High Martial: I Can Copy All Root Bones!

Outside the Lan Family’s residence.

Teng Xiaofan surveyed his surroundings for a moment.

After making sure no one was watching, his form shifted. Taking on the appearance of an ordinary clan member who had just stepped out, he swaggered back toward the residence.

A Lan Clan Member guarding the gate teased him, "Back so soon? Don’t tell me you already have a date with Miss Qingqing?"

Teng Xiaofan feigned embarrassment and anger. "Get lost! What do you know?"

This sent the two guards into a fit of laughter.

Meanwhile, Teng Xiaofan stepped inside the residence.

Teng Xiaofan purposefully wandered around the Lan Family’s residence, memorizing its layout.

Soon, Teng Xiaofan set his sights on one of the Lan Clan Elders.

This elder was extremely old and was dozing in the sun by a garden.

The oppressive aura he exuded was practically nonexistent. Teng Xiaofan estimated he was over a hundred years old, a cultivator at the First Heaven of the Bone Refining realm whose strength was now in decline.

Teng Xiaofan took a small spray bottle from his pocket and, aiming it downwind, gave it a little spritz.

Before long, the Lan Clan Elder’s eyes squinted even tighter, and his body went completely limp in the lounge chair.

"Heh heh, my apologies."

Teng Xiaofan took a few steps forward and pressed an acupoint on the elder’s body, sending him into a deep slumber.

Teng Xiaofan carried him over and hid him in the garden bushes. With another shift, he had already taken on the appearance of the Lan Clan Elder.

"Ahem." Teng Xiaofan gave a dry cough. He perfectly mimicked the elder’s decrepit appearance, standing with a stooped back. The occasional sharp glint in his eyes was also consistent with the elder’s identity as a Bone Refining Powerhouse.

As luck would have it, not long after he’d switched identities, a young disciple from the clan came running over.

"Third Grand-Uncle, the Ancestor is calling for an immediate family ceremony to decide on the new Patriarch. I’ve come to inform you to gather at the ancestral hall," the young disciple said respectfully.

Teng Xiaofan turned around with deliberate slowness. "Oh? Help me over there."

Not daring to be disrespectful, the young Lan Family disciple stepped forward to support Teng Xiaofan’s arm and guided him toward the ancestral hall.

Teng Xiaofan walked at a snail’s pace.

By the time they arrived at the Lan Family’s ancestral hall, nearly everyone had already gathered inside.

Teng Xiaofan’s gaze swept the room and fell upon a person at the head of the hall. He had white hair, but his skin was like a baby’s.

This had to be the Lan Family Ancestor, who was in the Rebirth Realm.

Teng Xiaofan had seen it before. After his master, the Thief Saint, advanced to the Rebirth Realm, his skin had also begun to reverse-age, becoming as smooth as an infant’s.

This seemed to be a common trait among Martial Artists in the Rebirth Realm.

When the Lan Family’s Rebirth Realm Ancestor saw Teng Xiaofan, he even gave a slight nod.

’It seems being old has its advantages,’ Teng Xiaofan thought. ’The elder I’m impersonating might be from the same generation as the Rebirth Realm Ancestor.’

Teng Xiaofan was supported and led to a seat very close to the Lan Family Ancestor.

"Alright, Third Grand-Uncle is here. Let’s begin the recommendations!" a Lan Family official announced.

Immediately, a Lan Clan Member faced the Ancestor and spoke, "Ancestor, I recommend Lan Hong! He is a standout of the middle generation, and his abilities are no less than Lan Sheng’s!"

This recommendation received much approval, with many voices chiming in to agree.

It was clear that Lan Hong held considerable prestige within the clan.

Teng Xiaofan followed the clan members’ gazes and saw Lan Hong in the crowd. The man had an upright and dignified air, and he was currently lowering his head with a modest expression.

In terms of appearance, he bore a striking resemblance to the previous Lan Family Patriarch, Lan Sheng, who had been killed by Xuansha with a single punch.

The Lan Family Ancestor’s face was expressionless. He had already despised Lan Sheng, so how could he possibly choose someone similar like Lan Hong?

After some discussion, the clan members sensed the Lan Family Ancestor’s sentiment and immediately fell silent.

