"..."

It seemed Chiba hadn't expected Xu Fan to ask such a boring question, so when Chiba turned around, he was completely stunned.

"Your question is very boring."

With these cold words and a quick glance at Xu Fan, Chiba turned around and walked straight out of the guest room.

"Can't you just satisfy my curiosity a little?"

Watching the door being closed by Chiba, Xu Fan couldn't help but mutter.

After all, he didn't mean any harm, he was just asking out of curiosity.

Recalling the slightly odd reaction from earlier, Xu Fan touched his chin and couldn't help but deliberate over the question.

Among these Ancient Cultivators, there were regulations prohibiting romantic relationships between men and women, with their lifetime mission being the safeguarding of this heritage.

Even if they did have private romantic affairs, they had to cut them off themselves, otherwise their end wouldn't be any better than Igarashi's.

However, rules are rules, it doesn't mean they can't be sneaky about it.

No fish can resist the temptation of bait; schools forbid dating but there's still a group openly showing affection.

"Hmm, with this guy's status among the Ancient Cultivators, doing such things should be easily hidden from everyone."

With this thought, Xu Fan couldn't help but mutter, talking to himself as he erupted into laughter.

He was indeed quite bored, despite all the stress, he still had the mood to think about such trivial matters.

Shaking his head, Xu Fan immediately dismissed the thought.

How these Ancient Cultivators solved their physiological needs had nothing to do with him.

Besides, those online casino films from Dongying were barely enough to meet their needs.

"I wonder if that girl is okay now..."

While sitting alone in the room, Xu Fan couldn't help thinking of Asao Mai.

The girl was kidnapped by Igarashi, and now he didn't know if she was safe or in danger.

"Why did he kidnap Asao Mai..."

Thinking about Asao Mai, Xu Fan's mind inevitably became confused.

To be honest, he didn't quite understand the reason why Igarashi took Asao Mai.

His current goal is the Martial Arts Heritage in the Underground Palace beneath Ohno Temple, could it be that Asao Mai had some connection to this heritage?

"This..."

Xu Fan shook his head, this didn't make sense.

It's known that the method to open the Underground Palace's door is only known by the Saintess, and the only Saintess now is already buried beneath the soil.

Asao Mai shouldn't have anything to do with it.

"It seems like it's targeted at me..."

After pondering for a while, Xu Fan couldn't come up with other conclusions.

He guessed that Igarashi probably saw him with Asao Mai and took her as a warning to stop meddling.

"If that's the case, then I've really dragged the girl down."

Lost in his thoughts, Xu Fan couldn't help but sigh.

Clenching his fists tightly, he vowed in his heart that no matter what, he must rescue the girl from that guy's grasp.

Bam bam bam!

Immediately, Xu Fan began planning his next steps, but before he could think further, there was a knock on the door.

"Hmm?"

Xu Fan frowned and looked towards the door with curiosity.

Could Chiba be planning to confess his hidden secrets to him?

"Come in."

Without much thought, Xu Fan called out, allowing whoever was outside to enter.

"Hehe, young brother, excuse me."

At this moment, Kato Bear chuckled awkwardly as he entered with several Ancient Cultivators.

Not only that, but he also held a tray in his hands.

Judging by the look, it seemed he was bringing Xu Fan some food?

"I didn't expect you Ancient Cultivators to show me such respect."

Chiba had just told him he'd arrange for someone to take care of his meals.

Now this guy, who holds a respectable status among the Ancient Cultivators, personally came to deliver the food.

Could this not be considered giving him face?

Unfortunately, Xu Fan wasn't naive enough to think that way.

When someone has no business but comes over enthusiastically, they are either up to no good or have ulterior motives.

"Oh, it's nothing; it's been quite a while since we had guests at Ohno Temple."

"It's rare for a guest like you, young brother, to visit, so naturally, I must welcome you warmly, right?"

Kato Bear didn't wait for Xu Fan's invitation, holding the tray of food and drinks, he directly took a seat opposite Xu Fan.

This courteous attitude nearly convinced Xu Fan that he was a long-lost relative.

With a grin, he said, "Your earlier attitude didn't seem very welcoming to me."

"Uh..."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so despite forcing a crooked smile close to cramping, Xu Fan was surprisingly polite.

Kato Bear almost crushed the wine glass in the tray out of sheer irritation.

The nerve of you; showing you face and you dare not accept?

Fortunately, logic prevailed over impulse, and forcing a grin, Kato Bear restrained his impulses and said, "Hey, young brother, don't be so petty."

"As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. Though we haven't fought, there's a bit of camaraderie."

"How I treated you earlier was simply due to the rules of us Ancient Cultivators."

"I just heard about the situation from my senior brother. Here, I, Kato Bear, apologize to you."

"During our Ancient Cultivators' time of trouble, you were able to stand up and help us in such a crisis. I, Kato Bear, salute you!"

Kato Bear rambled on, brewing feelings of rising admiration, to which Xu Fan watched with growing amusement.

By his constant glances at the few glasses of wine on the food tray, Xu Fan estimated that his emotional brewing was likely preparing to persuade him into drinking.

"Well said!"

Without waiting for more prattle, Xu Fan slapped the table with a shout!

The shout startled Kato Bear almost half to death.

This... this guy, has he lost it?

Kato Bear stared dumbly at Xu Fan, who directly seized the wine glass from his hand.

"Hey!"

With the wine snatched away, Kato Bear panicked and instinctively reached out to grab it back.

At this moment, Xu Fan remarked, visibly moved, "Kato Taka, you've spoken directly to my heart."

"You..."

Kato Bear, looking at Xu Fan's moved expression, almost exploded!

I'm not that talented finger zen performer Katou Taka; I'm Kato Bear! I'm Kato Bear!

"Bro... brother, my name is Kato Bear, not Katou Taka..."

He forced a smile to emphasize this to Xu Fan.

"Oh, sorry, sorry, a slip of the tongue, called the wrong name."

This guy clearly didn't realize that he knew too much.

Patting his forehead and chuckling, Xu Fan said, "Whether it's Kato Bear or Katou Taka, you're both friends I've long admired, and today, we definitely must have a drink!"

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