Chapter 00185: Normal
# Normal
Chapter 185
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 185: Normal
Why did it turn out like this?
The first time meeting a Celestial Being... the first time meeting the Guardian of Haizhou... two joyous events overlapping... it should have been...
Ji Jue couldn't remember what came next.
He was already stunned by the harsh reality.
Following Professor Ye, they passed through several halls, underwent inspections, and finally arrived outside a room.
A secretary politely opened the door for them.
The room behind the door was elegant yet simple, peaceful and unpretentious.
A table and a chair.
The Guardian of Haizhou was even having breakfast.
Upon hearing of Ye Xian's arrival, he immediately invited them in, showing no airs of superiority.
What surprised Ji Jue was that a Celestial Being's breakfast consisted of only a bowl of porridge, a steamed bun, and a small dish of pickles.
Their sudden visit meant there was no chance of this being staged; it was simply his daily routine.
Moreover, there was none of the oppressive aura often associated with the Tianyuan lineage, no terrifying presence that made one feel suffocated just by a glance.
But what left Ji Jue dumbfounded was...
There was nothing else.
Just an old man with age spots, nearly bald, wearing pajamas, his hand trembling as he slowly brought a spoon to his mouth, swallowing slowly.
A few drops spilled.
The secretary immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe them away.
The secretary bent down and whispered something into the old man's ear.
The previously dazed old man seemed to regain some clarity, his eyes lighting up.
Then, he looked at Ji Jue.
"Oh, it's Little Ye..."
The old man mumbled slowly, "It's been so long... you've grown so handsome... since you went to Yunzhou..."
"Guardian, it's not him."
The secretary anxiously reminded in a low voice, "It's Master Ye Xian, from the Ye family of Qiandao."
"Not... already gone?" The old man looked confused, dazed for a long time, then suddenly seemed to remember, "Ah, I remember now, Little Lu mentioned it... how could I forget? Really, I'm sorry, old age..."
His speech was slurred, his sentences jumbled, his consciousness flickering in and out.
"..."
Ji Jue lowered his head, feeling like he was wearing several layers of a mask of pain.
This was clearly dementia, right?
A Celestial Being? The Guardian of a province?
Are you serious?
Indeed, the world is just a big, messy stage, and depending on the situation, it can get even messier.
Now, it was so messy that Ji Jue felt like he was about to die from the pain.
And they still expect to achieve everything in one go?
Still expect to rebuild Quancheng?
Stop kidding, just pack up and go home!
The subsequent conversation wasn't particularly meaningful.
The old man, as the Guardian of Haizhou, thanked and welcomed Ye Xian's arrival, and offered a few words of encouragement to the young man.
It felt like going through the motions.
After a few pleasantries, the two took their leave.
Even after they had been out for a while, Ji Jue didn't dare to speak, as there were obvious surveillance cameras overhead.
But when Ye Xian turned around, Ji Jue felt a momentary flicker around them.
The surveillance was still there, but their conversation was temporarily shielded within the barrier that enveloped the entire Quancheng area.
"Are you wondering why a dementia patient can become a Celestial Being? Become the Guardian of Haizhou?"
"... Indeed, a bit."
Ji Jue sighed softly.
"Decades ago, when Quancheng fell, Lord Tao risked advancing to the Celestial Being realm. At that time, he was already a recognized powerhouse in the Federation, and he could have easily become a Celestial Being by following the usual steps. Before reinforcements arrived, he single-handedly held Quancheng for two hours. In doing so, he burned away more than half of his soul... Because of this, Quancheng didn't completely fall into the vortex, and that's why there are so many Quancheng survivors in Haizhou today. Without him, Haizhou would never have remained stable until now. It wasn't until seven years ago that he regained consciousness, and four years ago, he took up the position of Guardian of Haizhou, and has been pushing forward with the plan ever since. So, don't worry about him. Even if he's muddled and forgets who or what he is, his determination to clear the underground and rebuild Quancheng will never waver."
"Two hours?" Ji Jue was shocked.
Ye Xian nodded, "Even longer."
Two hours, one hundred and twenty minutes, or more.
