Accidentally invincible!

"Brother Lin, do you think we have some kind of fate with these small villages? This is already the second time we've hidden in one."

Reclining on a bamboo chair with his legs crossed, Qin Yang mused aloud.

The usually idle Qin Yang rarely had such leisure time to enjoy this kind of life.

Lin Fan basked in the mellow warmth of sunlight. "Every time we accomplish something big, we find a village to rest in for a while. Isn't that great? Besides, I can tell the village chief here is very hospitable. They treat us like ancestors they've waited forever to worship. When we leave, don't forget to leave some Immortal Stones for them."

At that moment—

The village chief arrived, carrying a small child and holding a lunchbox in his hands. "Honored Immortals, I've brought your meals."

The little girl accompanying them was also mistaken by the village chief as an Immortal, which explained his overly respectful attitude.

Although Lin Fan and the others intended to keep a low profile, their extraordinary presence made it impossible. The village chief figured out instantly that they were not ordinary people and began addressing them as "Immortal Masters."

"We appreciate the trouble you've gone to, Village Chief," Lin Fan said courteously.

Lin Fan rose and exchanged pleasantries with the chief. Even though they didn't actually need to eat, the ingredients were all grown personally by the villagers, free of any impurities. The surrounding bamboo forest was serene and lush, making the experience of enjoying a meal here utterly delightful.

The village chief said, "It's truly our village's greatest honor to have Immortal Masters grace our humble village. For an old man like me to look after you all—it must be a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes."

"You're too kind, much too kind," Lin Fan replied, pulling out several Immortal Stones and handing them to the chief. "Village Chief, please accept these, as payment for these past days. Don't refuse. If you get the chance, you can exchange these stones for supplies in town."

At first, the village chief refused, but after Lin Fan insisted several times, he reluctantly accepted the stones.

The chief was overwhelmed with gratitude—this was the demeanor of a true Immortal Master!

Their village had been here for ages and had naturally encountered many Immortals. However, most of them were indifferent, even disdainful, towards them. Rarely did they meet someone like Lin Fan, who treated them so generously.

At that moment—

The child who accompanied the chief suddenly dropped to his knees before Lin Fan with a thud. "Please, Immortal Master, take me as your disciple! I swear I will serve you loyally."

In the heart of this young boy lived the dream of roaming the heavens freely.

He wanted to become an Immortal.

The village chief was taken aback by the child's action and scolded him immediately. "What are you doing?! Do you even understand what it takes to become a disciple of an Immortal Master? Every one of them is a dragon among men! What makes you, a mere village boy, think you could dare entertain such a fantasy?"

Qin Yang narrowed his eyes and remarked, "I didn't think I'd ever witness a situation like this—but hey, why didn't he ask me to be his master? How odd."

"You?" Xiang Fei scoffed. "It's probably because the Immortal Realm would laugh itself to death if you were his master. I'm afraid even if that kid did become your disciple, he'd meet his doom faster than he'd learn anything. Tell someone you're Qin Yang's disciple, and they'd beat the poor soul up before asking who they offended."

Qin Yang protested indignantly, "Brother Xiang, you harbor some very deep misunderstandings about me!"

Lin Fan regarded the boy with a bemused look, then broke into a smile. "Village Chief, there's no need to overreact. A young man with ambition is admirable. Aiming to be a dragon among men is also a noble pursuit—so let's not discourage him."

The boy knelt, burying his forehead against his knees. His heart pounded with anxiety, unsure whether his wish would come true.

"You want me to be your master, to teach you Immortal Law. Since the first day we arrived, you've been bringing us wild game. You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?" Lin Fan asked with a light chuckle.

"Yes," the boy replied.

Lin Fan had long noticed the boy wandering around the mountains every day, catching wild game, only to deliver it dutifully to them.

"Sigh... I understand your heart, but unfortunately, I took a look just now. Though you are earnest, you lack the talent required for the Immortal Path. Even if I were to bring you into it, it would lead you nowhere fruitful—and it might even cost you your life."

Lin Fan saw deeply into the boy's aptitude—

It... wasn't great.

Pretty much useless.

The Immortal Path could only end in tragedy for him.

But the boy's determination did not waver. "Please, Immortal Master, teach me! I am willing to bear all consequences."

Qin Yang interjected, "Listen, kid, thoughts like that are very dangerous. The Immortal Path values talent above all. Without it, you'll remain at the very bottom forever. And trust me, becoming an Immortal is far from the rosy dream you're imagining."

"If I weren't forced down this path myself, in fact, I'd probably envy your carefree and idyllic life here in this Peach Blossom Spring."

Once again, Qin Yang started boasting.

"Forced down this path, huh."

For the boy, however, Qin Yang's words didn't matter. His expression remained steadfast. "I have a dream. I don't want to live my whole life like this—I want to take control of my destiny. Please, Immortal Master, I beg for your mercy. Grant me the Immortal Law."

Lin Fan stared at the boy. To have a dream was a beautiful thing. And though the boy's natural aptitude indeed left much to be desired, sometimes, such things were not the most important.

The village chief was now pacing in frantic circles, unable to see how the situation would turn out.

What if this boldness succeeded in angering the Immortals?

Lin Fan looked at the young boy and smiled gently before rising to his feet. The motion startled the village chief, who feared the Immortal might be offended. He began apologizing profusely, begging Lin Fan to forgive the boy.

Lin Fan felt a bit awkward at the chief's reaction. Did he really look like the kind of person who'd exact petty revenge on a mere child?

