Chapter 26: Zhuge Lingyun’s Shock

Once the old man finished speaking, the smile that had been on Zhuge Lingyun’s face vanished, replaced by a sudden change in expression. He slowly set his teacup down on the table.

Staring intently at the old man, he asked after a long pause, "Who exactly are you?"

Even the Master of the Yin-Yang Academy only had a partial understanding of Zhuge Lingyun’s true origins. He never expected this seemingly eccentric old man to see through him at a single glance.

The old man picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and sighed. "Ah, it has been a long time since I’ve had tea this good. What a pity."

Having said that, he turned his gaze directly toward Ye Xiao and, to the latter’s surprise, gave a slight beckoning gesture.

"Kid, come over and sit."

Ye Xiao hesitated, but upon seeing Zhuge Lingyun give a slight nod, he mustered his courage and sat down to the side.

"Kid, do you remember what you promised me?" the old man asked, getting straight to the point.

Ye Xiao nodded, though he asked out of curiosity, "Senior, since you have already come here yourself, why not go and retrieve it?"

Zhuge Lingyun and Mu Bai looked at the two of them with confusion, unsure of what they were discussing.

The old man chuckled. "I have my reasons for asking you to go. You only need to tell me whether you are willing or not."

Ye Xiao remained silent for a moment. Thinking of that miraculous and priceless wine he had tasted, he gritted his teeth and said, "Please, Senior, give your orders!"

"Good!"

The old man nodded and stood up. "Then let us go."

With that, he turned and walked away. Ye Xiao offered an apologetic bow to Zhuge Lingyun before following the old man down the bamboo mountain.

"Wait!" Zhuge Lingyun suddenly called out. The old man stopped and looked back at him.

"I would like to see this as well. Would you mind, Senior?"

Deep down, he was still concerned for Ye Xiao. Given Ye Xiao's immense talent, Zhuge Lingyun found himself inclined to cherish such a budding genius.

The old man seemed to see through his thoughts and gave a slight nod. "Then follow along."

Zhuge Lingyun stood up, instructed Mu Bai to remain on guard, and followed the old man down the mountain.

The three of them made their way toward the back of the Yin-Yang Academy. To the astonishment of Ye Xiao and Zhuge Lingyun, although they encountered many people along the way, it was as if these people could not see them at all! Even when they brushed past others, it was as if they were invisible.

"This is... the power of space!"

Zhuge Lingyun was well-traveled and knowledgeable; he recognized the old man’s technique at once. By utilizing the power of space, the old man had isolated the three of them—they could see others, but others could not see them.

"Sir," Ye Xiao asked in a low voice, "what is the power of space?"

After Zhuge Lingyun provided a brief explanation, he exclaimed, "This senior’s strength is likely even greater than I had imagined!"

The three arrived at the back mountain, where a vast lake lay. The surrounding banks were lined with willow trees; their branches swayed in the breeze, with several dipping into the water and creating ripples.

"Senior, what exactly is under this water?" Ye Xiao asked, looking at the surface in confusion.

The old man did not answer. He stared at the water for a while before plucking a willow leaf and casting it into the lake.

The leaf seemed possessed of a strange power; it drifted across the surface before coming to a stop at a specific spot.

"Right there. Go down and fetch a box for me."

"A box?"

Not only was Ye Xiao stunned, but Zhuge Lingyun was also taken aback. Although he did not spend much time at the Academy, he knew this lake to be perfectly ordinary, containing no hidden mysteries. If that were the case, why wouldn't the old man retrieve it himself? Given the old man's strength, wouldn't it be an effortless task?

The old man nodded. "Indeed. A black box the size of a brick. I need you to go down and bring it up. Rest assured, there is no danger."

Though the old man said this, Ye Xiao remained hesitant. If the old man would not act himself, it suggested that even if there were no "danger," there must be some other profound mystery involved.

At that moment, a voice, equally aged, rang out. "Old man, isn't it a bit excessive to be so presumptuous on my turf?"

As the voice faded, a figure appeared beside them.

Zhuge Lingyun frowned. "The Grand Elder?"

Ye Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. The Grand Elder of the Yin-Yang Academy? He was one of the most powerful figures in the entire Southern Territory! To think he had been stirred into action as well!

Upon seeing the Grand Elder, the old man did not even twitch an eyebrow. He simply said indifferently, "You aren't dead yet?"

This remark startled both Ye Xiao and Zhuge Lingyun, who wondered if a fight was about to break out.

Surprisingly, the Grand Elder showed no sign of anger. His gaze shifted to the willow leaf floating on the lake, his expression turning complex.

"Are you certain this kid can succeed?"

The old man shook his head. "I am not certain. But we must try, must we not? I have waited too long."

The Grand Elder fell silent. A moment later, he sighed and turned to Ye Xiao.

"Kid, since this old fellow has asked, just help him out. It would be best if you succeed, but if you cannot, then so be it."

Before Ye Xiao could speak, Zhuge Lingyun interjected. "Grand Elder, what exactly is strange about this lake? With the strength you and this senior possess, surely retrieving a box shouldn't be a problem?"

He truly could not understand what kind of object would prevent two such powerful individuals from taking action themselves, forcing them to rely on a youngster who had only just stepped into the Opening Realm.

The Grand Elder smiled. "Zhuge Lingyun, is it? This lake is indeed strange, and lethal at that. If you wish to know why, why not try it yourself?"

Zhuge Lingyun frowned in thought. He looked at the willow leaf, and a moment later, his figure suddenly vanished!

When he reappeared, he was standing directly on the surface of the water!

Strangely, as his feet touched the water, the previously calm surface began to churn. Yet, despite this, the willow leaf remained perfectly still, as did the water immediately surrounding it!

"This..."

Curious, Zhuge Lingyun extended a finger and tapped the air. A stream of light shot from his fingertip!

When the light touched the surface of the water, it was deflected instantly! The water surface remained without a single ripple.

"This is impossible!"

Zhuge Lingyun frowned and prepared to strike again, but he suddenly felt a jolt in his heart! A strange force emerged and enveloped him directly.

His expression changed drastically, and he shot back toward the bank in a flash!

Once he reached the shore, his face had turned pale.

"What is going on here! In that single instant, I lost nearly ten years of my life force!"