Chapter 435: Bestowing Merit

Zhu He glanced at the kneeling Fan Hongjiao and said, "Duan Rong is diligent in his cultivation; you and Shidao must ensure his resources."

"Hongjiao understands!"

Zhu He nodded and said, "It is good that you understand."

As that voice gradually grew ethereal, he had already transformed into a streak of black light and vanished from this room.

Duan Rong and Fan Hongjiao remained kneeling on the ground, while Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue sat in their respective seats with dazed expressions.

Fan Hongjiao was already accustomed to Zhu He's style of leaving as soon as he spoke; she stood up from the ground, and seeing Fan Hongjiao rise, Duan Rong also slowly stood up and stood there silently.

Fan Hongjiao picked up the two bottles of Beast Meat marrow from the side table, walked over, and stuffed them into Duan Rong's hands, saying, "Little Disciple, take these two bottles of Beast Meat marrow. Whoever Master gives them to, they belong to."

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Duan Rong respectfully accepted the two bottles of Beast Meat marrow.

Zhu He had already departed, and the day's council was concluded, so the group left the room.

As Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue walked, they were still digesting the shock of Duan Rong achieving the Third Layer of the Qi Refining Realm in half a year.

When the group reached the corner of the veranda, they saw two Attendants waiting there.

Seeing the group approach, the two Attendants immediately bowed and said, "My lords, the banquet is prepared; please take your seats."

The others all had calm expressions, only Duan Rong looked at the two Attendants with some confusion.

Fan Hongjiao glanced at Duan Rong and explained, "Every time Master finishes an examination, he prepares a banquet, though he rarely attends himself. It is just for the disciples to eat together. Unless he is not busy, he will join everyone for a few cups of wine."

Duan Rong's expression cleared, and he said, "So that is how it is."

The group took their seats, and the gazes of Wu Shidao and the others still flickered toward Duan Rong from time to time.

Once the dishes were all served, Wu Shidao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lu Geng and asked, "Junior Brother Lu, you were the one who took the Little Disciple to the Scripture Repository to choose his techniques, right?"

Lu Geng was slightly stunned, not knowing why Wu Shidao suddenly asked about this. "Yes. Why?"

"It's nothing," Wu Shidao said while eating. "It's just that the Little Disciple is clearly practicing the Roaming Dragon Clear Chant Blade, so why does the record in the Inner History Department state that it is the Six Harmonies Blade?"

It was already an open secret that Wu Shidao would report the situation of his fellow disciples to Zhu He, and Wu Shidao himself never shied away from it, so he asked directly when he had a question.

Lu Geng immediately understood what Wu Shidao meant. However, what did this have to do with him? It was the Little Disciple himself who wanted to choose twice.

Lu Geng said, "The Little Disciple chose one first."

Fan Hongjiao was gnawing on a chicken leg; hearing this, she glanced at Duan Rong and said, "You chose the Roaming Dragon Clear Chant Blade the second time?"

Duan Rong said, "Yes. I chose twice; did I cause Senior Brother Wu trouble?"

Just as Wu Shidao was about to say something, Fan Hongjiao cut in: "What trouble?! He has plenty of trouble; this bit doesn't matter."

As Fan Hongjiao spoke, she suddenly remembered something. She put down the half-eaten chicken leg in her hand, looked at Duan Rong, and asked, "Little Disciple, you have achieved the Third Layer; the Beast Meat distributed to you last time probably isn't enough, is it?"

When Fan Hongjiao asked this question, the others also looked at Duan Rong. That's right, achieving the Third Layer of the Qi Refining Realm in half a year—how could that little bit of Beast Meat be enough?

It couldn't be that he was refining Qi directly from heaven and earth without relying on Beast Meat. That would be like sitting next to a well but refusing to use it, living off dew every day instead.

Duan Rong said, "That Beast Meat was used up in a month!"

"Used up in a month?" Fan Hongjiao asked, "Then how did you cultivate afterward?"

Duan Rong hesitated for a moment, then told the truth: "I go to the Dark Forest once every month myself. On the outer edges, I hunt some Origin Beasts."

"You go yourself?" Fan Hongjiao's voice rose sharply.

Duan Rong gave a hum.

Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao exchanged glances, both of their eyes flashing with shock and lingering fear.

If Duan Rong had really died in the Dark Forest, Zhu He would likely have skinned them both.

Wu Shidao's eyes flickered as he looked at Duan Rong and asked, "Little Disciple, for the past half year, you have left the Cultivation Secret Chamber for a day or two every month just to go down to the Dark Forest to hunt Origin Beasts?"

Duan Rong said, "That is the case, Senior Brother Wu."

Everyone at the banquet fell silent.

Previously, Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao had thought Duan Rong knew how to balance work and rest; now it seemed that the reason he stopped was simply to go hunt Origin Beasts.

What a cultivation fanatic!

