As the Bai family disappeared from sight, Dongfang Mingyue immediately turned around and knelt before the old man.
*Thump!*
"Grandpa Long, is it really you?"
"Why didn't you come to see Mingyue when you returned! Mingyue missed you so much..."
The Dongfang Mingyue, who had been exuding dominance just moments before, now seemed like a wronged little girl.
Disregarding the old man's dirty straw cape, she threw herself at him, sobbing.
"You're all grown up, and you're still crying. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at!"
The old man gently stroked Dongfang Mingyue's hair and said teasingly.
"Hmph, who dares to laugh at me?"
Dongfang Mingyue snorted, then glared fiercely at Ye Cangtian, demanding, "You stinky brat, do you dare to laugh at your sister?"
Uh...
Ye Cangtian shrugged awkwardly. Faced with Dongfang Mingyue's blatant threat, he didn't dare to say anything.
He was now curious about the old man's identity!
Seeing Ye Cangtian's obedience, Dongfang Mingyue wore a satisfied smile. But the next moment, her eyes turned blood red again, and a strong killing intent erupted from her.
"Grandpa Long, Bai Zhenshan actually injured you so badly. I... I'll take my people and wipe out the Bai family right now!"
Upon close contact, Dongfang Mingyue instantly felt the old man's faint breath, which filled her with rage.
The old man's meridians and internal organs were severely damaged. If it were anyone else, they would have likely died long ago.
It was only because the old man, relying on his formidable strength, suppressed his internal injuries that he managed to cling to life.
Therefore, Dongfang Mingyue harbored a strong killing intent towards Bai Zhenshan and got up, ready to leave.
"Girl, come back."
The old man looked at Dongfang Mingyue's retreating back and continued, "It wasn't Bai Zhenshan. Don't you think, with your Grandpa Long's strength, could Bai Zhenshan have harmed me even slightly?"
Hm?
With those words, Dongfang Mingyue instantly realized. That's right!
Grandpa Long was a Heaven-grade expert, a being equivalent to a god in the ruins.
Let alone one Bai Zhenshan, even a thousand or a hundred Bai Zhenshans couldn't have harmed him in the slightest.
Thinking about it, Dongfang Mingyue was stunned and immediately thought of something.
She quickly asked, "Grandpa Long, you mean these injuries are all..."
Before Dongfang Mingyue could finish, the old man nodded and said, "Yes, I was the only one heavily injured and barely escaped. Although I saved my life, my combat power has also greatly decreased because of it..."
"This..."
How could this be possible!
Dongfang Mingyue's eyes widened, as if she had heard something unbelievable.
Meanwhile, Ye Cangtian, listening to their abrupt conversation, was somewhat bewildered.
He glanced at them and said, "Old man, Sister Mingyue, what are you talking about? Can you be more direct? I don't understand anything..."
"You stinky brat, this is top-secret information. You just got here, how are you qualified to understand it!"
"Stay put and don't reveal a single word about today's conversation, or don't blame your sister for beating you!"
Dongfang Mingyue glared at Ye Cangtian impatiently and said fiercely.
"Forget it, this brat has good capabilities. He will definitely be your right-hand man in the future."
"He might even replace you and lead the hidden group to expand our territory!"
"Him? Alright, alright..."
Dongfang Mingyue waved her hand reluctantly.
Ye Cangtian pouted and behaved himself.
The old man smiled faintly, looking at Ye Cangtian with some approval in his eyes.
In his opinion, Dongfang Mingyue was very capable and had some skills, but she was too hesitant and lacked decisiveness.
Therefore, she was not suitable to lead the hidden group during the pioneering stage of the Huaxia ruins.
To put it plainly, Dongfang Mingyue was not suitable to be a founding ruler, but rather a guardian of the land, which did not align with the current situation of the hidden group.
After all, there were still vast areas in the Huaxia ruins waiting to be developed.
In this regard, Ye Cangtian was full of decisiveness, but his strength was a bit low, so he could only show some expectation.
"Old man, are you trying to get me killed!"
"Saying such things about me in front of Sister Mingyue, aren't you afraid she'll kill me!"
