Master Duan's full name is Duan Tiyi, not only is he skilled in city management, but he is also a martial arts grandmaster.
Whether it's fists, feet, or the eighteen types of weapons, he excels at all, and his lightweight skill is quite impressive.
Yet now, in his prime, he is exceptionally courteous upon meeting the Supreme Mage.
The Celestial Dynasty people understand the significance of the word 'Supreme,' which at the very least implies someone who can't be easily fooled, even if they aren't necessarily a proud loner.
In the past, the world supreme, the ninety-five supreme, were synonymous with emperor.
The Supreme Mage is like the emperor of the Magic Realm; even the martial artists cannot shatter a planet with a punch, which magic can easily achieve.
"It is an honor for the Supreme Mage to visit my humble abode, please forgive my failure to greet you from afar."
Master Duan stood up with a polite smile on his face.
Su Ming smiled somewhat awkwardly, being in this antique-styled study, having directly teleported to someone's face, how could they greet him?
"You're too kind, Master Duan. My visit is abrupt, I hope you can forgive me."
When others are easygoing, Su Ming is also very courteous, handing over the snack package he prepared, which he bought just this noon in the Imperial Capital.
"Supreme Mage, please don't say that, please take a seat, let someone serve tea."
Master Duan accepted the snacks with a surprised expression that flashed in his eyes.
He had only heard that the Supreme Mage had changed, but didn't expect this blond, blue-eyed Caucasian to speak such fluent Chinese, truly worthy of being Master Gu Yi's heir.
Just... doesn't quite look like a mage...
He is too muscular, with energy and blood suffusing his body, standing in the room like a furnace, a trait of powerful martial artists.
While he evaluated Su Ming, Su Ming was also observing him. Unlike himself, who inherited Deathstroke's martial arts, Celestial Dynasty Martial Arts emphasize the unity of heaven and man.
Therefore, Master Duan appeared just as an ordinary middle-aged man, though his attire had the flavor of an immortal, paired with smoke-stained yellowed fingers from smoking, and slightly bald head, looking more like a businessman.
Qi seems to be able to change a person's temperament and lifespan, yet it can't solve the problem of hair loss.
"My purpose here is to inquire about an American young man sent here some years ago, called Barnes, about his recent progress?"
Su Ming took a few sips from his tea cup and exchanged some casual words with Master Shao, reviewing the traditional friendship between Kunlun and Kama Taiji and envisioning the future together.
He returned to the main topic.
Master Duan immediately showed a toothache expression, looking somewhat difficult to speak: "He's... okay... how to say..."
"Master, please speak freely." Su Ming gestured invitingly.
The Kunlun City Lord glanced at Su Ming's expression secretly, but the Supreme Mage only showed a gentle smile, revealing nothing: "He's a good young man, enthusiastic and kind-hearted. However, martial arts practitioners emphasize talent, and virtues and morals are considerations only once your Qi has entered the path."
"So, does this mean his talent isn't good?" Su Ming raised one eyebrow.
"Not exactly, while his talent isn't considered top-tier, it's more than sufficient for studying advanced martial arts. However, he needs to learn Chinese first, especially classical Chinese, before starting martial arts training." Master Duan shook his head with a bitter smile.
It's not that Kunlun isn't striving, but making an American understand 'finicky classical phrases,' comprehend meridians and the Celestial Dynasty's traditional philosophical views is indeed challenging.
Without understanding the mystical elements of ancient texts, he fundamentally can't cultivate Qi, after all, the senseis practiced the same way, and the martial arts essentials in manuals cannot be changed.
Without Qi, the martial arts of the Seven Cities Lineage become merely a show, better off relying on firearms.
"Two years and he hasn't learned classical Chinese, that rascal!" Su Ming slapped the chair's armrest, the heavy metal chair made a creaking sound from the transformation, startling Master Duan.
These are thousand-year cold iron furniture, bending from a mage's slap?
He hurriedly adjusted the armrest back and patiently explained: "Actually, the classical Chinese has been learned, just the Qi hasn't been cultivated yet. Supreme Mage need not worry; cultivating martial arts is never an instantaneous matter, rigor over thirty to fifty years will surely yield some achievement."
"Thirty to fifty years... some achievement?" Su Ming stroked his beard, lighting cigarettes for both Master Shao and himself: "What exactly is this small achievement stage?"
"Immune to poison, unaffected by heat or cold, impervious to blades or guns, riding the wind and controlling the void." Master Duan explained with a smiling face: "Although it wouldn't level mountains and seas, at least a single punch could demolish a building."
"Tsk, too weak, these abilities will be unimpressive decades later, tell me what stage is Void-Breaking Martial Arts, Battle-Breaking Firmament?" Su Ming dissatisfiedly pursed his lips.
"Cough cough cough..." Master Duan almost choked on smoke, shed tears flowed down: "I've heard of immortals entering Dao through martial arts, but I'm afraid we don't have such immortal techniques here, how about asking in Penglai?"
Su Ming waved it off, he was merely making a casual remark, Baki just needs to train until he's comparable to Steve, not expecting him to actually do much.
"Forget it, don't trouble two masters with one task, let him continue training here, however accomplished he turns out, Master Duan shouldn't feel pressured."
Duan Tiyi wiped sweat off his forehead, smiling: "No pressure... haha, no pressure whatsoever. Mr. Barnes is a natural talent, he will reach the level you speak of someday."
"By the way, I heard that Kunlun has a Master Thunder God; he just returned from San Francisco, let him teach Baki, then the language barrier would be resolved, wouldn't it?"
Su Ming suddenly remembered Iron Fist Daniel's teacher, Thunder God.
"You know that?"
Master Duan looked surprised; the Supreme Mage is terrifying, and the Time Gem is terrifying.
Su Ming smiled mysteriously, stood up, having understood the situation and confirmed that things were in control: "Don't overthink, ensuring main dimension stability is Kama Taiji's duty, and also mine."
This vague statement made Master Duan inevitably think deeply...
Seeing him lower his head in thought, Su Ming continued: "Take me to have a distant look at him, then I'll take my leave."
"Please." Master Duan felt like a heavy burden was lifted, leading Deathstroke towards the martial training ground.
This was the first time Su Ming fully saw Kunlun, truthfully, it cannot be considered a city, from the Celestial Dynasty's perspective, it's more like a town, without a population of tens of thousands, how could it be called a city?
The town is surrounded by snow-capped mountains; the valley is warm like spring throughout the year, pavilions and towers nestled among trees like a scene within an ancient painting, indeed carrying some Peach Blossom Spring beauty.
The gentle breeze brings swirling petals, the flowing water beneath bridges, the sound of bird songs.
Along the streets they passed, pedestrians all smiled warmly, greeting Master Shao like old friends.
They seemed to have no worries, being self-sufficient, only little luxuries, namely candies and beverages or simple electronics from the Divine Spear Bureau, offered satisfaction.
Radio, flashlight, razor, etc.
The people here lived simply, making Su Ming somewhat envious after returning from DC; if only things were so simple.
Unfortunately, Marvel's harsh realities are hidden in the shadows; even in such beautiful settings, one can't relax, and he must prepare for the future.
His universe number is 40K, not like the canonical universe 616 or 199999, to secure strategic advantage in the multiverse fusion, preparation must start now.
Doom and Loki each have their own plans, and many entities capable of perceiving the future exist in the Cosmos; their schemes might obstruct his path.
The latecomers are beaten, yet some matters can't be rushed, truly...