Ling Fan had initially intended to refuse.
However, seeing Liu Xiran's expectant look, he couldn't bring himself to decline and agreed.
Since the Star Sand Lake ruins wouldn't open for a few more days, waiting at the Liu family's residence was no trouble.
Liu Xiran, overjoyed, skipped over and took Ling Fan's hand to arrange his accommodation.
After Liu Xiran left with Ling Fan, the smile on Liu Yubei's face vanished. His expression darkened, and he let out a displeased snort.
"Tch, what is he?"
His dissatisfaction was evident.
If not for Lan Tianxiong and the Lan family's fire crystal mine, he would have already kicked such a useless person out.
No ability, but plenty of airs!
In front of him, the dignified head of the Liu family, he showed no respect.
What was he pretending for?
"Xiao Wei, in your opinion, what important matter brings this Ling Fan, accompanied by a Profound Gang realm cultivator, to our Star Sand City? Could it be that he's also targeting the Star Sand Lake ruins?" Liu Yubei asked.
Liu Xiwei chuckled coldly and said, "How is that possible? The opportunities within Star Sand Lake are fraught with peril. Even top geniuses risk falling with the slightest mistake. This Ling Fan is completely a martial arts novice, a complete waste. If he enters, he probably won't survive a single second!"
"In my view, he's simply grown tired of playing in Jiangnan City and has come to Star Sand City for some leisure and entertainment!"
Liu Yubei found Liu Xiwei's words highly agreeable.
He also felt that was likely the case.
If the Lan family were to suddenly increase their strength and try to interfere with the Star Sand Lake ruins, they should at least send martial arts geniuses like Lan Xueyi or Lan Junjie.
Would they send the most useless son-in-law to just make a cameo appearance?
"Never mind him. Xiao Wei, you must prepare well for the Genius Martial Competition three days from now and secure a spot. I will personally escort you in then." Liu Yubei said solemnly.
Liu Xiwei was slightly surprised and nodded firmly, "Daughter will definitely give her all!"
Liu Yubei sighed, as if remembering something, "My purpose for entering this time is twofold: to protect you, and to search for any trace of your elder brother. Although I know the hope is already very slim, it's better to see a living person or a corpse than to remain in this state of uncertainty! Ranran was closest to your elder brother. For the past three years, Ranran has been constantly worried about your elder brother. How could I not know when she secretly goes to Tianxin Tower to look at Star Sand Lake!"
Hearing Liu Yubei mention her missing elder brother, Liu Ke, a hint of sadness flashed in Liu Xiwei's beautiful eyes.
At the same time, her resolve to secure a spot in Star Sand Lake became even stronger.
...
During these three days.
Ling Fan stayed in the Liu mansion, accompanying the little loli Liu Xiran, eating, drinking, and sightseeing. It was quite leisurely.
In his previous life, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, progressing rapidly. He was either cultivating, fighting, or on his way to cultivate and fight.
He endured thousands of years of hardship in this cycle, defeating countless prodigies and strong individuals before finally standing at the pinnacle of the entire Star Sea.
He had hardly taken a day off, essentially a workaholic.
It was nothing like this current state of leisure and freedom.
Moreover, with Liu Xiran, the bringer of joy, accompanying him, occasionally teasing the little loli, it was a rather pleasant experience he had never had before.
While Ling Fan was living so freely, some people suffered.
Outside the Liu mansion, two Profound Gang realm cultivators from the City Lord's mansion, along with a group of City Lord's mansion powerhouses, took turns staking out the place. They barely closed their eyes and were almost turning into pandas.
Ling Fan remained holed up in the Liu mansion, causing the City Lord's mansion powerhouses who had been secretly guarding outside the mansion to wait in vain.
And during these three days, although Liu Xiwei did not appear, she was secretly observing Ling Fan.
When she saw that Ling Fan had spent three full days playing with Ranran, she became completely convinced that Ling Fan was just a pampered young master.
She couldn't help but find it amusing.
What had she been vaguely anticipating before?
Paying attention to such a useless person was simply a waste of her precious time.
...
Three days passed quickly.
The atmosphere throughout Star Sand City quietly became heated.
Today was the day the Star Sand City Genius Martial Competition would commence, and it would also determine the crucial entry spots for the Star Sand Lake ruins.
The day countless geniuses had eagerly awaited had finally arrived.
The geniuses of Star Sand City were all sharpening their skills and eager to compete.
The Liu family was no exception.
Early in the morning, a group of young geniuses from the Liu family had already gathered.
Liu Xiran, also somewhat excited, pulled Ling Fan along and appeared in the lineup.
The assembled young geniuses of the Liu family immediately focused their attention on Ling Fan, pointing and discussing him.
"Look quickly, this is that Ling Fan!"
