CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 254: DAD, DO YOU BELIEVE ME?

"I want to become your apprentice!"

Even though there’s a First Grade in Daning County, he doesn’t catch my eye anymore.

Although I don’t really know Chen Xuan’s strength, just a wisp of his aura is enough to suppress me, definitely far stronger than that First Grade.

And he casually took out a First Grade Cultivation Technique.

Immortal Grade!

It’s definitely Immortal Grade!

With this kind of power, he would have a prominent status even in Molan Mansion; in this rural area, he’s like a deity’s presence.

Even if Chen Xuan disagrees, I must speak out.

Otherwise, it would be a lifelong regret for me.

"So this is the plan."

Chen Xuan suddenly realized in his heart.

No wonder he made that expression just now.

"Accepting a disciple?"

Chen Xuan calculated silently, Qin Ke’s talent is quite good, considered top-notch in the Human Realm, but here it’s the Supreme Domain, and he’s no longer who he was.

Since entering the Supreme Domain, his vision has elevated.

Nothing else, at least being First Grade is necessary to be his disciple.

"I can consider it!"

"But you must cultivate to First Grade within three months!"

This was the minimum requirement he set for Qin Ke, and one reason for accepting him as a pupil is because he is very clever, knowing what should be done and shouldn’t be.

This trait he quite liked.

Moreover, upon receiving this information, he had thoughts of hiding in the shadows.

Unless the strength reaches a point where Ning Xin can be protected, otherwise he wouldn’t consider it.

So he also needed someone to stand upfront and do tasks for him.

And Qin Ke seemed to be a suitable ’white glove’!

"Three months!"

"How is it possible!"

Upon hearing Chen Xuan agree, Qin Ke was initially delighted, but upon hearing he had only three months, he exclaimed in shock.

Even though he had confidence in himself, reaching First Grade within three months was not feasible!

It’s important to know it took him half a year to reach Second Grade, and that was after accumulating for so many years at Third Grade to achieve that speed.

But now being asked to achieve First Grade within three months, he truly had no confidence.

"Not just anyone can become my disciple; at least you need to prove you are exceptional."

Chen Xuan said indifferently.

If even this can’t be achieved, why should he accept Qin Ke as a pupil?

"Alright!"

Qin Ke nodded forcefully, realizing that even if the Qin Family in Daning County was significant, going further depended on his strength.

Once he reaches First Grade, his family can rival the Gu Family equally.

If he could reach Immortal Grade!

Daning County would be ruled by his Qin Family; of course, if true, then small Daning County wouldn’t matter to him.

Ultimately, it’s all about strength!

If he had substantial prowess, he could join the top ranks, eating meat and drinking soup, but if he lacked firm strength, he would be just a dish on the table, possibly without even qualifying as a dish.

This is the reality!

But all of this... he gazed towards Chen Xuan, just to see if he could become his pupil.

If he succeeds, everything becomes possible!

Otherwise, he’d only reach First Grade in his lifetime, lingering in Daning County.

...

After Qin Ke left, Ning Xin walked in slowly; she had overheard their conversation.

Thus, she felt grateful for listening to Chen Xuan’s words in the past.

Not leaving Huaining Island to find the Southern King, otherwise now...

"Hmph!"

Snorting coldly in her heart.

"Alright, with an unhappy face, but wasn’t everything resolved smoothly?"

Chen Xuan chuckled, beckoning to her before pointing to his shoulder.

Ning Xin slowly came behind him, gently massaging him.

"Looks like the year Ning Family was destroyed was truly not simple."

Chen Xuan, eyes shut, leaned his head on her bosom, inhaling Ning Xin’s fragrance, slowly spoke, "More than not simple, most likely Marquis Ning was only a pawn being used!"

"Why else would Marquis Ning not seek out the Southern King back then?"

"And..."

At this moment, Chen Xuan slightly raised his head, inquiring, "Don’t you find his timing of appearance very coincidental?"

He slightly opened his eyes.

Could it be that what they sought was not found initially, leaving behind the remaining Ning Family members, and then the Southern King intervened, leading to subsequent events.

But what he couldn’t figure out was why the Ning Family members were exiled to Huaining Island, sealed off, with such strict conditions.

He couldn’t fathom it.

Upon hearing this, Ning Xin’s complexion changed as well; she wasn’t foolish, realizing now the Ning Family indeed was schemed against in the past.

But why she could appear in this world, it was due to the box in her hands.

"So what now?"

At this moment, her hopes for rebuilding the Ning Family were dwindling.

"What now?"

Chen Xuan slightly straightened up, taking Ning Xin’s hand, drawing her close, "Walk into the shadows!"

"And from now on, you’re no longer Ning Xin. Change your name. As for Xiaolong and Xiaofeng, they should do the same. As for appearances, that’s easier to deal with, especially since they’re still young!"

"So... you plan to take Qin Ke as a disciple just to put him in the forefront?"

