Gentle Condescension

Zhou Yun's abdomen throbbed with agony. He hunched over on the ground like a hooked shrimp, and a palm strike to his spine had left half his body stiff and unable to move.

Wang Xuan was exhausted. Treating him like a stool, he sat on his back near the shoulders.

The Middle-aged Man who stepped down from the airship wore a Tang suit. Though slightly plump, he carried a powerful presence. His Facial Expression turned faintly cold when he saw this.

He said nothing. His gaze swept over sharply and fiercely; most people would probably have been unable to withstand it.

But Wang Xuan did not pay him any attention and remained seated on Zhou Yun.

A group of burly men in black followed behind the Middle-aged Man. They were clearly bodyguards, all armed with firearms. One of them shouted at Wang Xuan, "Get up!"

Wang Xuan said nothing. His right hand hung down, and two fingers casually rested against Zhou Yun's temples. Everyone present had practiced Old Arts and Deeply Knows what that meant.

At Wang Xuan's level, his vitality was abundant. Even if something unexpected happened and he died, an unconscious movement before death could still drive his fingers into someone's vital point.

"I didn't expect you to be here too. This isn't very appropriate, is it?" Zhao Qinghan stepped forward.

Zhou Kun, Kong Yi, Su Chan, and the others politely greeted him as well. Clearly, they knew the Middle-aged Man.

The Middle-aged Man turned around and coldly swept his eyes over the bodyguards. They immediately withdrew without a word, returning to the airship.

"Wang Xuan won... and Zhou Yun was being used as his stool?"

The Young Woman following behind the Middle-aged Man had been walking with her head lowered, looking unhappy. It was as though she had just awakened from Dream Walking, and she stared in stunned disbelief.

She knew very well how strong Zhou Yun was. He also often spoke of the extraordinary.

In the past, Zhou Yun had more than once declared with boundless pride that a new age had arrived, and perhaps Transcendent Immortals might yet appear in the future!

A man who had mastered New Arts, possessed such a forceful temperament, and harbored ambitions toward the Transcendent Immortals had actually been defeated by the target he had set his sights on—and was now being used as a stool.

"Wang Xuan, get up!" the woman shouted, brows raised and eyes cold as she glared at Wang Xuan sitting on Zhou Yun's back.

Wang Xuan remained seated and ignored her. Silently, he circulated the Root Method of the Pre-Qin Daoist practitioners. Thin moonlight clung to his weary body, and his vigorous vitality gradually recovered.

The Middle-aged Man was surprised. Though he did not practice Old Arts himself, he had experienced many things and naturally saw some of the underlying truth.

"You're still young, yet you've practiced Old Arts to such a level." After saying that, he gently asked Wang Xuan whether he could stand up so they could talk.

At those words, Wang Xuan rose directly to his feet. All weariness vanished from him, and beneath the moonlight he seemed even taller and straighter, his eyes bright and full of spirit.

Since the other party was speaking properly and willing to talk, He Naturally would not target him either. His refusal to stand earlier had merely expressed that they were equals.

Wang Xuan had always been like this. Toward people with powerful presences who were accustomed to holding the whole situation in their hands, he maintained a certain distance—neither servile nor overbearing.

Qin Cheng walked over at the First Time and stood beside him.

The Young Woman behind the Middle-aged Man, who had recovered from "Dream Walking," quickly rushed over. She helped Zhou Yun up and asked whether he was badly hurt.

"How should I address you?" Wang Xuan asked politely.

"My surname is Zhou. You can call me Uncle Zhou." The Middle-aged Man looked at him almost as though examining him, wanting to see through him completely.

Wang Xuan remained calm. Even Ling Wei's father, with such an imposing presence, had failed to intimidate him. This man, who was somewhat inferior, could not put any pressure on him.

Qin Cheng nudged Zhou Kun and asked softly, "Are all these people surnamed Zhou tonight from your family?"

Zhou Kun shook his head. "Of course not. New Star is so vast—How is it possible that everyone surnamed Zhou belongs to our family? He's Ling Wei's Uncle-in-law, Zhou Mingxuan."

Zhou Yun, who had only just begun to master New Arts, was Zhou Mingxuan's eldest son and also Ling Wei's Cousin Brother.

The woman who had been Dream Walking earlier was Zhou Yun's biological younger sister, Zhou Ting.

Zhou Mingxuan stood completely still, staring Wang Xuan down for a full three minutes. Even his own body had grown slightly stiff. In the end, he smiled helplessly.

"Youth is wonderful. I'd heard your name long ago, and now that I see you, I think you're very impressive." He smiled and nodded.

Wang Xuan smiled as well. Such words were only worth hearing and letting pass.

"Uncle Zhou, what brings you here today?" Su Chan asked, voicing the dissatisfaction of some of the people present as well.

After all, this was the place for their classmates' gathering, yet Zhou Yun had come running over to disrupt it, though many people knew what had happened.

Zhou Mingxuan sighed. "Isn't it all because of Zhou Yun? I came specifically to catch him. He's only grasped a little of New Arts' outer skin, yet he already Doesn't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth. In just a few days, he's fought more than a dozen people, challenging others everywhere. When I learned he had Run To this place, I immediately chased after him. This time, I'll have to peel a layer off him—he won't be allowed out for half a year!"

In the distance, Zhou Yun's body stiffened.