At the moment when Quancheng was on the brink of collapse, in the midst of the corruption that could completely transform the city, every minute and second felt like an eternity.
Too long, and too arduous.
For anyone, it would be the same.
He couldn't understand why the Federation's reinforcements took over two hours to arrive.
Nor could he imagine what kind of terrifying challenges and dangers the old man had to face alone at that time.
The path to the Celestial Being realm is so profound and distant.
Even with the most thorough preparation, it's hard to achieve.
Especially when rushing into it...
When he abandoned much of his humanity and soul to embrace Tianyuan, Tianyuan also drew closer to him.
From a human perspective, the Celestial Being Tao Cheng is severely injured, far from complete.
But this incompleteness, by a twist of fate, complements Tianyuan, bringing him incredibly close to the realm of Shangshan.
At the same time, it also places him incredibly far from the realm of sages... destined never to forge his own path or inscribe his origin.
Faced with such a lofty realm and feat, Ji Jue couldn't muster any sympathy or pity.
Would an ant pity an elephant?
Moreover, facing the terrifying gravitational pull of the vortex and the corrupting pollution, he single-handedly held up Quancheng for two full hours.
Just this one act was enough to leave Ji Jue in awe and reverence.
"In Quancheng..."
He hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "His family?"
Ye Xian shook her head, "He's from Zhongcheng, wandering everywhere. In Quancheng, he has no relatives or friends."
"Then why..."
Why was he so determined?
Ji Jue instinctively wanted to ask, but in the end, he had nothing to say.
Only after a long silence did Ye Xian sigh softly, "Isn't that all the more reason to revere him?"
Ji Jue had no retort.
But noticing Ye Xian's gaze shifting away, he quickly took two steps forward and finally asked before the barrier was lifted, "Before Quancheng, why did it suddenly... overnight..."
Ye Xian turned back again.
As if she had anticipated this, or perhaps this was the question she had been waiting for after raising the barrier.
But unfortunately, she didn't want to provide an answer.
"This isn't something you should ask. Don't pry, and don't go around asking about it," she said.
"Perhaps one day, you'll get an answer, or make a choice. But for now, it's too early for you."
She sighed silently, "This isn't a warning or a reprimand, just advice from your teacher. Whether you listen or not is up to you."
Ji Jue nodded decisively, without hesitation.
Even though his curiosity was overwhelming and he wanted to ask why, if the teacher said not to ask, then he wouldn't.
It wasn't like his life would be over if he didn't know.
Then, the corner of Ye Xian's mouth seemed to twitch slightly.
As if satisfied.
"Good."
As the barrier dissipated, she continued forward, "Although Lord Tao can't handle trivial matters, there are plenty of people below him who can delegate work and throw their weight around. Come on, I'll show you the 'world'."
With an inexplicable cold smile, Ye Xian strode straight to another corner of the camp, into a building adorned with the emblem of the Taiyi Ring, and boldly pushed the door open.
It was clear from every angle that the Taiyi Ring was extravagant.
Every corner exuded the aura of a wealthy tycoon.
Even in such a short time, in this temporary outpost camp, they had spared no expense to construct new buildings to house numerous masters and craftsmen.
Even though money wasn't flaunted openly, Ji Jue, drawing from his past experience as a mud-and-tile worker, calculated the materials and labor costs and came up with a staggering figure.
Moreover, the entire building had been shaped and constructed directly by the Chosen Ones to save time, making the cost even more outrageous.
Upon opening the door, a refreshing coolness and fragrance greeted them.
The smooth marble floor almost reflected their figures.
A crystal chandelier hung high, casting beautiful shadows.
In the hall, specialized personnel had been waiting for a long time and quickly approached.
"Master Ye, your and Mr. Ji's accommodations have been arranged..."
"No need, it's a waste of time. Let's go straight to the meeting room. At least that will be more meaningful."
Ye Xian waved her hand, signaling him to lead the way.
Then she pointed at Ji Jue, "Take this guy to the lounge."
They passed through several halls.
Ji Jue followed behind, glancing at the expressions of the people around him, and couldn't help but sigh, "Everyone's eyes seem so strange."
