Qingyi Shushu left.

Qi Xiao stood there alone with his eyes downcast, his hands clenched tightly, his eyes full of pain and struggle…

It turns out that the enemy who killed his parents has always been by his side…

He was unwilling to believe such a result.

If it was really Lan Junhe who did it, why didn’t he just kill him, why did he keep him alive until now? But Qingyi Shushu’s words were well-founded, and he couldn’t find any reason not to believe it…

What’s more, he would never doubt Qingyi Shushu.

Compared to the cold and heartless Lan Junhe, the one who has taken care of him, cared about him, and accompanied him through countless dark nights in the past seven years… was Qingyi Shushu. He was the only person who treated him well now…

If it weren’t for Qingyi Shushu, he would have died a long time ago… If he died, would that fulfill Lan Junhe’s wish?

Let himself die quietly.

Until death, he won’t know why he died.

Qi Xiao slowly opened his palm, leaving a bloody mark on his palm, and he showed a hint of self-mockery.

Even though he was unwilling to admit it emotionally, his reason told him that he had to believe it.

Or maybe…

There were already signs of this.

Lan Junhe’s indifference, Lan Junhe’s ruthlessness… He watched him fend for himself and never took him seriously. It’s not that he didn’t see it during these seven years, but because he was his mother’s ShiDi, because he took him in…

So even though this person was so ruthless, he still held on to a glimmer of hope and tried to please him, and completed all his requests carefully and obediently, not just for revenge… but also because he really, really wanted to have such an ShiShu, wanted to have relatives again, and wanted this person to look at him more and treat him better one day…

A lonely homeless child, in this strange place, really wants to be liked by someone.

But in these seven years, he has not been able to warm that person’s heart.

Now he finally knew why.

Qingyi Shushu’s words made him shocked, painful, and unbelievable…but he had to believe it.

Only in this way can he explain why Lan Junhe treated himself like this.

In his eyes, was he a joke through and through for foolishly having expectations from him?

It must be.

Qi Xiao staggered away. He returned to the house and spat out a mouthful of blood. His blood and qi were flowing backwards, almost causing him to lose his state of mind and go insane.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and only indifference remained in his eyes.

This night is destined to be sleepless.

On the second day, Qi Xiao did not continue to go out to practice, but sat cross-legged in meditation. Near noon, he suddenly heard a sound outside.

Qi Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were cold and sharp. He waved his hand, and the door was cracked open by the strong qi, and a figure in blue clothes could be seen vaguely. The man had a handsome face and carried a black sword. Judging from his attire, he should have a high status in the Youlan Realm. He was heading towards Lan Junhe’s place…

Qi Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment, he followed silently.

Lin Ziran sat in the living room drinking tea, thinking about what he said to Qi Xiao yesterday, and thought that the plot should progress fine…

After all, when he was Lan Junhe, he was really awful to Qi Xiao. He never smiled at him for such a long time, and let him fend for himself… Even if this child didn’t want to believe it, he had to believe it.

He is not really a fool.

Lin Ziran calmed down and felt that there was nothing wrong with him. The world had been progressing smoothly so far, and from Qi Xiao’s expression yesterday, he obviously believed it. He didn’t need to worry too much.

At this moment, a clear laugh was heard from outside: “Junhe ShiXiong, I’m back.”

Following the laughter, a handsome man in blue stepped in.

Lin Ziran was slightly startled, and then he remembered who he was.

Considered a famous cannon fodder in this world.

They entered the Youlan Realm as the same group of orphans. Lan Junhe and Lan Yan stood out as the most outstanding and became You Chi’s disciples and heirs. Most of the other orphans died, but a few survived. This man was one of the orphans who came here with them.

His name is Tu Qizhi.

Although Tu Qizhi is not as good as Lan Junhe and Lan Yan, and failed to become You Chi’s disciple, he is also a remarkable figure. He now holds an important position in Youlan Realm and manages the Youlan Realm forces in several cities.

Now Lan Junhe is in charge of Youlan Realm, and Tu Qizhi can be considered as Lan Junhe’s subordinate.

But in private, the relationship between him and Lan Junhe is more like that of a friend and confidant.

However, Lin Ziran, who had read the script, knew that this was a traitor who was not trustworthy!

Tu Qizhi appears to be on good terms with Lan Junhe, but in fact he is You Chi’s lacky. He has secretly surrendered to You Chi and is lurking beside Lan Junhe under You Chi’s orders!

