Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 398: The Principle of the Formation Corpse

Elder Qingquan.

He still wore that same gray cloth robe, washed until it was pale. There were no intricate formation lines adorning it—it was as simple as an old village schoolteacher’s attire.

His hair and beard were pure white. His face was gaunt and refined.

At that moment, he was holding a worn-out palm-leaf fan in his hand. Facing the small red-clay stove before him, he gently fanned the flames, one stroke at a time.

His movements were unhurried, steady. They carried a strange, rhythmic cadence.

On the stove sat an earthenware pot. The water inside had already reached a rolling boil, bubbling and hissing as steam rose. White vapor quickly dissipated in the wind at the cliff’s edge.

Hearing Su Ming’s deliberately slowed footsteps, Elder Qingquan didn’t even lift his head.

His gaze remained fixed on that little red-clay stove.

“Finally decided to come?”

His voice was faint. There was no joy or anger in it—like he was asking about the weather.Su Ming’s heart tightened sharply.

He didn’t dare to be careless. Quickly stepping forward, he stopped at exactly three zhang from the stone table and stood in proper form.

This distance was the most appropriate polite distance for a junior to meet an elder.

Su Ming clasped his hands together, raised them above his head, and bowed deeply, his hands reaching the ground.

It was an extremely standard, formal salute.

“Disciple Su Ming pays respects to the Elder.”

Su Ming’s voice was clear, laced with sincerity.

“Disciple was entangled in mundane affairs and failed to come and pay respects earlier. Disciple arrived late; please forgive this transgression, Elder.”

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Only the wind and the sound of boiling water remained.

Elder Qingquan did not look at him. He didn’t even pause his movements. That worn palm-leaf fan still traced a steady arc through the air.

One stroke. Two strokes. Three strokes.

Su Ming maintained his bowed posture. His back was taut.

Time seemed to stretch on.

A full dozen or more breaths passed.

The steam from the earthenware pot suddenly burst open the lid, letting out a sharp whistle.

Only then did Elder Qingquan set down the fan.

lifted the scorching pot handle, and poured the boiling water into the

“Rise.”

His

“Standing there—aren’t you tired?”

up. He didn’t move recklessly. He kept his hands lowered, standing

set the teapot back on the

“Sit.”

the stone stool across

Su Ming obeyed and

hands placed properly on his knees. He looked like a young student waiting for his teacher to check

Qingquan finally raised

over the rising steam

gaze lingered for a moment on Su Ming’s

“Foundation Establishment.”

discernible emotion in Elder

must be rising from the west today for you to

beaded on

man—his words were still that

“Disciple would never dare.”

deep breath,

followed another. The Heart-Questioning Formation, Foundation Establishment, taking a master—the affairs were truly numerous.

Ming didn’t make excuses; he

long-term mission. Thinking that I would soon go down the mountain to train, with no fixed return date, I suddenly

lowered

rude. If the Elder wishes to punish me, Disciple

stared at him for

in the courtyard seemed to have

Qingquan let out an

you still

withdrew his gaze. The invisible pressure that had weighed on Su Ming’s heart dissipated instantly, without

gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting scattered, dappled shadows

put down the

picked up the coarse ceramic teapot and poured a

translucent color. An extremely faint fragrance spread through

not pour tea

raised the teacup, gently blew on the leaves floating on the surface, and took a shallow

was

Lost Trace Incomplete

Qingquan set down the teacup, his tone as casual as

have you gotten with

Ming’s heart clenched

Here it was.

was the test Elder Qingquan had given him during their first

ask now meant it

he didn’t pass, he might never step through this bamboo gate

didn’t

mind. He reviewed the data he had simulated during those countless sleepless nights at Iron Wall Pass, replaying