"Normal. The competition within the association has always been fierce. To avoid being ostracized, not only do craftsmen scrutinize and weigh each other, but apprentices also face their own storms."
Ye Xian said, "It's been hundreds, even thousands of years, and this system hasn't changed. You need to be prepared."
Ji Jue nodded, curious, "What if someone provokes me?"
Before leaving, Professor Ye paused for a moment, glanced back at him, and said expressionlessly, "Endure the humiliation and bear the burden for the greater good. What else?"
"Got it."
Ji Jue nodded in agreement, as if he had already taken this golden advice to heart.
Although the meaning might be a bit complicated, Ji Jue tried to translate it himself.
—[The material is speaking].
Bang!
The door to the meeting room opened without warning.
Interrupting the long-winded discussions and arguments inside, the already tense atmosphere froze for a moment, then became even more tense.
It was like a cold wind had blown in.
Facing the complex and stunned gazes, Ye Xian walked in with her hands behind her back, carrying a thermos.
She walked forward unhurriedly, scanning the familiar and unfamiliar faces, and finally stopped at the front.
Her gaze fell on an old, wrinkled face.
She nodded in understanding.
"So, it's you presiding this time, Master Duan. At such an old age, still not at peace, you must be tired."
Five masters, over twenty senior craftsmen, all at least with golden sashes.
It seemed the Taiyi Ring had really invested this time.
Almost all the well-known craftsmen in the eastern part of the Federation had been invited.
Especially Master Duan Mu, who had been a master for over a hundred years, with many disciples and a high status, it was no wonder he was chosen to preside.
"Long time no see, Ms. Ye."
The bald, elderly Duan Mu sighed, acknowledging her greeting, "You came at the right time. Please, take a seat."
Ye Xian glanced at the seat below him.
The person who had been sitting there lowered his head, pretending not to see anything.
He hesitated for a long time, but Ye Xian remained expressionless, just waiting quietly.
Until he gritted his teeth, got up, and moved to another seat.
Only then did Ye Xian slowly sit down, placing her thermos on the table, unscrewing it, and taking a sip before looking around in the silence, "What were you all discussing? It sounded lively. Why not continue? Let me hear it too."
"..."
In the awkward silence, a long-bearded man with a sinister aura on the other side of the table chuckled, "Master Ye, you came just in time. We were just discussing your area of expertise. Considering the vast area of Quancheng, the most suitable method would be to use spiritual material refinement to create a barrier across the entire region. In this field, you are the best."
He paused for a moment, as if pondering, "However, regarding the principle of the fourth-degree transformation mentioned in your papers, would you mind sharing it?"
The others immediately perked up, holding their breaths.
He had just thrown the biggest current problem onto Ye Xian's lap, using Quancheng's situation to force her to take on this hot potato and share her unique technology...
On the other side, Master Kong's eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing.
The glances exchanged between the two became mocking, though it was unclear who they were mocking.
"Sure."
Ye Xian nodded without hesitation, "Since Master Zhou suggested it, why don't I take the lead?"
Master Zhou's expression changed slightly, his hand pausing as he stroked his beard.
This was unexpected.
He had only wanted to humble this arrogant woman, but she had directly accepted.
Then, he heard Ye Xian say, "I've already thought about the specific plan on the way here. Considering the timeline and intensity, the best approach would be for each section to inscribe spiritual circuits, then gather them through the Shangshan emblem and runes... However, the situation in the underground is urgent. Why don't you, Master Zhou, share your workshop's expertise in the 'Ten Thousand Sources Converging' framework first, to deal with the emergency?"
Ye Xian paused for a moment, then calmly asked, "I assume Master Zhou, with his broad-mindedness, wouldn't hoard his knowledge at such a critical moment, right?"
Ye Xian, you damn...!
Zhou Chong couldn't help but glare, his face growing darker.
No one would feel good after being turned around like this.
Moreover, he had only been eyeing her spiritual material technology, but she had directly gone for his family's treasure!
"Wait a moment."
Not far away, a middle-aged craftsman who had been observing coughed twice and spoke up, "Master Ye, that's a bit too biased..."
