Chapter 178 The Qilin Gathering

"This whole thing started because of my Master. Ten years ago, she passed through Black Water City and accidentally discovered me. She immediately declared that I was a once-in-a-million genius for Cultivation and insisted on taking me to join the Ancient Sword Sect."

When bringing up her eccentric Master, Mei Linger also wore an expression of helplessness.

It was less like taking a disciple and more like kidnapping. She took Mei Linger away without even saying goodbye, stating directly that she should surprise her family after completing her training.

Mei Changluo found this both frustrating and amusing; he never thought such a person existed.

However, on second thought, Mei Linger’s experience could be considered a blessing in disguise. Without those ten years away, Mei Linger would never have achieved what she had today.

She was the Saintess of the Ancient Sword Sect, the future heir to the Sect Head position; her future prospects were beyond description, and this would also bring glory to the Mei Family.

"So, are you descending the mountain this time specifically to come home, or do you have other matters to attend to?" Mei Changluo quickly asked.

"Coming home is naturally the most important thing. Besides that, I need to go somewhere else. Additionally, I want to bring Yinger with me and have her join the Ancient Sword Sect with me," Mei Linger said seriously.

Hearing that his second daughter could also join the Ancient Sword Sect, Mei Changluo, as her father, was naturally overjoyed. Who knew that Mei Yinger, standing nearby, would object?

"No! I don't want to join any Ancient Sword Sect! I want to become Ye Fan brother's disciple and practice Dual Cultivation with him, doing the things I like to do."

Mei Yinger looked very serious. It seemed that compared to her long-lost sister, she still trusted the Ye Fan brother beside her more.

But as soon as Mei Yinger spoke, the atmosphere at the banquet instantly became extremely awkward. Ye Fan coughed repeatedly, and Mei Changluo’s old face flushed red, unable to utter a single word.

Mei Linger couldn't help but raise her eyebrows upon hearing this, a deep killing intent flashing in her eyes. She quickly asked what was going on.

"Cough, cough... It’s just a child talking nonsense," Ye Fan quickly explained, but Mei Yinger refused to accept it, stating directly that she wanted to become Ye Fan's disciple and practice Dual Cultivation with him.

"Now I can’t wash myself clean even if I jump into the Yellow River," Ye Fan thought with a wry smile.

Seeing his elder daughter about to explode, Mei Changluo quickly stood up to explain the whole story. Only then did Mei Linger manage to suppress her anger somewhat.

She looked at her father with some resentment, but since things had already come to this, she could only patiently explain everything to her younger sister.

But Mei Yinger wouldn't listen at all. In her heart, Ye Fan was undoubtedly the most powerful person in the world; the Ancient Sword Sect wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes.

Seeing no progress with her sister, Mei Linger could only set her sights on Ye Fan.

Although she also couldn't see through Ye Fan's cultivation level, she equally didn't believe that there could be a Core Formation Realm Cultivator under the age of twenty.

She only thought Ye Fan was using some Divine Ability or Magic Treasure to swindle people. If she hadn't returned in time, the entire Mei Family would have been harmed by him.

"I know you might have some skills, but this world is much bigger than you imagine. For Yinger's sake, you should leave sooner rather than later."

Mei Linger unceremoniously issued the eviction order, but Ye Fan was unconcerned. He was staying only because he was worried about retaliation from the Hunyuan Sect. The Mei Family's crisis had been resolved, and he was eager to leave for the Yun Family.

"In that case, I shall take my leave. Green mountains do not stop flowing green waters; perhaps we will meet again in the future." Ye Fan stood up, intending to leave, but Mei Yinger objected, refusing to let Ye Fan depart, tearfully insisting on becoming his disciple.

The Mei father and daughter found this incredibly troublesome, wondering what kind of love potion Ye Fan had given the younger girl.

Ye Fan helplessly also tried to persuade her for a long time, stating directly that he truly had business that required him to leave.

"But... but Ye Fan brother's injuries haven't healed yet..." Mei Yinger said stubbornly.

"You're injured?" Mei Linger asked with a frown.

"It's just a minor injury; it's nothing," Ye Fan said dismissively.

"What minor injury! Ye Fan brother nearly lost his life crossing the Storm Belt!"

"The Storm Belt?!"

Although she had never personally experienced such a celestial phenomenon, Mei Linger had clearly heard of its terror. Even a Core Formation Realm Cultivator sucked into it would surely die. Ye Fan surviving it was simply a miracle.

Mei Changluo quickly chimed in, saying that Ye Fan had gifted the Mei Family a Magic Treasure and Divine Ability. If Mei Linger could find a way to heal his injuries, it would be best, serving as repayment for this favor.

"Based on what you say, ordinary Medicinal Pills probably won't have much effect... In that case... I might actually have a method."

"Oh? What method?" Ye Fan's eyes lit up.

"The Qilin Assembly."

"The Qilin Assembly?"

Mei Changluo showed a look of sudden realization upon hearing this, secretly cursing himself for forgetting about it.

The so-called Qilin Assembly was actually a Heavenly Pride Assembly among the major forces in Liefeng Prefecture. The younger generation from many forces, including the Hunyuan Sect, would participate to compete through martial arts. The final victor would receive a substantial reward.

Mei Linger descending the mountain this time was under her Master's orders to make a name for herself so she could be listed on the hidden dragon ranking. The Qilin Assembly was her first stop.

"From what I know, the reward for first place in this Qilin Assembly is quite generous, which includes a soul returning pill capable of healing all injuries."

"A soul returning pill?!" Ye Fan's eyes also lit up upon hearing this. If he had this soul returning pill, his injuries might truly recover.

Mei Linger was confident that winning the Qilin Assembly was easy for her. After she took the championship, she would give the soul returning pill to Ye Fan to heal his injuries, thus settling the Karma between the two families.

"That can be arranged. It seems I'll have to impose on you for a few more days."

There were still five days until the Qilin Assembly began, which was enough time to travel to the Yun Family.

Hearing that Ye Fan was going to the Qilin Assembly, Mei Yinger also clamored to go along, and Mei Linger reluctantly brought her sister.

But what she thought was to let her broaden her horizons, perhaps then she would understand that Ye Fan was not as powerful as she imagined.

Ye Fan continued to stay at the Mei Family for several days. Mei Yinger followed him around like a shadow every day.

After the earnest discussions between Mei Changluo and his daughter, she finally understood that one could not practice Dual Cultivation with a Master; only a Dao Companion could do so.

Mei Linger nodded as if she understood, but before the two could breathe a sigh of relief, she brought up an even more astonishing statement.

"Then I will become Ye Fan brother's Dao Companion, and then we can practice Dual Cultivation," Mei Linger said innocently.

"..."

The Mei father and daughter were completely speechless this time, only hoping that the Qilin Assembly would end soon, otherwise, they feared they wouldn't be able to keep their Little Girl.

The day before the Qilin Assembly started, Ye Fan and the others headed towards the venue, located on the bank of the eight-hundred-mile long Tongtian River.

The Spiritual Qi was abundant here, and not far away was the location of the Hunyuan Sect. Being able to dominate this blessed land showed that they were indeed doing very well locally.

As the grand event held once every ten years in Liefeng Prefecture, quite a few people came to watch the excitement today, but very few were actually qualified to approach the front stage. Most people could only observe from afar using their Divine Sense.