"Master! What is the Immortal Realm like?" Hearing Lu Fan mention the Immortal Realm, Zhan Tai Ruo Mei and Li Jing Jing both leaped out of the huge pit with excited expressions.
However, upon emerging, both felt a sense of disappointment. Although the surroundings seemed ethereal, like a fairyland, the immediate vicinity was clearly in a state of disrepair.
"Hey... you guys... can you take care of an old man!" At this moment, the scruffy old Daoist stood in the deep pit, hopping as he tried to climb out, but failing. He cried out loudly.
"Tch..."
"Tch..."
The two beautiful girls pouted, neither paying him any mind. This fellow was only good for causing trouble.
Lu Fan suddenly reached out, and a surge of power instantly pulled the scruffy old Daoist up. Lu Fan smiled slightly, realizing his strength was still intact.
"Holy cow! It looks like there was a war here just now!?" the scruffy old Daoist exclaimed upon climbing out, looking around.
"We know that without you saying it!" Zhan Tai Ruo Mei rolled her eyes.
"These two children, why don't they like me talking! Kid, you need to discipline them properly when you have time. Let them know they should respect their elders!" the scruffy old Daoist said to Lu Fan.
"Old man! They are the only two precious treasures I brought with me, and I can't bear to scold them. You'll have to endure it for now and learn to love the young!" Lu Fan pouted and suddenly started walking forward.
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
Li Jing Jing and Zhan Tai Ruo Mei stuck out their tongues at the scruffy old Daoist and giggled, running to follow behind Lu Fan.
"Hmph! As expected, like master, like disciples, not a single good one among them! Hey... hey... wait for me, why are you walking so fast?" the scruffy old Daoist hurried after them.
A wide road, flanked by classical-style buildings. However, these structures had clearly suffered heavy damage and were in ruins. Even the trees by the roadside were broken or fallen, bearing clear marks of sharp or blunt weapons. Walking on the road, not a soul was in sight, only the biting cold wind could be felt.
However, in the distance, two mountains stood, appearing ethereal and misty with clouds, like a fairyland. The four of them headed towards the closer mountain.
"Master! Do they fight wars in the Immortal Realm too? It looks like a battlefield here," Li Jing Jing suddenly said.
"The Immortal Realm? Hmph! The so-called Immortal Realm is a world where the strong reign supreme. There are no laws here, only the strength of one's fists and the whims of their mood," the scruffy old Daoist interjected before Lu Fan could speak.
"Old man, don't corrupt the children! If that's what you're saying, doesn't the Immortal Realm have any rules?" Lu Fan retorted.
"Rules are set by the strong! If you own a mountain peak, you can set the rules for that peak. If you own a world, you can set the rules for that world. And within that mountain or world, no one dares to set rules for you! That is the rule!" the scruffy old Daoist said with an air of erudition, shaking his head and looking a bit smug.
"Hahaha! Old man! Since you understand the rules so well, hand over all your valuables!" Suddenly, a loud laugh erupted, and several people appeared ahead, blocking their path.
Six people, four men and two women, all carrying weapons. The four men held knives, and the two women held swords. They glared at Lu Fan and the others with ferocious expressions.
"What are you guys doing?" Lu Fan asked, looking at them with disdain.
"Can't you tell? I'm a mountain bandit, here to rob you!" the leader immediately said, shaking his knife and speaking fiercely.
"Robbing in a place like this? It's lucky you haven't starved to death!" Lu Fan looked around. Within his line of sight, there seemed to be no people at all. Let alone people, not even small animals could be seen. Who could they possibly rob here?
"Heh heh! Kid, we thought the same thing at first! But it's your bad luck to run into us. Hahaha!" the leader burst into laughter.
"No, it's your bad luck to run into us!" Lu Fan's lips curved slightly. As soon as he finished speaking, a golden silk ribbon flew out. *Puff puff!* The ribbon whipped across the leader's face. The man felt as if he had been struck by something, and *poof...* he spat out two large front teeth.
"Little girl! You dare to hit me?" The man was instantly enraged, glaring fiercely at Li Jing Jing and shouting.
"So what if I hit you?" Li Jing Jing shrugged dismissively.
"Try hitting me again?"
*Poof...* The golden ribbon in Li Jing Jing's hand flew out again. *Poof...* It struck the other side of the man's face. *Poof...* Another two large front teeth were spat out.
"Big brother! This time I saw clearly, it was this girl who hit you!" the man behind him stepped forward and pointed at Li Jing Jing.
"Get lost!" The leader's nose nearly turned blue with anger. Don't I see it myself?
"Come back! Hack her for me! Hack her for me!" The leader was a bit dazed, pointing at Li Jing Jing and shouting.
"Hack her!" The five people behind him immediately rushed towards Li Jing Jing.
*Jingle jingle...* Zhan Tai Ruo Mei suddenly shook the bell in her hand. The men who had charged forward were instantly overcome with dizziness. Their legs went weak, and *thump... thump...* they all collapsed on the ground.
"Holy crap..." Seeing that things were not going well, the leader turned and fled.
*Whoosh...* A golden silk ribbon suddenly flew from behind, wrapping around his neck. *Bang...* The man was yanked backward, *bang...* and fell to the ground.
"Holy crap... you dare to scare this Daoist with just these moves! I'll let you scare this Daoist, I'll let you scare this Daoist." The scruffy old Daoist saw his chance and immediately rushed forward, kicking the man wildly. Damn it, you almost scared this Daoist to pee his pants!
"Master! Should we kill these people?" Zhan Tai Ruo Mei suddenly asked.
Lu Fan almost stumbled and fell. When did this little girl become so nonchalant about killing?
"Don't... don't kill them! Let's keep them as our servants," Lu Fan quickly waved his hand.
"Alright then!" Zhan Tai Ruo Mei said, and then shook her golden bell again. The men lying on the ground dazedly woke up.
"Little girl! That golden bell of yours is good. Can you lend it to this Daoist to play with?" The scruffy old Daoist's eyes lit up as he stared at Zhan Tai Ruo Mei's golden bell.