Battle Through the Heavens: The Rock King Emperor's Leisurely Wanderings in the Mortal World

Chapter 5 Becoming Zhongli's Apprentice

The Xiao family's council chamber.

What should have been a scene of mockery from the Xiao family members and the three elders towards Xiao Zhan and his son was completely replaced by the shock of Zhongli's Flame Contract.

However, the guests had already left, so the conversation turned to family matters.

The First Elder spoke first: "Clan Chief, aren't you going to introduce this Mr. Zhongli to us? And what about that three-year agreement? Do you think our Xiao family hasn't been humiliated enough?!"

The Grand Elder naturally dared not reprimand Zhong Li. After all, Zhong Li's background was shrouded in mystery, making him difficult to fathom. Although he could use the excuse of not being a member of the Xiao family to expel Zhong Li from the Xiao family, how could he dare to actually do so? Even when facing Ge Ye, he felt intimidated; how could he possibly have the courage to look directly at Zhong Li, who could even intimidate Ge Ye?

"Because of this so-called three-year agreement, my Xiao family has lost four Qi Gathering Pills and an opportunity to study at the Yunlan Sect. How can you be a patriarch?!"

If they could really obtain those four Qi Gathering Pills, at least his grandson Xiao Ning should get one. If they used some tricks, getting two wouldn't be difficult. But all of this was ruined by Xiao Yan and Zhong Li.

Zhongli didn't dare to choke, but putting pressure on Xiao Zhan, the clan leader, was no problem at all, since he and the clan leader didn't have a good relationship anyway.

The Grand Elder was quite jealous of Xiao Yan when he was a genius.

When Xiao Yan was a good-for-nothing, the Grand Elder often instigated Xiao Ning to kick him while he was down.

It just goes to show that some relatives feel like you owe them something from birth.

"Hahahaha." Xiao Zhan's hearty laughter interrupted the Grand Elder's "relished conversation." He stood up and said, "Since the Grand Elder has asked so sincerely, then I will tell you!"

"Mr. Zhongli is a distinguished guest of the Xiao family! Just recently, he resolved Yan'er's physical condition that caused her cultivation to regress, which means that Yan'er's cultivation talent has returned to its peak. This is why Yan'er dared to stand up to power when the family faced disgrace!"

"Just now, Mr. Zhongli chose to help our Xiao family secure a three-year grace period, even though he could have remained completely neutral. Otherwise, what do the three elders think? If the Yunlan Sect continues to use its power to oppress us, how can our Xiao family not submit?"

"And you, the First Elder, as a member of the Xiao family, instead of setting an example, chose to stand aside, disregarding the family's dignity for a so-called condescended quota and a few pills! You white-haired fool, you old coward! You have lived seventy-six years in vain! How dare a spineless dog bark so arrogantly in the council hall where the Xiao family's ancestors have handled important matters for generations?!"

"You...you!" The elder was suddenly speechless with anger, his voice rapid and halting.

"Shut up!" Xiao Zhan's imposing manner gave the Grand Elder no chance to retort. "Today I will reveal Zhongli's identity. Mr. Zhongli has done Xiao Yan a great service, and for that alone, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Xiao Yan to acknowledge him as his godfather—that's what I, his biological father, say. Moreover, I will also appoint Zhongli as a guest elder of my Xiao family. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"

Xiao Yan stood straight below the stage, his still-childish face revealing an extraordinary determination. He felt no unease about his father Xiao Zhan's arrangements; on the contrary, he felt that such an arrangement suited him perfectly.

As Xiao Zhan said, Zhongli had given him a second chance at life. Without Zhongli, he wouldn't have been so confident when he said, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential."

They might not even have the courage to say those words.

"It was Mr. Zhongli who gave me the opportunity to cultivate again; it was Mr. Zhongli who rescued me from the abyss of being a 'trash.'" As he spoke, Xiao Yan's emotions rose higher and higher, and his body trembled involuntarily. Finally, driven by an impulse, he resolutely turned to Zhongli, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in a fist.

"If Mr. Zhongli does not reject me, Xiao Yan is willing to become his disciple."

Just moments before, Zhong Li had been immersed in deep respect for Clan Chief Xiao, but the sudden scene before him left him feeling bewildered. A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes, as if he were trying to understand what was happening.

At the same time, Guan Xiaozhan also showed a slight look of surprise, his eyes flashing with curiosity and confusion. As for Zhong Li, after a brief shock, a belief gradually became firm in his heart—every action that Xiao Yan showed was a spontaneous choice from the depths of his heart, rather than being driven by any external factors.

Serving as a guest elder in the Xiao family isn't a big deal, since he has experience in this area at the Hall of Rebirth. Besides, in this unfamiliar Dou Qi Continent, having a place to stay and shelter from the rain is the best option.