It was true that Lan Hong had built a strong network among the Lan Family’s middle generation, but compared to the Lan Family Ancestor, that meant nothing.

Age was not a factor.

A Rebirth Realm expert could live for two or three hundred years. On the day Lan Hong died of old age, the Lan Family Ancestor would likely still be alive and kicking, as capable as he was yesterday when he majestically subdued the member of the Demon Sect.

Lan Hong also realized this and didn’t dare say another word, retreating to the back with a dejected look on his face.

"I believe that in these chaotic times, the family’s main priority should be to lay low. We should choose a mature and steady Patriarch," the Lan Family Ancestor said.

As soon as he said this, all the middle-generation members who had hoped to be chosen as Patriarch turned ashen-faced.

Meanwhile, the older generation, who had previously held no hope, now had glittering eyes.

"I think Third Cousin is a good choice."

"Since he was young, Third Cousin has understood the value of laying low and preserving his health. Under his leadership, the Lan Family will surely be able to lie low and endure through these chaotic times."

Teng Xiaofan was stunned. With that one turn of phrase from the Lan Family Ancestor, everyone’s gaze fell upon him.

A slight panic bloomed in Teng Xiaofan’s heart, but his face remained impassive.

After a moment, Teng Xiaofan managed a suitable reaction.

Teng Xiaofan slowly rose to his feet. He first bowed and cupped his fists toward the Ancestor. "Thank you for your consideration, Elder Cousin."

’Damn it, I have no idea which elder cousin you are, but just calling you ’Elder Cousin’ can’t be wrong, right?’

After expressing his thanks, Teng Xiaofan took several more seconds to slowly straighten up, making the surrounding clan members cringe.

"Ahem, however, my cultivation is low, and my sun is already setting. I’m afraid I am not up to such a great responsibility!"

Seeing Teng Xiaofan’s calm demeanor—unfazed by favor or disgrace—and his earnest attempt to decline, the image of his younger cousin who had understood the way of laying low from a young age became even more prominent in the Lan Family Ancestor’s mind.

’If my cousin were Patriarch, we definitely wouldn’t have gotten into this mess with the Demon Sect.’

And so, the Lan Family Ancestor made his decision. "It’s you! Third Cousin, you will be the Patriarch! With you as Patriarch, I can finally go into seclusion with peace of mind."

Teng Xiaofan froze on the spot.

However, all the Lan Clan Members were already bowing to him in salute. "We greet the Patriarch!"

To the Lan Clan Members, the Lan Family Ancestor’s word was an oracle. If the Ancestor wanted Third Grand-Uncle to be the Patriarch, he naturally had his reasons.

No one dared to object!

Teng Xiaofan’s mind was reeling. ’I was just following the Hall Master’s orders to infiltrate the Lan Family’s residence and gather information on the Dark Buddha Demon Sect. How did I somehow become the Lan Family’s Patriarch?’

"Third, your elder brother will be heading into seclusion now."

"Your first order of business as Patriarch is to properly handle the situation with the Dark Buddha Demon Sect underground."

"If you don’t handle it well, don’t blame me for disregarding our bond and holding you accountable!"

After saying this, the Lan Family Ancestor truly did turn and leave to enter seclusion.

The Lan Family Ancestor had directly given him the authority to deal with the Dark Buddha Demon Sect prisoner. Teng Xiaofan’s mouth fell open. This was actually a good opportunity.

’I just don’t know what kind of excuse to use.’

Teng Xiaofan’s mind was sharp, and he quickly came up with a plan.

’I’ll give it a try. My convenient ’elder cousin’ has given me the authority anyway. If I mess it up, worst-case scenario, I can just use my Transformation and leave.’

Teng Xiaofan looked at the young Lan Family member who had helped him in. "Take me to where the man from the Dark Buddha Demon Sect is being held."

The young man blinked. He didn’t know where the prisoner from the Dark Buddha Demon Sect was being kept.

However, Lan Hong came jogging over. "Patriarch, I’ll take you."

"Mm," Teng Xiaofan grunted softly.

He then announced to the crowd, "Anyone who wishes to watch may come along. I am going to deal with this member of the Dark Buddha Demon Sect in my own way."

And so, a large procession of Lan Clan Members headed toward the secret underground prison beneath the family residence.

Supported by Lan Hong, Teng Xiaofan finally stood before Xuansha.

Xuansha slowly raised his head, looking curiously at the decrepit old man surrounded by the Lan Clan Members.

Suddenly, Xuansha’s eyes widened in shock. The old man had just taken a step forward, out of the others’ line of sight, and mouthed a few words to him.

Xuansha read his lips. The two words were... Lu Changfeng!

Xuansha was baffled. ’Has the Saint Master’s identity been exposed? Or was this person sent by the Saint Master?’

But what happened next made Xuansha realize that this person really had been sent by the Saint Master!

"Ahem, I am the new Patriarch of the Lan Family." ’As for my name, even I don’t know it,’ Teng Xiaofan added mentally.

"My elder cousin has placed the matter of your fate in my hands."

"Therefore, I’ve decided to let you go."

With these words, Xuansha immediately confirmed Teng Xiaofan’s identity.

Meanwhile, an uproar erupted among the Lan Family members behind him.

"Patriarch! But he killed our previous Patriarch!"

"Several of our grand-uncles also died at his hands!"

"You must not be so foolish, Patriarch!!"

Teng Xiaofan suddenly closed his eyes. Sinking his breath to his Dantian, he bellowed, "Silence! Who is the Patriarch here?"

Surprisingly, this display of authority, so different from his usual demeanor, created a stark contrast that instantly calmed the Lan Clan Members down.

"Think carefully. How powerful is the Saint Demon Sect?"

"Rumor has it that after several hundred years, a new Saint Master has emerged in the Saint Demon Sect!"

"If this Saint Master is allowed to grow and gathers the forces of the Saint Demon Sect to take revenge on our Lan Family, who among you can guarantee that the Lan Family won’t be annihilated?"

"No matter how powerful my elder cousin is, he is still just one man. Can he protect every single one of us?"

"Now that these chaotic times are upon us, our Lan Family absolutely cannot be the nail that sticks out, provoking enemies and making rivals everywhere. We need to lay low and bide our time!"

The speech Teng Xiaofan had improvised on the spot certainly made some sense, but he was an outsider.

It was difficult for the Lan Clan Members to separate themselves from their identity as members of the Lan Family and consider things from this perspective.

Hatred, face, and family honor were all external factors that shackled their thinking.

But now, with Teng Xiaofan’s lecture—delivered without any regard for his own ’old face’—the Lan Clan Members’ way of thinking began to change.

Teng Xiaofan then turned to Xuansha. "Of course, Dark Buddha, our Lan Family can let you go!"

"But you must promise that your Saint Demon Sect will not show its face in Jiangzhou again, and you will not harm a single hair on the heads of the Lan Clan Members!"

"This is the price for your life! Are you willing to make that promise?"

Xuansha pondered for a moment before speaking, "I will discuss this with the other Demon Sects. In the future, as long as the Lan Family does not take the initiative to attack members of the Saint Demon Sect, I guarantee the Saint Demon Sect will not move against the Lan Family."

At these words, all the Lan Family members revealed looks of astonishment.

"Lan Hong, unlock his shackles and let him go."

Lan Hong acted immediately without hesitation. In fact, Teng Xiaofan’s speech had just made Lan Hong understand why the Ancestor had chosen Third Grand-Uncle as the Patriarch.

A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm!

If it had been him, he absolutely would not have been able to swallow his pride and let the member of the Dark Buddha Demon Sect go!

But a Saint Demon Sect with a newly emerged Saint Master would clearly become terrifyingly powerful in the future!

Lan Hong now felt a deep sense of respect for Third Grand-Uncle, this new Patriarch.

CLANK! CLANK!

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The iron chains, as thick as a thigh, were unlocked, and the metal spikes pinning his major acupoints were pulled out.

Xuansha dropped from his mid-air suspension to the ground.

Only then did the Lan Clan Members remember that this was the terrifying figure from the Dark Buddha Demon Sect who could instantly kill experts of the same level. They all subconsciously backed away.

"Amitabha Buddha. A man of the cloth keeps his word." Xuansha recited the Buddha’s name, then activated his Lightweight Skill. His figure flickered and vanished from the underground prison.

The many members of the Lan Family all let out a soft sigh of relief.