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Chapter 111: Tian Gou’s Keen Understanding of Survival — A Spectator?

Hearing the Grand Elder’s words, the City Lord of Xuantian City stood frozen on the spot, stunned for a long moment.

"Se-Senior?"

"Grand Elder, what do you mean?"

The City Lord muttered, his heart tightening violently.

In the Eastern Region, aside from those reclusive old monsters, the Grand Elder of the Holy Mountain was one of the highest-ranking figures.

But now, even the Grand Elder had to refer to someone as "Senior." What kind of existence could that possibly be?

Could it be one of the few hidden old monsters in the Eastern Region?

The Grand Elder didn’t elaborate. Instead, he stepped aside to reveal the scene at the Ren Family Residence.

The City Lord saw a young man wearing a gentle smile, casually glancing in his direction.

As for the Ren family, although the flames had been extinguished, the City Lord couldn’t help but find it all extremely eerie.

The vast Ren Family Residence... was completely deserted.

“Father, it’s—it’s that Senior. He wiped out the Ren family effortlessly.”

“As for the rest, there’s no time to explain.”

“I’ll go kowtow to the Senior first!”

Seeing his father frozen in shock, Tian Gou quickly stepped forward, falling to his knees before Chen Daoxuan with a thud.

Bang!

His head hit the ground hard. He didn’t dare get up, waiting silently for Chen Daoxuan’s response.

As for the City Lord, he had initially thought his son was so frightened that he’d lost his senses. But upon seeing the Grand Elder of the Holy Mountain address the man as “Senior,” it was clear this wasn’t his son’s problem—it was far more serious than that.

Thud!

Bang!

The City Lord followed his son’s example, kneeling side by side and kowtowing to Chen Daoxuan.

Even now, the City Lord had no idea what his son had done to get involved with someone of such caliber.

But—kowtowing seemed like the safest option.

How had the Tian family managed to rise to where they were today?

By surviving!

To the extent that he had even named his son Tian Gou (lit. “Tian the Survivor”) for this very reason!

“Tsk. The Eastern Region truly is a remarkable place. Look at how courteous these gifts of respect are!”

“Alright, off you go. Back to where you came from.”

Chen Daoxuan glanced at the two of them. The City Lord was merely at the Extinction Realm, far from a threat. It was clear neither of them had provoked his disciples.

If they had dared to offend his disciples, not only would Yanran have dealt with them, but even Yurong, with her Sacred Dragon Transformation, could easily suppress the Extinction Realm City Lord.

If they had really crossed his disciples, they wouldn’t have even had the chance to kneel and beg now.

“Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!”

The Tian father and son, as if granted a reprieve from death, bowed repeatedly before daring to rise.

After bowing respectfully to the two Holy Mountain Elders, they hurriedly left, even abandoning their prized Void Sky Realm Steed in their haste.

Once they had gotten some distance away, the City Lord let out a long sigh of relief.

“You wretched son, how did you manage to provoke someone like that?”

“I, as the City Lord of Xuantian City, have only seen the Grand Elder of the Holy Mountain three or four times in my life. Yet, you’ve managed to attract someone even the Grand Elder respects!”

“You’re a disgrace to your name, Tian Gou! You’ve sullied the legacy of survival I bestowed upon you!”

Recalling the earlier encounter, the City Lord’s throat went dry, and he began berating his son relentlessly.

Tian Gou, hearing his father’s words, hung his head, not daring to argue. This time, it truly was his fault. Thankfully, the Senior and the two fairies didn’t pursue the matter. Or perhaps... they didn’t even consider him worth noticing.

“By the way, weren’t you planning to get married?”

“Which family’s girl is it? I’ll go back and make arrangements for the wedding. Let’s hold it soon to dispel the bad luck.”

Seeing his son’s miserable state, the City Lord, despite his frustration, couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Changing the subject, he casually brought up the wedding.

As soon as City Lord Tian casually mentioned marriage, Tian Gou stumbled mid-air, almost falling out of the sky.

Smack!

The crisp sound of a slap echoed. City Lord Tian, bewildered, looked at his son with a stunned expression.

“You brat! Are you tired of living?!”

“A son hitting his father—are you rebelling against the heavens? Today, when we get back, I’ll skin you alive!”

City Lord Tian was completely dumbfounded after being slapped by his son. He couldn’t fathom what kind of bad luck he had encountered today.

“Shh...”

“Father, be careful with your words!”

“Once we’re home, you can skin me alive if you want. But for heaven’s sake, don’t ever mention marriage again. Otherwise, the next family to be wiped out will be ours!”

“Survival is an art I deeply understand!”

Tian Gou hurriedly covered his father’s mouth, his face filled with urgency.

Hearing this, City Lord Tian realized there was more to the situation and wisely decided not to press further. He quickened his pace without another word.

Once the father and son duo left, only the two elders from the Holy Mountain, Chen Daoxuan, and his disciples remained at the Ren Family Residence.

Suddenly, Chen Daoxuan furrowed his brows.

The two Holy Mountain elders, who had just leaned in to curry favor, immediately became flustered.

“You enjoy watching the excitement, don’t you?”

“If you’re so fond of it, why don’t you join me and add to the excitement?!”

Chen Daoxuan’s voice boomed like thunder, spreading across hundreds of miles.

The Holy Mountain elders exchanged uneasy glances.

Could someone be secretly observing them?

Yet, within their combined senses, there were no signs of other cultivators within a hundred miles.

The Ren Family Residence had always been a restricted area, with no outsiders permitted to approach.

“Senior Sister, did you hear that? It seems Master is upset. Should we go out and check?”

While busy collecting heavenly materials and earthly treasures from the Ren family’s remains, Li Yurong paused and looked up, asking Leng Yanran hesitantly.

“No need. Let’s focus on gathering the treasures as quickly as possible.”

“Remember, be thorough. Don’t miss any valuable items. Master has emphasized that we at Heavenly Dao Hall must uphold frugality!”

Without even looking up, Leng Yanran replied casually, fully trusting her master. As long as he was present, there was no cause for concern.

Instead of wasting time watching the commotion, it was better to finish collecting the Ren family’s treasures.

“Oh... but I feel like... Hmm... Never mind.”

Hearing her senior sister mention frugality, Li Yurong hesitated for a moment, recalling her first day on the mountain when she had used an entire pool of spirit liquid for bathing and absorption.

That spirit liquid was far purer than any she had encountered, even in the Holy Mountain. Before joining, she could only use a small vial, or even half a vial, during breakthroughs.

Could Heavenly Dao Hall truly embody frugality...?

<+>

“Senior, what do you mean by this?”

The Grand Elder hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“Hmph, leaving?”

“You’ve enjoyed the show to the fullest, and now you think you can leave without paying admission?”

Chen Daoxuan ignored the Grand Elder. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly. With a casual wave, he made a pulling motion toward the void.

Thud!

Four figures suddenly fell at Chen Daoxuan’s feet.