Their Minds Are Beyond Repair

Murong Yunhai hurriedly bowed to Chen Ping'an, lowering his head even more than his hands, and respectfully said, "I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome, Senior."

When Chen Ping'an saw Murong Yunhai, he intended to return a salute.

But before he could do so, Murong Yunhai had already taken the initiative, leaving Chen Ping'an taken aback.

Especially when he heard Murong Yunhai also address him as "Senior" with such a polite tone, his lips and face twitched uncontrollably.

Did these father and daughter get their heads stuck in a door or something?

How could I be a "Senior"?

Do I really look that powerful?

Chen Ping'an was speechless. He was merely an ordinary person who had been out of breath from climbing the mountain. He was certainly no "Senior"...

Moreover, the system had explicitly told him that he would have zero cultivation before completing his mission, and his strength was insignificant...

"You're joking, Sect Master. How could I be a 'Senior'? I'm just an ordinary person, and I dare not allow you to welcome me," Chen Ping'an politely returned the salute.

Murong Yunhai observed Chen Ping'an's actions and listened to his words, then glanced at his daughter.

It seemed that Xue had not been mistaken.

The "Senior" truly regarded himself as an ordinary person!

"Senior, you're being too modest. You don't have to call me Sect Master either. If you don't mind, you can just call me Xiao Hai from now on," Murong Yunhai respectfully said.

Although Chen Ping'an appeared young, Murong Yunhai was certain that he must be an ancient cultivator who had practiced for thousands or even tens of thousands of years!

Just this brief encounter had given Murong Yunhai a pressure he had never felt before.

Moreover, according to his understanding, even the highest mortal cultivation realm would not manifest the rhythm of Dao principles surrounding one's body!

He guessed that Chen Ping'an must be a powerful expert from the immortal realm who had come to experience the mortal world!

Chen Ping'an was truly perplexed.

He wondered if these cultivators had lost their minds from too much cultivation.

"Then I'll just call you Murong Sect Master," Chen Ping'an said.

Murong Yunhai quickly nodded, "Whatever the Senior says."

Chen Ping'an was speechless.

He even suspected that people in the cultivation world addressed everyone as "Senior."

"Senior, please come with me. Let's talk inside," Murong Yunhai didn't want Chen Ping'an to keep standing, so he smiled and led the way.

Murong Xue also had a peculiar smile on her face.

Thus, Chen Ping'an followed the two of them into the grand hall.

At this time, Chen Ping'an also noticed Zhang Qingxian sitting inside.

But to his disbelief, after a moment of shock, Zhang Qingxian imitated Murong Yunhai's earlier actions and respectfully called out, "Greetings, Senior."

Chen Ping'an was now certain.

These cultivators all had a screw loose!

I'm really just an ordinary person!

After they were seated, Murong Yunhai smiled and said, "Xue told me that you wish to join our sect, Senior?"

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile, intending to offer to take on a menial job.

But before he could speak, Murong Yunhai's face lit up with delight, and then he became solemn, clearing his throat and declaring, "Senior, from today onwards, I hereby relinquish my position as Sect Master. From now on, you shall be the Sect Master of our sect!"

Hearing these booming words, Chen Ping'an was dumbfounded.

Sect... Master?!

"This won't do!" Chen Ping'an resolutely refused.

He was merely an ordinary person.

He would feel awkward being a disciple, let alone taking on a menial job.

And now Murong Yunhai wanted him to become the Sect Master?!

How many times had this man's head been stuck in a door? His mind was beyond repair!

Seeing Chen Ping'an's direct refusal, Murong Yunhai felt a chill run down his spine, assuming that Chen Ping'an felt the position was not high enough!

"Then, from today onwards, Senior, you shall be the Protector Elder of our sect?" Murong Yunhai's voice was softer, and he inquired with uncertainty.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping'an's lips twitched uncontrollably.

Although he couldn't cultivate, he had some knowledge of sect hierarchies.

The lowest ranks were menial workers, followed by outer disciples.