She now understood why someone as carefree as Chen Xuan would take on a disciple—it was to groom someone to step into the limelight while he remained firmly in the background.

But—

"Is this really feasible? They have enough power to make the entire Eastern Continent tremble with a single stomp!"

A hint of worry flashed in Ning Xin’s eyes.

Although it seemed like a good idea, Chen Xuan was only at the Profound Realm. While that was still commendable, compared to these individuals, he was far inferior.

"Heh heh!"

Chen Xuan chuckled lightly, patting his thigh.

Ning Xin naturally settled into his lap.

His arm wrapped around her slender waist, he finally spoke, "It’s a simple thing. Husband doesn’t need to immediately be on equal footing with them. Do what matches your ability!"

"It’s like a great person once said, encircle the cities from the countryside!"

"Hmm?"

Ning Xin turned her head, looking at him with some confusion.

She knew what the countryside meant, but what did encircling cities mean?

"It means advancing step by step from Daning County to the Imperial City of Great Yu!"

"Oh...!"

Ning Xin nodded, finally understanding.

...

After Qin Ke returned to the Qin Mansion, he ordered that at any cost, they were to purchase elixirs. Anything useful for cultivation should be bought, even if it meant exhausting all the Qin Family’s wealth.

"Have you lost your mind over cultivation?"

In the hall, Qin Gu pointed at his only son and began to scold him.

He had always supported cultivation, spending a lot of silver taels over the years. But this time, this brat seemed determined to squander the Qin Family’s century-old foundation.

Even though he doted on his son, he couldn’t let it slide this time.

"Dad, do you trust me?"

Qin Ke looked at him, asking seriously.

"It’s not a matter of trust, it’s you....."

"Boom!"

An astonishing aura erupted from Qin Ke, interrupting the rest of his words, his face changing dramatically.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Qin Ke immediately retracted it.

"You... have reached the Second Grade?"

At this moment, Qin Gu stuttered in disbelief.

His son had been stuck at the Third Grade for decades. To support his cultivation, he had even swallowed his pride and asked the Gu Family to take Qin Ke as a disciple, only to be mercilessly rejected.

Without a reason.

But now, unexpectedly, such a powerful aura had burst forth.

"Yes, Dad, I’m at the Second Grade!"

Although Qin Gu had some suspicions, when he actually said the words "Second Grade," his whole body trembled.

Tears streamed down his face.

He knew how much Qin Ke had endured over the years to advance in the Martial Dao.

But the Cultivation Technique... without it, everything was futile.

Wait!

"Where did your Cultivation Technique come from? You didn’t strike a deal with the Dark Moon Trading Company, did you? They’re notorious for being ruthless!"

Qin Gu’s expression changed.

Daning County was too remote, located at the northernmost part of the Eastern Continent, and there was only this one county within a thousand-mile radius. Usually, no one came here, making it feel as if it had been abandoned by the Eastern Continent.

To leave Daning County and reach the Molan Mansion, one had to pass through the Ten Thousand People Mountain Range, filled with Demon Beasts, even Immortal Grade ones had appeared there.

Not just ordinary people, even a First Grade expert from the Gu Family wouldn’t dare venture alone to the Molan Mansion, fearful of perishing in the Ten Thousand People Mountain Range.

The only entity capable of traveling out of Daning County was the Dark Moon Trading Company.

But they were too ruthless!

Luckily, they were merchants, solely interested in profit, and didn’t dare to act recklessly. Otherwise, Daning County would have long been named Dark Moon.

"Dad, rest assured, the Cultivation Technique was something I acquired inadvertently. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to make a deal with the Dark Moon Trading Company!"

Hearing this, Qin Gu’s expression eased a bit.

But still uneasy, he asked again, "Really?"

"Really, Dad!"

"And with enough resources, I can cultivate to the First Grade in a short time. By then, even in Daning County, the Gu Family won’t have the final say!"

At his words, Qin Gu was tempted.

In Daning County, the Gu Family was a dominating presence.

Even though the Dark Moon Trading Company had strength far surpassing the Gu Family, they dared not, and would not, overstep.

Otherwise, the Great Yu’s Royal Family wouldn’t spare them.

This was the rule set by Emperor Yu, because the Dark Moon Trading Company was too massive, present in every part of the Eastern Continent.

Yet, Qin Gu wasn’t a fool. As the Patriarch of the Qin Family, having developed the family to its current state, he wouldn’t lose his head over a few words from his son.

In just a moment, he calmed down.

He looked at Qin Ke, his gaze full of confusion, "Why must you cultivate to the First Grade in such a short time?"

"Heh!"

Qin Ke smiled bitterly. His father was indeed shrewd, instantly identifying the root of the problem.

But he didn’t want to tell him about Chen Xuan, at least not for now.

"Dad, if you trust me, in the future, not just Daning County, but even in the Molan Mansion, our Qin Family will have a place!"