Lan Junhe didn’t know this secret, but he grew up in such an environment of intrigue and deception, and he was not a person who liked to confide in others. He was very cautious in dealing with people. Even though they were good friends, he never told Tu Qizhi the true situation between him and Lan Yan.

Because here you never know when and who will betray you.

Secrets are safest when kept in one’s heart.

This is probably the benefit of being cautious.

It also highlights the preciousness of the relationship between Lan Junhe and Lan Yan. It was an unquestionable trust of life, and they were the only people here that trusted each other.

Tu Qizhi sat down in front of Lin Ziran, looking calm and easy-going, and said with a meaningful smile: “I have been busy recently and have rarely come back. I heard that you have accepted a good disciple. Is it true that this is Lan Yan’s child?…”

Lin Ziran looked at him deeply.

In the eyes of outsiders, Lan Junhe and Lan Yan have always been at odds, and Lan Junhe even killed Lan Yan himself… Although he doesn’t know how much Tu Qizhi has perceived, he probably asked this question to test him on behalf of You Chi.

Lin Ziran seemed unwilling to talk about Qi Xiao, and said calmly: “This is what Shiye meant.”

Tu Qizhi seemed very curious and asked: “Even if it was the Lord’s intention, you could have refused. You killed Lan Yan and her husband…Are you really not afraid of getting into trouble if you keep this kid by your side…”

Lin Ziran pursed his lips tightly, his eyes were cold, and he didn’t want to talk anymore, but suddenly his ears moved and he vaguely heard something.

He tapped his fingers on the table and said with contempt: “Asking for trouble, just him?”

Tu Qizhi raised his eyebrows.

Lin Ziran smiled faintly, as if he was talking about an ant: “He is just a little brat nothing more. I can kill Lan Yan, so why would I be afraid of him? If Shiye hadn’t wanted to bring him back, I would have killed him completely. I just spared his life temporarily…”

Tu Qizhi kindly said: “If it is inconvenient for you to do it, why not let me do it? Find a way to kill him quietly, so that the Realm master will not blame you.”

Lin Ziran paused after hearing this, and seemed to be thinking seriously, but he finally smiled and said: “Forget it, I can handle this little thing. If this kid wasn’t so tough, he would have died long ago… And do you think you can hide it from Shiye by taking action?”

He smiled contemptuously: “For the time being, I will spare this brat’s life. When I have established my foothold, it will be easy to get rid of him. I don’t want to upset Shiye because of such a small matter…”

Tu Qizhi thought about it, clapped his hands and smiled: “That’s right, anyway, he doesn’t know the truth, and he might still treat you as his ShiShu. There’s no harm in keeping him for now, there’s no need to rush.”

Lin Ziran raised his lips slightly, chuckled, and changed the subject: “Have you been doing well in the past few years? I heard there’s a new force called Wuwang Tower, and they’ve been acting a bit unruly lately…”

………………

Perhaps it was because he had expected it, so after hearing Lan Junhe’s admission, Qi Xiao’s heart calmed down.

He finally no longer had to hesitate or waver.

The fact is just as Qingyi Shushu said.

The enemy who killed his father and mother has always been by his side… He regards him as an ant and does not think that he can be a threat to him, because he is so weak that he is not worthy of his attention…

The truth has always been in front of him, right before his eyes. If he had noticed it a little earlier, he wouldn’t have discovered the truth until today.

Qi Xiao left quietly. He did not go back to rest, but went to the back mountain to practice martial arts.

Practice over and over again.

He wants to become stronger. Only by becoming stronger can he have hope of revenge!

Before that, he must be patient!

Live a miserable life.

………………

Lin Ziran had discovered Qi Xiao, so he deliberately talked to Tu Qizhi for a few more words. After Qi Xiao left, he said a few more words to Tu Qizhi. Because he was worried about the condition of the child, he sent Tu Qizhi away, hurriedly changed into green clothes and put on a mask to look for the child.

After searching for a while, he found that the child was not in his room, and finally found him in the back mountain.

The young man had a slender figure, his sleeves fluttering, and his moves were powerful. He punched the tree again and again, with a calm expression, seemingly just practicing…

But Lin Ziran glanced and found that his fist was already bloody and fleshy. He was immediately distressed. He stepped forward and grabbed Qi Xiao’s wrist, saying in a deep voice: “Enough.”

Qi Xiao stared at him steadily. The coldness and hardness in his beautiful phoenix eyes broke a little bit when he saw Lin Ziran. His lips trembled and his voice was low and hoarse with a hint of sobs: “Qingyi Shushu…”

Only in front of him would he show such vulnerability.

