Chapter 13
Translator:
Lordbluefire
Editor:
Lordbluefire
Zhen Nantian looked at the keeper and spoke with indifference, âYouâve done your best, but youâre old. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.â
âGrandpa, whatâs going on?â Zhen Zhilan was perplexed.
The keeper also seemed to be confused, not understanding the meaning behind these words.
Letting out a sigh, Zhen Nantian took out the ball of paper, saying, âWhat that young man said wasnât wrong. You know nothing about martial skills!â
What?
The problem was in the area of martial skills?
The keeper recalled the 200 words on the martial skill, saying, âOld Shrine Master, Iâve been wronged! Judging from the 200 words in this book, the movements, stances, and connections are all very mediocre! Itâs definitely inferior! I still have this little bit of judgment!â
âIs that so? Try practicing the martial skill based on it,â the Old Shrine Master said.
The keeper stood up and tried to cultivate the 200-words martial skill based on his memory.
Despite being a medium constellation stage expert and having attempted many great martial skills, he was unable to perform the moves which he thought could be easily performed in a smooth and connected manner. It was as if something was lacking.
âIâll give it a try!â Zhen Zhilan was inspired to give it a try and volunteered herself.
She also felt that the martial skill was very normal and should be very easy to acquire.
However, even though she was practicing it based on what was written, her actions were extremely clumsy, not even comparable to the keeperâs level.
âWhatâs going on? The moves seem to be easily connected, but why canât I perform them in succession smoothly?â Zhen Zhilan was unable to accept this and made a few more attempts. However, she didnât make any progress at all.
Zhen Nantian kept the ball of paper and said, âMartial skills are segregated into three tiers. inferior martial skills are simple and ordinary, advance martial skills are deep and profound, and supreme martial skills simplify whatâs complicated.â
âThis martial skill is a supreme martial skill. It seems ordinary but holds great unfathomable mysteries. Take a look at it seriously!â Zhen Nantian demonstrated the martial skill on the spot.
His inner force was surging and turbulent, gathering in his nine fingers. He struck out in succession.
As the streams of inner force shot out, they hit onto the fake mountain in the distance.
Sharp âpffft pffft pffftâ sounds rang out, and nine deep holes were created in succession.
The great prowess caused both the keeper and Zhen Zhilan to draw in a cold gasp.
âHigh-grade martial skill?â The keeperâs eyes were wide open and his mouth agape.
Zhen Nantian drew back his stance and shook his head. âTo be exact, itâs a supreme martial skill amongst the mid-grade martial skills. Itâs extremely close to a high-grade martial skill.â
âIs there anything else youâd like to ask?â Zhen Nantian looked toward the keeper.
Bitterness filled up on the latterâs face as he said, âThank you Old Shrine Master for your teachings and thank you for having nurtured me for so many years. This old man shall take his leave!â
To think that he had mistaken a supreme martial skill that was close to the high-grade tier as an inferior low-grade martial skill.
This mistake could be said to be a humiliation to him as a treasure examiner.
Even if the Shrine didnât chase him off, he wouldnât have the pride to stay here anyway.
While feeling that this was a great pity, Zhen Zhilan mumbled, âHow did that guy get his hands on so many deep and profound martial skills?â
There was first the extremely brilliant cultivation art, then there was this [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] that only had 200 words.
âThen what are you still waiting for?â Zhen Nantian stuffed the materials and Thunderfire Char into her hands.
Zhen Zhilan stood there for a while. Then, her eyes lit up and she immediately gave chase.
She caught up to the departing Xia Qingchen at the Shrineâs entrance.
âYoung⊠Young Master, hold on!â She had wanted to say âyoung kidâ, but she changed the way she addressed him at the very last moment.
Xia Qingchen turned. When he saw that it was her, he stood there, waiting for her to run over. âIs anything the matter?â
âHere!â Zhen Zhilan handed him the materials and the Thunderfire Char.
Xia Qingchen was a little perplexed. What was the identity of this young lady called Zhilan? How was she able to freely take things away from the counter?
âWhat do you want?â Xia Qingchen asked her.
Zhen Zhilanâs eyes were filled with anticipation. âMartial skill! I want that martial skill that can strike out nine holes!â
She didnât know the name of the martial skill, so she could only gesture it by imitating her grandfatherâs movements.
Having a strong yearning for the martial skill, yet seemingly clumsy, this look added a hint of honesty to her proud and graceful disposition.
âYouâre referring to the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum]?â Xia Qingchen said, âBut I only have half of it.â
Half?
That would be sufficient!
The value of half a supreme mid-grade martial skill that was comparable to high-grade martial skills far exceeded these materials given to him.
âAlright!â
Xia Qingchen wrote it out on the spot, got the things he needed, and then left.
Zhen Zhilan brought back half of the martial skill, wearing an elated expression.
Zhen Nantian had been waiting for her and went up to ask, âDid you ask him?â
âI did, I did! Look!â Zhen Zhilan happily brought the martial skill over.
However, Zhen Nantian was stunned. âWho told you to ask him for the martial skill? I meant for you to ask for his name and background, to make friends with him! Donât tell me that you didnât even get his name.â
If they were to befriend Xia Qingchen, it wouldnât be hard for them to trade for his martial skills in the future.
He might even know how to improve the [Fragmented Heaven-Mending Scroll], or even fix his twisted martial meridians!
That was the most important thing!
âAhh? I⊠forgot.â Zhen Zhilan rubbed her hands together in guilt, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Her mind was filled with the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] after seeing how amazing the martial skillâs prowess was.
âSigh! You⊠IâŠÂ Aiyah!â Zhen Nantian stomped his foot, feeling exasperated at her failure. He blew at his mustache and glared, asking, âThen why are you standing here for? Why arenât you chasing after him?â
âOh!â Zhen Zhilan felt so aggrieved that she looked like a pitiful kitten. She shrank her neck and then turned to chase after Xia Qingchen.
However, after so much time had passed, Xia Qingchen had long left the place.
She looked around at the door, feeling both anxious and helpless. How was she going to explain things to her grandfather?
âMiss Zhen! How can you bear to leave the house? Is there anything I can help you with?â A wealthy-looking middle-aged man walked over while she was looking anxious.
He was dressed in expensive clothes, had a big round stomach, and led a few bodyguards at the major constellation stage.
His gaze was filled with tactfulness and unscrupulousness.
At a glance, it was clear that he was an important character in the city. However, he had lowered his stand in front of Zhen Zhilan.
She was the granddaughter of the martial path legend and the current Shrine Masterâs precious daughter. Who would dare show her disrespect?
âOh, itâs you. Fatherâs inside.â Zhen Zhilan threw a glance and recognized him.
This wealthy-looking middle-aged man was the owner of the Immortal Pavilion in the city, Wang Bahu.
Back then when her father wasnât the Shrine Master yet, he had been by her fatherâs side, working as his attendant.
When her father took over the Shrine, he sent this guy off to let him become independent. With his identity as the Shrine Masterâs attendant, he created a business for himself and founded Lone Cloud Cityâs most luxurious Immortal Pavilion.
âThereâs no hurry for me to look for the Shrine Master. If Miss Zhen has something urgent, I can help you first.â
If he didnât try to get into her good books now, his glorious days would be over after she succeeded the position of Shrine Mistress.
Zhen Zhilan hesitated for a moment before asking, âDid you guys see a young man passing by earlier? He is about the same age as me and is tall and skinny.â
Wang Bahu thought about it for a while before saying, âWas it the guy who was talking to Miss Zhen at the door earlier?â
He had seen from afar that Zhen Zhilan was talking to Xia Qingchen at the Shrineâs door and paid more attention to Xia Qingchen.
âThatâs right, thatâs right, thatâs right! Thatâs him! Do you know who he is?â Zhen Zhilan was overjoyed and quickly asked.
Wang Bahu said without thinking, âI do. Heâs Xia Qingchen!â
Xia Qingchen had been so scared that he had fainted amid the martial pavilionâs examinations, becoming the joke of the city.
Wang Bahu often attended all sorts of banquets. He had heard Xia Qingchenâs name from chats over drinking so many times that he had gotten sick of it. How could he not know his name?
Therefore, he had recognized Xia Qingchen straightaway.
âWho? Xia Qingchen?â Zhen Zhilan was stunned. Even someone like her who cultivated in the Shrine and didnât leave its area had heard of Xia Qingchenâs hopelessness.
How could the good-for-nothing Xia Qingchen and the deep, unfathomable guy just now be the same person?
If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.