Chapter 250: 226 Key (Part 2)

At the foot of the mountain where the Far Star Residence is located.

Inside a music hall.

Amid the mixed echoes of the guzheng, pipa, and flute, in the courtyard of the four-story music hall, there are a dozen beautiful women dressed in green gauze with moon-white inner garments faintly visible, singing and dancing gently.

The harmonious blend of song and dance, accompanied by the intoxicating aroma of wine and tempting food.

The guests in the music hall loudly shout and wave their arms, tossing silver coins with each enticing movement of the dancers.

“The music hall here is quite chaotic. It’s not as refined as that in the Great Capital.”

On the top floor of the four-story building, inside a VIP private room.

Three young scholars, dressed as a young lord and ladies, sit together, reviewing stacks of documents on the table.

The only male, with a gentleman’s demeanor, sighs deeply at this moment.

“Speaking of which, that Daoist from the Great Dao Teaching has been away from the Celestial Treasure Palace for some time now, so why hasn’t there been any movement?

Wasn’t he supposed to be tirelessly practicing the Golden Toad Skill? With such talent, there should have been some progress by now, right?”

“Perhaps he’s preparing the necessary elixirs.” A graceful woman with a ponytail, dressed in a light blue tight-fitting outfit, with a circular design of magpie and branches embroidered on her chest.

The so-called ’embroidery design’ is when an extra piece of fabric is sewn onto the middle of the garment as decoration and emblem.

Previously used mostly on official attire, nowadays many wealthy individuals use it to adorn clothes.

“But it’s been more than half a month, hasn’t it? Why isn’t it ready yet?” Another woman showed slight surprise.

She wore a black long dress, with a silver belt around her waist, complemented by light blue eyes and dazzling fair skin.

Compared to the other woman, her beauty and charm were far superior.

If Zhang Rongfang were present, he would certainly recognize her as Yan Shuang from the Sensing Sect’s Taiqing lineage, whom he had interacted with on multiple occasions.

“Shuangshuang, why the hurry? Perhaps within a few days, Zhang Ying will run into trouble. The Golden Toad Skill of our sect has not only been practiced by him; many have attempted it before, knowing the taste when the technique succeeds…”

The sole male spoke while naturally reaching to gently place his hand on Yan Shuang’s hand back.

Yet Yan Shuang discreetly evaded his touch.

The other woman beside them burst into a giggle.

“Zheng Shuyang, do you intend to take advantage of Sister Shuangshuang with such a shallow trick? Aren’t you afraid that one day, she’ll surpass your cultivation, and you’ll be drained to death in bed at midnight?”

The man, his expression unfazed, retracted his hand and smoothed his sideburns.

“If that day truly comes, even dying under the peony would be worth the romance; I would willingly accept it.

Among our sect now, perhaps only Shuangshuang as a junior sister could accompany someone to extreme ecstasy of spirit.”

“Are you not afraid of making your senior sister jealous, Shuyang?”

Yan Shuang’s eyes glimmered, her upper body slightly leaning forward, creating an alluring curve between her body and the desk, which made the opposite involuntarily swallow.

“Her? I merely accommodate her; what is there to fear?” Zheng Shuyang dismissed the concern.

In the numerous branches of the Sensing Sect, Taiqing lineage’s full name is Supreme Pure Clear Sect, abbreviated as Taiqing Sect.

Relations between men and women within the sect are extremely chaotic.

Often, to cultivate the sect’s techniques, members disregard any status and freely engage in relations.

Feeling is feeling; everything takes ultimate ecstasy as its core.

Contrarily, someone as pure and self-disciplined as Yan Shuang, cultivating alone, is extremely rare.

Yet the rarer something is, the more it is coveted.

If Yan Shuang were not the daughter of King Yan or her mother wasn’t as powerful as Gong Shuyin, someone might have forced her long ago.

“Returning to the topic, according to the arrangements above, we cannot touch this exceptionally talented Zhang the Daoist. As long as we ensure he continues his cultivation smoothly, everything will be resolved.

It’s just that, after all this time, why is there still no movement?” Zheng Shuyang frowned.

“I observe him immersed in solitary cultivation each day; apart from buying medicines for alchemy, he basically does not leave.

Constantly practicing martial arts laboriously, could he have made progress now?” The woman in blue wondered.

“Surely. Judging by his stance in practicing martial arts, with talent and determination, enduring monotony, no wonder he reached such a realm at this age.” Zheng Shuyang sighed.

“A pity, the more he works hard, the bleaker his future becomes. It seems we will soon return to the Great Capital.” The blue-clad woman nodded.

Both felt Zhang Rongfang was certainly doomed this time, without Yue Dewen forbidding his practice of the Golden Toad Skill.

The more one struggles, the bigger the problem that arises.

Yan Shuang also felt regretful that Zhang Ying did not accept her invitation initially.

Otherwise, how could he end up in such a predicament?

Nonetheless, she wondered why Yue Dewen, so concerned about this Daoist, would simply let him leave the Great Capital, out of his sight?

Could it be he thought Zhang Ying would self-consciously listen and not practice the Golden Toad Skill?

’Impossible, upon completion, the Golden Toad Skill greatly aids one’s main martial arts, and speeds up cultivation significantly. Such allure, Zhang Ying cannot resist.’

Yan Shuang’s thoughts flashed in her mind.

But these were not her concerns, so she simply focused on completing the trio’s task.

The three immediately listened to music, organized documents, savored food and drinks, and chatted leisurely, enjoying themselves immensely.

