound, causing Xuanwu to frown. He hadn't expected that the person inside the Sword Furnace would be so arrogant, seemingly not welcoming him at all, even after he had revealed his identity.
Xuanwu was about to turn and leave, but the gazes of several fierce beasts were fixed on the Sword Furnace. There was likely something peculiar about it, and if he didn't investigate it today, he truly wouldn't feel at ease.
With that thought, Xuanwu spoke no further. He suddenly stepped into the Sword Furnace. He wanted to see what capabilities the person hidden within the Sword Furnace possessed, and why they could be so aloof, disregarding even the Eighth Prince's Estate.
"I have already stated that I do not welcome outsiders!"
The aged voice sounded again, and an invisible sword energy surged forth. Before Xuanwu could react, he felt a sword mark on his body. Such terrifying strength was something he could not possibly contend with.
Knowing he was outmatched, Xuanwu quickly retreated a few steps. "It was my rashness. Thank you, Senior, for showing mercy just now."
There was no sound from within the Sword Furnace, as if there was no one there at all. It appeared remarkably calm.
However, Xuanwu knew very well that if anyone dared to step even half a step into the Sword Furnace, their life would likely be in peril. He had no doubt about this.
Helpless, Xuanwu then retreated. Such a powerful individual was not someone he could afford to provoke.
After Xuanwu left, within the Sword Furnace, Lu Fan, lying on a bamboo mat, had gradually woken up. In fact, he had heard the conversation between Xuanwu and the elder very clearly.
At this moment, the elder was sharpening a sword. His back appeared quite aged, yet it exuded a certain charm.
"You should have woken up long ago, boy," the elder said. "The trouble has been resolved, so there's no need to pretend anymore. But you are quite something, daring to offend the Eighth Prince's Estate."
"Why did the elder save me?"
Lu Fan asked in surprise. "I don't quite understand?"
"Because your aptitude is extraordinary, and you will surely become a remarkable talent in the future. Is that reason enough?"
The old man smiled. "I don't meddle in other people's affairs. If I hadn't seen you severely injured and unconscious in the Sword Furnace, I wouldn't have intervened."
Following these words, Lu Fan felt a bit embarrassed. "So I was unconscious in the Sword Furnace. I must have startled the elder."
"What is there to be startled about? I've already made it clear that I saved your life because of your excellent aptitude," Chen Banxian waved his hand. "But how exactly did you offend the Eighth Prince's Estate to provoke such a large number of experts to attack you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have been so seriously injured."
"It's a long story!"
Lu Fan slowly got up. "Staying in the Sword Furnace has been a bother to you, Senior. I will leave now to avoid implicating you."
"I don't think you're afraid of implicating me, but rather that I can't defeat the people from the Eighth Prince's Estate, which is why you're rushing to escape?" Chen Banxian smiled. "You can rest assured, this is my Sword Furnace. No one can barge in without my permission, not even the people from the Eighth Prince's Estate!"
Lu Fan's expression shifted. He hadn't expected the elder's words to be so sharp, and laced with a certain arrogance.
"Senior, you misunderstand. I'm not trying to escape, I just don't want to involve you!" Lu Fan said again. "After all, this matter is not trivial. The Eighth Prince's Estate will not give up easily. If you truly intend to protect me, you will inevitably conflict with them."
"I don't care about that!"
Chen Banxian waved his hand. "What I care about is your natural endowment. If you can follow me, I will guarantee your safety for life, and perhaps in the future, you will even be able to traverse the entire Spiritual Realm."
"Traverse the Spiritual Realm?"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised. He didn't know who this old man before him was, to be able to speak such words. Traversing the Spiritual Realm was not an easy feat.
"What, you don't believe me?" Chen Banxian glanced at him. "Even if it's a bit of an exaggeration, traversing the entire White Dragon Dynasty should be no problem."
"Senior's strength is formidable, so I naturally believe you," Lu Fan nodded. "However, we are strangers, and it seems rather unusual for Senior to help me so much."
"I've already said that your aptitude is excellent. You are likely not of ordinary constitution. If you can inherit my legacy, you will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future," Chen Banxian stated directly.
"But I already have a master!"
Lu Fan said with a wry smile. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint your good intentions."
"The path of cultivation is endless. Everyone has numerous masters, and recent cultivation grows rapidly. Without someone to guide you, how can you embark on the path of cultivation?" Chen Banxian smiled. "I don't mind if you have a sect!"
"But..."
Lu Fan frowned. The elder before him was profound and unfathomable, certainly not an ordinary person. If he refused and angered him, the outcome might not be good.
"Since Senior shows such favor, I am deeply grateful!" Lu Fan cupped his fists.
"That's more like it!" Chen Banxian nodded with satisfaction. "Since that's the case, you shall stay, and I will pass on my lifelong knowledge to you!"
Lu Fan nodded, gritting his teeth. He always felt something was strange. How could there be such good fortune in the world? Not only did he escape danger once, but he also gained such a powerful old man.
It was a shame that Old Man Hong Meng was in a deep sleep after saving him. Otherwise, he could have asked him to see what level of being this old man was. He seemed incredibly powerful.
After Xuanwu left the Sword Furnace, he did not give up. Instead, he sent people to inquire about who exactly was inside the Sword Furnace.
Unfortunately, there was no information at all, which made him somewhat disappointed.
"Divine Guard Xuanwu, have you found any trace of that brat?"
Bai Hu walked over, a smile on his face.
"Not specifically yet, but I suspect that brat is hiding in the Sword Furnace!" Xuanwu said. "Unfortunately, there is an unparalleled master inside the Sword Furnace, whom even I am no match for. This matter is quite tricky."
"Within the entire White Dragon Dynasty, there is no one who dares to offend the royal family."
Bai Hu's expression was cold. "I will personally go and see what kind of expert it is who disregards even the Eighth Prince's Estate."
"I have already announced my identity!"
Bai Hu shook his head. "This matter is of great importance. Young Master, please be extremely careful, not the slightest mistake can be made."
"Divine Guard Xuanwu, please rest assured. I am not an impetuous person," Bai Hu waved his hand, his expression even colder.
"Young Master, even Divine Guard Bai Hu couldn't do anything. Perhaps we should not try to butt heads!" Tian Lao quickly reminded him.