And with high skill comes bold courage; he dared to go down to the Dark Forest just after advancing to the Qi Refining Realm.

Fan Hongjiao suddenly turned her head to look at Wang Yue.

Wang Yue asked puzzledly, "Senior Sister, why are you looking at me?"

Fan Hongjiao said, "Are you telling me you're a sissy? Duan Rong just advanced to the Qi Refining Realm and already dares to go down and hunt Origin Beasts himself; look at yourself."

"I..." Wang Yue's face instantly turned bright red. But he couldn't argue back; Duan Rong was indeed fierce! Having just advanced to the Qi Refining Realm, he went down to hunt Origin Beasts himself; if he compared himself to Duan Rong, he could only admit he was a sissy.

Wu Shidao suddenly looked at Fan Hongjiao and said, "When we hunt Origin Beasts again, we must give the Little Disciple a larger share."

Fan Hongjiao nodded and said, "Let's do this. From now on, Duan Rong's share will be the same amount as yours."

"The same amount as mine?" Wu Shidao was clearly slightly surprised. After all, he had already advanced to the Qi Cyclone Realm.

"Yes!" Fan Hongjiao said with a firm tone. Zhu He had personally instructed her to look after Duan Rong's cultivation resources; how could she not be attentive?

Lu Geng and Wang Yue both looked at Duan Rong with strange expressions. The same amount as Wu Shidao—and Wu Shidao was a Martial Artist of the Qi Cyclone Realm.

Fan Hongjiao was the Senior Sister, and the matter of Duan Rong's cultivation resources had been personally inquired about by Zhu He, so none of them dared to raise any objections to Fan Hongjiao's proposal.

Wu Shidao asked, "Then when shall we go down to the Dark Forest again?"

Fan Hongjiao said, "It has been almost half a year. There aren't many resources left in my Black Jade Pool. I think we should go today. After we finish this banquet, we will each go back and prepare. You bring the Topographical Map, we will go to the Council Hall to study the route, and then set off directly."

Everyone knew Fan Hongjiao's decisive personality well.

The group ate until their mouths were oily before dispersing.

Duan Rong walked back to his room, and just as he closed the door, his heart suddenly jumped. He had not activated his Divine Sense to probe, but he subconsciously had a feeling that there was someone in the room, right behind the screen.

Duan Rong turned around abruptly, the Frost Pattern Phosphorus Crystal Blade at his waist already gripped in his hand.

The screen standing before the bed was made of semi-transparent gauze, and as it was the strongest time of the midday sun, Duan Rong turned around and found no one behind the screen, yet he was certain his feeling just now was not groundless.

In that instant, Duan Rong almost released his Divine Sense to probe, because he felt that someone had snuck into his room for no reason, and then vanished the moment he turned his head; his scalp had already begun to tingle, which meant the opponent's realm was far higher than his—what if they were there to assassinate him?

"Not bad! Little Duan, your six senses are quite sharp!"

The sound came from the corner of the room to Duan Rong's right; the sound was very familiar, and the moment he heard it, Duan Rong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned his head and saw it was Zhu He, who walked over with a faint smile, dressed in Daoist robes.

Zhu He walked up to Duan Rong, glanced at the blade in Duan Rong's hand, and said, "Let me see the blade in your hand."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong held the blade up with both hands and offered it to Zhu He.

Zhu He took the blade, held it in one hand, and raised it before his eyes; a sudden look of trance and sorrow appeared in his eyes.

This familiar blade and this familiar, pale blade light pulled him back to his youthful years almost instantly. He and Gu Daoling had entered the Sect and apprenticed under the same Elder.

At that time, the two of them often sparred in martial arts.

He had entered the Sect two years earlier and could often defeat Gu Daoling at first. However, after less than half a year, he could no longer beat Gu Daoling, and from then on, the gap between them in cultivation grew wider and wider. Even so, their bond had always been very good.

"White heads like new, meeting like old friends"—sometimes, fate in the human world is truly wondrous. Gu Daoling had that foul temper and wouldn't pay heed to anyone, even daring to talk back to the Sect Ancestor, yet he happened to get along very well with him.

After watching for a while, Zhu He returned the blade to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong put the blade away, sheathed it in a leather cover, and tied it back to his waist.

Zhu He looked at Duan Rong, his gaze shifting slightly. He didn't know if it was a coincidence, but this kid had not only chosen the Roaming Dragon Clear Chant Blade technique but also chosen this very blade.

Zhu He muttered in his heart: Disciple, could it be that you gave this kid pointers when he was at Shenyun Prefecture?

Seeing Zhu He standing there, seemingly lost in thought and silent for a long time, Duan Rong asked, "Master, may I ask what business you have with your disciple?"

Duan Rong was a bit puzzled; why did this old man sneak into his room for no reason?

Zhu He came back to his senses, gave a light cough, and said, "I do have business with you. Kneel down!"

"Ah? Kneel down?"

Seeing that Zhu He did not seem to be joking, Duan Rong knelt down before him in a proper manner.

Zhu He said solemnly, "Taiyi Sect inner disciple Duan Rong, listen to the decree! What I am now imparting to you is our Sect's supreme absolute art, the 'Womb Treasury Sutra'."

Duan Rong knelt there expressionless; Zhu He thought he was stunned, so he continued, "This supreme technique, with every level cultivated, will enhance both the Divine Soul and Mental Power. It is a great method capable of defying heaven and changing fate, and reshaping one's aptitude; that is why this technique's name can be graced with the word 'Sutra'."

Despite Zhu He's impassioned speech, Duan Rong remained kneeling without any reaction.

Zhu He felt slightly strange; usually, when disciples heard this, they would widen their eyes and look at him, and rarely were they as calm as Duan Rong.

Suspecting that Duan Rong was too shocked and had frozen up, he gave a light cough to signal a reminder.

Duan Rong did indeed raise his head and stare blankly at Zhu He.

Only then did Zhu He nod, seemingly very satisfied with Duan Rong's reaction.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Duan Rong asked, "May I ask, Master, how many levels of the technique can you impart to this disciple?"

This question from Duan Rong choked Zhu He so much that he couldn't speak for a long time. What "how many levels"? Shouldn't you be kowtowing and thanking the Sect for imparting such a great method? This kid really doesn't play by the rules!

However, Zhu He was used to it. Asking about the number of levels was at least a normal question; he remembered that when Gu Daoling asked their master, the question was why the Womb Treasury Sutra was called the Womb Treasury Sutra—would one get pregnant if they practiced it?

Recalling the past, Zhu He couldn't help but smile slightly before looking at Duan Rong and saying solemnly, "Generally, inner disciples are imparted two levels of the technique after a one-year assessment. Future levels depend on their cultivation realm. You have only been at Yunfu Peak for half a year; I am imparting this technique to you in advance. This is also out of appreciation for talent."

Seeing that Zhu He had talked for so long only to mean he was imparting two levels of the technique, Duan Rong immediately lost interest.

As Zhu He spoke, he had already handed a yellowish leather scroll to Duan Rong. Although Duan Rong had no interest, he still held it high with both hands and accepted it respectfully.

Zhu He nodded and said, "Duan Rong, this technique is a secret that must not be passed on. Once leaked, there will be consequences. The Sect treats this technique as a private treasure; if it is lost, even I cannot save you! Remember this!"

Duan Rong said respectfully, "This disciple understands!"

Zhu He nodded and said, "I am busy and have no time to guide you in practicing this technique. You may observe and practice it yourself; with your intelligence, it should not be a problem. If you truly have doubts that are hard to resolve, you may ask your Senior Sister Fan Hongjiao. This technique involves the Divine Soul; you must never ask anyone else. If there is a mistake, I fear your Divine Soul will be damaged!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong's heart stirred slightly; it seemed his judgment was correct—the person Zhu He trusted most was still Senior Sister Fan Hongjiao.

Duan Rong kowtowed to the ground, kneeling at Zhu He's feet, and said, "This disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind!"

Zhu He seemed to want to say something else, but his gaze suddenly shifted, and he said, "Your Senior Sister is here; I am leaving."

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

Duan Rong stood up and scanned the room, confirming that no one was there. He opened the leather scroll in his hand, and with one glance, he realized that it was indeed only two levels of the technique.

After all, Duan Rong was already intimately familiar with this early technique, and one glance was enough to know which levels they were.

Just as he was shaking his head and sighing, there was a sudden "knock, knock, knock" at the door. "Duan Rong! Open the door!"

It was Fan Hongjiao's voice! When Master left just now, he said Senior Sister was coming; he was truly accurate.

Duan Rong immediately put away the leather scroll and opened the door.

As soon as Fan Hongjiao entered, she pushed Duan Rong aside and circled the room, finding no one there. She looked at Duan Rong with suspicious eyes and said, "I thought I heard a sound in this room just now; who were you talking to?"

Duan Rong said, "Why would I be talking to anyone? There isn't even a ghost in this room."

Fan Hongjiao rolled her eyes at Duan Rong. "Sneaky!"

However, she didn't want to dwell on this boring matter with Duan Rong. "What is wrong with you? Dilly-dallying every day; they have all arrived at the Council Hall, and only you are missing. What? Do you need me to come and catch you?"

Only then did Duan Rong remember that they still had to discuss the matter of the Dark Forest.

"It is my fault! Senior Sister! Let's go now!"

Duan Rong went to the Dark Forest every month, and he had already prepared the necessary items. He took a cloth bag from the cabinet in his room, slung it over his back, and headed to the Council Hall with Fan Hongjiao.

(End of this chapter)