Upon seeing the man his son was referring to, Qin Xuanfeng was intrigued by the manâs youthful looks;
his son referred to Chen Hao as âMaster Chenâ, yet the latter looked completely ordinary in every way.
Could his son be mistaken?
Despite what he thought, he shook hands with Chen Hao in a friendly gesture to express his gratitude.
Unsurprisingly, after a few exchanges of words, it was only natural for him as an elder to begin looking down on Chen Hao.
After enjoying a meal together, Qin Xuanfeng and the rest took Chen Hao on a tour of the Qin Family household when the topic of conversation turned to the Storm Calming Rock in front of them. âHehe, Chen Hao, this is the Storm Calming Rock that Iâve told you just now. This is the hardest rock across heaven and earth, and I bring it with me wherever I stay!â
Qin Xuanfeng began calling Chen Hao by his name instead of addressing him as âMaster Chenâ; the same went for the few elders in the Qin Family, who called Chen Hao by his name too.
This made Qin Yong, who was accompanying them, anxious. So, he kept shooting glances at his father to tip him off that this was gravely disrespectful to Chen Hao.
However, Qin Xuanfeng turned a deaf ear at his sonâs reminder and, in self-absorption, began to recount the origin of the Storm Calming Rock without Chen Hao asking.
According to legend, the Storm Calming Rock was a giant rock sitting bare at the peak of Mount Taiwu that had taken up the Essence of the Sun and Moon for a long time. Perhaps due to the rock possessing a unique aura, it had often been struck by lightning, yet it remained undamaged after having been hit by lightning so frequently. Since then, the rock was called the Storm Calming Rock.
After he finished recounting the story, Qin Xuanfeng turned to Chen Hao and said proudly, âWhat do you think, Chen Hao? This giant rock in my possession is truly of great value, isnât it?â
The few remaining elders smiled in response, thinking that there was no way for a naive young brat like him to recognize such a heavenly magic treasure.
Upon listening to Qin Xuanfengâs words, Chen Hao couldnât help but give a wry laugh and shook his head. âThe rock indeed seems to be of indescribable value.â
âHaha, but your expression seems to tell that you donât quite believe the story, Chen Hao. Since my son had mentioned that you possess great abilities, why donât you let us, the Qin Family, have a look?â
suggested Qin Xuanfeng without thinking.
âHeâs right, Chen Hao. Why donât you try breaking open this Storm Calming Rock, which is said to be unbreakable? It would be an eye-opener for us!â joked some of the elders in response, though there were evident traces of scorn in their mocking voices.
Chen Hao sensed the hidden meaning behind their words, but he could understand their feelings. It was only natural for Qin Xuanfeng and the other elders of the Qin Family to be unwilling to let him become the Qin Familyâs protector and follow his lead for generations. After all, all he did was to save the lives of Qin Yong and his sister before he agreed to Qin Yongâs request.
Their reluctance was evident, as they did not mention anything about him being their familyâs protector during the dinner.
Chen Hao replied flatly, âThe Storm Calming Rock is indeed the hardest substance across heaven and earth. It has the quality of being indestructible and even lightning and cannons couldnât scar it. Thatâs because after absorbing the Essence of the Sun and Moon for a long period of time, the rock had gained spiritual energy and become a spiritual rock.â
âHaha, judging by what you said, Chen Hao, do you mean that anything that has spiritual energy, or in other words, spiritual items, would become indestructible?â retorted Qin Xuanfeng in a slightly resentful tone as he couldnât understand a single bit of what Chen Hao had said.
âLet me put it this wayâthe Storm Calming Rock is indestructible because a spiritual item must be dealt with using Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth. Therefore, your Inner Energy and the energy from ordinary metals wonât bring any harm to this spiritual rock!â explained Chen Hao.
âI get what you mean now, Chen Hao. Are you mocking us for having mediocre abilities?â joked one of the elders to the others while looking at Chen Hao with a bitter smile.
His message was clearâhe was warning Chen Hao to behave himself and stop being boastful!
Qin Yong could sense the hidden meaning behind his great-uncleâs words. Panicked, he said hastily, âGranduncle, that was not what Master Chen meantâ¦â
Chen Hao said as well, âIndeed, that was not what I meant⦠I hope you donât misunderstand.â
Upon hearing his words, Qin Xuanfeng and the eldersâ faces relaxed somewhat, but they were totally unprepared for what Chen Hao said next.
Chen Hao said flatly, âWhat I meant was that all of you are not fit for breaking the spiritual rock with your abilities. It isnât about your abilities being mediocre or not, but there is a world of insurmountable differences between your abilities and the ability required to break open the rock.â
âHow could you!â All the members of the Qin Family widened their eyes upon hearing Chen Haoâs words, their faces full of anger.
Qin Xuanfengâs expression turned grim as well. âAre you implying that you can break open this Storm Calming Rock, Chen Hao? Let us see for ourselves if thatâs the case!â
The rest of the members gritted their teeth while Qin Xuanfeng spoke.
âThatâs for sure. Besides, whatâs so unusual about breaking open this Storm Calming Rock?â Chen Hao shook his head and put on a wry smile while looking at them.
He then continued, âThe Storm Calming Rock is resistant to ordinary lightning because similar to lightning, a product of nature, this rock is invulnerable toward lightning as it is a spiritual item born from nature itself. But, if a spell with power greater than that of lightning is used, then the Storm Calming Rock will surely be shattered into pieces.â
âHmph. What a boastful young brat! Who are you to talk nonsense about spells?â rebuked one of the elders immediately as he could no longer stand Chen Haoâs proud attitude.
Qin Xuanfeng did not stop him, for it was apparent that the elder spoke his mind as well.
âLook closely then.â Chen Hao smiled faintly.
Following that, he immediately made a hand sign while reciting a spell in his mind, producing a cloud of light on his fingertips.
Countless light blue thunders could be seen criss-crossing each other within the cloud of light. The scene made everyone gasp in shock; they immediately stepped back before Chen Hao flipped the thunderous cloud toward the sky in the next moment.
Just then, the sky above them turned black and violent in an instant, with lightning flashing and thunder rolling. The wind howled, blowing so violently that it seemed to be capable of tearing the corners of anybodyâs lips instantly.
âWhat?!â Everyone panicked while staring at Chen Hao in disbelief and deep terror.
Pow!
Right after that, a loud explosion was heard as if the sky was tearing apart, sending chills down everyoneâs spines. A bolt of huge lightning flashed; it was colorful instead of blue, yet its splendid colors made everyone feel nothing else but deep horror.
Ka-pow! The bolt of lightning then hit the Storm Calming Rock directly, producing a loud exploding sound while sending clouds of smoke billowing and rubble flying everywhere!
With that, the Storm Calming Rock was shattered with a single blow!
Then, with a few changes in Chen Haoâs hand gestures, the wildly changing weather in their surrounding area gradually returned to normal, and the night sky returned to its usual silence as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, all the members of the Qin Family stood frozen on the spot without being able to speak or even breathe, as though their acupoints had been sealed.
After a long silence, all the members of the Qin Family, including the elders, knelt down at once under Qin Xuanfengâs lead, their knees hitting the floor with louds thuds.
âMaster Chen, youâre indeed out of this world!â