In the duel between experts, the outcome was decided in an instant.
"Qingfeng Sword? Hmph, you don't even dare to use your life-defining skill? Coward!" As fists and sword separated, Chen Xiaosheng was forced back three zhangs, his fists behind him, covering the bleeding sword wound.
In contrast, the opponent retreated ten zhangs with no harm.
"Ha~ If I had used my life-defining skill, would you even have had a chance to live?"
"Hahaha, why don't you give it a try? To block my 'Heaven-Breaking Divine Fist' with just a mid-level martial arts skill means you must be among the top twenty of the Grandmaster List! So... who among the twenty are you exactly? Can you withstand the Emperor's ten thousand Golden Saber Guards?" Chen Xiaosheng laughed provocatively, while secretly taking the time to adjust his breath.
Even if the opponent were to use the life-defining skill, or even if the previous attack level were repeated, he likely wouldn't withstand it.
There's no choice, can't refuse to acknowledge age; now over eighty, his vitality has long begun to decline, his strength not as it used to be.
The opponent, hearing this, the hawk-like eyes under the mask slightly squinted, instinctively surveying the surroundings.
Being one of the top twenty on the Grandmaster List, among the few with the pinnacle of personal power in this world, he had never been threatened by anyone.
Instinctively planned not to leave any survivors.
Of course, this was merely a delusion, one can easily overlook a detail, and let alone an impromptu decision, moreover even if he could silence them, it would be difficult to erase the traces at the scene.
"Ding ding ding~" Just as his mood was fluctuating, countless silver needles thin as hair shot over.
His expression changed instantly, as the sword light danced, retreating without daring to directly confront them.
"'Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle'! Su Jishi, hmph, you've hidden well!" Barely dodging the countless flying needles, the masked man's blood and energy slightly chaotic, stared at the figure slowly rising in the distance from a hidden stone pile, his face under the mask even more gloomy.
"Father-in-law!" Ning Haichan's heart was finally eased, gratefully bowing towards Su Jishi in the air.
Su Jishi did not look at Ning Haichan, only stared at the masked man, his voice strong: "I do not understand disputes of right or wrong, good or evil, I am only here to fulfill a promise to my beloved daughter, afterward no longer involved.
Despite being a leader of the Grandmaster List, I suppose you have no certainty of prevailing against both of us partnered, better to leave, and pretend nothing happened."
In alignment with Su Jishi's words, Chen Xiaosheng gracefully flew to Su Jishi's side, standing shoulder to shoulder.
"Whoosh~" The masked person was quite decisive, not hesitating at all, without a word, turned and left.
At the same time, the other masked persons, seeing this scene, dared not linger, followed to retreat.
...
"Father-in-law..."
"Greetings, Grandmaster Chen, greetings, Grandmaster Su..." Inside the military tent, Ning Haichan and the Guiding Official offered their respects.
Su Jishi waved his hand: "Enough talk, continue on the road, after reaching the Imperial City, we no longer have any relations."
"Father-in-law! Your son-in-law has true feelings for Susu, why so?" Ning Haichan said earnestly.
"Pah!" Su Jishi spat to the ground, unwilling to say more.
Ning Haichan looked aggrieved: "Father-in-law, I know you resent me for not making Susu my main wife, which is indeed my fault, but..."
"Old man doesn't want to hear your nonsense! Just one question, why haven't you given the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill to Ning Sujin?" Su Jishi impatiently interrupted.
Upon hearing this, Ning Haichan felt more helpless: "Father-in-law, they are both my daughters, both are cherished, but the truth is Yutan has greater talent, along with an exquisite mind... reality proves so, this year's Immortal Seedling..."
"Rubbish, if Sujin had taken the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill she would have become an Immortal Seedling too!"
"...Yes yes, father-in-law, you're always right." Ning Haichan no longer argued.
"What? Such a perfunctory response, think old man is being conceited with age?" Su Jishi was even more enraged.
"..."
The atmosphere turned awkward for a while.
Chen Xiaosheng lightly coughed: "Little Brother Su, what need to discuss with these youngsters? Later us two old guys can go for a drink."
Su Jishi finally eased slightly.
"Indeed, indeed, Grandmaster Chen is right, let's first guess who that man could be? Who has the capability to invite such character to appear? We see figures like this emerge here, it's likely no less formidable at King Yun's or the Wang Family's side," the Guiding Official from Seeking Immortal Palace quickly diverted the topic.
"Hmph! What is there to speculate? To invite figures from the top twenty of the Grandmaster List, and aiming to eliminate the Immortal Seedling, besides someone from within the royal family, who else could it be?" Su Jishi disdainfully glanced at the Guiding Official.
"Could it be... that one can't wait any longer?" The Guiding Official abruptly stopped talking.
Ning Haichan exchanged a glance with him, nodding silently.
Indeed, where in the world is there a fifty-year-old Grand Prince?
Moreover, rumors say this year Immortal Master will descend perhaps bringing the Emperor with a Life-extending Immortal Pill, maybe truly outlasting the Imperial Grandson?
How could there be no urgency?
"No reckless words! Who doesn't wish for immortality and longevity, enjoying millennium fortune? Maybe some unparalleled expert wants to rebel and seize the Emperor's immortal fate, seeking the Immortal Master's favor," Ning Haichan acted out earnestly.
"Yes yes, surely, surely," the Guiding Official quickly echoed.
"No need to discuss further, just report factually to the Emperor, the key now is ensuring if the upcoming journey can be absolutely secure?" Ning Haichan ended the potentially problematic conversation, turning to look at his father-in-law and Chen Xiaosheng seated high on the Grandmaster's Chair.
Chen Xiaosheng waved his hand: "As long as the opponent dare not expose themselves, with us two old guys here, no worries. Little Brother Su, what do you think?"
"Hmph, as long as you take the lead, old man dares to release hidden needles from behind, should you perish, old man immediately leaves," Su Jishi bluntly stated, showing no lofty demeanor.
"Hahaha... You truly earn the Turtle Grandmaster title," Chen Xiaosheng leaned back and laughed.
With his father-in-law's assurance, Ning Haichan felt greatly relieved.
"Father, have the bandits retreated? Were they really here to kill me?" At that moment, guards ushered Ning Yutan, Ning Sujin, and Li Ji'an, the three seedlings, into the tent.
"Hurry and pay respects to Grandpa Chen and Grandpa Su! Today without them saving your life, you'd be at great risk," Ning Haichan quickly signaled Ning Yutan.
Ning Yutan instantly understood, hurriedly flashing a bright smile, her eyes seemingly sparkling with stars: "Grandpa Su, I've long heard my mother say my second mother's father is an unmatched great master, Tan'Er has always admired you immensely, today dreams come true, grateful to grandfather for saving my life, Tan'Er will never forget."
Spirited, overflowing with warmth, such an adorable little girl, made Su Jishi, who had a displeased expression, hesitate to keep his face stern.
Especially observing his own granddaughter Ning Sujin turning her head away unwilling to see him, making him favor this polite little girl Ning Yutan even more.
"Silly girl, grandfather wasn't doing it for you all those years for immortal fate? Unfortunately, you simply lack the luck..." he sighed inwardly, nodding to Ning Yutan.
Once Ning Yutan concluded thanking Chen Xiaosheng, Ning Haichan then addressed Ning Sujin: "Jin'Er, you've not seen grandfather for some time, didn't you often say you miss him? Go let grandfather have a good look at you."
Ning Sujin frowned a bit, reluctantly stepping forward...