Immortal Yuheng

Xu Rong was taken aback by the question. She clearly had not expected this situation, but remembering the strict orders from the higher-ups to satisfy all of Mr. Wu's conditions, she had no choice but to brace herself and reply.

"I bought a few steamed buns at noon and still have two left. Would that be alright..."

Facing such an existence, Xu Rong felt her steamed buns were truly too unpresentable. The thought that she had kept them tucked closely in the inner pocket of her jacket only made her feel even more awkward and shy.

However, she had no other choice. No matter how embarrassing it was, she had to tell the truth.

To her surprise, as soon as her voice faded.

Wu Tao actually replied without a hint of emotion.

"That will do."

Huh?

Xu Rong was stunned. She gently raised her eyes to see Wu Tao still fishing peacefully, seemingly truly not minding at all.

Only then did she muster the courage to take the meat buns out of her clothes pocket and hand them over with both hands.

Wu Tao took the food bag with one hand, opened it with his thumb and index finger, brought it close to his nose, and took a sniff. He casually praised it before starting to eat on his own.

"Mhm, still warm, and it smells quite nice."

Hearing this, the tips of Xu Rong's ears turned bright red, and she did not even dare to reply.

Wu Tao, however, paid no attention to any of this. His eyes were fixed solely on the fishing float. After devouring the buns in a few bites, he muttered, seemingly still wanting more.

"These buns are pretty good. Much better than the shop out front downstairs from where I live."

Hearing this sincere praise.

Xu Rong slowly looked up, breathing a quiet sigh of relief in her heart.

It made sense, after all.

What kind of existence was this Mr. Wu? She really had been overthinking things. For someone like him to be able to live like an ordinary person, his state of mind and perspective must have reached an extraordinary level. He absolutely would not care about mundane trivialities.

Hearing that Wu Tao liked the buns from this shop just as much as she did, Xu Rong felt they had grown a bit closer, as if they now shared more common ground.

She responded subconsciously, her tone much more natural.

"Yes, the buns from this shop are indeed delicious, but they aren't the best. I know a place in the old city district that makes amazing ice jelly. If there is a chance next time, I will definitely take you to try it, Mr. Wu."

This intimate and peaceful conversation felt more like two friends chatting. It brought a genuine sense of comfort, free from any conflicts of interest or unnecessary scheming. The simplest life should be exactly like this.

Hearing this, the corners of Wu Tao's mouth curled up slightly, and he replied with anticipation.

"Alright. If there is a chance next time, you must remember to take me to try it."

As the two chatted casually, the atmosphere became much more peaceful. At this moment, it was as if all worries had been cast aside, as carefree as if they were truly letting go and enjoying themselves among the green mountains and clear waters.

Just as they were chatting happily.

Wu Tao slowly raised his eyes and suddenly looked towards the silent mountain peaks on their left.

"Come out. Stop hiding."

Startled by his words, Xu Rong immediately dropped her relaxed expression. She abruptly looked up and stared intently, readying herself for battle as if facing a formidable enemy. However, when she followed Wu Tao's gaze into the distance, there was only the blue sky and white clouds. She could not see the slightest clue, nor could she see anything that could hide in such a transparent environment.

Instantly, Xu Rong's tense gaze turned into confusion. She stood frozen on the small boat, completely bewildered.

What on earth was out there?

Before she could spot anything strange, an old man suddenly parted the clouds, riding on a flying sword!

The old man wore a Daoist robe with his hair tied high in a topknot. His wide cloud-sleeves and long gown fluttered in the wind. He had the youthful face of an immortal despite his crane-white hair, and his eyes shone brightly. Even from high up in the air, his transcendent, immortal-like aura was fully evident, inspiring awe in anyone who saw him.

Xu Rong's beautiful eyes widened in utter astonishment.

She was shocked not only by the old man's extraordinary demeanor and the miraculous sight of him riding a sword, but even more so by the fact that Mr. Wu had actually seen through this person's concealment technique!

Compared to her astonished expression, Wu Tao's face appeared far too calm.

He remained steadily seated at the bow of the boat, holding his fishing rod, without a single ripple of emotion in his eyes.

