With the arrival of spring, Zhong Qing had already thrown the stove back into the storehouse, replacing it with a bamboo table and chairs.
"Sect Master, please take a seat," Zhong Qing said with a smile.
"Good, good, good."
Without standing on ceremony, Xuanyuan Hong plopped down in a nearby chair and began secretively spinning his storage ring.
"Ahem, ahem."
He coughed a few times with a broad smile, then leisurely said, "Zhong Qing, I've brought you some incredible good news this time."
"Oh?"
Zhong Qing was in the midst of brewing tea, and his hand paused slightly.
Clearly, Xuanyuan Hong had piqued his interest.
"Hehe, guess what benefit I've brought you?"
Xuanyuan Hong could not resist keeping Zhong Qing in suspense.
Zhong Qing shook his head.
"It's like this."
Xuanyuan Hong leaned in closer to Zhong Qing, lowering his voice. "A hundred years ago, the previous Sect Master led several elders to explore a mystic realm. They paid a heavy price, but managed to retrieve something from within."
"Because this item was a one-time-use treasure, the sect unanimously decided back then to wait until a truly talented disciple appeared in the future, and then hand this immense fortune over to him."
"But true genius disciples aren't so easy to come by, and so we waited over a hundred years."
"And now, our Xianjiang Sect has produced you, and you are the only person suited to receive this fortuitous encounter."
Xuanyuan Hong said this with a solemn expression.
Hearing this, Zhong Qing's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"Sect Master, if I may ask, what exactly is this benefit?" Zhong Qing inquired curiously.
Xuanyuan Hong smiled mysteriously, twirled his storage ring, and produced a talisman exuding an aura of antiquity.
"It's this talisman. Inscribed within it is an Emperor Tier cultivation technique."
"Hahaha, what do you think? Excited, aren't you? An Emperor Tier cultivation technique! Even ordinary sacred lands in our Eastern Region don't necessarily possess techniques of this caliber."
"Though your talent defies the heavens, you surely still lack a matching cultivation technique to complement it. Now that you have this Emperor Tier technique, it will truly be like adding wings to a tiger!"
"Well, wouldn't you say the technique I've gifted you today is like providing timely help in the snow?"
Yet, just as Xuanyuan Hong finished speaking excitedly with spittle flying, he noticed that Zhong Qing was not as excited as he had imagined.
On the contrary, he looked somewhat furrowed in brow.
This left Xuanyuan Hong utterly bewildered.
"What? Aren't you excited about this gift?" Xuanyuan Hong could not help asking.
"Ugh..."
Zhong Qing couldn't help rubbing the bridge of his nose.
For a moment, he was utterly speechless.
This old man had drawn out the suspense and laid down all that buildup; he had genuinely thought it was something remarkable and had been full of anticipation.
To think it was just an Emperor Tier cultivation technique—his anticipation had been for nothing.
Though, truthfully speaking, an Emperor Tier technique was indeed a fine item. It was just that today he had already signed in and received eight of them, so he honestly couldn't summon up any excitement.
"You brat, what's wrong with you?" Seeing Zhong Qing's lack of enthusiasm, Xuanyuan Hong rebuked him with feigned annoyance. "This is an Emperor Tier cultivation technique! Don't tell me you look down on it?"
"You brat, just because your strength has grown, don't let your tail curl up to the heavens. It's true that your strength is formidable, but only by supplementing it with a superior technique can you achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"Alright, alright."
Having no other choice, Zhong Qing accepted the talisman.
"However, since you insist on giving me this technique, I'll give you a few sets of techniques as well."
With that, Zhong Qing began turning the storage ring on his finger.
"Huh? You're going to give me a few sets of techniques too?"
Xuanyuan Hong was full of confusion, then waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for that. We aren't just engaging in polite exchanges, and besides, our sect's scripture pavilion is full of—"
Before he could finish his sentence, however, a sound escaped his throat like that of a choked duck. He stared dead ahead at Zhong Qing.
He watched as Zhong Qing pulled eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques out of his storage ring—the very eight Emperor Tier techniques he had obtained from signing in and hadn't yet gotten around to dumping into the storehouse.
"You... you, you, you, you..."
Seeing these eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques, Xuanyuan Hong was trembling so hard he couldn't form words.
"Don't want them?" Zhong Qing asked.
"I want them!"
Almost instantly, he snatched the eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques right out of Zhong Qing's hands, checking them one by one.
When he discovered that all eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques were genuine, his breathing grew ragged.
At that moment, he finally understood why Zhong Qing had been so unenthusiastic upon hearing about an Emperor Tier cultivation technique.
When a person could casually pull out eight of them in one breath, of course they would lack enthusiasm!
Remembering how mysterious and self-important he had acted at first—like a total fool talking about... providing timely help in the snow?
