Lin Ziran took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm. He was already a mature player!

He closed the box and continued walking.

After walking for about ten minutes, the view ahead suddenly opened up to a dark building that looked like it was neither made of metal nor wood. The dark and gloomy building gave people a very depressing feeling. Just standing there made him feel creepy, as if a chill was piercing his skin…

【Lin Ziran: Uh, this place is quite suitable for shooting a horror movie…】

【System: No ghost, don’t worry. 】

Lin Ziran calmed himself down. The fact that there were no ghosts was a reluctant consolation. After all, carrying a head in his hand and walking in such a gloomy and cold place was quite a challenge. But he must not show his fear, otherwise You Chi would definitely notice something was wrong…

He took a deep breath and walked in.

Because it was so quiet, he could clearly hear his own footsteps.

Lin Ziran slowed down his pace and came to the innermost room. The room was empty, with a gauze curtain in the middle, so the situation behind it was not clear.

He held up the box respectfully and said: “Shiye, this is the head of Lan Yan and her husband.”

(*Shiye= Master as a teacher)

Strictly speaking, You Chi and Lan Junhe’s relationship was more like master and servant than master and apprentice. However, according to the rules of Youlan Realm, Lan Junhe and Lan Yan were both considered You Chi’s apprentices and must address him as Shiye. After You Chi dies, one of them will inherit the position of the realm master. Of course, only Lan Junhe is left now.

You Chi went overboard in his early years due to cultivation, and he became a half-human, half-ghost secluded himself. Apart from Lan Junhe, few people can see him. Lan Junhe was incharge of general affairs. It stands to reason that it was only a matter of time before he inherited the position of the realm master, so there was no need to be so cautious…

But Lan Junhe knew very well that even if You Chi’s cultivation went wrong, he himself was still not as strong as he could match, and You Chi had not given him many of the real core secrets. He was only doing what You Chi wanted him to do…

Lin Ziran had read the script and knew it even more clearly. Although the old man’s essence was damaged and his life was coming to an end, he refused to accept his fate and wanted to live for a few decades by taking over another body! He was also on guard against Lan Junhe and never thought of giving way to him.

The relationship as a master and a disciple? It was impossible.

In the Youlan Realm, there was only profit and fighting, and everyone will do whatever it takes to survive.

Lin Ziran stood with his head bowed, very nervous, and then he heard a hoarse voice from inside: “Open the box.”

Lin Ziran thought, luckily LaoZi looked at it before coming here, otherwise if I open it now, I will quit the game on the spot.

Because he was mentally prepared, Lin Ziran lowered his eyes and said yes, then opened the box without changing his expression.

After a while.

There was a rustling sound from behind the gauze curtain, and a skinny hand opened the curtain to create a crack.

Through the gap, he couldn’t see You Chi’s face clearly, only a pair of dark and deep eyes. Lin Ziran took a quick glance and quickly lowered his head to stop looking.

Soon, the hand was withdrawn.

The curtain was lowered again.

A hoarse and deep laugh came out, like a knife being sharpened on the ground, harsh and horrifying: “Very good, this is the fate of a traitor.”

Lin Ziran was tense all over, not daring to be careless.

You Chi said: “You go back.”

Lin Ziran: “Yes.”

He walked out again carrying the box. The maze was a bit long and Lin Ziran was a bit confused. Fortunately, the system navigation worked as usual and guided him out smoothly.

It was not until he left here completely that Lin Ziran realized that his back was soaked with sweat.

Although they were separated by a curtain, the eye contact still made Lin Ziran’s heart palpitate, as if he was facing a devil, and it made him feel cold from the bottom of his heart.

He wiped the sweat off his face, came back to his senses, and looked at the box in his hand with a sad face.

After all, it was the head of his beloved woman and her husband. According to Lan Junhe’s character, it would not be appropriate to just throw it away… Lin Ziran pondered for a moment and returned to his turf with the box.

As You Chi’s apprentice and the next realm master, he was also incharge of many affairs. When You Chi is not around, he is the owner of this place. The place where he lives is very spacious, a beautiful, quiet and pleasant place.

It’s not as gloomy as You Chi’s.

Lin Ziran returned to his courtyard and looked around. He saw an osmanthus tree in the courtyard. It was not yet the flowering season. This tree was planted by Lan Yan. Lan Junhe had always taken good care of it. It must have held many of their memories…

The two poor orphans, because they were brought here, had to face many life and death choices since childhood, either killing others or being killed by others… But even in such an environment where people eat each other, it did not completely destroy their kindness, nor did it completely wipe out their conscience. The two little children relied on each other, helped each other, and kept each other warm, and finally came back alive from there…

But this does not mean that they can live a happy life.

