Chapter 81: [Is It a Coincidence?]

Early the next morning, Chen Yan got up early, packed the things he needed for the trip in the training room, and organized a suitcase and a backpack.

Gu Qingyi was sitting in the courtyard soaking up the sun.

After days of gathering and nourishing primal energy, the patch of grass in this courtyard that had originally withered and turned yellow was, in the depths of winter, actually sprouting lush green again.

At nine o'clock, the doorbell at the courtyard gate rang.

Chen Yan dragged his suitcase out and saw Chu Keqing standing respectfully to the side at the entrance; seeing Chen Yan open the door and come out, she bowed slightly to him: "Senior!"

"Mm."

Chen Yan casually handed the suitcase to the female assistant who came forward; Chu Keqing pointed to a business car parked at the door: "Senior, please get in the car."

Chen Yan made a sound of acknowledgment, bent down to get in the car, then turned his head to look back, and saw that Gu Qingyi had somehow already been standing at the courtyard gate.

Gu Xiaoniang spoke in a sweet, high-pitched voice: "Return early."

"Understood." Chen Yan nodded: "It won't take much time."

Having said that, Chen Yan waved his hand and got into the car.

Chu Keqing politely turned back and nodded to Gu Qingyi as well, then bent down to get in the car, and the business car slowly drove away.

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The hometown of Boss He Jianbo was in a small county under Huizhou, next to Jin Ling Prefecture; it didn't require taking a plane or high-speed rail.

If driving over, taking the highway would take about three or four hours.

The driver was the female assistant by Chu Keqing's side—this woman looked to be around the same age as Chu Keqing and was likely Chu Keqing's trusted confidante, probably serving as assistant, driver, and perhaps occasionally even acting as a bodyguard; Chen Yan looked at this female assistant, saw her eyes full of spirit, her movements agile, and her steps steady, and surmised she must have some martial skill.

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"Senior, some water."

Inside the business car, Chu Keqing sat beside Chen Yan, holding out a bottle of mineral water with both hands.

Chen Yan took a look; he didn't recognize the brand, it wasn't the "Nature's Porter" he usually drank. But judging by this woman's display, it must be quite expensive.

She was very attentive, even unscrewing the cap herself before handing it to Chen Yan.

"Having the chance to learn by Senior's side is my honor; this time, I hope Senior will not hesitate to bestow your teachings."

This woman kept her posture very low; while speaking, her body leaned forward slightly—a posture that made Chen Yan sigh in his heart, so he could only try to keep his gaze drifting out the window.

Hmm... This Seat currently has an excess of blood and qi; I really can't stand scenes like this.

"Senior, could you tell me about the incident with the Mountain Puppet?"

Seeing that Chu Keqing had actually assumed a posture of earnestly seeking instruction, Chen Yan thought for a moment, then slowly said: "There's not much to say. That night, I observed the celestial signs and felt the demonic qi surging from the direction of Purple Gold Mountain; surely some spirit had awakened, so I went to investigate.

I indeed encountered two Mountain Puppets, so I suppressed them on the spot. These spirits, corrupted by demonic qi and having lost their sanity, know only bloody slaughter and would treat all living beings they see as food for blood; if they were allowed to escape the mountains, they would likely cause great disaster."

Chu Keqing nodded sincerely, her face showing an appropriately supportive expression: "Senior truly has a heart that pities the heavens and the people!" She paused, then asked cautiously: "I wonder how Senior suppressed those spirits in the mountain?"

Only then did Chen Yan look at this Chu Keqing—this was what she cared about most, wasn't it?

"It was merely some methods of slaughter. Those of us who cultivate should align with the heavenly numbers and respond to nature. Methods of slaughter go against the harmony of heaven; it is better not to speak of them."

Don't not speak of it, that's exactly what I want to ask... Chu Keqing felt a block in her heart, unconsciously took a deep breath, her impressive chest heaving twice, then said in a low voice: "Senior's methods are divine, something I have never seen in my life. It's just that Senior refuses to instruct me—is it because you still blame my Cloud Sect for the matter of Luo Qing?"

Hmm? Chen Yan looked at this woman.

Old Master Zi, those few words you spoke were a bit like tea.

Chen Yan's heart stirred: "I see your conduct and manner also know propriety; you handle things thoroughly and without a single flaw.

That Luo Qing was your fellow disciple; in the past, he committed many evil deeds—with your status and character, Old Master Zi, how could you have neglected to discipline him?"

Chu Keqing sighed softly: "Indeed, Senior still blames me."

She thought for a moment, then said: "Senior does not know; I actually have my difficulties.

My sect's name is Cloud Sect; the previous sect master was my benefactor master.

I was the youngest among my master's several disciples, the little junior sister to everyone. Luo Qing was my senior brother; his seniority and rank were both before mine.

