《Fang Xing's Immortal Cultivation Journey》 Chapter One: Apprenticeship at Qingyun Sect Esteemed Daoist, I beg of you, take me as your disciple. I once hailed from a well-to-do family, but it was slaughtered by evil menthree hundred souls, all lost to the sword, leaving only me and a younger sister, abandoned and alone. I wandered the world, relying on the reputation of the Daoist sect, begging my way here. All I wish for is to join your sect, learn the Dao, and cultivate my skills. If you accept me, I will do everything I can in return In the southern part of the Daanbu region, under the Taihang Mountain range of the Chu Dynasty, stood the majestic gates of the Qingyun Daoist Sect. Hundreds of young people were lined up outside the sects entrance, waiting for a portly Daoist to conduct an inquiry. At the head of the line stood a boy of around ten years old, his face streaked with tears, begging in a pitiful tone. His face was grimy, but his eyes were bright and full of innocence, and his voice carried a sense of sorrow that stirred the heart. The portly Daoist cast a disdainful glance at the boy, squinting as he asked, Do you have a recommendation letter? No the boy answered awkwardly, lowering his head. Do you have any treasures to offer? No Do you possess a rare physique? No With each question, the boys response grew more reluctant, and the Daoist, clearly unimpressed, kicked the boy, sending him tumbling for two full rolls. No recommendation letter? Then you''re a nobody. No treasures? Then youre just a beggar. No rare physique? Then you''re worthless. You, a beggar in ragged clothes, dare to come to our Qingyun Sect to beg for apprenticeship? Open your eyes and lookthis isnt a charity! The long line of people behind them burst into loud laughter, watching the boy with mockery in their eyes. Everyone thought the boy was laughably naive. With nothing to his name, how could he dare to dream of joining Qingyun Sect? Its worth noting that Qingyun Sect was one of the most respected Daoist sects in the Chu Dynasty, with a lineage spanning three thousand years. It had a deep and rich heritage, and its disciples were all exceptional. Just recently, for instance, in the northwest of Chus domain, a band of notorious bandits had been terrorizing the region, unchecked even by the local authorities. Upon hearing of this, a true disciple of Qingyun, Xiao Jianming, took matters into his own hands. Armed with only his sword, he single-handedly infiltrated the bandits stronghold in Yan Valley, where he defeated nine out of the ten infamous bandit leaders with a single strike each, leaving only one to escape. His name quickly became known throughout the Chu Dynasty. This incident had only amplified the Qingyun Daoist Sects reputation among the common folk of Chu. Its fame was now unparalleled. At this very moment, the sect was holding its once-every-decade disciple recruitment ceremony, and countless officials and nobles were sparing no expense to send their children to join. Those with connections used their influence; those with treasures offered them freely. They exhausted every means at their disposal, yet still found the gates of the sect shut to them. But this boy, empty-handed, looking like a beggar, dared to approach the sect seeking apprenticeship. It was nothing short of delusional. After the boy was kicked away, he said nothing. Instead, he silently walked ten paces back, before suddenly jumping up and shouting angrily, You fat pig, with boils on your head and pus oozing from your feet! You dare insult me? With your ugly, stubby figure and pig-like nose, how dare you mock me! I came to Qingyun Sect to see if you were worth it. Now, you dont know any better, but mark my words: One day, Ill burn down your broken temple! You little bastard! How dare you insult me! The portly Daoist was infuriated. He grabbed a long sword nearby and charged at the boy. The boy, seeing him come, immediately turned and fled, weaving through the crowd with surprising agility. The Daoist, unable to catch up, stood still, shaking his sword in frustration while cursing loudly. What was supposed to be a solemn and dignified disciple recruitment ceremony at Qingyun Sect had suddenly turned into a farce, drawing loud laughter from the onlookers. You think Im coming to join your Qingyun Sect because I look up to you? Youd better accept me, or Ill join another sect and cultivate supreme skills. Then, Ill come back and beat all of you, making you cry to your mothers! The boy, seeing the Daoist unable to catch him, grew more arrogant and called out to him in a mocking tone. The portly Daoist was livid, his face turning red. He wanted to chase after the boy, but the crowd was so thick that his plump body couldnt break through easily. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He raised his voice, calling out, Whoever captures this little brat for me and gets him registered first will be rewarded! Upon hearing this, the boy froze in surprise and turned to flee. But the others waiting to register, having heard the Daoist''s words, were immediately tempted. A narrow mountain path was already crowded with thousands of people, and the line had barely moved despite waiting for half a day. Hearing the Daoists offer, many couldnt resist the temptation to catch the boy and avoid the long wait. Others, too, thought that even if they had to grab this boy, it wasnt so bad. After all, getting into the good graces of a Daoist sect disciple was far more important. The boy was slippery and nimble. Four or five young men tried to catch him, but he evaded them easily. Just when he seemed to be about to escape the encircling crowd, a pale-faced young man with cold, calculating eyes suddenly emerged from the crowd. He sneered and said, Youve got some skill, but its not enough to impress me. With that, he swiftly reached out and grabbed the boy by the collar, lifting him off the ground. The boy struggled with all his might, but in the young mans grip, he was like a snake held by its weak pointcompletely unable to escape. "Ah, thank you, brother! May I know your name?" The portly Daoist panted as he ran over, his face full of joy. He hurriedly thanked the young man. