Chapter 129 - 108: The Talent of the Xia Family’s Old Ancestor

Chapter 129: Chapter 108: The Talent of the Xia Family’s Old Ancestor

Huh?

The moment he saw Gu Qing’s handsome face, Xia Wuyuan froze.

’This boy is incredibly handsome!’

’I’ve lived for so many years, yet this is the first time I’ve ever seen such a good-looking man.’

’No wonder Little Shuran is so head over heels for him, always talking about him.’

Xia Wuyuan snapped out of his daze and studied Gu Qing’s handsome face, a look of understanding dawning on him.

Meanwhile, Gu Qing was trembling with excitement.

’An Immortal?!’

’This is insane!!’

’You have to understand, even the Great Demons in *Journey to the West* would risk everything just for a taste of the fabled Tang Monk’s Flesh, which was said to grant immortality.’

’And all I have to do is farm some Attributes from the [Immortal] tag above this Xia Family ancestor’s head to gain abilities related to long life. This is totally OP!’

But now came the question.

’How do I trigger this [Immortal] tag?’

’Do I have to practice healthy living with him?’

’For example...’

’Drink goji berry water?’

Gu Qing’s eyes flickered to the thermos in Xia Wuyuan’s hand, and the thought couldn’t help but cross his mind.

The thermos was filled to the brim with goji berry water. It looked like the very picture of a healthy lifestyle.

"Ancestor, this is the upperclassman I’m always telling you about."

Xia Shuran said, making the introduction.

Hearing this, Gu Qing took the initiative to greet her ancestor. "Hello, Elder Xia. My name is Gu Qing. The ’Gu’ from the word for ’care,’ and the ’Qing’ from the word for ’azure.’"

"I’ve often heard of your great reputation from Shuran and have long wished to pay you a visit."

"I’m truly fortunate to finally meet you in person today."

As his voice fell, Gu Qing followed up with another bit of flattery:

"Elder Xia, you truly have the air of an immortal sage, like a transcendent being from myths and legends. Your presence is simply otherworldly."

Facing a powerhouse who had lived for several hundred years, Gu Qing chose to show the utmost respect. He didn’t care what the old man thought; he was going to lay on the flattery first.

Xia Wuyuan was a sucker for this kind of flattery.

Seeing how well-spoken Gu Qing was, his approval of the young man grew.

He looked at Gu Qing and stroked his white beard. "Not bad, not bad at all. You’re a fine young man. You will surely accomplish great things one day."

Gu Qing didn’t beat around the bush. "Elder Xia, I’m extremely interested in your Ancient Martial Arts. Would it be possible for you to give me some pointers?"

In truth, he didn’t need anyone’s pointers to learn Ancient Martial Arts.

No matter how difficult the martial art, he could learn and master it with a single glance.

After all, he had farmed several dozen points in the Martial Arts Techniques Attribute from practicing with Xia Shuran.

He had also gained the Extraordinary Comprehension Attribute from studying with Yang Yuntong.

With the boost from these two Attributes,

he, Gu Qing, was the most talented Martial Dao prodigy on Earth!

Bar none!

The only reason he’d asked the Xia Family’s ancestor for pointers was to get closer to him.

This way, not only could he farm Attributes from the man’s [Immortal] tag, but he could also learn more secrets about the Extraordinary from him.

Having just entered the Extraordinary World, Gu Qing was desperate for any and all knowledge related to it.

The main issue was that the Magic Mirror wasn’t very reliable.

It often only answered one out of every ten questions he asked.

Another point was that he didn’t dare rely solely on the Magic Mirror’s side of the story.

Who knew if this Magic Mirror, like those AIs in smartphones, would just start making things up when it couldn’t answer a question?

So, he needed to learn more about the Extraordinary from other Extraordinary Powerhouses.

Then he could think for himself and discern the truth.

It was the same principle as comparison shopping.

"Of course."

Xia Wuyuan let out a worldly chuckle and continued stroking his white beard. "I am also quite interested in you, young man. Let’s move to the inner hall to chat."

He was indeed very interested in Gu Qing.

But it wasn’t because Gu Qing was a good flatterer.

It was because he knew Gu Qing was an Extraordinary Being.

He was full of curiosity and interest in the Extraordinary Beings of this era.

"Um... excuse me."

Gu Qing flashed an awkward yet polite smile. "I drank a little too much water on the way here. I need to use the restroom first."

Xia Wuyuan smiled. "Little Shuran, why don’t you show your upperclassman to the restroom? I’ll go back to the inner hall and wait for you."

"I understand, Ancestor."

Xia Shuran replied obediently, then turned to Gu Qing with a bright smile. "Let’s go, upperclassman. I’ll take you to the restroom."

「A little over a minute later.」

Led by his junior, Gu Qing entered the bathroom, slipped into a stall, and locked the door behind him.

He immediately took out his phone, pulled the Magic Mirror from its hiding spot inside the case, and asked in a low voice:

"Magic Mirror, that Xia Family ancestor knows I’m an Extraordinary Being. Does he have any ill intentions toward me?"

This Xia Family ancestor seemed too enthusiastic.

So enthusiastic that Gu Qing found it a bit strange, and a sliver of caution rose in his heart.

In his mind, an Extraordinary Powerhouse who had lived for hundreds of years should act indifferent when facing a rookie Extraordinary Being who was barely over twenty.

Like how a person would be indifferent to an ant.

But this Xia Family ancestor was acting unusually enthusiastic, which inevitably raised suspicion.

If the Magic Mirror answered that the Xia Family ancestor did indeed have ill intentions, he would immediately climb out the window and run, then report the old man’s existence to the Night Court.

As for his junior...

’Well, I’ll have to explain it to her slowly later on.’

Just as Gu Qing was thinking this, the Magic Mirror in his hand twitched violently, and two large words appeared on its surface:

[He won’t.]

"That’s good."

Gu Qing breathed a sigh of relief and asked again, "What’s this Xia Family ancestor’s power level?"

The Magic Mirror remained motionless.

Gu Qing asked his next question. "How do I trigger his [Immortal] tag?"

The Magic Mirror didn’t react.

"Seriously? Are you playing dead and not answering again?"

Gu Qing tried to provoke it. "Heh, the truth is you can’t tell what that Xia Family ancestor’s power level is, and you don’t know how to trigger his [Immortal] tag, so you’re just not answering to maintain your all-knowing persona, right?"

The Magic Mirror remained silent.

’Alright, provoking it is useless.’

Gu Qing was out of options.

He could only put the Magic Mirror away, leave the restroom, and head to the inner hall with Xia Shuran, who had been waiting outside for him.

...

The martial arts hall’s inner chamber was furnished in a simple yet elegant style.

There were only a few cattail hassocks, a few chairs, a tea table, and several ancient landscape paintings hanging on the walls.

Beyond that, there was nothing else.

Gu Qing entered the inner hall and sat across from Xia Wuyuan, drinking tea.

Xia Wuyuan poured Gu Qing a cup of hot tea, his eyes filled with a hint of admiration as he spoke:

"Young man, I learned from Little Shuran a few days ago that you are an Extraordinary Being."

"But I never expected that at such a young age, your Cultivation Realm would already be as high as Tier Eight."

"You’re almost at the Celestial Human Realm."

Xia Wuyuan couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. "I must say, heroes truly do emerge from the young."

Gu Qing replied humbly, "Not at all, Elder Xia. You flatter me."

As he said this, he was secretly shocked.

’This Xia Family ancestor saw through my Biological Level with just one glance?’

’He’s much stronger than that warehouse manager from the Night Court.’

’Speaking of which, what is the Celestial Human Realm?’

’Could it be the term used by the Extraordinary Beings from hundreds of years ago to describe Advanced Creatures?’

Gu Qing speculated internally.

Across from him, after pouring the tea, Xia Wuyuan set down the teapot, picked up his own thermos, took a sip of the warm goji berry water inside, and said with a calm smile:

"However, compared to me, you’re still a bit lacking. When I was your age, I was already a Celestial Human Realm powerhouse."

As he said this, a look of smugness and pride appeared on Xia Wuyuan’s face.

The only reason he had praised Gu Qing was to set the stage for boasting about himself.

Gu Qing saw through this and couldn’t help but feel his lips twitch.

’Damn, you old coot. You’re putting down a young person just to prop yourself up, aren’t you?’

’So what if you’re a prodigy?’

’Just you wait!’

’I’ll be wiping the floor with you within three years!’

’Then you’ll see what a real cheater looks like!’

...

PS: Holding out my bowl for monthly tickets and recommendation votes!