Ye Wen did indeed want to take him as a disciple, but according to his habit, he first needed to observe whether the youth was fit to be accepted. If accepting him as a disciple ultimately brought ruin upon the Shu Mountain Sect, then what was the point of taking him on?

However, due to certain unique circumstances, Ye Wen didn't have to worry about this disciple bringing disaster upon the realm later on. Since he resided in this "Lower Realm," even destroying this world wouldn't matter much; in fact, it might just spread the fame of Shu Mountain throughout this world?

Or... perhaps he should just take him as a secret disciple, never revealing it to the outside? Maybe even not formally admitting him into the gates of the Shu Mountain Sect?

Ye Wen had not made a final decision on these matters; everything depended on the results of his future observations.

As for Huang Quan, Cang Ma, and the others, he would teach them a bit and then let them go. Ye Wen wasn't even planning to impart the true techniques of the Shu Mountain Sect to them, at most teaching them some superficial external skills he didn't use.

For example, Lei Chan’s five claws were incredibly sharp, perfectly suited for practicing claw techniques. Whenever they were idle on their journey, Ye Wen taught him the Eagle Claw Skill, though for some unknown reason, Ye Wen paused and taught him one extra move after some thought.

"Watch closely!"

Ye Wen demonstrated the move for Lei Chan during a brief rest. As he raised both hands above his head, wrists touching and palms cupped as if to support something, Artemis suddenly uttered an "Eh?" and muttered softly, "That posture looks familiar!"

Ye Wen ignored Artemis and instantly lunged forward, crossing the ten-meter distance in a mere moment to appear before a massive boulder.

Using the momentum of his charge, he slammed into the rock with force—then a rapid barrage of attacks erupted... a grab with the left hand, a rake with the right, hands alternating in sweeping motions. Watching this frenzied assault, a sudden fervor flashed in Lei Chan's eyes. After several continuous strikes, Ye Wen pressed both hands hard against the giant stone, then tore violently to either side. The huge rock suddenly erupted with boundless sword qi from within, shredding the entire mass into dust.

Standing up, Ye Wen waved his hand to dispel the swirling dust. He turned back to Lei Chan and asked, "Did you see clearly?"

"I saw clearly!" Ye Wen hadn't used his full strength when executing the move, and he had slowed the speed to a degree Lei Chan could follow, so he had observed it perfectly!

"This move is excessively bloody and ruthless, which is why I don't normally use it, but it suits you perfectly!" Ye Wen clapped his hands. Although he had never practiced claw techniques himself, with his level of cultivation, stances and moves could be deployed effortlessly. "The final thrust is the strongest strike. The key lies in the burst of internal energy; as for the execution, don't get overly fixated on the exact form!" Lei Chan had been agonizing over how to unleash that formidable sword qi in the final move. Hearing Ye Wen's guidance, he finally understood that the last strike could be done any way he pleased, adapting it to his own characteristics. This realization gave him much to ponder.

Seeing that Lei Chan understood, Ye Wen said no more. He still needed to figure out what moves to teach the other two.

However, Lei Chan suddenly remembered something and asked, "What is this move called?" "Uh... Hachijōjo (Eight Maidens)!"

Ye Wen scratched his cheek, uttering the name casually. When he walked back to Artemis's side, the woman seemed to have been holding her breath for a long time. She immediately leaned in and asked Ye Wen, "Isn't that...?" "Shh, I created it based on that game!"

It turned out that during her stay on Shu Mountain, the usually idle Hua Yi, seeing Artemis bored, had invited her to play video games together.

These martial artists, both male and female, were quite fond of those fighting games. Artemis, new to such things, naturally couldn't beat Hua Yi, but she became familiar with most of the characters, especially the signature ultimate move of a certain popular character?

He had long ago replicated this move; its power was not lacking. However, no one on Shu Mountain was suited to learning it, so he had never passed it on. Now encountering Lei Chan, it was extremely fitting for him to learn this technique, which could be counted as his fortunate encounter.

When Ye Wen taught Lei Chan this move, he didn't try to hide it. Cang Ma, watching from the side, had considered secretly learning it but could only shake his head in resignation after watching; the move truly wasn't suitable for him.

Although Huang Quan couldn't see, he could discern the execution of the technique through his hearing and the flow of air currents, allowing him to roughly judge its effect. He even concluded before Cang Ma that this move was unsuitable for him and Cang Ma to cultivate.

"This move... it really suits Lei Chan! Among us, only he can execute this level of madness and violence to perfection!"

After obtaining names, the group quickly grew accustomed to addressing each other by name. After all, no one wanted to remain an unnamed 'lower-ranking person' forever.

Yet, Huang Quan's judgment this time was slightly inaccurate. Chong Lou, who had remained silent, pondered deeply after watching the move. Although he quickly returned to his usual demeanor, Ye Wen noticed Chong Lou occasionally forming his hands into claw shapes, with faint bursts of energy circulating around them, clearly contemplating the Hachijōjo.