Lin Ziran sighed in his heart and raised his hand to touch the child’s head.

Qi Xiao pursed his lips for a long time, and then a firm look reappeared in his eyes, and he said word by word: “I want to become stronger.”

Lin Ziran paused and spoke slowly: “It is not an easy task to defeat Lan Junhe.”

Qi Xiao clenched his fists, his face tense, his eyes determined: “If I can’t get revenge, what’s the point of me living…”

Lin Ziran almost wanted to say that life is not just about revenge, there are many other meanings! You don’t have to live so hard! But when these words came to his lips, he couldn’t say them after all, because he couldn’t be too willful. The collapse of the plot would be secondary. If Qi Xiao couldn’t improve his cultivation quickly, he would just be making wedding clothes for You Chi in vain…

Spoiling a child is harmful to him!

His tone was slightly heavy: “I have a way to make you stronger quickly, but that method is very painful…”

Qi Xiao’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he said firmly: “I’m not afraid!”

Lin Ziran frowned: “Think about it carefully. Once you start, there is no turning back.”

Qi Xiao said word by word: “I won’t regret it.”

Lin Ziran looked at him for a long while, looking into the boy’s determined eyes, which showed his unyielding determination. He thought back to the time when no matter how hard it was, or how many injuries he had suffered, this child had endured it silently, and had never flinched…

He sighed: “Okay.”

Lin Ziran took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and said slowly: “This is a pill used to improve your cultivation. You take one pill every month. It will have a miraculous effect when combined with cultivation, but the process will be very painful…”

Qi Xiao took the jade bottle with both hands and looked at him seriously: “Thank you, Qingyi Shushu.”

This is probably what he wants…

Lin Ziran no longer hesitated, he said in a deep voice: “Take it now, I will protect you and help you refine the medicinal power.”

Qi Xiao took out the pill without hesitation, swallowed it in one gulp, and then closed his eyes and meditated. After a few breaths, a look of pain appeared on his face, and his muscles were tense, as if he was trying his best to suppress the pain. He bit his lips until they bled…

Lin Ziran sat cross-legged behind him, with his hands on his back. The power of the pill was very overbearing, sweeping through Qi Xiao’s meridians in an instant. Lin Ziran carefully protected Qi Xiao so that he would not be directly killed by the power of the pill by bleeding from all seven orifices!

But even so, Qi Xiao’s beautiful face was distorted by pain!

He could only protect him from death, but could not relieve his pain.

【Lin Ziran felt a little reluctant: This is too difficult…】

【System: This is just the beginning, and you feel bad? Qi Xiao hasn’t even made a sound yet.】

【Lin Ziran: …】But daddy is heartbroken!

Yes, this is just the beginning!

Lin Ziran’s words just now were actually half true and half false. This was not just a pill to improve one’s power, its main function was to stimulate Qi Xiao’s potential in the spiritual bone! The spiritual bone is a top-level cultivation qualification that was rarely seen in a hundred years. It was very powerful in itself, but no matter how powerful it was, it still needed to be cultivated step by step. If one wanted to reach the point where he could fight You Chi in a short period of time, the usual way would not work!

Using pills is like forcing things to grow faster!

If an ordinary person used medicine like this, even if it temporarily improved his cultivation, it would only be a temporary benefit, and he would lose the opportunity to make further progress in the future, which would be considered ruined… But Qi Xiao was different. Because of his spiritual bone, he could withstand the power of the medicine and it would not destroy his potential, but the method was very painful!

It is definitely not something that ordinary people can bear.

Helping him absorb the medicinal power was only the first step. In order to better stimulate his potential, He also needs to break all of his bones to allow the medicinal power to completely integrate into his body, crushing and reorganizing them again and again, tempering and hammering the steel, and completely stimulating the potential of his spiritual bone.

The pain now is just the beginning!

This process, in his opinion, was only a dozen days, but in Qi Xiao’s opinion, it took more than three years.

………………

The next morning, Lin Ziran changed into black clothes and called Qi Xiao over as Lan Junhe.

The young man was dressed in tight clothes, looked respectful, and stood with his eyes downcast. He didn’t show any hatred at all… Lin Ziran praised him in his heart, saying that this kid knew how to endure. It wasn’t easy.

It seems that Qi Xiao has absorbed the medicinal power from yesterday. Then, he will start the second step today.

He’s going to start beating the kid!

