A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 403 - 246: The Perfect Son-in-Law, Son-in-Law Chosen by the Emperor

"Huh!"

Bai Qi focused his gaze and indeed saw, beneath those snow-white eyebrows, a pair of small eyes fiercely opened wide.

Truly opened to their utmost!

"Lao Hong, your Turtle Mirror Technique has become increasingly refined. If one didn’t know your true skill, there would be no secrets at all."

Chen Xing raised his hand, patting Bai Qi on the shoulder as if brushing off dust, sweeping away a trace of invisible, obscure aura, and said with a light laugh:

"As the saying goes, the turtle can divine fortunes, and the mirror can distinguish beauty from ugliness. Ah Qi, the Pai Bang Leader before you has an ingenious grasp of martial arts, built upon the ’Three Talents Returning to Essence Skill,’ with Qi traveling internally and spirit wandering externally. He is well-versed in exploiting vulnerabilities and specializes in seizing the gap between changes.

If your level is slightly inadequate, encountering him is like running into your own ancestral master, constrained at every turn."

So formidable?

Bai Qi’s thoughts sank, and the vast sea of his mind reflected upon himself, remaining ever in a tranquil, unperturbed state.

Then his brow twitched twice, vaguely sensing the deep gaze of the Skinny Old Man, which seemed to contain some strange power.

Like a continuous stream of gentle breezes, isolated outside, unable to approach.

"Chen Xing, your disciple is interesting, practicing both Dao and martial arts?

"Tongwen Hall has already produced the unparalleled Ninghai Zen, yet you plan to bring forth a Little King of Support?

The Heaven and Earth Profound Barrier is not easily crossed; throughout history, countless geniuses have wasted years on it."

The Skinny Old Man leaned slightly forward, as if bearing a heavy load.

With his hands behind his back, he strolled slowly forward.

His squinted eyes were highly focused, carefully scrutinizing, which made Bai Qi feel uneasy:

"Could this old man be eyeing me? Seeing my exceptional talent, does he want to take me as his disciple...?"

Master Bai Qi immediately stood tall, hoping to impress and astonish the Pai Bang Leader with his unparalleled aptitude and to win honor for his master.

"Young man, your aura is peculiar and familiar! Chen Xing, could your excellent disciple possibly not be human?"

The Skinny Old Man’s eyes flashed with doubt.

"Nonsense! Ah Qi is a genuine talent among the Human Race, stop smearing his name here!"

Chen Xing was greatly annoyed by the comment. How could his beloved disciple be defamed so baselessly?

"There’s a water aura clinging to him... I heard your disciple used to fish in Black River County?"

The Skinny Old Man withdrew his gaze and headed toward the upper floors of Wangjiao Tower.

"That’s right, the son of a poor family, parents deceased early, relied purely on his own skills to make a name for himself, far surpassing the so-called leading families of Yihai Prefecture!"

Chen Xing was quite proud, seeing the trials and tribulations of humble beginnings not as shame, but as honing strength.

True pure gold and jade, polished by the great furnace of the mundane world, finally reveal their brilliance.

"That is indeed true. Privileged young masters, who sit in meditation daily, find missing one meal to be their greatest hardship."

The Skinny Old Man nodded in agreement.

The three of them entered the upper floor, where the doors and windows were wide open, the river wind howled in, stirring the iron wind chimes under the eaves to resonate with crisp, clear sounds.

"Have you prepared Cloud Mist Tea? Lao Hong, Spirit Tea from Hengsu Prefecture might suffice for others, but considering our deep connection, how could you not bring out your precious Gold-inlaid Jade from Tai Lake for us to savor?"

After Chen Xing took a seat, he teased, enjoying the delicate fragrance of the tea.

"Bah! Shameless fellow! It takes twenty years for me to obtain one cake of Gold-inlaid Jade, and I wouldn’t even want to drink it myself, much less share it with you! Either drink Cloud Mist Tea or leave it be!"

The Skinny Old Man named Hong Jie was rather impatient, still holding grudges with Chen Xing and Ninghai Zen from past disputes.

If not for their obstinacy, hard to placate with ease, Hong Jie had grudgingly accepted theirs to be peaceful rather than contentious.

Otherwise, with the Pai Bang Leader’s fiery temper, he would have long sunk their bodies into the Nu Yun River.

"Lao Hong, you’re getting on in years, focus more on fostering peace. Continually being this irritable can harm your health, you’ll end up meeting King of Hell prematurely."

Chen Xing picked up the tea bowl, disregarding the steam, and took large, hearty gulps of Cloud Mist Tea.

Bai Qi imitated his example, and as soon as the tea entered his stomach, it felt like a wave of Clear Spirit Primordial Qi spread throughout his body, opening up the pores, extremely refreshing.

Even the Divine Soul Embryo felt nourished and fortified.

"Last time, at a banquet hosted by He Jingfeng at Mandarin Duck Tower, there was Cloud Mist Tea too, but not as rich as this.

Pai Bang indeed lives up to being the top in Yihai Prefecture, even their tea served to guests is authentic!"

After downing four or five bowls, Bai Qi was still unsatisfied, earnestly looking at Hong Jie sitting at the top:

"Leader, may I have another pot?"

Chen Xing felt a surge of approval:

"My disciple is truly perceptive, already aware of the importance of not being restrained when eating and drinking away from home."

Hong Jie’s eye twitched, sighing:

"Your Tongwen Hall truly passes down a tradition of shamelessness!"

Bai Qi turned a deaf ear. Sometimes as a young person, you have to show a bit of cheekiness to get closer to the elders; being overly polite all day long is rather dull.

This was his experience from dealing with numerous elderly folks.

"Your disciple has been in County City for only three or four days and has already created a stir in Yihai, defeated the martial guild, crushed the Lu Family, and even caught the Daoist Official’s attention, being praised as having unparalleled aptitude, even greater than your disciple Ninghai Zen!"

Hong Jie’s voice was as resonant as a copper bell, contrary to his skinny, aged appearance.

"My disciple’s exceptional nature is beyond the understanding of ordinary people."

The corners of Chen Xing’s eyes creased with a smile. Ah Qi’s extraordinary potential, enough to even make Chen Yin restless, aspiring to take him as the White Sun Taoist, was revealed to the Daoist Official and the thirteen guilds, merely the tip of the iceberg.