The old man's arrival had diffused the tense situation, and Ling Feng's aggressive demeanor instantly changed. He bowed low, his eyes cast downward in a gesture of respect.
"Elder, I apologize for my actions," Ling Feng said, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and regret. "I was just following orders from the sect."
The old man sighed, his expression a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "I know, Ling Feng. But you should have considered the consequences of your actions. You could have harmed Bai Shu Kai, and that would have been a grave mistake."
Ling Feng nodded, still looking down. "I understand, Elder. It won't happen again."
The old man nodded, his expression softening. "See that it doesn't. Now, tell me, what was the true purpose of your visit?"
Ling Feng hesitated, then spoke. "The Azure Dragon Sect has taken notice of Bai Shu Kai's potential, Elder. They want him to join the sect and cultivate with them."
The old man snorted. "They're only interested in his potential, not in his well-being. I've seen the way they operate, Ling Feng. They don't care about their disciples, only about increasing their own power."
Ling Feng looked up, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Is that so, Elder?"
The old man nodded. "Yes, it is. And I won't let them use Bai Shu Kai for their own gain. He's under my protection now."
Ling Feng nodded, seeming to accept the old man's decision. "I understand, Elder. I'll report back to the sect and tell them that Bai Shu Kai refuses to join."
The old man waved his hand. "You can go now, Ling Feng. But remember, if you ever try to harm Bai Shu Kai, you'll have to answer to me."
Ling Feng bowed low, then turned and left, disappearing into the trees.
The old man turned to Bai Shu Kai, a warm smile on his face. "Don't worry, little one. You're safe now."
Bai Shu Kai, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, let out a breathless "thank you, Elder!" He bounced up and down, his pigtails bobbing with each movement. He was dressed in a frilly white shirt and matching pants, his face round and youthful.
The old man chuckled. "You're welcome, little one. But please, try to be more careful in the future. You can't just go around getting into trouble all the time."
Bai Shu Kai nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with excitement. "I will, Elder! I promise!"
The old man smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I know you will, little one. Now, let's get you cleaned up and then we'll have some lunch, okay?"
Bai Shu Kai nodded, bouncing up and down again. "Okay! I'm starving, Elder!"
As they walked to the nearby pavilion, Bai Shu Kai chattered excitedly about his morning, asking the old man a million questions and giggling at his own jokes. The old man listened patiently, a warm smile on his face.
As they sat down to eat, Bai Shu Kai suddenly looked serious. "Elder, what about the Azure Dragon Sect? Are they going to come after me again?"
The old man's expression turned serious, and he placed a reassuring hand on Bai Shu Kai's shoulder. "Don't worry, little one. I'll protect you. You're safe with me."
Bai Shu Kai nodded, looking relieved. He took a bite of his food, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "I'm glad I'm with you, Elder. You're the best!"
The old man chuckled, his eyes warm with affection. "I'm glad you're happy, little one. Now, eat up and then we'll get back to your training."
Bai Shu Kai nodded, digging into his food with gusto. As they ate, the old man told him stories of his own adventures when he was younger, making Bai Shu Kai giggle and gasp in amazement.
As the sun began to set, Bai Shu Kai yawned, his eyelids drooping. "Elder, I'm tired," he said, snuggling into the old man's side.
The old man smiled, wrapping a protective arm around Bai Shu Kai's shoulders. "It's okay, little one. You can rest now. I'll keep watch."
As Bai Shu Kai drifted off to sleep, the old man looked down at him, his eyes filled with a deep affection. He would do anything to protect this little one, and he would make sure that Bai Shu Kai grew up to be a powerful and compassionate cultivator.
The next morning, Bai Shu Kai woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go. He stretched his arms and yawned, his pigtails bobbing as he moved.
"Good morning, Elder!" he chirped, bouncing out of bed.
The old man smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Good morning, little one. Today, we're going to start learning some new techniques."
Bai Shu Kai's eyes lit up. "Really? What kind of techniques?"
The old man chuckled. "You'll see. But first, let's get you dressed and then we'll start training."
Bai Shu Kai nodded, bouncing up and down as he got dressed. He was so excited to learn new techniques and become stronger.
As they began their training, Bai Shu Kai proved to be a quick learner, picking up the techniques with ease. The old man watched him with a proud smile, happy to see his young disciple thriving.
As the days turned into weeks, Bai Shu Kai grew stronger and more confident. He continued to train hard, always pushing himself to be better.
And through it all, the old man was there, guiding him and protecting him. Bai Shu Kai knew that he could always count on the old man, and he was grateful for his kindness and guidance.
As the months passed, Bai Shu Kai became a skilled cultivator, known for his exceptional abilities and his kind heart. He never forgot the old man who had helped him, and he remained loyal to him always.
And though the Azure Dragon Sect continued to pose a threat, Bai Shu Kai was ready for them. He knew that he had the power and the skills to protect himself, and he was determined to use them to defend those he cared about.
The story of Bai Shu Kai was just beginning, and it would be a long and epic journey. But for now, he was content to continue his training, knowing that he had a powerful ally in the old man and a bright future ahead of him.