Sweeping across the heavens, starting with the first emperor of the ancient times.

On Yaoguang Star, in the Central Region, there is an ordinary teahouse called Tingfeng.

The teahouse is small, built along the street, and the wooden tables and chairs are quite old, but they are very clean.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the lattice window, falling on the steaming tea, filling the air with its aroma.

The storyteller was on stage, spitting as he recounted the legendary tales of a newly ascended sage from the Eastern Wilderness of the Big Dipper, and the tea drinkers listened with great interest.

Jiang Hao sat in the innermost corner of the teahouse, with a pot of the cheapest green tea and several plates of peanuts and melon seeds in front of him.

He was wearing a faded gray robe, his white hair was neatly combed, and he looked serene as he slowly sipped his tea.

He listened to the storyteller half-heartedly, his gaze occasionally sweeping across the bustling streets outside the window, as if observing all living beings.

Just then, the light at the entrance of the teahouse dimmed slightly, and three people walked in.

The young man at the head of the group was dressed in a simple cyan outfit. He was tall and handsome, with a calm and sharp look in his eyes that came from years of experience.

Although he deliberately concealed his aura, he still exuded a profound and majestic air as he walked, which attracted the attention of the old shopkeeper behind the counter.

He was accompanied by two men, one of whom was a burly man.

The other was a woman dressed in a moon-white long dress, with a cool and aloof temperament, and an exquisite face with a faint golden deer pattern between her eyebrows.

She held a sheathed longsword in her hand. The sheath was ancient and simple, with a faint natural Taoist aura flowing through it, clearly indicating that it was not an ordinary item.

The three people's presence seemed somewhat out of place in this ordinary teahouse.

The woman's appearance and demeanor, in particular, drew the attention of many tea drinkers, who whispered among themselves.

The three people who arrived were Xiao Fan and his companions.

Xiao Fan's gaze swept across the teahouse, seemingly searching for an empty seat. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on the innermost corner, on the gray-robed old man who was slowly cracking melon seeds.

He was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up with unbelievable surprise.

He quickly whispered something to Lu Qingxuan and Zhang Bo beside him, and the three of them immediately walked towards the corner.

"Elder Jiang!" Xiao Fan's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. He strode to the table and bowed deeply to Jiang Hao, "This junior greets Elder Jiang!"

Xiao Fan was overjoyed. This time, an extraordinary secret realm had emerged on Yao Guang Star. He brought Zhang Bo and the other person here, but unexpectedly, they encountered Elder Jiang!

Zhang Bo also bowed excitedly, his voice booming, "Mr. Jiang, it really is you! That's wonderful! I thought..."

Although Lu Qingxuan did not speak, she gave Jiang Hao a graceful bow, her cool eyes also filled with sincere respect.

Jiang Hao seemed to only then notice them. He looked up, a perfectly timed look of surprise on his face, which quickly turned into a gentle smile. He put down the sunflower seeds in his hand and brushed the crumbs off his hands.

"It's you three little ones! Long time no see, please have a seat."

The tone was casual and natural.

Xiao Fan and the other two sat down as instructed. Zhang Bo took the initiative to ask the waiter to add tea and water, and replaced the tea with better tea leaves and several exquisite snacks.

After sitting down, Xiao Fan and the other two finally had a chance to take a closer look at Jiang Hao.

Upon seeing this, all three were deeply moved, especially Xiao Fan, who was greatly alarmed.

"Old Jiang hasn't changed at all. He's still the same as before, dressed simply, and his aura is as peaceful as an ordinary person. But I'm already a Saint Realm cultivator. Even when I scan him with my divine sense, I still can't sense any spiritual power or Dao fluctuations on Old Jiang's body."

He seemed like just an old man from the mortal realm, but how could that be? A hundred years have passed; mortals would have long since passed away. Back then, Elder Jiang could easily see through my constitution and guide me to avoid countless dangers. Just what level of cultivation did he possess?

Lu Qingxuan felt the same way.

"This Elder Jiang is becoming increasingly unfathomable. I felt he was extraordinary a hundred years ago. Now that I wield the White Deer Talisman and am a King-level cultivator, I am considered a powerful figure in the Big Dipper."

Yet, even in his presence, it felt like facing a bottomless, ancient pool, leaving not a ripple. Who exactly was he? And why was he so attentive to us?

Zhang Bo, on the other hand, thought about things in a simpler way.

"Old Jiang is still so energetic, he hasn't aged at all. He really is an old immortal. I knew it. Back then, he might have deliberately pretended to be an ordinary person to test us. Hehe, we are so powerful now, thanks to Old Jiang's help."

The three had different thoughts, but they all shared a consensus: Old Jiang was no ordinary person and had been kind to them. Since he didn't say anything, they didn't ask. This was a sign of respect and tacit understanding.

Suppressing his shock and curiosity, Xiao Fan took out a palm-sized jade box from his pocket.

The jade box was warm and smooth, with simple sealing runes on its surface, isolating the aura inside.

He presented the jade box to Jiang Hao with both hands, his expression utterly sincere:

"Elder Jiang, it's been a century since we last met. I am eternally grateful for your guidance and rescue back then. This item..." He paused, somewhat embarrassed.

"It is a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Ginseng that I obtained by chance in an ancient site a few years ago. It is tens of thousands of years old and can be considered a king of medicines."

I don't know if this item will be of any use to you, and it may be insignificant in your eyes, but it is a small token of my appreciation, and I hope you will accept it, Elder Jiang.

He spoke sincerely, without boasting, only the genuine gratitude of a junior to his senior.

Xiao Fan knew that given Elder Jiang's mysterious nature, this Medicine King might not be anything special, but he still had to give it to him because it was his way of showing his appreciation.

Jiang Hao looked at the young man before him, who was already famous throughout the Northern Dipper, yet remained as respectful as ever. He then glanced at the jade box brimming with sincerity and nodded slightly in his heart.

The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Ginseng? It is indeed a rare and precious medicine for prolonging life, and it is of great use even to sages and great saints.

This kid is thoughtful. Although this thing is useless to me, his intention is commendable.

Jiang Hao did not refuse, reached out and took the jade box, opened it a crack and looked inside.

The ginseng's body is the size of a child's arm, with nine orifices, radiating a rich and pure life essence.

Jiang Hao closed the lid, his smile softening slightly as he looked at Xiao Fan approvingly: "You've put your heart into this. This item is precious, and I'm very pleased that you've shown such thoughtfulness."

He casually tucked the jade box into his sleeve, then his gaze swept over Xiao Fan and Lu Qingxuan, his smile deepening.

"I've heard that you're quite the remarkable young man now, the number one prodigy of the Big Dipper, achieving sainthood in a century, and renowned throughout the heavens. I've heard your stories quite a bit in this teahouse."

Xiao Fan quickly waved his hand, a rare hint of embarrassment appearing on his face:

"Elder Jiang, you flatter me. I am just lucky and have had some opportunities. With the help of Qingxuan and many friends, I have achieved what I have today. Compared to true experts, I am still far behind."

He wasn't being modest; he had witnessed the oppressive power of the ancient emperor and the heavenly lightning that struck the Great Sage, and he knew all too well that the path of cultivation was long and arduous.

Jiang Hao laughed heartily, then looked at Lu Qingxuan and teased her:

"Qingxuan is also quite good. She wields imperial weapons and protects her clan. Now she's a renowned fairy in the region. I think the two of you..."

Jiang Hao's gaze swept between the two. "They do look quite well-matched. When are you going to invite the old man to your wedding?"

Lu Qingxuan's ears turned slightly red, and she subconsciously glanced at Xiao Fan.