Chapter 197: 183 Selected, Part 1

I must first secure a higher position within the Great Dao Teaching.

This way, it would be more legitimate to interact and search for the secret medicine, which is optimal.

Zhang Rongfang does not believe that a prestigious sect like the second largest in the world would lack top experts guarding the Ancestral Court.

If that were true, this Ancestral Court would have been overrun long ago.

No matter how amicable a sect is, it will inevitably be targeted due to interests.

Several people sat waiting to ask the teacher.

The Daoist Zhang Qingzhi seemed responsible for welcoming guests, and shortly after, brought in several new Daoists.

Everyone present had traveled a long distance, carrying themselves with robust strength. Clearly, they wouldn’t have reached here without martial prowess.

Zhang Rongfang observed carefully, noticing that regardless of which entering Daoist Zhang Qingzhi faced, he always remained courteous and humble.

Such composure is not something an ordinary person can achieve.

Soon, a Dao boy arrived with hot tea.

Zhang Rongfang took a sip, a faint scent of ginseng wafting into his nostrils.

He looked around.

On the right wall, there hung a calligraphy piece that read: Dao creates one, one transforms all things.

On the left wall, hung another piece that read: Three essentials of asking the teacher.

’First ask Cultivation of Literature, second ask martial arts expertise, third ask moral character.’

Below were detailed assessments, including loyalty and patriotism.

Two people already noticed the piece, stood up to examine it closely.

Zhang Rongfang saw that the first line of assessment was Cultivation of Literature, which stirred him.

Given his current conditions, he could not stand out in the Celestial Treasure Palace relying solely on the low-grade martial arts Zhang Ying displayed.

Initially Zhang Ying, when serving in Tan Yang’s Mingjing Palace position, remained at third grade, even after breaking through to fourth grade.

In Mingjing Palace, this was merely ordinary, and here even less so.

Unless he revealed his identity as a Spirit Person, he could not gain anything in martial arts at Celestial Treasure Palace.

’The only way is Cultivation of Literature!’

Zhang Rongfang glanced at his attribute panel; he was now at Nine-Turn Golden Core level.

Even though Cultivation of Literature cannot be externally observed, he had mastered its various stages.

Perhaps he could….

Immediately, he stood up and walked to the door where Zhang Qingzhi was discussing matters with someone.

“Dao brother, might I have a word?” He discreetly held a piece of gold leaf in his hand.

*

*

*

Several hundred miles from Great Capital—Butcher Mountain.

An elderly man, appearing like a simple farmer, held a wooden staff and rode a small donkey slowly toward Great Capital.

The elder’s eyes were clouded, his figure small and seemingly malnourished.

Strangely, alone on the route from Butcher Mountain to Great Capital was just the elder and the donkey.

The surroundings were empty of people.

Moreover, the elder carried no luggage.

He seemed like he had just stepped out for a walk from home, bringing nothing along.

Here, isolated between villages and shops, without a bundle, even finding food and drink as an old man seemed challenging.

The heat of summer blazed, the sun fiercely direct.

Yet, there were no traces of sweat on the elder.

After traveling for a while, a slightly decomposed corpse gradually appeared ahead on the path.

Several vultures flapped their wings, crouching and pecking at the body.

Scattered sedan, blade-wielding warriors, bloodied severed limbs littered the ground.

No living thing remained here.

Even a few black dogs were brutally chopped into pieces and discarded aside.

Seeing this, the elder sighed lightly.

“Is there not even someone to collect the bodies? Killing should at least observe basic morality.”

“An old fellow worshipping the Jade Sea Dragon God, do you have the face to speak of morality?” From the sides of the road, two figures, one tall and one short, slowly emerged.

“Has the situation in the Eastern Sect decayed to such an extent? Sending you two to intercept and kill?” The elder frowned.

“Though you won’t die, we can hold you off.” The taller of the two men sneered.

“Two against one, it’s quite the advantage for you.” The shorter one also chuckled.

“You misunderstand me….” The elder shook his head. “I did not come to meddle in chaos. I am merely here to find the culprit who wounded and killed my disciple.”

“Don’t think growing your hair out will fool us.” The taller one said impatiently, “Monk Hongyan, cut the chatter; if you’re capable, cut us down and pass.

If not, go back to where you came from.”

“Exactly, exactly,” the shorter one echoed repeatedly.

The elder had no words, looking up to the sky.

The sky was bright, the time only noon.

“The Eastern Sect, claiming supreme in the Extreme Realm, now resorts to using such Spiritual Veins…. Pitiful, lamentable.”

He ceased speaking, tapped his foot, and leaped from the donkey, his form like a great bird swiftly swooping toward the tall and short individuals.

Moments later.

Amidst the corpses on the ground lay two more battered bodies.

Monk Hongyan sighed, then resumed riding the donkey, slowly heading toward Great Capital.

He must act quickly, especially with the Eastern Sect’s forces suppressed, and Princess Qianye locked in the palace, swiftly solving the trouble.

Otherwise, circumstances may stabilize, and he might lose the opportunity.

He had little sentiment for his disciples.

Yet, if his disciple is killed and gravely wounded, and he, the mentor, shows no response.

Then in the future, wouldn’t anyone be able to step on him, give him a slap?

Thus, no matter what, he has to settle this score.

“According to the information, that kid is currently in the Celestial Treasure Palace…. As long as I enter quickly, kill him, and leave immediately, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

At such a critical moment, I don’t think the Celestial Treasure Palace would find trouble with me for a Golden Wing Pavilion Spirit Envoy.”

He looked calm.

He had already investigated the information about the murderer, Zhang Ying.

Ninth Grade peak, with a Super Grade physique talent.

