Chapter 17: Senior, Please Do Not Be Angry

Yet to Zhu Xiaoyuan, these were nothing more than ordinary firewood for kindling!

Tears streamed down An Yue’er’s cheeks, slipping past her lashes uncontrollably.

Everyone present was still reeling from shock. Celestial Blackwood used as firewood, a White Tiger treated like a housecat—just how many more astonishing things could Senior Zhu have in store?

All they wanted at this moment was a bit of quiet.

Zhu Xiaoyuan, oblivious to the commotion outside, was wholly focused on carefully setting aside the freshly cooked food on the ground. The dishes, just out of the pot, were still steaming, but the ingredients were all homegrown, lovingly tended by Zhu Xiaoyuan himself.

Hong Xiaoyue didn’t care about the heat—she stepped up and tasted the food at once, savoring every bite with evident delight.

Standing up, Zhu Xiaoyuan watched his white cat eat with obvious joy before finally turning his gaze to the visitors.

An Yue’er’s large eyes were brimming with tears, immediately catching Zhu Xiaoyuan’s attention.

Why is she still crying?

Could it be like last time with Leng Qianxue, when he refused her request? Was this beautiful woman also hoping for a gemstone but afraid of being rejected?

“We came to pay our respects to you rather abruptly, Senior, which may have been presumptuous, but there is a matter we wish to inform you of, and so…” Yu Qiushui promptly stepped forward.

At these words, Zhu Xiaoyuan’s head began to ache. What could they possibly need to inform him about?

He wasn’t that capable and had no desire to mingle with these cultivators! Besides, to him, these cultivators were unbearably materialistic, always coveting his gemstones—he really didn’t want to hear another request for them.

“No need to say more. Gold, silver, and jewels are but worldly possessions,” Zhu Xiaoyuan sighed deeply.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, failing to grasp his meaning.

Seeing this, Zhu Xiaoyuan spoke again. “If one’s heart is disturbed by external things, it is impossible to achieve greatness or find true freedom. Such things must be avoided.”

This was all he could offer them.

He shook his head. Having lived in this small mountain village for so many years, he cared nothing for gemstones or other external possessions. He hoped these cultivators would also let go of their attachments.

“Thank you, Senior!” Yu Qiushui exclaimed with sudden realization, his joyous tone landing heavily on Zhu Xiaoyuan’s heart.

“We were indeed presumptuous today. To think Senior had long known of the Evil God matter, while our cultivation is far beneath yours and we lost our composure.”

“How shameful! But with your chessboard encompassing heaven and earth, can even an Evil God disturb it in the slightest?”

Even the Evil God was of no concern?

An Yue’er looked at Zhu Xiaoyuan, her mind in turmoil.

She was even more astonished—could it be that this senior had already stepped into the path of immortality?

The Evil God was beneath notice?

It was simply terrifying!

An Yue’er desperately wanted to convince herself that this was all an illusion.

After all, in the entire Tianwu Realm, the most recent immortal ascension had been over a thousand years ago. Besides, how could someone who had achieved immortality remain in the mortal world?

Shocked to her core, An Yue’er’s eyes widened, tears pooling and flowing without end.

Zhu Xiaoyuan, unable to bear it any longer, pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it directly to An Yue’er.

“Wipe your tears.”

An Yue’er hadn’t expected Zhu Xiaoyuan to offer her a handkerchief. She blinked twice, meeting his gaze.

It felt like a gentle breeze brushed over her, a sea wind caressing her face, filling her with comfort.

The discomfort in her injured eyes vanished instantly.

She felt an extraordinary ease.

A light flashed, then intensified, as if a flame ignited within her eyes.

“My Xuanfire Eyes have upgraded!”

“And just from a single glance?”

An Yue’er was utterly incredulous.

Her eye technique was a secret royal art of the Anluan Kingdom, incredibly difficult to cultivate. She had struggled endlessly without progress. Yet in that single moment, she had achieved a qualitative leap—her technique had advanced an entire level, with even more hidden improvement stirring beneath the surface.

Clutching the handkerchief tightly, An Yue’er looked once more at Zhu Xiaoyuan.

To think that the casually offered handkerchief from this senior was a peerless treasure—she would have traded mountains of gold and silver for it!

“Many thanks, Senior!” she said, stepping forward and bowing with utmost respect.

Zhu Xiaoyuan waved a hand dismissively. “It was nothing, no need to thank me.”

But An Yue’er respectfully folded the handkerchief and presented it to Zhu Xiaoyuan with both hands.

With such abilities, if she could only gain a chance to remain by his side…

Her beautiful eyes were filled with resolve. Even the Nascent Soul stage, perhaps even the Integration stage, could be glimpsed in his presence.

Her mind swirled with ambition and longing for vengeance—she knew she had to seize this opportunity.

“Se… Senior!” An Yue’er steadied herself and spoke, her words stumbling, “Yue’er wishes… wishes to become your disciple. Would you… would you accept me?”

She looked nervously at Zhu Xiaoyuan’s face.

Everyone was stunned by her words.

After all, An Yue’er was a princess of the Anluan Kingdom, and yet here she was, seeking to become a disciple?

But if Zhu Xiaoyuan were willing to accept her, what did being a princess matter? The Princess of the Fire Kingdom could hardly compare!

Become his disciple?

Zhu Xiaoyuan was taken aback. For the sake of gemstones, this beauty was willing to apprentice herself to him?

How amusing—but he had no intention of agreeing.

“You should all be on your way. My place is small, I can’t host you any longer.”

He was sending them off.

“It was reckless of Yue’er. I should not have asked to be accepted as your disciple upon first meeting. Please forgive my presumptuousness, Senior.”

An Yue’er’s face changed dramatically as she spoke anxiously.

Yu Qiushui and the others looked equally uncomfortable, silent and uneasy.

Seeing Zhu Xiaoyuan remain silent, An Yue’er grew even more fearful. With a thud, she knelt to the ground.

“Senior! I beg your forgiveness for my ignorance!”

She bowed her head, cold sweat and tears mingling as she bit her lip, not daring to make a sound.

Yu Qiushui and the others, alarmed, immediately knelt after her.

If Senior Zhu was angered today, they would all be doomed!

“Senior, it was our mistake. We should not have brought An Yue’er here to disturb your peace!”

He had never imagined that Princess An Yue’er would act in such a manner—she was courting death!

Seeing them all kneel before him, Zhu Xiaoyuan now felt awkward instead.

“Please, rise.”

Yu Qiushui saw that Zhu Xiaoyuan did not intend to punish them further, so he quickly got up and led the group away.

“Please, Senior, do not be angry. We will take our leave at once!” At this point, the only solution was to disappear entirely from Zhu Xiaoyuan’s sight.