Chapter 58: Human Effort Has Its Limits... Well Then, Just Stop Being Human

Left Ruotong had no idea that the foul-tempered old Taoist standing beside him was entertaining the thought of stealing away his precious disciple. He simply looked at the white-robed youth before him, his gaze growing distant.

For a moment, he seemed to see the child from seven years ago again: skin and bones, nearly devoured by starving refugees driven mad with hunger. The stern words he had meant to speak softened.

“Ah Xian, as the Celestial Master said, your talent is extraordinary. To call it a once-in-a-century gift would be modest. One day, you will surpass me and the elders of the Three One Sect. You may even become one of the greatest figures in our world.

“But… human strength has its limits. No matter how powerful someone becomes, there is only so far they can go. Take those firearms and cannon shells brought over from the West. Give them to an army of several hundred ordinary people, and they would be enough to wipe out any superhuman sect that exists today.

“I even have a feeling that the age of superhumans standing above ordinary people will eventually come to an end. The tide of history is unstoppable. I hope you understand this, and accept the smallness of being human. Only then will you be able to go farther in the years ahead.”

“I will remember your teachings, Master.”

After listening to Left Ruotong’s earnest counsel, Wu Xian fell silent for a moment, then nodded. Inwardly, though, he could only sigh.

As a man who had crossed over from another world, no one alive understood better than Wu Xian the terrifying power of future technology.

At least in this world, apart from those elusive ascendants and beings suspected of being aliens, no single person could stand against a fully armed army. Not even Zhang Zhiwei in the future.

The saying “In the face of a nuclear bomb, everyone is equal” was no joke.

And yet Wu Xian was an exception.

Because… he could ride on someone else’s coattails!

Honestly speaking, with that mysterious space that let him share power, it was only a matter of time before Wu Xian gained strength far beyond this world’s limits.

For that matter, if the reincarnator Wu Xian simply exchanged for an S-class Superman bloodline, the physical abilities Wu Xian could share would be enough to sweep through the entire world of The Outcast.

By then, he might not only be able to take on an armed army; he might even be able to withstand a nuclear blast at point-blank range.

Human strength certainly had its limits. But if he stopped being human—no, if he simply surpassed humanity—then none of those limits would matter.

Of course, Wu Xian had no intention of saying any of this aloud. He had no way to explain his unusual circumstances, and if he did, people would think he was out of his mind. Better to let the facts speak for themselves someday.

As for what facts he might use to prove it… How about slapping the island of Japan out of existence?

With that thought, Wu Xian suddenly looked up at Left Ruotong, whose expression was complicated, and smiled.

“Master, I understand your concerns, and the Celestial Master’s as well. You’re worried that prodigies like Senior Brother Zhang and me might move too fast because of our exceptional gifts, neglecting how others feel and needlessly inviting trouble.

“As the saying goes, hold yourself to the standards of a sage, but regard others as ordinary people. That is the character a cultivator ought to maintain. I can’t quite manage it yet, but I’ll strive toward it, and I won’t let you down, Master.”

“Very good.”

At the words “hold yourself to the standards of a sage, but regard others as ordinary people,” Left Ruotong’s faintly furrowed brow relaxed.

He knew that, from now on, he might no longer need to worry about his disciple’s future.

“Brother Left, you truly are a lucky man, to have taken in such an excellent disciple. I’m envious.”

Zhang Jingsheng was doing the math again. They were both his disciples, so why was the difference between them so great?

Looking at Zhang Zhiwei, who resembled a dazed lion, and thinking of the hidden rat somewhere on Mount Longhu, Zhang Jingsheng couldn’t help rolling his eyes at the heavens.

Life was hard. The Celestial Master sighed.

“Haha! Why so gloomy, Celestial Master? Zhiwei is a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius too. Given time, he may well achieve as much as Ah Xian.”

Left Ruotong laughed as he tried to comfort him. Yet the unmistakable pride in his voice made it clear how much he had enjoyed the Celestial Master’s praise.

“Master is right. Senior Brother Zhang is already very strong, especially when it comes to thunder techniques. I nearly failed to withstand his attack just now.

“As for his temperament, he’s simply a bit carefree. Celestial Master, all you need to do is point out the crux of the matter, and Senior Brother Zhang will understand.”

Wu Xian chimed in, winking at Zhang Zhiwei, who looked a little embarrassed.

Honestly, from an outside perspective, Zhang Jingsheng was at least partly responsible for Zhang Zhiwei’s shortcomings.

If there was a problem with his disciple, he could have simply told him what it was. Instead, he insisted on speaking in riddles and making the boy figure it out himself.

That might work with other people, but there was no need for it with Zhang Zhiwei.

Aside from his inability to hold his tongue—which had to be curbed with the Celestial Master’s Empowerment—he was practically perfect in every other respect. A little guidance was all he needed.

In the comic, for instance, Zhang Jingsheng eventually failed to find anyone who could give Zhang Zhiwei a humbling defeat. In the end, he had no choice but to spell out the problem for him.

Zhang Zhiwei immediately understood what he had been doing wrong and set about correcting it. That was far better than a certain rat who kept hiding and running until the day he died.

Just then, Wu Xian seemed to think of something. He looked at Zhang Jingsheng with a grin.

“But, Celestial Master, I helped you out a little this time by letting Senior Brother Zhang taste defeat. Don’t you think I deserve a small reward?”

“Oh?”

Zhang Jingsheng was surprised. He looked Wu Xian over again, as if seeing in him the makings of a shameless man. His admiration only grew.

So young, and already so thick-skinned. This was more than a bright future—it was a straight road to greatness!

“Ah Xian, don’t be rude!”

Left Ruotong scolded him at once. “The Celestial Master is a man of great stature, and you are his junior. Helping him a little is only right. How can you ask for a reward?”

What he meant was that the Celestial Master was a man of decency; of course he wouldn’t accept help from a junior without showing his gratitude. Even if Wu Xian didn’t ask, the Celestial Master would certainly give him something.

Zhang Jingsheng rolled his eyes. He felt he was seeing Left Ruotong in a new light. Who would have thought that such a serious-looking man had this side to him? So this was how it was: willing to fleece an old friend for the sake of his precious disciple.

“Ahem! Brother Left, you’re mistaken. I do owe Young Master Wu a favor this time. That is a matter of cause and effect, and I must repay it.

“Tell me, Young Master Wu, what would you like? As long as it isn’t the Five Thunder Rites, I can grant you any of Mount Longhu’s other arts, including the Golden Light Spell.”

The Five Thunder Rites were the highest teachings of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, passed on only to its direct heirs.

The others were not so restricted. At worst, he could discuss with Left Ruotong making Wu Xian an honorary disciple. No one outside would have much to say about that.

“Techniques won’t be necessary. I haven’t even mastered the Third Stage of Rebirth yet. How could I spare time to study anything else?”

Wu Xian smiled. Then, to Zhang Jingsheng’s surprise, he said,

“I’ve always been interested in talismans. I hope the Celestial Master might spare a few days to teach me, so I can learn some of the basics.”