Wait a minute, where is my master?

"Taoist, thank you,"

Fatty Zhao bowed solemnly. He had felt a premonition when he saw Jin Xu looking at him just moments ago.

Now, having heard the other party request medicine for him, he was overwhelmed with emotions.

To Jin Xu, it might have been a casual remark, but for him, Zhao Dabao, it was like a life-saving phrase.

"Brother Zhao, there's no need for such formalities between us."

Jin Xu, seeing the other's serious reaction, flashed a hint of doubt in his eyes before smiling and patting Fatty Zhao on the shoulder.

For this first friend he made in the Nine Provinces Realm, whom he also invited for a meal at their first meeting, the young Taoist felt quite fond of him.

"Right, Fatty. Why be so formal with our temple master?"

Little White also joined in on the fun, mimicking the gesture by patting Zhao Dabao on the shoulder.

The man had given her a set of clothes, and although it was because her fur coat seemed warm, her impression of Fatty was still favorable.

The pat sent Fatty Zhao staggering, wincing and clutching his shoulder, his face twisted in pain yet wanting to smile.

Perhaps he hadn't realized it himself, but he had become somewhat reserved in front of the young Taoist.

In Gusu City, Fatty Zhao had his family and father behind him.

Jin Xu, though a strong cultivator, was alone.

However, since discovering that the young Taoist was the uncle from Great Xia and had single-handedly saved the Qingmu Secret Realm, Fatty Zhao felt even more restrained.

He didn't know what had happened outside, but with a bit of thinking, he could guess it must have been another event stirring the Nine Provinces Realm.

Thus, during the wait, Fatty Zhao felt extremely anxious.

This was why he only mentioned his Ice and Fire Spirit Roots and the Eternal Lotus to Jin Xu when they first met and never dared to bring them up again afterward.

It wasn't that Zhao Dabao's will to survive wasn't strong; instead, he constantly questioned himself whether he had used up the scant goodwill from Gusu City.

If it had been Xu Qiankhe would have already been clinging to the young Taoist's legs, crying and begging Jin Xu to save his life.

The young Taoist was unaware of Fatty Zhao's inner turmoil; he himself hadn't changed at all.

After waiting for the time it took to brew a pot of tea,

the door to the straw hut was opened.

The Ba Wang Tree, its spikes adorned with a medicine bag, followed by several uniquely shaped ten-thousand-year-old Treasure Medicines holding two trays, walked in.

"Grandpa Che, we've prepared the thank-you gift you asked for us to prepare for Grandpa Jin. This is a petal from the Eternal Lotus, this is spore powder from the mushrooms, and this is dragon ginseng's medicinal juice..."

The Ba Wang Tree carefully introduced to the young Taoist.

Both trays contained precious Spiritual Medicines picked from the bodies of the ten-thousand-year-old Treasure Medicines, while those that weren't particularly rare were placed in the storage-capable medicine bag.

The ones hanging on the spikes.

However, Jin Xu's attention wasn't on these Heavenly Talents and Earthly Treasures. He interrupted the Ba Wang Tree, puzzled,

"Wait, what did you just call me?"

"Grandpa Jin ah. Grandpa Che calls you his fellow daoist, so aren't you of the same generation? So, isn't it right to call you Grandpa too?"

Replied the Ba Wang Tree matter-of-factly while removing the medicine bags from the spikes and placing them on the trays.

"...It isn't about whether it's right or not!"

Jin Xu said silently in his heart. He was only eighteen, how had he suddenly become a grandpa, unexpectedly named so by a group of creatures that had lived for over ten thousand years!?

"Young Master, the last time you went to Great Xia you became an uncle, and now you've directly become a grandpa. If this keeps up..."

Yu Yaoer stepped forward to take the tray and medicine bag from Jin Xu, her tone slightly hesitant as she summarized.

"Shut up, quickly put away the things, and remember to give the Eternal Lotus petals to Brother Zhao."

The little Taoist's face twitched, and he expressionlessly stopped the Little Fish Demon from continuing.

"Temple Master, if you were my grandfather, then as your demon pet, wouldn't this cactus be... Wuu wuu, Temple Master, why are you covering my mouth?"

Jin Xu quickly covered Little White's mouth and tucked him under his armpit.

"Hehe, my apologies, my apologies."

His face stiff, he smiled awkwardly at the stunned Che Liang Wood and the Ten-thousand-year-old Treasure Medicine.

Elder Che also didn't expect the two demon pets by Jin Xu's side to be so peculiarly amusing.

"Cough cough, both ladies are truly exceptional."

Che Liang Wood made a comment, then didn't know what else to say.

Seeing the atmosphere turning a bit awkward, Jin Xu recalled a book he had read before about social skills.

Social Skill Tip #2: When the atmosphere is awkward, bring up someone else or something different to shift the conversation. But be careful not to force the change, as it can make things more awkward.

Like saying the weather is nice on a rainy day or something.

The little Taoist turned his head to look around, pondering what topic might be more suitable to switch to.

After looking around, he suddenly thought of a question—or rather, an issue.

"Taoist Che, I remember I had brought back a scholar wearing a green robe, looking naive and foolish, completely drenched. Where is he?"

Jin Xu wasn't very concerned about this seemingly heartbroken man and had almost forgotten about him.

"Oh, you mean him? I was just about to discuss this with you."

"He stayed in the house for a while, then suddenly took out a handkerchief, laughing and crying.

Then he dashed out."

At that time, I couldn't move, so I asked Ba Wang Tree and the others to chase him a bit, but since the situation was unclear, they didn't dare to go too far.

I just communicated with the Heavenly Dao rules of the Secret Realm, and this person has already left the Qingmu Secret Realm through the fourth layer's exit."

Che Liang Wood slowly narrated the events, and with the support of two young boys, he sat back down by the table.

"Right, my lord, you wouldn't believe how fast that man was. When he rushed out, he was still muttering something like 'I knew it, you definitely didn't die' or something."

Yu Yaoer handed the petal of the Eternal Lotus to Zhao Dabao and carefully stored various precious Spiritual Medicines and the medicine bag, adding another comment.

"Definitely didn't die?"

The little Taoist repeated the phrase to himself, but didn't take it too seriously.

With so many cultivators of the Righteous Path at the many exits of the Secret Realm, if the man had left, he probably wouldn't be in any danger.

He looked at the frail Che Liang Wood and thought that staying here was pointless.

He then politely took his leave.

After all, there were quite a few things waiting for him to attend to outside, such as delivering the Benevolent Heart Fruit to Brother Jiang. Another was to refine pills, so Xu Qian, far away in Shangjing City, could see clearly again and not mistake the manservants for maidens.

And most importantly, using the ink jade fishing rod to fish, hoping to find out where his master had gone.

Oh, right, he also needed to take Little Hong back home and perhaps go hunting as well.

Jin Xu quickly reviewed in his mind the things he needed to do, feeling momentarily like a middle-aged man working a 996 job.

"Hiss, I haven't been in the Nine Provinces Realm for long, so why do I have so much to do? Is this the blessing of being translocated?"