Ye Cangtian was speechless when he heard the old man's words.
It was like a nobody being labeled with a destiny of an emperor. While it might be alright in normal circumstances, to be praised like this in front of an emperor was courting death!
"Hmph, am I that kind of person!"
Dongfang Mingyue glared at Ye Cangtian fiercely and said indignantly, "Brat, listen carefully. Since Grandpa Long thinks so highly of you, if your abilities truly surpass mine one day, I will definitely abdicate and yield!"
Although Dongfang Mingyue said this indignantly, her heart was blooming with joy.
She was already tired of managing the hidden group. Now that she had found a good talent, and one that Grandpa Long favored, it was definitely correct. How could she let it go?
To be honest, she wished she could abdicate and yield right now, but it was only because Ye Cangtian had not yet grown up...
"Heh, Sister Mingyue, stop teasing me."
Ye Cangtian gave a bitter smile and quickly changed the subject, "By the way, what secret information were you talking about just now?"
Ye Cangtian knew they were definitely talking about the Huaxia ruins. He needed to inquire more about it, as he also had to venture into the ruins.
If there were any dangerous forbidden zones, it would be best to avoid them early.
"Northern region."
Dongfang Mingyue glared at Ye Cangtian. Since Elder Long had approved, she no longer hid it.
Elder Long's mission was to lead a team to explore the northern region and expand human activity within the ruins.
The northern region!
Ye Cangtian's eyes widened instantly. He had heard Jian Wusheng mention it.
There were many teams sent to explore the northern region, but none had ever returned alive, making it an absolute human forbidden zone.
Thinking to himself, Ye Cangtian glanced and asked, "Is this kind of exploration mission also top-secret?"
"What do you know!"
Dongfang Mingyue glared fiercely at Ye Cangtian and then briefly explained.
If it were just an exploration mission, it naturally wouldn't be top-secret.
The key was the team accepting this mission.
The captain was Elder Long, a Heaven-grade expert. Among the other members, there were three Earth-grade experts, and the rest were peak Profound-grade members.
Such a lineup was definitely a super team. And in that mission, this team went and never returned. Who would dare to release such news!
After all, that was a Heaven-grade expert, and three Earth-grade experts!
Those four alone could form a powerful force!
Similarly, if these four were lost, the affiliated force would be severely weakened, potentially attracting the covetousness of the petty, thus triggering a great war.
This...
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian finally understood everything. He stared at the old man with disbelief.
He had initially thought the old man was only Earth-grade, but he didn't expect the other party to have fallen from Heaven-grade due to severe injuries.
Even more unexpectedly, such a powerful team had almost been annihilated in the northern region. Just how terrifying must the northern region be?
Thinking to himself, Ye Cangtian glanced at the old man and said, "Old man, what exactly did you encounter in the northern region?"
Dongfang Mingyue also looked at the old man curiously when she heard this.
A flicker of dread appeared in the old man's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "The danger in the northern region is beyond your imagination. It's best not to inquire too much for now. You can talk about it when you reach Heaven-grade!"
"..."
Ye Cangtian's lips twitched.
Heaven-grade was an unattainable goal for him, as he hadn't even broken through to Earth-grade yet!
On the other side, Dongfang Mingyue didn't ask further when she heard this and changed the subject, "Grandpa Long, come back to the hidden group with me! I'll find the best doctors to treat you!"
The old man slowly shook his head, "It's useless. My injuries can only depend on fate..."
He knew that if his injuries could be treated, he would have found a way long ago, why would he wait to die in dejection?
With the current medical standards, his injuries were incurable, so he planned to continue exploring the ruins to see if he could find a glimmer of hope.
Hearing this, Dongfang Mingyue's gaze dimmed, and she didn't insist further, saying, "Alright, Grandpa Long, I will do my best to help you find a way to heal..."
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
"Since you're here today, accompany this old man for a few drinks."
The old man interrupted Dongfang Mingyue and soon took out a large pot from his Qiankun bag and began cooking.
Seeing this, Dongfang Mingyue quickly helped him, while Ye Cangtian continued to cultivate.
...