A few days later, Chen Mingyue found Ning Beichen and said, "Mr. Ning, my family's old ancestor wishes to meet you. I wonder if you are interested?"
Ning Beichen had originally planned to return to Haizhou New City with Liu Yilin that day, as they had been out for some time. However, upon hearing that the Chen family's old ancestor wanted to see him, Ning Beichen immediately changed his mind.
These old ancestors usually lived in seclusion and were hard to meet. Since he had the opportunity now, Ning Beichen naturally wanted to see one.
Although Ning Beichen had advanced to the Grandmaster realm, he didn't believe he could contend with these old ancestors.
While these old ancestors might not all be true Grandmasters, they had cultivated for decades, or even over a hundred years. Their cultivation and experience were not comparable to Ning Beichen's.
"Alright, I'd also like to meet the Chen family's old ancestor," Ning Beichen replied.
Chen Mingyue's face lit up with joy and he immediately led Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin to meet the Chen family's old ancestor.
With the great crisis that had befallen the Chen family, nearly leading to their destruction, it was natural to report it to the old ancestor.
Upon hearing that Ning Beichen was only a young Grandmaster and that his help had been crucial in the Chen family overcoming the calamity, the Chen family's old ancestor became very interested in Ning Beichen, which was why Chen Mingyue had rushed to find him.
However, even though Ning Beichen was young, he was a Grandmaster. Even the Chen family's old ancestor dared not treat him rudely, hence Chen Mingyue was sent to respectfully invite him.
Soon.
Ning Beichen met the Chen family's old ancestor.
The Chen family's old ancestor appeared frail and decrepit, with his eyelids drooping. His hair was a mix of white and black, and he sat in a large armchair, looking at Ning Beichen. He gave the impression that half of his body was already in the coffin.
"Greetings, Old Ancestor Chen," Ning Beichen stepped forward and cupped his fists. He was neither overly deferential nor disrespectful.
It wasn't that Ning Beichen was impolite, but that they were both Grandmasters. If Ning Beichen had shown the courtesy of a junior, the Chen family's old ancestor would not have dared to accept it.
"Good, good, good! I never expected Grandmaster Ning to be so young. If Mingyue hadn't told me, I would never have known that such a dragon among men as Grandmaster Ning existed." The Chen family's old ancestor said loudly.
"Old Ancestor Chen flatters me," Ning Beichen replied calmly, with no intention of engaging in mutual flattery.
He had now met the Chen family's old ancestor and was not disappointed.
Despite the Chen family's old ancestor appearing as if he were about to enter his coffin, anyone who thought he was a harmless old man would be gravely mistaken.
Even without having fought the Chen family's old ancestor, Ning Beichen could feel the terrifying aura that the old ancestor inadvertently exuded. This aura suggested that the Chen family's old ancestor was no weaker than the Ma family's old ancestor, and possibly even stronger.
"Grandmaster Ning could so easily kill that old ghost from the Ma family, proving his extraordinary cultivation. You have long surpassed your predecessors. Would you be interested in exchanging some pointers with this old man?" the Chen family's old ancestor said to Ning Beichen.
"Since Old Ancestor Chen has this interest, why not?" Ning Beichen also wanted to witness the Chen family's old ancestor's abilities.
"Good, good, good. However, I am old now, and my hands and feet are not as agile as the young ones. How about we exchange blows privately?" the Chen family's old ancestor suggested.
"Old Ancestor Chen's wish is our command. That would be best," Ning Beichen immediately replied.
"Good. You all may leave now. I wish to have a private exchange with Grandmaster Ning," the Chen family's old ancestor said to those present.
Since it was a private exchange, he did not want anyone to witness it.
"Yes, Old Ancestor." The Chen family members left the hall without a word, not daring to disobey the old ancestor's command.
"Yilin, wait for me outside," Ning Beichen said to Liu Yilin as he turned.
"Beichen, be careful." Although Liu Yilin was reluctant, she knew she couldn't witness their exchange.
"Don't worry, we're not fighting to the death, so there's no danger," Ning Beichen assured her.
Liu Yilin nodded and walked out. Outside, the Chen family members even closed the door, preventing anyone from seeing what was happening inside.
"Grandmaster Ning, how about we just spar a bit? What do you say?" the Chen family's old ancestor asked.
"Alright." Ning Beichen stepped forward, extended his hand, and said to the Chen family's old ancestor, "Please."
"Good." The Chen family's old ancestor rose from his chair. At this moment, he no longer looked frail and decrepit, but like a lion that had just awakened.
With a snap.
Their arms intertwined.
Ning Beichen did not move, nor did the Chen family's old ancestor.
However, in their spiritual worlds, Ning Beichen and the Chen family's old ancestor were already engaged in a fierce battle.
Within their spiritual realms, two figures, moving so fast they were almost invisible, fought with such intensity that stones flew and the sun and moon were obscured. One punch shattered mountains, and one kick cleaved peaks. They exchanged blows back and forth, neither holding back.
The Chen family's old ancestor became increasingly alarmed and shocked as the fight progressed. If they were fighting with their real bodies, he could have attributed his inability to win against Ning Beichen to his old age and declining strength.
However, in the spiritual world, age and physical condition were irrelevant. In fact, the older one was, the greater the advantage. Yet, he could not defeat Ning Beichen. This was beyond mere shock.
"I... I lost." After a while, the Chen family's old ancestor voluntarily conceded. It wasn't that he didn't want to win, but that if the fight continued, he had no confidence in defeating Ning Beichen and might even suffer spiritual damage.
"That's fine. It was Old Ancestor Chen going easy on me. I'm a bit thick-skinned, so let's just say it was a draw between the junior and the old ancestor," Ning Beichen was unusually humble.
If the Chen family's old ancestor had been willing to fight him to the death, Ning Beichen wouldn't have been entirely confident of winning. However, he now had a general understanding of the Chen family's old ancestor's strength.
The Chen family's old ancestor's strength was indeed slightly superior to the Ma family's old ancestor's. But that was all. If Ning Beichen had gone all out, he would have had a reasonable chance of defeating the Chen family's old ancestor.
However, this was just an exchange, and Ning Beichen saw no need to use his ultimate moves against the Chen family's old ancestor.
"Grandmaster Ning is indeed considerate enough to spare this old man's face. However, a win is a win, and a loss is a loss. I can still accept this lack of face," the Chen family's old ancestor said, unwilling to take advantage of Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen smiled kindly and no longer dwelled on who had won or lost. If the Chen family's old ancestor lacked the courage to admit defeat, the Gusu Chen family would not have endured for so many years.
"Grandmaster Ning's cultivation is incredibly strong. I have rarely seen such prowess in my life. The key is that Grandmaster Ning is also so young. This is truly a blessing for our country," the Chen family's old ancestor said with great emotion.
"Old Ancestor Chen is too kind. May I ask where my strength ranks among all Grandmasters?" Ning Beichen inquired.
"Based on my judgment, Grandmaster Ning's strength would at least place him within the top ten among Grandmasters. Even if not now, he certainly will in the future," the Chen family's old ancestor said after some thought.