I, as a junior sister, although I accepted the position of sect master, but... wanting to manage my senior brother in every matter is not very realistic.

Moreover, my benefactor master has already passed away; I am named sect master, but in reality, I have only taken over some assets. My senior brothers only respect me with their words. When it comes to core interests, they might not even listen to me.

Besides, we are all fellow disciples; in many matters, I cannot act too excessively."

Chen Yan sneered: "Not too excessive? Setting up formations to harm people, if you don't consider that excessive, do you wait for him to do something even more excessive?"

Chu Keqing looked helpless: "As for the other senior brothers, let them be; they have all learned a bit of master's skill, and relying on that little ability, they are enough to make a living.

As for Luo Qing, his talent was truly poor; he cultivated not a single bit of cultivation. To make money, he often would not listen to me.

Moreover, his identity was special; in the past, I also found it hard to do anything too excessive to him.

So every time he caused trouble, I had to cover for him; afterwards, I could only punish him slightly. He became bold, and gradually, he no longer feared me much."

"How was Luo Qing's identity special?"

Chu Keqing said in a low voice: "He is the only son left by my late master."

Chen Yan was stunned.

Chu Keqing continued: "After all, the previous sect master of Cloud Sect was my late master. According to reason, Luo Qing was her only son; if his talent had been slightly better, able to learn even one-tenth of my late master's skill, this position of sect master should have been his.

It's just that he was truly useless, having not cultivated a single bit of cultivation; in the end, the position of sect master fell to me.

And I seem to be like an outsider surnamed person who stole the Luo family's assets.

Before my late master passed away, on her sickbed, she still grabbed my hand, begging me to take extra care of Luo Qing in the future.

A master's grace is like a mountain; therefore... in many matters, I find it very difficult to handle."

Chen Yan nodded; said this way, it was understandable to him.

Why this woman named Chu Keqing, who handled things thoroughly and was a person who could reason, with high emotional and intellectual intelligence, yet for so many years could have indulged Luo Qing to this extent.

The situation was indeed somewhat special.

Thinking of this, Chen Yan asked one more question: "Luo Qing learned no skill, had no cultivation... did none of your other senior brothers learn anything? How did the position of sect master fall to you, the little junior sister?"

Chu Keqing spoke with a tone neither humble nor arrogant, slowly saying: "Perhaps my talent was not too bad; I fully inherited my late master's true transmission. After considering my cultivation and that of the other several senior brothers, my late master made the decision."

Chen Yan's heart stirred, and he understood the subtext of Chu Keqing's words.

Her meaning was that Luo Qing, this legitimate son, could not inherit, while the other senior brothers were all inferior to her in strength!

Chen Yan glanced at this woman. Indeed, a mortal, in this world unsuitable for cultivation, reaching the Return to Origin Realm at this age was truly considered to have excellent talent.

Next, Chu Keqing seized the opportunity to ask this senior Chen Yan about talisman arts.

Since Chen Yan had adopted the persona of a "senior," he naturally refused to let his character collapse. Holding his posture, he casually answered one or two of Chu Keqing's questions regarding talisman arts.

After a few questions and answers, Chen Yan keenly discovered that the Yun Sect where Chu Keqing resided primarily cultivated talisman arts, but the several talisman runes she mentioned clearly suffered from flaws in his eyes; they looked as if, due to improper inheritance, they were missing limbs and limbs, their efficacy greatly diminished.

Moreover, through chatting with Chu Keqing, Chen Yan also discovered that in the metaphysical arts world of this world, the things cultivated generally lacked offensive means.

Even cultivated to a level like Chu Keqing's, already considered a top-tier figure in the metaphysical arts world, this woman was only proficient in talisman arts and Feng Shui wind observation, possessing no offensive means whatsoever.

Not only offensive means, but even spells had not been passed down; the spells currently circulating in the metaphysical arts world were, in Chen Yan's view, extremely inferior, not only low in quality but also scarce in number.

The things he had learned, even the 【Intercepting Luck Technique】 he learned shortly after entering the sect—a spell that was entry-level low-grade merchandise in the manual—if this spell were revealed, it would likely cause a stir throughout the metaphysical arts world of this world.

(The skill tree is incomplete.)

Chen Yan confirmed his previous judgment in his heart.

The metaphysical practitioners of this world, such as Chu Keqing, perhaps had some inheritance left in their Qi cultivation methods, but their skills had been lost nine times out of ten.

Possessing only internal energy, yet lacking martial arts techniques.

There were also those with extremely good talent who, relying on their Qi cultivation, created a few spells, but due to the suppression of the Heavenly Dao rules of this world, the spells they created were often flawed, with negligible efficacy.

Chu Keqing, this woman, walking the Jianghu, actually relied mainly on these three skills: Feng Shui, fate, and divination.

She had truly degenerated into a slightly higher-level Jianghu fortune teller. And the fact that she possessed a passable skill in talisman arts already made her considered a high-level enlightened master.

