Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

Upon hearing Zhang Beixing and the others reveal their identities, the elder didn’t seem too surprised. Instead, he waved at Zhang Beixing and the others.

”I didn’t expect you to come so quickly, follow me.”

After speaking, the elder turned and walked towards the village.

Zhang Beixing and the others exchanged a glance and followed along.

Along the way, although there were still people watching Zhang Beixing and his team, their eyes held less hostility and vigilance.

It’s just that when they looked at Richard, their gazes were still not very friendly.

”I hope I haven’t violated any taboos by coming here, or is it that your village has some special rules, like not welcoming people with blond hair.”

Seeing Richard’s serious face, Leng Bing and the others struggled to hold back their laughter.

Not receiving a response, Richard did not give up questioning, instead proposing a few other rather clever and quirky questions.

”For instance, is it because I’m fairer than they are?”

”Or is it because I’m taller than their men?”

”Or maybe they have some other reasons.”

The questions left Leng Bing and the others in a mixed state of laughter and embarrassment.

They exchanged glances, their eyes communicating a common understanding without words, clearly saying the same thing.

”I say, Young Master of the Federation, stop asking. Don’t you know that laughing is painful?”

Meanwhile, Zhang Beixing, walking at the forefront, maintained a respectful half-step distance behind the elder.

This small half-step distance showed Zhang Beixing’s respect for the elder, as anyone who reaches the level of a Great Grandmaster is deserving of respect.

Of course, Xu Feng and the others were exceptions.

”I didn’t expect the Ninth Investigation Bureau to arrive so quickly.”

Upon reaching a house that seemed to have aged, the furniture inside was made of redwood. Although it appeared aged, it made no noise when used.

”Although I don’t know how you’re referred to outside, I’ve called you the Ninth Investigation Bureau ever since our first encounter.”

The elder’s face always wore a kindly smile, looking at Zhang Beixing and the others as if he were looking at his children.

Just as Zhang Beixing was about to inquire further, the elder’s next words left him completely speechless.

”Of course, when I first encountered you, I was only seventeen or eighteen years old, and it’s been over a hundred and thirty years since then...”

Even though he’d already had some speculation, the shock was very real when the elder said it to his face.

”This truly is an ancestor.”

Leng Bing muttered to himself silently.

When Leng Bing glanced at the others, their expressions confirmed they were thinking the same thing.

”Later, your Ninth Investigation Bureau brought an old Taoist here, leading him to ask me to watch over the forest, a role our village has held for generations, watching over this forest.”

At the mention of the old Taoist, everyone knew who the elder was referring to as the chief of the Ninth Investigation Bureau.

The said Taoist was from a mysterious Daoist temple, not large but periodically changing its location randomly. Those who could enter the temple would receive its approval and protection.

The reason that Taoist became the chief of the Ninth Investigation Bureau likely involved a considerable effort from the high-ups.

”From you, I sense the same aura as that old Taoist.”

The elder, who had been speaking as if to himself, suddenly looked up at Leng Bing with a smile of appreciation in his eyes.

”Wasn’t the old Taoist at that time already an Extraordinary Level powerhouse?”

This was the thought that involuntarily surfaced in everyone’s mind upon hearing the elder’s words.

After all, being able to match Zhang Beixing’s aura meant being at least of an Extraordinary Level or within a small step away from it.

It’s no exaggeration to say that just catching a whiff of an Extraordinary aura means at least crossing the threshold, only needing to pull the foot outside the door inside eventually.

Yet some spend their lifetime atop the peak of a Great Grandmaster, with that last foot stubbornly refusing to step inside.

Because of this, those unwilling to accept it created an intermediate level between a Great Grandmaster and an Extraordinary Level: the Half-Step Extraordinary Level, at least managing to brush against the term Extraordinary.

”Senior, this matter is not important.”

Zhang Beixing’s words left not only the elder but even Leng Bing and the others puzzled.

If the forest’s secret isn’t important, then what does Zhang Beixing consider important?

”I wish to know how long it will be before you take that true half-step, Senior?”

After Zhang Beixing finished speaking, Xu Feng and Leng Bing’s faces were written with disbelief.

The elder’s expression finally turned serious, surprised at how easily Zhang Beixing saw through him.

”It’s said that besides the only Extraordinary Powerhouse in the world, you should be the next.”

After who knows how long, it was the elder who first broke the somewhat eerie silence.

”Correct.”

Having an inkling is one thing, but having it confirmed is entirely different.

It’s like many people buy lottery tickets, but many who win end up in a mental hospital; not everyone can handle such a shock.