Chapter 33 - 33: Ancient Stone Carvings, 8-Treasure Compass!
Ye Shu only thought for a moment before deciding not to dwell on it.
She wasn't aware of Chang Qing's other talents, but his martial aptitude seemed decent enough.
Even if Su Nan intentionally suppressed him, it shouldn't be too disastrous. He should manage to be somewhere in the middle to lower ranks.
After all, the Little Immortal Sect gathers exceptional talents from all over, all outstanding contemporaries.
Although she had never fully agreed with Su Nan's previous actions, she did not refuse this time.
After all, sects filled with prodigies are likely to have excellent cultivation environments.
"You took the Celestial Demon Sect's Ancient Stone Inscription; aren't you afraid of revenge from the demonic sect?"
"That thing is not simple. It's said that those who rank in the top ten can receive the imperial techniques bestowed by the ancients. They won't let it rest easily."
Thinking about what Su Nan just said, Ye Shu couldn't help but worry.
The people of the demonic sect are no pushovers. Even with the Su family's strength, careful handling is necessary.
"Imperial technique? It's not that simple."
Su Nan chuckled, "The Ancient Stone Inscription records a hundred prodigies, rotated every ten thousand years, and now the era is nearing its end."
"Those recorded are all well-known overlords on the continent. Do you think the aptitude test of the Little Immortal Sect could have many surpass them?"
"Forget the top ten; as long as one leaves their name on that inscription, they are undoubtedly peerless geniuses!"
After a pause, Su Nan continued with a smile:
"I snatched that thing precisely because of the hype around the ancient blessing."
"Imagine, how many prodigies across the continent wouldn't want to prove themselves or see how their talents truly measure up?"
"Heh, I've already figured it out. If they dare to come, as long as they participate in the test, they must join my Little Immortal Sect!"
"Not recruiting anyone? I'm just aiming for perfection, that's all."
"As for the people from the demonic sect you mentioned..."
Su Nan's smiling face turned slightly cold,
"Our Su family has been long-standing rivals with the demonic sect. If they have the ability to crush the Su family, I have no objections."
"If they want revenge, let them come and try."
"As long as I'm here, even if my teeth are shattered, the demonic sect must swallow it down!"
Ye Shu heard this and smiled gently.
This is the confidence of the Su family, not directed at one sect or one religion, but standing against the entire demonic path!
Even so, the demonic sect must grudgingly accept their losses.
The Peak of Quasi-Emperor, in the era of no Great Emperor, is synonymous with invincibility.
Though Su Nan sometimes seemed unreliable, he handled major issues very appropriately.
Just like this time, an Ancient Stone Inscription can not only capture the prodigies of the Southern region but also serve to spur Chang Qing, killing two birds with one stone.
"Just handle it well, and don't pressure Chang Qing too much."
Ye Shu said and then seemed to recall something, asking:
"By the way, how's the investigation on the cultivator who broke into the barrier? Was it sent by the demonic sect?"
Su Nan replied with a laugh, shaking his head, "A reckless stray cultivator, not worth mentioning."
"However, there's something quite interesting."
Speaking, Su Nan took out a Compass, very ancient, engraved with numerous mysterious patterns.
"This Compass isn't simple. It should have been brought out from the Forbidden Abyss."
Su Nan rubbed the Compass, his gaze somewhat profound, saying:
"Do you remember five hundred years ago, when Buddhism produced a Bodhisattva of Good Deeds?"
"Considered a once-in-a-millennium natural Buddha child, blessed with heaven-reaching fortune, accompanied by a Compass at birth, reputed as Eight-Treasure."
"This Eight-Treasure Compass can foretell fortune and misfortune, calculate opportunities, set fengshui, and has endless wondrous uses."
Ye Shu was startled and asked, "The one in your hand, is it the Bodhisattva's Eight-Treasure Compass?"
If true, this would be a tremendous gain.
Though the Eight-Treasure Compass lacks offensive capability, its utility in aiding cultivation is unrivaled in the world.
"It's only considered half."
Su Nan toyed with the Compass in his hand and spoke:
"The Compass is here, but the Eight Treasures inlaid on it are missing, leaving only some basic functions."
"I've been saying, with the Forbidden Abyss opening this year, why did so many bald monks from the Western Regions come?"
"It must be they got some news, learned of this Compass's whereabouts, and sent so many powerful cultivators."
Speaking, Su Nan was amused again,
"Blame those monks for their bad luck, to have provoked the second and got nearly wiped out."
"This roundabout turn of events ended up with the Compass falling into my hands by chance."
"Heh, destiny has its measure in a drink and a peck; it seems this thing is fated with our Su family."
Ye Shu heard this, laughed, and shook her head, saying: "You're already at the Peak of Quasi-Emperor; what's the use of this thing?"
Su Nan retorted: "Who says it's useless?"
"Though the Eight Treasures are lost, we can seek them later. As long as we have this Compass, the foundation is there."
"Moreover, even with just the Compass, it can increase fortune and auspiciousness a bit."
"I may not need it, but it's perfect for Chang Qing; the worth of this item is not exchanged for even a holy weapon."
As Su Nan and Ye Shu were speaking.
Suddenly, Su Changqing's voice came from outside the door.
"Father, Mother, what holy weapon? What interesting thing are you talking about?"
With those words, Su Changqing entered the courtyard with a smile.
"Haha, done with school, son?"
Su Nan laughed heartily and tossed the Compass in his hand to Su Changqing,
"Today I went hunting on the mountain and found this thing in a cave."
"This thing looks unusual; your mother and I are pondering if it's a holy weapon left by immortals."
Seeing Su Nan's nonsensical talk, Ye Shu gave him a sideways glance and greeted Chang Qing while heading back inside to cook.
"Oh? Found in a cave?"
Right now, Su Changqing was very keen on caves, considering Swordsmanship could be found there; a holy weapon was possible too!
Thinking this, Su Changqing picked up the Compass and examined it seriously.
Seeing the mysterious patterns carved on it, which had some similarity to the celestial scripts taught by his teacher, a gleam flashed in his eyes.
Though he hadn't researched thoroughly, he was certain this was definitely a good item!
Seeing Su Changqing interested, Su Nan's smile widened noticeably.
But when his gaze casually fell upon the Jade Pendant hanging on Chang Qing's waist, he suddenly sprang up.
"Chang Qing... Who gave you this thing?"
Su Nan pointed at the Jade Pendant, his expression darkening slightly.
He would never mistake it! That was the second's Jade Pendant!
"How could Zian's Jade Pendant be on Chang Qing?"
"Damned brat, even the Quasi-Emperor barrier can't stop you?"
Su Nan was greatly troubled; he guarded against everything yet still failed.
This is precisely Chang Qing's critical period; he couldn't let the second mess things up.
"This? Shu Han senior gave it to me, saying that when I leave the mountain, someone will bring me an opportunity."
"Who precisely, I don't know."
Su Changqing shook his head.
"Take it off..."
Just as he spoke, Su Nan swallowed his words back.
He glanced afar, pondered for a moment, and sighed inwardly,
"Forget it, it's inevitable they meet, simply warn Zian in advance, and it shouldn't be too problematic."
However, thinking about the second's temperament, Su Nan still had a headache.
He's truly afraid that the second would directly sweep through the entire Southern region with Chang Qing, to announce to people that he has a brother.
And truly, this is something the second could definitely pull off.
As for the opportunity the second said he'd give Chang Qing...
Su Nan sighed, shook his head, and chuckled resignedly.
"A wild lad, what opportunity could he offer."
However.
Su Nan likely couldn't imagine.
For the meeting with his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen in twenty years, the scale of Su Zian's planned gift!