Chapter 699: Awarding Merits (2)

Chapter 699: Chapter 430: Awarding Merits (2)

“Based on my amount?” Wu Shidao was evidently somewhat surprised. After all, he had already advanced to the Qi Vortex Realm.

“Yes!” Fan Hongjiao affirmed. Zhu He had personally instructed her to look after Duan Rong’s cultivation resources, so how could she not be attentive?

Lu Geng and Wang Yue exchanged odd glances at Duan Rong. To receive the same amount as Wu Shidao, who was a Martial Artist at the Qi Vortex Realm, was unusual.

Fan Hongjiao was the senior disciple, and since Zhu He had personally intervened regarding Duan Rong’s cultivation resources, none of them dared to oppose her proposal.

Wu Shidao asked, “Then when will we venture into the Dark Forest again?”

Fan Hongjiao replied, “It’s been almost half a year. My resources at the Black Jade Pool are nearly depleted. I think today would be best. After we finish this banquet, let’s all go prepare individually. Bring the Geomancy Map along, we’ll review the route at the meeting hall before departing.”

Everyone was well aware of Fan Hongjiao’s decisive nature.

The group dined sumptuously before dispersing.

Duan Rong returned to his room, and as soon as he closed the door, his heart suddenly raced. He hadn’t activated his Divine Sense Investigation, but he instinctively felt there was someone in the room, just beyond the screen.

Turning sharply, Duan Rong’s hand was already clutching the Frost Patterned Phosphor Crystal Saber at his waist.

The screen in front of the bed was made of semi-transparent fabric, and with the midday sunlight at its brightest, Duan Rong turned back, finding no one behind the screen, though he was convinced the sensation wasn’t unfounded.

In that moment, Duan Rong nearly released his Divine Sense Investigation, sensing a mysterious intruder that had vanished before his eyes, his scalp tingling—a sign the person’s realm was far beyond his own, perhaps an assassination attempt?

“Not bad! Duan, your six senses are quite sharp!”

The voice came from the corner of the room to Duan Rong’s right, familiar to his ears, and hearing it brought him a sense of relief.

He turned his head to see Zhu He, dressed in a Daoist robe, approaching with a gentle smile.

Zhu He came before Duan Rong, glanced at the saber in his hand, and said, “Let me have a look at the saber you’re holding.”

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong respectfully held the saber out to Zhu He.

Zhu He took the saber, held it in one hand, and raised it before his eyes, his gaze momentarily wistful and somber.

The familiar blade and the familiar pale blade light almost instantly transported him back to his youthful days. He and Gu Daoling had entered the sect and apprenticed under the same elder.

The two often sparred back then.

He had joined the sect two years earlier and initially was able to defeat Gu Daoling frequently. However, in just half a year, he could no longer best Gu Daoling, and from then on, the gap in their cultivation only widened, yet their friendship remained strong.

Having a friendship of old and cherished ties, sometimes fate is quite mysterious. Gu Daoling had a temperamental streak, defying everyone, even the sect’s patriarch on occasion, yet he got along well with Zhu He.

After a while, Zhu He returned the saber to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong sheathed the saber, placing it back at his waist with a leather cover.

Zhu He’s gaze shifted as he looked at Duan Rong. Perhaps it was coincidence; this youngster not only chose the Wandering Dragon Clear Melody Saber cultivation technique but also this specific saber.

Inwardly, Zhu He wondered: Brother, did you guide this young man during his time at Divine Cloud Prefecture?

Seeing Zhu He standing there, seemingly deep in thought, Duan Rong asked, “Master, what is the reason you’ve come to find your disciple?”

Duan Rong was indeed puzzled as to why the old man stealthily entered his room.

Returning to his senses, Zhu He cleared his throat and said, “I have come to see you for a matter. Kneel!”

“Ah? Kneel?”

Seeing Zhu He was not joking, Duan Rong knelt before him obediently.

Zhu He solemnly announced, “Duan Rong, direct disciple of Taiyi Sect, hear my declaration. I now impart to you the supreme skill of our sect, ‘Fetal Concealment Scripture’.”

Duan Rong knelt expressionlessly, prompting Zhu He to think he was struck dumb in awe, so he continued, “This supreme cultivation technique enhances Divine Soul and Spiritual Power with each layer mastered. It’s a technique capable of altering fate, remodeling one’s aptitude, hence the term ‘scripture’ in its name.”

Zhu He’s impassioned speech left Duan Rong unchanged, continuing to kneel.

Zhu He found it odd; most disciples would stare wide-eyed at this point, but Duan Rong remained tranquil.

Suspecting that Duan Rong was overwhelmed, Zhu He cleared his throat to prompt him.

Duan Rong indeed lifted his head, gazing at Zhu He in a daze.

Zhu He felt satisfied with Duan Rong’s reaction and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Duan Rong asked, “Master, how many layers of the technique can you impart to your disciple?”

The question rendered Zhu He speechless. How many layers? Shouldn’t you be bowing deeply in gratitude for the sect’s impartation of such a technique? This young man truly defies convention!

Nonetheless, Zhu He was not surprised. Asking about the layers was still a reasonable inquiry; he recalled Gu Daoling’s query to their master, questioning why the Fetal Concealment Scripture was named thus, and whether practice might result in pregnancy.

Recalling this memory, Zhu He smiled slightly, then turned to Duan Rong and replied earnestly, “Typically, direct disciples are taught the first two layers after a year’s evaluation. Further impartation depends on their cultivation realm. You’ve been at Yunfu Peak for six months, so my impartation to you is considered early due to your talent.”

Realizing that Zhu He meant to pass down only two layers, Duan Rong’s interest waned.

As Zhu He spoke, he handed Duan Rong a yellowed beast skin scroll. Despite his lack of enthusiasm, Duan Rong respectfully received it with both hands.

Zhu He nodded and said, “Duan Rong, this technique is a confidential secret. Any leak will incur repercussions. The sect regards this technique as priceless, and should anything happen, I cannot save you! Remember this!”

“I understand!” Duan Rong dutifully replied.

Zhu He nodded, “As your master, I’m busy and unable to guide your cultivation of this technique directly. You can practice on your own; based on your intellect, it should pose no problem. If you face any insurmountable doubts, consult Master Sister Fan Hongjiao. This technique involves the Divine Soul; refrain from asking others, as a single mistake could damage your Divine Soul!”

The words stirred Duan Rong slightly; it confirmed his assumption that Master Sister Fan Hongjiao was Zhu He’s most trusted person.

Kneeling before Zhu He, Duan Rong pressed his forehead to the ground and said, “Your disciple will heed your teachings!”

As if Zhu He intended further discourse, his expression abruptly shifted, “Your Master Sister is here, I’m leaving.”

By the time Duan Rong raised his head, Zhu He had already vanished from the room.

Standing up, Duan Rong glanced around, confirming the room was empty, then unfurled the beast skin scroll, glancing over it to find just two layers of cultivation technique.

Given his familiarity with the foundational techniques, Duan Rong discerned them at a glance.

As he shook his head in mild lamentation, a loud knocking suddenly resonated from the door, “Duan Rong! Open up!”

It was Fan Hongjiao’s voice! Zhu He had accurately predicted her arrival.

Quickly, Duan Rong stored the beast skin scroll and opened the door.

Fan Hongjiao barged in, pushing Duan Rong aside, scanning the room and finding it empty. Looking at him with suspicion, she asked, “I thought I heard voices; who were you talking to?”

“I wasn’t talking to anyone, there’s not even a ghost here,” replied Duan Rong.

“Sneaky!” Fan Hongjiao scoffed.

Not wishing to dwell on trivial matters, she continued, “What’s going on with you? Always dawdling. Everyone’s at the meeting hall except you. Why do I have to fetch you?”

Only then did Duan Rong recall the need to discuss the Dark Forest expedition.

“My apologies, Sister! Let’s go now!”

Duan Rong, who frequently ventured into the Dark Forest, had long prepared his things, promptly retrieving a cloth bag from the room’s cabinet and slinging it over his shoulder before heading to the meeting hall with Fan Hongjiao.