Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 141: Taking a Disciple

Tian Fan had just turned around, ready to say something to the villagers, when the entire village suddenly knelt down before him. Even He Ying’s younger brother, He Jun, was pulled down to his knees.

“What are you all doing?!”

Tian Fan was startled and hurried over to the elderly folks at the front.

“Thank you, Brother Tian Fan, for ridding us of that great evil. From now on, we can finally live in peace,” said the village chief, Old He, with great emotion.

“Please, everyone, don’t do this. Uncle Feng, Uncle Li, Old He—please get up. This is shortening my lifespan! How could I possibly bear this?”

Tian Fan quickly helped the elderly men up from the ground. Having a group of white-haired elders kneeling before him—he was terrified of being struck by lightning for such a thing.

“Uncle Li, let me take a look at your body.”

Tian Fan gently took the bloodstained hand of Old Li. A faint silver light emerged and flowed into the old man’s body. The sacred aura it carried made everyone nearby feel warm and comforted.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Li… Ah Huang…”

Tian Fan looked at the big yellow dog lying on the ground, a hint of guilt in his voice. He didn’t have the power to bring the dead back to life.

“It’s not your fault, child. It’s those evil people to blame!”

Old Li stared at the lifeless Ah Huang, grief welling up in his aged eyes. Tian Fan could only offer comfort—there was nothing more he could do. The rest of the villagers also gathered around to console the old man. They buried Ah Huang outside the village, and only when Old Li’s emotions had settled did everyone return.

“Haha, let’s have another celebration tonight!” said Old Feng with a hearty smile. Over the past few days, he had grown fond of Tian Fan and recognized him as someone who respected his elders and cared for the young.

“Of course!”

That evening, the village was lively and festive. Everyone gathered in the clearing, roasting game, drinking wine, and enjoying themselves.

“Brother Tian Fan, are you really an immortal!?”

He Jun looked up at him with wide, sparkling eyes full of admiration.

“I’m just like you all, an ordinary person—just someone who knows a bit about cultivation and a few small spells,” Tian Fan replied with a smile.

The villagers were simple and sincere, chatting happily among themselves. During their conversations, Tian Fan mentioned he would soon be leaving. Everyone was reluctant and tried their best to persuade him to stay.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’d love to stay, but there’s something very important I have to do.”

“It’s alright, child. This place was never meant for you. There’s a greater world waiting out there for you. You’re destined for an extraordinary life.”

Old Feng’s eyes grew distant as he spoke. Then he stood and walked home, returning not long after with a small wine jar. The rich aroma of the wine drifted far and wide.

“You old fox, you’re actually willing to bring that out!”

An elder of similar age looked at him in surprise. Clearly, the wine was extremely precious—something even the owner was reluctant to drink under normal circumstances.

Old Feng and Tian Fan drank with a few other elders, saying their goodbyes. He Jun kept running over to talk to Tian Fan, clearly in awe of him. Time passed quickly, and by the time dawn was nearing, most villagers had already gone to bed.

Tian Fan still sat alone by the sea, gazing into the distance. He hadn’t expected that such a miraculous event would be hidden near this remote little village. Now that he had obtained the Wind Spirit Pearl, it was time to leave.

“Brother Tian Fan…”

A boy’s voice called from behind. Tian Fan turned to see He Jun and his sister standing nearby. He smiled and waved them over.

“Are you really leaving?”

He Jun, now nearly sixteen, squatted beside him and looked up earnestly. “Brother Tian Fan, can you please stay? Stay and live with us.”

He Ying immediately pulled her brother back. Just as Old Feng had said, someone like Tian Fan could never stay in a small place like this. His life was destined for greatness, not obscurity.

“But I don’t want him to leave…”

“If I could, I’d love to stay. But I have something really important to do, so I can’t remain here. Once everything is done, I’ll come visit you all.”

Tian Fan smiled gently and looked out over the horizon, his gaze seeming to pierce through time and space into some unknown region.

“Good luck! We’ll all be rooting for you. You’ll definitely succeed!” He Ying said, knowing he was going to save someone very important to him.

“Thank you.” He smiled, then gently patted He Jun’s head. “Hey, little guy—anything you want to say?”

“N-No…”

He Jun immediately looked away, embarrassed.

“Just say it already. Once morning comes, he’ll be gone, and you won’t get another chance.”

“I… I…”

He Jun’s face turned red, like a ripe tomato, struggling to speak.

“Alright, I’ll say it for you. He wants to be your disciple and learn martial arts from you.”

“Sister!”

He Jun’s face flushed even deeper.

“You want to learn martial arts?”

Tian Fan had already guessed his intention, but still asked gently.

“I… I do…”

He Jun spoke shyly, like a child not yet grown. Tian Fan looked at him without replying immediately, his gaze drifting to the side.

“It’s okay if you say no, I won’t blame you.”

Seeing Tian Fan’s silence, He Jun spoke with disappointment in his voice.

“Xiao Jun, why do you want to learn martial arts? What’s your purpose?” Tian Fan asked with a soft smile.

“I want to protect everyone. I want to be strong like you, so no one in the village ever gets bullied again!”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Tian Fan fell silent. So that was his reason. He simply wanted to protect those around him. In this world, how many people still remembered such simple, pure motivations? Most cultivated for longevity, for fame and fortune. Few realized the people closest to them were what mattered most.

“He Jun, remember this one word. Just one is enough,” Tian Fan said seriously.

“What word?”

“Kindness.”

With that, Tian Fan pointed a finger. 

A mysterious blue light entered He Jun’s forehead. At the same time, he raised his right hand, covering He Jun in a golden glow. The boy’s body trembled, and sweat beaded on his forehead. Black, sticky filth began to seep out from his body as Tian Fan used his peak-level Cloud Heaven cultivation to cleanse him.

He raised his left hand toward the river, and a wave of water gently lifted and washed He Jun’s body clean before retracting again.

“Wow, I feel so light!”

He Jun opened his eyes, looked at his hands, and lightly jumped—over five meters high! 

He Ying gasped, startled, and looked at her brother with envy. 

Tian Fan smiled, then raised his right hand again, enveloping her in golden light.

“My techniques aren’t suitable for you two. The cultivation method now in your minds is the foundational technique of the Great Sealing Sect. If you ever get the chance, go to the Great Sealing Sect and tell them you’re friends of Tian Fan. That place, like here, is a warm and caring family. The sect master and disciples there will treat you well.”

Tian Fan’s expression turned nostalgic.

As the first rays of sunlight reached the little village, Tian Fan quietly stepped away.

“Take care, Master!”

He Jun’s voice echoed behind him. He knelt down and gave Tian Fan three loud kowtows from afar.

Tian Fan turned back one last time to look at the small village, gave the siblings a gentle wave, and slowly walked off toward the distance…