Then came inner disciples, executives, holy sons and daughters, elders, sect masters, protector elders. 

And finally, the ancestor.

Now Murong Yunhai was proposing an even higher position, leaving Chen Ping'an speechless.

Seeing Chen Ping'an's silence, Murong Yunhai understood his meaning.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and made a desperate attempt to keep this supreme expert.

"Senior, on behalf of my father, I've decided to have him relinquish his position as the sect's ancestor. From this moment on, you shall be the sole ancestor of the Leaning Mountain Sect!" Murong Yunhai declared passionately.

Hearing these words, Chen Ping'an nearly fell off his chair.

This child was beyond help!

Chen Ping'an looked at Murong Yunhai and shook his head in pity.

However, Chen Ping'an's head-shaking gesture was peculiar – he nodded instead.

Murong Yunhai caught this motion and became ecstatic, his heart racing like a startled deer. He quickly said, "Haha, then it's settled!"

Seeing Murong Yunhai's foolish delight, Chen Ping'an genuinely felt sorry for him. 

As for Murong Xue, she was also beaming with smiles.

Initially, she thought that Chen Ping'an had a special connection with her, which was why he treated her differently.

But now, she believed that Chen Ping'an must have some connection with their sect!

Meanwhile, Zhang Qingxian, who was seated nearby, felt like biting his sleeve in envy and resentment.

He glared at the overjoyed Murong Yunhai, wanting to give him a beating.

Just what incredible luck had this man stumbled upon, for such a supreme expert to join their sect?!

This was the first time he had encountered such a powerful being. 

The rhythm of Dao principles surrounding Chen Ping'an gave one the feeling of an invincible existence in this world!

After settling this matter, Murong Yunhai suddenly remembered the wooden sphere belonging to Zhang Qingxian.

He gave Zhang Qingxian a meaningful look, then turned to Chen Ping'an and said, "Senior, my friend here has an object that he cannot open no matter what. Would you have time to take a look?"

Zhang Qingxian immediately understood and respectfully presented the wooden sphere to Chen Ping'an.

Upon seeing the wooden sphere, Chen Ping'an was surprised, "Oh? Where did you get this wooden sphere?" 

Hearing this, both Murong Yunhai and Zhang Qingxian's eyes lit up.

This Senior was too formidable, able to discern the extraordinary nature of this object with just a glance!

Chen Ping'an was very familiar with this wooden sphere.

Wasn't this the toy he had created for the children in the city?

"So, you want to open it?" Chen Ping'an asked.

He had used a Luban lock on this sphere, which had a special opening method.

Murong Yunhai nodded like a pecking chick, "There might be something good inside!"

Chen Ping'an casually replied, "There's nothing inside but a note."

Huh??

Murong Yunhai and Zhang Qingxian were stunned.

"Senior, your vision can see through the interior?" Murong Yunhai exclaimed in disbelief.

Just what realm had he reached?!

To be able to see through the surface and into the inside?!

Chen Ping'an looked perplexed and said, "I don't have that ability. I was the one who created this object."

Thud!

Upon hearing this, Murong Yunhai and Zhang Qingxian were dumbfounded. Then, reverence dominated their expressions, and their eyes sparkled with boundless starlight.

Chen Ping'an continued, "Actually, it's simple to open."

As he spoke, he began operating on it.

But after a moment, he realized that some mischievous child had damaged the crucial mechanism.

Left with no choice, he turned around and took out a kitchen knife from his storage space, slicing down on the wooden sphere with it.

Crack! The wooden sphere split open in an instant.

"There, it's open," Chen Ping'an said, looking at Murong Yunhai.

But when he saw the expressions on Murong Yunhai, Zhang Qingxian, and Murong Xue, he was dumbfounded again.

At this moment, tears were almost spilling from the three's eyes.

The trio was fixated on the kitchen knife in Chen Ping'an's hand, staring at it as if they had witnessed something horrifying, their expressions tense and nervous.

Seeing their reactions, Chen Ping'an's lips twitched.

It was hopeless. The minds of these three were truly beyond repair...