[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ancestor-the-times-have-changed":3,"chapter-ancestor-the-times-have-changed-ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-42":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ancestor, the Times Have Changed",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2299364,4498,"Chapter 42: The Jade Box and Delusions","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>“You’re not replying to your senior sister’s messages—aren’t you afraid of getting punished when you go back?” Xu Xing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The me who goes back will be the one afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if he didn’t do this, he’d still get beaten up—Chi Jiu Yu silently added to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s not talk about that. Uncle, on the way here I checked the Spirit Net—further up there’s a really interesting performance, supposedly involving interaction with Iron-Tooth Crocodiles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron-Tooth Crocodile, a ferocious beast with astonishing bite force, capable of chewing through iron and metal—even Foundation Establishment body cultivators might not withstand their iron teeth and copper jaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuing upward, halfway up the mountain, they saw a spacious, neatly carved cavity within the mountain’s flank, reinforced with arrays to prevent collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Iron-Tooth Crocodile Park】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings and floor were lined with layers of white tiles, making the entire area bright and clean; at the center stood a shallow, enclosed pool, where a monstrous crocodile-like beast, several meters long and covered in glossy black scales, lay sprawled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it opened its mouth, its sharp, terrifying teeth—gleaming with metallic luster—could be clearly seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Iron-Tooth Crocodile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was a weekday, there weren’t many tourists, so the two easily found the best viewing spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The performance was already halfway through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member in light blue uniform was crouching, slowly extending one arm into the open maw of the Iron-Tooth Crocodile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member’s realm was barely Foundation Establishment—if the beast bit down, his entire arm would be crushed to pulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding tourists stared intently, holding their breath unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, no matter the world, there are always those who seek thrills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Jiu Yu took a bite of cotton candy, her gaze fixed tightly on the crocodile’s mouth—not because she found it thrilling, but because she found this suicidal act fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the staff member seemed to sense something amiss and swiftly pulled his arm back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the Iron-Tooth Crocodile’s jaws snapped shut the next instant, teeth clashing, sparks flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many tourists gasped; a middle-aged man nearby touched his right hand, his eyes holding a trace of nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member stood up and instinctively clutched his hand—he too had been frightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at the Iron-Tooth Crocodile, his expression complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Man and beast stared at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Holy Emperor once said well: ‘Walk by the river often enough, and you’ll inevitably get your shoes wet.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Jiu Yu turned her head toward the middle-aged man: “Uncle, you seem awfully sentimental.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bet I am—I used to do this job myself,” the uncle, clearly talkative, replied. “This kid’s lucky—I lost a whole arm back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, I saved up some money, went to the hospital, paid a healing cultivator, and used elixirs to regrow my arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened to the Iron-Tooth Crocodile that bit you?” Chi Jiu Yu asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was the crocodile that bit him dealt with?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s right here,” the uncle said, pulling out a leather wallet—something few cultivators ever used. “Its mouth likes opening and closing, right? So I made it follow me around, and let it close its jaws as much as it wanted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned its teeth into a pair of bone knives—I now specialize in selling Iron-Tooth Crocodile meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Jiu Yu stared blankly at the wallet in his hand, then finally clicked her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It actually… made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, another staff member stepped out and conferred briefly with the one who had nearly become Yang Guo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely apologize—the performance is over for today. Please exit in an orderly manner!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Iron-Tooth Crocodile’s pea-sized eyes seemed to flicker with innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the tourists still wanted to watch more, they understood, and began to file out gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Jiu Yu and Xu Xing joined the crowd, walking out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly remembered what the uncle had said: “Uncle, do you think that Iron-Tooth Crocodile will perform with people here again?” “Hmm… those three things probably won’t happen anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? Didn’t I just ask one question?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are there three things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side of the viewing park, a cartoonish Chi Yu descended from the sky and landed in a secluded corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Fan removed his headpiece and caught the sword as its spiritual glow faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled deeply—he’d been flying all morning, and his true energy was nearly depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the combat test, he’d already processed his withdrawal from the academy—he was a man with no future, so continuing his studies made no sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headmaster and principal knew his situation was special, so they didn’t blame him; he was deeply grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his brother’s treatment was successful—his injuries had stabilized, his cultivation base had dropped somewhat, but his foundation had been repaired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his brother’s talent, he’d surely regain his full cultivation in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Fan’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked into the staff break room, another person in the same plush costume stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go rest, Xiao Fan—eat something, drink plenty of Soul-Replenishing Elixir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Brother Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man Xiao Fan called Brother Li nodded, put on his headpiece, then used the Art of Object Control to soar into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, besides the Chi Yu, many other cartoonish beasts floated in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his job—dressing as beasts to boost the park’s appeal, mainly to attract young children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was relatively easy, and the pay wasn’t bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, there were plenty of jobs available after Foundation Establishment, but he hadn’t found a suitable one yet, so he had to make do with this for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the break room, a gentle breeze dispersed some of his fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Fan took off his bulky costume and placed it aside, then reached for a vial of Soul-Replenishing Elixir from the shelf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He downed it in one gulp, then walked to a table near the back, where neatly arranged meal boxes sat—etched with a constant-temperature array, so they wouldn’t cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed one at random, turned, sat on the steps by the door, and opened the lid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal contained meat, vegetables, and even spiritual rice—capable of mildly replenishing true energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few bites, he looked up and happened to see two children, around seven or eight, wielding wooden swords, shouting things like, “When I grow up, I’ll be the sect leader of the Sword Sect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their parents followed behind, laughing and chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was young, he too had wanted to become a sword cultivator—but after his brother joined the Dragon-Elephant Sky-Pillar Sect, he gradually grew drawn to body cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are like this: when busy, they forget many bad things; but when alone and resting, they become sentimental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he set the meal box aside and pulled a jade box from his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade box was palm-sized, smooth and rounded on the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it had always been uncomfortable against his body, for some reason, he’d kept it with him all this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Fan chuckled bitterly—he knew why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a foolish hope, clinging to that sales pitch, or perhaps a delusion about his current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t opened it yet, afraid that this fragile delusion might turn into a cruel joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please collect, please follow!! (End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1225,"2026-06-20T06:44:12.591Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9dc7f7c84563b082eaa9b6652c7aa6931221d9afb15dbb4b9fa8b0729df21b72","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-43","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-41",648,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fancestor-the-times-have-changed-cover.jpg"]