In the center of the forest was a clearing, surrounded by towering ancient trees.
A thatched cottage stood in the clearing, enclosed by three sides of a fence.
In front of the cottage was a lounge chair, where an old man in black lay, gently swaying back and forth.
“Grandpa Hei, these two accidentally wandered in here.
Can you send them out?” Yao Yao said.
Hearing Yao Yao’s voice, the old man slowly opened his eyes.
He glanced warmly at Yao Yao, then turned his gaze to Mu Chen and Su Youwei.
The two felt a slight tremor in their hearts.
His eyes were deeply weathered, as if they had witnessed countless years.
An aura of deep age and decay surrounded him.
Mu Chen felt it most keenly.
When the old man’s gaze fell on him, the Ancestral Stone and the Eight Ancestral Symbols within his body involuntarily concealed themselves.
Even Mu Chen himself couldn’t sense them at all, as if they had vanished from his body.
He knew this was the Ancestral Stone and Ancestral Symbols having spirits, preventing powerful experts from detecting them.
He wasn’t sure if a Double Lotus Saint like Cang Yuan would discover them.
Both of them felt as if they had been completely seen through, with no secrets left.
The little marten didn’t dare to make a sound.
This old man was far too powerful, strong enough that a single glance could obliterate him thousands of times over.
“Interesting.
The Zhou family hasn’t arrived yet, but two little ones have come instead.” The old man in black looked at the two, his voice hoarse.
“Two meridians, late Illusory Stage Divine Soul.
A special soul talent?” “Three meridians, Yin-Yang Genesis Root.
Not bad talent.” The old man in black saw through both of their cultivation levels clearly.
Mu Chen wasn’t surprised, but Su Youwei’s expression changed.
His gaze lingered on Mu Chen’s head.
Tuntun was actually this familiar with a stranger?
Tuntun glanced at the old man in black, then jumped off Mu Chen’s head.
Without needing Yao Yao to tell him, he obediently hopped into the water barrel and started scrubbing himself clean.
It was quite comical.
“You two little ones, what are you doing here?” The old man in black said with a casual smile.
He hadn’t noticed when Mu Chen and Su Youwei entered.
After all, a Saint wouldn’t concern himself with mere Channel Opening Stage ants.
It was only when Mu Chen unleashed his devouring power to confront Tuntun that he had casually glanced over.
“Hehe, greetings, senior.
We just wandered in here by accident.
We’re looking for a way to leave.” Mu Chen calmed his trembling heart and let out a light laugh.
He was a Double Lotus Saint.
He wondered if Cang Yuan would silence them both to keep this place a secret.
After all, Yao Yao’s identity was of utmost importance.
Not only were Sacred Race experts searching for her, but even experts from the Lower Five Heavens were looking for her as well.
And those searching for Yao Yao were at least Saints.
Cang Yuan, a Double Lotus Saint, could only hide.
He could run away by himself, but taking Yao Yao along made things much more difficult.
“An accident?” The old man in black looked at Mu Chen with an amused expression.
Only two types of people could come here: the Zhou family member he was waiting for, or Saint-level experts hunting him down.
Mu Chen and Su Youwei clearly fit neither category.
“Grandpa Hei, is there something wrong with them?” Yao Yao asked.
“There’s nothing wrong with them.
But they shouldn’t be here.” Cang Yuan shook his head slowly, confusion flickering in his aged eyes.
Neither of them carried the stench of the Sacred Race that he despised.
They were purely human.
Aside from their good talent, there was nothing unusual about them.
“We’re good people.” Mu Chen spread his hands, giving himself a good person card.
Cang Yuan was speechless.
He had seen many people in his time, but someone like this was a first.
Could he sense the danger?
His perception was quite sharp.
Yao Yao found it quite amusing.
Facing Grandpa Hei and staying so calm.
That deserved some praise.
Was it ignorance being fearless?
She thought it was more likely that Mu Chen sensed Cang Yuan’s power and was biding his time.
“Whether you’re good or bad doesn’t matter.
In front of me, both of you are pathetically weak.” Cang Yuan shook his head.
No one would send two Channel Opening Stage brats in here.
It really seemed like an accident.
He did have some concerns, which was why he hadn’t sent them out immediately.
The Zhou family member hadn’t arrived yet.
If he sent them out, the spatial fluctuations could very well attract unwanted attention.
Mu Chen wasn’t offended.
It was the truth.
Even if he and Su Youwei were Law Domain Stage experts, they wouldn’t be a match for a Saint.
But in the future, that would be a different story.
So there was really no need to take it to heart.
“Unfortunately, I can’t send you out right now.” Cang Yuan said.
The Zhou family member will be arriving soon.
Even if he sent Mu Chen and Su Youwei away, it would have to wait until then.
He didn’t care much about himself, but he had to consider Yao Yao.
“Senior, does that mean we’ll have to stay for a while?” Mu Chen pretended to think for a moment before asking.
He naturally knew that Cang Yuan was waiting for Zhou Yuan.
The royal ancestral sacrifice was still some time away.
“Yes.
It won’t be too long.
At most half a year.
Don’t worry, I won’t harm you.” Cang Yuan said.
As a Saint, attacking two Channel Opening Stage brats would be a laughingstock.
“Stay in this clearing.
You won’t have to worry about Genesis Beast attacks.” Cang Yuan said.
His meaning was clear: the cottage had no room for more people.
Only Yao Yao had a room, and he slept on the lounge chair outside.
Mu Chen nodded and took Su Youwei to find a spot nearby.
They had survived the Black Forest Mountain Range.
Here, with a Saint nearby, the sense of security was overwhelming.
At least for now, they were completely safe.
“Brother Chen, who is that old man?” Su Youwei whispered.
Though Cang Yuan hadn’t shown any imposing aura, just lying there gave her a strong sense of power.
Mu Chen smiled.
There was no need to be so careful.
Cang Yuan wouldn’t bother eavesdropping on what they had to say.
“A powerful senior.
Over the next few days, we’ll see if we can get some good things from him.” Since they were here, Mu Chen didn’t plan to leave empty-handed.
That would be a loss.
A Saint’s wealth, especially a Great Venerable of the Primordial Heaven, would be substantial.
Even if just a little bit leaked out, it would be more than enough for Mu Chen and Su Youwei at their current stage.
Cang Yuan indeed hadn’t eavesdropped.
Though it would be effortless for him, he disdained such actions.
He also hadn’t expected that Mu Chen, knowing his identity, would still have the audacity to try and freeload.
If he knew, even he would be amused.
Even Saints wouldn’t have such thoughts.
Yet Mu Chen, a mere Channel Opening Stage brat, was so bold.
(End of Chapter) —