31: Jumping into the well

One could still see him with the naked eye, but they could not perceive his aura.

The Wristband was now on Li Haotian's wrist. With this thing, it would be much easier to infiltrate the Zhang family estate.

After a few Cultivators escorted Li Haotian to the gate of the Zhang family estate, they hurried away. Li Haotian sensed the estate briefly and found no Formation present. Only then did he carefully scale the wall, hiding his aura, and quietly entered the Zhang family estate.

The Zhang family members had only just left the entrance, and the entire courtyard was now empty, save for Zhang Hai alone.

He sat by the well, silently watching the moon reflected in the well water, a look of helplessness on his face.

He had accomplished nothing; what could he use to win tomorrow's battle? And what could he use to protect his father's position as the family head?

He was once seen as the pride of the entire family, but now, the whole family avoided him, unwilling to be associated with such a useless Prodigy.

He had originally thought he could hatch that natal beast and turn the tide against adversity, but he had failed. This meant that everything he currently possessed would be stripped away.

Soon, Li Haotian spotted Zhang Hai sitting by the courtyard. Having seen the photo included with the System's Disciple-recruitment target, he recognized the boy at a glance.

Zhang Hai swung his legs idly, looking as if he were about to commit suicide. Li Haotian was slightly startled; even a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse would drown if they jumped into the water.

"No!"

Li Haotian stomped his right foot hard, reaching out toward Zhang Hai. Zhang Hai had been enjoying the moon when he suddenly heard a shout from behind. Turning around, he saw a masked figure in black lunging at him. He was so startled that he lost his balance and fell straight into the well.

Li Haotian was shocked and hurriedly used his spiritual power to fish him out. Although this child had a difficult background, how could his Heart-Nature be so weak? To jump into a well over something like this—thank goodness he had arrived in time!

"You!"

Zhang Hai wanted to say something, but his mouth was clamped shut. He felt a surging power from the other person, something he could not resist at all. Soon, Zhang Hai was dragged into his own room by the other party.

Li Haotian's face was full of displeasure. If not for the System's recommendation, he truly would not want to take this kid as a Disciple. With such a Heart-Nature, how could he Cultivate in the future?

After entering the room, he lay down on the other's bed on his own accord, a look of dissatisfaction on his face, and just watched Zhang Hai.

Zhang Hai was unnerved by the other's stare. He knew that in front of such a Powerhouse, he had no way to resist, so he could only grit his teeth hard.

"Senior, you and I have no grudges; why would you harm me today?"

A giant question mark appeared over Li Haotian's head. When had he harmed him?

"I was saving you just now. You were trying to jump into the well for no reason; if I hadn't saved you, you would have drowned."

A giant question mark likewise appeared over Zhang Hai's head. When was he trying to jump into the well?

"Senior, is there some misunderstanding? I was sitting by the well just to look at the moon reflected in it; I had no intention of jumping into the well. It was Senior who suddenly appeared and startled me, scaring me straight into the well."

After Zhang Hai finished speaking, Li Haotian's expression became a bit strange, but he said nothing. Perhaps he had been too impatient just now and misunderstood the other's intentions.

"If Senior was just kindly saving me, then thank you for your good intentions. Now, please, Senior, leave; I need to rest."

Zhang Hai looked at the other party with some worry. Was the other party here to eye his egg?

He had almost finished incubating it; if it were snatched away by the other party, that would be a huge loss!

Li Haotian shook his head.

"I have no interest in your egg, but I am interested in you..."

Zhang Hai fearfully covered his collar.

"Senior, even if I am down on my luck now, and our Zhang family is very down on its luck, I will absolutely not sell my body!"

Zhang Hai curled up in the corner, shivering, looking at Li Haotian in terror.

Li Haotian: ...

"What are you thinking, kid? Am I that kind of person?"

Li Haotian rolled his eyes in frustration, but Zhang Hai's vigilance toward him did not relax at all.

There are many perverts in the Cultivation world, and among them are quite a few Devil Heads who have a penchant for the same sex and love to have relations with those Prodigies.

It did not seem impossible that the other party would settle for someone like him—a former Prodigy.

"This Seat comes from the Heavenly Profound Sect. I descended the mountain to travel, took a liking to your talent, and wish to take you as a Disciple. Put away your thoughts; do not miss out on this Opportunity I am offering, or you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Zhang Hai was stunned.

"Please, Senior, show the Heavenly Profound Sect Token."

Li Haotian speechlessly tossed the golden Token in his hand over.

The moment the Heavenly Profound Sect Token was in his hand, Zhang Hai felt as if he were in a golden ocean, with towering mountain peaks standing before him.

Counting carefully, there were 108 peaks in total. In front of him stood a massive stone tablet, upon which were written the three large characters: "Heavenly Profound Sect"!

One of these 108 peaks radiated a brilliant golden light, shining and shimmering, looking exquisite and magnificent. This was the Spirit Gathering Peak where Li Haotian resided.

Emerging from the illusion, Zhang Hai respectfully offered the Token back with both hands.

"This Junior is ignorant and did not recognize Senior; please, Senior, forgive me."

The identity Token was enough to prove that the other party had not deceived him about his identity. Furthermore, this golden Token seemed to represent a significant status within the Heavenly Profound Sect, and the towering mountain peak that had lit up must be where this Senior belonged.

"Since you know my identity, why haven't you knelt down and kowtowed to accept me as your master?"

Li Haotian looked at the guy impatiently; he could finally have another Disciple, so it was better to get it done quickly.

Zhang Hai, however, shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Forget it, Senior. This Junior knows that my talent is dull; there is no way I can become Senior's Disciple. Perhaps a few years ago, when I was at the height of my fame, I could have become Senior's Disciple, but now, if I were to enter under Senior's tutelage, it would only bring shame to Senior's reputation."

Li Haotian was quite satisfied; this guy actually knew to consider him.

"Heh, no matter how the world judges you, as long as you are willing to enter under my tutelage, you can become my Disciple. The tongues of the world are not everything. This Seat has always only looked at talent when taking in Disciples, not at Cultivation, nor at background. If you are willing, you can simply kneel and bow right now. Think carefully; this is an invitation from the Heavenly Profound Sect, and I am one of the dignified Chiefs of the 108 peaks of the Heavenly Profound Sect!"