Seeing Liu Xiran's tearful appearance, Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei's expressions changed slightly.
They knew what kind of scoundrel Xiong Fei was. The thought of Liu Xiran almost falling into Xiong Fei's clutches sent a cold sweat down their spines.
"Ranran, you absolutely cannot run out by yourself again, understand! It's too dangerous. You are to stay at home these days and are not allowed to run around outside!"
Liu Xiwei said with a hint of a lecture.
Liu Xiran pouted, feeling even more wronged.
Only then did Liu Xiwei soften and pull her precious sister into her arms to comfort her.
"So it was the two of you who saved my daughter. Thank you very much. Please forgive our earlier neglect. The Liu family will surely reward you handsomely."
Liu Yubei cupped his hands towards Liang Hutou.
Ling Fan waved his hand lightly and said, "I only acted because I like Ranran very much and treat her as a sister. It has nothing to do with your Liu family. No need for rewards or anything."
Upon hearing Ling Fan's words, Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei couldn't help but glance at him.
This young man was clearly an ordinary person without any true qi, yet he spoke with such arrogance.
Judging by his words, it seemed he didn't take the Liu family seriously.
Liu Xiwei felt a bit unconvinced, thinking that this young man might be deliberately trying to get her attention by acting so indifferent and composed.
But no matter how he acted, his strength couldn't be faked!
He was still just a weakling, utterly incapable of fighting.
How could Liu Xiwei possibly take a liking to such a person!
Liu Yubei, however, focused his attention on the one-eyed burly man behind Ling Fan.
From the moment they entered the Liu family, that one-eyed burly man had been respectfully standing beside Ling Fan, like the most loyal attendant.
Silent, with a clear distinction in status!
When Ranran had mentioned earlier that this one-eyed burly man was the young man's bodyguard, he hadn't quite believed it, but seeing the situation now, he had no choice but to believe.
Liu Xiwei, being very intelligent, also immediately noticed this.
"What is the identity of this utterly ordinary, commoner youth, to have a seasoned Profound Gang Realm guard!"
Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei exchanged glances, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
Thinking of this, they both became slightly wary.
After all, a Profound Gang Realm expert suddenly appearing at their Liu family, and coincidentally saving the second young lady, seemed rather strange no matter how one looked at it.
"May I ask where the two of you come from?"
Liu Yubei asked Ling Fan.
"Jiangnan City, the Lan family."
Ling Fan had no intention of hiding anything.
Upon hearing the name Lan family, Liu Yubei pressed further, "Is it the Lan family of Jiangnan City that forges weapons, with Lan Tianxiong as the family head?"
Ling Fan nodded lightly.
Liu Yubei, with his extensive experience, did not readily believe Ling Fan's words and instead asked, "Do you have any proof?"
Ling Fan thought for a moment and decided to take out the letter that Lan Tianxiong had given him.
It wasn't that Ling Fan wanted to prove anything to Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei.
It was because if he didn't dispel Liu Yubei's doubts, it might cause some trouble for Liu Xiran.
Upon seeing the letter personally written by Lan Tianxiong, Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei's doubts were immediately dispelled.
"You are Ling Fan, the son-in-law of the Lan family?"
Liu Yubei asked, putting away the letter and looking at Ling Fan.
Ling Fan nodded lightly.
Seeing Ling Fan admit it, Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei both looked at him with strange expressions.
This was the Lan family's useless son-in-law.
Seeing is believing, and indeed, he was a cripple without any true qi cultivation!
What a pity.
Brother Lan, a man of lifelong renown, and his daughter, hailed as the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan City, had taken in such a live-in son-in-law!
It was rumored that this Ling Fan was a complete spendthrift, proficient in all sorts of debauchery, gambling, and womanizing, but utterly incapable of martial arts!
Marrying such a good-for-nothing, Lan Xueyi, a flower of beauty, was truly like being stuck in a pile of dung.
It was truly degrading.
Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei shook their heads imperceptibly.
However, the hint of disdain was well hidden, undetectable by most people.
But who was Ling Fan? He had lived two lives, and in his previous life, he was a peerless Heavenly Venerate expert who had lived for tens of thousands of years, titled the Azure Cloud Emperor!