Ye Xian glanced over coldly, cutting him off without hesitation, "Do you have the right to speak here?"
The middle-aged man's face changed, "I..."
"Who are you?"
Ye Xian asked again, "I don't remember seeing you before."
The craftsman sitting below Ye Xian awkwardly smiled and said, "He..."
"No need to introduce. Someone who leaves no impression, even among the mediocre, must be utterly unremarkable. No need to waste time."
Ye Xian coldly waved her hand, ignoring the middle-aged craftsman's changing expression, "At such an old age, still flaunting only one golden sash, it seems you haven't achieved much. Keep your opinions to yourself. No need to listen. Master Zhou, what do you think?"
Zhou Chong's expression was dark, his hand stroking his long beard, the corner of his eye twitching slightly as if he had a toothache.
The Taiyi Ring had many factions, with complex structures, and the competition among craftsmen never ceased.
Alliances and deceptions were common, but in the end, it all came down to skill and work.
If you're good, you're good.
If you're not, you're not.
Being weak is the original sin.
If your skills are inferior, even breathing is wrong.
Moreover, Ye Xian was notorious for not giving face to anyone.
Even the current president had been pointed at and scolded by her, and had to admit she was right.
What more could be said about a small fry like this, who only followed behind the big workshops?
Now, she was just being difficult to deal with and speaking harshly.
What more could be expected?
In the past, if she disagreed, she would directly help demolish someone's ancestral workshop...
Demolishing you would just be a side task, right?
"Ahem—"
He coughed twice, then reluctantly said, "The matter of Quancheng is of great importance. I think the issue of the barrier needs to be carefully considered."
"Then let's consider it carefully."
Ye Xian nodded, as if agreeing, and said word by word, "Take it slow, be thorough, and make sure not to miss a single detail."
The atmosphere in the meeting room grew even more oppressive.
Unexpectedly, after directly killing a small fry and stabbing Zhou Chong twice, Ye Xian didn't speak again for the rest of the meeting.
She just listened silently.
But her gaze alone made all the craftsmen, except for the masters, break into a cold sweat and tread carefully.
When they awkwardly smiled or looked away, they couldn't help but curse in their hearts—Damn, why aren't you dead yet?
But the only one who could balance her in terms of seniority, Master Duan, didn't say a word.
Rather, he was happy to let it be.
The bigger the matter, the more troublesome it was, and the more likely it was to cause disputes.
At such times, someone had to say something unpleasant.
Since someone else was doing it, Duan Mu naturally welcomed it, probably laughing so hard his legs couldn't close in private.
However, as the meeting neared its end, the noise outside grew louder.
Many craftsmen couldn't help but frown.
In the midst of hurried footsteps, there was a knock on the door.
A Taiyi Ring staff member, sweating profusely, came in and looked around, instinctively turning to Master Duan.
Master Duan frowned, "If there's something, say it. Don't waste time."
"It's... it's a fight."
The flustered staff member stammered, "In the... in the lounge, many workshop apprentices and... and... the one from Chaosheng Workshop... are about to fight."
In the sudden silence, everyone's expressions changed, and they instinctively looked at Ye Xian.
Ye Xian's face was as calm as still water, showing no emotion.
"It's not a big deal. Don't worry."
Master Zhou grinned, gloating, "Young people have tempers. It's normal, normal."
"Yes, yes."
"Normal."
Many craftsmen, who had been holding back their anger, couldn't help but agree.
Only Master Kong, who had been transparent for half the meeting, slightly changed his expression and instinctively wanted to stand up.
But then...
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted, and the entire building shook violently.
The lights flickered, and a crack appeared in the wall.
The direction seemed to be... the lounge downstairs?!
Everyone's expressions changed drastically.
Only Ye Xian remained calm, her eyes lowered.
She picked up her cup and took a sip of tea.
"Normal."
She said.
This is normal.
Ah, it's the end of the month.
Just a few days left, asking for monthly votes~
And once again, recommending my old friend ANDLAO's new book, "The Night Before Ascension," 150,000 words to kill~
(End of Chapter)