【Lin Ziran: Wuwuwu, I can’t bear it anymore, what should I do…】

【System was a little impatient: Be patient, a dozen days will pass quickly.】

【Lin Ziran:……】

The system was clearly not like this before, and sure enough, after shouting too many times, the system ignored him.

Never mind.

Lin Ziran put his hands behind his back, his expression was cold, he lowered his eyes and glanced at Qi Xiao, and said lightly: “You have been here for quite some time, let me see how your cultivation is going.”

Last time he said that he would test Qi Xiao in three days, so it was only natural to beckon him to practice his moves now.

Qi Xiao said respectfully: “Yes.”

He raised his eyes, his phoenix eyes were sharp, and after Lin Ziran’s permission, he attacked without hesitation!

The young man had a calm and solemn expression, seemingly unhurried, but each move was aimed at a fatal place! The ruthless murderous intent hidden in it could hardly be concealed…

Lin Ziran raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled contemptuously, and slapped Qi Xiao away! He said coldly: “Is that all?”

Qi Xiao tried his best, but he didn’t even touch the corner of Lin Ziran’s clothes, and was easily knocked away. He felt a sweetness in his throat, suppressed the deep hatred and unwillingness in his heart, and rushed up again!

Lin Ziran looked indifferent, and once again slapped Qi Xiao out!

Again and again.

The boy soon turned into a bloody mess.

Until his arms and legs were broken and he couldn’t stand up again… Lin Ziran slowly came to him.

Qi Xiao looked at the black sleeves of the man in front of him. Blood flowed into his eyes, turning his vision red. But he said nothing. He just supported himself on the ground with his shoulders, struggled, and looked up at the man in front of him.

Looking at that cold, ruthless and indifferent face, looking at the arrogance and contempt in those eyes…

The man chuckled softly: “There is still a long way to go.”

Then he just watched helplessly as the man turned around and left, leaving him with an untouchable back…

That’s it, powerful and distant.

Qi Xiao coughed violently, then he slowly moved and struggled to crawl back, leaving a winding trail of blood on the ground.

There was medicine left for him by Qingyi Shushu in the room, but he couldn’t get it now, and couldn’t reach it. He knew that he was a little impulsive today, and he shouldn’t have been like this… He is still far from Lan Junhe now, and no matter what, he is just asking for trouble.

But he couldn’t control himself.

Qi Xiao collapsed to the ground. He had no strength left and could not move. At this moment, he felt that death was so close to him…

Closer than ever before.

If I die like this.

I don’t have to seek revenge, I don’t have to be so tired, but… I’m unwilling to accept this…

I want to live, but living is so tiring…

A squeak.

The door was pushed open.

In the blurred vision, a green figure slowly approached and embraced him.

Qi Xiao was so familiar with this embrace, this familiar warmth and fragrance… Just like every time before, when he was about to give up and die, this person always appeared in time.

Pull him back from the brink of death.

Qi Xiao was so greedy for this person’s embrace, and for everything this person gave him. At this moment, this feeling reached its peak. He wanted to reach out and hug this person, but he couldn’t raise his hand. He felt very sorry and sad because he was so useless…

“So, sorry…” Qi Xiao’s eyelashes trembled and he uttered a very low voice.

Lin Ziran looked at the boy with all his bones shattered, like a bloody mess, but he still weakly said sorry to him… Thinking of how cruel he was when he attacked, he was so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe! What a rubbish setting for this rubbish game! It’s too cruel!

Although he knew that Qi Xiao would not die according to the plot, Lin Ziran was still anxious when he saw the child dying. He suppressed his voice and said: “It’s not your fault, why are you saying sorry?”

Qi Xiao’s pale face was covered in blood. His eyes were hazy, the corners of his mouth twitched, and his voice was hoarse: “I, I am so useless…”

Actually, I don’t want to stay here.

I don’t want to stay for a moment.

I want to take revenge soon, I want to leave with you, I want to stay away from all this…

But now I can’t leave, I can’t leave you, I can’t even see your face, I will only be a burden to you, you won’t leave with me, right…

I can’t get away from it all.

Lin Ziran had no intention to guess what Qi Xiao was thinking. All he could think about was helping Qi Xiao heal his wounds. The child was at his most vulnerable right now. If he wasn’t handled properly, he might really die… Lin Ziran took out the medicine he had prepared long ago and fed it to Qi Xiao. He then took a towel and let Qi Xiao bite it while he straightened his bones.

The whole process was almost excruciatingly painful. The boy’s body twitched and he gasped heavily, but he didn’t scream.