It’s nothing more than jumping from one cage into another. There’s no way to escape…

Lin Ziran thought,

The eight years outside should have been the happiest time for Lan Yan, while Lan Junhe stayed here alone, leading a lonely, cold and intrigue-filled life. However, he was not jealous, because he felt satisfied that Lan Yan could get what she wanted…

Lan Yan’s departure not only represents herself, but also carries Lan Junhe’s expectations with her. She will live a simple and ordinary life for him, without the fear of blood on her hands…

Lan Junhe protected her not only because of love, but also because he wanted to protect their last hope and was unwilling to completely accept his fate.

Unfortunately, it was discovered in the end.

It seems like an inescapable fate.

Lin Ziran sighed and walked back to the house. There was no shovel available, and he couldn’t entrust this task to his subordinates. If You Chi found out, it would be a disaster. So he had to find Lan Junhe’s sword and use it to dig the pit.

This was a sword that can cut through iron like mud! Lin Ziran used it as a shovel, but he still complained that it was not convenient, so he poked and picked it until he was sweating profusely. Finally, he started to dig and finally made a hole, buried the box in it, and poured two glasses of wine on it.

After finishing all this, Lin Ziran was exhausted.

He went back to the house and went to sleep without even taking a shower.

The next day, he woke up after rubbing his eyes, and finally had the mood to look around the place. Lan Junhe obviously didn’t seem to be the type to indulge in pleasure, and the house was relatively simple.

Lin Ziran thought this was really unscientific. He loved to enjoy himself, but every time he played a role, he was the type who didn’t enjoy himself even though he had the conditions. This was simply embarrassing him! He wondered if this rubbish game was doing this on purpose!

Because he was busy and sweaty yesterday and didn’t wash up, Lin Ziran felt uncomfortable at this moment, so he asked his men to prepare hot water.

After taking a nice bath and changing into clean clothes, Lin Ziran looked at himself in the bronze mirror.

Yo!

What a cool and handsome man!

With pale skin, thin lips, cold eyebrows and eyes, and black hair hanging down behind him. Just standing there, there is an aura of strangers not allowed to come forward, but he was so handsome that people couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

Lan Junhe’s clothes were mostly black. The man in the mirror was wearing a black rob with dark patterns, which made him look taller and thinner. The cold aura he exuded must have accumulated over the years.

Yes, in this place where the strong prey on the weak, if you are not ruthless, how can you survive until now?

Lan Junhe was not a good person.

He had done whatever it took to survive, but many times, he simply had no choice.

Lin Ziran shook his head and asked his men to prepare breakfast for him. Lan Junhe was the only one living here, and he ate alone. He looked lonely and arrogant… But Lin Ziran liked it very much. This made him feel less uncomfortable and he didn’t have to act all the time.

Lin Ziran asked the system while eating.

【Lin Ziran: Oh, I suddenly remembered that there is something wrong with this world!】

【System: What’s the problem? 】

【Lin Ziran: I calculated that from now until the end of the plot, the time span is probably more than ten years! I can’t be here for that long!】

【System: This is not a problem. 】

【Lin Ziran:? 】

【System: For this kind of plot that has a long span in the script but does not account for a large proportion of the content, we will take time acceleration measures to make the protagonist grow up as quickly as possible to the time when the plot can proceed.】

【Lin Ziran: Keep it simple. 】

【System: Five days count as one year. 】

【Lin Ziran:……】

【System: The plot of Lan Junhe raising Qi Xiao is just a prelude to the official plot. From the time Qi Xiao came to you until he went down the mountain, we will activate the time acceleration mode to help players quickly pass this plot without wasting too much time.】

【Lin Ziran: Are you sure this is okay? 】

【System: Please rest assured, players, although you have only experienced five days, it is a year from the NPC’s perspective. His growth experience and mentality are normal, and the optical brain will complete these based on the current situation.】

【Lin Ziran: Okay…】

Lin Ziran wiped his sweat, so he had to go through the experience of raising a child quickly?

After all, games are just games…

………………

Lin Ziran began to wait patiently.

Lan Junhe was ordered to kill Lan Yan, but the people from You Chi faction arrived right after, and secretly captured Qi Xiao and brought him back to You Chi.

Fortunately, Qi Xiao possessed a rare spiritual bone that is rarely seen in a hundred years, otherwise his ashes would have been cold by now.

At this moment, You Chi must have seen Qi Xiao and secretly planted the Soul Gu, and he should be summoned soon.

Lin Ziran analyzed carefully. In fact, You Chi didn’t have to give Qi Xiao to him to raise. He was obviously testing him by doing this. One possibility was that he still suspected Lan Junhe, so he deliberately sent Lan Yan’s son. If Lan Junhe treated Qi Xiao well, he would be exposed and he might take action against Lan Junhe…

Another possibility was that You Chi may have guessed that Lan Junhe liked Lan Yan a long time ago, and knew that Lan Junhe would definitely teach Qi Xiao well, help him cultivate this body, and squeeze out the last bit of Lan Junhe’s usefulness…

Or was it just his evil taste, wanting to see Lan Junhe’s inner torment when facing Qi Xiao? He kept thinking that he was forced to kill Lan Yan and could never get rid of his control…

But no matter which one it was, he can not show his love for Qi Xiao, because in the eyes of everyone, Lan Junhe and Lan Yan had always been in a never-ending competition.

