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Chapter 1: We're no strangers

"Immortality, strength, the ability to grasp the stars in the universe, boundless riches, and countless beauties by your side. These are just a few of the incredible perks that a cultivator can enjoy. Yet, you show no interest?" said an old man with a serious tone, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom and experience.

"Yep," replied the boy, sitting beside him with a runny nose. "I don't care about your so-called 'apparteenity.' Just tell me another story, quick! Quick!" With an eager expression, the boy playfully tugged at the old man's sleeve, urging him on. His youthful enthusiasm seemed untouched by the lure of power and grandeur.

The old man gazed at the boy with a mixture of understanding and concern. It seemed that the boy, still young and innocent, failed to grasp the significance of his words. "Ahem, it is 'opportunity' not 'apparteenity'," the old man corrected gently, tousling the boy's hair. He then assumed a more serious demeanor, hoping to convey the importance of his message. "Also, cultivation is not just about power and material possessions. It is a path of self-discovery and spiritual growth."

The boy looked up at the sky and sighed loudly, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Okay, I understand," he said, though the old man could sense that he only agreed to end the "nagging." The boy then looked at the old man with shining eyes, his curiosity still burning bright.

Seeing the boy's eyes, the old man smiled wryly. "I will tell you another story then." "Yay" The boy's face lit up with joy and anticipation, eager to immerse himself in another fantastical tale.

"This time, I'm going to tell you about the story of my own journey. A long time ago, I embarked on a grand adventure to defeat the Ancient Seven-Headed Dragon that wreaked havoc in the AllBeasts Heaven. It was a fearsome opponent, with claws that could tear apart the very fabric of space and a thunderous roar that could reach the very end of the universe, in order to save trillions of mortals I..." The old man's voice trailed off, lost in the memories of battles fought and triumphs achieved. As he began weaving the story, the boy's imagination took flight, captivated by the tales of legendary creatures and heroic deeds. 

As time went on, the old man's enthusiasm grew exponentially, infecting the air with excitement and pride. With childlike fervor, he waved his hands in animated gestures, assuming various poses to emphasize the importance of each event in the story. Occasionally, he would even grab a wooden stick, wielding it with grace and agility to demonstrate the fluidity of swordplay. The boy watched in awe, clapping his hands together with sheer amazement. Though many of the terms and concepts in the story eluded him, he couldn't help but exclaim in wonder and anticipation, his youthful energy pulsating with every word.

As the hours passed, the day seemed to stretch both endlessly and fleetingly, caught in the enchantment of the old man's captivating tales. From the morning's blue sky to the afternoon's warm hues of orange, time appeared to suspend its normal rhythm for the duo. They were lost in a realm where stories and imagination reigned supreme, where the boundaries of reality blurred and distant lands came alive.

'Gurgle' a subtle gurgle emanated from the boy's stomach, a reminder of his growing fatigue and hunger. His once boundless energy had finally reached its limit. It was time for the boy to bid farewell to the old man and return home for a much-needed meal.

"It's time to go home," the old man declared, his voice carrying a hint of wistfulness. Casting one last glance at the expansive grassy land before him, he deeply inhaled the invigorating scent of the surrounding air, savoring its purity.

The boy nodded, his expression a mixture of reluctance and contentment. Parting with this beloved storyteller was never easy, but the promise of tomorrow's adventures brought a spark of excitement to his eyes.

A warm smile adorned the old man's face as he encouraged the boy to make his way home. "Go on now. We'll reunite again tomorrow, and I'll have even more amazing stories to share with you."

"Okay, it's a promise!" The boy's voice brimmed with joy and anticipation. With a giggle that echoed through the tranquil air, he bid farewell to the old man, his tiny hand waving vigorously in the air. The old man reciprocated the gesture, his wave somewhat more subdued, yet filled with the same heartfelt affection.

As the boy set off, his feet carried him swiftly towards his home. Each step was infused with a mix of nostalgia and eagerness, for he knew that another extraordinary day awaited him tomorrow. With the sun casting its warm glow upon his path, he reveled in the memories of the stories shared, eagerly envisioning the tales yet to be told by the old man.

And so, as the boy disappeared into the distance, the old man stood there, watching, his heart filled with the joy of connection and the anticipation of their future encounters. The bond forged between them was unbreakable, transcending the passage of time. With a tender smile gracing his weathered face, the old man whispered to the gentle breeze, "Until tomorrow, my young friend. Until tomorrow."

---------------

"Young master, where have you been? I've been looking for you all day long." A caretaker asked the boy hurriedly, clearly anxious from the disappearance of this little young master in front of him.

"I'm just listening to stories. Quick, bring me some food, I'm soo hungry right now." replied the boy while clutching his stomach, clearly indicating his hunger to the caretaker.

"Wait Bu-" "Hurry". "Please wait a moment, young master. I'll fetch you some food right away," the caretaker responded, attempting to interject, but the boy's insistence cut him off. The caretaker lost his opportunity to ask more questions from the young master and he hurriedly run off to get some food.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

As the caretaker's figure disappeared from view, the boy's gaze lingered on the empty space, lost in his own thoughts. He made his way to the grand table at the center of his lavish home, each step echoing in the spacious room. Settling into the oversized chair, his small frame swallowed by its grandeur, his mind began to wander.

Images of the day's enchanting tales woven by the old grandpa danced vividly in his imagination. Yuan Xiang, the youngest son of the clan master of the Great Yuan Clan had explored countless pages of children's books in the family library, couldn't help but draw comparisons. The disparity between those ordinary stories and the grandpa's mesmerizing tales was akin to the 'gap between Heaven and Earth' that the old man always tell in his stories.

One minute later, the caretaker emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate adorned with Yuan Xiang's favorite food that had been prepared in advance. Placing it gently on the table, he gestured for the young master to indulge to his heart's content. Only after satisfying his hunger did Yuan Xiang's attention turn to the caretaker's question.

"Young master, now, can you tell me where you went?" Guo Feng, the caretaker, couldn't contain his anxiousness. How could he not be? The young master that he is taking care of is constantly disappearing in the morning and only comes back before evening for the past few days. No matter what he did, the crafty kid would always find a way to shake him off and disappear from his supervision, if this continued, won't the young master encounter trouble sooner or later? Concern for the young master's safety weighed heavily on Guo Feng's mind. He knew all too well the consequences that would befall him if any harm came to the young master under his care.

Which is why he needed to get to the bottom of this to protect the young master from any danger. "Can you tell me today? Please." He looked at Yuan Xiang with pleading eyes, he made his small eyes as big as possible to appear cute to Yuan Xiang, the wrinkles on his face contorted strangely and produced a very 'cute' image..

"ARGHHH MONSTER, A MONSTER". Yuan Xiang, vomitted his food and run around the house while screaming "monster" at the top of his lungs. The sudden outburst caught Guo Feng off guard, his heart sinking with concern for the young master's well-being.

As Yuan Xiang continued his frantic dash, Guo Feng looked at his young master's back, sighed and gently touched his old face. Deep in thought, he reflected on his youthful days when his face was adorned with charm and allure. "I'm not that ugly," he mused silently, reminiscing about the attention he once garnered from a lot of beauties in the past. With a mix of nostalgia and resignation, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small mirror, bringing it up to his face. The reflection revealed the passage of time, the lines etched on his face telling stories of wisdom and experience. "Oh, how the times have passed," he whispered to himself, the wistfulness in his voice tinged with a hint of regret.

Trying to recapture his earlier 'cute' image, Guo Feng stared at his reflection in the mirror, attempting to contort his features into a more endearing expression. But before he could fully assess his self-imposed cuteness, a terrifying image looked at him.

"ARGHHH MONSTER, A MONSTER!" Guo Feng's own scream reverberated through the room, his fear palpable as he hurled the mirror out the window and sprinted away at the fastest speed his old legs could muster. Panic fueled his every step as he desperately tried to escape the imagined horror.

Two people, one young, one old, run around the house and screamed at the top of their lungs. Breathless and shaken, Guo Feng finally came to a stop, gasping for air as he struggled to regain his composure. "That was a scary monster," he muttered to himself, his voice trembling. Unbeknownst to him, Yuan Xiang appeared in front of him. Looking up at Guo Feng, he called out with innocence, "Grandpa Feng".

Guo Feng, still catching his breath, managed to respond, "What?"

"You're ugly" 

Yuan Xiang stated matter-of-factly. Guo Feng was at a loss for words, he looked dejected and said "Yeah". Yuan Xiang patted his back with his little hands and continued, "Don't worry Grandpa Feng, I still love you even if you're ugly." Yuan Xiang reassured, his words brimming with pure affection.

Guo Feng smiled bitterly, "Young master, I don't care about your love and affection, I only care about my life, my face and money". Though his words carried a hint of self-interest, the unmistakable warmth of parental love shone through his eyes. He had been caring for this child since infancy, and his heart had long embraced the young boy as his own grandson. His deep concern for the young master's well-being stemmed not only from his professional duty but also from a genuine and heartfelt connection.

"Caring for your face? But you are ugly," Yuan Xiang retorted, his laughter filling the air, reverberating through the spacious house. The echoes of his amusement lingered, a testament to his mischievous spirit.

Guo Feng raised an eyebrow, his expression turning stern. "Enough about my appearance. Now, it's time for you to answer my questions about your whereabouts these past few days. Otherwise, I might just reconsider cooking your favorite meal," he threatened, his voice laced with a hint of playful menace.

Yuan Xiang's eyes widened, realizing the seriousness in Guo Feng's tone. He quickly regained his composure, trying to salvage the situation. "Alright, alright, no need to resort to drastic measures. I'll spill the beans," he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of surrender and dejection.

With a mischievous grin, Guo Feng replied, "Good. Remember, honesty is the best policy, or else you'll find yourself face-to-face with a plateful of vegetables." Hmph, you dare mock my face? Get ready for the vegetables. His words held a playful warning, as he prepared himself to listen to the young master's excuse.

Yuan Xiang assumed a solemn demeanor, his young face taking on the wisdom of an old sage who had witnessed the world's secrets. He imitated the storyteller's expressions, carefully recreating the intensity and intrigue. With measured words, he began, "This is a tale of blood, bread, and bunnies. In a far far away courtyard, a young warrior of unparalleled prowess traversed the sprawling plains, his gaze scanning the horizon. Little did he know, fate had intertwined his path with that of an elderly man, and their destinies were bound to become the strongest of friendships... AGHHH OUCH!"

"Speak normally, Yuan Xiang. And have you been messing with strangers again?"

Guo Feng, his mouth twitching in exasperation, firmly grasped Yuan Xiang's small face with his weathered hands, applying gentle pressure.

"Let go, Grandpa Feng!"

Gasping for breath, Yuan Xiang protested, "You've misunderstood, Grandpa. We're not strangers, he is my friend."

Taking a sip of water to calm himself, Yuan Xiang continued.

"A few days ago, while I was playing with the bunnies in the courtyard, chasing them and feeding them, I came across this old man lying on the ground, his body covered in blood..."

He slowly recounted the events that happened with the storyteller.

End of Chapter 1

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