The human Great Sage, one of the world’s renowned powerhouses, level 899, proficient in all types of magic skills. Though pure combat ability wasn’t top-tier globally, due to his utility, Great Sages were often prime targets for other races to recruit and befriend during major crises.
As a human, he had attribute values close to the Dragon Clan’s. Normally, dragons, relying on their physique, had higher attribute values than humans at the same level, but this generation’s Great Sage was an exception, with all attributes averaging 40,000, not inferior to dragons of the same level.
By the way, the attribute values of the ten strongest Ultimate Beings weren’t comparable. Normally, even reaching level 999 couldn’t match an Ultimate Being’s absurd stats.
As one of the ten Ultimate Beings, Filo’s full-power state had attribute values of [99999+], but the system capped her stats within 100,000, hence the plus sign. In her weakened state, reduced to one-tenth, the reduction applied to the capped stats.
The attribute watershed was level 600. Before 600, each level’s boost wasn’t too intense, but after breaking through to 600, each level’s stat increase was massive. So when Chiyan hit 600 and wanted to spar Bingpo, Bingpo, with zero fighting spirit, flat-out refused.
Now, the human’s strongest powerhouse, the Great Sage, stood before Filo. At her current capped stats, if Filo fought him… maybe… probably… definitely, she’d get crushed.
Behind Filo, Chiyan and Bingpo warily eyed the Great Sage. If they sensed hostility, they’d strike instantly, even if they couldn’t win.
“Little girl, do you have some trouble that’s taking you to the Blood Clan World? Can you tell me? I might be able to help,” the Great Sage said with a smile.
His smile was kind, paired with his aged face and white beard, exuding a strong sense of warmth, but for some reason, Filo felt something off about this old man.
Were human Great Sages this kind-hearted? In this day and age, an isekai Great Sage titleholder was actually someone worthy of the sage name? That’s rare as hell.
Back when Filo was salty, the 2D stuff she binged showed Great Sages as anything but kind old men—either perverts, creeps, or secret big-boss villains.
Meeting a rare, classic, wholesome Great Sage was cool, but… damn, how do I answer this old man!
Say I’m going to the Blood Clan World to retake it?
Say I’ve got relatives there?
Say my family was kidnapped by the Blood Clan, so I’m rescuing them?
Yes! That one! It’s legit. Not bad, me—usually a salty fish saving brain cells, but when I use them, I’m a genius.
Filo lightly coughed to clear her throat, prepping to speak, but the Great Sage, thinking she had some hidden issue, cut in, “If you can’t talk here, let’s go somewhere else.”
The Great Sage raised a staff. With a bang as it hit the ground, a magic effect enveloped Filo and crew.
An interface popped up before Filo, displaying a single line.
[Accept the human Great Sage’s teleportation magic?]
Filo glanced at Chiyan and Bingpo beside her. They didn’t seem to get the prompt—only she had the right to refuse?
Hm… even with capped stats, her level still gave her an edge, so she got this option?
Filo thought it over and chose to accept. Can’t just ditch Bingpo and Chiyan.
Seconds after agreeing, the teleportation magic activated, zapping Filo and crew to a room—looked like a villa.
No surprise there. Human Great Sage, humanity’s strongest? A villa’s nothing—he could live in a palace, and Filo’d believe it.
Weird thing, though—the air had some special scent, kinda nice, vanilla-ish?
Filo’s nose wasn’t great at smells. Back in school, during a hospital checkup for her sense of smell, they brought out a bottle of vinegar. Filo sniffed and confidently said it was soy sauce.
The doctor gave her a subtle smile. At first, Filo didn’t get why, thinking the doctor was praising her nose.
Later, hearing classmates all talk about vinegar, how strong it smelled, Filo slapped both hands over her cheeks.
Good thing she was salty enough to have no friends, or saying “soy sauce” in that discussion would’ve been social death.
Ahem, back to business.
Filo, Bingpo, and Chiyan scoped out the villa’s layout and view. The Great Sage, back to them, had his mouth slightly upturned.
He was breathing fast, muttering softly, “So cute, so cute, so cute. Looked cute from afar, but up close, even cuter. Good thing I didn’t slip earlier, or my Great Sage rep would’ve been toast.”
The Great Sage clutched his heart, using his strongest mental magic to suppress his inner excitement.
Filo, suspicious, eyed the Great Sage’s back, tilting her head, blinking.
Why’d the vibe around him shift? Before, he radiated pure kindness. Now, still no hostility, still warm, but there’s some extra… emotion.
The Great Sage was hiding something… though Filo barely knew him…
“Sorry, I was thinking about other stuff. Sit down, girls, tell me what’s up. As Great Sage, I should be able to help,” he said.
The Great Sage waved at Filo and crew, gesturing to sit on the sofa.
Filo nodded, took two or three steps, and sat.
Holy crap, one sit and she was shook—this sofa was unreal, too… too… too comfy!
Filo, shocked, ran both hands over the sofa. Chiyan and Bingpo didn’t sit beside her, standing behind, but their hands touched the sofa. That feel… top-tier!
The trio’s eyes on the Great Sage changed instantly. This guy’s hiding secrets, absolutely!
Tftc!