If Zhongli were to become Xiao Yan's master... he himself didn't know what he could teach Xiao Yan, after all, he knew nothing about Dou Qi, and he had no knowledge of alchemy, which Yao Chen had mentioned earlier.

Zhongli doesn't like being forced to do things. To others, Xiao Yan's actions seem somewhat morally coercive, but Zhongli doesn't see it that way.

That's because Xiao Yan only knelt on one leg. This young man is shrewd despite his rough exterior. Even when rejected, he left room for Zhong Li and took the embarrassment and ridicule upon himself.

Thinking of this, Zhong Li genuinely felt a sense of appreciation for this passionate and turbulent young man who stirred the heart of the Fire God. Moreover, the establishment of the three-year contract had also allowed the completely worn-out Heart of the Rock God in Zhong Li's left chest to undergo some repair.

It seems that the power of the Rock God is gradually returning.

"It seems that only by continuously fulfilling my previous divine duty—constantly witnessing the establishment and completion of the contract—can I slowly restore the power of the Rock God."

"Alright, I agree to take you as my disciple, but there are some things I need to say beforehand. Your master will teach you both martial arts and alchemy. I won't interfere too much, and he will also be in charge of your regular training."

Seeing that the die was cast, Xiao Yan quickly lowered his second leg and slammed it down heavily.

"What! Xiao Yan actually has a master!"

"My goodness! If Second Master was able to scare away the elders who led the Yunlan Sect, then First Master must be just as strong."

"None of you have grasped the key point! Didn't you hear Mr. Zhongli say that the head alchemist is also responsible for teaching Xiao Yan alchemy?! It seems our Xiao family is about to produce a distinguished alchemist!"

……

"No way!! He's the second master and I'm the first master?! What makes me worthy of being ranked before him? And he even puts me in charge of teaching both martial arts and alchemy. What's he doing? Just a hands-off master?"

Yao Lao silently vented his emotions in the ring, but the council hall was already filled with the chattering of the Xiao family members. Xiao Yan was even more immersed in joy and had no mind to care about Yao Chen.

Only two women felt like thorns in his side: Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Mei would steal glances at Xiao Yan from time to time. Between her slender fingers, her delicate thumb was unconsciously making circles, as if outlining some mysterious pattern in the air.

"Will Brother Xiao Yan forgive me for what I did before?"

For a woman like Xiao Xun'er, losing complete control over her desired target immediately creates a sense of crisis. Although it's not a crisis involving the same sex, the unknown that Xiao Yan brought her that night was too shocking.

"Two masters," "practicing alchemy," "Zhongli's 'Emperor Flame'"... Xiao Xun'er was unsure how much more about her brother Xiao Yan she didn't know.

The latest novel is first published here!

"It seems we'll have to trouble Elder Ling again."

The elder next to the main seat slumped into his chair.

In that instant, the reason he unleashed all his anger on Xiao Zhan was actually because he harbored a deep-seated fear of Zhong Li's unfathomable strength. But now, the situation had miraculously shifted; Xiao Yan had become Zhong Li's disciple. Thus, Xiao Zhan and Zhong Li were now closely allied, standing on the same side. In this predicament, how could he possibly speak so easily?

At this delicate moment, the Second Elder and the Third Elder exchanged a glance, as if reaching a tacit understanding in their silent communication. Then, they both stood up simultaneously and clapped first, the applause echoing in the slightly tense atmosphere like a special signal.

"Congratulations on the Third Young Master's recovery of his talent! Congratulations on the Third Young Master finding a good teacher!"

From this point on, it is likely that the lineage of the Grand Elder will have little chance of ever rising again.

……

Xiao Zhan quickly instructed the butler to prepare a superior guest room for Zhong Li to stay in, with furniture and bedding of the same quality as Xiao Zhan's.

Inside Zhongli's room, Xiao Zhan inquired, "Guest Elder Zhongli, I still don't know your exact cultivation level?"

"I'd say it's a Seven-Star Dou Wang." In the previous complaints between Yao Chen and Xiao Yan, Zhong Li had gained a basic understanding of the cultivation levels in this world and the characteristics of each level. As for the Seven Stars, it was naturally taken from the Seven Stars of Li Yue.

Immediately afterwards, Zhong Li concentrated his divine power on his back, and a pair of crimson-gold "battle qi wings" condensed behind him. Combined with Zhong Li's elegant and noble demeanor and aloof heroic bearing, even Xiao Zhan was momentarily stunned.

They are like celestial beings who should not exist in the mortal world, approachable yet unapproachable.

"Please rest early, my guest. If you have some free time tomorrow, you may visit my Xiao family market. Perhaps you will find some interesting trinkets."

"Then I will accept Chief Xiao's kind offer; it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Xiao Zhan gently closed the door and let out a long sigh of relief on his way back to his room.

He and Xiao Yan had experienced too many ups and downs today, and such mental exhaustion could not be solved simply by sleeping.

"Yeah, at least get two naps!"

(End of this chapter)