Finally, he fainted.

Lin Ziran hesitated for a moment, gently brushed Qi Xiao’s hair, and helped him wipe the blood off his face. Even when the boy was asleep, his eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked in great pain…

This is just a game, nothing is real.

But when you strike, the feeling of hitting the flesh and the sound of breaking bones are so realistic…

This is really torturing him!

【Lin Ziran sighed: Fortunately, the time is only five days a year. If the time flow was normal, I don’t think many people would be able to continue acting. 】

【System: It won’t be that long. The time a player spends in the game, when converted into reality, cannot exceed one day at most. Too long a game time can easily make the player tend to escape from reality, or even lose the distinction between reality and the virtual place… This may cause complaints from parents. These are all issues we need to consider, so the game is designed with an anti-immersion mode to strictly control the time of each game.】

【Lin Ziran:……】

After hearing the last sentence, suddenly, he doesn’t feel anything anymore. Damn the parents’ complaints…

Well, games are games.

But if there really is a person like Lan Junhe, how cruel he must be, cruel to others and even crueler to himself! He has only been with the child for a few dozen days, but he is so distressed… Lan Junhe faces the child of his beloved day and night, but he has to torture him like this, which is not only a torture for Qi Xiao, but also a torture for himself.

Because survival is so cruel.

If you want to survive, you can’t be soft-hearted.

He survived in such an environment, so he knows better that when it is time to make a choice, he must make it.

Lan Junhe’s living environment and his life principles are different from Lin Ziran’s…

But at this moment, Lin Ziran suddenly understood him a little.

It can be regarded as strengthening his understanding of the role.

………………

Time flies.

To Lin Ziran, only a dozen days had passed, but Qi Xiao had already turned seventeen in the blink of an eye.

The face was completely open, beautiful and sharp, and he was half a head taller than Lin Ziran, with a straight and upright posture like a bamboo. He said to Lin Ziran respectfully: “ShiShu.”

Lin Ziran looked at the grown-up child, feeling both relieved and complicated.

During this period, he tested Qi Xiao every two days, and beat him badly every time, but Qi Xiao never showed any dissatisfaction. He just quietly healed his wounds, licked his wounds, and continued to improve himself without making a sound. Moreover, over the years, the boy has become more introverted and will never easily reveal any emotions…

Moreover, in just three years, Qi Xiao has already cultivated the Heaven-Controlling Skill to the seventh level.

And Lan Junhe is only the eighth level.

Lin Ziran looked at Qi Xiao with a serious expression. He didn’t dare to be careless at all now. He said coldly: “Go ahead.”

Qi Xiao raised his eyes, a cold light flashed in them, he raised the corner of his lips, and rushed towards him with a sword!

Lin Ziran dodged and observed Qi Xiao’s movements intently.

Because time was accelerating, Qi Xiao’s progress could be more clearly felt, because almost every time, he was more careful than the last time!

The first time, he defeated Qi Xiao easily, without even using up to 10% of his strength. Later, he needed to use 30%, 50%, 70% of his strength…

To this day, if he wants to defeat Qi Xiao, he must not be careless at all. If he does not try his best, he will probably be defeated by this kid!

The sword in Qi Xiao’s hand flashed with cold light, and Lin Ziran frowned. Qi Xiao was not using the technique he taught him at all. It was obvious that he had developed his own style over the years! His sword was unconventional and hard to guard against!

The two fought for a full quarter of an hour before Lin Ziran found a gap and used a palm to knock Qi Xiao out!

It’s not easy to maintain his compulsion!

Qi Xiao took several steps back before he could stand firm.

Lin Ziran was startled and felt a slight chill on his face. He raised his hand and gently brushed his cheek, where a shallow bloody wound appeared.

There was a trace of blood on the blade in Qi Xiao’s hand.

Lin Ziran’s pupils shrank slightly, and he looked at him in disbelief.

【Lin Ziran: Wow, this is definitely cheating! He is only seventeen years old, ahhhh! 】

【System: …Didn’t you have any mental preparation before?】

【Lin Ziran: …Not really. 】

Although he had known for a long time that Qi Xiao was a genius, as a ShiShu who was more than twice as old as Qi Xiao, Lin Ziran felt that his self-esteem was ruthlessly crushed! For him, only a dozen days had passed, and he almost couldn’t beat his own kid!

Comparing goods will lead to throwing them away; comparing people will lead to death!

No more comparison, so angry! QAQ