Fu Young was supposed to show his Master how manly he was! How had he ended up acting like a spoiled child again, just as he had in his childhood?
At this rate, when would his Master finally see him as a grown man?
Thinking about this, Fu Young felt utterly dejected as he rubbed his head against Xiao Shou’s shoulder. Strangely, his physical and mental exhaustion seemed to disappear completely.
Although Xiao Shou had warned him that Tushan Shanhe would be angry, he knew perfectly well that Fu Young’s bloodline ability had been responsible for catalyzing the osmanthus tree’s growth. Once Fu Young withdrew that power, the tree was bound to wither. Tushan Shanhe had nothing to do with it.
Nevertheless, Xiao Shou hadn’t accused Fu Young of doing anything wrong. He had merely pointed out that Tushan Shanhe would be upset.
After everything that had happened, Xiao Shou understood the principle that possessing a valuable treasure could bring disaster upon its owner. The osmanthus tree had been far too conspicuous.
It could easily attract the attention of powerful cultivators in this unfamiliar realm. Only someone as powerful as Tushan Shanhe, backed by the Heavenly Fox Clan, could withstand such scrutiny.
However, Fu Young had used this same divine ability outside the Holy City before. Although the scale had been much smaller then, the sect masters were no ordinary people. They would certainly notice the connection between the two incidents.
What if they betrayed Young’er when that happened?
Xiao Shou, unaware of the thoughts currently filling his beloved disciple’s mind, couldn’t help worrying.
"Quite a few people have seen you use this divine ability before. What if they betray you?"
There was already a precedent for this. Hadn’t the dignified Sect Master of the Celestial Truth Sect betrayed his own people just to survive at the hands of an immortal? If he was capable of doing that, the sect masters and leaders of other sects might do the same. As long as the benefits were great enough, why would they keep a secret that so many people already knew? Xiao Shou considered this a very real possibility.
Hearing this, Fu Young smiled and leaned closer to Xiao Shou, replying through telepathic transmission.
"Your concerns are reasonable, Master, but you’ve overlooked a few things. First, you’re a member of the Heavenly Fox Clan. Most people will probably assume that since we’re of the same clan, any secret technique I can use must naturally be one that you can use as well.
"Second, I’m your only personal disciple. Even if I didn’t share your Terestrial Fox bloodline, it would still make sense for you to have taught me some of your clan’s secret techniques.
"Third, the power of the divine ability I used outside the Holy City that day was nothing compared to the power required to protect an entire realm while transporting it through the passage. No cultivator would assume that the two abilities were equally powerful.
"Fourth, during this time, while protecting the Heaven Origin Realm and helping it ascend into the Spirit Realm, I never revealed my connection to this withered osmanthus tree in front of anyone except you.
"For all four reasons, they won’t suspect me. They’ll only associate the tree with the most powerful person connected to it."
This was also why Fu Young had revealed himself only to people who were absolutely certain to die otherwise.
"Young’er, don’t tell me you foresaw that this situation might arise back then, which is why you deliberately kept yourself hidden? And was even what you just said something you’d prepared in advance?"
The more Xiao Shou thought about it, the more astonishing it seemed.
At such a critical moment, his beloved disciple had arrived, immediately protected Xiao Shou and the Heaven Origin Realm, and driven the immortal away. Yu Lin’s whereabouts were still unknown, yet Fu Young had somehow also found the time to consider the problems the Heaven Origin Realm might face after ascending into the Spirit Realm.
His ability to think things through was practically heaven-defying. It was almost too impressive!
Xiao Shou couldn’t help feeling inferior. Was this extraordinary foresight perhaps the special advantage granted to the protagonist of a certain book? If Xiao Shou, a mere cannon fodder character, was a little less clever and a little more foolish, wasn’t that perfectly normal?
He comforted himself with this sort of self deprecating reasoning, while growing increasingly curious about the book in which his beloved disciple was supposedly the protagonist.
Oh no! He showed off too much!
Fu Young exclaimed inwardly. Outwardly, however, he remained perfectly composed, putting on the appearance of an obedient, well behaved disciple who was simply exhausted and wanted to sleep.
He muttered something and changed the subject.
"How could that be? Master... I’m so tired! When can we rest?"
"Hmph! You’re trying to fool me again. As if I’d believe you!"
Although Xiao Shou said that, he immediately wrapped an arm around Fu Young and tilted his head toward the sky.
"Just be patient a little longer. Let’s wait for Great-Granduncle Shanhe to come down and hear what he has to say. I’ll probably have to wait quite a while before I can rest."
"Master, why are you looking at the sky?"
Fu Young was momentarily confused by Xiao Shou’s reaction.
"Uh..." Xiao Shou’s face reddened. "I’ve been cultivating inside Yaoyao’s internal space all these days. After she advanced, the time ratio inside increased even further. So, over the past twelve days... I’ve advanced to the Deity Transformation Stage."
Xiao Shou felt rather embarrassed as he recalled how he had desperately increased his cultivation, preparing to take over and protect the Heaven Origin Realm if his beloved disciple could no longer hold on. In his haste, he had completely forgotten that his disciple never did anything unless he was confident he could succeed.
Feeling awkward, Xiao Shou continued, "Anyway, I’m waiting for my heavenly tribulation to arrive. But could it be because the Heaven Origin Realm’s realm membrane is damaged and the Heavenly Dao is incomplete? This time, the tribulation is taking unusually long to descend. It’s been quite a while, and there’s still no sign of it."