My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

Seeing his shocked expression, Chi Yangzi chuckled.

"Now, does Young Master Zhou still think I'm just spouting nonsense? This little trick is still better than some people who can only fool people with chicken blood and don't even burn corpses properly, right?"

Zhou Wenxuan was already seven or eight parts convinced that this disheveled old Taoist was definitely a remarkable person with real skills!

He is probably far superior to the Yunhe Zhenren in his family.

He put down his half-empty glass of wine, took a deep breath, and solemnly cupped his hands, saying, "Daoist Master, your supernatural abilities are astonishing! I admire you greatly! I have been quite rude before, please forgive me! However..."

He changed the subject, and the prudence characteristic of a scholar returned to his eyes.

"Master, your method is indeed wondrous and unpredictable, opening my eyes to a great deal. However... please forgive my bluntness, such mysterious techniques are certainly not something that ordinary martial arts practitioners can accomplish."

However, ancient books and unofficial histories also record extraordinary individuals skilled in illusion, objectification, and water manipulation; their manifestations were sometimes so realistic as to be indistinguishable from reality.

He paused, his gaze sharpening, and continued.

"I once read a volume of the lost 'Shenyi Zhilue' from a previous dynasty, which recorded that true supernatural beings had the ability to move mountains, fill seas, and divide rivers into land."

Among them, the most basic, yet the most difficult to fake and the most challenging to master, is the "Shrinking the Earth to an Inch" technique!

This is a supreme and wondrous method involving the shifting of heaven and earth and the transformation of space, which cannot be simulated by illusionary arts, the manipulation of water and wood, or other such techniques. This is because the laws of space are profound and unfathomable, and cannot be touched without great magical power and profound understanding.

Zhou Wenxuan leaned forward slightly, staring intently at Chi Yangzi, then glanced at Ye Qingfeng who remained silent beside him, his tone carrying a clear probing and ultimate challenge.

"Since the Taoist priest possesses extraordinary skills and has predicted that my Zhou family is facing a great calamity, he must be a true Taoist master, not just someone skilled in illusion."

"I wonder... if you could demonstrate the true power of 'shrinking the earth to an inch'? If you can, I, Zhou, will be completely convinced and will regard you as a deity, answering all your questions without reservation. If you cannot..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear—if not, then even if you have extraordinary skills, you might not truly be a "true immortal" capable of resolving the Zhou family's "great calamity," but perhaps just another type of even more powerful "extraordinary person."

Chi Yangzi's smug expression froze instantly, then turned into embarrassment and a hint of annoyance.

He puffed out his beard and glared at them, saying, "You little rascal... what a cunning mind you have! Shrinking the earth to an inch?! That's a legendary supernatural power!"

This involves the secrets of the Great Dao of Space, and can only be attempted by those with profound cultivation and a deep understanding of the laws of heaven and earth! This old Daoist... cough, this old Daoist is skilled in the Five Elements' generation and transformation, and the art of manipulating qi and transforming matter; this shrinking of the earth to an inch... I don't know it!"

He was straightforward and readily admitted he couldn't do it, but he was still a little embarrassed, since he had just been "outmaneuvered" by a junior using a more advanced supernatural power.

Did it make me realize that while my "dividing the cup and leaving some liquid" technique was ingenious, it seemed... lacking in sophistication?

A look of "I knew it" and deeper doubt flashed in Zhou Wenxuan's eyes.

The old Taoist priest admitted that he couldn't shrink the distance to an inch, which, while showing honesty, diminished the old man's expectations and trust.

It seems that although this Taoist priest is a true cultivator, he is probably not one of those legendary immortals. Whether he can deal with the unfathomable Master Yunhe in his family and the "root of trouble" behind him remains to be seen.

The atmosphere in the private room became somewhat tense and awkward. Chi Yangzi glared angrily at Zhou Wenxuan, while Zhou Wenxuan lowered his eyes in thought, weighing his options.

Just then, Ye Qingfeng, who had been sitting quietly to the side as if he were just an observer, gently put down his chopsticks.

He raised his eyes to look at Zhou Wenxuan, his face still bearing that gentle and calm smile, his voice clear and peaceful: "Young Master Zhou."

Zhou Wenxuan looked over upon hearing the voice and saw that the young Taoist priest, who had been relatively unknown, had spoken, which puzzled him.

Ye Qingfeng said calmly, "Young Master Zhou is knowledgeable and knows that 'shrinking the earth to an inch' is difficult to fake; this is a cautious statement. However, does the young master believe that simply performing this technique will be enough?"

Zhou Wenxuan nodded: "That's right. If one can truly master such supreme techniques involving space, then one is undoubtedly a true cultivator."

He paused, then suddenly remembered something, a shrewder glint in his eyes. "However, words are no proof. If the Taoist priest can truly perform it, mere words are insufficient to verify it. How about this..."

He pointed out the window to the east, where a sunny slope of hills lay outside Heishan Town.

About fifteen miles east of this place, there is a sunny, warm slope where a single wildflower grows, which the locals call "Instant Beauty". This flower is bright red like blood, with a unique shape that makes it very easy to identify.

Moreover, it has a peculiar characteristic: once picked from the soil, without special preservation, it will rapidly wither and fall within half a quarter of an hour, its petals turning to ash—there is absolutely no possibility of faking it.

He looked at Ye Qingfeng with intense gaze.

"If you, Daoist, can truly use the skill of shrinking the earth to an inch, then please set off right now to the warm slope fifteen miles to the east and bring back a fresh and intact 'Instant Face' for me."

If I can see this 'Fleeting Beauty' still intact within a tenth of an incense stick's time after it's been picked, I will believe that the Taoist priest is a true immortal descended to earth, and I will have no more doubts about what he says! How about it? This matter can verify the truth, can test supernatural powers, and cannot be faked.”

His words were clear, logical, and well-organized. He proposed a verification method that was difficult to forge and set a very strict time limit, which showed that he was meticulous and not someone who could be easily deceived.

Chi Yangzi, listening from the side, clicked his tongue in disbelief, inwardly cursing the Zhou family brat for being so difficult to deal with, and for his incredibly tricky test!

This is a truly extraordinary feat, something even a seasoned Taoist priest with many years of cultivation wouldn't possess. He only knows some lightness techniques. To travel fifteen miles round trip, plus the harvesting, and to ensure the flowers don't wither within a tenth of an incense stick's time—that's incredibly difficult...

However, the young fellow Daoist next to me seems quite confident. I wonder who gave him that confidence?

The great supernatural power of shrinking the earth to an inch sounds simple, but even true cultivators wouldn't dare say they can do it. How could an ordinary person like him dare?

I don't know what to do now.

Everyone looked at Ye Qingfeng, including the two guards, their eyes saying "This is impossible."

Ye Qingfeng simply smiled, as if Zhou Wenxuan's request was as simple as going to the next street to buy some pastries.

He stood up, his blue robe fluttering slightly, and nodded to Zhou Wenxuan: "As you say, Young Master Zhou."

After he finished speaking, he didn't even leave the private room. He just stood in front of the table, his gaze seemingly fixed on the east.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Zhou Wenxuan, Chi Yangzi, and the two guards, he raised his right foot and took a small step forward.

This step was extremely natural.

However, just as his foot was about to land, something strange happened.