Chapter Sixty-Six: Recommendation — Power of the Space

"Ahem!"

"Wuying, since you've been discovered, it's time to show yourself. It's good to bask in the sun now and then, haha."

"Yes."

As Gu Xiaopang stared into the empty space, a ripple shimmered through the air. An emaciated old man, clad in simple gray robes with a face full of wrinkles, emerged from the void.

"Wow! Is this the power of space?"

"Young friend, you have sharp eyes!"

Having already been discreetly told by Old Qin that it was indeed spatial power, Gu Xiaopang darted to the old man’s side, circling him several times, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"Changqing! You mustn't be so rude to a senior."

"Oh!"

Realizing his behavior was inappropriate, Gu Xiaopang scratched his head, somewhat sheepishly.

"Young friend, are you interested in the power of space?"

"Yes, would you be willing to teach me?"

...

"Changqing, I am Song Wujie, governor of Nan Yan Prefecture. This is my close brother, Wuying..."

"The power of space is rare; among a million cultivators, hardly one succeeds in mastering it. Even if Wuying is willing to teach you, it's not something you can learn simply because you wish it, haha."

"Uh!"

Gu Xiaopang, feeling a bit stifled, thought to himself, That may not be true. Perhaps I am that one in a million, a prodigy!

"Young friend, please sit."

"I had Xiao Cang invite you here because there is something I wish to discuss with you."

"With me? Discuss? I’m just a humble youth..."

"Changqing, don't complain yet. Listen carefully to what the governor has to say."

"Yes."

...

"You wish to recommend me to represent Nan Yan Prefecture at the imperial celebration in the capital?"

"Precisely. Though it may seem abrupt, I sincerely hope you can agree."

"Yes, Changqing, Uncle Cang also hopes you’ll accept."

...

"You want me to go... It's not impossible, but what benefits do I get?"

As the room grew tense and the others expected refusal, Gu Xiaopang bluntly posed his question.

"What? Oh! Haha."

"You are truly straightforward, young friend!"

While Governor Song Wujie laughed heartily, Cang Aotian and the gaunt Wuying awkwardly turned their heads, as if something outside the tower had caught their attention.

"It’s like this, young friend: if you represent Nan Yan Prefecture, all your travel expenses will be covered. I promise to open my private treasury for you to select two items of your choice. Any rewards you earn at the celebration are yours; I only care about the ranking and the benefits it brings."

"Hmm... Not enough!"

"Then three items?"

"Deal! But you must agree to one more condition."

"What is it? Speak freely, young friend."

"I want Elder Ying to teach me the power of space. Whether I can learn it depends on my own fortune."

"Wuying, what do you say?"

"Agreed."

"Very well! Changqing, let's settle it at that!"

"Good! It's a deal!"

...

"Master, do you think I can learn the power of space?"

"I don't know. Though I have lived over ten thousand years, I have never encountered a truly advanced spatial cultivator, and I disdain the lower levels. So... try for yourself."

"Alright."

...

While conversing secretly with Old Qin, Gu Xiaopang followed the governor into his so-called private treasury.

Having already seen many treasures in his sect, Gu Xiaopang inwardly felt unimpressed by this so-called treasury. In his words, the governor is merely in the late Nascent Soul stage; what rare treasures could he possibly have?

Sure enough, he glanced at the two-zhang-high shelves ahead, filled with about a hundred items of various kinds. A quick glance confirmed his suspicion: they were quite ordinary.

"Xiaopang! The third row, outermost!"

Unsure what to choose and planning to pick any three at random, Gu Xiaopang heard Old Qin’s voice transmission, then turned to look at the unremarkable, dull-colored bracer on the outermost part of the third row.

"Master, I still have two more choices. Is there anything else worthwhile here? Which one should I pick?"

"The rest are as ordinary as scrap iron; choose as you wish."

"Oh."

He picked up the bracer, then casually selected two other items and left.

"Young friend, are you sure these are your three choices? Would you like to reconsider?"

"No need. I’m sure these treasures took you great effort to collect. Some are good, but at my current stage, they won’t be much help..."

"Good, very good!"

Having given Song Wujie a compliment, Gu Xiaopang eagerly followed the gaunt Elder Ying to a specially designed cultivation chamber.

"For most cultivators, the common powers are those of the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. A few cultivate wind, rain, thunder, or lightning, and an even smaller number, whose spiritual roots have mutated, can master ice or fog..."

"However, the powers of time and space—over millions of years, those who have succeeded in cultivating them can be counted on one hand. Anyone who masters them is formidable in battle. Unlike other attributes, there are no established techniques for time and space; each level must be comprehended independently. Progress is slow, and it’s not an exaggeration to say every step is difficult..."

"For me, with limited insight, I reached the peak of the Golden Core stage a hundred years ago, yet even after a century, my cultivation has not advanced at all..."

"I will first teach you some basic understanding, then let you experience spatial travel yourself. We’ll see if you can awaken the spatial talent within you..."

...