Trying to Save My Life

Chapter 34: Trying to Save My Life

Ancestor?!

Xu Mo calmed down and glanced at the old man behind him, as well as Elder Long, who was on his knees. The old man wore a gentle smile. Xu Mo's hands began to sweat simply from standing in front of the Ancestor. He didn't know what to do—should he bow or remain standing?

After a moment of hesitation, Xu Mo decided that bowing was better than standing. After all, it was better to show more respect than less. He started to bend his knee, attempting to kneel on one leg, but two frail hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders.

"You don't have to bow to anyone in the sect," the Ancestor said with an approving look. "I don't even like these formalities—they make me feel older than I already am." He seemed pleased that Xu Mo was humble enough to know when to advance and when to retreat.

"Ancestor, did you want to say something?" the Sect Master asked, standing up. The Ancestor had clearly called out, "Boy?" in an inquiring tone.

"Ah, yes," the Ancestor replied, turning to Xu Mo. "I wanted to ask if you're cultivating any energy-hiding technique."

Xu Mo looked around, realizing the Ancestor was speaking to him.

Me?

The Ancestor nodded, his gaze piercing yet calm.

Xu Mo was now sweating profusely. Although the Ancestor hadn't said much, the silent pressure he exuded was enough to leave Xu Mo drenched in sweat. Just what realm is the Ancestor in to exert such pressure without even trying?

Xu Mo had to speak, "Can I have a pen and paper?"

"Hands forward," the Ancestor instructed.

With a wave of his hand, a pen and notebook materialized in the air and fell into Xu Mo's hands. He caught the pen just before it could roll away. Sitting down on the cold marble floor, Xu Mo began to scribble:

If you don't mind, may I ask how you know?

The Ancestor moved behind Xu Mo and leaned forward to read what he had written.

"It's because the technique you're using is still weak," the Ancestor explained. "If you encounter people of the same or greater strength as me, they'll easily detect the anomaly in you. Always let a little bit of Qi leak out. After all, even mortals have Qi—why wouldn't a cultivator like you?"

Xu Mo listened attentively to the Ancestor's words.

"So, what realm has your strength reached?" the Ancestor asked.

Xu Mo hesitated, then wrote: Second Level of Qi Condensation.

"What?!" both the Sect Master and Elder Long exclaimed in unison.

"I thought so," the Ancestor murmured.

The Sect Master, Elder Long, and the Ancestor all wore different expressions—shock, disbelief, and contemplation.

"But how? You don't even practice any Qi circulation technique," the Sect Master pressed.

"Yes, how?" Elder Long echoed.

Xu Mo's mind raced. He couldn't admit that he had cultivated the sect's technique during a trial—that would be heresy. Nor could he claim he had done nothing—that would make him look like a spy. Then, an idea struck him.

He adjusted his posture, exhaled slowly, and lowered his gaze, adopting the demeanor of someone reflecting on a profound truth. He wrote:

I... I don't know. I was meditating deeply, contemplating the Dao, when suddenly, I felt my Qi surge. It was as if... I had unknowingly comprehended something.

It wasn't a complete lie. His experience in the trial had changed him, even if he had no memory of actually cultivating in this world.

The Sect Master narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't immediately refute him.

Elder Long, however, looked skeptical. "Comprehended something? Without practicing our sect's technique even once?"

Xu Mo remained silent, his pen hovering over the notebook. Sometimes, the best way to answer a difficult question was not to answer at all.

The Ancestor suddenly chuckled, his ancient voice reverberating through the chamber.

"Hah. Interesting," he said, stroking his beard. "Perhaps the Grand Dao truly favors this boy."

That single sentence changed everything.

The Sect Master exhaled slightly, seeming less tense. Elder Long still looked doubtful but held his tongue.

Xu Mo seized the moment. He knelt down in a humble posture and wrote on the notebook:

Disciple does not dare claim credit for something he does not understand. If the Ancestor believes it is fate, then I can only be grateful and continue on this path with diligence.

His statement allowed the elders to draw their own conclusions—that Xu Mo's breakthrough was a gift of enlightenment rather than something suspicious.

Xu Mo had narrowly escaped disaster, but the incident made one thing painfully clear: his cultivation was changing in ways beyond his control. And one day, someone wouldn't accept vague answers.

He quickly shifted the topic, writing: I heard the sect has chosen a Saintess?

"Yes, but you don't need to worry. Your status still surpasses hers," the Sect Master said with a knowing look, as if he thought Xu Mo was concerned about losing his position.

"Yes, she's just the granddaughter of an old friend," the Ancestor added, his tone melancholic, as if reminiscing about a painful memory. "I'd advise you not to fall for her, or you'll end up getting hurt. Some people are simply too far out of reach for ordinary individuals."

Xu Mo wrote: If you think I'd fall for her the moment I meet her, then perhaps I should stay hidden away to avoid encountering her altogether.

"Coward!" all three of them exclaimed in unison.

Xu Mo could only think of his personality during the trial—completely opposite to his current demeanor. Back then, he had turned the entire sect into his playground. They likely assumed that, as a young man with hot blood and an adrenaline rush, he would take the Ancestor's words as a challenge and do the opposite.

He wrote calmly: I don't think I'm being a coward. If an elder or senior advises you to tread carefully, it means they've walked the same path and ended up broken. I was an orphan before being adopted, and I became an orphan again when my parents died. To me, the sect is like a home. The Ancestor is like a grandfather, the Sect Master like a father, and Elder Long like an uncle.