93: The Place of Origin

Xiao Bu Dian rushed to his feet, and his sharp claws once again extended three inches like razor-sharp blades.

But just as his claws were about to injure Father Jiang, unlike his previous Qi and blood depletion, this time, his instinct to win, which had always prevailed, was for the first time suppressed by reason.

Xiao Bu Dian's feelings were clearly conveyed to Jiang Hanwen's mind.

Pain, longing, shame, anger... countless emotions were in a mess.

Xiao Bu Dian trembled all over, desperately suppressing his killing intent.

Finally, he slowly grabbed Father Jiang's pant leg, looked up, whined, and looked at Father Jiang with a wronged expression.

Overcoming the killing intent was as if something in his Soul was suppressed and no longer expanded.

If he was a slave to his physical senses before, then at this moment, Xiao Bu Dian truly came alive, no longer controlled by that strange and eerie desire for destruction within his heart.

Father Jiang bent down and gently stroked Xiao Bu Dian's head.

“Hey, if you go out so late, you must be looking for food.

Next time if the villagers find you stealing again, I won't be able to save you. I don't have the ability to raise you, so you should leave. If you really can't bear to leave me, just come back to visit when you have time.”

After several rejections, under the moon, he bowed to Father Jiang, and the little fellow finally left, looking back three times with every step.

But what Father Jiang didn't know was that a burrow had been dug under his bed, and every day, Xiao Bu Dian slept there, feeling unprecedented peace of mind.

Since that day, whenever Xiao Bu Dian encountered a rabbit in the wild, he could force himself to suppress his instincts, waiting for an opportunity, instead of acting like a reckless brute who pounced immediately.

Half a year later, Xiao Bu Dian began to absorb Spiritual Qi, and his strength rapidly increased among the surrounding savage beasts. From time to time, he would pick Spirit Fruits and bring them back to Father Jiang.

But Father Jiang couldn't bear to eat any of them, peeling them all for him to eat, saying that it was dangerous outside and that he should go less to find such things, and hide them well instead.

That warmth of being loved and trusted, indescribable in words, was deeply embedded in Jiang Hanwen's heart.

He began to understand why Xiao Bu Dian, despite his high Realm, would cling to his father like a tail, acting afraid of wooden sticks and needing to eat Spiritual Plants when injured, with incredibly superb acting skills.

Because he, too, is a living being, with emotions and a Soul.

In Xiao Bu Dian's world, the whole world stood against him, and only one person, one pair of hands, silently supported him, believed in him, allowing him to face any storm without fear.

For Xiao Bu Dian, his father was the only beam of light in endless darkness.

His father not only saved him from the villagers but also brought him back to life from his killing instincts, and even saved his entire race.

As the saying goes, 'you reap what you sow.' His father, long before saving him, had planted the sapling of this towering tree. What Jiang Hanwen saw was merely the blossoming and fruiting... The scene disappeared, his vision returned to the basement, and Jiang Hanwen opened his eyes.

Xiao Bu Dian's revelation, allowing him to see his past, was essentially to explain that he would never harm him or his father.

From Xiao Bu Dian's perspective, his father's position in his heart was exactly the same as his own, or even surpassed it.

Because if he remembered correctly, Xiao Bu Dian seemed to dislike Xiao Lingtong getting close to his father.

Was this jealousy, only allowing himself to be loved?

Thinking of that bloody instinct, Jiang Hanwen again felt that Xiao Bu Dian's ability to control his murderous desires and not kill his son was quite impressive.

That murderous desire was abnormal. Was it related to the man holding the scepter in the sky?

And what did that word “Punishment” mean?

Jiang Hanwen had too many questions in his heart, but today's goal had been achieved.

The huge stone in his heart fell; in short, it was good to be safe.

As past memories flowed, Xiao Bu Dian also relived his history.

The mighty Black Dragon stared directly at Jiang Hanwen, not hiding the jealousy in his eyes:

“Do you know why I dislike you?

Because in his heart, your status will always be higher than mine!”

Jiang Hanwen said nothing, secretly pleased in his heart. Nonsense, that's his own father. Although both of us are adopted, according to the order of arrival, you can at most be ranked second.

He was probably not just annoyed with him; this old fellow probably wanted to kill him too, but restrained himself because of his father.

In a daze, he remembered why Xiao Bu Dian secretly ate Spiritual Plants everywhere when he came to the Medicine Field.

Could it be that he couldn't kill people, so he settled for the next best thing? From that time on, Xiao Bu Dian was jealous and targeted his Spiritual Plants, weaving an opportunity to destroy his Spiritual Plants?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was highly probable.

What a cunning old fox, truly insidious, even better at feigning pity than himself, a green tea bitch!

Jiang Hanwen didn't want to bring up the topic of jealousy, nor did he dare to.

He had experienced that bloodthirsty instinct, which was completely beyond his control. It was better to change the topic, lest he become the first immortal in history to die from talking too much. He couldn't let down the old bookworms.

“Aren't you going to introduce Xiao Lingtong's mother to my father?” he asked.

“His mother died in childbirth after giving birth to him.”

Jiang Hanwen was stunned. This... this... He had a swear word in his heart, wondering whether to say it or not.

Well done, both of you father and son are masters, lying without even blinking.

His son told him that his mother found him sparring partners, beating him until he cried.

His father said his mother died early. How should I continue the conversation?

Waiting online, it's urgent.

Eh, no, it seems his father also lied to him to prevent him from worrying.

Like father, like son; a rat's son can dig holes. Have I, the honest young master praised throughout the ten-mile radius, become an outsider?

If it wasn't his mother, then it must have been his father.

Jiang Hanwen asked doubtfully:

“Did you make him suffer bullying from other savage beasts in the mountains?”

Xiao Bu Dian nodded, saying extremely indifferently:

“Our race is on the verge of extinction. If he cannot Awaken his ancestral bloodline, it would be more comfortable to die.”

He's quite ruthless. No wonder when he mentioned Xiao Bu Dian, Xiao Lingtong's eyes seemed to hold hatred. It turns out his biological father treated him like an enemy.

How was this kind of behavior any different from Zhuang Xian of the Zhuang family?

But when Xiao Bu Dian mentioned his race, Jiang Hanwen shut his mouth.

Although their relationship was decent, he wasn't his father and wouldn't be a good Samaritan.

Moreover, at the level of race, it would likely be impossible to explain in a few words.

As a small Qi Induction cultivator, he should just manage his own affairs and speak less.

“Hmph!

Are you going to interfere?” Xiao Bu Dian crossed his arms, two blue-black flamesEjection from his nostrils, looking at Jiang Hanwen mockingly.

“Hehe, just kidding.”

Jiang Hanwen turned to explain why he had suspected Xiao Bu Dian this time.

The fundamental reason was the conflict between the Mystic Ice Jade Lion and the tiger the other party mentioned, which led him to investigate.

“Only those without ability care about such details.” Xiao Bu Dian disdainfully rolled his eyes at Jiang Hanwen, his massive body gradually shrinking back to its adorable appearance.

Don't care about details?

Heh heh, is this the pride of your race, even when you're almost wiped out?

A thousand-mile dam is destroyed by an ant's nest.

How many fatal mistakes in this world begin with a tiny, imperceptible oversight, like a grain of sand?

Jiang Hanwen was too lazy to refute; time would prove everything.

“Oh, by the way.”

He called out to Xiao Bu Dian, and said seriously: “If Xiao Lingtong really can't Awaken his ancestral bloodline, can you save his life?”

“What, if a useless person is saved, will you raise him?” Xiao Bu Dian still maintained that disdainful look, his icy eyes full of contempt.

Who can't talk big?

How many people dared to approach their cursed race?

And how many could always remain loyal, withstand endless temptations, and not expose them?

This “coward” in front of him would even scrutinize him for a grammatical error.

He was the most afraid of death, the most cowardly person of the Human Race he had ever seen, without exception!

Now, with the memory recall, the other party had also witnessed their race being suppressed. He probably wished he could take his father and leave, Xiao Bu Dian thought, feeling even more sorrowful.

If he were driven away, what would he do?

However, this time, Xiao Bu Dian was disappointed.

Jiang Hanwen not only didn't prevaricate but stepped forward, looking at him seriously and saying clearly and distinctly:

“I'll raise him!

As long as I have a bite to eat, he won't go hungry.

If Xiao Lingtong doesn't mind the hardship, I welcome him anytime!”

Jiang Hanwen thought very clearly: it was just raising him, not avenging their race.

Immortal Pills and Spirit Medicine were raising, and flatbread and porridge were also raising. Just as he said, as long as Xiao Lingtong was willing, he would always open his door.

Instead of being killed if the Awakening failed, it was better to raise him himself.

Xiao Lingtong was fond of him, and why wouldn't he care about this little fellow?

Now that he understood the cause and effect, he was probably Xiao Lingtong's only place to vent. If he didn't act, no one else in this world would care about Xiao Lingtong, who loved to bask in the sun and sleep with his belly patted.

However, the matter of Awakening concerned the race, and he knew his place; it was not something an outsider could interfere with. If he was a failed product, and Xiao Bu Dian didn't want him, he would!

He didn't care whether the other party was superior or inferior.

Clever children often fly from the nest; simple and honest grandchildren, however, stay close to their Elders.

Life isn't only about achieving success to be considered living. Why can't mutual companionship be enough?

He didn't expect the little fellow to be incredibly powerful or to help him in any way; he just wanted the little fellow to be happy.

Because he himself would eventually surpass everyone.

This was the confidence that longevity gave him!

What Jiang Hanwen didn't know was that at the same time he was speaking,

In a distant valley, in a space confined by gray Spiritual Qi, Xiao Lingtong looked up in surprise.

His eyes were fixed on the Dragon scales in front of him; he had heard all of Jiang Hanwen's words!

“Crack!”

In his heart, it was as if something had shattered, and a torrent of information rushed into his mind.

In the basement, Xiao Bu Dian stared at Jiang Hanwen for three breaths, a mocking sneer curling his lips as he scoffed:

“Nonsensical.”

After speaking, neither refusing nor agreeing, Xiao Bu Dian turned and walked up the stairs.

Jiang Hanwen didn't let go, shamelessly saying:

“If you don't refuse, I'll take it as your default. A gentleman's word, once spoken, cannot be retracted!”

As Jiang Hanwen's voice still echoed in the basement, Xiao Bu Dian had already left.

The moment he left the basement, in a place Jiang Hanwen couldn't see,

Xiao Bu Dian's lips curved upwards. He didn't know if he was happy with Jiang Hanwen's attitude, or happy that the two of them could continue to live in peace in the future?

Perhaps neither, or perhaps both.

The night passed without a word. The next day, on Jiang Hanwen's deadline, his doorway was already filled with people.

Elder of the Medicine Field, Lei He, Song Shuming;

Xiang Jie, the head of the guards, leading ten guards responsible for security;

Chen Hong, Chen Qingzhi's young daughter, from the accounting department;

Zhang Ping, a newcomer transferred from the book tower.

Everyone was waiting for him.

The strange thing was that the atmosphere on site was a bit awkward, and everyone was silent.