To Rise Again In The Apocalypse

"We thought the treasure would help us with our cultivation, but instead... it brought us disaster. It opened up a portal to another world and what came out from the portal is a demon wearing a man's mask," Min Shaotian's expression was solemn as he said this.

Li Xinwen noticed the pain in Min Shaotian's eyes and he understood why the other had acted the way he did when Min Shaotian suspected him of being a demonic cultivator. 'He must've lost a lot...' Li Xinwen concluded. 'But a treasure that can open the portal to another world... that might be my key to return to Long Xing.'

"The demon started to wreak havoc. At that time, there was only five of us and the highest level was only at 1st stage Jindan. The rest of us was still at peak Xiantian... but that demon's cultivation level was already at the peak of Yuanying stage!" Min Shaotian clenched his hand into a tight fist. "We knew if we let the demon be, the world will fall into total chaos. So, despite the fact that we are almost two realms weaker than him, we fought."

"1st stage Jindan against peak Yuanying stage... that is just courting death," Li Xinwen commented.

"I know! But we did not have a choice..." Min Shaotian's voice sounded aggrieved. "You know, before that incident, there are only four families in this world who are a cultivator. If it wasn't because of that demon, I wouldn't have had this kind of thought of teaching cultivation methods to other people... These people would have been the one to help fight against the demon again but some of those bastard was tempted by the demon's offer and became a demonic cultivator instead!"

"From your words, the demon is still alive?"

"We couldn't beat him, so we thought of sealing him. But alas, he was too strong and instead, we lost two people," Min Shaotian. "And my son is one of them," he added after a while.

"Then, where is the demon? And the treasure?" Li Xinwen asked but Min Shaotian only shook his head.

"While the sealing failed, part of the demon's power was successfully sealed. When he noticed this, he ran, bringing along the treasure. Until now, we couldn't find him," Min Shaotian replied.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door, followed by the maid's voice. "Master, the tea is here."

"En. Come in," Min Shaotian replied and the door opened. The maid entered the room and served the tea onto the table. "Has Yuyu came out from his closed-door cultivation?" Min Shaotian asked.

"Not yet. He is still inside," the maid replied.

"I see. You may go now," Min Shaotian dismissed her and once the door was closed again, he turned back to Li Xinwen and the rest. It was only then did he realize that Sun Xiao and Xue Rui's expression was not right. Then he remembered that the two of them are not cultivators and he had rambled about his past without explaining. 'What kind of host am I, ah!! Has the age gotten into me now?' Min Shaotian berated himself.

"Mr Li... I think your two companions are confused right now," Min Shaotian informed Li Xinwen.

"It's alright. They've heard something almost similar to your story before," Li Xinwen replied.

"Oh?" this time, Min Shaotian have a surprised look before he glanced over at Xue Rui and Sun Xiao.

Sun Xiao just inched closer to Li Xinwen, while Xue Rui raised an eyebrow as he looked at the person beside him. "Xinwen, are you perhaps referring to that... apocalypse Jinghua told us before?" Xue Rui asked.

"If not that, what else?"

"... You're right... I've been told about the end of the world and zombies, and now, being told that a demon exists also didn't faze me," Xue Rui said before he took his cup and drank his tea. "My world view has been destroyed."

"Zombies? Apocalypse?" Min Shaotian voiced out his confusion. 'What do these have anything to do with cultivation?'

This time, it was Li Xinwen's turn to explain to Min Shaotian about what Li Jinghua had told them. He didn't conceal anything. Whatever Li Jinghua told him, it was exactly what he told Min Shaotian.

"I see, so that is why you are here to learn martial arts?" Min Shaotian asked.

"Originally, that was the plan. But unfortunately, I don't feel safe entrusting my brother to you. Not when Chen Jingguo is around," Li Xinwen replied.

"Chen Jingguo's matter... there really is no other choice. He was bought over by the demon, and he's here in order to steal the sealing method used on the demon. Unfortunately, to find out where the demon is hiding, I have to keep him close. Surely there will be a time when they will communicate," Min Shaotian explained.

"Until then, are you planning to raise a tiger in your midst? Mr Min, if I may say... you are treading in dangerous water."

"I have no other choice. I cannot let him have that sealing method. Once they have it, unsealing is only a matter of time and..."

"Alright. I won't say anymore," Li Xinwen cut off Min Shaotian's word. "You do what you do best. I can teach my brother on my own but I will have to trouble Mr Min to help me with my brother's meridian gates."

"Your cultivation method is not suitable for him. Even if I help open, with an opposing energy's cultivation method, it will only do him harm," Min Shaotian tried to convince Li Xinwen once more.

"Mr Min don't have to worry about that. I have other methods for my brother," as Li Xinwen said this, he raised his hand and rubbed Sun Xiao's head. "He is my brother. As his elder, I have to prepare the best for him."

In the end, Min Shaotian can only agree before he brought them to another room. There wasn't any furniture in the room, and it seems that this was only used as a cultivation room. "This is my personal cultivation room. We won't be disturbed here," Min Shaotian informed them. He then turned to Sun Xiao, "Once you're ready, come on in. As for you two," Min Shaotian's eyes went from Sun Xiao to Li Xinwen and Xue Rui. "Opening the meridian gates can be dangerous, so I hope the two of you can leave us so that I won't be distracted."

"Understood. Ah 'Xiao, Ge has something to tell you," Li Xinwen gently placed a hand on Sun Xiao's shoulder and bent down slightly to look at Sun Xiao in the eye. "Later, when Mr Min started, you need to listen to him. Just relax your body and let him direct his spiritual energy through your meridians. The process might be painful but Ge believes that you can get through this," Li Xinwen said in a gentle tone. "Don't worry. Mr Min already swore an oath. He will not deliberately cause you harm."

Sun Xiao was at first reluctant to leave Li Xinwen's side but after being assured by the other, he just nods his head. "When we're done, Xin- gege will still be around, right?"

"Naturally. I won't leave you alone," Li Xinwen replied with a grin. "Now go. When we get back home, I will give you something good," Li Xinwen said as he pats Sun Xiao's shoulder twice before giving the boy a light push toward Min Shaotian. "I'll leave my brother in your care, Mr Min. Rui- ge and I will go to the training hall. Don't worry, as long as that person surnamed Chen doesn't do anything to offend me any further, I won't lay my hand on him."

"I understand. I thank Mr Li for giving this old man some face after what happened earlier."

Li Xinwen simply waved his hand before he turned around to leave. "Let's go, Rui- ge . Now, it is time for our little 'date'," Li Xinwen said with a playful expression.

"Date?" Xue Rui who heard this can't help but become very excited.

"Of course. I promised you before, remember? So, come on and follow me," Li Xinwen replied as he began to walk away. 'It is finally time to teach you a lesson, ah! Though the one who harmed the original Li Xinwen is not you, it doesn't change that you are the cause of it. Also, I still have to give you a beating for playing with Hua-jie's feeling.'

Xue Rui didn't have any suspicion on what Li Xinwen was about to do so he happily followed Li Xinwen. It was only unfortunate for him that whatever it is Li Xinwen is planning, is the complete opposite of what he was hoping for.