22: Three little bumpkins

"I want a big windmill. The one Brother bought for me is broken."

"Alright, alright! Grandma will buy you a big windmill, hehehe!" Bai Luolan beamed from ear to ear as she stroked her granddaughter's head, her face filled with affection.

Jiang Shanba also walked over and said with a chuckle, "Hehehe! I am your grandfather. I've been looking forward to this for many years, and I've finally met you all."

Jiang Ye gave him a thumbs up and smiled. "Grandpa! You were so domineering just now! You scared those people so much they didn't even dare to make a move."

"Hahaha! You're also very impressive. I heard you Cultivate very quickly." Jiang Shanba patted Jiang Ye on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration.

"Me? With my meager strength, I can't even make a move in front of you. I still need to work hard on my cultivation; otherwise, I won't dare to go anywhere." Jiang Ye scratched his head, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.

"Then what Realm have you cultivated to now?" Jiang Shanba asked curiously.

"I'm only at the fifth stage of the Earth Profound Realm. I'm still far behind you all," Jiang Ye replied truthfully.

"What?" Jiang Shanba and the others were shocked. Jiang Shanba's eyes widened. "Little Ye, if Grandpa remembers correctly, you're only thirteen this year, right?"

"Yes, I'm thirteen years and two months old now," Jiang Ye nodded.

"This... hehehe! Let's go. Today, our family will have a good meal together." Jiang Shanba laughed heartily, his eyes filled with pride.

"Okay. Last time I brought back a Tiger Demon; the three families haven't even finished eating it yet," Jiang Ye said with a smile.

Jiang Shanba laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Little Ye, you really are amazing. When Grandpa was your age, I couldn't compare to you at all."

"Oh, that's because my body is a bit different," Jiang Ye said casually.

"Shut up!" Jiang Shanba suddenly became stern, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority. "Your body is not different. You are just an ordinary Martial Artist! You are this powerful only because of your hard work. Remember your grandfather's words well!"

"Oh... I... I'll remember. It's only because I've been cultivating very hard." Jiang Ye was startled by his sudden sternness and nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Bai Luolan couldn't help but scold, "You old geezer! Can't you speak nicely? Why are you being so fierce with a child!"

"Alright, alright, let's get ready to eat!" Jiang Lingyi, fearing they might start arguing, quickly came over to mediate.

The family had a harmonious reunion, and everyone was beaming with joy during the meal.

---

The next day, the three of them set off for Tianlian City, the closest city to them, to participate in the Sect's new Disciple selection, planning to join a Sect together.

Half a day later, they arrived at Tianlian City. Upon entering, the three were shocked by the bustling scene before them. Shi Bao's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! The city is really different. It's so beautiful! Our small town can't compare at all."

"Tch! Three little country bumpkins, making a fuss over nothing!" A youth a few years older than them walked past and couldn't help but sneer upon hearing Shi Bao's words.

"Huh? Who are you? What we say is none of your damn business!" Shi Bao frowned and retorted rudely.

"I am the Third Young Master of the Zhou Family, Zhou Xuan. Is this your first time in the city?" The youth tilted his chin up, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"What's wrong with it being our first time?" Shi Bao shot back defiantly.

"You must have come from some backwater mountain gully to participate in the Sect's new Disciple test, right?" Zhou Xuan sneered.

Just then, several other youths around the same age as Zhou Xuan arrived. One of them mocked, "Yo! Isn't this our Third Young Master Zhou? Birds of a feather really do flock together. You're a piece of trash, and the people you know are just as trashy."

Zhou Xuan's face darkened, and he shouted angrily, "Say that again!"

"So what if I say it again? Trash is trash!" The youth was completely dismissive of his anger.

Seeing this, Jiang Ye suddenly placed a hand on Zhou Xuan's shoulder and said with a smile, "How about we give them a good thrashing for you, and you take us to a restaurant for a meal?"

"Huh?" Zhou Xuan was stunned for a moment, looking confused, but then he nodded. "Fine!"

"Hahaha! I'll beat you to death!" Shi Bao laughed loudly and suddenly charged toward those people.

"Damn it! Fatty Bao, you're always the one showing off." Shi Feng was half a beat slow to react but quickly joined in. The two moved swiftly, and in an instant, they knocked down all the youths who were several years older than them, their screams rising one after another.

Jiang Ye stood where he was and shrugged helplessly. "It was my idea, yet I didn't even get to do anything before you guys beat me to it. Zhou-whatever, take us to eat!"

Zhou Xuan looked at the people wailing on the ground, rushed over to give them a few hard kicks, and sneered, "Let's go! We're going to eat."