Everyone believed this mission was effortlessly easy; just relish waiting for the target to bring about his own end.

*

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In the blink of an eye, another half month passed….

Inside the same music hall.

The three gathered once more, standing side by side at the window, gazing toward the courtyard of the Far Star Residence, all frowning.

In that direction, they just saw Zhang Rongfang leisurely heading out with two guards.

This guy now had a ruddy, glowing complexion, his physique was much more robust than half a month ago, and he seemed even taller.

By looking at his arm, you could tell it was as thick as an ordinary person’s thigh.

“What’s going on? After taking the medicine, with his talent, he should be starting the third layer now, right? How is he still looking so well?” Zheng Shuyang asked, furrowing his brows.

He once thought himself a prodigy, youthful and rash, he practiced two layers, which indeed made his body stronger, but his overall complexion was weak, and he constantly had a racing heart sensation.

At that time, his face was pale, and white hair began appearing.

Later, he forcibly dispersed his cultivation, sacrificing a small portion of his martial foundation, he recuperated for a long time before recovering his health.

So he knew very well that once the Golden Toad Skill is achieved, one would look pale for half a year, with depleted Qi and blood, and a listless spirit. There’s no covering it up.

Someone like Zhang Ying, who still looks vigorous and even more robust, well, there isn’t a single expert in the Sensing Sect who practiced the Golden Toad Skill that managed that.

“Could it be that he hasn’t practiced at all?” Yan Shuang speculated.

“Impossible, I re-evaluate the places he visits every day from afar, every herb he purchases, I have backup records, it is indeed the recipe for concocting Golden Toad elixirs, no doubt.” The blue-clad woman solemnly stated.

“I also steal glances from afar, he does indeed concoct alchemical pills every day, consuming herbs like running water, could it be that he failed to refine even a single pill?” Yan Shuang speculated again.

“But the alchemy required for the first phase of Golden Toad Skill, Hidden Moon, is quite simple? Any alchemist could easily refine it, right?” The blue-clad woman countered.

Yan Shuang was at a loss.

The three of them fell into thought.

After a while of silence.

“How could Yue Dewen, so assured in letting his closed-door disciple venture out, truly trust that Zhang Ying won’t practice the Golden Toad Skill? What’s his guarantee?” Yan Shuang finally voiced his doubt.

“I’ve considered that too,” Zheng Shuyang nodded, “Miaoyu thinks so too, right?”

“Naturally.” The blue-clad woman nodded, “Looking at it now, perhaps that old Taoist indeed prepared some backup plan, causing Zhang Ying to fail to effectively cultivate so far.”

“At this rate, when can we complete our mission?” Yan Shuang frowned.

“Why not, let’s carefully verify, check the cultivation technique manual?”

“Absolutely! Also, the alchemical refining process, that’s surely crucial, how many good herbs has this guy wasted, not managing to refine even one?? Simply….” Zheng Shuyang agreed.

“I will check if there’s any problem with the herbs.” The blue-clad woman Miaoyu was the first to speak.

“I’ll think of a way to verify the manual.” Yan Shuang said.

“I will observe if there’s any other influencing factor in his daily routine causing cultivation failure.” Zheng Shuyang seriously stated.

The three exchanged glances, feeling the plan was feasible.

“If we still can’t find the reason, at that time, my martial uncle is about to visit Citong, I will personally ask him to intervene, to see what problem this Daoist has.

My martial uncle possesses profound cultivation, even within the Celestial Treasure Palace, he ranks as one of the top masters in alchemy. He will definitely identify the cause!” Zheng Shuyang declared solemnly.

“Yes! Let’s work together!”

Miaoyu extended her hand.

“Let’s work together!” Yan Shuang placed her hand on Miaoyu’s.

Zheng Shuyang also wanted to join in, but Yan Shuang quickly withdrew her hand, leaving him to smile helplessly.

*

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*

Inside Far Star Residence.

Zhang Rongfang carefully applied the three newly accumulated points to the External Medicine usage.

At this moment, the Super Grade External Medicine had already reached the seventh usage.

Such an extent, he could distinctly feel, had increased his strength many times over compared to when he initially set off from Great Capital.

A crackling burst of noise erupted.

His whole body emitted a sound akin to popping beans.

In just two months, he had surpassed years of arduous training by others. Moreover, it wasn’t limited by physical and aptitude limits.

This allowed him to ease quite a bit of the frustration he felt regarding the Golden Toad Skill.

“But it’s still not enough….” He sighed inwardly. Through these trials, Zhang Rongfang could confirm that the Golden Toad Skill indeed couldn’t be used to refine the second layer of pills.

He lifted his head, glancing at Chen Han and Ah Yi, who sat playing chess across from the door.

“You two bullied Ah Er again, leaving him alone to watch over the yard?” He said helplessly.

“He lost the chess game to us, so this doesn’t count as bullying!” Chen Han defended himself.

“Fine, whatever you say. I’m planning to head out, take a stroll around to clear my mind. Anyone want to join?” Zhang Rongfang pondered, thinking of how to leave the three behind.

Meanwhile, he earnestly offered an invitation to join him.

He had made up his mind, if the Golden Toad Skill couldn’t progress, he would investigate the Eastern Sect’s hidden records concerning the Spiritualization Ceremony.

The rest didn’t matter, but the immortality mystery of the Spiritualization Ceremony was something he absolutely had to uncover.

It’s a secret he wasn’t the only one interested in; definitely, other individuals and powers coveted it as well.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been arranged to come here so easily.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep