Chapter 4: In Youth, One Fails to See the Grace of an Older Woman—How About Offering Myself in Devotion?

“Then let’s have a contest to see who can pee farther!” Ling Tian uttered these words without the slightest sense of impropriety or shame. In truth, with a mind that had lived a hundred years, using such means would normally bring a blush to anyone’s face. At a hundred years of age, one has seen much of the world and knows well the differences between men and women. To trick a little girl into playing such a game would be more than a little inappropriate for someone with a century of experience behind them.

But what did Ling Tian recall from the depths of his memory? He remembered being a man utterly down and out, a person whose cultivation was lost, and in this world, that was as good as losing one’s backbone. In a realm where strength reigned supreme, the powerless were nothing, their words weightless and their existence a laughingstock. Under such circumstances, Ling Tian’s heart had changed; his methods became unorthodox, for without such means, nothing could be accomplished. Influenced by these experiences, Ling Tian proposed this contest quite naturally. It was, without a doubt, to his advantage—even guaranteeing his victory.

“Alright,” Lin Xue agreed, her face serious and without hesitation.

Huh? She agreed so easily and innocently? Ling Tian was momentarily stunned; he hadn’t expected Lin Xue to accept so straightforwardly. But thinking it over, at her age, she likely didn’t understand the matters between men and women. After all, Lin Batian was hardly the type to teach his disciple about such things.

With those words, Lin Xue pulled her trousers down to her knees...

Ling Tian could only hope that when Lin Xue grew up and recalled this day, she wouldn’t feel ashamed...

He muttered to himself as he stood bolt upright...

Before long, Lin Xue gazed at Ling Tian with disbelief. How could he reach so far? And his method was different from hers! Could it be… because of that thing?

For an instant, Lin Xue’s gaze toward Ling Tian’s private region grew heated.

“You lost!” Ling Tian declared, his eyes bright and fixed upon her.

“I… I lost…” Lin Xue came back to herself, her expression tinged with unwillingness. But the rules had been set, and it was too late to go back on her word. Forthright by nature, her little face fell as she spoke with resignation.

Lin Xue was a good sport; losing at this didn’t matter much. He was so young and hadn’t even started cultivating—if it came to a real fight...

At that thought, Lin Xue felt a faint sense of relief. She might not know much about men and women, but she had learned plenty else. If she weren’t so clever, Lin Batian wouldn’t have brought her here to play with Ling Tian.

[Task complete.]

[Reward: Twin Pupils!]

“There’s no need to be upset. I, Ling Tian, am destined to stand alone through the ages. To lose to me is no disgrace. Call me brother, and I’ll look after you!” Ling Tian’s eyes gleamed with excitement, his spirits soaring as he spoke with bravado. It wasn’t that he lacked restraint, but the rewards had been so generous! The Chaotic Dao Embryo, the highest realm of Sword Intent, and now the Twin Pupils as well. With such a background, how could he possibly contain himself? Especially with the memories of a hundred years of frustration inside him, Ling Tian needed an outlet!

Off to the side, Lin Batian and his companion at first found Ling Tian’s mischief amusing. Even when he spoke without pulling up his trousers, they could only chuckle. But when Ling Tian spoke of standing alone through the ages, both adults exchanged startled looks.

The Tianyuan Dao Domain was one of many such domains, yet it ranked among the very best. Throughout the years, geniuses had appeared—monsters who suppressed entire eras. But never before had anyone uttered words about standing alone for all eternity.

“Haha! Qingwu, you’ve taught him well. My grandson should indeed possess such soaring ambition!” Lin Batian broke into laughter, shattering the awkwardness in the air. He shook his head, attributing Ling Tian’s behavior to Ye Qingwu.

Ye Qingwu tugged her lips into a wry smile, inwardly murmuring: Did I ever teach him that? Still, she said nothing aloud. After all, her hopes for her son’s greatness surpassed all others. Ling Tian’s ambition brought her nothing but joy.

To be wise from birth and speak astonishing words was perfectly normal. Since Lin Batian saw nothing amiss, she had no reason to suspect Ling Tian had been possessed. Lin Xue, oblivious to the adults’ thoughts, found unexpected solace in Ling Tian’s promise to look after her. Abandoned by her parents at the age of one and taken in by Lin Batian, Lin Xue cherished those words deeply.

Still, she blinked her dewy eyes and reminded him, “Um, wouldn’t it be better to say it after pulling up your trousers?”

It was a simple matter of hygiene—she’d always been taught to tidy up after herself, or else she’d pollute the air. What should have been a grand moment now became somewhat comical, as Ling Tian stood there, trousers down, striking a heroic pose. Thick-skinned as he was, he hurriedly pulled up his trousers, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. After all, being thick-skinned wasn’t the same as being shameless.

The rest of the day, Ling Tian played with Lin Xue in a distracted mood. Still, he had to admit, that wooden horse was rather fun… ahem.

Half a month passed.

By rights, even though Ling Tian was young, with Ye Qingwu’s guidance, he should have begun his cultivation. But Ye Qingwu still hadn’t taught him; she continued to focus on building his foundation and imparting cultural knowledge instead.

Ling Tian wondered what his mother was up to, but he couldn’t just ask outright. He simply couldn’t believe that someone so eager for her son’s success would delay his cultivation. But after half a month with no change, Ling Tian began to doubt himself. Perhaps he had misunderstood?

One day, as Ling Tian napped at noon, a refreshing fragrance drifted into his nose. It was entirely different from Ye Qingwu’s scent. Having spent so much time with her, Ling Tian was familiar with her presence. This was not hers.

Ever since acquiring the Chaotic Dao Embryo, Ling Tian’s senses had sharpened; he never slept too deeply. He found it odd—Ye Qingwu was an Emperor! How could a stranger enter here? Either Ye Qingwu let this person in on purpose, or the intruder’s cultivation surpassed hers. If it was the latter, his life would be forfeit.

Feigning a turn in his sleep toward the approaching presence, Ling Tian secretly activated his Twin Pupils. He hadn’t used them openly when he obtained them, instead choosing to activate them in secret.

Otherwise, Ye Qingwu and Lin Batian would truly think him a monster.

“Oh?” The peerless woman gave a soft exclamation, chaotic energy surging around her to shield the area. Fortunately, Ling Tian had seen much in his past life; otherwise, the sight he’d just witnessed would have made his nose bleed. He truly hadn’t meant to—he hadn’t realized his Twin Pupils had the ability to see through things.

His eyes had betrayed him! If she’d had a bad temper, she might have sent him back to be remade on the spot.

“So it’s really a Chaotic Dao Embryo. But Qingwu never mentioned he had Twin Pupils. He’s certainly taken advantage of me…” murmured the Chaos Empress Luo Qingqiu as she approached Ling Tian’s bedside. She was clad in a black dress, long legs bare, her figure alluring and impossible to ignore. Yet after this mishap, a surge of chaotic energy enveloped her, rendering her form indistinct even to Ling Tian’s Twin Pupils.

“You’re the first to take advantage of me and live to tell the tale.” Luo Qingqiu smiled, her tone teasing as she scooped Ling Tian into her arms.

Ling Tian swallowed nervously. By that logic, should he thank her for sparing his life?

“So, tell me: how do you plan to take responsibility for taking such liberties with me?” Luo Qingqiu blinked her stunning eyes, looking at him with great interest.

Judging by her demeanor, Ling Tian guessed she must be an acquaintance. Otherwise, with her aura exposed, Ye Qingwu should have appeared instantly. But since she hadn’t, it meant the two women knew each other well.

Ling Tian was about to ignore her—she was just fishing for trouble. But then a voice sounded in his mind:

[When you were rejected in marriage and utterly dejected, your mother sought out a most suitable candidate for you: her close friend, the Chaos Empress! She hoped to arrange your marriage, ensuring your safety and future. It was a painstaking effort.]

[But, as a youth, you failed to appreciate the merits of an older woman and refused.]

[Counterattack mission triggered.]

[Win the affection of the Chaos Empress Luo Qingqiu. (Note: Long-term, staged mission.)]

[Rewards: Affection reaches 25%, Chaotic Dao Body initial mastery.]

[Affection reaches 50%, Chaotic Dao Body great mastery.]

[Affection reaches 75%, become an Ancient Chaotic Dao Body.]

[Affection reaches 100%, gain a formidable wife: Chaos Empress Luo Qingqiu!]

Seeing this mission panel, Ling Tian’s expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was in turmoil.

What? There was such a thing? He had no memory of this—only fragments of his century of life. To think there were hidden memories as well!

But that wasn’t the main issue. The tasks clearly wanted him to win over the Chaos Empress! What nonsense—‘in youth, one doesn’t know the value of an older woman’? Luo Qingqiu was an Empress, countless years older than Ling Tian. As the saying goes, a woman three years older is a treasure, but to become Dao companions with Luo Qingqiu…

And the final reward for 100% affection was—Luo Qingqiu herself. Seriously, if she liked him that much, who else would she help? Wasn’t this a bit too on the nose?

Still, the first three rewards were of immense benefit to him and well worth pursuing.

With that in mind, Ling Tian gazed earnestly into Luo Qingqiu’s beautiful eyes and, in a childish voice, said, “How about I devote myself to you?”