Chapter 559: Reversing the Eight Directions

“They’re quite the bickering couple.”

Zhang Jie shook his head and left them to their own affairs, returning home on his own.

He stayed awake all night, sitting in meditation and cultivating.

Though at his realm, mere diligent practice could no longer rapidly boost his strength,

the cumulative gains over time were still significant, so Zhang Jie continued his nightly cultivation without fail.

“Ah Jie, come in, sit down.”

The next day, Zhang Jie visited the Xu family at Xu Xiang’s invitation.

“Jie Ge.”

Zhang Chulan greeted Zhang Jie weakly.

Seeing Zhang Chulan’s panda-like eyes,

Zhang Jie knew Feng Baobao had faithfully carried out her promise to train him the night before.

“Young man, you must practice moderation,” Zhang Jie teased with a smile.

“Jie Ge, don’t make fun of me.”

Zhang Chulan forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

It wasn’t impossible that he had thoughts—after all, being alone with a young woman in a room,

it was enough to stir the imagination of a passionate youth like him.

But then he remembered Feng Baobao was older than his own father, Zhang Yude, and his thoughts faded.

A long-lived being who watched the world change with indifference was not something Zhang Chulan could hold onto.

Who knew how Feng Baobao had so much energy? She’d beaten him like a punching bag all night.

If not for the Golden Light Spell protecting his body, he figured Zhang Jie would have to visit him

at Xu Xiang’s old haunt—the hospital.

Is immortality giving you some kind of “endless energy” buff?

After dismissing the greeting from Zhang Chulan, Zhang Jie followed Xu Xiang to the living room sofa and sat down.

“Ah Jie, I’m a lone old man with nothing to repay you—take this and have a look.”

After Xu San served Zhang Jie a cup of light tea,

Xu Xiang pushed a yellowed book toward Zhang Jie.

“Hmm?”

Zhang Jie, holding his teacup, narrowed his eyes and waved the book back:

“Uncle Xu, this gift is too heavy—I dare not accept it.”

On the faded cover of the book were written four bold characters: “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang.”

This was no ordinary book—it was a secret manual capable of being passed down through generations in the Yiren world!

As one who had helped Zhao Fangxu build the company’s foundation—even with state backing—

Xu Xiang was certainly no frail office clerk who only strategized from behind a desk.

Or rather, Zhao Fangxu was the one who strategized;

Xu Xiang and other regional directors were the ones who negotiated with major Yiren sects and clans, setting the tone.

After all, only absolute power could convince unruly Yiren.

In the company’s early years, regional directors led from the front, earning legendary reputations.

Only when Xu Xiang proposed the “temporary worker” system

did regional directors step back from frontline combat, thanks to powerful temporary workers.

Xu Xiang’s authority as head of the North China region rested on this manual.

This manual was, quite literally, his life’s legacy.

“Bah! You saved my life—what’s this little token compared to that?”

Xu Xiang pushed the manual back toward Zhang Jie again.

“Ah Jie, take it. This manual is too profound—

only someone of your extraordinary talent can truly bring out its brilliance.”

Xu Si chimed in.

“Exactly.”

Xu San nodded in deep agreement.

As a primordial Yiren with spiritual psychic ability, he had lost the capacity to cultivate his family’s technique.

Of the younger Xu generation, only Xu Si now practiced “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang.”

And Xu Si’s strength? Solid enough below, but far from top-tier.

To prevent this ability from being wasted, and to repay Zhang Jie’s life-saving deed,

the three Xu men had agreed unanimously to pass the technique to Zhang Jie.

“Then I’ll boldly accept it.”

Seeing the Xu family’s sincerity, and feeling his own interest stirred, Zhang Jie said.

As a man who had been transported into a book, Zhang Jie had never seen or learned “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang,”

yet he was far from unfamiliar with it—in fact, he understood it well.

It was a learned Yiren ability: Xu Xiang had first learned Qi refinement from Feng Baobao,

then formally studied this technique after joining a sect.

Its essence was creating a special “field” (a magnetic domain) around the body

to manipulate the direction of forces within it—hence its alternate name, “Human Magnetism.”

Though its effect resembled telekinesis, the two were fundamentally different.

Telekinesis was like an “invisible hand” pushing or pulling objects;

“Human Magnetism” directly warped the physical laws within the field, ignoring all media,

freely reversing the direction and force of any object inside (including Qi, physical attacks, etc.).

Xu Xiang had once used this technique to assist Feng Baobao in battle, but due to his own realm,

he had never demonstrated its peak destructive potential.

The ultimate master of this ability was Li Muxuan, “The Full Nature Demon Child,” disciple of Ghost Hand Wang.

He had pushed “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang” to extraordinary levels of vector control and defense.

Zhang Jie was naturally very interested in such an ability.

But his original plan had been to travel to Naisen Island, seeking Li Muxuan in hiding.

After all, Full Nature deviants received no protection from the Yiren world or the law,

and Li Muxuan wasn’t exactly a good man—so taking him out carried no moral burden.

Saving Xu Xiang today and receiving this manual was an unexpected windfall.

“Good! Now that’s a real man.”

Xu Xiang greatly admired Zhang Jie’s straightforwardness, his lack of pretense.

The rest of the time was spent in casual conversation.

Xu Xiang dropped all pretense and began sharing tales of his past glory.

Zhang Jie, too, was deeply interested in the history of the Yiren world,

for manga could never cover every detail—he listened intently.

The old man and the young man chatted happily.

During this time, Xu Xiang generously shared all his lifelong insights and secrets of “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang.”

The way he taught, it felt as if he were grooming Zhang Jie as his final disciple.

Yes, “final disciple” here meant heir to the lineage—not someone who closes a door.

Xu San and Xu Si had no complaints about their father’s actions.

Xu San couldn’t even cultivate “Dao Zhuan Ba Fang”—he was out of the running.

Xu Si, as the son, had already received everything his father could give him over the years.

So what was there to resent?

Blame only fate—for everyone is born with different talent.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Suddenly, Xu San’s phone rang.

“What happened?”

Xu Xiang paused his teaching.

Zhang Jie also turned to look at Xu San.

After hanging up, Xu San’s face was grim:

“Lu Liang and Xia He have escaped.”

Lu Liang and Xia He escaped from prison.