Zhou Ting curled her lips. Zhou Yun had indeed made his own decision to come and cause trouble for Wang Xuan, but saying their father had decided to tie him up and take him back after finding out was pure nonsense. While on the way, her father had believed Zhou Yun would most likely injure Wang Xuan. He had even told her to apologize on Zhou Yun's behalf later, displaying the Zhou Family's proper sincerity and giving outsiders no grounds for criticism.

"Uncle Zhou, why have you come to Old Earth?" Kong Yi asked.

"Mainly because business requires exchanges. I also came by to see Ling Wei on behalf of her parents," Zhou Mingxuan answered casually.

"I heard Ling Wei say that her parents seem to be coming in person in a couple of days," Zhao Qinghan said absentmindedly.

"Oh, right. They'll come over later and plan to take her back themselves, so she won't be leaving with you all," Zhou Mingxuan said.

Zhao Qinghan's beautiful eyes were clear and lively. "Uncle Zhou, could it be that the Zhou Family and the Ling Family have made some new discovery on Old Earth, which is why you've both brought people here one after another?"

Zhou Mingxuan laughed. "You little girl are far too clever. You love connecting every matter to all sorts of things. But not this time. It's simply business exchanges in deep-space trade. You know that both the Zhou Family and the Ling Family have quite a few businesses here."

Then he added, "What could Old Earth possibly still have? The tombs of the Transcendent Immortals can't be found, and the great tombs of the Pre-Qin Daoist practitioners have all been excavated clean. Underground is empty—there's nothing left. Now, powerful organizations, influential forces with backing, and even nations are focused on deep space. Incredible things have been discovered over there, things far more valuable than what's here."

Then he Shut up, realizing there were still students from Old Earth present.

He turned around and looked kindly at Wang Xuan. "I heard them say just now that you're deeply devoted to Old Arts and practice diligently. Would you be willing to demonstrate something for me? When I was young, I once met an expert who could punch through steel plates with his bare hands. Let me see whether you possess that old acquaintance's persistence. If you have his bearing, I won't watch your martial display for nothing—I'll give you a scripture."

"This middle-aged uncle is pretty generous. Not bad," Qin Cheng whispered.

Wang Xuan smiled. "I definitely can't stand alongside the senior you mentioned. I only practice for my own amusement."

"You're too modest. How about this—give me a demonstration. Mm, it would be best to find someone to spar with. Of course, don't misunderstand. I'm not asking you to fight another person." Zhou Mingxuan explained, "Let's find an ordinary robot. It will only defend passively, while you can attack as you please. That way, I can see what methods you have."

Wang Xuan smiled. "I'm too exhausted today and have no energy for a demonstration, so I won't make a fool of myself."

Just as Zhou Mingxuan was about to say something, Zhou Yun called out to him from Not Far Away. He smiled and nodded at Wang Xuan, then Walked Towards him.

Qin Cheng whispered, "The scriptures in the hands of someone like that definitely aren't ordinary. Just throw a few punches. Whatever his intentions are, get the secret manual Obtained first."

Wang Xuan said, "Do you think that after I just beat up his son, he'd give me a Pre-Qin secret art? Even If he gives me an Old Arts manual, it probably won't be anything too powerful. Besides, he's Ling Wei's Uncle-in-law and stands on the same side as her father. Why would he care so much about me for no reason?"

Then he added, "This man has plenty of schemes."

"How so?" Qin Cheng asked.

"This is called gentle condescension. He gives you an opportunity under the image of a tolerant elder, but in truth, he lowers you beneath him amid laughter and conversation. What robots are there here? Apart from Mechs like Zhao Qinghan's, there are probably only the housekeeping robots in the Zhou Family's airship rooms. I fight a robot that cleans rooms, then receive a scripture as his reward. Only afterward would you slowly realize that you're not someone on the same level as them."

Qin Cheng was struck with Awe-inspiring solemnity. At last, he sighed. "This middle-aged guy is far more formidable than his son. We really can't outmaneuver him. Next time we see him... we'll beat up his son again!"

Beside them, Su Chan and Zhao Qinghan immediately burst into laughter upon hearing his final ruthless words.

Wang Xuan called into the distance, "Uncle Zhou, I'm not in good spirits today and my body is exhausted, so I can't demonstrate my martial arts for you. Thank you for giving me the scripture."

Zhou Mingxuan's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled kindly again. "No matter. I'll watch you display your extraordinary Old Arts another time when there's a chance."

He waved a hand and had someone retrieve an Old Arts secret manual from the airship.

Qin Cheng first stared blankly, then abruptly turned back to Wang Xuan. "Old Wang, not bad! Catching a white wolf barehanded. Right, this is exactly how it should be—why refuse something free?"

Zhou Mingxuan personally walked over, wearing a faint smile as he handed Wang Xuan an old paper book.

"Young man, you truly are impressive. It's a pity you weren't selected this time, but since you've remained on Old Earth, develop yourself well here. Strive to make something of Old Arts as soon as possible."

After saying this, he took Zhou Yun and Zhou Ting, turned, and left. They boarded the small airship and Disappeared into the Night Sky.

"We should leave too," Wang Xuan said to Qin Cheng.

Zhou Kun spoke up. "You're not waiting for Ling Wei? I figure her Uncle-in-law and the others probably stopped her earlier. She should arrive soon."

Wang Xuan shook his head helplessly. "I've said it several times already. There's really nothing between her and me now. We've been apart for more than a year. You've all seen her family's attitude too. Better not see each other anymore. From now on, let each of us be well in our own way."