A Chaotic World 277 Supreme Genius from the Central Regions

"Better than mine?" Lu Tianzi probed further.
"Far better," Nanlan Qianxue answered with a teasing smile. "You can't even begin to compare."
"Ouch," Lu Tianzi laughed before turning his attention back to the main characters of the day.
As they walked down the street, Elder Xiquan eagerly introduced Wuye Mingxuan to the layout and history of the place, as though he was trying to show off their achievements.
When they finally passed the open market area, the group came face to face with the impressive looking Fireaxe Inn.
The staff of the Fireaxe Inn was already out in force, standing at the entrance to welcome Elder Xiquan's group. Among them was none other than the beautiful Lady Qingxi, the same young lady who had snubbed Beiwei Jinguo on the very first day of their arrival.
This time, however, she was all smiles while waiting for the arrival of Elder Xiquan's group.
Seeing this, Beiwei Jinguo could not help but feel envious.
"What an aesthetically pleasing structure," Wuye Mingxuan complimented. "Even the calligraphy on the signboard is beautifully written."
"The Fireaxe Inn is the fruit of labour of ten different builders, and we only approved of the design after countless revisions," Elder Xiquan proudly explained. "As for the calligraphy on the signboard, it is written by a previous elder of the Healer Circle. While he has already passed on, there are still many of us who appreciates the art of calligraphy. My son is the prime example."
"Oh? Elder Xiquan's son?" Wuye Mingxuan asked in surprise. "Is he into calligraphy as well?"
"I wouldn't say that he is an expert, but he has been interested in calligraphy since young. After the years of practice, I would say that his calligraphy skills are quite decent," Elder Xiquan replied before turning his head around. "Chong'er, don't you have something to show Sir Wuye?"
"Yes, Father," Xiquan Chong stepped up upon being called. "Sir Wuye, this is something that I have personally prepared as a gift. I hope you will like it."
With a flick of his wrist, a rolled-up scroll appeared in his hand.
Xiquan Chong unrolled the scroll, holding it up in front of Wuye Mingxuan. On the open scroll were Xiquan Chong's personal calligraphy writings that he had spent the whole of yesterday on.
"Where the endless blue sky meets the mountain of wonders, the Healer Circle warmly welcomes the honourable Wuye Mingxuan," Elder Xiquan read out loud from beside Wuye Mingxuan. "Well written! This calligraphy writing speaks of my feelings exactly. Let it serve as a token of friendship, showing how we will always welcome Sir Wuye to our Wondertrap Mountain!"
"Thank you, Father. That is exactly what I wanted to portray with this writing," Xiquan Chong nodded.
"What do you think of my son's calligraphy skills, Sir Wuye?" Elder Xiquan asked in anticipation.
"It is not bad at all for a calligraphy hobbyist," Wuye Mingxuan praised before turning back to the signboard of Fireaxe Inn. "However, it is still far from being comparable to the calligraphy of your late elder. Those few words are so beautifully written that it really draws in the soul! Please pardon me, Elder Xiquan, but I suddenly feel like painting."
"You suddenly feel like painting…?" Elder Xiquan felt the corner of his lips twitch. He suddenly had a very bad feeling about what was to come.
"That's right," Wuye Mingxuan nodded matter-of-factly. "You guys go ahead without me. I will catch up when I am done."
Before anyone could react, Wuye Mingxuan pulled out a small table and chair from his spatial ring, setting it up right where he stood. Subsequently, Wuye Mingxuan proceeded to pull out paper, ink, and brush, setting it all up on the table.
Without hesitation, Wuye Mingxuan sat down and started to lay gentle strokes down onto the white paper.
From the elders to those in the crowds, everyone present was stunned into silence.
Even Lu Tianzi was rendered speechless by what he was seeing.
From where he was, Lu Tianzi could still see the white paper on the table that was slowly being filled up with ink strokes. This Wuye Mingxuan really just started painting out of nowhere!
"Sir Wuye?" Xiquan Chong asked uncertainly, only to be completely ignored. Helpless, he could only turn back to Elder Xiquan for answers. "Father, this…"
He had been presenting his calligraphy work to Wuye Mingxuan just a moment ago. The next thing he knew, the latter had already sat down and began painting.
What the hell!
Would it hurt to wait just another minute or two even if this Wuye Mingxuan really wanted to paint?
In front of the crowds, he was actually left hanging while still holding up the open scroll that he wanted to gift to the other party.
How embarrassing!
Elder Xiquan let out a helpless sigh when he saw the rage growing in his son's eyes, "Sir Wuye is excellent in all aspects, except for this one bad habit of his. When he gets into the mood, sometimes he can be quite oblivious about the current situation."
"What are we supposed to do now?" Elder Beilan asked. "Shall we wait for Sir Wuye to be done?"
"There is no need for that. Sir Wuye is a bit of a perfectionist, so it usually takes quite a while before he is truly satisfied with his work," Elder Xiquan felt a headache coming on. "We can go in for now. Just have someone wait here for him to be done."
"Is that really all right?" Elder Beilan was hesitant to follow such a decision.
No matter how he looked at it, it seemed inappropriate to leave their guest out in the open while the rest of them proceeded into the inn to have a rest!
Then again, what kind of guest would just stop in the middle of the street and start painting all of a sudden?