"Oh? Could this youngster also possess exceptional comprehension?" Ye Wen didn't speak, neither guiding nor stopping him. He was quite curious to see the extent to which this young man would eventually grasp the technique.

They continued onward. Ye Wen occasionally gave Lei Chan pointers on his claw skills and the Hachijōjo. Amaterasu kept approaching them intermittently, seeming to have something to say, but always bottling it up in the end.

Seeing her like this, Ye Wen didn't rush to inquire. He wasn't the type who was overly enthusiastic about helping others; there was no need to chase after someone offering assistance.

If Amaterasu spoke up, he could choose whether to help based on the situation. If she remained silent, he would treat the matter as if nothing had been amiss.

After several more days, Lei Chan’s instruction in claw techniques was nearly complete. When he fought now, Lei Chan was several degrees more ruthless than before. Compared to the beginning, Lei Chan's claws were far more ferocious—a mere graze could wound, and a direct hit would incapacitate!

Huang Quan and Cang Ma sparred with Lei Chan daily as a form of practice. Initially, they were evenly matched, but after Ye Wen’s guidance, while Lei Chan's raw strength hadn't increased dramatically, his combat effectiveness soared several levels.

"Lei Chan’s power isn't weak, but he never knew how to utilize it before. It seems he was just fighting based on instinct," Ye Wen had long seen the root of the problem. This was precisely why he was confident in being able to elevate the strength of the group substantially in a short time.

Among these individuals, Lei Chan's issue was the easiest to resolve, which is why Ye Wen began guiding him first: to let the others understand that he wasn't boasting. Lei Chan was the clearest example—if they did what he asked, their strength would improve!

Lei Chan lacked experience fighting masters! Ye Wen had it!

Lei Chan had never systematically learned how to fight! Ye Wen understood it!

Lei Chan’s fighting style was riddled with flaws! Ye Wen could point them out and help him correct them!

In barely half a month, Lei Chan seemed reborn. If the Lei Chan they first met was like a country ruffian possessing immense brute force, then the Lei Chan of today could barely be called a regionally renowned powerhouse.

Lei Chan’s primary issues were mostly resolved, and his transformation gradually instilled confidence in Huang Quan and Cang Ma regarding Ye Wen, motivating them to follow his instructions. Thus, after Lei Chan's power increased, the group's pace quickened again.

More importantly, during breaks, the individuals began actively scouting for the people Ye Wen was seeking: the domineering man in ceremonial robes and Li Xiaoyao!

This world was vast. From their conversations, Ye Wen estimated it was nearly as large as the Immortal Realm, but its population was sparse. After traveling so long, they had only encountered one town with a significant gathering of people.

Furthermore, the native races in this world were numerous. There were not only "humans" much like Ye Wen but also many "half-bloods" like Cang Ma, or beings like Huang Quan and Chong Lou who were generally humanoid but possessed distinct features such as horns or wings.

When Ye Wen and his party visited the town, they found many inhabitants. Although some were quite peculiar-looking, their overall customs and lifestyles were indistinguishable from their own, so many simply ignored the newcomers.

Among this group, Xue Rengui and Lü Bu found the environment unsettling. No matter how high their martial skill, being surrounded by a throng of "monsters" didn't feel comfortable. Although they had grown somewhat familiar with Huang Quan and his companions during their journey, those few still appeared somewhat human. But in this town, there were many beings who were utterly non-human—like the creature near them, nearly three meters tall, muscles like iron, its entire form seemingly cobbled together from massive stones.

Or the gorgeously adorned and scantily clad woman nearby, flashing seductive winks at their group, possessing a pair of bat wings behind her but ending in a set of recurved goat hooves below the waist.

Of course, what they saw most often were soldiers running about in various armor, clutching weapons. These men were subordinates of local powers, patrolling to maintain security within their territories while simultaneously searching for suitable fighting strength to bolster their own ranks!

Ye Wen’s group had been targeted once. However, with the strength these soldiers possessed, capturing Ye Wen's party was a pipe dream. After leaving the town, they found an isolated spot, and Artemis made quick work of the pursuers, leaving no ashes behind.

While this incident caused them no trouble, it showed Ye Wen that it was best for their group to avoid towns if possible, lest they stir up further trouble. Therefore, for the days that followed, they traveled along secluded paths, occasionally dispatching a few members to gather intelligence.

It wasn't until a month after Ye Wen arrived in this world that they finally got a lead.

"Northwest?" Cang Ma nodded. "The clothing worn by the man Xue Rengui showed us resembles that worn by high-ranking figures of a faction in the Northwest." Ye Wen nodded. He didn't suspect any error, as Lü Bu, the "Great General of the Han Dynasty," had already told Ye Wen that the ceremonial robes worn by that man were not something ordinary people could wear; in his era, only emperors dressed like that. This fact alone suggested the man held significant status.

Regarding the custom of emperors wearing mianfu (ceremonial robes), this was the practice at least until the Tang Dynasty. After the Sui and Tang dynasties, the yellow robe became standard, known as the Dragon Robe!

"So, could that man also be from Earth?"

