Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life-Chapter 159: Incident

The rune flowed beneath the brush tip. Su Ming was completely focused, keenly aware of his own state. Lin Yu's soul power acted like the most precise sensor, enveloping Su Ming's wrist, the brush shaft, and the slowly forming rune.

A quarter of an hour later, the simplest "Spirit Gathering" rune was completed. A faint glimmer flashed, and it began operating stably.

"How do you feel?" Lin Yu asked immediately.

Su Ming carefully savored the sensation, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes. "Master, while carving it, I felt... the consumption of my divine sense seemed slightly less than usual. My brushstrokes were steadier, and my mind felt more tranquil and concentrated."

"As expected..." No joy could be heard in Lin Yu's soul voice, only deeper caution. "This ink stick indeed possesses the miraculous effect of nourishing the divine sense and improving carving stability. Just this effect alone makes this item extremely valuable, far beyond what those few low-grade spirit stones of yours could compare to."

"What about Li Kai..."

"The debt of gratitude is even greater now, but it's also more suspicious!" Lin Yu cut him off. "Where did a mere menial disciple like him obtain such a precious item? And why would he give it to you so easily? This matter is absolutely not simple!"

He looked at that ink stick as if it were a hot potato.

"This item is to be sealed away for now. Until we completely understand Li Kai's background and motives, it absolutely cannot be used for maintaining core formations like the 'safe house'! Even for daily practice, use it with extreme caution, and constantly observe for any subsequent effects."

When Su Ming held his breath, focused his spirit, and his brush tip was about to touch the old formation plate, Lin Yu's warning sounded again:

"Remember, disciple, pies don't fall from the sky! In this perilous world of cultivation, apart from your master, you must maintain a twelvefold wariness towards everyone! Any seemingly good fortune or gift likely has a price tag attached that you cannot afford!"

Su Ming understood clearly in his heart. Li Kai's "silent gift" held value far beyond his imagination.

He noted this debt of gratitude. Simultaneously, he became even more convinced that within this sect, only by quietly, unobtrusively improving himself could he weather the unknown storms ahead.

......

Several days later, at the Basic Formation Lines Maintenance Department.

Su Ming was guiding two newly arrived menial disciples in repairing a "Bedrock Shield Formation," following the "standardized procedure" he had organized. His explanations were clear and insightful, completely based on data analysis and structural mechanics. The two menial disciples listened, nodding repeatedly, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Junior Brother Su, your method is truly effective! Before, looking at runes made my head spin. Now, following your 'three-step inspection method,' I immediately know where the problem lies!"

Su Ming gave a gentle smile. "It's just a matter of practice making perfect. If you two senior brothers practice more, you'll definitely do even better."

His attitude of not hoarding knowledge, his willingness to share, coupled with methods that genuinely improved efficiency, had earned him an excellent reputation among the lower-level menial disciples in the maintenance department.

However, not everyone was pleased to see this.

Not far away, Steward Sun watched the harmonious scene, his expression somewhat gloomy.

He had seniority but had never been able to break through to the Golden Core realm. Seeing Chen Ping increasingly rely on Su Ming, even hinting at letting him share some management responsibilities, a mix of jealousy and a sense of crisis inevitably rose within him.

"A good-for-nothing with a ruined foundation, relying on some crooked methods, dares to give orders here?" he cursed inwardly, pondering how to find an opportunity to make this kid recognize his place and not get too carried away with his success.

......

Deep within the sea of clouds above Formation Peak.

A cave dwelling floated outside a cliff face. There was no plaque at its entrance, only drifting clouds gathering and dispersing, with an occasional crane alighting.

Inside the cave dwelling, an unfinished game of Go and two cups of clear tea.

A middle-aged man in blue robes sat opposite Elder Ma, a black Go stone held between his fingers, yet to be placed.

His face was ordinary, the kind that would be lost in a crowd. His aura was restrained to the extreme, deep as an abyss, vast as the sea. If not seen with one's own eyes, a sweep of divine sense might mistake him for a mere rock on the mountain.

Only his eyes, when they opened and closed, seemed to contain the flow of galaxies, capable of making one's heart and spirit tremble.

Between the two men, a water screen hovered.

Light and shadow flowed upon the water screen, clearly reflecting a corner of the Basic Formation Lines Maintenance Department. The focus was precisely on that youth working silently in the corner, Su Ming.

The blue-robed middle-aged man looked at Su Ming in the water screen, his gaze calm and unrippled. Finally, the black stone in his hand descended.

"Tap."

The stone settled, sealing the last path of life for the white stones.

"This youth has a tranquil disposition, sees the essence in the minutiae. His foundation is laid exceptionally solid."

The blue-robed middle-aged man picked up his teacup, his tone flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"A pity. The damage to his Dao foundation is like an unbridgeable chasm, ultimately limiting his future. Junior Brother Ma, you seem to be investing too much effort in him."

His evaluation was objective and sharp, striking right at the core.

Elder Ma showed no dejection over losing the Go game. His turbid eyes looked at Su Ming in the water screen, revealing a rare, genuine smile.

"You are astute, Senior Brother."

"However, a sect is like a great ship. It does not rely solely on the power of its sails and masts."

Elder Ma's "defense" of Su Ming did not emphasize his talent, but rather his "systemic value."

"This youth may not become the sharp sword charging at the forefront, but if he can become a reliable rivet maintaining the operation of the great ship, his value may not be inferior to that of a true disciple."

The blue-robed middle-aged man neither agreed nor disagreed.

His slender fingers lightly brushed across the Go board. The stones returned to their containers, and a fresh game layout appeared.

Simultaneously, a wisp of clear breeze escaped from his fingertips, penetrated the water screen, and silently merged into the vast information flow of the Cloud Hidden Sect.

"Let us see how he handles the upcoming disturbance."

"If he can see through it, it proves he has the qualifications to become the 'rivet' you speak of. If he cannot... then such is his fate, not worth you expending further effort."

……

Basic Formation Lines Maintenance Department.

The stone hall was still a scene of bustling activity.

Steward Sun was berating several menial disciples.

"Incompetents! All of you, incompetents! You can even repair the energy nodes of such a simple 'Quiet Heart Formation' incorrectly!"

Suddenly, the communication jade slip at his waist emitted a faint glow.

Steward Sun probed it with his divine sense. The angry expression on his face instantly froze, then transformed into a trace of barely noticeable obsequiousness and excitement.

His eyes rolled, scanning the entire area, finally landing on Su Ming, who occupied a stone table alone, buried in a pile of old documents.

Steward Sun's brow furrowed slightly, a cold laugh echoing in his heart.

Perfect. A little reprimand to make him understand just how deep the waters of Formation Peak truly run.