She smiled again and said, "Vik, there are always two sides to every situation. While you learn about the challenges Lu Xiaoran faces, there are also some benefits. It's completely impossible to kill a Chosen One, but if the villain manages to kill him, he will become the next protagonist in the story, the next main character."
"I'm sure you know stories where the villain becomes the main character. If everything goes right here, Lu Xiaoran will become the next Chosen One with some villain traits. I believe Lu Xiaoran has already been approached by a system. Once he accepts it, he will become a Chosen One like you and me."
Hearing her explain this, I sighed in relief. My disciple is out of danger; he just needs to accept a system and become its host. Although these systems are mostly just chatbots, if it helps him stay off Heaven's radar, that's fine by me.
But while I was relieved, the system's voice sounded in my head. "Host, you should consider another possibility. What if your disciple rejects the system's offer, just like you did?"
Vik: "Damn! System, you've raised another concern."
Meanwhile, back at Azure Mountain City, Lu Xiaoran was on his way to the Lu family estate with his parents and Roman to reclaim the family. He had previously avoided reclaiming the estate because he was okay with his cousin and uncles enjoying the little time they had left. Once he dealt with Lin Chen, the next target would be them.
To him, the Lu family elders and guards were a joke. He had previously kidnapped his cousin Lin Zhang right in front of his father and all the elders, who couldn't do anything about it. Now he could do it again, but he saw no need for violence since he had his parents back. He would let his father do the talking while he stayed in the background.
Soon, they reached the Lu family estate, where the entrance was heavily guarded by several Qi condensation guards and one Foundation establishment guard. As soon as the guards saw Lu Xiaoran's group, their faces paled, especially when they recognized Lu Ran and Layla.
Some of the guards immediately greeted Lu Ran, saying, "Family head is back," and "Greetings, Family head," while others were still surprised to see him alive.
Lu Ran asked, "Guards, tell me what happened to the Lu family after I left, and why are you so surprised to see me here?"
The Foundation establishment guard stepped forward, knelt, and said, "Family head, after you left, we placed the family in the hands of Miss Layla. Your brother Lu Zhan opposed this, alongside some elders. After Miss Layla was arrested, he took the opportunity and, with the support of many elders, became the new Family head and claimed you were dead. That's why we are surprised to see you."
Lu Ran already knew what had happened to Layla, but hearing it from his guards made him grit his teeth. Anger flashed on his face as he said, "Lu Zhan, I viewed you as a rival, but to think you would dare to hurt my wife and son while I was gone! I will make sure to break every bone in your body."
With that, he walked toward the entrance of the Lu family estate. The guards quickly got up from their kneeling positions to open the grand gates for him while bowing. One guard ran ahead, shouting, "The family head is back! Everyone, the family head is back!"
All the servants and Lu family members emerged from their courtyards, looking at Lu Xiaoran and his group. Some rejoiced at seeing Lu Ran, while others tensed up—the ones who had supported Lu Zhan in becoming the new Family head.
Soon, they reached the main hall of the Lu family, where Lu Xiaoran's uncle Lu Zhan was already standing with eight other elders who supported him. When he saw Lu Ran approach, Lu Zhan said, "Lu Ran, I'm glad you're alive. However, as new family head, I have decided to banish you and your direct line from the Lu family due to the crimes committed by your wife and son."
Lu Ran snorted and replied, "You can create even more false reasons, but it won't hide your greed. You've always wanted to be the Family head."
Lu Zhan tried to argue, but before he could say anything, Lu Ran dashed forward and, with incredible speed, delivered an uppercut punch to Lu Zhan, sending him backward. All the elders at the peak of Foundation establishment looked on in surprise. Though Lu Zhan was at the Golden Core stage like Lu Ran, Lu Ran had a far superior foundation and was at the peak of his Golden Core stage, just a step away from the Soul Formation realm.
Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoran watched everything silently alongside Roman. With their cultivation at Golden Core and Nascent Soul, they could defeat everyone in the Lu family in seconds, but they chose to remain quiet since it was Lu Ran's moment to shine.
From the corner of his eye, Lu Xiaoran spotted his cousin Lu Zhang, who was terrified by the unfolding events. Lu Zhang tried to escape toward the back gate of the Lu family, but Lu Xiaoran quickly intercepted him. Lu Zhang froze, terrified, and despite summoning all his courage, managed to stammer, "Please! Forgive me." After they had kidnapped him a few days ago, Lu Zhang had been struggling with severe mental trauma, and Lu Xiaoran's presence triggered his fear again.
Lu Xiaoran looked at him but didn't respond, as he heard a voice in his head.
"Ding! Lu Xiaoran is chosen as the host of this great system through Heaven's favor."
"Ding! Do you want to bind with the system?"