First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!
Chapter 285: Uncle’s Hand Pauses—Why Are They Still Chasing Me to Kill?

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Villa.

Uncle Crooked Mouth had just finished his morning routine.

His body felt a little more comfortable.

Just as the thought surfaced—figuring out who wrecked his corpse—

Eh.

Turns out “speak of the devil” doesn’t just apply to talking; even thinking about someone works.

No one arrives faster.

Here comes Lu Ding.

“Uncle, come down and eat something, yeah?”

The old Daoist twisted his crooked mouth into a grin.

Hehe, now this was nice.

Hadn’t been pampered like this in centuries.

Waking up in the morning and having a junior bring him a filial breakfast—

What kind of bitter days had he lived before?

“Coming, coming.”

Shuffling step by step down the stairs.

Lu Ding went up to help him.

The old and the young sat at the table and began to eat.

Over the years, while the old Daoist was in the underground palace, no one even spoke a word to him.

Now that he had a successor—

His mouth just wouldn’t shut up.

You could only sit back and listen to him brag.

“Kiddo, do you know about immortals?”

Who doesn’t?

Lu Ding nodded.

“Hey, sharp one, this kid.”

Lu Ding: ………

That didn’t sound like a compliment. The more he listened, the more awkward it felt. Like saying someone’s smart for knowing how to eat when they’re hungry.

The old Daoist kept going, smacking his chest: “This Daoist right here is gonna be the next immortal—broad daylight ascension, just around the corner.”

Whoa, the pride in his voice.

Thumb up, mouth so crooked it was nearly behind his head.

Plus that left eye on watch, right eye on patrol look.

Lu Ding sipped his porridge silently.

His moral compass and sense of humor were wrestling.

Felt like he could see the Buddha himself pointing at him with a raised hand.

Seeing Lu Ding stay quiet—

The old Daoist thought he didn’t believe him, and quickly looked around. After confirming no one else was nearby, he leaned in.

“Kiddo, listen, but don’t tell anyone.”

“Actually, there’s a second layer to this world—it’s the biggest secret passed down by our Founder. But it’s blocked off by a wall.”

“That wall is the barrier keeping us cultivators from ascending.”

“Once you fly past that wall, you become immortal. But don’t tell anyone. It’s the core of our sect’s teachings.”

Lu Ding fell silent.

He really wanted to say—this wasn’t a secret.

Most folks at 749 knew about it.

But 749 didn’t spread it around.

To avoid unnecessary chaos—otherwise, every Cultivator of Qi would be diving into the second layer.

Whether they were qualified or not, they’d all want in.

749 only revealed this to powerful cultivators after they reached a sufficient level—

To prevent them from causing trouble here, they’d be told quietly and sent over.

Since Uncle didn’t know yet—

There was no need to spill it now.

He couldn’t be the one to leak that.

That would be breaking confidentiality.

But he could report it through channels, get approval from higher-ups.

That’s how you handle things. Rules are rigid, but people can be flexible.

Lu Ding nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m tight-lipped. You shared a secret with me today—next time, I’ll share one with you. Don’t be too shocked then.”

The old Daoist laughed and pointed at Lu Ding. “Oh? Playing mysterious now?”

Lu Ding smiled.

But seeing that the old guy wasn’t all that shocked—this wouldn’t do.

This was his sect’s legacy, their biggest secret, and he’s not even curious? Not asking any questions?

Unacceptable!

Totally unacceptable!

The old Daoist decided to drop a bigger bomb.

“Ahem, actually, I have another secret.”

“Go ahead.”

“Our sect has a secret technique. It boosts ascension success rates far beyond any other sect’s.”

Lu Ding followed along: “How much higher?”

The old Daoist puffed up with pride: “Other sects ascending? That’s like a million troops trying to cross a single-log bridge—whole crowds, and maybe not even one makes it through.”

“But not our sect.”

He raised two fingers: “Our bridge is at least two logs wide.”

Lu Ding: ………

So it’s still a log bridge.

Lu Ding kept digging, just to make sure: “And if you fail the ascension... you die, right?”

“Well of course! Cultivation is an act against Heaven itself. One wrong move, and it’s the end—body and soul wiped out. But don’t you worry about me. Back then, I had at least a 20% chance of making it.”

“Plus with my talent, knowledge, and mastery of every school under the sun—I was a sure bet for immortality.”

Twenty percent?

How’s that not just suicide?

And Lu Ding caught something important: “Back then? So now...?”

The old Daoist’s smile froze.

You motherf***ing grave-robbing thief of a fake Immortal!!!

You ruined my centuries of effort—centuries, d*mn it!!

If I ever find you, you're dead!

So furious, his already-crooked mouth twisted even more.

But to save face, the Crooked-Mouthed Slanted-Eyed Daoist flicked his sleeve with flair. “Of course it’s higher now.”

Lu Ding looked at him.

There was a pause before he spoke—clearly thinking about his answer.

Yeah... current success rate probably dropped.

Likely because of the injuries he’d suffered.

Lu Ding mulled it over.

If he told this old man that what he called “ascension” had already been automated by the Great Han’s 749 Bureau... with a 100% safe pass rate...

Would he start spewing smoke out his ears?

Maybe even collapse right here and now?

That’s progress for you.

Lu Ding sorted through his thoughts, wondering how he should break it to him in the future—

In a way that wouldn’t make him explode.

Another key point...

The porridge was nearly finished. Lu Ding set down his spoon.

“So what realm are you in now?”

That question hit the old Daoist right in the gut.

Yes, he was in the Heaven Observer Realm.

But no matter how strong a Heaven Observer was, he still wasn’t Heaven itself.

Just ‘cause it’s got “Heaven” in the name doesn’t mean you’re equals.

When Heaven made a move, it wrecked him straight into critical condition.

Right now, his power was around Si Ming Realm level—and that’s only after some recovery.

Saying it out loud would just be embarrassing.

But keeping it in was unbearable.

After some internal struggle, he asked, “Kiddo, what realm are you in now?”

Lu Ding answered truthfully, “Si Ming.”

The old Daoist instantly lit up.

Look at that, just look!

Now that is what you call talent! That’s genius!!

His assessment back in the day was totally spot on—destined for greatness!!

It’s only been a few years, and he’s already reached Si Ming.

Truly the Founder’s spirit must be watching over him, to deliver such a worthy successor.

To think of my Yin Chuan Lüshan Sect...

Wait a minute!

The old Daoist’s grin froze again.

Boom—like a thunderbolt inside his skull.

Clear skies, then lightning outta nowhere.

His current strength was also around Si Ming. And Lu Ding was Si Ming too.

If that got out...

Utter humiliation!!!

Seeing that frozen expression—

Lu Ding cautiously called out, “Uncle? Uncle??”

“Eh, eh! I’m fine, I’m fine. Drink your porridge, drink your porridge.”

“I’m finished. You still haven’t said what realm you’re in.”

Uncle Crooked Mouth’s hand paused mid-sip—Why’s this kid still chasing me down like this!?!

Screw it.

Can’t wimp out!

Can’t lose face!

He braced himself—

And shouted loudly:

“%#& Observer...”

Lu Ding: “Huh?”

He genuinely didn’t catch it. The pronunciation was all scrambled—like the word had been pan-fried in his crooked mouth.