Chapter 143: Young Patriarch

When Yang Fan's senses recovered, and his vision and hearing returned, the sight that met his eyes was still Bashan Mo sitting high above.

Bashan Hong and the other three stood to the side with ashen complexions!

Bashan Mo said with a beaming smile, "Pardon me, little friend. Just now, we were discussing some internal matters of our tribe, which were not quite suitable for you to know. However, I still have doubts that require your answers, so I could not let you leave. I had no choice but to resort to a lesser measure and have you trapped for a moment. It is truly discourteous..."

Looking at Bashan Mo, a tenth-rank Martial Emperor expert right before him, Yang Fan suddenly found it somewhat amusing. This man had always maintained a kind and benevolent appearance; even as a tenth-rank powerhouse, he had never put on any airs toward a mere fourth-rank Martial Master like himself.

Yet, as Yang Fan gazed at this smiling face, he somehow felt it was not entirely genuine. Deep down, he harbored a sense of aversion toward Bashan Mo’s smiling welcome—a feeling he had never experienced even when Kun Sha forced him and the others to deliver a message to Earth.

Back then, he had only felt a sense of unwillingness and inadequacy in strength. This sensation was subtle and indescribable, yet it truly existed.

Yang Fan did not dwell on his inner feelings, as the current occasion was not suitable for pondering other matters.

He then hurriedly said, "You are too polite, Patriarch Bashan. It is completely natural for the seniors to discuss matters while the junior temporarily withdraws. Your apology is far too much for this junior to bear!"

Bashan Mo remained all smiles and nodded.

He was very satisfied with Yang Fan's response...

"Little friend, stay and live in my Bashan tribe from now on. Every resource and item you need will be provided entirely by our Bashan tribe. From this day forward, your status in our tribe shall be equal to that of the Young Patriarch..." After Bashan Mo uttered these words, Yang Fan was stunned.

Meanwhile, the four people standing to the side turned as pale as death, their complexions so gloomy they seemed about to drip water!

Young Patriarch?

To be honest, Yang Fan was shocked. What did this mean? What was wrong with Bashan Mo?

Was he his long-lost son?

That couldn't be right. He was undoubtedly born on Earth and could never have any connection with an old monster like this.

Then why was he treating him so well?

His value in utilization?

Earth?

Yang Fan's thoughts spun, and in an instant, he found the answer. It was actually very simple: what did he possess that Bashan Mo could possibly fancy?

There was only one thing—his identity as a martial artist from Earth, and moreover, as a disciple of a top-tier faction on Earth.

Under the current circumstances where information between the two realms was unequal, this identity was immensely useful!

"Senior, with such great kindness from you, how could this junior possibly accept it?" Yang Fan declined politely.

"Ah... little friend, there is no need to decline. The current Azure Plains is occupied by fierce beasts, and the entire plain is swarming with them, with tenth-rank fierce beasts numbering in the dozens. You cannot return. I feel an affinity with you, so you shall stay here. Once the matter of the Azure Plains is resolved in the future, I will personally send you back to your world, how does that sound..." Bashan Mo maintained his beaming expression, yet Yang Fan still caught a flash of cold light in his eyes...

Yang Fan knew he had no choice. Whether he agreed willingly or not, he had to agree; he possessed no room for resistance. Rather than stubbornly holding out until the end only to be coerced, it was far more pragmatic to take everything he could get!

At least, regardless of what hidden thoughts the old monster Bashan Mo harbored, before heading to Earth and before Bashan Mo obtained more information about it, he was absolute safety personified.

And once they reached Earth, he would be even safer. The Kunlun Secret Realm was located right within the borders of China, and guarding its entrance was the headmaster of his academy, Zhang Daoyi.

Once back on Earth, Yang Fan simply did not believe Bashan Mo could do anything to him.

Right now, the most important thing was his life within the Kunlun Secret Realm!

That was what mattered; everything else could take a back seat.

The spiritual energy in the Kunlun Secret Realm was many times greater than that of the outside world, so abundant in certain places that it was almost condensing into liquid.

Training in such an environment, Yang Fan believed he could rapidly advance by leaps and bounds and break through to higher levels...

"Since Senior has put it this way, this junior will no longer decline. Once the Azure Plains is cleared and this junior can return to the outside world in the future, I will definitely introduce the experts of the outside world to Senior. My teachers and elders can also be introduced to you then. By that time, my teachers will certainly thank Senior for taking care of this junior..." Yang Fan pondered for a moment before speaking.

Upon hearing this, Bashan Mo smiled even more brilliantly; Yang Fan felt certain that the wrinkles on his face could crush a fly to death.

Bashan Mo caught the hidden meaning in Yang Fan's words, and he liked this outcome very much.

As for the four standing nearby, upon hearing Yang Fan's reply, they felt utterly helpless. He had fallen into the trap so quickly. But on second thought, as a mere fourth-rank Martial Master, what qualification did he have not to fall into it?

Their strength and ranks were not on the same level at all, and Bashan Hong and the others suddenly felt a hint of pity for Yang Fan.

This was someone who had boarded a pirate ship. The smiling tiger would soon let this fellow know how foolish his decision today was, or rather, let Yang Fan realize just how unlucky he was to have entered the Kunlun Secret Realm and the Bashan tribe...

Subsequently, Yang Fan chatted idly with Bashan Mo for a while longer.

"Senior, this junior's weapon was lost during a recent battle with fierce beasts. Since Senior wishes for me to live within the tribe, I will also need to practice battle arts. However, without a weapon, some battle arts cannot be properly executed. I wonder if Senior might bestow upon me a suitable weapon..." Yang Fan asked brazenly.

The long saber gifted by Li Tian had been lost, and Yang Fan had lacked a suitable weapon for a while, which felt quite uncomfortable. Now that Bashan Mo wanted him to lead the way to Earth in the future, he ought to show some sincerity right now...

Bashan Mo still maintained his smiling expression and then gave an order: "Elder Hong, you were the one who brought little friend Yang Fan here, so his future needs shall be your responsibility. Later, take little friend Yang Fan to the treasury of our Bashan tribe to select a suitable weapon, and you may also pick out some pills and elixirs that aid in cultivation." Having instructed Bashan Hong, he turned his gaze back to Yang Fan and continued: "Little friend Yang Fan, since you are now a guest in our Bashan tribe, and I have promised you treatment equal to that of the Young Patriarch, you should treat the Bashan tribe as your own home. If anything is lacking or missing in your own home, just speak directly with Elder Hong, and he will have it prepared for you..."

Wearing an expression of being overwhelmed by unexpected favor, Yang Fan repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank many thanks, Senior! Then this junior will not stand on ceremony. One should not refuse what an elder bestows; this junior once again thanks Patriarch Bashan..."

"Haha... Don't be polite, don't be polite..." Bashan Mo stroked his beard, his face full of smiles.

Standing to the side, Bashan Hong gave a slight shake of his head. Did this kid really think he was taking advantage? Surely not. Were martial artists from the outside world really this foolish? Was there such a thing as a free lunch in this world? Didn't this fellow understand the principle that whatever you consume today, you will have to pay back tomorrow?