"Eight... these are eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques! You brat, how on earth did you get your hands on these?" Unable to calm the turbulence in his heart, Xuanyuan Hong blurted out the question.
"You just have them if you want them, don't you?"
Zhong Qing spread his hands and replied with a calm expression.
Was that human language?
Did he even sound human?
Xuanyuan Hong wore a face full of question marks.
"Alright, alright, Sect Master. Never mind where these eight techniques came from; just keep them."
Zhong Qing quickly urged Xuanyuan Hong to sit back down. "And as for this talisman of yours—I appreciate the sect's good intentions, but I really have no use for it. You should take it back as well."
"Fine."
At this point, Xuanyuan Hong truly had nothing left to say.
Since the other person could produce eight of them, his Emperor Tier technique indeed had no practical use for someone like that.
Seeing that Xuanyuan Hong said no more, Zhong Qing finally let out a breath of relief and set about brewing tea again.
Actually, given their relationship, pulling out a few Emperor Tier techniques to give to Xuanyuan Hong wouldn't have been a big deal.
But upon careful thought, Zhong Qing decided against it.
A man is innocent, but harboring a treasure is a crime.
Once this news leaked, the Xianjiang Sect would face a calamitous disaster.
Thus, gifting the sect a few Emperor Tier techniques was just right.
"Tell me honestly, brat—is the cultivation method you practice yourself even higher than Emperor Tier?" Once seated, Xuanyuan Hong tucked away the eight Emperor Tier techniques and could not resist asking Zhong Qing.
While pouring tea, Zhong Qing nodded and replied, "Yes, what I practice myself is indeed a tiny bit higher than Emperor Tier."
"A tiny bit? Is it Sovereign Tier?"
"Emperor Tier."
"Damn it."
Xuanyuan Hong, who had just taken a sip of tea, spat it straight out. Dropping a curse, he abruptly stood up and berated, "Is this what you call being a tiny bit higher, you bastard?"
Zhong Qing wiped the tea from his face with feigned annoyance and complained, "Sect Master, you are a Sect Master after all. Can't you be a bit more composed when things happen?"
"Composed my ass! Tell me, can I be composed? How am I supposed to be composed?"
Left with no choice, Zhong Qing continued to soothe him with gentle words. After a long period of pacification, Xuanyuan Hong finally calmed down enough to sit back down.
"Here, have a cup of tea. Don't dwell on it so much."
Zhong Qing said with a soft smile, shaking the bronze kettle. Finding that there was not enough water left inside, he instructed Lin Feng, who had been standing quietly to one side: "Disciple, go fetch another pot of spring water from the opposite peak. Remember to be quick."
"Yes, Master."
Respectfully taking the kettle, Lin Feng took a step into the empty air.
Within just a few breaths, he had made a round trip to the cloud-covered peak opposite them, returning with a fully filled kettle.
"Master, this is the water you wanted."
Lin Feng said respectfully.
"Mm, set it aside to boil." Zhong Qing instructed softly.
"Yes, Master." Lin Feng replied.
"The spring water from that peak across the way is rich in spiritual Qi, refreshing to the throat, and leaves a sweet aftertaste when savored slowly. It's of the absolute highest grade for brewing tea."
"The Sect Master is burdened with affairs of state, and it's not easy for you to make a trip here. Drink a couple more cups of tea and properly relax. In a certain sense, it's also beneficial for your cultivation."
"Hmm?"
"Why isn't the Sect Master speaking?"
Zhong Qing had rambled on for a long time, only to find that Xuanyuan Hong was staring wide-eyed at Lin Feng, who was standing behind him, with an expression no different from having seen a ghost.
Finally, after a very long silence, Xuanyuan Hong pointed at Lin Feng and asked, "Don't tell me this disciple is the white-grade talent you took in on the Xianjiang Main Peak last time?"
"That's right. Is there a problem?" Zhong Qing blinked and asked.
"You ask if there's a problem?" Xuanyuan Hong shouted loudly. "A little over a month ago, he couldn't even practice Body Refining, and now he can travel through the air to fetch water from the opposite peak in this short amount of time?"
"Quickly tell me, what is his cultivation level now?"
Hearing this, Lin Feng quickly cupped his hands, took a step forward, and said, "Reporting to the Sect Master: this disciple, in his unworthiness, has just broken through to the Chen Profound Realm."
"Damn it."
Another curse burst from Xuanyuan Hong's lips.
He almost couldn't hold back a mouthful of blood.
Unworthiness.
Unworthiness, my ass!
A little over a month to break through from zero to the Chen Profound Realm, and you call yourself unworthy?!
One had to know that the peak masters and elders of his Xianjiang Sect had cultivated for the better part of their lives, yet they had only reached the Chen Profound Realm.
