Chapter 114: If I'm Not Interested, My Apprentice Can Have Them

Duan Wenxuan didn’t linger long at Liao Yangsu’s villa. Just as they finished their business, Liao Yangsu received a message stating that Yang Kai had arrived with his group.

“Young Master, do you wish to see them?” Tang Tianlu asked.

Liao Yangsu, having grown up on Xuanlan Star, held deeper affections for this world and its nation. However, Tang Tianlu was different; after joining the Duan family during middle age many years ago, his loyalty now primarily lay with them. Whether or not to meet outsiders mattered little to him.

“Let them in.”

As soon as Duan Wenxuan gave the command, it fell once again to Liao Yangsu to obediently escort Yang Kai and his companions inside.

This time, Li Dong and Mao Qisheng were absent from Yang Kai’s entourage. Surprisingly, even Zhao Mingcai, confined to a wheelchair, fully clad in protective gear, and connected to an oxygen respirator, accompanied them.

Apart from the unfortunate Zhao Mingcai and the additional guards outside, two young women around 21 or 22 years old accompanied them. Not only were they strikingly beautiful, but they also exuded a vibrant spiritual aura. Alongside these girls was a casually dressed young man, and three others who clearly had martial training backgrounds, likely members of some special forces unit.

The initial greetings ensued, with Duan Wenxuan responding nonchalantly compared to Yang Kai’s cautious probing.

To be frank, he now possessed the power to dominate Xuanlan Star effortlessly. If he so desired, he could completely reset Xuanlan Star, returning everything to its original state.

However, this ability stemmed from the “gate symbols,” making him merely a user rather than one truly mastering such strength.

Duan Wenxuan prioritized exploring and gaining control over the abilities here, rather than engaging in destructive acts like annihilating planets. Moreover, stepping back significantly, Xuanlan Star was his home planet, and unless absolutely necessary, Duan Wenxuan had no intention of harming it.

Noticing Duan Wenxuan’s dismissive demeanor, Yang Kai gradually shifted the conversation, occasionally cracking jokes about video games. It seemed that due to young Master Duan Yuanhui’s fondness for gaming, the dedicated game development team established earlier was still active. Even someone like Yang Kai, who had no personal interest in games but worked within the system, made an effort to experience and understand them, aiming to connect with younger minds.

The casually dressed young man accompanying Yang Kai chimed in from time to time. This individual was a professional esports player specifically brought along to engage with Duan Yuanhui’s interests and serve as his companion. If Yuanhui wasn’t satisfied with interacting with him, there were also two carefully selected girls available. Both possessed exceptional beauty and exuded sunny, outgoing personalities. Based on psychological analysis of Duan Yuanhui’s behavior, experts believed he would be more receptive to such companionship.

After some idle banter, Yang Kai and Zhao Ming finally got down to business.

They needed assistance from the Duan family regarding the Deathly Still Area outside An City. Previously, during the incident involving license holders, Li Dong and Mao Qisheng went missing inside, their fates unknown. With no other options left, Yang Kai hoped the Duan family could help search for them within the area.

“You want me to go home for help?” Duan Wenxuan’s voice was somewhat indifferent yet carried a hint of youthful defiance.

Yang Kai understood the ‘pride’ inherent in a runaway teenager; convincing someone who fled their home to swallow their pride and seek assistance from there would be no easy task. Especially with Duan Yuanhui, who seemed to have thrived during his time away without facing much hardship or adversity. Asking him to return due to exhaustion or disillusionment would be even more challenging.

Zhao Mingcai signaled nearby personnel to remove his respirator mask. “Young Master Duan, we’re not asking you to go home merely for aid, but rather to achieve something commendable.”

While Zhao Mingcai might not match Yang Kai’s expertise, he possessed one notable strength: his smoothness and adeptness in persuasive language.

“I assume Young Master Duan is familiar with Mister Gongsun Wulong, your master, who holds a prominent position within the Duan family. However, you may not know that while searching for you, Mister Gongsun also went missing inside the Deathly Still Area. To be honest, we initially sealed off the region, intending to rescue Mister Gongsun later. But when we sent people back in, things spiraled out of control.”

Zhao Mingcai naturally embellished Gongsun Wulong’s initial purpose for entering the Deathly Silent Yellow Springs. While it was true that he stayed on Xuanlan Star to find Duan Yuanhui, his entry into the zone was driven by a desire for personal gain. However, such motivations were not suitable to discuss openly.

“Just purely to save my master?” Duan Wenxuan’s expression hinted at a wry smile.

Unfazed, Zhao Mingcai smiled kindly. “Of course, we wanted to extend a favor to Mister Gongsun, hoping to learn some information about the ‘Wulin Waichuan’ small world. Additionally, aiding the Duan family seemed like a win-win situation.”

Regardless of their motives, the original intent indeed was to rescue Gongsun Wulong.

“Young Master Duan, please inform your family about this matter. Rescuing Gongsun Wulong is significant, and they will undoubtedly take it seriously.”

What do runaway children cherish most?

Of course, his primary goal was to gain recognition from his family by accomplishing something truly remarkable that would impress them. Despite being raised with immense privilege and possessing exceptional talent, at heart, Duan Yuanhui remained a proud young man inexperienced in life’s hardships.

Given Duan Yuanhui’s character, Zhao Mingcai felt confident this plan would succeed.

As expected, Duan Wenxuan showed interest and declared, “I’ll rescue my master myself; I won’t rely on those stubborn old fossils. Let’s go, right now! Take me to these so-called Underworld Springs.”

“Ah?” Yang Kai inadvertently let out a surprised sound upon hearing Duan Wenxuan’s words.

Zhao Mingcai’s brow twitched as well, realizing he had overlooked this aspect. Young people often preferred to handle matters independently before proudly informing their families, proving their capabilities.

However, the place they were discussing was genuinely perilous, unlike any ordinary situation. If anything happened to Duan Yuanhui under their invitation, it was unlikely the Duan Clan would spare them.

Some phenomena become increasingly awe-inspiring the more one studies them.

Zhao Mingcai grew anxious, which exacerbated his health issues. Someone nearby hastily provided him with oxygen, and after taking a few breaths, they tried to persuade him again, but their efforts were futile.

At 3 PM.

Duan Wenxuan stood at the cordoned-off area on the outskirts of town, accompanied by Zhao Mingcai’s armed entourage and individuals like Liao Yangsu.

This wasn’t Duan Wenxuan’s first visit; previously, sensing danger halfway through, he had promptly fled. His plan was to grind until he became as legendary as Swordgod of Swordglen before returning. True to his ambition, upon coming back now, Duan Wenxuan no longer felt the initial fear that had gripped him before.

As Yang Kai watched Duan Wenxuan about to step inside, he instinctively raised his hand to stop him, “Just like this?”

“Why not?” Duan Wenxuan chuckled, “Master Tang, would you care to join me? Who knows what treasures might be hidden within? If I find anything uninteresting, I’ll gladly pass it onto your disciple.”

His words carried an audacious arrogance.