"Eh? I a-am very s-sorry mister, m-my name is R-ryu,”

Within the time it takes one to breath Luc had already appeared in front of the red-haired youth and was looking at the black snake on the youth’s bare chest as Luc seems to be in a middle of thinking about something.

************

‘Hmm, just as I thought, this is the same aura as him but this aura is incredibly weak.’

While looking at the frightened Ryu, Luc had sensed something extremely familiar which made him think somebody he knew, but the thought quickly dissipated once Luc locked his gaze firmly on Ryu’s bare chest. Luc was looking at the black snake that was embedded onto Ryu’s skin.

“I see, so that’s how it is.”

Luc said with a rare charming smile once he understood why Ryu had the emitted the same but faint aura of that person.

“Ryu was it? As for me, my name is Luc and I am just a simple wanderer.”

Luc said with a simple, yet mysterious smile that seems to contain many secrets behind it. He didn’t ask Ryu why such a strange occurrence happened to him, and why did the black snake appeared onto his chest; instead he decided to explain who he is to ease up the alerted Ryu in front of him.

Upon hearing what Luc had said, Ryu had slightly relaxed. Although, Luc had saved him he could tell that Luc was being honest and didn’t seem like Luc had any ill-intent towards him.

However, Ryu just couldn’t push aside the formidable strength that Luc had displayed earlier. The only word that could describe what he saw was frightening, especially when he saw how Luc had deal with the five-man group.

Ryu could definitely tell that the five-man group was not weak, as a matter of fact, they were many times stronger than him. However, in front of Luc, they were like chickens ready to be slaughtered.

With a quick realization, and quick thinking that far exceeds the kids at his age. Ryu had thought of a plan. A plan that may give a chance to regain freedom for everyone.

“Sire Luc, although I may be like a lowly peasant in your eyes. Can you please, just please accept my request to become your disciple?”  

Ryu said in a voice filled with sorrow and slight hint of hope. One can tell that Ryu had gone through extreme hardship just by the voice and right eye that was flowing with tears.

“Sire Luc, even if I did come from a poor background. I, Ryu, am extremely capable.”

Ryu spoke to Luc using honorifics, even though Luc had call himself a wanderer. Just based off Luc’s clothings, Ryu had guessed that Luc was most likely someone with a high position from a super power-house family.

Ryu even knew that his chances was extremely small to be accepted as a disciple, and not even worthy enough to gaining Luc’s attention; however, he still had to try.

Immediately right after Ryu spoke, he had dropped down on the ground with both knees and began to kowtow towards Luc.

When Ryu’s head hit the ground, one can hear the flesh being mushed and cracking from the ground. Every time Ryu lifts his head, one can see a trail of blood flowing from his forehead. Along with a small web-like cracks imprinted onto the ground

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Standing there puzzled, Luc still had a calm demeanor but beneath that calm demeanor there was only shock. Luc was shocked at what was going on and could only watch everything blankly at Ryu.

‘Disciple? What is a disciple?’

Questions were yet again appearing left and right in Luc’s mind as he watched the red-haired youth kowtow. Finally, in order to stop the red-haired youth from continuing his absurd action from Luc’s point of view, Luc had grabbed onto Ryu’s shoulder and lifted up Ryu who was kowtowing as easily as if he was picking up a pebble off the ground.

“Ryu, although I don’t know what you mean by wanting to become my disciple I will have to refuse your request. However, if you are willing to accompany me with my journey and explore the vast lands then I am willing to let you follow me.” Luc said as he let go of the red-haired youth from his grasp.

From the beginning of Luc’s words Ryu’s hopes were instantly crushed and his eyes began to turn dull, but when Luc had quickly finished speaking the rest of his words. Ryu’s eyes were now lit with hope and determination.

“Ryu is willing to accompany master on his journey to explore the vast lands!”

Ryu said with excitement written all over his face and clasped his hands to show respect. Of course, who wouldn’t be excited when they had an extremely powerful expert backing them or justs being able to travel with one. One would definitely feel safe and sound.

By being able to travel with someone that is an expert in cultivation, they would most-likely have a brighter and successful future.

“Do not call me master” Luc said in a calm yet demanding tone and unconsciously letted out his domineering aura.

“Then what shall I call you mast— sire?” Shivering from Luc’s overbearing aura, Ryu had quickly nodded his head and asked.

By being an expert in cultivation, it would obviously make people feel uncomfortable by calling them by their names with no honorifics, therefore, Ryu was in a dilemma.

“There is no need for you to call me by any other names, just call me by Luc,” Luc waved his hand, indicating Ryu to stop and listen.

After the obedient Ryu nodded his head, Luc was now ready to head out of the Demonic Forest.

“Very well, now let us head on our way.” Luc said while turning his back on Ryu.

Redirecting his gaze from Ryu onto Diana’s beautifully curved unconscious body that was extremely graceful.

“I guess this she can’t be left out here just like this.” Luc mumbled to himself before walking over to the unconscious Diana. Lifting her body off the ground in a princess carry again caused Luc to let out a sigh.

“Very comfortable indeed.”

Slightly nodding with his head in approval at the squishiness and softness within his embrace before walking off into the distance; especially, within his left hand.

After taking quite a few steps Luc came to a sudden stop and without turning his head around he called out to Ryu.

“Are you coming or not?”

Hearing Luc calling out to Ryu like that, Ryu quickly ran and reappeared next to Luc’s side wearing nothing on his upper body, tattered pants, and chains that clearly indicated that he was a slave.

Noticing the chains that was cuffed on Ryu’s wrists and ankles, with just a glance the chains that had magical runes written all over had shimmered for a brief moment before disappearing in thin air. Along with the magical runes disappearing the chains had dissolved as if it was corroded by acid.

With a waving motion towards Ryu, bright lights had enveloped Ryu from head to toe. The once shirtless and tattered pants were now replaced with a Hanfu that had a narrow-cuffed, knee-length tunic with a sash, worn with bixi, a length of fabric that reached the knees. The fabric was made up of red and black silk.

Taking notice of Ryu’s change in expression, Luc simply turned around and walked towards the way out of the Demonic Forest, along with the unconscious beauty within his arms.

Feeling a sensation of being watched, Luc stared at where the feeling was coming from. Staring far off into the distance sky, Luc letted out a mysterious smile.

“It has been a while.”

Luc kept the smile on his face as muttered to himself. A gleam of excitement could be seen in his sparkling deep blue eyes, but who knows what kind of expectations he had in mind.

************

Somewhere within the Origin Continent. In a cave that was extremely hot like magma yet it was cold to the point of imediately freezing a person to death just by the breeze. Hot and cold were coexisting stably in this cave, along with the extremely dense natural Heavenly Yuan.

One can tell that this cave is not as simple as it seems.

If one was to follow the source of the heat and coldness then one would only encounter a fist-sized rock. However, the rock had sudden trembled and slowly started to uncoil.

What could be seen was actually a small snake-like creature with that had coiled itself to look like a rock.

When the small snake-like creature opened its eyes, one can see within the reptilian eyes the pupil had the colors of a rainbow.

Surprisingly, the corner of the small snake-like creature mouth curved upwards into a menacing smile, before cracking its mouth open, and displaying a row of incredibly sharp teeths.

“Has he finally awakened?”

A deep and ancient voice could be heard reverberating throughout the cave from the small snake-like creature. It was as if the small snake-like creature had been living for countless of years.