Chapter 126: Duan De's Terror, the Black Emperor's Astonishment

Yandu! The Chen Mansion!

Chen Xing and Chen Mi were currently amusing two little ones. Nearby, Ji Ziyue, who had just returned from her family, was tidying up the remnants of the children's meal.

Watching Ji Ziyue—who had started out knowing nothing and was now clearing things away with practiced efficiency—Chen Xing couldn't help but look at Chen Mi and say, "Why don't you take on another disciple? This girl isn't half bad."

Chen Mi sighed. "We are not from this world after all; who knows when we might leave? Liu Yiyi has nothing left to tie her down, but this girl... that’s a different story. If she cannot come with us, why invite such sorrow upon ourselves?"

Chen Xing gave a bitter laugh and replied, "Don't be too optimistic. If Shi Yi insists on staying here, she will be in a very difficult position."

Chen Mi nodded helplessly, acknowledging the truth of his words, though she had no solution.

"It’s really nothing," Chen Xing comforted. "I left the little one for so long, and nothing happened, did it?"

Chen Mi rolled her eyes. "Do you think everyone is like you men, indifferent to emotional bonds? I am a woman, and it is only natural for me to be a bit sentimental!"

Chen Xing was left speechless. Just then, a knock sounded at the main gate, taking everyone by surprise.

No one from the household had gone out, and even Liu Yiyi, who was absent, was busy teaching Shi Yi new cultivation techniques—with Chen Mi’s permission, of course.

Just as Ji Ziyue moved to open the door, two small figures had already darted toward the entrance. It was Chen Chen and little Nan Nan.

The two little ones ran to the gate, hoping to open it themselves to see who had come to visit. After living here for decades, they rarely had guests, which explained their excitement. However, upon reaching the massive bronze doors, they were stumped; they couldn't even reach the latch.

Helpless, they turned their pleading eyes toward the approaching Ji Ziyue.

Ji Ziyue reached the gate, patted their heads with a smile, and swung it open. She froze the moment she saw who was standing there: two men and a dog, all looking disheveled.

"Who are you, and what is your business here?" Ji Ziyue asked, ignoring their messy appearance.

The man and the dog immediately looked toward the third person.

This group was naturally Ye Fan and his companions. The one they were looking at was the "frequent visitor," Duan De.

Duan De offered an awkward smile. "I wonder if the two seniors are in? I, the humble Daoist Duan De, have come to pay my respects." He felt quite helpless, as he didn't even know their names, which made the situation rather embarrassing.

Just as Ji Ziyue was wondering who this person was referring to as "seniors," a little head popped out from behind her.

The little girl studied Duan De’s chubby face for a long moment before suddenly jumping out, clapping her hands, and cheering, "Flying Knife Plate! It’s the Flying Knife Plate! Great! The Flying Knife Plate is back!"

Seeing the little girl appear, Duan De shivered, the terrifying scene from not long ago flashing through his mind.

To avoid being mistreated again, he hurriedly pulled a bag of snacks from his robes, trotted up, and handed it to her with a fawning smile. "Little miss! I bought these snacks especially for you this time. Why don't you have a taste?"

The little girl was Chen Chen. Her eyes lit up when she realized this "Flying Knife Plate" had brought her snacks, and she quickly reached out to take them.

Opening the bag, she found a variety of treats. It seemed Duan De had put much thought into it, terrified of failing to please the two little ancestors.

Chen Chen’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she began to snack, casting an approving glance at Duan De that nearly moved the man to tears. It wasn't easy! It really wasn't easy! Thank goodness he had prepared in advance, or he would have been in trouble!

Ye Fan and the Black Emperor watched on, stunned. Was this really the black-hearted Duan De who dug up graves daily and dared to excavate the domains of Great Emperors? He looked like a fawning grandson!

They couldn't understand why he was so afraid, even if there were immortals in this mansion. After all, legend had it that some Great Emperors had defied the heavens to slay immortals, which proved that "immortals" were not invincible.

While they were lost in thought, another small figure ran out, stood before Duan De, and held out her small hand without a word.

Duan De, having prepared for this, calmly produced another bag from his robes and handed it over with a smile.

Little Nan Nan nodded in satisfaction, turned, and ran off to join Chen Chen, happily munching away.

No one noticed that the Black Emperor, standing beside Ye Fan, had its jaw dropped, staring at little Nan Nan with eyes filled with genuine terror.

As the two little ones ate, a black shadow suddenly darted toward them. Everyone looked on, fearing for their safety. Ji Ziyue’s hand moved, and a crescent-shaped weapon instantly appeared in her grasp, her eyes fixed on the shadow as she prepared to strike.

The two little ones were startled and quickly tucked away their snacks, fearing they might be stolen.

When they saw what the shadow was, they realized it was a massive black dog wagging its tail in a fawning manner—it was the Black Emperor!

"Big Black Dog!" the two little ones cheered, showing no fear at all. They ran up to stroke its fur, delighted; they had never seen a dog so large.

Seeing it was just the dog, Ji Ziyue relaxed and put her weapon away, smiling as she watched the children play.

The Black Emperor had its reasons. Just as little Nan Nan appeared, it had clearly sensed a pressure unique to an invincible Great Emperor emanating from her, which terrified it. As a dog that had followed the Great Emperor Wu Shi, it was exceptionally sensitive to such things.

It knew that among the thirty Great Emperors throughout history, very few possessed such invincible momentum. To have such presence, one had to start from the beginning of their cultivation, sweeping through everything without a single defeat; otherwise, this invincible aura could never be formed. Any such being was no less powerful than Wu Shi himself, and some could even slay immortals!

Regardless of where this little girl’s power came from, the Black Emperor was certain of one thing: she was a golden opportunity! With its legendary wisdom, how could it miss such a chance to curry favor?

As everyone watched the children playing with the dog, Chen Xing and Chen Mi appeared.

Seeing the seemingly ordinary pair, Duan De felt his hair stand on end. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "The humble Daoist Duan De greets the two seniors!"

Chen Xing nodded with a smile. "What brings you back?"

Beside him, Chen Mi let out a cold hum, causing Duan De to shudder. He had no idea how he had offended this lady. He didn't realize that she was still annoyed with him because of a habitual lie he had told in the past.

Not daring to look at the glowering Chen Mi, Duan De quickly replied to Chen Xing, "I have a friend who wishes to ask the seniors about something. I hope you might be willing to assist."

Chen Xing gave a soft "hmm," neither agreeing nor denying. He turned to Ye Fan. "Brother Ye, I trust you have been well?"

Ye Fan was feeling awkward, as Liu Yiyi was not here and he wasn't familiar with Chen Xing, leaving him unsure of how to respond. Hearing Chen Xing address him directly, he was pleasantly surprised and hurriedly bowed. "It has been a long time, Senior! I have been doing well, thank you!"

Chen Xing nodded with a smile, though he wondered to himself: why was this fellow here? Shouldn't he be preparing to face the Dragon Transformation Tribulation?