"Additionally..."

Dong Xingzhou hesitated for a moment.

"The operation that is about to be carried out is also Xiao Xue's assessment task for promotion to Reserve Deputy Captain. The task may fail, but I hope you can ensure Xiao Xue's safety."

Fang Yu was suddenly stunned.

Qiong Xiaolou and Eastern Gate Orchid, they were actually at Baoan Temple?

Could the Bonfire Gathering be related to Baoan Temple in any way?

Fang Yu thought of Monk Quan Heng's face and instantly shook his head slightly, feeling that it was almost impossible.

Most likely it was some fortuitous coincidence that got them involved.

As for protecting Zhuo Xueer's life...

"Lord Dong Xingzhou, I will do my best to ensure the safety of Lady Zhuo Xueer as much as possible."

Dong Xingzhou nodded slightly; with these words, that was enough. He couldn't ask for too much, and then suddenly said.

"The True Scripture Pavilion has four floors. The cultivation technique you seek is on the fourth level. This token will grant you direct access there. There are three cabinets on the fourth floor. With this token, you don't qualify to touch the first cabinet. The second and the third cabinets contain mid-grade and low-grade cultivation techniques, respectively, both relating to Qi Techniques. If it were an unrelated person, I might recommend you choose a mid-grade technique from the second cabinet, but I recommend a low-grade technique from the third cabinet—the Qi Gathering Technique."

Not a mid-grade, but a low-grade?

Fang Yu asked with a puzzled look.

"Why?"

"Because you're young."

Huh?

What kind of reason is that?

Should young people suffer hardships? Are they supposed to practice low-grade cultivation techniques??

Fang Yu was baffled. What kind of reasoning was this?

But Dong Xingzhou, with complete indifference, continued to explain.

"Because you're young, you have limitless possibilities."

"Because you're young, you have a wide future ahead."

"Deciding on Qi Technique and the position of Dantian will, to a considerable extent, impact the path of one's Martial Arts development in the future. It's not an overstatement to say it's a critical step."

Fang Yu then realized that Dong Xingzhou genuinely wanted to help him.

He quickly straightened his attitude, bowing respectfully and said.

"I ask for Lord Dong Xingzhou's guidance."

"I'm not one to instruct, but it would indeed be lamentable if a talented youth like you took a wrong step and regretted it their whole life. Since I have this opportunity, and Wu Hall Master places such trust in you, I naturally don't mind lending you a hand."

Dong Xingzhou began to lower his voice and said.

"Do you know where the 'Purple Qi Technique' practiced by all the Lord Hall Masters comes from?"

Fang Yu shook his head.

"I don't."

Before today, he didn't even know what "Purple Qi Technique" was, let alone its origins.

Dong Xingzhou spoke directly.

"It is derived from the low-grade Qi Gathering Technique!"

Fang Yu was startled.

"So, the 'Qi Gathering Technique' and the 'Purple Qi Technique' essentially share the same lineage?"

"Right!" said Dong Xingzhou. "If you were to cultivate another mid-grade technique from the True Scripture Pavilion, you might indeed experience a rapid increase in strength in the short term. But ultimately, you would have taken the wrong path. Although it doesn't close off all avenues to advancement, the road ahead would then become one you must navigate on your own. However, the 'Qi Gathering Technique' is different. If you cultivate it and one day shine brilliantly, the Hall Masters, if they take notice of you, may allow you to learn the top-level Qi Technique of our Foolish Underworld, the 'Purple Qi Technique'! Your Martial Arts path will only stretch farther ahead!"

"Who knows, one day, you may surpass the Hall Masters and become the 'Lord of Mansion' of the Foolish Underworld in Tianyuan Town."

Dong Xingzhou laughed, indicating that the last remark was made in jest.

Fang Yu understood his point.

If he were to cultivate a mid-grade technique, he could indeed level himself up point by point, but the grade would remain constant, just a forced improvement through accumulation.

However, choosing the "Qi Gathering Technique" meant that there was another chance to improve the grade of the technique.

Because they originated from the same source, they would be compatible; it's likely even the position of the Dantian would be the same, without the risk of having to alter one's Qi Technique.

But "Cat Tail Force" wasn't supposed to allow cultivation of several Dantians, so why did it seem that Dong Xingzhou was suggesting there could only be one? The choice of Qi Technique felt like something to be extremely cautious about.

Could there be another explanation?

As for the Lord of Mansion mentioned by Dong Xingzhou...

"Our Foolish Underworld, we also have a Lord of Mansion?? What sort of position is that?"

Dong Xingzhou smiled.

"If you had been to other towns, you wouldn't be asking such a question. As a 'fu,' our Foolish Underworld naturally has a Lord of Mansion. It's just that our Tianyuan Town is rather special. Rumors suggest that long ago, there indeed was a Lord of Mansion with Divine Skill that was unmatched, but he disappeared afterward, leaving behind only the Hall Masters to maintain the Foolish Underworld, which has resulted in the current situation where the Five Halls stand as equals."

Fang Yu felt something stir in his heart.

"Gone? Did he die? Or did he go missing?"

Dong Xingzhou shook his head.

"I don't know. It's just known that he's no longer present, as to whether he's dead or alive, well, since the Lord of Mansion never returned to Tianyuan Town, whether he's dead or alive has long since ceased to be of importance."

Fang Yu was puzzled: "Mr. Dong Xingzhou seems to know so much."

Dong Xingzhou laughed briefly.

"My ancestors' ancestors' ancestors, who knows how many years ago, our Dong Family has been serving in the positions of the Foolish Underworld of Tianyuan Town. In earlier years, there were those who became captains, but with each generation, we grew less impressive than the last. By the time it reached me, I no longer had much talent for martial arts, and my position as Reserve Deputy Captain is only maintained out of respect for the Dong Family by the kind graces of the Lord Hall Masters."

Dong Xingzhou spoke modestly, but Fang Yu felt that a Reserve Deputy Captain had only about 1500 in health points; even if one were promoted, it wouldn't lead to a substantial increase in strength.

Therefore, Dong Xingzhou, with his 3000 health points, must possess quite a formidable strength among the Deputy Captains.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. When people get old, they can't help but ramble. Diao Deyi, you may go inside. My advice to you is only that—advice. If you see a suitable Cultivation Technique, feel free to choose it. Perhaps you can also find a path that suits you. As for Xiao Xue... I entrust her to you."

It seemed a little odd for Dong Xingzhou to entrust the Reserve Deputy Captain to his subordinate.

However, Dong Xingzhou seemed to have a great deal of confidence in Fang Yu's strength.

Fang Yu didn't know how much information Wu Lvzhu had revealed to Dong Xingzhou as a messenger, and regarding Zhuo Xueer's matter... since he had accepted the favor, he would help as much as he could.

After thanking Dong Xingzhou with another bow, Fang Yu stepped into the True Scripture Pavilion with the token in hand.

Upon entering, he immediately noticed a chilly and stern gaze sweeping over from the counter.

[Mu Chuan: 3111/6150.]

It was an old man, aged but still with a straight posture, exuding an eagle-like sharpness.

However, the elder had only one arm, with a walking stick in hand.

"Who's there?"

The old man's voice was icy cold, as if he was unwelcoming to visitors.

Fang Yu respectfully presented the token.

"Old Mister, I am Diao Deyi from the Foolish Underworld patrols. According to the orders of the Hall Master, I have come to seek a Cultivation Technique."

Mr. Mu took the token and glanced at it, frowning slightly.

"Troublesome."

He muttered, leading the way upfront.

Looking back and seeing that Fang Yu had not followed, he said.

"Are you not coming?"

Fang Yu quickly caught up.

They went straight from the first floor to the fourth floor, and with each floor, the elder seemed to lift some kind of restriction, causing a slight and unseen wave of fluctuation to ripple through the space.

Fang Yu noticed... it was a fluctuation of Qi.

Additionally, with the increase in the number of floors, the amount of bookshelves became fewer and fewer.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, as expected, only three bookshelves remained.

"This bookshelf, with your green token, you shall not touch. The other two, you may choose at will. You have the time of one incense stick to make your choice, once decided, come down and inform me."

After saying this, the elder lit a nearby stick of incense, then went downstairs alone.

It seemed the restrictions were only triggered when ascending; descending did not seem to face any obstacle.

Once the elder had left, Fang Yu looked at the bookshelves, his mood excited.

Setting aside the first bookshelf which he couldn't touch, the two remaining bookshelves actually held not a few secret texts.

Before, Fang Yu found even an incomplete Qi cultivation book fascinating to read.

Now, with so many books available to him, he could hardly contain his excitement.

Without any hesitation, Fang Yu approached the second bookshelf, which was of medium quality.

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