Chapter 58: 57 Temporary Parting I

Inside the room.

Zhang Rongfang closed the door behind him and first lightly took an oil cloth to carefully polish the Wheel of Separation Aspiration placed on the wooden stand.

Bright sunlight streamed through the window, landing on the sharp edge of the aspiration wheel, reflecting a faint silvery cold light.

Soon, he finished polishing and placed the aspiration wheel back onto the wooden stand.

Then he closed his eyes.

The attribute panel floated out again.

’Zhang Rongfang—Life 25-26.

Skill: Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual – Mountain-shaped Talisman (Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Heavy Mountain, five times),

Void Observation Skill (First Layer Essence Orifice).

Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill (First Layer Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Ground.)

Morning Energy Talisman (Limit-Breaking)

Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada (First Layer Limit-Breaking)

One Element Talisman (Perfect)

Fusion Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Step Heavy Mountain.

Available Attributes: 2.’

“Too slow…” he sighed, comparing himself to the previous speed of one point every ten days, feeling the hardship.

If it takes two months to gain one point, how long will it take to fully learn the Five Categories of Talismans?

Putting aside distractions, he imagined lightly clicking the plus sign behind the One Element Talisman.

Hiss.

The two attribute points transformed to zero.

The brackets behind the One Element Talisman blurred suddenly, and new text soon appeared.

’(Limit-Breaking)’.

At the same time, a vast amount of memory from practicing and understanding the One Element Talisman surged into Zhang Rongfang’s mind.

His body trembled slightly, all the muscles rapidly shook, pores secreting a great deal of sweat.

The body was becoming more solid, weight gradually increasing, the arms and torso becoming more balanced and streamlined.

The One Element Talisman primarily enhanced the strength of the upper limbs, so the attribute limit-breaking resulted in the most significant changes in the upper body.

The changes continued for roughly ten minutes before slowly calming down.

When it completely stopped, Zhang Rongfang was already soaked.

He stood there, carefully feeling the changes in his body.

Then closed his eyes and looked at the current attribute panel.

’Zhang Rongfang—Life 25-26.

Skill: Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual – Mountain-shaped Talisman (Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Heavy Mountain, ten times),

Void Observation Skill (First Layer Essence Orifice).

Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill (First Layer Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Ground.)

Morning Energy Talisman (Limit-Breaking)

Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada (First Layer Limit-Breaking)

One Element Talisman (Limit-Breaking)

Fusion Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Step Heavy Mountain.

Available Attributes: 0.’

“No major changes elsewhere, except for Heavy Mountain… its usage changed from five times to ten times.”

He raised his hand, gently clenched his fist, feeling the power in his palm increase significantly.

If the strength increase for breaking the first limit was 10, then breaking the second limit made it 8.

Now breaking the third limit in talisman technique, it was 6.

’A fairly balanced increase rate.’

Zhang Rongfang casually threw a few punches, clearly feeling a substantial increase in his speed and strength.

He also tried body techniques, which showed some improvement, albeit minimal.

It’s likely because the One Element Talisman doesn’t primarily enhance body techniques.

The improvement in body technique speed was thus primarily due to the breakthrough, indirectly increasing speed.

After a series of tests, Zhang Rongfang satisfactorily changed his clothes and wiped his body with a damp towel.

Then he went to the courtyard to wash his hair.

Without a hairdryer, he could only wring his hair dry as much as possible with a dry towel and let it hang behind.

Standing in the courtyard, blown by the wind, he recalled the insights gained from just breaking the limit of the One Element Talisman.

Now the time is about right; he should go for a re-evaluation.

Once rated at Second Category, applying for an external position would be easier, and through Li Huoyun’s path, he might escape the circle of Great Dao Teaching.

Zhang Rongfang had thought carefully about it. Promotion within Great Dao Teaching is too slow.

However, if he goes to the government office, especially where there are many cases, like in criminal investigations, risks and opportunities coexist.

Opportunities to achieve merit are abundant.

This aligns with his original plan.

*

*

*

Great Capital.

The rain drizzled, water vapor rising.

North District, Peak Sect.

Before a luxurious mansion with red walls, yellow tiles, and glazed windows, the main gate slowly opened.

A middle-aged woman with an expressionless face walked out from the mansion, accompanied by several maids and servants.

The woman turned back, giving the mansion’s plaque one last look with a wooden expression.

“I didn’t expect that I, Shalohale, would fall to this day….”

Her eyes flashed with a trace of unwillingness, a flash of dimness, a hint of resentment.

But more evidently was the seven parts of desolation.

“Madam….” the old servant beside her wanted to say something but stopped, sighed, yet said nothing.

He silently opened the oil-paper umbrella in his hand, shielding her from the drizzle.

“It’s okay, the Geta family’s daughter isn’t easily defeated by such things. It’s just a mere man!”

The woman took the oil-paper umbrella, walked down the steps with large strides, and got onto the double-horse carriage waiting at the door.

The other servants followed suit, accompanying the carriage as it drove away into the distance.

Inside the residence, by the edge of the third-floor balcony.

A tall man with an ugly face gently held the slender woman in his arms, watching the carriage leave.

“Husband…it’s all my fault…if it weren’t for me seeking your help before…perhaps the first wife wouldn’t have left…”

The woman’s eyebrows were filled with sorrow, her eyes about to shed tears.

