My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Nova’s interest was immediately piqued. The man was a Mid-Level Grandmaster, yet he was skillfully concealing his aura.

Seeing Nova stop, Rieka asked, ”What did you see?”

”Someone interesting is there. Let’s check it out,” Nova said, taking her hand and leading her closer to the crowd. They joined the onlookers and began listening as the argument grew more heated.

”You bastard! If you didn’t have money, why did you eat here? Did you think it’s free?!” the restaurant owner shouted.

”Junior, how many times must this old one explain?” the short man replied calmly. ”Only after finishing the meal did this old one realize his spirit... ahem, money pouch was left at home.”

”The fuck are you even saying?! I don’t know anything about that. If you can’t pay, leave your sword here or I’ll beat the shit out of you!” the owner snarled.

”Yeah, let’s beat this shorty! He was staring at my wee-wee with weird eyes. It gave me the chills,” another man added.

The short man answered with a sad sigh, ”Junior, this old one cannot part with this sword. It is the only relic my father left behind before he abandoned this old one and his mother and went to buy milk.”

”...”

”...”

He then turned to the other man and continued, ”Junior, this old one was merely observing the affliction plaguing your... manhood. No wonder your Dao of husbandhood has fallen into decline.”

”Now this shorty is even lying that he can see illnesses just by looking!” the restaurant owner shouted, turning to the other man.

”Hey, tell everyone this shorty is lying!”

”...”

The other man stayed strangely quiet, surprised that the short man had somehow noticed his private illness — the one that prevented him from satisfying his wife properly.

”Don’t tell me it’s true...” the owner muttered, now surprised along with the rest of the crowd.

Was this short man really some kind of miracle doctor who could diagnose illnesses with just a glance?

”Whatever! Even if you’re some kind of doctor, you still have to pay for the food or you’re not leaving here!”

Just as the short man was about to continue arguing, Nova stepped forward and interrupted, walking closer to both the owner and the short man.

Seeing the tall, imposing figure of Nova and the breathtaking Rieka beside him — the crowd instinctively parted. Everyone in Frostholme recognized them.

Over the past three years, Nova had become famous for his overwhelming strength and charm, both Nova and Rieka was now a respected Gold-ranked adventurer at Frosthall Hunters, and every one knew the stunning Rieka was Nova’s wife and now no one dared to talk anything bad about her.

There were also persistent rumors that Lady Asia was his lover as well, since she frequently took group missions with Nova and Rieka and now she was also a Gold-ranked adventurer.

”Brother, how about I pay for this man? I know him,” Nova asked politely, his charming face carrying a calm smile.

The restaurant owner and the crowd were surprised to learn that Nova knew this weird, oddly-speaking man who claimed to be some kind of doctor. But no one dared to question him.

The restaurant owner smiled politely before saying, ”If he’s your friend, then of course I can’t ask you for the payment.”

The short man was stunned. He hadn’t expected such a strong looking and handsome young man to step in and help him. Judging by the way everyone treated him with such respect, he clearly wasn’t an ordinary person. Since this was his only way out of the awkward situation, he quickly played along.

Nova smiled calmly. ”It’s alright.”

”Well, if you insist,” the restaurant owner replied. ”That will be 70 copper coins.”

Nova took out a silver coin and handed it over. ”I don’t have any copper coins, so keep the change.”

The restaurant owner’s eyes lit up with joy. ”Thank you for your generosity, Sir Nova.”

Nova simply nodded before signaling the short man to follow him. Together with Rieka, they left the crowd behind and soon arrived at a quiet part of the city.

”Many thanks for your aid, Junior Brother. This old one is Bai Chen. May this old one know your honored name?”

”...”

{I know what you’re thinking, but no—he isn’t a reincarnator or transmigrator from your previous world... or any other world, which somehow makes it even weirder.}

Liya explained as Nova stared at Bai Chen in surprise. This was the first time he had ever heard someone speak like this in real life. The short man sounded exactly like the eccentric old characters from the xianxia novels he used to read.

