Top-tier Unruly Master

Chapter 1433 - 1470: Outstanding Youth

For Ding Fan, he didn't want everyone to know his identity. Ding Fan knew he was already a thorn in the side of the Wild Wolf Gang. If they discovered his location, they would definitely come to eliminate him. Although Ding Fan wouldn't spare those cultivators from the Wild Wolf Gang, he knew he wasn't their match at this point. Ding Fan had previously seen the strength of the Wild Wolf Gang, and it was clear there were quite a few cultivators at the Nascent Soul Stage, and even some at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage.

Evidently, he was far inferior to them, and this time he was heading to Lan City to attend an auction, in hopes of finding the whereabouts of Gusu Qingwen. Therefore, Ding Fan did not want to expose his identity to avoid unnecessary troubles.

After traveling with this caravan for a while, Ding Fan discovered their destination was also Lan City. He quickly decided to travel with them since having company meant it wouldn't be so lonely. Additionally, Ding Fan could cultivate along the way without wasting time.

Wu Zun was overjoyed to learn that Ding Fan wanted to accompany them to Lan City. Traveling together meant more opportunities to interact. However, a thought crossed Wu Zun's mind, and he promptly went to Ding Fan's carriage to say:

"Brother Ding Lin, we're passing by my house. I wonder if you could come home with me, and after a short wait, we'll head to Lan City together?"

Ding Fan replied to him, saying,

"Sure."

For Ding Fan, traveling together had familiarized him with everyone, and since their final destination was the same, waiting for Wu Zun a little longer was not an issue.

After about a day and a half, Ding Fan and the group arrived at the home of the middle-aged man, Wu Zun.

Once at Wu Zun's house, Ding Fan, following the arrangements made by Wu Zun, entered several different rooms with the caravan cultivators. Soon, Ding Fan and the cultivators each went into their respective rooms. Ding Fan alone was given a room by Wu Zun's arrangement. Seeing Ding Fan's treatment, everyone was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Wu's Team to provide him a room on his own, clearly a far better arrangement than the rest.

The group didn't understand why Wu's Team showed such consideration towards Ding Fan, but having followed Wu Zun for many years, they trusted him greatly. They didn't have any reason to question his decisions. After a brief discussion, they all entered their rooms, of which one was large enough for several people without feeling crowded.

Meanwhile, Ding Fan promptly entered a room under Wu Zun's guidance.

"Brother Ding Fan, rest here for a bit. We might set out again soon! Sorry for the inconvenience, Brother Ding Fan."

Wu Zun spoke with a smile, tinged with a hint of guilt.

Ding Fan smiled casually at his words and politely replied, "Don't worry, you go ahead with your matters."

Thereafter, Wu Zun respectfully exited Ding Fan's room, closing the door behind him. Wu Zun knew that Ding Fan's abilities were probably above his own, yet he was so young—likely a promising disciple of the Great Gate Sect, possibly even a core disciple. Otherwise, why would his cultivation surpass his own? Wu Zun was aware that his own cultivation was at the Emergence Stage, quite a notable achievement!

It's understood among cultivators in the cultivation world that reaching the Emergence Early Stage is quite impressive. Most cultivators would consider achieving Nascent Soul Stage to be commendable. Within a sect, cultivators at the Emergence Stage were few and far between, with most being at the Nascent Soul Stage or lower.

Thus, Wu Zun realized that Ding Fan, appearing around twenty years old, having achieved a cultivation level beyond the Emergence Stage was already extremely impressive, even rare. Especially when Wu Zun remembered fighting the scar-faced man. Ding Fan, with just a flick of his sleeve, immobilized him—a feat unimaginable.

Wu Zun was certain Ding Fan was a disciple of the Great Gate Sect, definitely not a mere loose cultivator. Even if loose, Ding Fan must be a prized pupil of a high-ranking master. No ordinary loose cultivator could achieve such feats. Wu Zun then had an idea; if his eldest daughter could marry Ding Fan, it would be exceptional.

Wu Zun had two daughters; though the eldest wasn't his biological child, they shared a profound bond, and he cherished her deeply. She was of marriageable age, and Wu Zun had been painstakingly concerned over her marriage. Although she was very beautiful, her standards were too high. Despite introducing many talented young men, none caught her eye.

