The air of an otherworldly master was something no one could imitate, and his voice, even after many years, Xiao Shan remembered it clearly.
He had heard correctly; it was indeed a young voice he had heard back then. Now, at just over twenty years old, a smile played on his lips, and he wore a light green robe that was fresh and refined.
Third Brother's immortal demeanor was all an act; this man possessed it in his very bones.
"The universe is settled. I am here to reclaim the Xuan Tie Spear."
Mr. Jing Tao smiled, his young face imbued with the composure of one who had weathered many years. His gentle eyes shone like molten gold in the setting sun.
Xue Niang, who had initially disagreed with Xiao Shan's idea, was now a hundred percent in favor. If Bei Yue were to learn from someone like this, he would grow up to be exceptionally outstanding.
"It is only right."
Xiao Shan was very respectful towards him. He entered the bedroom and retrieved the Xuan Tie Spear from beneath the heated brick bed. His eyes, like fierce tigers, held a deep reluctance. His hand traced the length of the spear before he finally closed the lid of the chest.
"Old friend, our time together has come to an end."
In the main hall, little Bei Yue watched as his father handed a large box to the young man before him. As his hand withdrew, he stealthily touched it once more.
He was reluctant to part with it!
"Mr. Jing Tao, can we not buy this spear?" he asked innocently, tilting his head up.
Xiao Shan reprimanded him, "Bei Yue, do not speak carelessly. Not everything in this world can be measured by money. The Xuan Tie Spear is a divine weapon, not to be desecrated."
Actually, it could be bought, as long as the price met his expectations.
He was almost penniless!
Besides, the divine weapons left by his ancestor were not limited to this one. It wouldn't hurt to exchange it for some silver.
Mr. Jing Tao smiled and stroked Bei Yue's head, "Good child, how much were you planning to buy it for?"
"This... Sir, the child is still young and doesn't understand..." Xue Niang apologized.
Little Bei Yue had already crawled under the table, pried loose a brick, and taken out the box from within.
Upon opening it, the treasure inside directly blinded the onlookers.
"Is this enough? If not, Bei Shang has more."
These were all found from the national treasury. Uncle Two said some had been gathering dust in forgotten corners for centuries, and he didn't know if they were worth so much.
Little Bei Shang followed his brother's lead in such matters and immediately brought over her own box, filled with pearls, each one priceless.
Mr. Jing Tao's heart trembled. Indeed, people of the mortal world were wealthy!
"Ahem, alas, good children. This spear was passed down in my sect and should not have been lost to the outside world. But today, fate has brought us together. So be it. Who told me to speak so carelessly just now! I will, sell it to you."
Xiao Shan and Xue Niang were a little stunned.
An otherworldly master?
A reclusive scholar?
Untouched by the mundane world?
Little Bei Yue, beaming with joy, handed the box over and then said to Xiao Shan, "Father, the spear is yours!"
Xiao Shan pondered, his doubts about the person before him beginning to surface.
"Sir, my son had a few questions in school earlier that the tutor could not answer. I wonder if you could enlighten him?"
Was this a test?
Bring it on, who was afraid of whom?
"Please, ask."
"Why do sunflowers always turn towards the sun?"
Answer: "Because this type of plant contains a growth hormone that requires sunlight to rapidly grow its large flower head. This is a method of sunflower growth and evolution, which is why it is also called a sunflower."
"At the beginning of life, human nature is inherently good. Is this statement correct?"
Answer: "This is merely one viewpoint from ancient times. Some also say that at the beginning of life, human nature is inherently evil. In reality, good and evil are subjective concepts defined by individuals. It depends on how you understand them. It is better to have no books than to believe in books blindly."
Xiao Shan and Xue Niang did not fully understand, but they instinctively felt he was speaking the truth, and it sounded profound!
Was this truly Mr. Jing Tao?
Little Bei Yue listened intently, his small eyes beginning to worship Jing Tao.
He was indeed much more capable than the tutors at school!
Jing Tao felt a small sense of pride. These were all trivial matters, and seeing how excited the child was, he decided to pose a few more questions to completely dispel their doubts.
He stroked Bei Yue's small head, "I have many more questions. Let's see if you can answer them."
"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Where does the rainwater that falls from the sky come from?"
"Why can carrier pigeons travel a thousand miles and return home without getting lost?"
"Why do people's hair turn white when they get old?"
...
Watching the family ponder with difficulty, Jing Tao calmly summarized, "My questions may sound simple, but they involve multiple fields. What I am asking is not about the questions themselves, but about how to analyze, think in reverse, broaden your horizons, and find solutions when seeking answers to problems."
"If a person cannot swim, and is thrown into the water, how should they survive? This relates to one of the questions: why does the human body float on water?"
"Sir, please accept my son as your disciple!" Xiao Shan requested solemnly.
As expected, he was a descendant of Mr. Wei Shan, who was as renowned as Mr. Gui Gu, possessing immense wisdom, mastering all schools of thought, and deeply understanding the mysteries of nature.
Little Bei Yue had already knelt down, "Please accept this disciple's bow!"
Xue Niang: "...Perhaps when he's a bit older? He's only four."
Indeed, Mr. Jing Tao was very capable, but Bei Yue was too young. To leave his parents at this age...
Hadn't this family considered whether he would accept him?
He didn't want to take disciples! Ever since he came here, under his master's pressure, he had sworn an oath, inherited the mantle of a recluse, learned a host of obscure and difficult things, and then sent his elder away. For so many years, he hadn't had a proper chance to see the world.
"I... wish to travel."
Now that he had money, he had to go out and have some fun first.
Xue Niang's eyes lit up, "That's possible. Children generally start their education at six. How about we discuss it when he's six?"
"Then, when he's six, we'll send the child to Jing Tao Mountain and entrust him to you, Sir," Xiao Shan decided.
Jing Tao: "..."
He might not even be at Jing Tao Mountain then! Who would want to be isolated from the world if there were better places? It would be strange not to feel depressed!
Looking at the box of dazzling, peerless treasures.
Having accepted their gifts, he might as well agree for now!
"Sir, can you leave your disciple a token of remembrance?" Little Bei Yue asked as he saw Mr. Jing Tao about to leave.
Don't adults always say that words without proof are unreliable?
This little fellow is truly cunning. Is he really four years old?
Jing Tao fumbled in his robes and produced a book, smiling nonchalantly, "Good disciple, then, I'll see you in two years."
"The Seven Arts of Wei Shan Talismans"
He didn't understand.
But it felt reliable.