"You've been following me?"

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment and looked at Li Fenglin with surprise, a shock running through his heart.

He hadn't noticed that he had been followed by Li Fenglin before. If Li Fenglin had harbored any malice against him, then...

Li Fenglin, feeling somewhat embarrassed, said, "It was just for a few days when I first met you, Mr. Jiang."

"Oh!" Jiang Chen nodded. Back then, his strength was relatively weak, so it was normal that he didn't notice he was being tracked by a peak Innate Grandmaster Ancient Martial Artist.

"Mr. Jiang, you were able to cultivate Ancient Martial Arts to such an extent on your own abilities that even I can't detect any fluctuations. You must have an extraordinary understanding of Ancient Martial Arts. Please, you must accept me as your disciple!"

Li Fenglin's expression became serious, and a pleading look appeared in his eyes: "I lost my parents when I was young. It was the three elders who raised me, but the death of the elders feels very suspicious to me. I hope you can help me improve my strength, I want to investigate the cause of the elders' death!"

"Let's not talk about taking disciples for now. I was ignorant before, thinking that my strength was quite good. Now I suddenly realize I still have a long way to go and am not yet suitable to take disciples. However, we can still discuss the cultivation of Ancient Martial Arts together!" Jiang Chen gently shook his head.

"This..." Li Fenglin paused for a moment, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, and said dejectedly, "Mr. Jiang, do you not wish to take me as a disciple?"

"It's not necessary to take a disciple in order to discuss Ancient Martial Arts, right?" Jiang Chen said with a smile.

Li Fenglin looked at Jiang Chen in surprise: "Mr. Jiang, you mean you're willing to help me cultivate even without taking me as a disciple? How is that possible? Isn't it only through a teacher-student relationship that one can impart knowledge?"

"Who told you that?" Jiang Chen asked, puzzled.

Li Fenglin innocently replied, "The elders said it, and it's the same with the people in our clan. Unless there's a blood relationship within three generations, even a third cousin from farther away has to become a disciple to learn!"

"This... What kind of rule is that from? That's an old-fashioned rule, right?" Jiang Chen chuckled: "You just said your clan doesn't interact much with the Secular World. Have you guys really never left the mountains before?"

"No!"

Li Fenglin shook his head: "Only the elder in charge of procurement is allowed to leave the mountain. The rest of us have always stayed in the mountains. It's been several hundred years. Unless it's time to enter the world, we are not allowed to leave!"

"Enter the world? What does that mean?" Jiang Chen suddenly felt like he had discovered something secretive.

"Entering the world means that every once in a while, the young people from the hidden clans or sects will be sent into the Secular World to experience life. The timing is unpredictable."

"Since the Blood Venerate incident a thousand years ago, the hidden clans suffered heavy losses. What used to be an entry into the world every fifty years was changed to once every hundred years. However, when the Flame Dragon Kingdom was established, some hidden clans chose the wrong side, leading to their extinction.

"Some hidden clans completely entered the world. This also led to the unpredictability of their entry into the secular society. However, when I ran away from home last year, I heard some rumors that the clans would be entering the world again sometime in the next few years."

Li Fenglin explained.

"So you mean to say, clans like yours may have completely detached from society?" Jiang Chen looked at Li Fenglin in surprise.

It was hard to believe that such clans still existed in modern society!

Was it like the idyllic life described in "The Peach Blossom Spring"?

"That's one way to put it!"

Li Fenglin nodded lightly: "Mr. Jiang, our hidden clans... actually, our clans were the ones who did not want to do *that* when the Flame Dragon was established, so..."

"I understand!" Jiang Chen nodded: "I've heard of a clan, the Jueluo Clan. They must be one of those that retreated after the establishment of the Flame Dragon Kingdom, right?"

"Correct! Some of the hidden clans were affiliated with the Jueluo Clan, including ours. Some were indigenous clans or clans that stood outside, not wanting to be constrained and unable to interfere with the establishment of the Flame Dragon Kingdom, so they retreated!" Li Fenglin nodded.

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.

He had known of their existence before, but had no point of entry. This time... could he possibly draw them out for help?

He just didn't know what their attitude towards the Flame Dragon Kingdom would be.

"Mr. Jiang, I..." Li Fenglin began hesitantly, a shade of reluctance flashing across his eyes.

"Speak your mind!" Jiang Chen spoke softly.

Li Fenglin bit his lip, a guilty expression on his face: "Mr. Jiang, I'm sorry. Actually, my insistence on becoming your disciple was partially due to a desire to use your help. In a few days, it will be the elders' memorial day, and I must return to pay my respects. I..."

"So you want me to become your teacher, not only to help you improve your strength but also so I can accompany you back, using my influence to make your family wary and prevent them from detaining you or dealing with you?" Jiang Chen said with a light smile.

Li Fenglin nodded in shame.

Pata, pata!

Jiang Chen reached out and patted Li Fenglin's shoulder: "Don't feel guilty. Our acquaintance wasn't deep, so it's normal for you to have such thoughts. However, remember that my brothers don't use each other. We support each other, help each other, and are willing to lay down our lives for one another."

"This time, I'll go back with you. I'm quite interested in the hidden clans myself."

Pausing, Jiang Chen continued: "But listen well, you are not yet my brother, Jiang Chen. When you do become my brother, I will unconditionally share with you the Ancient Martial Arts as I understand them, combined with your own cultivation techniques."

"Mr. Jiang, you're willing to go back with me? You're not mad at me?" Li Fenglin's expression lifted, astonished at Jiang Chen.

Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Li Fenglin thought Jiang Chen would reject him. Yet, despite knowing his intentions, Jiang Chen was still willing to help him!

"Your filial piety and sincerity, I have seen. A person like you is worth helping. Besides, didn't I say? I'm quite interested in the hidden clans!" Jiang Chen replied with a slight smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang!" Li Fenglin looked at Jiang Chen with a grateful face.

If Jiang Chen had not agreed, he could imagine his own fate. He would either be detained by his family, forced to divulge the secrets of his Ancient Martial Arts, or... he might have to stay there forever!

"Let's go, let's eat. I have to go to the Martial Alliance this afternoon. Are you coming?" Jiang Chen spoke quietly.

"Can I go?" Li Fenglin hesitated.

"Why not, let's go!" With that, Jiang Chen called out to Li Fenglin and led him out of the reception room.

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