Young Master Lei, who embraced righteousness with a generous spirit, embarked on his journey towards the eastern desert, escorted by the ancestor of the Fang family who was undergoing tribulation, and accompanied by his beloved sister Xiaoyu.
As for Sister Xiaoyu, Wan Lei had not wanted her to go. The region was perilous, populated by the Liu family and demons; a single misstep could lead to grave danger.
However, Sister Xiaoyu insisted on accompanying him. Her reasoning was that the experiences there, the process of their feelings evolving from animosity to dependence, were unforgettable. It was an opportune moment to revisit those places.
Wan Lei knew she was worried about him.
This Fang family ancestor did not appear particularly old, nor middle-aged. He seemed to be around fifty years old in mortal years, with black hair interspersed with white. He was gaunt, perpetually sporting a stern expression and rarely smiling, exuding an aura of an aloof immortal who discouraged proximity.
Wan Lei even attempted to strike up a conversation, wanting to inquire about the ancestor's name, age, and what he had eaten for breakfast. However, the Fang family ancestor acted as if he were deaf, offering no response whatsoever.
This was because the ancestor was in a foul mood.
Cultivators of their realm typically lived in seclusion, dedicating themselves to closed-door cultivation and seeking enlightenment, hoping to break through to the immortal realm one day.
Prior to this, the Fang family ancestor had not left his residence for over a thousand years. With the sudden invasion of demons, he, a powerful figure, was compelled to act.
After two years of suppression, the people could bear it no longer. They devised a rotating schedule: others returned home to sleep and then resume their secluded cultivation.
The thought of having to emerge again in ten years, only to remain out for another decade, agitated the Fang family ancestor greatly. Thus, he cherished the ten years of respite all the more.
Yet, merely five years had passed, and he had been summoned. His task was to escort a mere child to set up a formation.
If this child were a member of the Fang family, it would be one thing. But he was merely a son-in-law, not even half a Fang family member.
One could only imagine the extent of the Fang family ancestor's ire.
His pleasant dream had been shattered, and the instigator before him was incessantly trying to ingratiate himself. Would you not be annoyed in his place?
The ancestor felt hardship, felt wronged, and wished to lash out...
Consequently, he found the young man increasingly displeasing.
Wan Lei seemed to possess an innate constitution for incurring the displeasure of the Fang family.
Clutching the five million spirit stones he had just acquired, Young Master Lei, hand in hand with Sister Xiaoyu, arrived at East Desert City.
The Central Region was immense. Even for a tribulation-transcending expert, it would take a day or two to fly from the Fang family to the desert. Therefore, to save time, the affluent Young Master Lei enthusiastically offered to have the tribulation-transcending ancestor use the teleportation array.
This was his second time visiting this place. The first was when he came to the Central Region from the Northern Region to participate in the Myriad Prodigies Ranking.
At that time, East Desert City was a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder. Wan Lei had almost gotten into a fight with someone due to a minor collision.
Now, East Desert City was desolate, with few people to be seen.
After all, this was a desert with no resources. Not even trade caravans passed through here, preventing the city from developing.
Flying out of East Desert City, Young Master Lei's sentimental penchant for reminiscing resurfaced. He pointed towards the north, explaining to Sister Xiaoyu with great interest,
"Look, remember that spot? Back then, I was queuing there, and you ran up to me, provoked me a bit, and then flounced off, causing half the participants in the Myriad Prodigies Ranking to target me."
"Hmph, I owe you nothing. Who told you to tease me?"
Sister Xiaoyu's lips curved into a sweet smile.
"You provoked me first, so can't I tease you back?"
"Then if I'm allowed to tease you, am I not allowed to let those who like me beat you up?"
"Speaking of which, why haven't I seen your Protector of Rain Alliance in recent years? Those people used to dislike me and always tried to find trouble, but why aren't they showing up now?"
"Because..."
Fang Xiaoyu smiled enchantingly,
"They can't beat you anymore."
"It seems without strength, it's truly not enough. You can't even protect your own wife; she might be snatched away by someone else."
"That's certainly true. Hurry up and cultivate, young man, don't let your little girl be taken away."
"Hahahaha."
They chatted and laughed heartily, while the Fang family ancestor beside them maintained his stoic, lifeless expression, not even glancing at them.
He had lived for thousands of years and had seen countless descendants. Many had not outlived him, so he did not place much importance on the younger generations of his family.
His reason for venturing out this time was twofold. Firstly, Old Fang had informed him that Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu were of extreme importance, possessing the potential for immortality and crucial to the Fang family's future, thus they could not afford any mishaps.
Secondly, he did not wish for his own family's juniors to be killed by the audacious ancestor of the Liu family. Other tribulation-transcending old monsters would not stoop to such a disgraceful act, but that person from the Liu family...
"You must be cautious of Liu Naiweng."
The Fang family ancestor, who had been silent throughout the journey, suddenly spoke, startling Wan Lei.
"Ancestor, who is Liu Naiweng?"
"He is the person you are going to meet, the ancestor of the Liu family."
"Oh, I see."
Wan Lei's mouth twitched. This person had a knack for self-aggrandizing names. He had actually called himself "Naiweng." Even with his limited education, Young Master Lei knew that "Naiweng" meant "your father."
In Wan Lei's understanding, only a name like "My Father" could rival this level of self-importance.
"This person is cunning and malicious, untrustworthy, two-faced, a beast in human guise, utterly wicked, sinister and venomous, and has a terrible reputation..."
Young Master Lei's mouth twitched again. Judging solely by these exaggerated adjectives, he truly wished to ask the ancestor if he had a grudge against Liu Naiweng.
"Ancestor, could you be more specific? Just how bad is this person?"
Wan Lei found a barrage of adjectives insufficient for a proper understanding.
After a moment of hesitation, the Fang family ancestor slowly uttered a sentence,
"Five thousand years ago, this person made a bet with me and lost five million spirit stones. He still hasn't paid me back."
Young Master Lei was greatly astonished. How could this tribulation-transcending old monster be so similar to him, so petty?
Immediately after,
Young Master Lei firmly replied,
"He must pay."
Soon, they flew to the very center of the desert.
This place had once been dotted with rolling hills, stretching endlessly. Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu had even spent time there, sharing tender moments of love. However, a basin had now appeared in the middle.
This basin was the final arena back then, and the place where the demons had descended.
The massive beam of teleportation light had flattened this area and even caused it to sink considerably.
In the center of the basin was a pale blue formation, with various runes flashing. Below it, roars could occasionally be heard.
At the same time, Wan Lei also saw the Liu family members stationed there, along with Liu Naiweng.
Upon seeing the Fang family ancestor arrive, Liu Naiweng rose to greet him.
"Fang Hui, why have you come yourself, you old fossil? This is not like your lazy self."
"Return my money."
The Fang family ancestor did not even lift his eyelids, maintaining his lifeless expression as he spoke calmly.
"Could it be that you fear I will harm your junior?"
"Return my money."
"...Can you say something else?"
"Repay me my money."