However…
Just as Xuanyuan Hong was spitting in excitement after finishing his speech, he realized Zhong Qing didn’t look as thrilled as he had expected. On the contrary, Zhong Qing was even frowning a little.
This left Xuanyuan Hong completely baffled.
“What’s wrong? You’re not excited about this gift?” Xuanyuan Hong couldn’t help but ask.
“Uh…” Zhong Qing rubbed his nose, momentarily at a loss for words.
This old man had spent all that time building suspense, hyping it up like it was some amazing treasure. Zhong Qing had actually been looking forward to it.
Turned out it was just a King-level cultivation technique. All that excitement for nothing.
But to be fair, a King-level cultivation technique was a good thing. It’s just… today’s sign-in had already rewarded him with eight King-level techniques, so he genuinely couldn’t bring himself to feel excited.
“You brat, what’s with that attitude?” Xuanyuan Hong frowned and scolded, “This is a King-level technique. Don’t tell me you’re looking down on it?”
“Listen here, just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you can get arrogant. Strength is one thing, but with a powerful technique, you’ll get twice the result with half the effort!”
“Alright, alright.” Zhong Qing had no choice but to accept the talisman.
“But since you’re insisting on giving me this technique, I might as well return the favor and give you a few techniques too.” As he spoke, he started turning his storage ring.
“Huh? You’re giving me techniques too?” Xuanyuan Hong looked confused, then waved his hand, saying, “There’s no need. This isn’t some kind of exchange. Besides, our sect’s scripture repository has plenty of—”
But before he could finish, his voice caught in his throat with a dry duck-like screech as he stared wide-eyed at Zhong Qing.
Right in front of him, Zhong Qing pulled out eight King-level cultivation techniques from his storage ring. These were the ones he had just signed in for today and hadn’t even had time to store away.
“You… you you you you you…” Xuanyuan Hong was trembling and completely speechless at the sight.
“Don’t want them?” Zhong Qing asked.
“Yes!” Almost instantly, Xuanyuan Hong snatched the eight manuals from Zhong Qing’s hands and carefully checked each one.
When he confirmed that all eight were genuine King-level techniques, he started breathing heavily.
Only then did he finally understand why Zhong Qing seemed so uninterested in the King-level technique earlier.
The guy could casually pull out eight at once—of course he wasn’t excited.
And thinking back to how he had just acted all mysterious, thinking he was delivering a timely treasure… what a fool. Snow in winter? What a joke.
“Eight… eight King-level techniques. How the hell did you even get these?” Xuanyuan Hong was overwhelmed and couldn’t help asking.
“Want them, just got them,” Zhong Qing said calmly, spreading his hands.
Was that even human speech? This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Xuanyuan Hong’s expression was full of question marks.
“Alright, Sect Master, don’t worry about where these came from. Just keep them. As for your talisman, I do appreciate the sect’s gesture, but I really have no use for it either. You’d better take it back.”
“Alright…” Xuanyuan Hong was truly out of words now.
If Zhong Qing could casually bring out eight King-level techniques, then that talisman really meant nothing to him.
Seeing that Xuanyuan Hong didn’t insist further, Zhong Qing finally sighed in relief and resumed brewing tea.
To be honest, based on their relationship, it wouldn’t be a big deal for Zhong Qing to gift a few Emperor-level techniques too.
But thinking it over, he decided against it.
An innocent man gets into trouble for holding treasure.
If word got out, Azure Jade Sect would be in serious danger.
So gifting a few King-level techniques to the sect was just right.
“Be honest with me—your personal cultivation method, is it even beyond King-level?” Xuanyuan Hong asked as he packed away the eight techniques.
While pouring tea, Zhong Qing nodded. “Yes, slightly above King-level.”
“Slightly? As in Sovereign-level?”
“Emperor-level.”
“F**k.”
Xuanyuan Hong had just taken a sip of tea when he spit it all out, cursing loudly as he jumped up and shouted, “You call that slightly above?!”
Zhong Qing wiped the tea off his face in annoyance and muttered, “Sect Master, you’re the leader of a sect. Can you be a bit more composed?”
“Composed my ass! You tell me—how the hell am I supposed to stay calm?”
Zhong Qing had to keep coaxing him in a soft tone. After a long while, Xuanyuan Hong finally managed to calm down and sit again.
“Here, drink some tea. Don’t think too much about it.” Zhong Qing smiled gently. He picked up the copper kettle and found it nearly empty. He turned to Lin Feng, who had been standing silently beside them, and said, “Disciple, go fetch another kettle of spring water from the mountain across. Be quick.”
“Yes, Master.” Lin Feng respectfully took the kettle and rose into the air.
“Master, here’s the water you asked for,” Lin Feng said respectfully.
“Mhm, set it aside to boil.” Zhong Qing gave a calm instruction.
“Yes, Master.” Lin Feng obeyed.
“The spring water from that mountain is rich in spiritual energy, smooth and sweet. If you savor it carefully, it even has a touch of sweetness. It’s the best choice for brewing tea.”
“Sect Master, you’re always busy. Since you’ve finally come here, have a few more cups and relax. It’s actually good for cultivation in a way.”
“Hmm?”
“Why’s the Sect Master so quiet?”
Zhong Qing had been rambling, but noticed that Xuanyuan Hong was staring wide-eyed at Lin Feng like he’d seen a ghost.
Finally, after a long pause, Xuanyuan Hong pointed at Lin Feng and asked, “Don’t tell me this is the white-level talent disciple you picked up at Azure Jade Main Peak last time?”
“That’s right. What’s the problem?” Zhong Qing blinked innocently.
“You ask what’s the problem?!” Xuanyuan Hong shouted, “Just over a month ago, he hadn’t even started body training, and now he’s flying over to the opposite mountain and back in just a few breaths?!”
“Quick, what’s his current cultivation?”
Lin Feng stepped forward respectfully and cupped his hands. “Reporting to Sect Master, I am untalented and have just broken through to the Celestial Profound Realm.”
“F**k.”
Another curse slipped from Xuanyuan Hong’s mouth.
He nearly spat blood.
Untalented?
Untalented, my ass.
From nothing to Celestial Profound Realm in just over a month—and he calls himself untalented?!
You have to understand, the elders and Peak Masters of Azure Jade Sect had cultivated for most of their lives and were barely at Celestial Profound Realm.
Damn it.
This master and disciple pair… what a couple of freaks.