After reaching the Extreme State, his strength could still be elevated, capable of seriously injuring Xue Chengyu, who’s already taken External Medicine.

Although Xue Chengyu had only recently started taking medicine, and his overall abilities hadn’t reached the limit of the External Medicine.

But being able to seriously injure Xue Chengyu was already quite remarkable.

“His body technique is also extremely fast, comparable to my second apprentice. Such talent truly cannot be left alive.”

“In that case, treat it as dealing with inner laws…” Monk Hongyan never underestimated any opponent.

Moreover, this was a talented Spirit Envoy of the Golden Wing Pavilion.

So, arrive at Yangshuo tonight, launch a surprise attack, and eliminate him with full force to prevent future problems. That is the style of my Butcher Mountain.

*

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*

In the small woods of the Celestial Treasure Palace.

“This is absolutely not acceptable!” Zhang Qingzhi repeatedly declined, firmly refusing the bribe of golden leaves.

“Brother Dao truly is of noble character, I am impressed. Actually, Brother Dao need not worry, I only hope you can talk more about the various situations within the Celestial Treasure Palace, regarding asking questions to masters. There is no other intention.”

Zhang Rongfang said earnestly, showing admiration on his face.

Currently, on his Daoist tablet, it was written that Zhang Ying’s identity.

At this time, Zhang Ying’s martial skill was at the Fourth Grade. His age was nineteen. At this age to reach the Fourth Grade, he wanted to know what level this was within the Celestial Treasure Palace.

And also…..

“Brother Dao, can you tell me, in this questioning of masters, how much does the Cultivation of Literature account for?” Zhang Rongfang asked.

Zhang Qingzhi hesitated for a moment, still not accepting the money.

“In the questioning of masters, generally three masters will be selected, and you choose one to step forward and accept their test questions.

In terms of the Cultivation of Literature, Brother Zhang, since you have reached the Fourth Grade in martial arts, you only need to… reach Foundation Establishment. This kind of aptitude is considered excellent.”

“Is that so?”

Zhang Rongfang nodded, having some understanding in his heart.

“Then may I ask, Brother Dao, is there any way to recognize this Cultivation of Literature?” He asked again.

“It’s difficult. Generally, there’s no way, but here, top high cultivators can discern through debate, detailed questioning, and other methods to judge whether you are pretending.

After all, if your cultivation hasn’t reached the corresponding realm, certain natural emergency reactions of the body would be absent as well.

These are things that cannot be concealed, no matter how many experiences and impressions you memorize.” Zhang Qingzhi replied honestly.

In fact, within the Celestial Treasure Palace, the Cultivation of Literature was much more valued than martial skills.

If the Cultivation of Literature talent is exceptional, one might even have top-grade experts from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion assigned for personal protection.

This is by the royal decree.

Thinking of this, Zhang Qingzhi also felt a bit emotional, and also somewhat puzzled.

To his knowledge, within the Celestial Treasure Palace, those with Cultivation of Literature above Nascent Soul always have Ninth Grade experts from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion as their guards.

As for the two remaining top cultivators in the Refining God realm, although he wasn’t sure, they must have even more formidable protective forces.

Comparable to national treasures.

Especially the one at the later stage of Refining God, when traveling, is surrounded by layers upon layers of guards and experts.

Their presence isn’t any less imposing than the great aristocrats among Spirit People.

The court’s emphasis on high-level Cultivation of Literature far surpasses what ordinary people imagine.

Therefore, the entire Great Dao Teaching prioritizes the cultivation of literature as its principal theme.

He looked at Zhang Ying in front of him.

The other party seemed definitely older than his age, yet the Daoist tablet indeed stated he was nineteen.

If that age is real.

Then reaching Fourth Grade in martial skill at nineteen is certainly impressive talent.

If his Cultivation of Literature also kept up….

At this moment, he heard Zhang Ying asking again.

“Then may I ask, Brother Dao, within our Great Dao Teaching, what is the most advanced Cultivation of Literature at my age?”

“The most advanced?” Zhang Qingzhi was momentarily bewildered, “It should be Junior Brother Zhao Dingran, right? At nineteen, he already reached the Fifth Transformation in the Core Formation Realm. His talent in Cultivation of Literature is exceptionally outstanding.”

“Impressive!” Zhang Rongfang had some clarity in his heart.

Nineteen years old to the Fifth Transformation in Core Formation, then at nineteen, achieving the Ninth Transformation Golden Core, definitely makes one a prodigy among prodigies.

According to Celestial Treasure Palace’s attitude towards literature talent.

If he shows his cultivation….

Wait, no.

Zhang Rongfang’s thoughts halted.

’If he displays his cultivation, how to explain a Golden Core at this age?’

Literature accumulation weighs even heavier than martial skill.

So-called talent, some people naturally accumulate faster, that’s all there is to it.

But reaching Golden Core at nineteen, this speed of accumulation…. is it not a bit too much.

Going from Core Formation to Golden Core requires physiological transformations and Daoist insights.

It’s not something that can be achieved with mere determination.

A lot of understanding of Daoist techniques and cultivation methods simply can’t be attained by a nineteen-year-old.

Zhang Rongfang began to hesitate.

“You seem to be worried about something?” Zhang Qingzhi noticed his hesitation and asked.

“It’s nothing.” Zhang Rongfang hadn’t yet decided how best to reveal his Cultivation of Literature ability.

“Brother Dao need not worry, high talent in Cultivation of Literature is actually rarer than in martial skills. At your current age and with such martial arts skill, your future is promising. You will surely be valued in the sect.” Zhang Qingzhi reassured him.

“Then thank you, Brother Dao, for your kind words.” Zhang Rongfang nodded.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep