Chapter 1268: Numb Negligence

Xiang Xue had quite a say on this matter, “It seems like both Flower Scorpion and Claire’s cultivation techniques were also customized by the boss.”

“Not a coincidence?” Mu Guang was used to surprises, but he couldn’t help but mutter.

Then he nodded thoughtfully, “I kind of understand why you all trust him so much now.”

“That senior who attempted the breakthrough to the Supreme level twice… could it be because of him as well?”

“Of course, it’s because of him,” Xiang Xue answered straightforwardly, “Didn’t you notice how old she looked back then? The boss helped with her conditioning.”

Mu Guang nodded, which aligned with the information he had—Jia Shuqing’s failed advancement attempt had severely damaged her body.

He had been at the fiefdom for about ten days and had been deeply puzzled by this, but he never asked.

—Everyone was too close, and although he was also of the Supreme level, he couldn’t guarantee the opposite side wouldn’t perceive it.

However, the conversation had reached this point, so asking was only logical.

Still, this exceeded his understanding, “Conditioning… he even knows how to do that?”

“What that senior experienced wasn’t just a depletion of life force, but also a loss of vitality, which is basically irreversible!”

Xiang Xue raised her eyebrows at these words, moved her lips slightly, but in the end, said nothing and just nodded.

She had some guesses about the old lady’s recovery, but it involved the team’s secrets, which she couldn’t disclose casually.

However, like father, like daughter, Mu Guang noticed her change in expression and suddenly remembered something else.

“I noticed the cultivation rooms you use… seem to have some differences?”

To prevent his daughter from misunderstanding, he didn’t mention the term array, and used the term cultivation room instead.

“Sigh,” Xiang Xue sighed lightly; this was exactly what she didn’t want to mention.

“Dad, some things are better left unsaid when you already understand them… We have Qi Gathering Arrays, and other cultivation arrays too.”

Mu Guang nodded at those words, “My daughter has finally grown up. You’re right, there’s no order without rules, I’ll go ask the boss then.”

He had a feeling that compared to the other team members, the boss was relatively more approachable.

As it turns out, that was indeed the case.

Qu Jianlei answered his question straightforwardly, “It’s just Qi Gathering Arrays and Spirit Gathering Arrays… The latter is more akin to the Divine Text System.”

The counterpart was also a scholar-type Supreme, well-versed in many things, so this difference shouldn’t deceive him, then why do anything sneaky?

Anyway, knowing the differences wouldn’t cause fear, Xiang Xue was a member of his own team. Could Mu Guang really spread the details?

Admitting this matter, without explaining the array structure, wouldn’t cause much of a problem.

Upon hearing this, Mu Guang’s mouth opened slightly, and it took a moment before he could speak, “Spiritual Qi from the Divine Text System?”

Immediately, he couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, do you think I have the possibility of advancement beyond the Supreme?”

Compared to Jia Shuqing, he was still quite young, and in the past, he had thought about going beyond the Supreme.

But the more he understood, the more he feared, because most people who dared to attempt beyond the Supreme had met tragic ends.

Among them was Jia Shuqing.

Mu Guang was also dissatisfied, but everyone had to face reality. To him, many people’s bravery simply stemmed from ignorance!

Gradually, he abandoned this idea, focusing on his archeology and research work.

But now, hearing that Jia Shuqing could attempt a breakthrough to the Supreme level again, how could he not be tempted?

Qu Jianlei glanced at him and shook his head slightly, “Whether or not you attempt it, that’s for you to choose… Are you over two hundred years old?”

“Just over,” Mu Guang replied in a low voice, “There’s still time, but which path should I take?”

“Follow your own thoughts,” Qu Jianlei answered without hesitation, “Without your own belief, the journey won’t go far.”

This was the most official answer, Mu Guang could only smile bitterly, “Boss, you know what I’m talking about.”

Qu Jianlei shook his head and replied very directly, “I only assist the members of the team, while you have your own career.”

“Team…” Upon hearing this, Mu Guang furrowed his brow in worry.

He was one of the main leaders of the Archaeology Enthusiasts Association, busy with affairs, which was why he hadn’t seen his daughter in a long time.

Of course, if he wanted to not care, no one could force him. This was true for formal work, let alone some unofficial association?

However, archaeology truly was his interest, and he had devoted much effort to the association’s development.

Turning what you love into your career truly is a form of happiness, so for him to give it up was indeed hard to let go.

But could he just ignore the hope of breaking through beyond the Supreme level now that he finally saw it?

Mu Guang didn’t know that a guy named Xiao Moshan had also faced a similar dilemma.

After pondering for a long time, he sighed, “Alas, I still can’t let go of the association, they really need me there.”

Qu Jianlei smiled indifferently: Blue Star will continue to spin without anyone, you’re overestimating your importance a bit.

However, in the end, he changed his wording, “We’re just asking for your help temporarily, our team… it’s not easy to join.”

Do you mind not taking yourself too seriously, please?

Mu Guang looked at him helplessly and said, “Haha, you’re quite straightforward with your words… Isn’t Xiang Xue’s influence enough?”

Qu Jianlei shook his head, “Actually, for this vacant position, many members have tried to secure it for their friends, and I gave it to Xiang Xue.”

Mu Guang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, “In fact, I haven’t seen Xiang Xue for a long time, one factor is very important.”

“Panda developed an exclusive poison targeting the Wood Attribute, you understand what I mean, right?”

Qu Jianlei was also stunned upon hearing this, then laughed, “That was Fasim being too arrogant; later on, I didn’t use it much.”

Mu Guang was very clear about the incident and nodded after hearing this.

“Since there are targeted injections now, does that mean… If I want to join, I’ll have to undergo a test?”

Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment before slowly answering, “You don’t need to be so hard on yourself.”

This rejection has quite a bit of arrogance… Mu Guang sighed helplessly: I should have thought of this earlier!

The leader is definitely easy to talk to, but someone who can suppress people like Nutrient Injection must have some pride.

Originally, he wanted to ask if he could experience the Spirit Gathering Array, but now it seems… better not to.

It’s not easy to maintain good relationships, but it’s very simple to damage them.

If you leave the other party with an impression of being “unaware of the nuances,” it’s hard to recover.

However, a few days later, he discovered something, “Xiang Xue, are you practicing… Fist Technique or Body Technique?”

As a daughter, she could only tell her father, “Mountain-Breaking Fist and Mountain-Breaking Force, they’ve all mastered it already; I’ve been delayed.”

Mu Guang was already numb, “This fist technique seems a bit different from the Imperial tradition… Was it also taught by the leader?”

“Yes,” Xiang Xue answered without hesitation, although she knew very well what her father was thinking.

However, as a team member, she knew clearly where Qu Jianlei’s sensitivities are and roughly understood the weight of various Secret Techniques.

So this time she took the initiative to speak, “If you’re interested, I can ask the leader to see if he can teach you.”

“Ah, is that appropriate?” Mu Guang was genuinely surprised; his daughter was actually so proactive this time.

He was even a bit worried, “If it’s too much trouble, then forget it; the team atmosphere is great and truly worth cherishing.”

Xiang Xue replied very casually, “This kind of thing isn’t an issue.” 𝐟𝑟ⅇ

As expected, she soon got a reply, “The leader said it’s okay to teach you, but… there’s still that requirement.”

“Understood,” Mu Guang nodded decisively, “Don’t spread it, right?”

He was already accustomed to the way these people did things, and the existence of informational barriers is universally recognized.

However, because this fist technique was not highly regarded by the other side, his enthusiasm somewhat diminished.

Yet, three days later, when he first tried using Inner Breath for an attack, he directly shattered a ten-plus-meter-high rock.

The massive rock cracked, debris flew everywhere, and it immediately startled others, causing several spiritual waves to instantaneously descend.

Then, in a flash, Bentley appeared in front of him and spoke coolly, “Someone is in seclusion!”

“Sorry,” Mu Guang could only offer an apologetic smile, “I couldn’t hold back my strength; it won’t happen again.”

Actually, the place he was practicing in was already far from the main manor, over ten kilometers away, showing considerable caution.

Yet, at this moment, he couldn’t make an excuse; regardless of what was said, he did indeed cause everyone trouble.

Meanwhile, he was thinking: Is this for real, can any random fist technique have such immense power?

Soon after, an all-terrain vehicle drove over from a distance, with a butler and a security guard on it, “What happened here?”

Mu Guang answered solemnly, “Testing the Technique, accidentally didn’t hold back the force.”

The butler was not surprised; after all, the guest is Supreme, such a minor mistake wouldn’t be fussed over.

“By the way, I have something to report to our esteemed guests: the government recently issued a notice requiring nobles to fulfill conscription obligations.”

Mu Guang remained silent; such matters were not his place to speak.

But Bentley wasn’t clear either, about what “conscription obligation” entailed, as he usually didn’t concern himself with such things.

“You should just coordinate directly with the contact person.”

The butler was waiting for these words; he had received the government notice two days ago and truly didn’t know how to communicate with the guests.

Next moment, Flower Scorpion received the call, momentarily bewildered, “Conscription… what happened?”

She was very familiar with the noble conscription obligation process; it’s an ancient tradition.

Nobles with fiefs, in times of Imperial emergencies, are obliged to mobilize their vassals and subjects to fight together.

Nobles without fiefs can moderately deploy some retainers.

Nowadays, nobles with fiefs are rare, let alone phenomena like vassals or retainers, the situation of conscription is quite uncommon.

Although they were only tenants, according to the ancient legal order, the lord even had the right to forcibly conscript passing travelers.

So Flower Scorpion didn’t rush to defend herself; she was more curious about what exactly happened on Qingyuan Star.

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