"He's that son-in-law from the Lan family in Jiangnan City. Wasn't he said to be a pampered young master? Why is he dressed so low-key?"
"He probably knows he's useless, so he doesn't dare to attract too much attention, hahaha!"
"He's indeed useless. Look, he doesn't even have any true qi fluctuations. He's definitely a waste, no doubt about it."
"Damn it, I heard this Ling Fan married Lan Xueyi, the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan City. It's truly unfair! Wouldn't Lan Xueyi marrying me be a million times better than marrying this useless fellow?"
"Why did this brat not stay honestly at the Lan family and instead run over here? We're not his parents, we won't indulge him! Haha!"
A group of Liu family disciples chattered and laughed.
Many young men looked heartbroken, clearly distressed that a person far inferior to them had married the dream goddess of countless people.
"You all shut up! You're not allowed to speak ill of Brother Ling Fan! Brother Ling Fan is very powerful." Liu Xiran angrily retorted to those Liu family disciples, her face puffed out.
"Second Miss, you believe him? Even a sow could climb a tree!"
"This brat can only fool little girls, hehe."
"Powerful, my foot! I bet I could kill him with a single fart, believe it or not?"
"You! You are truly too hateful! I'm going to tell my father to teach you a lesson!"
Liu Xiran was so angry that tears were almost falling.
"Hey, you kid, are you even a man? You actually need a little girl to defend you. Aren't you ashamed?" someone taunted.
Unfortunately, Ling Fan's expression remained calm. He closed his eyes slightly, as if these people didn't exist.
Why would a giant dragon in the sky care about the mockery of ants on the ground?
If they blocked his path, he would simply crush them with a single step.
However, while Ling Fan didn't care, it didn't mean others could remain calm.
Liang Hutu could no longer stand it.
These blind fools dared to slander his master like this, it was simply outrageous.
In front of his incredibly powerful master, these smirking little scamps were nothing.
He knew how terrifying Ling Fan truly was!
Even though he had now broken through to the peak of the Profound Gang realm, he still didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Ling Fan. Instead, he felt even more awe towards Ling Fan's power.
"If you little brats dare to babble one more word, I'll crush you!"
Liang Hutu suddenly unleashed a terrifying Profound Gang realm pressure, making him appear like an ancient beast with surging vital energy awakening.
He glared with his single eye, instantly making everyone's faces turn pale, trembling, and afraid to even breathe.
Liang Hutu then snorted coldly and retracted his pressure.
Those Liu family disciples finally felt relieved, letting out long sighs.
However, the shock in their eyes remained intense.
Profound Gang realm!
This useless person actually had a Profound Gang realm cultivator accompanying him.
Damn it!
This was simply cheating.
Although the Liu family disciples lowered their heads, their hearts were filled with a thousandfold unwillingness.
Without this Profound Gang realm bodyguard, what was that Ling Fan worth?
From a distance, Liu Xiwei walked over, following behind Liu Yubei.
The two of them had actually seen the disciples' laughter and mockery towards Ling Fan earlier but had not intervened.
It was only when Liang Hutu was about to explode that they had to appear, lest Liang Hutu truly become enraged and kill someone.
After all, a Profound Gang realm martial arts master was not to be insulted.
Especially an unknown powerhouse like Liang Hutu, whose depth was unknown, should not be easily offended.
Liu Yubei's gaze towards Liang Hutu held a hint of apprehension.
When Liang Hutu released his aura earlier, even he felt a sense of threat.
As for Ling Fan...
A look of disdain flashed in his eyes.
He had been somewhat concealing it before, but now he couldn't even be bothered to hide it.
How dare a mere waste like Ling Fan disrespect him? As the head of a top family in Star Sand City, how noble was his status? Why should he show Ling Fan any face?
He directly ignored Ling Fan, cupped his hands towards Liang Hutu, and then said to all the younger generation of the Liu family, "Let's set off. Today, let the entire Star Sand City witness the power of our Liu family's younger generation."
"Rise!"
"Rise!"
A group of young Liu family disciples roared in unison, appearing full of vigor and youthful spirit.
These younger generations were the future hope of the Liu family!
Liu Yubei couldn't help but show a look of relief, and he was quite proud.
Liu Xiwei also felt a surge of excitement.
When her gaze swept over Ling Fan, she saw that although he was amidst the passionate youths, his expression remained indifferent, as if the enthusiasm of the Liu family disciples couldn't affect him at all.
She couldn't help but sneer inwardly. As expected, he was a martial arts novice, numb and dull, with no pursuit of martial arts or power!
How could such a person be worthy of her? He was worlds away from her ideal husband.
Just looking at him made her skin crawl and feel disgusted.
She wondered how Lan Xueyi could tolerate such a useless person.