Chapter 1367: Jade Balance Master

Xu Rong was taken aback by the question, seemingly unprepared for such a situation. However, recalling the mountain's command to "fulfill all of Mr. Wu's requests," she had no choice but to brace herself and respond.

"I bought a few buns at noon, and there are still two left. Would that be okay..."

Faced with such a presence, Xu Rong felt her buns were somewhat inadequate. The fact that they had been kept close to her body in her jacket pocket only added to her embarrassment and shyness.

With no other options, she had to be honest, no matter how awkward it felt.

To her surprise, as soon as she finished speaking, Wu Tao responded without any hesitation.

"Sure."

Huh?

Xu Rong was stunned. She glanced up to see Wu Tao still calmly fishing, seemingly unbothered.

Only then did she gather the courage to pull the meat buns from her pocket and hand them over with both hands.

Wu Tao took the food bag with one hand, opened it with his thumb and forefinger, gave it a sniff, and casually praised it before starting to eat.

"Hmm, still warm, and it smells quite good."

Hearing this, Xu Rong's ears turned red, and she didn't dare to respond.

Wu Tao, however, paid no attention to her reaction. His eyes were fixed on the fishing float. After finishing the buns in a few bites, he murmured with satisfaction.

"These buns are really good, much better than the ones from the shop downstairs where I live."

Hearing this genuine praise, Xu Rong slowly looked up, feeling a sense of relief.

Indeed.

What kind of existence was Mr. Wu? She had been overthinking things. Someone like him, who could live as an ordinary person, had already reached a level of mental and spiritual refinement far beyond the trivial concerns of the mundane world.

Hearing that Wu Tao also enjoyed the buns from the same shop, Xu Rong felt a sense of closeness, as if they now shared more common ground.

She responded naturally, her tone more relaxed.

"Yes, the buns from this shop are really good, but they're not the best. I know a place in the old city that makes amazing ice jelly. If there's a chance next time, I'll definitely take you there."

This kind of friendly and casual conversation felt more like a chat between friends, bringing a genuine sense of comfort. There were no ulterior motives or schemes, just the simplicity of life as it should be.

Hearing this, Wu Tao's lips curled into a slight smile, and he responded with anticipation.

"Sure, next time there's a chance, you must remember to take me there."

As they chatted, the atmosphere became more relaxed. It felt as if all their worries had been cast aside, and they were truly enjoying themselves amidst the serene mountains and waters.

Just as they were enjoying their conversation, Wu Tao slowly looked up and suddenly gazed toward the quiet mountains to their left.

"Come out, no need to hide."

Xu Rong was startled by his words. She immediately tensed up, her eyes darting around as if preparing for a threat. But when she followed Wu Tao's gaze, all she saw were white clouds and blue skies. There was nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly no place where someone could hide in such an open environment.

Her tense expression quickly turned to confusion as she stood frozen on the boat, utterly perplexed.

What was there?

Before she could spot anything unusual, an old man suddenly appeared, riding a sword through the clouds!

The old man wore a Taoist robe, his hair tied up in a high bun. His wide sleeves and flowing robes gave him an ethereal appearance. Despite his age, his face was youthful, and his eyes sparkled with vitality. Even from a distance, his aura exuded an air of immortality, inspiring awe in anyone who saw him.

Xu Rong's eyes widened in shock.

She was amazed not only by the old man's extraordinary presence and his ability to ride a sword but also by the fact that Mr. Wu had seen through his concealment technique!

Compared to her stunned expression, Wu Tao's face remained completely calm.

He continued to sit steadily at the bow of the boat, holding his fishing rod, his eyes showing no trace of surprise.

With a detached gaze, he watched as the old man wobbled in the air, struggling to land on his sword. Wu Tao could tell at a glance that the old man's cultivation was shallow, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern, worried that the old man might lose his balance and fall into the lake, ruining his plans.

Fortunately, the old Taoist managed to hold on, barely landing his sword beside the boat. After a few unsteady steps, he finally stood before them, waving his horsetail whisk and bowing slightly with one hand.

"Infinite Heavenly Lord!"

"Greetings, fellow Taoist!"

It had to be said, this old man had a flair for the dramatic. Even though he had nearly fallen, he managed to maintain his composure. On Earth, he would indeed be considered a remarkable figure.

In the face of such a display, even ordinary people who knew nothing about cultivation, let alone regular cultivators, might have been intimidated.

Unfortunately, the old Taoist was now facing Wu Tao.

Wu Tao had long transcended the mundane world. Traveling between realms was no challenge for him. Even saints were like children in his presence, and a mere Taoist who hadn't even completed the Foundation Establishment stage was less than an ant to him.

Even though the rules of this world limited his full power, Wu Tao could see through the old Taoist with a single glance, as if looking at a blank sheet of paper.

As the old Taoist made his grand entrance, Wu Tao simply continued to gaze at the lake.

His casual words carried the weight of divine wisdom.

"To cultivate the Tao, beginners must first refine their vital energy and blood, purging themselves of worldly impurities. Only when the body is pure can one truly sense and absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making it one's own."

"Without a solid foundation in physical refinement, how can one hope to build a towering edifice?"

His words struck like a thunderbolt!

The old Taoist was stunned, his face frozen in shock.

After a moment of contemplation, he quickly sheathed his sword and knelt at the edge of the boat, bowing deeply with immense gratitude and reverence.

"Senior!"

"Your words have awakened me from my delusions! I was too ambitious and nearly strayed from the right path. Thank you for your guidance!"

The old Taoist was sincere. Despite his earlier showmanship, he was quick to acknowledge his mistakes and correct himself. He wasn't entirely hopeless.

Only then did Wu Tao lower his gaze slightly and ask casually.

"What are you doing here?"

He had important matters to attend to and couldn't afford to be disturbed by outsiders. The sudden appearance of a cultivator naturally required some questioning, as everything was tied to his master's grand plan. There was no room for error.

Even if this old Taoist meant no harm, what if he had disciples or fellow practitioners who might scare away the spiritual creatures? That would be disastrous.

It was always better to be cautious.

As soon as Wu Tao asked, the old Taoist eagerly responded.

"Senior, please understand!"

"I have been cultivating on Kunlun Mountain since I was young. My Taoist name is Jade Balance Master. I heard that there are spirits and demons in Lake Nobu, so I came here to slay them and protect the people from harm!"

"I've been quietly guarding this lake for several days, waiting for the right moment. I didn't mean to disturb your peace, and I deeply apologize..."

His words carried an ancient charm, and his explanation was clear. After all, he was a cultivator, and there was a certain difference between him and ordinary people on Earth.

With such a demeanor, he was bound to be the center of attention wherever he went.

Xu Rong listened in astonishment, her eyes widening as she suddenly exclaimed.

"Jade Balance Master?!"

"You're the legendary master of Kunlun Mountain, one of the five great demon-hunting ancestors of our Xia Kingdom!?"

The old Taoist looked embarrassed, forcing an awkward smile. His eyes betrayed a mix of nervousness and reverence, as if he were a child kneeling obediently, not daring to rise.

Seeing his reaction, Xu Rong was once again too shocked to speak.