Patting the boy's head, Lin Fan said warmly, "It's true that you're not suited to the Immortal Path. Your aptitude limits what you can achieve. But I will give you an alternative path. I hope that someday, you won't regret the decision you make today."

Suddenly—

A surge of ethereal energy flowed into the boy's mind.

The knowledge was overwhelming.

Eyes wide, the boy's consciousness nearly shattered from the influx, and he fainted on the spot.

The village chief panicked, "Immortal Master!"

"It's fine," Lin Fan reassured him. "Don't worry. He'll be okay. Once he wakes up, tell him this—don't reveal his cultivation method to anyone and keep the source of his knowledge completely secret. Let him take this road on his own, without interference."

"Qin Yang, Xiang Fei, time for us to move on."

The time spent in this tranquil village had been pleasant, but it was about time for them to embark on another adventure.

Though puzzled, the chief could sense that Lin Fan had left something extraordinary behind for the boy.

"Farewell, farewell," Qin Yang said, dusting off his robes as he stood. Smirking, he added, "Village Chief, thanks for hosting us. That boy's got potential. If our Brother Lin took a liking to him, then he's bound to become somebody someday—so let him work hard."

Xiang Fei glanced at the boy, seeing no remarkable talent whatsoever. He couldn't help but wonder why Lin Fan had offered the boy such an opportunity. Did the boy's impassioned words move Lin Fan?

Perhaps.

But Xiang Fei doubted the boy would go far. Without talent, his aspirations would ultimately be crushed.

After some time—

The boy awoke. The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was to search frantically for the Immortal Masters, but they were gone. Only the village chief remained by his side.

"Village Chief, where are the Immortal Masters?"

"They've already left," the chief answered. "Before leaving, the Immortals asked me to tell you: do not share your cultivation method with anyone, nor mention your connection to them. The road ahead is yours to walk alone."

Standing there in a daze, the boy was motionless for a long time.

Finally—

His gaze firmed as he looked toward the distant horizon. Deep down, he made a silent vow: I will give it my all.

Far away—

"Brother Lin, was this a spur-of-the-moment decision, or do you truly believe that kid has potential?" Qin Yang asked.

Lin Fan chuckled. "What if I told you that boy might actually grow into someone remarkable? Would you believe me?"

Qin Yang rolled his eyes dramatically. "Believe you? How about no. If he becomes a formidable figure, then I, Qin Yang, would certainly ascend as an Immortal Venerable."

"Hey, don't be so skeptical. Who knows? You just might achieve that someday," Lin Fan replied, smirking. "If you cling to me tightly enough, I wouldn't be surprised if you manage it."

"Hahaha..." Qin Yang laughed heartily, pointing at Lin Fan. "Brother Lin, in all the time we've known each other, that might just be the most sensible thing you've ever said. Of course, I, Qin Yang, am destined to become an Immortal Venerable!"

Xiang Fei shook his head incredulously.

He didn't even know what to say anymore.

Qin Yang's personality was far from serious. If, by some madness, he did become an Immortal Venerable, it would undoubtedly plunge the Immortal Realm into chaos.

Then suddenly—

Something happened.

The heavens underwent a dramatic change. What had been a tranquil blue sky turned crimson, as if soaked with blood. The eerie redness spread across the heavens, terrifying in its intensity.

The group came to an immediate halt.

Their expressions hardened with caution.

"What's going on here? We weren't even out for long, and now we're caught up in this. Is it aimed at us, or did we happen to trespass on someone else's territory by chance?" Qin Yang asked.

Xiang Fei frowned in deep contemplation. Creating such a breathtaking transformation in the heavens required immense power—not something common folk could accomplish.

Was their whereabouts exposed?

Caw! Caw!

The sound of crows pierced the air.

A mass of blackness emerged in the bloody sky, growing larger as it approached. It was a flock of ravens—dozens, perhaps hundreds, their dark feathers casting a foreboding shadow.

Ravens were never good omens.

Whenever such gatherings occurred, it felt as if death itself were about to descend.

Qin Yang exclaimed, "Who's orchestrating these theatrics? This love for eerie dramatics is absurd."

But soon, his frustration turned into irritation.

"Who's hiding in the shadows? Do you know who I am? I am Qin Yang, Little Immortal Venerable of the Immortal Venerable Family!"

Qin Yang declared his identity boldly, hoping to intimidate them into submission.

After all, his name carried some weight.

Moments later—

A solitary raven feather drifted down from the bloody sky. Lin Fan reached out and caught it. But just as it landed in his hand, the feather emitted a dark glow and transformed into a prison—trapping Lin Fan inside.

More feathers followed.

Before long, both Qin Yang and Xiang Fei were also caged within similar prisons, unable to resist.

"Impressive," Qin Yang muttered, the surprise evident in his voice.

Lin Fan spoke calmly. "Since you've gone through the trouble of finding us, why not come out and meet us face-to-face?"

Soon after—

A raspy voice echoed from afar. "It was you who killed my son. Yet, judging by your appearances, you seem entirely unremarkable. How could you have possibly done it? It seems to be your doing, does it not..."

A shadowed figure emerged.

An elderly man sat cross-legged in midair. A scarlet cloth spread before him, laden with various bizarre artifacts.

The old man's gaze fixed directly on Qin Yang, who claimed to hail from the Immortal Venerable Family.

PS: About the new book mentioned yesterday—that was just a fleeting idea in my head. This story still has a long way to go. No need to rush.