The Most Powerful Bodyguard

Yang Yan didn’t hesitate much. With a serious expression, he said to everyone, "I’ve just finished my seclusion, and now I need to head to the Chaotic Star Realm. On the way, I’ll protect all of you; just treat it as my travel fee. Daoist Mu, come with me, I have something to explain to you."

Though Yang Yan’s words were domineering, under his absolute strength, none of them dared show the slightest objection. They immediately knelt to the ground to express their compliance.

Daoist Mu also secretly let out a sigh of relief.

To them, as long as Yang Yan didn’t cause trouble, that was already a gift from the heavens.

You had to know, the strongest combat power here was only him, and he was merely at early Golden Core.

But Yang Yan, who looked so young, had just exploded with strength equivalent to mid Nascent Soul. How would they dare harbor the slightest thought of resistance?

Besides, the condition Yang Yan proposed was something he simply couldn’t ask for more.

In this vast sea of stars, it looked calm on the surface, but underneath, undercurrents surged.

Were it not so, this ship—just an ordinary merchant vessel—wouldn’t have dispatched a Golden Core cultivator like him to sit in town.

It was just that, after this brief interaction, he still couldn’t figure out Yang Yan’s temperament. Now that he suddenly heard he was being summoned, he couldn’t help feeling a bit worried again.

So he followed behind Yang Yan, hunched over and trembling with fear.

Fortunately, Yang Yan only asked about the power structure of the Chaotic Star Realm and had no other demands. Daoist Mu couldn’t help but let out a long breath.

Daoist Mu steadied his mind and carefully explained the distribution of power in the Chaotic Star Realm.

He was thorough and detailed, trying to make everything as clear as possible, afraid that the slightest omission would cause displeasure to this mysterious lord in front of him.

Only then did Yang Yan learn that in the Chaotic Star Realm, the Island Master on Chaotic Star Island ruled over everything, like an Emperor.

Below him were the Three Great Families, checking and balancing one another to maintain the equilibrium of this region.

Behind the Three Great Families, there were also the Eight Minor Families. They, too, had their own interests and controlled considerable economic discourse power.

Further down were many gangs and factions, openly and covertly contending, each with their own agendas.

Of course, the Island Master was not the absolute authority of this world; his position was determined by the Thousand Feather Sect.

Rumor had it the Thousand Feather Sect had more than one old monster at the Divinity Transformation realm.

However, because this sect was aloof and untouched by mundane affairs, they granted the Island Master supreme authority.

Of course, the Island Master’s own strength was nothing to scoff at either; otherwise, he would not be able to suppress the other Three Great Families.

Daoist Mu told Yang Yan that the Island Master and the Clan Leaders of the Three Great Families were all at the Nascent Soul Stage, and the Island Master seemed to have reached late Nascent Soul.

Daoist Mu himself was an enshrined elder of the Li Family, one of the Three Great Families. His status was not low, and he held considerable sway. Having traveled far and wide, he also knew many secrets unknown to others.

This was also Yang Yan’s good fortune. Had he encountered an ordinary merchant ship, he might not have been able to obtain such clear information and would have had to go through a lot more trouble.

When Yang Yan felt he had mostly understood, he finally asked Daoist Mu, "How long will it take for this ship to return to your family?"

Daoist Mu quickly said, "At normal speed, it will take a bit more than a month. If you are in a hurry, my lord, we can increase the speed somewhat. But even so, at least... mm, a month."

Yang Yan pondered for a moment, then suddenly said to Daoist Mu, "I’ll go to your family with you. If I want to enter as an enshrined elder, what preparations are needed?"

Daoist Mu was stunned on the spot.

But he immediately understood and joy flashed across his face. A bit excited, he said, "No need, no need. If you go, my lord, the Li Family from top to bottom will only be too eager to have you. They’ll treat you as an honored guest."

Yang Yan wasn’t surprised by this.

The reason he brought it up was that he knew the Clan Leaders of the Three Great Families were only at the Nascent Soul Stage.

He himself had already reached mid Nascent Soul, and if necessary, he could even unleash power beyond that level, so there was no need for any special preparation.

Yang Yan said to Daoist Mu, "Daoist Mu, my name is Yang Yan. Just call me Yang Yan; there’s no need to call me ’my lord’ anymore. Also, unless something major happens along the way, don’t disturb me. Handle it yourselves. You can go now, I’m a bit tired."

After saying this, Yang Yan didn’t give the other party a chance to speak. He waved his hand for Daoist Mu to withdraw.

Once Daoist Mu left, Yang Yan locked the door, then set up an Array and began to calm his mind and sort through the spoils he had brought out from the Secret Realm.

Nascent Void was still in a deep sleep, without the slightest reaction.

He even tried injecting a thread of Wish Power, but there was still no response at all, so he had no choice but to give up.

Just as Yang Yan started tallying up his gains, Daoist Mu returned straight to the deck.

He immediately ordered everyone to speed up. In his good mood, he even, for the first time, praised them a couple of times.

Those who had originally been trembling with fear couldn’t help but be a bit stunned for a moment.

The usually stern and unsmiling Daoist Mu was actually wearing a smile.

However, guessing this was probably Yang Yan’s intention, none of them dared slack off. They poured their efforts into driving the Array, steering the ship at full speed toward the Chaotic Star Realm.

In this way, a journey that should have taken over a month was shortened to thirty days, just matching the "one month" Daoist Mu had mentioned.

That day, Daoist Mu respectfully knocked on the door of Yang Yan’s room, which had remained tightly shut.

Yang Yan glanced at the noisy harbor outside and couldn’t help but frown.

Seeing this, Daoist Mu quickly said, "M–mm, Mr. Yang, I’ll take you to the Li Family right away."

Yang Yan gave a slight nod and quietly stood aside, waiting for Daoist Mu to make the arrangements before heading to the Li Family.

Daoist Mu then turned to Yang Yan and said apologetically, "Mr. Yang, flying is forbidden here, so I must trouble you to bear with it."

When in another’s territory, one followed their rules. Yang Yan didn’t mind.

He lightly nodded and silently followed behind Daoist Mu, walking toward the Li Family.

He just hadn’t expected that after an entire month of smooth sailing with no incidents, he would instead encounter something unexpected on land, on the way back to the Li Family.

Right after they entered the city, a gorgeously dressed young man blocked Daoist Mu’s way.

"Well, well! Isn’t this the Li Family’s running dog? Don’t you know this is the Zheng Family’s turf? You’re blocking this young master’s way. Hurry up and tuck your tail between your legs and get lost!"

Seeing Yang Yan watching coldly from the side without speaking, Daoist Mu forced down the anger in his heart and said in a deep voice, "Zheng Hua, show some respect. I’m bringing an honored guest today. Be careful, or you’ll offend someone you can’t afford to."

Zheng Hua noticed that Daoist Mu wasn’t flying into a rage as usual and couldn’t help feeling surprised.

He couldn’t resist giving Yang Yan, who stood behind Daoist Mu, a once-over.

Seeing that Yang Yan looked unremarkable, dressed plainly, and without even a ripple of Spiritual Power on him, he let out a cold laugh and continued mocking:

"Oh? What honored guest? I think he’s your illegitimate son. Probably some bastard without a mother, hahahaha! Elder Zheng, go cripple him for me."

Yang Yan shook his head and gave Daoist Mu a teasing glance. "The Li Family is really something—any random cat or dog dares to step on you."

But by this time, the old man behind Zheng Hua had already made his move.

With a wave of his palm, a blast of Spiritual Power shot straight toward Yang Yan’s face.