3 Elder Xue Dandan

Earthen Cactus. Elder Xue Dandan hadn't realized how much four kilograms of it was. She offered 250 primeval stones for the mission because of its urgency and some immature squad leader must have picked it up before they could realize just how long it would take. Earth Path Gu were the most common Gu in the Southern Border, but on Cao Da Mountain, they were actually not as used. This was because the mountain was once a resource point used by a Hairy Man group back in the Immemorial Antiquity Era. Of course, none of the resources from back then were still available to find, but Refinement Path was still the most common of all the materials found here.

While she didn't realize that the request would be so difficult, she had already spent 250 primeval stones, and clan elders could only cancel one mission a year, so she didn't bother wasting it. Little did she know that the squad would actually find the materials.

Upon entering the mission center, Xue Dandan looked around for anyone who would fit her needs. She was old so her eyes didn't work very well, but after around half a minute, she stumbled upon Xue Xiao Pan's group.

Specifically, Xue Mingyu. He was perfect! Not only did he fit her needs, he was also her type!

A Rank 1 Peak Stage worker for the mission center walked up to Elder Xue Dandan, "Can I help you, elder?"

"I set up a mission that was due today, and I'm here to collect the materials I asked for." Xue Dandan said. She never looked at him, clearly showing off her arrogant attitude.

But Xue Dandan was an elder of the Xue clan, someone who stood above tens of thousands. If anyone in this building had a right to be arrogant, it was her. Rather, it wasn't arrogance that she exuded, but knowledge of her position.

"Right away! Umm, what materials did you need?" The worker asked, but before he could finish internalizing what he had said, Xue Dandan pulled out a card. This card was the receipt from putting up a mission that she had received a couple of days ago.

"Take it."

"Y-yes ma'am!"

Licking her lips, Xue Dandan walked up to Xue Xiao Pan's group with her walking stick. She slowly edged forward until she was at the table and could hear the conversation.

"To think we spent so long and I didn't even get any rewards just because I killed some bees…"

"So much for trying to help you." Xue Nianzu laughed.

"I'm glad we get to hang out like this after our missions." Xiao Pan said, giving his cheers with the rest of the table.

"Yeah, talking like this, drinking wine… if only it wasn't a distraction." Xue Mingyu said as he tossed his head back, only to see that behind him stood an elderly woman.

"Greetings," Xue Dandan started.

"Xiao Pan greets Elder Dandan!" Xiao Pan immediately spoke very loudly. In half a second, all five members of Xiao Pan squad stood and bowed before her, some of them faster than others. It didn't matter if they were a squad of Rank 2 Gu Masters, in front of the wall that is Rank 3, they were like dogs and cats. Not to mention, Xue Dandan was a Rank 3 Upper Stage Gu Master, having fallen from Rank 3 Peak Stage due to her old age.

"Hmm… good, you know how to appreciate your elders." Elder Dandan complimented.

As she spoke, a Rank 2 Gu Master came out of the staff room and walked over to the table, bowing just like the Xiao Pan squad when she arrived.

"Elder, please come this way. The items you requested are in the storage area." The Gu Master, who wore the mission center's work attire, suggested.

Xue Dandan rested her hand on Xue Mingyu's shoulder for a moment while seemingly considering something, before nodding her head and following the attendant.

For the rest of the Xiao Pan squad, this meeting was a little event that happened to shake them up slightly from their previous informal tone. For Xue Mingyu, this was a massive change in his life. When Elder Dandan rested her hand on Xue Mingyu's shoulder, she placed an investigative Gu on him. While Xue Mingyu didn't know the effects of the Gu, he did know that primeval essence was being used on him. His instincts told him to resist, but his mind told him not to offend the clan elder. Therefore, he sat tight. It wasn't until she turned to leave that he heard a voice in his head.

"Boy, come to my manor in an hour. If you aren't there or say a word about this, don't expect to live to see tomorrow. Although, it'd be a shame to have to kill you." This message shocked Xue Mingyu to the point where he stood up like a pencil before he could think about his actions.

"Everything okay?" It seemed that Xue Mingyu's actions shocked everyone at the table and even some people at neighboring tables were spooked.

"Y-yeah, sorry umm, I just umm, well there's no issue, umm…" Xue Mingyu stuttered while looking for anything he could say without getting himself killed by an elder.

***

An hour later, Xue Mingyu arrived at the manor. It wasn't very difficult to find a clan elder's abode, as they tended to be large spenders. Xue Dandan's manor was actually considered small compared to her standing in the clan, only about the size of the mission center. Xue Mingyu would kill to have a house that big, and he actually did consider it for a moment, but figured it wouldn't be the best choice.

The house itself had two stories, with an overhang facing the road from the front door. There were windows on all sides, and at least five or six rooms on the first floor alone. Knowing a little about the clan's architecture from his time in the academy, Xue Mingyu guessed that there was a basement as well.

Making sure nobody of importance saw him, Xue Mingyu knocked on the front door. The door swung open as soon as his hand made contact with the bamboo wood door, and he was pulled inside by a swift hand. 

The hand felt almost dehydrated with the amount of wrinkles and calluses it contained. Xue Mingyu didn't have to think twice to know that it belonged to someone old. He looked up to see Xue Dandan's face, which seemed very familiar to him for some reason. He just shrugged it off and focused on the situation in front of him.

Xue Dandan looked around, seeming to look for something, but after a moment she turned back to Xue Mingyu. 

"Come, let's talk somewhere more private." Elder Dandan started slowly walking to a door with the help of her cane. Xue Mingyu looked around, finally getting a chance to see the inside of this elder's house. The foyer included a dining area and a rest area with multiple chairs and even a couch. There was a staircase from the left side of the room, where the rest area was, but it looked like it was not used very often judging by the cobwebs. Xue Mingyu guessed that Elder Dandan's legs wouldn't allow her to walk up stairs. On the right side of the foyer, there was a door, and Elder Dandan was walking through it. Xue Mingyu sped up his pace to meet her and found that on the other side of the door was a bedroom with two doors on the left wall. 

"Here should work." Xue Dandan spoke, patting Xue Mingyu's back and pushing him forward. For an old woman, she had immense strength. Xue Mingyu was sent flying onto the bed, and when he turned around, Xue Dandan was taking off her clothes…

Three hours had passed since Xue Mingyu entered Elder Dandan's house. In that time, he had felt more fear than the entirety of the rest of his life so far. Although Xue Mingyu respected his elders, anyone faced with a ninety year old hag raping them would hate their life, and despite Xue Mingyu's strong conviction towards the peak of the world, he was no exception. 

"Good morning, kid." Xue Dandan said as she opened her eyes. It wasn't morning, rather just past seven, but she had woken up. It took all of Xue Mingyu's mental strength to stop himself from attacking her then and there. He wouldn't have been able to hold himself back if her Rank 3 Upper Stage aura wasn't slightly suppressing his primeval essence from flowing.

"G-g-good morning elder!" Xue Mingyu blurted out after he felt fear just from looking at Xue Dandan's face.

"Hehehe, I see you enjoyed it too. Well, why don't we make a deal? I give you an… allowance of sorts, and you warm my bed on Saturdays. Don't worry, I won't be stingy."

"Uhm-" Xue Mingyu started, but was cut off when Xue Dandan stood up and started dressing. She wore a black robe with gray outlines; very different from her day attire. 

"You don't have to agree now. I have a meeting to attend tonight with the clan leader and some other elders. That damn Grand Elder is trying to abolish free healthcare again… Anyway, I hope to see you next week at the same time." Saying that, Elder Dandan picked up a bag from her storage Gu and tossed it to Xue Mingyu. "One hundred primeval stones, take it."

Xue Mingyu's eyes lit up. He was still deflated from having his cherry snatched by this hag, but one hundred primeval stones, combined with his previous savings, was enough to one of his Gu to Rank 2. 

Elder Dandan started to slowly walk with the help of her cane, leaving Xue Mingyu in the bedroom alone. 

As soon as he heard the front door close, Xue Mingyu burst into tears. He wasn't a month over seventeen and had to deal with so much. First he fell in Mud Sludge, then he had to dig a hole for three days! And when he finally thought he was free, an elder was trying to do, well, something to him. He remembered the beast tide from a couple of years ago, when his parents died. That was when his goal of becoming invincible truly ignited. He knew that it would be a tough task, but he was determined. He would persevere so that he never had to feel that sense of loss again. The feeling of determination had yet to disperse. No matter the troubles, he would overcome them. 

He would live!