Lan Junhe should hate Qi Xiao.

Wait until the third day.

As expected, Lin Ziran received another summons from You Chi.

He walked into that gloomy place again. This time, it was not just him and You Chi, but also a humble gray-robed disciple holding a pretty boy.

The boy looked about seven or eight years old, with eyes as black and bright as jade. Although he was still a child now, he had the shadow of his beautiful mother. He will probably be a great beauty when he grows up.

He seemed to be unaware of his situation, standing there in a confused, bewildered, and somewhat uneasy manner.

You Chi’s hoarse and low voice came from behind the gauze curtain, like knocking on people’s hearts: “His name is Qi Xiao, do you know who he is?”

Lin Ziran’s face condensed, and he said: “I know, I…”

You Chi interrupted him and smiled softly: “No need to say more, I don’t mean to blame you.”

Lin Ziran’s words were meant to be an apology, because he only brought back Lan Yan’s head but didn’t get rid of the child, so he had to pretend that he had done a bad job, and he knew You Chi wouldn’t let him continue…

You Chi will not reveal the truth in front of Qi Xiao now.

Sure enough, You Chi said again: “From today on, he will be handed over to you. I hope you can teach him well and let him inherit his mother’s legacy. Don’t let me down.”

Lin Ziran frowned, as if he was very surprised and couldn’t understand, and said hesitantly: “Leave it to me…?”

You Chi said slowly: “Yes, you don’t want to?”

Lin Ziran’s eyes changed, and he pursed his lips slightly, seeming unwilling, but he finally lowered his eyes and said: “Junhe obeys your command.”

You Chi smiled with satisfaction: “Good boy, I believe you can do well.”

Lin Ziran remained calm. He was extremely respectful to You Chi, but his eyes were cold when he looked at Qi Xiao, as if he had to accept him with disdain.

Although little Qi Xiao was still a child, he was good at observing people’s expressions. He instinctively felt that Lin Ziran didn’t like him, and he seemed a little nervous and uneasy.

You Chi said: “Take him away.”

Lin Ziran nodded, lowered his eyes to glance at Qi Xiao, and said lightly: “Follow me.”

He looked cold and didn’t extend his hand. He just turned and left.

Little Qi Xiao hesitated for a moment, but still chased after him.

The black-clad man in front of him didn’t seem to be walking fast, but he had to do his best to keep up with him. He ran out of breath and didn’t dare to blink, for fear of losing the man and being left alone in this strange place…

Hiding, escaping, chasing…

He escaped death time and time again, and fell into desperate situations time and time again, until one day, his parents left him alone.

He felt helpless, frightened and uneasy.

When he looked for them, he only saw cold, headless bodies lying on the ground… The blood and the tragedy engraved into his young heart. Crying and grieving were of no use…

Once a peaceful, beautiful and happy life.

Destroyed overnight.

At that moment, he felt so hopeless and helpless in his heart, and what remained in his eyes was the despair of all his relatives dying.

Just then, someone suddenly found him.

He thought he was going to die, just like his parents, with his head chopped off and his body left behind… But to his surprise, the gray-clothed man did not kill him, but took him to such a place.

In the big black room, there was an elder whose face could not be seen clearly. He told him that he was his mother’s Shiye and that he had sent someone to save him.

He also told him that as long as he practiced hard, he could become stronger and take revenge.

Revenge… hatred?

In the heart of little Qi Xiao, this was an idea that he had never thought of before, because he was too weak, he didn’t even know who his enemy was, he couldn’t kill anyone, so how could he take revenge?

But the man said he could.

He gave him a chance.

A chance to become stronger, a chance to take revenge.

At this moment, Qi Xiao had no other thoughts in his mind. He knew that he had to seize this only chance. He would either live and wait for the day of revenge, or die like an ant without knowing why…

He chose to live.

Try his best to survive.

He won’t let his parents die in obscurity!

Lin Ziran returned to his courtyard and looked back. The child was sweating profusely, his face was pale, and his legs were shaking, but his eyes were stubborn. He actually caught up with him. He didn’t make any noise, and his bright black eyes looked at him intently and stubbornly…

Aiya, how pitiful!

The little boy especially looks so cute.

Lin Ziran’s heart almost softened. This child had just seen the bodies of his parents, his family was destroyed, he became an orphan, and was taken to such a strange place. How could he not feel compassion!

Especially, he is so well-behaved and sensible, and so patient at such a young age, which makes people feel distressed.

Lin Ziran took a deep breath, resisted the urge to kiss, hug and lift him up, revealed a cold and disgusted expression, lowered his eyes and said: “Find a place to live by yourself, don’t show up in front of me if there is nothing to do.”