How could Liu Yubei and Liu Xiwei's subtle glances escape him.
However, he was too lazy to argue with them.
If they were blind, so be it.
Ling Fan had no intention of getting involved with them.
If it weren't for Ranran, why would he have come to this mere Liu family.
"I heard recently that the Lan family acquired a fire crystal vein. Is this true?"
Remembering something, Liu Yubei suddenly asked Ling Fan.
Ling Fan nodded calmly.
Liu Yubei's expression moved slightly, and he sighed, "I didn't expect Old Xiong to have such fortune!"
"That's an entire fire crystal vein, its value is immeasurable. With the Lan family obtaining the fire crystal vein, their financial strength will likely instantly propel them to the richest family in Jiangnan City. My Liu family also has many martial artists who cultivate fire-attribute techniques, and our demand for fire crystals is not small. It seems I need to find time to visit Old Xiong in Jiangnan City."
Liu Yubei thought to himself.
No wonder the Lan family's useless son-in-law, Ling Fan, had a Profound Gang Realm expert as a bodyguard. It seemed the Lan family's financial strength had truly surged after obtaining the fire crystal vein!
Lan Tianxiong was willing to hire a Profound Gang Realm expert to be a bodyguard for this useless son-in-law!
This also showed how indulgent Lan Tianxiong was towards this son-in-law.
In fact, he had heard more than just the news of the Lan family acquiring the fire crystal vein.
He had also heard all sorts of incredibly bizarre rumors.
Among the most outrageous rumors was that the Lan family's useless son-in-law, Ling Fan, had suppressed a generation of prodigies at the Jiangnan City Martial Competition, even defeating the young city lord of Jiangnan City, Li Qingxuan, who had entered the Profound Gang Realm, forcefully winning the championship of the Jiangnan City Martial Competition, and also securing the ownership of the fire crystal vein.
However, when Liu Yubei heard this claim, he had merely scoffed dismissively.
The world loved to spread gossip, the more it was told, the more absurd it became.
Seeing Ling Fan's lack of true qi cultivation today completely validated his viewpoint.
As for what exactly happened in Jiangnan City, it seemed necessary to send someone to investigate thoroughly, and also to investigate the current strength of the Lan family, to see if it was necessary to get closer to the Lan family, or even form an alliance.
Recalling his thoughts, Liu Yubei said, "Your father-in-law, Lan Tianxiong, and I have been old friends for many years. He entrusted me in his letter to look after you. In fact, I would help you to the best of my ability even without his request."
"Nephew, do you have any important business in Star Sand City? Don't be afraid to trouble me, just speak up. Our Liu family has some influence in Star Sand City. I dare not say for other matters, but helping you solve a few small issues should not be a problem."
Liu Yubei said enthusiastically, with a hint of unconcealed arrogance in his tone.
This was the confidence of the Liu family as a first-class family in Star Sand City.
Ling Fan's expression remained calm, and he shook his head, "No need."
Ling Fan's attitude immediately caused a flash of displeasure in Liu Yubei's eyes.
What did he mean by "no need"?
Was he looking down on the Liu family?
He was merely a cripple. If it weren't for the Lan family's background, who would pay any attention to him? And he dared to be so ostentatious in front of the family head.
Moreover, even if he didn't need the Liu family's help, he should have been more tactful, rather than so blunt.
This person's emotional and intellectual quotient was truly too low.
Liu Yubei's contempt for Ling Fan grew.
He really didn't know what Lan Tianxiong saw in this cripple to cherish him like a treasure.
If it were him, such a person wouldn't even be allowed to be his son-in-law.
Liu Xiwei also shook her head secretly from the side.
Among the young generation of prodigies she had encountered, which one wasn't high in emotional intelligence, intellectual quotient, and martial intelligence? Compared to those heavenly prodigies, Ling Fan didn't even qualify to carry their shoes.
"Nephew is truly confident. Since that is the case, then you shall stay at our Liu mansion for a few days. Three days from now is our Star Sand City Genius Martial Competition, which will decide the spots to enter the Star Sand Lake ruins. I will take you to broaden your horizons."
Despite his inner disdain for Ling Fan, Liu Yubei said with a smile.