Chapter 1442: Chapter 1442: Gathering
After returning to the Flying Crane Sect, Duo’an exaggerated the situation in the Eastern Domain as Lin Chen had informed him, recommending that the Flying Crane Sect should not act rashly for the time being.
When Lei Hao learned about Lin Chen’s situation, it further strengthened his resolve to eliminate Lin Chen.
Soon, time flew by, and five days passed.
During these five days, Lin Chen crafted a large number of talisman inscriptions.
On this day, when Lin Chen opened his door, intending to go out, he saw a figure standing at the entrance.
The figure was shabby; who else could it be but Xiao Chitai.
"Instructor Xiao, why are you here? I’m out of money."
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai and said irritably.
The last time he gave Xiao Chitai one hundred thousand low-grade spirit crystals, but not long after, this guy came again. Lin Chen didn’t want to give him any more spirit crystals; it would never end.
"Don’t worry, I’m not here to ask for spirit crystals this time, but I have a favor to ask."
Xiao Chitai didn’t reek of alcohol this time. He looked at Lin Chen and said seriously.
"A favor? Instructor Xiao must be mistaken; what can I do for you?"
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai and said indifferently.
"Boy, are you going to make me stand here forever without inviting me in for a talk?"
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen immediately stepped aside to let Xiao Chitai into the room.
Then the two sat down, and Lin Chen was about to make tea when Xiao Chitai interrupted him.
"Lin Chen, my young friend, I really have a favor to ask this time."
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and said with utmost sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen’s brow furrowed slightly.
"I wonder what the elder wants me to do?"
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai and asked, filled with doubt. He was perplexed about what Xiao Chitai was up to.
"You also know that the Ancient Ruins are about to open. I want to ask you to take care of Zi Ling during this trip."
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and said solemnly.
"Huh?"
Upon hearing Xiao Chitai’s request, Lin Chen immediately sprang from his seat.
"Instructor Xiao, are you toying with me? Senior Sister Zi Ling’s ability is far above mine; I can’t even defeat her. Asking me to take care of her makes no sense."
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai, expressing some anger.
He could see that the old man was clearly joking with him.
"Young Lin Chen misunderstood. I’m not joking. In terms of cultivation strength, Zi Ling girl might surpass you, but when it comes to scheming and survival tactics, she doesn’t understand flexibility as much as you do—not even one percent."
"She has her own agenda for this trip to the ruins, aiming for the Water of Life. She might mess up, so I want to ask young Lin Chen for help in keeping her safe."
Through investigation, Xiao Chitai found out that Lin Chen was not an ordinary person. Although his cultivation wasn’t high, his actual combat strength wasn’t much less than Zi Ling, plus he had a mysterious identity.
Lin Chen was growing rapidly and understood the long-lost ancient teleportation array. His survival methods must be plentiful, which was the reason Xiao Chitai sought him out.
"It seems Instructor Xiao knows me well."
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai, squinting his eyes slightly.
Obviously, Xiao Chitai had investigated him secretly, which made Lin Chen uncomfortable. Nobody liked being investigated, and finding out about Lin Chen’s background in the Eastern Domain could endanger his family, making him view such people as adversaries.
"I hope young Lin Chen will forgive me. You are too mysterious, and since you’re close to my daughter, I naturally need to investigate."
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and said calmly.
"Your daughter?"
"Senior Sister Zi Ling is your daughter?"
Lin Chen was not foolish; he quickly responded, surprised that Instructor Xiao was actually Senior Sister Zi Ling’s father.
"But wait, Senior Sister Zi Ling’s last name is Zi, and yours is Xiao."
Lin Chen couldn’t help but mumble.
"Zi Ling follows her mother’s surname."
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and said indifferently, without further detail.
Lin Chen didn’t care to know more.
"Senior Sister Zi Ling genuinely treats me well; protecting her safety in the ruins is what I ought to do. However, Instructor Xiao, you know my cultivation is low. I will do my best to protect Senior Sister Zi Ling, but if it’s beyond my capabilities, I can’t help it considering the unpredictable dangers and obstacles during this trip to the ruins."
Lin Chen looked at Xiao Chitai and spoke earnestly.
"Hearing your assurance, I feel relieved."
Xiao Chitai was secretly relieved when Lin Chen agreed, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Instructor Xiao, during my absence, I’ll leave everyone else to you."
Lin Chen also requested Xiao Chitai.
"Don’t worry, as a Yellow Hall instructor, it’s my duty to protect their safety. As long as I’m here, no one in Yunlong Heavenly Palace can harm them."
Xiao Chitai looked at Lin Chen and promised.
Upon hearing Xiao Chitai’s words, Lin Chen felt relieved about the safety of Yu Weilian, Yang Minghui, and others.
The Heaven Hall folks, if they caused trouble while he and Senior Sister Zi Ling weren’t around, were Lin Chen’s only concern. With Xiao Chitai’s guarantee, he felt at ease.
Afterward, Lin Chen still went to instruct Yu Weilian and Yang Minghui and the others.
Yang Wenshan heard Lin Chen was going to the Ancient Ruins and even wanted to follow. Lin Chen scolded her and asked her to stay in Yunlong Heavenly Palace and cultivate properly.
On this day, it was finally time for everyone to gather, preparing to head to the ruins.
Lin Chen followed Zi Ling to Yunlong Heavenly Palace’s square and saw countless disciples already assembled, numbering tens of thousands.
Among these disciples, the lowest cultivation was in the seventh or eighth level of the Nirvana Realm, most were above the eighth layer, and those like Lin Chen at the seventh level were few, as everyone knew that with such cultivation, going to these Ancient Ruins was akin to being cannon fodder.