Nova couldn’t think of any reason why someone would naturally speak with such a bizarre manner of speech, but he decided not to dwell on it.

”My name is Nova, and this is my lovely wife, Rieka,” Nova introduced with a smile.

Rieka simply gave a small nod.

Bai Chen’s eyes immediately sparkled.

”Good, good! Junior Brother, you are truly remarkable. So young, yet already blessed with such a beautiful wife. This old one has lived for many years, yet remains a lone crane. Ahem... truly, fate can be quite unfair.”

Nova gave an awkward smile. Bai Chen was truly a strange man. Despite possessing the strength of a Grandmaster, he hadn’t relied on it to threaten anyone and had instead argued with the restaurant owner like an ordinary person.

Unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, Nova asked, ”Brother Bai Chen, may I ask what you’re doing here? I also noticed that you’re a Grandmaster, yet you never used your strength to intimidate those people into letting you go without paying.”

Bai Chen smiled warmly before answering.

”This old one hails from the Capital. Fortunately, this old one’s A-Rank potential allowed me to cultivate smoothly, and through relentless effort, I eventually reached my current realm.”

His expression gradually softened.

”Even now, this old one has never forgotten his late mother’s final words. Before she departed this world after my father abandoned us, she said, ’Never use your strength to oppress the weak. Be a good man, and always lend a helping hand to those in need.’”

”So this old one chose the path of medicine. As our kingdom is renowned for its healers, I searched for a master. Heaven favored this old one, for the master I found was nothing less than a Divine Physician.”

”He passed down all of his knowledge before sending this old one into the world to wander, heal the sick, and save lives.”

Nova silently listened before glancing at Rieka.

She immediately understood what her husband meant and gave a subtle nod.

Nova had asked the question to determine whether Bai Chen was truly a good person or merely putting on an act. Thanks to her bloodline ability, Rieka could sense when someone was speaking sincerely and their personality, just as she had done when they first met.

During the past three years, Nova had done everything he could to help Rieka fully awaken her bloodline. Although they hadn’t completely succeeded, it was no longer dormant. It felt as though a layer of glass surrounding it had become riddled with cracks, yet refused to shatter.

Even so, those cracks alone had significantly strengthened her bloodline ability.

Nova couldn’t help but wonder what kind of astonishing changes would occur once Rieka finally awakened her bloodline completely.

”I see...” Nova smiled. ”You’re truly a noble person, Brother Bai Chen. Why don’t you come with us? We’ll be leaving for the Capital soon to participate in the Empire’s Grand Youth Tournament.”

After a brief pause, Nova asked, ”Since you’re also a Grandmaster, and you don’t seem to be over thirty, are you participating as well?”

Bai Chen stroked his chin and smiled.

” This old one is indeed participating in the tournament. Though this old one prefers healing over fighting, youth does not wait forever. It would be a pity to let such a grand gathering pass without leaving behind a memory.”

He suddenly froze before lightly slapping his forehead.

”Ah! This old one has just remembered that my money pouch is still resting at home. So this old one need to go back .”

Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he continued,

”Since Junior Brother Nova appears to be a righteous man, this old one shall gladly accompany you to the captial togather, It would be this old one’s honor.”

Nova invited Bai Chen to travel with them. Since Bai Chen was from Vaunis, he was bound to know the city well and would make an excellent guide.

More importantly, Rieka had confirmed that Bai Chen harbored no malice. If anything, he was a genuinely decent person, which only strengthened Nova’s decision to bring him along.

Nova nodded. ”Alright then, l have to go. I still have a few things to take care of.”

He handed Bai Chen a few silver coins.

”You can stay at an inn for tonight. I’ll come and meet you tomorrow.”

Bai Chen accepted the coins with a grateful smile.

”Many thanks, Junior Brother. This old one shall remember your kindness.”

After parting ways, Nova quietly left Gama concealed within Bai Chen’s shadow before walking away with Rieka.

Thanks for reading....