In a grand hall of Yaowang Mountain Villa, Chen Xiao finally met Chu Luo's father, the Valley Master of Yaowang Valley, Chu Qingbai.
Chu Qingbai possessed the countenance of a benevolent elder. It was no wonder he had shown mercy to Chu Qingsong back then; he simply did not look like a decisive and ruthless individual.
"Father, I have returned."
Upon seeing his father, Chu Luo's demeanor and tone were remarkably calm.
However, Chen Xiao could discern that he was clearly restraining himself, for his eyes were filled with a palpable excitement.
The reason for this was evidently related to his father.
This was because Chu Qingbai was also evidently suppressing his own emotions.
Witnessing this scene, Chen Xiao could only sigh inwardly. Why bother? Must father and son be like this? Wasn't it exhausting?
It was no wonder Chu Luo yearned for the outside world and was unwilling to return here. Anyone else would also dislike living such a hypocritical life every day.
Feigning authority was also a form of hypocrisy.
"Luo'er, you should not have returned."
Chu Qingbai shook his head with a bitter smile.
From the moment Chen Xiao saw him, he had noticed a hint of sorrow on his face.
It was likely that the matter of the life-and-death challenge had a profound impact on him.
"Father, the valley is in trouble, how could I not return? Father, this time you absolutely cannot let my second uncle go. He is ambitious and treacherous. Even if you spare him a hundred times, on the hundred and first time, he will still seek revenge against you!"
A frost seemed to have settled on Chu Luo's face, and his brows conveyed an expression of seriousness and gravity.
However, upon hearing his words, Chu Qingbai said with indignation, "Luo'er, you must not speak of your second uncle like that. No matter what he has done, he is, after all, your second uncle."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao was utterly speechless. Good heavens, this was truly brotherly affection!
Chu Luo was clearly displeased as well. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Chu Qingbai say, "Moreover, your second uncle is well-prepared this time. I may not be his match."
"Luo'er, listen to me. After tonight, you must immediately take Xiao E and leave Yaowang Valley tomorrow morning. From then on, live under an assumed name and never return for the rest of your lives! Do not mention anything about Yaowang Valley to anyone!"
Chu Luo flicked his sleeve and said in a clear voice, "Father, if I were to leave, I wouldn't have returned today. I know that if my second uncle becomes the Valley Master, he will not spare me. But I swear to advance and retreat with Father until death!"
"Well said, Xiao Luo. Uncle Zhu, I truly did not misjudge you!"
Just then, Zhu Xuanqing walked in. "Valley Master, I, Zhu Xuanqing, am also willing to advance and retreat with the Valley Master! So what if Chu Qingsong wins? We will simply kill him!"
Despite Zhu Xuanqing's appearance of being refined and otherworldly, he actually possessed a strong aura of aggression and was prone to suggesting murder.
"Xuanqing, this is absolutely not permissible. When Qingsong becomes the Valley Master, you must pledge your loyalty to him. The life-and-death challenge is a rule left by our ancestors; it cannot be broken by me!"
Chu Qingbai said righteously.
Chen Xiao was completely speechless, unsure whether to call him pedantic or idiotic.
"Valley Master, rules are dead, but people are alive. Furthermore, according to the rules, you should have killed him back then. This second life-and-death challenge is simply invalid!"
Zhu Xuanqing persuaded him earnestly.
"Xuanqing, stop talking. My decision is made. If you do not wish to pledge loyalty to Qingsong, then by all means, take Luo'er and Xiao E and leave together. Consider it the last favor you do for me."
Chu Qingbai was not only pedantic but also very stubborn.
"Alas, Valley Master, what can I say to you..."
Zhu Xuanqing looked helpless.
Chu Luo said, "Uncle Zhu, please don't worry. The competition has not yet begun, and it is still unknown who will win or lose. Although my second uncle has infiltrated the Immortal Hidden Realm, he may not necessarily be able to defeat my father."
"Moreover, I have also invited Brother Chen to help. Brother Chen is a master, and he is the person I admire most in my life. I believe he will have a solution!"
Chu Luo took the opportunity to introduce Chen Xiao to Chu Qingbai. "Father, this is my elder brother, Chen Xiao. He took good care of me when we were outside."
Chu Qingbai was slightly taken aback. He had initially thought Chen Xiao was a servant or retainer that Chu Luo had taken in outside. He never expected Chu Luo to call someone his elder brother.
He understood his son very well; Chu Luo was proud and did not submit to anyone.
However, for him to praise this person as 'the person he admired most in his life' was enough to show that this individual must possess some capabilities.
"Mr. Chen, hello! I thank you for taking care of my son. Thank you!"
Chu Qingbai cupped his hands towards Chen Xiao.
"Valley Master, you are too kind."
As soon as Chen Xiao finished speaking, Zhu Xuanqing let out a muffled snort. "Hmph, he is merely an ordinary person from the mortal world. What help can he provide? Xiao Luo, stop causing trouble!"
"Uncle Zhu, you are biased against my elder brother!"
Chu Luo said helplessly, "Let me tell you, Brother Chen is very capable. No matter what trouble he encounters, he will always find a way!"
Zhu Xuanqing sneered, "What way does he have? Tell us! Yaowang Valley is not like the outside world; it does not tolerate any falsehoods. Talking without acting is useless!"
Chen Xiao cast a cold glance at Zhu Xuanqing. It seemed that if he didn't show off his skills today, he wouldn't be able to shut him up.
"Actually, your problem is very simple. It's nothing more than the matter of the life-and-death challenge."
Chen Xiao said indifferently, "As long as you defeat Chu Qingsong, the problem will be solved."
"Isn't that stating the obvious!"
Zhu Xuanqing's eyes widened. "If things were as simple as you say, would we still be troubled by this matter?"
Chu Qingbai also sighed and shook his head. "My second brother's alchemy skills have long been perfected. In fact, my victory over him last time was purely by chance. In recent years, he has entered the Immortal Hidden Realm and returned after mastering his skills. His alchemy must have far surpassed mine. How can it be easy to defeat him?"
"Valley Master, why are you talking so much with this brat? He is merely an ordinary person from the mortal world and has probably never even heard of the Immortal Hidden Realm. Talking more is just a waste of breath!"
Zhu Xuanqing said impatiently.
Chu Luo glared at Zhu Xuanqing, his teeth itching with anger. If his father weren't present, he would have lost his temper long ago!
However, Chen Xiao was not angry. He smiled faintly and said, "I indeed had not heard of the Immortal Hidden Realm before. However, what difficulty can there be in mere alchemy? As long as you receive a little guidance from me, you will surely be able to defeat him!"
Upon hearing this, all three present were stunned.
Chu Luo had asked Chen Xiao for help, but he had never expected Chen Xiao to guide them in alchemy.
"You, want to guide me in alchemy?"
Chu Qingbai, such a benevolent elder, showed an expression of disbelief.
His gaze towards Chen Xiao carried a hint of amusement.
"No, not you. I want to guide him."
Chen Xiao waved his hand dismissively and then pointed at Chu Luo.
"Uncle Chu, please don't mind me speaking my mind, but I feel that with your personality, you are not suitable to be the Valley Master. So, if you ask me, you should abdicate and let a worthy person take your place as soon as possible!"