"I know it is hard to believe, but just trust me on this," Elder Xiquan felt his headache getting worse. "This is not the first time I've seen Sir Wuye do this. Once he starts painting, he will begin to ignore everyone else as well."
"Well, if Elder Xiquan says so," Elder Beilan nodded.
In the end, the group really just headed into Fireaxe Inn, leaving behind only a staff member of Fireaxe Inn to continue watching Wuye Mingxuan.
The elders entered the inn under Elder Xiquan's lead, but the crowds were still out there watching in incredulity.
"What is he doing? Is he snubbing the elders of the Healer Circle on purpose?" Beiwei Jinguo thought out loud.
"I'm not too sure either, but it doesn't seem to be so," Lu Tianzi rubbed his chin in comtemplation. "Either way, this Wuye Mingxuan is truly a strange one. Let's avoid getting involved with him as long as possible!"
"My thoughts exactly," Beiwei Jinguo agreed.
Elder Xiquan was not joking when he said that Wuye Mingxuan will take quite a while.
After watching for a while longer, Lu Tianzi and the rest of the crowds gradually got bored and dispersed. All that remained was a group of lovestruck females who watched on with hearts in their eyes, completely entranced by the beautiful backview of Wuye Mingxuan.
***
At the same time, the elders of the Healer Circle gathered at the top floor of Fireaxe Inn. Xiquan Chong might not be an elder, but as the son of Elder Xiquan, he was allowed to join in as well.
"Father, isn't that Wuye Mingxuan a little too arrogant?" Xiquan Chong's expression was extremely ugly. "Just because he has a bit of status back at the central regions, he actually embarrassed me like that in front of everyone? How am I supposed lift my head in front of the others now?"
"Keep it down, Chong'er!" Elder Xiquan gestured for him to stop with a deep frown on his face. "You'd better not let Sir Wuye hear that. Otherwise, the consequences are not something that you can bear!"
"But Father! You saw how he acted just now!" Xiquan Chong retorted.
"Are you still going to continue?" Elder Xiquan glared at him in anger.
"Tch!" Xiquan Chong clicked his tongue in exasperation, crossing his arms before leaning back into his seat.
"Elder Xiquan, Chong'er might have phrased it a little too harshly, but his words are not completely without merit," Elder Beilan added. "This Wuye Mingxuan is really not showing us much respect, is he?"
"Sir Wuye might be tactless at times, but I can assure you that it is certainly not what he meant," Elder Xiquan answered firmly. "I don't know what you guys think of him, but let me make things clear right now. Sir Wuye is not just any random genius from the central regions. More importantly, he is also a great friend of mine. In fact, had I not met him in the past, I might not have even survived to live till this day! Since I have taken this opportunity to invite him back to Wondertrap Mountain, I certainly do not want him to feel unwelcomed. If you understand that much, I don't want to hear anymore complaints. If you really wish to speak badly of him, then I shall take my leave first!"
With that, Elder Xiquan rose from his seat in anger.
"Calm down, Elder Xiquan! Since you don't wish to discuss this matter, let's talk about something else!" Elder Ximo hurriedly interjected. "There is actually one other matter that we have yet to inform you of."
"Speak," Elder Xiquan looked at Elder Ximo. From his tone, it was obvious that his mood had already been severely affected.
"While you were away, the late Elder Beichang's student arrived," Elder Ximo continued.
Xiquan Chong could not help but perk up his ears when he heard this.
"Hmm? Elder Beichang's student?" Elder Xiquan slowly sat back down. "What's his name? Beiwei Jinguo? He should already be in his early twenties this year, so it is not too surprising that he is here. There is no need to pay too much attention to him. Just send someone to bail him out if he ever gets into too much trouble."
"If it's just that, then there would have been no need to inform Elder Xiquan about the matter," Elder Ximo shook his head. "However, this Beiwei Jinguo is not simple. We suspect that he is accompanied by an Overlord."
"An Overlord?" Elder Xiquan furrowed his brows immediately. "Are you certain?"
"No, but the chances are high," Elder Ximo admitted.
"This changes everything…" Elder Xiquan fell silent for a few moments to think things through. "Accompanying Beiwei Jinguo might just be an excuse for the Overlord. Instead, it is more likely that the other party has either gotten wind of Sir Wuye's attendance, or our true plans for this Healers' Meet. Either way, we cannot afford to offend an Overlord realm powerhouse. Inform all of our members – make sure that everyone treats Beiwei Jinguo and his companions with the greatest care and respect. No one is to offend Beiwei Jinguo and his companions. At the same time, make arrangements for me to meet with him. I shall personally pay him a visit to check things out myself."
"Understood, Elder Xiquan!" Elder Ximo nodded.
From the side, Xiquan Chong could not help but feel infinitely unhappy.
He could still force himself to understand why his father did not take his side when it came to Wuye Mingxuan.
But to have everyone in Healer Circle treat even that Beiwei Jinguo with care and respect?
Didn't that mean even he had to defer to that brainless Essence Building realm martial artist?
Over his dead body!
Well, he was planning to deal with Beiwei Jinguo sooner or later anyway.
Since his father seemed to have forgotten, he would just take this opportunity to remind his father that he was the true genius here!

Chapter end