Chapter 23: Enemy Encounter

Then, An Shao’s gaze crosses over Yan Jin Chang and lands on a person standing outside the cottage.

At this moment, a fierce fire blazes in the distance. While the nearby village fills with the sounds of howling and cries for help, due to the attack from the wolf pack coming down from the mountain.

The area is chaotic and in disarray. Under the moonlight, An Shao vaguely sees that there is a newcomer standing there. He has messy hair and wears tattered clothing.

That person also examines them in the moonlight, his gaze quickly settles on Yan Jin Chang, excitement dripping from his tone. “You must be Yan Jin Chang, right?”

Yan Jin Chang replies: “No.”

The person strides forward, and Yan Jin Chang immediately takes a step back, watching him warily. Only then does the person stop, forcing a smile he believes to be gentle and amiable. 

“Don’t be afraid, I don’t want to hurt you. I’m here to help you! Oh, by the way, do you want to become stronger? I can teach you martial arts and help you become a god!”

Seeing him standing still, the person thinks he has convinced him and takes another step closer. Yan Jin Chang kicks up some stones from the ground, and they fly toward the person!

The man quickly retreats a few steps, but the stones still hit him accurately.

He lets out a painful “ouch”, and the fake kindness smile turns into an ugly grimace. A flash of disgust crosses his eyes, but the man quickly adjusts his expression, forcing another smile as if the moment of disgust just now never happened.

“Didn’t you understand what I just said? Well, it’s understandable, you haven’t been to any sect yet.” He says, exaggerating his gestures with his hands, pointing at himself and then at the sky. 

“I can help you become a god! Do you know what a god is? The strongest person in the world, capable of flying through the sky, breathing fire and water, calling the wind and rain—unbeatable!”

The man speaks in a tone reminiscent of an adult explaining things to a child, accompanied by exaggerated gestures. “Super amazing! Once you become a god, no one can bully you anymore!”

After a pause, he seems to think of something and adds: “Once you become a god, those kids in the village won’t dare to throw stones at you. They’ll even have to kneel before you! Don’t you look forward to seeing that happen?”

An Shao: “……”

Yan Jin Chang: “……”

An Shao leans toward Yan Jin Chang and whispers: “Does this person have some issues with his mind?”

Yan Jin Chang quietly replies with a yes, then turns to the man and says: “Why should I trust you? I don’t even know who you are.”

The man clears his throat, puffs out his chest, and lifts his chin. “I am Xiao Ming Ran, the head of the Xuan Yao Sect! As long as you become my disciple, I will teach you the strongest martial arts!”

“Indeed! It’s really him!” Yan Jin Chang clenches his fists, his body tensing up instantly. Just as he is about to charge forward and punch him without a second thought, An Shao presses down on his shoulder.

An Shao mistakenly thinks that he has been swayed by this person’s words and quickly restrains him, asking suspiciously.

“Xuan Yao Sect? I’ve never heard of this sect. Where is your sect located? How many members are there? Which generation of leader are you?”

Xiao Ming Ran looks at An Shao for a moment, seemingly trying to determine his identity, but unable to recognize him.

He then replies: “There are countless sects in this world. If you haven’t heard of mine, it just means your knowledge is limited. As for where my sect is, you’ll know when you follow me. You seem clever enough, so I can reluctantly take you as an outer disciple. As long as you diligently train in the future, you still have a chance to become an inner disciple.”

Yan Jin Chang has already calmed down, reminding himself that this Xiao Ming Ran is obviously different from the one he knew in his past life. Whether it’s his appearance, voice, height, or attire, everything is totally different.

Moreover, even if this Xiao Ming Ran is indeed the same person, he currently holds a piece of information— this Xiao Ming Ran only has six energy points. This one can exchange spells using energy points, so…

Yan Jin Chang says: “You claim you have powerful martial arts, yet you can’t even dodge the stones I kicked.”

Xiao Ming Ran replies: “I just didn’t think to dodge. Your little tricks mean nothing to me!”

Soon, Yan Jin Chang hears the sound of Xiao Ming Ran exchanging items with energy points in his mind: [Successfully exchanged for a low-level teleportation item, minus 200 energy points. Debt energy points: 600.]

Yan Jin Chang who thinks he has exhausted the remaining energy points of the other person: “……”

“This thing can even be bought on credit!….Wait, this means I cannot fully hear or see everything Xiao Ming Ran exchanges. The black fragment I hold can only provide with limited information.”

As this thought crosses Yan Jin Chang’s mind, Xiao Ming Ran opens his hands, and a round light sphere slowly emerges from the black bracelet on his wrist.

Yan Jin Chang still feels worried about the power of that black bracelet and instinctively takes a few steps back. The light sphere quickly shoots into the air, forming a circular halo.

He decisively shouts: “Run!”

Seeing Yan Jin Chang turn and run toward another window, An Shao quickly follows him. After all, this thing in the sky does not look like anything good at all.

However, just as Yan Jin Chang jumps out of the window, a beam of light from the halo shines down on the cottage, illuminating both him and An Shao. A massive suction force instantly pulls them into the halo!

“Hmph, little brat, you think you can fight me?” Xiao Ming Ran sneers.

He then speaks to his bracelet: “System, charge me again for an additional master-servant contract seal. Now that I’ve pinpointed the protagonist, as long as I can completely control him in the future, what’s there to worry about completing the other tasks?”

After negotiating with the system, Xiao Ming Ran glances back at the village. The distant fire has been extinguished, but the wolf pack that has invaded the village continues to howl and wreak havoc.

The wild beasts’ home in the deep forest has already been burned by the distant fire, and their keen sense of smell detects the human presence mixed with the wind and fire. Leading them to determine that this is the fire left by the villagers. So, they charge into the village, crazily seeking revenge.

“Deserved it! Who told you to team up and beat me? You’re getting your karma!” Xiao Ming Ran scoffs lightly, then steps into the range of the halo’s illumination, allowing the light to pull him in.