Damn it.
These master and disciple were a pair of supreme show-offs!
"How on earth did you manage it?"
After a long while, Xuanyuan Hong took a deep breath and asked Zhong Qing.
"It's mainly because my disciple is intelligent and hardworking." Zhong Qing said with a smile.
"Hardworking your big hemp flower..." Xuanyuan Hong almost let out another outburst of colorful language. What kind of hard work could take someone from zero to the Chen Profound Realm in just a month or so?
As for being intelligent, that was even more absurd.
Hadn't they seen the results of that talent test?
However, since Zhong Qing clearly didn't wish to elaborate, he did not pursue the matter further.
Yet today's trip to Mufu Peak had left him in a state of lingering agitation.
It had once again refreshed his assessment of Zhong Qing, adding an even heavier layer of mystery to the young man in his heart.
"Sect Master, care to stay for a meal?" Zhong Qing offered to persuade him to stay.
"No, I won't eat, I won't eat."
Rising to his feet, Xuanyuan Hong prepared to leave, rejecting the offer in stern tones.
If he stayed here for another minute, that sense of having lived his entire life in vain would only grow stronger.
Transforming into a streak of light, Xuanyuan Hong left Mufu Peak.
Upon returning to the Xianjiang Main Peak, he once again summoned the peak masters and elders of the sect.
Everyone took their seats.
"Sect Master, have you successfully given the Emperor Tier cultivation technique to Zhong Qing?" the First Elder asked first.
Following the sound of the voice, everyone turned their gazes toward Xuanyuan Hong.
"No, I haven't."
Xuanyuan Hong said.
"You haven't?" Everyone exchanged glances and asked in disbelief, "Could it be that some accident occurred?"
Their expressions grew tense.
They couldn't help wondering if something had gone wrong with the talisman and the Emperor Tier cultivation technique had failed.
Just as everyone was looking anxious, Xuanyuan Hong suddenly smiled mysteriously and shouted, "Everyone, you've all worried over nothing! I announce that in the future, our Xianjiang Sect will inevitably rise and reach the level of a sacred land!"
With that, he directly pulled out the eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques and shouted, "Not only did I fail to give away the technique, but that kid turned around and gave me eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques instead!"
"Tell me, with these eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques, is becoming a sacred land just around the corner?!"
"What?!"
"Eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques?"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted into an uproar.
With reddened eyes, one person after another stood up. Looking at the eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques Xuanyuan Hong had slammed onto the table, they looked ready to pounce straight on them.
"Sect Master, is this matter true? You mustn't pull the wool over this old man's eyes," the Third Elder asked with a trembling body.
"Indeed, Sect Master! At my age, I can't handle being startled like this," the First Elder asked incoherently.
"Could this Sect Master possibly lie to you?"
With a wave of his large sleeve, Xuanyuan Hong pushed the eight techniques forward and said, "Verify them yourselves."
At that moment, the peak masters and elders swarmed toward the eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques like ravenous wolves descending on food.
"Let me see, let me see, let me have a look."
"Don't snatch."
"I am the First Elder, I get to look first."
They scrambled with one another to determine the authenticity of the texts.
When they concluded that all eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques were genuine, several old men wept tears of joy, spreading their arms wide and letting out long howls to the heavens.
"Heaven preserves our Xianjiang Sect!"
"Indeed! With these eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques, how could our Xianjiang Sect fail to prosper?"
These old men were moved to hot tears.
Generation after generation of their ancestors had belonged to the Xianjiang Sect, and they themselves had been born and raised in it.
Naturally, they were overjoyed to witness the hope of the Xianjiang Sect's future rise.
"Very well, Elders, Peak Masters. You have all remained utterly loyal to the Xianjiang Sect; you may all have priority in cultivating these Emperor Tier techniques." Xuanyuan Hong was not stingy and spoke directly.
"Many thanks, Sect Master."
Everyone offered their thanks one after another, as excited as children. With these Emperor Tier techniques, their future limits would rise by at least one major realm.
"You don't need to thank me; if you want to thank someone, thank Zhong Qing." Xuanyuan Hong laughed loudly.
"Indeed, we must properly thank Zhong Qing."
Everyone nodded in agreement, though doubts lingered in their minds.
"However, Sect Master, how on earth did Zhong Qing come to possess these eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques?"
"That's right! These are eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques, not cabbages!"
"I have no idea myself!" Xuanyuan Hong sighed with emotion.
In fact, because he possessed more knowledge than the other elders, the doubts in his heart ran even deeper.
Consider his talent: at eighteen or nineteen years of age, his strength was enough to instantly kill someone in the Moon Profound Realm.
Consider his financial resources: he casually produced eight Emperor Tier cultivation techniques.
Consider his teaching ability: in just one month, he had cultivated Lin Feng, a disciple of white-grade talent, from zero to the Chen Profound Realm.
No matter which dimension one looked at, none of this seemed explicable by conventional logic...
Meanwhile, back on Mufu Peak, Lin Feng had finished taking care of all his routine chores and had even neatly folded the bedding for Zhong Qing before coming to find him.
"Master, I previously requested of you that once I reached the Chen Profound Realm, I needed to make a trip down the mountain. Therefore, I ask Master to grant my wish," Lin Feng said respectfully.
"Of course you may." Zhong Qing smiled.
Ever since he had taken in this little disciple, he had known the boy carried worries in his heart. Now that his strength was sufficient, it was only natural that he wished to go down the mountain to settle matters, so how could Zhong Qing refuse?
"Thank you, Master."
Lin Feng quickly expressed his gratitude.
Just as he was about to leave, however, Zhong Qing called him back.
"Is there anything else Master wishes to instruct?" Lin Feng asked hurriedly.
"As it happens, I have nothing to attend to lately, so I shall accompany you down the mountain." Zhong Qing thought for a moment and added.
Truth be told, Zhong Qing still didn't quite feel at ease letting Lin Feng go down the mountain alone.
Although he knew Lin Feng carried an old master inside a ring, Lin Feng himself possessed only the cultivation of the Chen Profound Realm, which was still not safe enough.
Seeing that Zhong Qing actually intended to accompany him down the mountain, Lin Feng was struck with a look of flattered surprise.
"Disciple, no matter what you intend to do this time down the mountain, go ahead and do it boldly. Your master will always be behind you, supporting you." Zhong Qing patted Lin Feng's head and smiled softly.
"Thank you, Master."
Lin Feng offered his respectful thanks.
In the Eastern Region, besides the various major sects, several great kingdoms stood tall.
The Tianlan Kingdom.
Fengtian City.
This place was thousands of miles away from the Xianjiang Sect.
Flying at full speed with Lin Feng in tow, Zhong Qing soon arrived within the borders of Fengtian City.
On the second floor of a small tavern in Fengtian City, master and disciple sat by the window, having ordered two liang of beef, a small plate of peanuts, and two jugs of strong liquor.
"Look, isn't that Lin Feng from the Lin Family?"
"Indeed. Back then, after being jilted by the Murong Family, he suffered a heavy blow and ran away from home. Everyone thought he had died outside, but to think he's back."
"Sigh, he's a pitiful child indeed, but lacking strength is the original sin!"
"Yet who is that sitting with him? He looks extraordinary."
"Extraordinary so what? If he were truly some big shot, how could he possibly sit with Lin Feng?"
In the tavern, the patrons chattered animatedly.
Clearly, Lin Feng was considered a minor figure of some renown in Fengtian City.
Faced with such discussions, the former Lin Feng might have felt hot with shame, but after following Zhong Qing, his horizons and state of mind were already vastly different.
He knew that as long as he displayed formidable strength, these idle gossips would shut their mouths on their own.
However, upon hearing someone speak disparagingly of his master, he still found it difficult to remain seated.
He slammed his hand on the table, intending to teach that person a lesson.
Zhong Qing, however, merely patted his shoulder, indicating that characters of that sort were completely unworthy of attention. Brawling with such people would only ruin his appetite.
"Remember, your opponent in the future is a sea of stars."
"Not little fish and shrimp in a small pond." Zhong Qing said with a soft smile.
"Yes, Master."
Obediently, Lin Feng sat back down.
Master and disciple sat by the window and began drinking together.
After a couple of cups, Zhong Qing could not help casting his gaze toward the distant horizon.
From the distant horizon, a figure was flying through the air.
His system allowed him to sign in every day. Even though many times the sign-in rewards no longer brought Zhong Qing any great surprise, it had long since become a habit.
And the item obtained from today's sign-in was precisely this approaching figure.
"A Moon Profound Realm puppet—not bad at all."
Zhong Qing curved the corners of his mouth upward.
With this puppet, dealing with characters like the old red-haired ghost in the future would presumably only require dispatching the puppet.
A moment later, this black-robed figure flew directly toward the small tavern.
The formidable might carried upon its person instantly left everyone in the establishment gasping for breath, lowering their heads so deeply that none dared even draw a heavy breath.
"How could such an expert appear in our Fengtian City?!"
"Indeed, I wonder which mighty figure this is, and what they've come to Fengtian City to do."
"Speak softly everyone, make sure you don't offend him."
Yet, to everyone's utter astonishment, this mysterious expert flying in from the horizon suddenly dropped to one knee right in front of Zhong Qing.
"This subordinate pays respects to Master!"
These words instantly stirred up a monstrous uproar throughout the entire small tavern.
Good heavens.
What was it we just heard?