"Our Yun Sect's inheritance specializes in wind observation and fate analysis, considered our Yun Sect's unique supreme art," Chu Keqing said, "However, the inheritance within the sect has repeatedly warned us that fate and destiny are determined by the Heavenly Dao and should not be defied lightly."

"I walk the Jianghu and dare not act recklessly; relying on a few small tricks, I sort out fate and luck for some wealthy people, but if I encounter major upheavals, I dare not intervene, lest I invite karmic retribution."

Pausing for a moment, she spoke softly: "The first sentence on the first page of our sect's inherited 【Art Book】 is a warning to the sect's disciples, leaving eight characters:"

"Luck cycles, karma reaps!"

Hearing these eight characters, Chen Yan's eye corner suddenly twitched!

He pretended to look out the front car window, but a cloud of doubt arose in his heart.

Luck cycles, karma reaps?

In the manual left to him by the Old Grandma.

In the chapter 【Qi Fortune Cycles】, this sentence was also these eight characters: Luck cycles, karma reaps!

Not a single character was off.

Subconsciously, he glanced at Chu Keqing.

Why was the opening sentence of this Yun Sect's inherited art book exactly the same as the first sentence of the 【Qi Fortune Cycles】 chapter in the Old Grandma's manual?

Was it a coincidence?

Chen Yan thought for a moment and slowly said, "I can roughly guess your thoughts; you came to visit and asked me to act, nothing more than having a heart for learning."

"Very well, this Venerable One is not an unfeeling person; since you have the heart, this Venerable One is also willing to offer you a little guidance."

"If you are willing, recite your sect's cultivation method for me to hear."

Upon hearing this, Chu Keqing's face immediately showed joy!

She had invested such a huge cost: first, getting the boss of the ocean, Boss Hai, to bow and submit; then going to curry favor with the internet cafe owner; and finally begging Chen Yan to come out of seclusion, her posture was set so low.

What did she seek and desire, if not this?

Although the sect's cultivation method was a secret not to be transmitted—however, this senior's spells were divine, and the cultivation method he learned was surely ten times superior to our Yun Sect's; he certainly would not covet our family's set of things."

"Presenting it to ask a high master for advice, perhaps I could even receive guidance from this senior with vast supernatural powers; if I could receive a little correction from the senior... filling in the flaws and defects in the cultivation method, the Yun Sect's inheritance would take a huge leap forward."

"Reporting to the senior, our Yun Sect's inheritance is divided into two parts. One part is the cultivation method, named 【Gathering Clouds Observing Qi Method】; learning it allows one to move the Qi of heaven and earth, enabling entry into the path of the Dao."

"The other part is the 【Art Book】, recording the sect's inherited talisman arts, as well as some things painstakingly completed by past seniors."

Chen Yan nodded: "If you do not mind, recite it for me to hear."

Chu Keqing's expression became solemn, but she first looked at the female assistant driving ahead: "Xiao Cai!"

The female assistant was very sensible; she gently put on a pair of earplugs, then pressed a button, and the window partition between the cockpit and the rear seats slowly rose up.

Chu Keqing nodded, then looked at Chen Yan, took a deep breath, and began to recite: "I will first recite the 【Gathering Clouds Observing Qi Method】 for you: The Qi and luck of heaven and earth should observe both others and oneself. Qi has rises and falls, clouds have highs and lows; this is the Observing Qi Method... Take oneself as a mirror, take Qi as the command, swallow Qi into the body; if the body is light, the Qi sinks; if the Qi is light, the fortune rises..."

Chu Keqing spent over ten minutes reciting her sect's cultivation method once, while Chen Yan listened quietly.

This cultivation method was far inferior to the 【Qi Moving Technique】 he had learned.

The entire text regarding the movement and extraction of Qi, the control and circulation, and the nourishment of the body... in Chen Yan's view, were all extremely rough and inferior.

Some places were even flawed, with errors in the way the Qi flowed.

After listening, Chen Yan couldn't help but sigh, looking at Chu Keqing: "How old are you this year?"

Chu Keqing was stunned; she didn't expect that after listening to the cultivation method, this senior would ask such a question.

Her face flushed, and she slowly said: "This junior... this junior has wasted thirty-three years."

"How long have you been practicing?"

"I began cultivating with my late master at thirteen; this year marks exactly twenty years."

Chen Yan: "..."

With such a cultivation method of inferior Qi circulation and containing many errors and omissions, she actually managed to cultivate to the Return to Origin Realm at thirty-three—the same as himself—which was already the second realm of the mortal cultivation stage.

It seems this woman's talent is truly excellent!

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【Happy New Year's Day! Paying New Year's respects to all the honorable readers and ladies!

May you be prosperous!

Asking for some tips as red envelopes; not much is needed, just a little gesture~】

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