Gazing indifferently at the figure wobbling on the sword in the air and struggling to descend, he could tell at a glance that this old man's cultivation was far too shallow. A hint of worry inevitably flashed through his eyes, afraid that the other party might slip and fall into the lake, ruining his grand plan.

Fortunately.

This old Daoist managed to hold his own. He forcefully maneuvered his flying sword to land next to the small boat. Despite stumbling a few times, he did not fall. After a false alarm, he finally stood before them, lightly waving his horsetail whisk and giving a one-handed salute.

"Immeasurable Heavenly Venerate!"

"Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

It had to be said, this guy really cared about his face. Even though he had almost crashed, he stubbornly maintained his dignified air. On the Blue Planet, he could indeed be considered an outstanding figure.

Faced with such a posture, let alone ordinary mortals who did not understand cultivation, even ordinary cultivators might have been bluffed.

Unfortunately, the person this old Daoist was facing right now was Wu Tao.

Wu Tao had long since transcended the mortal realm, and traversing to other worlds was no difficult task for him. Even Saints were like children before him; a mere mundane Daoist who had not even reached the Foundation Establishment stage could not even be considered an ant.

Even though he was constrained by the world's rules and it was inconvenient to exert his full strength, Wu Tao could see right through the old Daoist at a single glance, as unbothered as if he were looking at a blank sheet of paper.

Allowing the old Daoist his stunning entrance, Wu Tao merely gazed quietly at the surface of the lake.

His casual words, however, were as profoundly wondrous as a heavenly scripture descending to the world.

"In the so-called pursuit of the Dao, beginners must condense their qi and blood, and eliminate mundane impurities. Only when the five limbs are pure and clean can one truly feel and absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, converting it for their own use."

"To delusionally attempt to absorb thin spiritual energy before completing body tempering naturally leads to an unstable foundation. How can you erect a towering skyscraper like that?"

These soft words struck like a sharp blow to the head!

The old Daoist looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face freezing in shock.

After pondering and savoring the words for a few breaths, he hurriedly put away the long sword beneath his feet, landed on the edge of the small boat, and knelt on the spot, filled with immense gratitude and awe.

"Senior!"

"Senior's words have truly awakened this dreamer! This junior aimed too high and almost went astray. Thank you, Senior, for your guidance!"

This person was quite sincere and earnest. Although his posturing had been exposed, once awakened, he was able to recognize and correct his mistakes. He was not entirely a rotten piece of wood.

Only then did Wu Tao lower his eyes slightly and ask casually.

"What are you doing here?"

He was here to accomplish something major and absolutely could not be disturbed by idle people. Since the one who suddenly appeared was a cultivator, he naturally had to interrogate him a bit. After all, everything concerned his Master's grand scheme, and there could be no room for error.

Even if this old Daoist would not cause trouble, if some senior or junior brothers, or disciples and grand-disciples came and scared away the spiritual monster, that would be terrible.

It is always right to be a bit cautious in everything.

As soon as the question was asked, the old Daoist replied repeatedly, telling him everything he knew.

"Senior is perceptive!"

"I have cultivated on Kunlun Mountain since I was young, and my Daoist name is Perfected Yuheng. I heard that there are monsters haunting Lake Nuobu, so I came to slay demons and eradicate evil, to prevent the people of the world from being harmed by them!"

"I have been quietly guarding the lakeside for a few days, waiting to catch it. I never expected to disturb Senior's peace. I am truly terrified..."

His words carried quite an ancient charm, and his reasons were explained very clearly. After all, he was a cultivator, somewhat different from the ordinary citizens of the Blue Planet.

With such a demeanor, he was destined to be the center of attention wherever he went.

Xu Rong listened, her eyes blank with shock. She sized up the old Daoist and suddenly exclaimed in surprise!

"Perfected Yuheng?!"

"You are the legendary Master of Kunlun Mountain, one of the five great Demon-Hunting Ancestors of our Xia Kingdom!?"

Hearing this, the old Daoist showed a look of shame, and the smile he squeezed out was a bit awkward. He could hardly conceal the instinctive tension and awe in his eyes. He knelt there as obediently as a child, not daring to get up at all.

Seeing this tacit admission, Xu Rong was once again shocked speechless.