Chen Changan with Noble Character

Chen Chang'an also noticed the situation with this grandfather and grandson duo. Driven by curiosity, he changed direction and went over to see what was going on.

The grandfather and grandson found Chen Chang'an and his companions' appearance rather peculiar, but Chen Chang'an thought their situation wasn’t much better either.

The Old Man lay on the ground, barely alive, while the Grandson sobbed beside him—except he wasn’t just crying; he was also violently pounding on the Old Man’s chest.

Was this to give the Old Man some excitement before he died? To broaden his horizons?

"Holy shit!"

"Truly... truly bizarre."

The Old Man, who had been on the brink of death, weakly turned his head to look in Chen Chang'an’s direction.

Once he saw them, his eyes lit up with fascination.

"Big bro, I feel like these two... might not be all there in the head?"

"Just now, the Grandson was crying like a little brat, but the moment he saw us, he got excited like a kid in a candy store."

"And the Old Man was practically dead, but after getting pummeled by his Grandson, he suddenly revived. Now he’s staring at us like he’s just as thrilled as his Grandson."

"Big bro, you think they might be sick in the head?"

"Maybe you should take a look?"

Chen Chang'an was also puzzled by the thought process of these two. What the hell was going on?

"So... enjoying the scenery here?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.

"Mhm!"

"Great scenery!"

The grandfather and grandson nodded in unison, but their gazes remained fixed on Chen Chang'an and his group.

Damn, they were being treated as part of the view!

"Grandson, help your grandpa up."

"Right away, Grandpa!"

Huh?

Just like that, he’s standing?

Weren’t they just calling for help earlier?

Chen Chang'an gave the Old Man a skeptical look—he was perfectly healthy now. So why the hell had the kid been screaming for help before?

"If you’re fine, why were you so weak earlier?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"Ah, it’s an old affliction. Everyone from our place has it."

"Every few decades, or sometimes just over a decade, it flares up."

"Different people have different intervals. When it happens, the body enters a near-death state."

"Those who pull through recover like nothing happened. Those who don’t... well, they just die."

"This kid’s still young. Never seen it before, so he panicked a little."

"Sorry for the trouble." The Old Man chuckled.

Hearing this, Chen Chang'an frowned. If it were just one family with this condition, it might be some strange hereditary disease.

But the Old Man said everyone from their place suffered from it. That suggested something far more complicated than a simple illness.

"Everyone has this problem?"

"And no one’s ever been cured?" Chen Chang'an pressed.

"No cure. No way to treat it either, because our bodies show no signs of illness normally."

"It just happens suddenly, without warning."

"Many say it’s divine punishment—that our homeland is cursed, and that’s why we suffer like this."

Divine punishment? Chen Chang'an wasn’t buying that. More likely, there was something unnatural about their land.

Either someone was behind it, or something was affecting them.

Something...

At this thought, Chen Chang'an’s expression darkened. Given the pattern of the fused embryonic pearls, this time, it should be the fragment of the Death Law.

Combined with the Old Man’s description, Chen Chang'an strongly suspected that the Death Law fragment was the cause of their affliction.

"Where do you live?"

"And none of your people have ever tried to leave?"

"Some have, of course. But we have a rule—if you leave, you can never return."

"So we don’t know what happened to those who left."

What kind of ridiculous rule was that? No going back once you left?

"So then, you two are...?"

"No, no, don’t get the wrong idea. We haven’t left."

"I just brought my Grandson out to train. The boy’s ambitious, wants to become strong."

Chen Chang'an glanced at the young man. He was barely twenty—practically a child in the Ancient Immortal Domain.

As for his cultivation... early twenties, yet already at the Void Comprehension Realm, and peak Void Comprehension at that.

He’d probably reach the Immortal Realm soon.

Admittedly, in the Ancient Immortal Domain, breaking through to the levels below Quasi-Emperor wasn’t too difficult. The real challenge began at the Quasi-Immortal stage.

"Wanting to grow stronger is a good thing."

"By the way, could I visit your homeland?"

"I can offer him some pills in return."

"How about a few third-grade Immortal Gathering Pills?" Chen Chang'an smiled.

He had a strong hunch that the Death Law fragment was hidden in the Old Man’s homeland. This trip was necessary.

"Third-grade Immortal Gathering Pills?"

"That... that is indeed precious, but..."

The Old Man hesitated, clearly conflicted. Considering his earlier words, was there another rule—no outsiders allowed?

"I mean no harm. It’s just that I’m naturally kind-hearted."

"Ah, I can’t bear to see others suffer, to live with misfortune."

"If your homeland has such a strange affliction, I must investigate."

"A healer’s duty is compassion. How could I stand idly by?"

"If I don’t uncover the truth, I... I won’t sleep or eat in peace. My conscience won’t allow it."

"I’d be failing my skills, betraying my merciful heart."

"I—"

"Enough!"

"I’ll take you!"

"Even if I’m punished, I’ll bear it willingly."

"Meeting someone as benevolent as you is a blessing from the heavens."

"For the sake of future generations, I’ll shoulder any blame."

The Old Man’s eyes welled up as he stared at Chen Chang'an, his hands trembling with emotion.

A good man!

A truly good man!

How lucky he was to encounter such a kind soul in this vast world.

"Old Man, don’t get too worked up. Take care of your health."

"Choosing the path of healing means this is our duty."

"Otherwise, why study medicine? Just to extort consultation fees?"

"Disgraceful! Utterly vulgar!"

"Our calling is to save lives, to heal the sick, to protect the world."

"We study medicine for the sake of all living beings!"

"Good!"

"Well said!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The Old Man applauded fervently, his hands turning red from the force.

"Grandpa, I feel like something’s off here..."

Slap!

The Old Man smacked his Grandson upside the head and scolded angrily, "What the hell do you know? Such noble character—you better learn from it properly."

"Oh, got it, Grandpa," the Grandson replied.