Himmel Soan was equally dumbfounded. He could imagine having Lan as a pupil. But Pesi? He didn’t know what to teach that man.

The older a person was, the more stubborn they would be. Many of their habits couldn’t be changed. Himmel Soan didn’t plan to take Pesi in either. It would be too weird.

“I can only have one pupil,” said Himmel Soan.

He didn’t need to specify who the pupil would be. The crowd already knew what he meant. Obviously, he would have Lan, Elder Tine, as his pupil.

No one would choose Pesi over her. He was old enough to be one’s grandmaster, unsuitable to be anybody’s pupil. It was a ridiculous proposition.

Pesi also realized that he had misspoken and seemed disappointed. He wanted to be Himmel Soan’s pupil because he needed a few questions answered that could take him to the Hinayana stage.

He was inspired by his first conversation with Himmel Soan. After reading his notes, he felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough. If he could become his student, that breakthrough would happen very soon.

However, he had to face reality.

“I want to discuss certain things with you. For instance, the general cultivation rule,” said Himmel Soan.

None of these people were very capable. He would get no benefits if he consulted them. Still, he voiced his intentions because these people made him feel at home.

His ideal choice was to discuss with people with advanced cultivation levels who knew more about the world. However, that wouldn’t be the right decision.

If Himmel Soan were to discuss something with Emperor Baih, he wouldn’t have so many considerations.

The discussion would take place two days later. So much had happened today, and everybody needed some time to digest it, hence the time.

That evening, Lan moved into the room next to Himmel Soan’s.

“Master, here are the books you wanted.” She had replaced Ton and delivered the books herself.

“Alright. Just put them here.” Himmel Soan put down the book he had just finished. “Lan, I need to talk to you.”

Lan nodded in excitement. “Of course!”

“All my pupils took my surname. So if you want to become one…”

“Change my surname? No problem!” Lan wasn’t against the idea.

She would have changed her surname if she had joined one of the eight royal families. It wasn’t a big deal.

Once she officially became his pupil, he would be the most important person in her life. Changing her surname was nothing.

“My name’s Himmel Soan. If you want to be my pupil, you’ll become Lan Soan,” said Himmel Soan.

“No prob— What? Soan?!” Lan’s eyes widened.

Soan?!

How could it be his surname?

Seeing the surprised look in Lan’s eyes, Himmel Soan remained silent and waited for her decision. He didn’t want to force anybody.

Lan didn’t believe it at first and got lost in her thoughts. After hesitating, she made up her mind. She knelt and prostrated on the ground. “Master, please accept me as your pupil!”

“You don’t mind?”

“No, I don’t!”

“Alright. You’ll be my sixth pupil, and you’ll become a Soan!”

Himmel Soan was surprised by Lan’s decision. The eight emperors had forbidden that surname; just mentioning it could get one killed.

Yet, Lan still wanted to become his pupil. He was impressed enough to give her that.

Lan rose to her feet in excitement. “From now on, I’ll be Lan Soan. Master, what levels are my senior brothers?”

Himmel Soan shook his head. He had no idea what was going on with those five people. He had recruited them at different times.

After they became his pupil, they were on their own. Himmel Soan gave them next to no instructions. He didn’t know if they were dead or alive.

“Am I going to stay by your side from now on?”

Firey jumped out before Himmel Soan could say anything. “No! Master is mine! I won’t let you follow him around!”

Lan turned to Firey. She had noticed her earlier but had no idea what her relationship was with Himmel Soan. Although the two people looked alike, Lan thought Himmel Soan was too young to have such a daughter.

“She’s Firey, the human form of a heart of the volcano. I consider her as my daughter,” said Himmel Soan.

The heart of the volcano?

The essence of nature?

That was invaluable!

People would fight head over heels for the essence of nature when it was formed. How could this one still be around? One had to guard it all the time.

However, it took millions of years for the essence of nature to take human form. Lan wondered if her master had been alive for that long.

“Since you’ve become my pupil, I can tell you certain things. I’m not from this world. I arrived at Stelladom by accident, and I’ve been looking for someone. Her name is Gina Zimmer, and she’s my cultivation partner.

“Have you heard about her?”

Not from this world?

Lan was dumbfounded.

Was there another world apart from this one? She had had such speculations but was never able to verify them. Now that she had heard the answer, she couldn’t believe her ears.

But that was what it was.

She could only accept reality. As for Gina…

“I’ve never heard of that name before, but I think one of the former eight emperors had the Zimmer surname. If we can find that family, maybe we can find out something about her!”

Emperor Zimmer!

Himmel Soan immediately reached the conclusion that the Zimmer family had something to do with Gina.

“Where can I find them?” he asked excitedly.