He held this suspicion in his heart but wasn't entirely certain. After all, the entire Eastern Immortal Realm originated from Earth. Who knew if some individual had refused the Jade Emperor's command and fled to this world to carve out his own domain?

Still, having a lead was good news. Even better was that their current destination was the Northwest, which was also where Xue Rengui’s objective lay. It seemed their problems might be solvable simultaneously?

With a clear destination, their pace quickened! But it wasn't just rushing forward; after finishing his instruction of Lei Chan, Ye Wen began guiding Cang Ma and Huang Quan.

For Cang Ma, Ye Wen straightforwardly found him a set of whip techniques. The instruction for Huang Quan was more complex. His mind was sharp, and he was adept at assessing situations during combat, but teaching him standard martial arts seemed inappropriate. Ye Wen focused on instructing him in the projection and minute control of his innate power.

In Ye Wen's view, this ability was far more valuable than teaching him a codified technique. Huang Quan could sense this too, so he learned with great diligence. Although his progress seemed slow, and at one point his combat strength fell noticeably behind Cang Ma's, barring any unexpected developments, his future prospects were exceptionally bright.

Once the preliminary guidance concluded, Ye Wen taught them no further. The next step was for them to slowly digest what he had taught before deciding whether to continue the instruction.

As for whether the group might flee now? Ye Wen wasn't worried! Having tasted such benefits, would they really be willing to leave? In this world, they would never find such an excellent 'teacher.'

Only now did Ye Wen begin to focus his attention on Chong Lou, whom he had been closely monitoring.

By this time, they had stepped into the territory of the Northwest. To Ye Wen's surprise, the border region of this Northwest territory was heavily garrisoned with armies—but this wasn't what surprised him. What shocked him was that the banners of these armies bore the characters "Qin!"

"Qin?"

Not only Ye Wen but also Lü Bu and Xue Rengui were equally astonished. They exchanged glances, believing it could merely be a coincidence!

"Perhaps they are also from Earth, but established the banner of 'Qin' because they are situated in the Northwest?"

The truth remained unknown, but Ye Wen had a faint feeling that this matter was not as simple as it seemed. Finding a secluded spot to serve as their temporary residence, Ye Wen called Chong Lou aside for a private conversation.

"It’s been over a month, hasn't it?"

Given their speed, if they had headed directly for the Northwest, it shouldn't have taken this long. The delays were due to gathering information along the way.

Throughout this past month, Ye Wen had been observing. He found that although Chong Lou was temperamentally reserved, he harbored no ill intentions. The only thing Ye Wen couldn't ascertain was that the young man seemed burdened by deep worries.

"Yes!" Ye Wen glanced around, then finally shrugged helplessly and sat directly on the ground. "I've been observing you these past few weeks. Do you have something weighing on your mind?"

Chong Lou remained silent, simply standing there.

Ye Wen paused, then realized he was ill-suited to be a warm, approachable psychological counselor. He coughed lightly and cut straight to the chase: "Just tell me directly. I believe your talent and aptitude are excellent, but I also want to inquire about your personal background!"

"What background?"

"Such as your origin, your family history, are there any relatives still alive?"

Chong Lou's eyes suddenly sharpened intensely: "What does this have to do with taking a master?"

"It has everything to do with it!" Ye Wen smiled. "From these details, one can generally deduce a person's character, or their... goal in pursuing martial arts!"

After saying this, the two fell silent, simply staring at each other. After a long moment, Chong Lou slowly began to speak, vaguely recounting his circumstances.

Though it was a rough outline, it was logically clear, covering all necessary points. Only then did Ye Wen understand why Chong Lou had uttered the sentence, "I will stomp all those bastards under my feet."

He had initially suspected Chong Lou came from a poor background, perhaps having suffered some trauma. Now he learned that Chong Lou was the offspring of a concubine, and worse, one born from a female slave, the lowest form of status.

Chong Lou originally had a very powerful, prestigious, and influential father. Unfortunately, because of his mother's status, his own standing remained negligible. From childhood, he was scorned, despised, and even ignored by his father (the precise details could fill a legendary treatise on tragic romance, so we omit them here).

Such an upbringing taught Chong Lou harsh truths at a very young age. After his mother passed away, Chong Lou left that place, seeking a path to become stronger.

Initially, relying on his outstanding aptitude and talent, his progress was swift. But lacking guidance from a true master, he soon hit a bottleneck, stagnating for over a decade. Unable to find a suitable teacher in this world, he finally remembered the rumors he had heard, deciding to try his luck in the "Upper Realm," which is how he encountered Ye Wen.

"Then... your father is?"

Ye Wen suddenly felt the situation becoming increasingly melodramatic. Following the typical trajectory of melodramatic stories...

"He is the ruler of this domain, the man who styles himself the First Emperor of Qin!"

Ye Wen opened his mouth, the curse, "It really is this cliché!" catching in his throat as he was stunned by Chong Lou's father's self-proclaimed title. After a moment of stunned silence, he asked uncertainly, "What is your father's name?"

"Ying Zheng!"