Invincible Dad

"You're finally here."

Tan Chang narrowed his eyes. "I've been waiting for you for a full four hours!"

Xu Lai replied indifferently, "It was too hot during the day. My daughter didn't want to go out."

Tan Chang stared, dumbfounded. "Then why didn't you tell me in advance? You made me waste my time here."

"You didn't ask."

Tan Chang was speechless. You make a good point, but I still want to beat you to death.

Xu Yiyi blinked her big, sparkling eyes. While nibbling on a piece of cloud candy, she said, "Daddy, this old grandpa is so weird."

Old grandpa...

Tan Chang nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His lifespan had been shortened from constantly using the Hiding Technique, but he was still only in his thirties. Even if he looked a bit haggard, he couldn't look *that* old, could he?!

"Xu Lai, your daughter's words are as sweet as honey," Tan Chang said, raising an eyebrow, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction.

Before Xu Lai could even speak, Xu Yiyi chirped happily, "In that case, I'll talk even more!"

She's definitely Xu Lai's biological daughter! One is more infuriating than the other.

Tan Chang was seething, almost suffering internal injuries from the frustration. He said, "I came to find you today to tell you something. Even though you helped me ascend to the Martial Ancestor realm and extended my life, I fear I only have about twenty-five years left. I will serve you for ten years. After that, you must grant me my freedom!"

A Martial Ancestor could ride the clouds and mists, possessing limitless Divine Skills. Starting from the Seventh Grade, each major Boundary ascended would add twenty years to one's lifespan. If a cultivator could reach Ninth Grade, the pinnacle of the upper three grades, their life could be extended by sixty years—a full sixty years!

However, various complications could arise during cultivation, from hidden injuries to using life-draining Cultivation Techniques. Therefore, it was rare for even a Martial Arts Grandmaster to live past the age of one hundred and fifty.

"Agreed," Xu Lai nodded.

Ten years was more than enough.

In truth, Xu Lai was already invincible in this world. Even an Upper-Grade Martial Ancestor couldn't harm Yiyi in the slightest. The main reason Xu Lai was willing to employ Tan Chang was simply that some matters were too tedious for him to handle personally. After all, when some weaklings came to kidnap or assassinate Yiyi, the Lord of the Four Immortal Domains and Supreme Emperor of the Heavenly Court couldn't be expected to personally intervene every time, could he?

"Then it's settled."

Tan Chang nodded with satisfaction. Ten years was more than enough to repay the favor. For the remaining fifteen years, he would be a revered Martial Ancestor, standing at the pinnacle of the world and free to roam as he pleased!

However, if the countless trillions of people across the Immortal Domains and the Universe's many star systems knew of Tan Chang's thoughts and decision, each one of them would likely spit on the ground enough to drown him. Forget a mere ten years; countless people would willingly serve as a slave for ten thousand or even a hundred thousand years.

That was The Supreme Emperor Xu Lai, after all!

Putting aside the unprecedented and likely unrepeatable achievement of uniting the Four Immortal Domains and establishing the supreme Heavenly Court, there was more. By his power alone, he had elevated the Human Race from its rank of 1,300,000—near the very bottom of the species cultivation ladder—all the way to first place in a mere thirty thousand years. That alone was enough to make him the number one emperor in a hundred trillion years.

Undisputed!

"Also, what Boundary are you at?"

Tan Chang gave Xu Lai a deep look. He knew that an ordinary Martial Ancestor could not have helped someone cross the threshold from the peak of the Sixth Grade. A person like that was destined to become a legend! But why was there no mention of Xu Lai in the Martial Dao World? A powerhouse like that, no matter how low-profile, couldn't possibly be nameless.

Xu Lai just smiled without answering. Instead, he took Xu Yiyi's hand and said with a smile, "Yiyi, let Daddy sing you a little song."

"Okay!"

"Grant me a bout of drunkenness, for the coming days are without flavor. A thousand-mile journey, long and distant... with no one to ascend the heights with me..." Xu Lai's voice drifted over slowly.

To Xu Yiyi, her father's voice was simply nice to listen to; the meaning was lost on her. But Tan Chang perceived the profound loneliness of an existence that was already invincible.

No one to ascend the heights with me... What astounding arrogance! Even a Great Martial Sect at the peak of Ninth Grade wouldn't dare say such a thing, would they?

He suddenly slapped his forehead, his eyes flashing with enlightenment as a realization dawned on him.

Xu Lai is also a Martial Ancestor, but he's at most a Seventh Grade like me. But that song... it's a hint! His father, or perhaps his master, must be—a Great Martial Sect! Now, Tan Chang understood why Xu Lai had become a Martial Ancestor in his early twenties, a feat unheard of in the Martial Dao World for three hundred years. He also understood how Xu Lai had managed to transform moonlight into butterflies that day—a Great Martial Sect must have been helping him from the shadows! And the reason for all this? Xu Lai must be the descendant or disciple of some Great Martial Sect! Why else would he sing of drunkenness and a long journey? It's obvious! For some reason, he was cast out and forced to wander!

No wonder, no wonder...

Tan Chang couldn't help but be impressed by his own genius. What a waste it was to have served as a shadow for the Jiang Family for over twenty years. He should have been their chief strategist! If he had been, the Jiang Family would have long since become the leader of the Martial Dao World, supplanting the Ji Family! Perhaps that hidden Great Grandmaster also recognized my potential and intellect, which is why he had Xu Lai help me...

Tan Chang clasped his hands together and shouted loudly, "Tan Chang thanks the elder for his guidance! I will never reveal your relationship with Xu Lai!"

In the distance, another mother hastily led her child away in a wide arc. Even the old men playing chess a few meters away looked at Tan Chang with pity.

"The poor kid. Not only is he ugly, but he also mutters to himself. There must be something wrong with his head."

"Exactly. Why else would he just stand there all afternoon?"

Tan Chang snorted coldly. A bunch of short-sighted mortals. Not worth my time.

He strode toward Xu Lai and said with a grave tone, "I understand your plight. I will protect your daughter. It is my mission!"

Xu Lai was completely baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"I understand. You can't reveal your true identity. Give me one more day. I will go to Shushan and carve my name onto the Sky Ranking. Starting tomorrow, I will be your daughter's shadow." Tan Chang's expression was solemn. "Whether you are wandering the world or shouldering some great mission, I will assist you for the next ten years!"

After speaking, Tan Chang made a fist with his left hand and held it out horizontally before him. This was a Martial Dao salute. Originally, Martial Artists would perform this salute toward their elders or masters, but it had gradually evolved into a gesture performed only when one truly acknowledged another Martial Artist.

Although Xu Lai was utterly baffled, he simply nodded. "Alright..."

Tan Chang departed, heading for the mountain that held Shushan's Sky Ranking.

「September 6th. Sunday, overcast.」

Men, women, and children of all ages gathered around Shushan. They were all Martial Artists who had received news about the 'Sword Peak' and had come to witness it. The Sword Peak, from the moment it appeared, had shaken the Martial Dao World with its powerful Sword Intent. It was also called the 'Sword Ranking' by countless sword practitioners.

Meanwhile, on the unnoticed summit of the Sky Ranking's mountain, a figure stood proudly. His Spiritual Power flared, coalescing into a colossal, ethereal dagger. On the peak, it carved two massive characters—

Tan Chang