Even someone as thick-skinned as William Lynn felt a bit embarrassed, but since he still had to keep up his act as a master, he could only brace himself and carry on.

　　At this moment, Old Miller also came forward to thank William Lynn. After expressing his gratitude, he seemed to have something more to say, his gaze hesitantly shifting between William Lynn and Little Ben.

　　On the surface, William Lynn appeared calm and collected, but in reality, the corner of his eye was always on Little Ben, calling out to him with deep emotion in his heart.

　　"Little One, oh Little One, hurry and come into your master's bowl."

Chapter 9: Hurry and Come Into Your Master's Bowl

　　Old Miller's gaze hesitantly moved between William Lynn and Little Ben.

　　"Little One, oh Little One, hurry and come into your master's bowl." William Lynn shouted in his heart, but on the surface he still looked at Little Ben with a calm expression, quietly asking, "The protective talisman I left for you—did you use it?"

　　Little Ben scratched his head shyly, his little face turning slightly red. "Yiya, I used it. I went looking for it afterwards, but I couldn't find it."

　　William Lynn smiled calmly. "No matter, it was meant to protect you anyway. I sensed something had happened to the talisman, so I came back."

　　Little Ben said with a smile, "Thank you, Daoist, for getting rid of the old tree demon and saving everyone."

　　William Lynn smiled, then took out another talisman and handed it to Little Ben. "Keep it safe. Be more careful from now on. I have other matters to attend to, so let's part ways here. If fate allows, we will meet again."

　　The thunder-elemental crystals he had exchanged for were already used up. With just this talisman, he couldn't activate the Nine Heavens Thunder Summoning, but that didn't stop William Lynn from putting on a show.

　　With that, William Lynn stood up tall, put away the Arctic Sky Magnet Sword, and walked toward the door.

　　Little Ben nodded in confusion, while Old Miller was stunned on the spot. He had thought William Lynn would bring up the matter again and take Little Ben as his disciple.

　　The old man hoped William Lynn would accept Little Ben as an apprentice, but he was also worried that Little Ben's background would be exposed. He was torn, but who would have thought William Lynn would just leave like that.

　　William Lynn kept a calm expression as he walked out of the courtyard. The villagers of Stone Village all stepped aside respectfully and gratefully to make way for him.

　　"One, two, three..." William Lynn counted silently as he walked. Of course, he couldn't just leave like this—otherwise, what had he been working so hard for?

　　But since he was putting on a show, he had to do it thoroughly. If he was playing the role of a reclusive master, he had to have the bearing of one.

　　Things that come too easily are often not cherished. It's the same between master and disciple. If he was too eager, Old Miller and Little Ben would become suspicious. If he seemed less interested, they would be more eager to approach him.

　　Sure enough, when William Lynn counted to "ten" in his heart, Old Miller's voice came from behind: "Immortal, please wait!"

　　"Very reliable," William Lynn chuckled inwardly, his expression unchanged. He turned around without saying a word, simply looking calmly at Old Miller.

　　The old man had clearly made up his mind. Holding Little Ben's hand, he walked over and said humbly but solemnly, "This child has suffered many hardships since he was young. To gain the favor of an immortal is his great fortune. Please, Immortal, have mercy and accept this child."

　　William Lynn knew this was the time to show his magnanimity, so he didn't put on airs. He simply said calmly, "It's not about favor or mercy. To continue the master-disciple bond from a previous life, I am also very pleased. But whether he is willing to return to my tutelage is up to the child himself."

　　Old Miller pondered for a moment, then said to the people around, "Everyone, disperse. There have been big events these past few days, and our homes are in disarray. Go back for now."

　　The villagers were curious, but since the village chief had spoken, they all left one by one, expressing their deep gratitude to William Lynn before departing.

　　A moment later, only William Lynn, Old Miller, and Little Ben were left in the courtyard. Old Miller bowed and said, "This old man has some secrets to share. Immortal, please allow me to explain inside."

　　William Lynn nodded indifferently, and the three of them entered the stone house and sat down. Old Miller looked at Little Ben with affection. "Little Ben, are you willing to take this Immortal as your master?"

　　Little Ben's big, dark eyes sparkled as he looked at William Lynn. "Will I be able to learn great skills like the Immortal?"

　　William Lynn smiled slightly. "You can learn even greater ones."

　　Little Ben immediately nodded repeatedly, his face full of anticipation. "Yes, I want to! I want to!"

　　William Lynn put away his smile and said slowly, "However, if you take me as your master, you will have to leave the village with me. I won't be staying here for long."

　　Upon hearing this, Little Ben hesitated, looking at William Lynn with longing, then at Old Miller.

　　Old Miller coughed lightly and said solemnly, "Little Ben, haven't you always asked me where your parents went?"

　　Little Ben blinked and said, "I have some memories in my head, but I can never quite remember. Grandpa, are you finally going to tell me?"

　　Old Miller nodded, then looked at William Lynn. "Immortal, please allow me to explain. This child... his background is quite unusual. In the future, it may bring you trouble. He... he was born into the royal family of the Great Qin Dynasty, and is also connected to the Yu family of the Great Qin Dynasty."

　　William Lynn's heart skipped a beat. The imperial dynasties of this Tianyuan World were nothing like those in Earth's history. Those who could ascend the throne and rule a nation were all powerful cultivators.

　　So-called imperial families were, in fact, extremely powerful cultivator clans, able to rival the great sects.