“It’s not your fault, Xiaoyu.” A dark red birthmark was clearly visible on the man’s face.

He tenderly embraced the woman’s slender waist, his expression gentle.

“That vicious woman actually schemed to kill our child! If not for the past feelings, if not for you trying so hard to stop me that night, I would have killed her on the spot!”

“Husband…” Xiaoyu’s face showed deep emotion.

“Why couldn’t fate let us meet earlier…if only I met you earlier, Xiaoyu, how wonderful it would be…”

“It’s okay…we will surely be happier in the future…now my uncle has agreed to support me in being recommended to the court; the gifts sent out before were not in vain.” The man gently embraced her, softly comforting.

“Hmm.”

Zhang Rongyu buried her head in the man’s arms, a hint of guilt eventually flashing in her eyes.

She was not actually pregnant; she just used a special drug to make her pulse seem like she was pregnant.

The purpose was actually to drive away her husband’s first wife, Shalohale.

The first wife was too domineering, for the sake of her future children, and for her own future peace, she had no choice…

If the first wife did not leave, she and her children might have to live under the other’s oppression all their lives.

Looking at the carriage gradually disappearing into the distance, an indescribable expression appeared in Zhang Rongyu’s eyes.

“Don’t blame me…blame the helpless world we live in…”

She felt a bit guilty for deceiving her husband too.

But it doesn’t matter…she will definitely treat her husband doubly well in the future. They will definitely live a happier life.

“Xiaoyu, I listened to you last time and went to E Lun Mansion to visit, and it actually worked. He agreed to be my second recommender. Then, according to your analysis, what should we do next?” The man asked deeply.

Zhang Rongyu collected her thoughts and began to carefully inquire about E Lun and her husband’s reactions during their conversation and the details discussed.

She had dabbled in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was young, and her poetry and lyrics were equally good. If it weren’t for Great Spirit abolishing the imperial examination, she might have earned some fame by just sitting for the exams.

And before, she managed to survive and protect herself while safeguarding her only younger brother in society.

It was not just her looks she relied on.

At this time, her wisdom and strategy provided tremendous help to her husband.

The two nestled together, quietly analyzing the current situation, the circumstances, searching for opportunities for further advancement.

From time to time, Zhang Rongyu’s mind flashed with the image of her brother, Zhang Rongfang.

There was still no news from Huaxin County, which made her increasingly worried.

Fortunately, a few days ago, she had spent money to hire new people to find out that Zhang Rongfang had previously apprenticed under Zhang Xuan at Qinghe Palace.

It seemed he was likely safe.

After this period, when the crucial moment for her husband passes, she plans to go personally to find her brother.

*

*

*

Several days later.

In Tan Yang, at Mingjing Palace.

Inside the Spirit Official Hall, the old Daoist responsible for assessment held a record book, watching the two people on the stage sparring.

Both had robust physiques.

One, however, carried a somewhat scholarly demeanor, evidently Zhang Rongfang, here for a second-level assessment.

The other was the rotating Void Daoist here for assessment.

The two’s fists and palms clashed, the fierce sounds of blood and flesh collisions echoed continuously within the temple.

In the ring.

On the surface, the second-grade Void Daoist continued his strong attacks, appearing dominant.

But in actuality, no matter how he attacked, he couldn’t do anything to Zhang Rongfang opposite him.

Zhang Rongfang’s steps were steady, his hands continuously warding off and dismantling moves, performing effortlessly.

Finally, after fifty moves.

“Stop!” The old Daoist promptly spoke.

The two on the stage immediately separated.

Zhang Rongfang clasped his hands warmly, “Thank you, Brother Void, for your guidance.”

The Void Daoist nodded, didn’t say much, turned and left the stage.

At twenty-seven years old, still remaining in the second-grade, able to only draw with this young junior, he felt downcast, unwilling to speak, and hurriedly jumped off the stage.

“Second-grade assessment successful. Congratulations, Nephew Zhang Ying.” The old Daoist recorded the details in the book.

“As a second-grade, you can now participate in job assessments at various departments in Tan Yang. If passed, you can be employed.”

The officials of Great Spirit mainly come from several sources.

First is inheritance.

That means whatever position the father holds, the son holds as well.

Second is recommendation.

Recommended by famous elders or high-ranking officials, reaching three recommenders allows for appointment as a scattered official by the court, awaiting a functional role.

A scattered official is someone with a rank but without a position vacancy for assignment.

Third is departmental self-assessment.

This is for individuals from martial sects and guilds, established to recruit people with true skills.

Many martial arts practitioners, foreign scholars, and foreigners beyond Great Spirit are appointed through this channel.

“In Tan Yang, many departments are short on martial positions. Entering as a second-grade can generally secure a small position. It’s a decent start,” the old Daoist smiled.

“Thank you for the guidance, Uncle,” Zhang Rongfang saluted.

Now that he has reached the second-grade, he has truly escaped the possibility of being driven away.

It’s known that in Mingjing Palace, if one cannot reach the second-grade by the age of twenty-three or spend five years without entering the second-grade,

they will be assigned to different regional divisions.

“Since you are now a second-grade, you can choose to formally apprentice for true transmission,” the old Daoist gently said, “Have you thought about which master to apprentice under?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep