Being Too Intense Can Exhaust You

Chen Ping'an was utterly confused at this moment.

He was even a little dazed.

Seeing Guo Zimei return so quickly, he found it rather unbelievable.

After confirming that this old man was indeed the dean of Shushanxianyuan Academy, he assumed that Guo Zimei must have flown back under the old man's guidance.

But now, this venerable man with an aura of spiritual nobility and otherworldly grace, obviously a master, was addressing him as a senior!

He wondered if he had truly become a master himself!

Yet he knew his own situation better than anyone else.

He had absolutely no cultivation base.

His strength was the same as an ordinary person's.

Some intense physical activities could still exhaust him.

He still needed to eat, or he would become hungry.

He was separated from true cultivators by dozens of vast chasms!

He truly couldn't fathom why these cultivators were behaving this way.

Or rather, the "seniors" these cultivators spoke of.

Were they similar to fortuitous encounters, different from what ordinary people understood?

But this extremely respectful manner was also odd!

Chen Ping'an was perplexed, but he quickly said, "Senior, you jest. I'm truly just an ordinary mortal..."

He emphasized the words "truly."

Zhan Diangxong paused upon hearing this.

He looked at Chen Ping'an again.

At this moment, with Chen Ping'an at the center, the entire world was filled with the principles and rhythms of the Dao!

Senior!

Are you kidding me!

If you're a mortal, then what am I?!

Just as he was about to retort, he suddenly seemed to realize something.

"Such a powerful being, yet residing in this small mortal town, and these principles and rhythms of the Dao surrounding him – it's undeniable that he's a great master. Perhaps as Guo Zimei said, he's the reincarnation of a Sage of Confucianism!"

"If that's the case...the Senior's actions could be an attempt to secretly unearth an astonishing talent, preventing others from knowing? Or perhaps...he's descended to the mortal realm to cultivate his mind?!"

He was now completely convinced that the person before him was the reincarnated Sage of Confucianism.

If two poems were insufficient to judge, then the current scene before his eyes was ironclad proof!

Even in the immortal realm, he had never encountered such a formidable being!

In fact, his own cultivation had already reached the Xianying Realm, and he had previously resided in the immortal realm.

However, due to a transgression, he had been demoted by Shushanxianyuan Academy to the mortal realm.

Moreover, he had been fortunate enough to meet an Immortal Emperor in the past!

Yet even the Immortal Emperor's aura paled in comparison to the one before him!

With these thoughts, he arrived at a conclusion.

"The Senior's insistence on being a mortal likely aligns with my guess. Regardless of whether my guess is correct, there must be a reason. I cannot afford to offend such an existence!"

With this in mind, he looked at Chen Ping'an, his face still bearing boundless reverence, but his words conveyed, "Hmm, I can see that the Senior is indeed a mortal!"

He could not change the honorific "Senior," as it stemmed from a heart of

 veneration.

But he could act as if he truly believed it.

However, upon hearing these familiar words, Chen Ping'an was at a loss for words for a moment.

You must know Murong Gong and the others, don't you?

They've said these lines before!

"Wait, no! This person was brought by Zimei, which means Zimei went for an assessment. And he specifically asked to see me, so could it be that Zimei recited the poems I taught him?"

"And after hearing them, he found them perfect, evoking the admiration one feels among scholars, leaving him in awe and thus addressing me as 'Senior' out of sincere respect?!"

Chen Ping'an suddenly arrived at this point, and the more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him.

Everyone has different pursuits, and this dean of Shushanxianyuan Academy must particularly love reading.

Now, encountering someone strong in this aspect, it was like the saying, "In a group of three, one is bound to be my teacher." The dean's use of "Senior" was likely a respectful address for someone he acknowledged!

With this thought, Chen Ping'an felt at ease.

Then he also guessed the other party's intent.

He must have come seeking poems.

Or perhaps to meet someone more knowledgeable than himself.

Of course, to know for sure, Chen Ping'an would have to ask.

"May I ask what brings the Dean here?" Chen Ping'an inquired accordingly.

Upon hearing this, Zhan Diangxong quickly said, "Senior, if you don't mind, you can just call me Xiao Tong!"

"Um..." Hearing these familiar words, the corner of Chen Ping'an's mouth twitched, recalling a few similar situations from before.

"Then...I'll call you Lao Tong..."

Chen Ping'an reciprocated in kind.

Gong Lao...

Long Lao...

And now Tong Lao...

Chen Ping'an was a little speechless.

Zhan Diangxong considered it for a moment, then nodded.

Since the Senior wished to address him thus, so be it.

As for the inquiry about his purpose for coming, he dared not reveal the truth.

He had come to see if this Mister Chen that Guo Zimei spoke of truly had substance.

If so, he would invite him to teach at their academy.

Now, having met this "Senior," who was very likely the reincarnated Sage of Confucianism, he could not possibly invite a Sage to teach!

That would be highly disrespectful!

"I merely wished to pay my respects to the Senior. Having seen you in person, I am already satisfied," Zhan Diangxong said with a feigned smile.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping'an blinked a few times.

Such a ridiculous reason?

Just to catch a glimpse?

If you had come seeking poems, you could have said so.

I could casually compose a few for you.

No need for such roundabout methods.

Chen Ping'an knew there was more to it than just seeing him, figuring the other party was feeling shy and had trouble voicing it.

With this in mind, he decided to give Zhan Diangxong a way out, raising his brows at him and saying, "Really?"

The implication was clear.

It was like saying, "There's no need to be so polite. Just say it. It's just a few poems, after all. Let me show off a bit too. Haha!"

However, when he asked this, Zhan Diangxong interpreted it differently.

Zhan Diangxong froze for a moment, then cold sweat began streaming down his forehead.

Oh no!

Oh no!

Zhan Diangxong's heart cried out.

It was as if an ant had fallen into a boiling pot.

He really wanted to slap himself a few times right then.

Such a Senior must have already deduced his intentions.

He had surely figured out the real reason for his visit long ago!

Yet he had foolishly lied just now!

This was highly disrespectful!

Now the Senior had raised doubts and even narrowed his eyes!

What should he do?!

Seeing Zhan Diangxong still silent, looking hesitant or embarrassed, Chen Ping'an frowned slightly.

Why is he being so evasive?

But this slight frown was once again caught by Zhan Diangxong...

He was so frightened that his face turned paper-white!

He felt like crying.

Not wanting the other party to leave empty-handed, Chen Ping'an spoke again, "Lao Tong, just say it. I don't mind."

Upon hearing this, the extremely anxious Zhan Diangxong suddenly froze.

Say it out loud?

No objections?!

Zhan Diangxong's eyes lit up abruptly, and then he resolutely bent his legs and knelt down on the ground. 

"Senior! Thank you for your forgiveness! I vow that from now on, I will never make the same mistake again! If I do, I will repent with my life!!"

Zhan Diangxong solemnly swore with three fingers raised, his determination absolute. 

He never expected the Senior would forgive him!

Witnessing this scene, Chen Ping'an, who had just prepared to gift Zhan Diangxong a few poems, was utterly dumbfounded. 

He stood there dazed like a wooden statue, unable to utter a word.

He opened his mouth but no words came out.

Dude...what are you doing?!

I'm so confused!!