Chapter 16: Heaven beyond Heaven, Immortal among Men

Wu Jingtian felt somewhat helpless.

Wu Qingxue, on the other hand, was deeply shaken.

It was the first time she had seen her grandfather act this way.

During their time at the headquarters of the Dan Artifact Hall, there was a constant stream of people seeking alchemy and artifacts, including many martial arts experts. But no one dared to speak to her grandfather in such a manner.

The attitude her grandfather displayed now was reminiscent of how those martial arts experts treated him.

Wasn't this scene a bit absurd?

"Young friend, if the resources of the Dan Artifact Hall were fully open to you, meeting all your needs for cultivation in this world, would you be willing to listen to my request?" Wu Jingtian solemnly spoke.

In an instant, Ye Chen's eyes flashed with a brilliant light, but it vanished just as quickly.

He stared at Wu Jingtian, his gaze sharp as a blade, as if trying to see through him.

This world.

The words of Wu Jingtian contained a crucial piece of information that Ye Chen couldn't ignore.

Could this old man see that he was a reincarnated soul, not belonging to this world?

Otherwise, why would he emphasize the words "this world" so heavily?

Clearly, there was a hidden meaning.

Under Ye Chen's gaze, Wu Jingtian couldn't help but tremble inwardly, even though he maintained his composure outwardly. Despite his level of cultivation and mindset, he felt a momentary tremor.

But strangely, this feeling filled him with joy, as it confirmed his suspicions.

"Father, I'd like to speak with this elder alone," Ye Chen suddenly spoke up.

Although Ye Feng was curious and had some words he wanted to say, he still led the Ye Family warriors to retreat first.

"Wu Qingxue, you should leave too," Wu Jingtian said, and Wu Qingxue followed suit.

Soon, the entire hall was empty, leaving only Ye Chen and Wu Jingtian.

"It seems you know a lot," Ye Chen said calmly.

Wu Jingtian sighed. "After living for hundreds of years, one does come to know some secrets that others do not."

Hearing this, Ye Chen could almost confirm that even if this old man didn't know about the Immortal Martial Realm, he definitely knew that the Canglan Continent was not the entirety of the world.

And Wu Jingtian's words almost confirmed his suspicions.

"Have you ever encountered someone like me before?" Ye Chen asked.

The old man shook his head. "I may have wished to, but such encounters cannot be sought."

"You are very clever, and your conditions are also quite good. Tell me, what do you seek from me?" Ye Chen asked.

This old man had a powerful soul and abundant spiritual energy, with a force that seemed to encompass everything. In this lower plane, he had reached his limit. He probably sought a way to leave this world.

But the old man's words denied Ye Chen's speculation:

"I humbly request, young friend, that you take my granddaughter as your disciple."

Hmm?

This caught Ye Chen slightly off guard.

This old guy, who had hinted at these messages and was willing to offer a large amount of resources, ultimately wasn't doing it for himself, but for his granddaughter.

This aspect actually surprised Ye Chen and made him somewhat satisfied.

At least this old guy wasn't selfish; he was a qualified grandfather.

"Is it the little girl outside?" Ye Chen asked.

"Yes," Wu Jingtian replied.

Ye Chen shook his head and said, "To be honest, she's not qualified to be my disciple yet."

In fact, Wu Qingxue had decent talent. At just eighteen years old, she was already a royal-level alchemist, and her martial arts cultivation was at the peak of True Martial Realm, making her one of the top figures in the Xuantian Empire.

Even in the entire Canglan Continent, she would be considered among the top-tier geniuses.

But for Ye Chen, her strength was still inadequate. In the Immortal Martial Realm, those slightly stronger at her age would already be in the Transcendent Realm, and after reaching twenty, they would be aiming for Immortal Dao.

In comparison, Wu Qingxue's talent was indeed lacking and not enough to catch Ye Chen's eye.

"In that case, I humbly request, young friend, that you take her as a martial attendant," Wu Jingtian compromised. He knew that directly taking her as a disciple might be difficult, so starting as a martial attendant might provide an opportunity for Ye Chen to change his mind.

Ye Chen did not respond immediately.

Wu Jingtian continued, "Young friend, if you can give an opportunity to the Ye Family, can you not give a chance to my granddaughter?"

"Well, then, I'll give her a chance to be my martial attendant. If there's an opportunity, I'll offer some guidance," Ye Chen reluctantly agreed.

"Thank you, young friend." Wu Jingtian was overjoyed and took out a jade token from his pocket. "Young friend, this is my identity token from the Dan Artifact Hall. If you need anything, you can go to any branch of the Dan Artifact Hall."

Any branch.

Ye Chen nodded faintly, able to discern from the old man's strength that his status in the Dan Artifact Hall was extraordinary.

"There are some things you know how to handle, right?" Ye Chen asked.

Wu Jingtian replied, "Young friend, rest assured, I know what to do."

Ye Chen nodded lightly, and Wu Jingtian retreated.

Outside the Ye Family residence, Wu Qingxue was waiting. When she saw Wu Jingtian coming out, she hurried forward. "Grandfather."

"He has agreed to let you be his martial attendant. If there's an opportunity, he'll offer you guidance. Qingxue, with such an opportunity, you must seize it," Wu Jingtian said seriously.

"Grandfather, I really don't understand," Wu Qingxue couldn't help but speak up.

She could listen to her grandfather, but she couldn't sincerely become Ye Chen's martial attendant.

She admitted that Ye Chen was extraordinary, but she was also confident in herself now, surpassing Ye Chen. Why should she stoop so low and beg to become his disciple, or even beg to become a servant?

"You really don't understand," Wu Jingtian sighed lightly. Eventually, he composed himself and said, "Qingxue, do you remember the stories I used to tell you when you were little?"

"Heaven beyond heavens, immortal among mortals?" Wu Qingxue replied.

When she was younger, her grandfather often told her stories. He said that this world was not the only one; there was heaven beyond heavens, and beyond the Canglan Continent, there was a wider space.

Those who couldn't become immortals in martial arts could become immortals among mortals in the heavens beyond heavens.

"Grandfather, are you saying that he comes from the heavens beyond heavens, and he's an immortal among mortals?!" Wu Qingxue's expression suddenly changed, looking at Wu Jingtian in disbelief.

Was there really a heaven beyond heavens, a wider space beyond the Canglan Continent?

Were there really immortals among mortals?

With her grandfather's experience and strength, he would only show such respect in front of an immortal among mortals, right?

"The flowers wither and bloom again endlessly, the cycles of life repeat in the mortal world. Qingxue, seize the opportunity, and your life will change." Wu Jingtian said slowly, his eyes revealing a glimmer of insight.

Wu Qingxue was stunned.

Wu Jingtian's words confirmed her question.

There really was a heaven beyond heavens, and immortals among mortals.

So, was Ye Chen an immortal among mortals?!

When Wu Qingxue snapped out of her daze, Wu Jingtian was already gone.

She collected her thoughts and walked out of the Ye Family residence.

At this moment, Ye Feng approached Ye Chen and asked directly, "Chen'er, are you really going to the imperial city?"

"Father, do you think Ye Long will choose to become my martial attendant?" Ye Chen countered with a question.

Ye Feng shook his head.

Ye Long was proud by nature and one of the three elites of the imperial city. How could he become someone else's martial attendant, especially a martial attendant of a branch family like Ye's?

Even if he could swallow his pride, the Ye Family couldn't afford to lose face like that.

"So, he needs to pay the price," Ye Chen chuckled.

He naturally knew that Ye Long wouldn't agree. How could he give the Ye Family such honor?

If he dared to ask Ye Wuji to become his martial attendant, he had to pay a certain price.

"Chen'er, if you..." Ye Feng hesitated, seeming to have something to say.

"Father, what do you want to say?" Ye Chen asked.