Shock

"This map contained a world within it."

The Old Man took the book Little Turtle had placed on the chair and tossed it into the unfurled painting. The book vanished, appearing within the picture the next moment.

Chu He said nothing. With a flick of his palm, a pot of tea and two cups appeared in his hands.

He filled the cups, picked one up himself, then extended a hand toward the Old Man in invitation.

????

The Old Man's lips trembled twice.

"The world within this map is vast!"

He explained.

Chu He nodded to show that he understood.

Old Man: "..."

The Old Man suddenly fell silent, and Chu He tilted his head, finding it strange.

He was only inviting him to tea. That was basic courtesy for receiving guests. It had been so long since he had last entertained anyone that he had only just remembered.

Why had he stopped talking as soon as the tea was poured?

Was "it contains a world within" all there was?

It felt like there should have been more, right?

"This map can evolve heaven and earth, mountains and rivers; suppress fortune; observe the world. More importantly, it can reveal the worldly artistic conception of all the mountains and rivers under heaven, which is greatly beneficial for breaking through one's realm."

"Even those at King Realm Nine Heavens Perfection can gain insights within it, helping them break through."

The Old Man continued after a moment.

This time, he blurted out all its functions in one breath!

"The cost of using this map must be enormous, right?" Chu He said casually.

The Old Man's expression changed.

Indeed.

Every activation of this map's abilities required an enormous price.

Otherwise, with just its ability to suppress fortune and observe artistic conception, if there were no cost at all, the Xia Clan would have soared long ago.

At present, this Map of Mountains and Rivers only retained its ability to observe the world, and even that was only half-activated. It would issue a warning only when foreign clans at the Half-step King Realm or above acted beyond a certain limit.

As for suppressing fortune and observing artistic conception—

The Xia Clan had still been able to use those occasionally in the past.

But now, they had the will but lacked the strength.

"Old Man, have some tea. You really needn't work yourself so hard. You've already toiled for most of your life; it's time to retire. Leave what comes next to the young people."

"They have vigor and drive. Believe that they also have the ability to withstand the pressure and carry the burden forward."

Chu He spoke.

They were both old men!

They ought to encourage one another.

"Little friend, please pass that along for me."

The Old Man clasped his fists solemnly.

Chu He nodded.

He felt helpless. The Old Man still had not listened to his advice.

And he could not let an old man older than himself get all worked up.

That was a matter of moral character.

Fine, he would pass it along!

But there was no way he would agree!

Do not ask why he was so certain.

Because the person he was supposed to pass it along to was himself.

The Old Man let out a breath of relief.

Then he raised the teacup and solemnly drained it in one gulp.

Hiss!

"This tea!"

As soon as the tea entered his stomach—

The Old Man sucked in a sharp breath.

His body shook violently.

He was stunned.

A dense force of life spread through his body with the tea, merging into his flesh.

Like sweet rain after a long drought.

Every cell in his body seemed to cry out in comfort.

The Old Man could not believe it.

One cup of tea.

It was only one cup of tea, yet it felt more effective than any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he had consumed over so many years.

He could clearly feel that because of this cup of tea, his lifespan would increase by at least three years.

And that was only because his severe injuries had wasted much of the medicinal power.

Sure enough.

A world-shaking great expert lived in seclusion here, perhaps even more formidable than he had imagined.

A disciple could casually take out such precious tea to entertain a guest.

One could only imagine how extravagant the man himself must be.

At this moment, amid his excitement, the Old Man also began to worry whether that treasure map could truly move such a great expert.

This was a peerless great expert!

He wondered which territory's Human Clan senior he was.

"Old Man, the tea is good, isn't it? Consider this pot a gift from me. Take it back and drink it slowly!"

Smiling, Chu He handed over the teapot.

He had a favorable impression of this Old Man. Giving a little gift to an old companion beneath the setting sun was perfectly reasonable.

"This... this is far too valuable!"

The Old Man shook his head.

Although this tea would be of great help to him—

Taking things from others for nothing was not his style.

It would have been one thing if he had robbed someone unpleasant to look at, but this little brother was rather agreeable. Taking his things would mean owing him a favor, and he had nothing suitable to give in return.

"It's no matter. I still have some tea. We've had a delightful chat today, Old Man, and you suit my taste. Tea is for entertaining friends who trade verbal cannon fire, isn't it?"

The Old Man's face twitched.

They had indeed traded plenty of verbal cannon fire today.

His expression struggled for a moment before he finally accepted the teapot.

Whether that senior would agree was still uncertain.

It would be good if he could live a few more years.

"If Senior agrees, have Little Snow Spirit inform me."

The Old Man left with the teapot in hand.

Before departing, he could not help turning back to remind him once more.

Chu He nodded.

"See the guest off! You have no sense of propriety at all."

Seeing Little Turtle start climbing onto the chair again as soon as the Old Man left, Chu He tossed it back down.

Little Turtle climbed up from the ground and glared resentfully at the Old Man before following him outside.

The Old Man's eyelids twitched.

What was wrong with this turtle? Its master had been the one to throw it down, so why was it directing all its resentment at him?

It had picked the wrong target, had it not?

That little look in its eyes was truly unbearable.

After some thought, he took out a bottle of Pills from his robes, poured out one pill, and held it out to the turtle.

Chu He could casually give away a pot of tea that even he coveted, so he was surely a generous man.

The Old Man wanted to offer a return gift, but felt he had nothing worthy enough to present, so he had not made a fool of himself.

Now, though, he could give some benefit to the spiritual beast Chu He kept, draw closer to him, and increase his goodwill.

Most importantly, he wanted Little Turtle to put away that emotion-filled little gaze.

Little Turtle's small eyes lit up when it saw the pill. But after bringing its nose close and taking a sniff—

It withdrew its outstretched head.

It held its head high, tucked its claws behind its back, and looked at the Old Man again with its mung-bean eyes.

The Old Man realized—

Little Turtle's gaze had changed!

That was...

Contempt?

Seriously?

Such a precious pill, and after one sniff, it despised it?

Did it have no appreciation at all?

So irritating!

The Old Man tossed the pill into his mouth. His trembling steps quickened as he turned three steps into two and hurried away.

He felt that if the turtle looked at him a few more times, the lifespan he had just gained would drain away again!

PS: Thanks to big boss Zixi Chi for the generous reward of two hundred.

Actually, thanks to big boss Qianqian Ya for the generous reward of one hundred.

Thanks to big boss Taihuang Shijie for another generous reward of one hundred.

Thanks to big boss Wo Jiushi Diaodiaoda for the generous reward of one thousand.