Upon hearing what Ye Shisan said, Cheng Xiaofan felt the incident was too bizarre. The hidden dark people had abused Ye Shisan so severely, only to release him later. There must be some conspiracy hidden within.
As for what conspiracy it was, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't guess.
"How did those people in black robes capture you?" Cheng Xiaofan suddenly asked this crucial question.
Ye Shisan blinked his eyes and said, "During that time, I had been wandering around everywhere. I remember one day I was staying in a dilapidated temple and fell asleep... When I woke up, I was tied to the stone pillar in the cave."
"..." How could anyone continue asking questions?
This was a story with no beginning and no end.
This matter was likely just a terrifying, muddled account in Ye Shisan's memory.
The only clue was that those people in black robes belonged to the hidden dark people!
There was still some porridge left in the clay pot. Cheng Xiaofan scooped it into a bowl and let Ye Shisan eat.
"Mr. Cheng, I feel that I will be able to break through the Huajin stage soon!" Ye Shisan drank another bottle of energy water that Cheng Xiaofan handed him, feeling the vital energy within him extremely active, jumping around in his meridians. He couldn't help but grin with joy.
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and asked, "Old Ye, after you break through the Huajin stage, what realm will you enter?"
Ye Shisan said, "After I break through the Huajin stage, I will officially enter the Xiantian Yi Realm."
"When I enter the Xiantian Yi Realm, I will basically be able to perform earth遁 (earth escape); if I continue to break through consecutively, I can become a dominant figure in the earth."
"What does it mean to be a dominant figure in the earth?" Cheng Xiaofan asked again.
Ye Shisan pondered for a moment and said, "If I can reach the level of a dominant figure in the earth, I will be able to control the growth of vegetation in a certain area. As for other functionalities, I will only know once I reach that level."
Even the growth of vegetation could be controlled?
This made the Land God seem quite comparable!
Speaking of which, the Land God was merely a manager among the divine race, sometimes more symbolic than practical, and there was still a significant difference from earth element cultivators.
However, in certain situations, the Land God could restrict the actions of earth element cultivators, so there was no comparison between the two.
"Old Ye, it's getting late. I'll take you back to Nanshan Lake Hotel to rest!" Cheng Xiaofan said.
After all, Ye Shisan had just had his internal injuries treated today, and his body had not fully recovered. He should rest as soon as possible.
Ye Shisan smiled and said, "Mr. Cheng, I'm already familiar with the path from the back mountain to Nanshan Lake. I don't need to be escorted. I can walk there by myself!"
"Alright, then I won't escort you!" Cheng Xiaofan nodded.
Ye Shisan immediately went downstairs, his figure flashed, and he used his qinggong (lightness skill). In a blink of an eye, he had disappeared from the back mountain.
Cheng Xiaofan stood with his hands behind his back until Ye Shisan had completely disappeared from his sight before turning back into the house.
He lay on the bed, but couldn't fall asleep for a while. He dialed Lu Shengming's number.
"Haha, Xiaofan, what a rare visitor! It's so late, it's unusual to get your call!" From the other end of the phone, Lu Shengming's hearty laughter came.
From his tone, Cheng Xiaofan could hear the underlying meaning.
It's nearly midnight, and you're calling at this hour, you must have encountered a problem.
Haha, weren't you very arrogant in front of me, Cheng Xiaofan? How come there's a day you need my help?
Cheng Xiaofan heard this and chuckled, "Old Luo, did my call disturb your rest? If that's the case, then I'll hang up!"
*Snap!*
He actually hung up the phone.
Lu Shengming on the other end was stunned.
This kid is too sensitive!
I just made a joke, and you're unhappy?
Hmph, who are you putting on a show for!
*Ring ring ring!*
Just as Cheng Xiaofan was about to rest, his phone rang.
He reached out and picked up the phone from the nightstand. The caller ID was Lu Shengming.
"Old Lu, it's the middle of the night. Is there anything so important that it can't be discussed tomorrow, and you have to call me at this hour?" Cheng Xiaofan said in a very displeased tone.
On the other end of the phone, Lu Shengming's eyes rolled back in anger.
However, in front of Cheng Xiaofan, he could only endure and said, "Xiaofan, I'm sorry. I spoke carelessly just now. Please don't be angry."
"Just say what you need to say!"
"That's more like it!"
Cheng Xiaofan wasn't going to indulge him. "Old Lu, as the head of the Martial World Affairs Bureau, I want to ask you, what are the hidden dark people?"
"Hidden dark people?"
Lu Shengming immediately asked, "Xiaofan, why are you inquiring about the hidden dark people sect?"
Hearing Lu Shengming's tone, it seemed as if he had an inexplicable apprehension towards the hidden dark people. Cheng Xiaofan's heart sank slightly and he said, "A friend of mine was once bullied by the hidden dark people."
Lu Shengming asked, "When did this happen?"
Cheng Xiaofan said, "This happened seven years ago. Although many years have passed, my friend suffered greatly in body and mind, and it has left an indelible shadow in his heart to this day!"
"Old Lu, can you tell me what kind of sect this is?"
Lu Shengming paused and said, "These hidden dark people, the name sounds similar to the hidden aristocratic families, and they also belong to a kind of ancient martial arts cultivation sect."
"Actually, that's not the case. The hidden dark people are a terrifying group of ancient martial arts practitioners hidden behind the martial world. It is said that they have connections with some foreign evil cults."
"The hidden dark people are willing to do almost anything to achieve the cultivation level they need. Many years ago, the headquarters of the Martial World Affairs Bureau repeatedly tried to suppress the hidden dark people, but due to their deep concealment, the results were minimal."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "Old Lu, if you have detailed information about the hidden dark people, please send some to my phone, let me take a look."
Lu Shengming gave a bitter smile and said, "We at the Martial World Affairs Bureau really don't have much information about the hidden dark people. If I had any, I would definitely send it to you!"
"Xiaofan, have you found any clues about the hidden dark people? If so, you must tell me!"
"..." These words truly left Cheng Xiaofan speechless.
Who is the head of the Martial World Affairs Bureau anyway!
If I had found clues about the hidden dark people, would I need to call you to inquire?
Cheng Xiaofan said, "Currently, I don't have any information about the hidden dark people. However, for my friend, I will definitely find those who tormented him back then!"
In fact, Cheng Xiaofan knew very well that although he had treated Ye Shisan's internal injuries today, the shadow in his heart had not yet been erased.
If he didn't help Ye Shisan smooth out the shadow in his heart, even if he broke through the Huajin stage, this shadow might cause him to fall into a state of madness during his future cultivation.
At this moment, Lu Shengming's voice became serious as he asked, "Xiaofan, can you tell me who your friend is?"