However, Wu Zun was confident this time. After all, Ding Fan was evidently no ordinary person. Whether in appearance or cultivation, he was a superior candidate. Wu Zun even felt if his eldest daughter were with Ding Fan, she would surely be happy. Ding Lin's current achievements were already incomparable to regular cultivators, and Wu Zun knew, Ding Fan's cultivation was even stronger than his own.

Such cultivators were rare. Encountering Ding Fan seemed like Wu Zun's fortune. Without Ding Fan's intervention, the scar-faced man would have slaughtered him, and the entire caravan might have been wiped out. Clearly, returning safely wouldn't have been possible for everyone.

Following this, Wu Zun left Ding Fan's room and returned to his own, where a middle-aged woman in luxurious yet subtly elegant attire awaited him. With a graceful beauty inherent to kindly mature women, she looked curiously at the elated Wu Zun, approached him, poured him a cup of water, and asked,

"Lao Wu, what has got you so happy? Did you come across another martial arts manual?"

Wu Zun took a sip of water and said to the woman with a smile in his eyes:

"It's about our eldest daughter's good fortune!"

The woman was momentarily stunned upon hearing Wu Zun's words, not quite understanding what he meant. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she complained sweetly, "Stop keeping me in suspense! Hurry and tell me! What good fortune does our eldest daughter have?"

Then Wu Zun recounted the incident with the bandits and how Ding Fan had secretly saved him and even slain the bandits. Hearing this, the woman was taken aback, her eyes brightened, and she couldn't help but say aloud:

"There's such a powerful young cultivator! Could he be a disciple of one of the Great Gate Sects? Otherwise, how could he be so formidable?"

The woman spoke unconsciously. Although her cultivation wasn't very high, merely an ordinary woman, she understood a bit about cultivators. It was the first time she had heard of a young man more powerful than her own husband, which was simply incredible! She knew her husband's cultivation was already quite remarkable.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be living in such a large house, worry-free, leading a relatively peaceful and happy life. Clearly, this was due to his strength. Therefore, she deeply understood that for a cultivator, strength is paramount; only with great strength can one survive well in the cultivation world. Without it, one would lead a miserable life.

The woman understood that her current good life was because she chose to follow her husband early on, leading to this easy and happy life. Naturally, she wished for her eldest daughter to marry a young man of great strength and excellence in every aspect, ensuring her daughter's future happiness.

"Well, you tell our eldest daughter about this matter," Wu Zun said to the woman with a smile in her eyes.

"Don't worry, leave it to me!" The woman replied confidently, looking at Wu Zun.

...

After a short while, a girl appeared in the woman's room. She had a delicate face with elegant brows, bright and clear eyes like autumn waters, fair and smooth skin, and a slender figure. Her snow-white legs peeked from under her skirt; her walk was graceful. Although not quite as beautiful as Zhou Ruoran, she was undoubtedly a beauty in her own right.

"Mother, what's the matter?"

Upon entering the room and seeing the woman, the girl quickly took her arm and sat beside her, then curiously asked.

"Good news!" The woman looked at the girl with a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Good news? What's the good news? Did father bring back something good this time?" The girl guessed.

"He did bring back good news! But it's not a thing. Have you seen the young man who father arranged in a special room before?" the woman asked directly.

"That person? Saw him! Not sure what he's about, but father seems to respect him quite a bit!" The girl recalled seeing Ding Fan earlier, frowning slightly. It was because Ding Fan was quite indifferent to Wu Zun, yet her father was warmly respectful, which she couldn't understand, leaving a bad impression. Plus, with his ragged clothes, he didn't look like someone capable.

To the girl, Ding Fan was just a stranger, and hanging around her father wouldn't make him worth much. All in all, she wasn't impressed with him at all.

Then the woman recounted what Wu Zun had told her to the girl, then lovingly and concernedly said:

"Wen Er, this young man is really excellent, very powerful. You would be very happy if you ended up with him!"

Wu Qianwen, hearing her mother's words, slightly frowned. She clearly had no interest in Ding Fan at all. In fact, she didn't believe that he, appearing as an ordinary or even wretched loose cultivator, could be stronger than her father. It was simply impossible! How could she marry someone like that? Moreover, her parents seemed intent on matchmaking her, which she couldn't accept at all.

Wu Qianwen knew she wasn't her parents' biological daughter; her younger sister was. Clearly, her parents wanted to marry her off early, to get her to leave this home as soon as possible.