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Senior Brother is too kind. I am Hou Qing, merely helping to catch a little rascal. It was no trouble at all," the young man replied politely, bowing respectfully to the Daoist. "Not at all, not at all! I''ll deal with this little brat first, then take you to the front to register," the portly Daoist said with a smile, then turned his gaze to the boy, his eyes flickering with malice. "You, a filthy beggar, dare to insult me, a Daoist disciple? Today, Ill not take your life, but Ill make sure you remember this lesson!" With that, he hopped over, cracking his knuckles and grinning ominously. However, as a Daoist disciple, he naturally couldnt just harm someone at will. Even if the boy was a beggar, a couple of slaps to teach him a lesson would suffice. "Dont dont hurt my young master!" Suddenly, a little girl emerged from the crowd, standing in front of the Daoist, blocking his way. Like the boy, she was filthy, but she appeared to be no older than seven or eight years old. Despite her skinny frame, her features were exceptionally delicate. What stood out the most were her ears, which were slightly pointed, reminiscent of a foxs. Her eyes also glimmered with a strange, greenish hue, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance. It was clear that she wasnt purely human but likely of mixed heritage, possibly a half-blooded barbarian. "You little savage! Didnt I tell you to stay hidden?" The boy, still hanging in the air, immediately yelled at her. "Young master, if I didnt come out, he was going to hit you" the little barbarian girl said, her voice small but persistent, as she held out her arms to block the Daoist. "Im perfectly capable of handling things myself! Get out of the way!" The boy tried to strike a threatening pose, even though it was clear he wasnt very strong, his words carrying more attitude than power. "This little beggar has a barbarian for a servant?" The Daoist looked at the girl, seemingly intrigued and somewhat drooling at her youthful beauty. In this world, those like her were called "barbarians," the lowest of the low. Even the demon race looked down on them, and humans were no better. If they were kept as servants, they were either concubines or lowly slaves. But this beggar child, possessing such a servant, was indeed unusual. "Hmph, dirty, lowly vermin" Hou Qing sneered coldly, and with a swift movement, he kicked the girl aside. The little boy went wild. "You bastard! How dare you bully my little barbarian! Ill slaughter you!" The barbarian girl was kicked away by Hou Qing with such force that she flew more than ten feet before crashing into a tree. Though the young man didnt aim to kill, the girl still lay motionless on the ground, blood trickling from her head. The crowd stood silent, shocked, but no one dared to intervene. After all, she was just a lowly barbarianan insignificant life that no one cared about. "My brother here has always despised these filthy barbarians. I hope you wont find me too harsh, Senior Brother," Hou Qing said, a bit sheepish but still smiling. "Er no problem no problem" The portly Daoist replied, a bit embarrassed, but deep down, he thought Hou Qing was too brutal, though he didnt say it aloud. Meanwhile, the boy still struggled in Hou Qings grip, but no one paid him any mind. "Ah! That little barbarians blood Whats happening?" Suddenly, someone in the crowd gasped in surprise. People turned to look, and they saw blood trickling from the barbarian girls forehead, staining the surrounding grass. To everyones astonishment, the grassalready withered from the autumn chillbegan to slowly revive, with new green shoots sprouting out, as though the plants were coming back to life. The vibrant green leaves seemed almost to glisten, as if they were made of jade and could almost drip with dew. "Wood Spirit Bloodline This little girl actually possesses the rare Wood Spirit Bloodline!" Among the crowd of would-be disciples, many were wealthy or noble, and some had knowledge of rare bloodlines. Immediately, one of them murmured in awe. The crowd buzzed with excitement, some astonished, others disdainful, and still others envious. The Wood Spirit Bloodline was one of the rarest and most extraordinary bloodlines in the world, capable of promoting the growth of plants. Such a bloodline was highly sought after by Daoist sects. The earlier exchange between the Daoist and the boy clearly showed what the sect valued in prospective disciples: either a recommendation letter from someone connected to the sect, wealth and treasures to offer, or a rare physique. The boy had none of these, making him the subject of ridicule. But who would have thought that the boys barbarian servant would possess such a rare and valuable bloodline? Not long after, the whispers spread throughout the crowd, reaching the inner sect and drawing the attention of a high-ranking figure. Before long, the sound of a large birds wings flapping filled the air. A white crane, over ten yards long, soared down from the sky. On its back was a cold-eyed woman in white, accompanied by two young girls with horns on their heads. "Ah, Senior Sister Lingyun, we greet you!" The portly Daoist immediately dropped to his knees, offering a deep bow. The young men around them, though they didnt recognize the woman, hurriedly followed suit, calling her "Senior Sister." Lingyun, the woman in white, paid no attention to the others. Her gaze swept across the crowd, landing on the barbarian girl lying in the grass. She motioned for the crane to land, and she knelt beside the girl. After examining the surrounding grass and smelling the blood on her finger, she nodded with a smile, as though confirming something. "Add this girl to the list of disciples for today," she said calmly, picking the girl up in her arms. "Yes, yes, Senior Sister Lingyun. I understand!" The portly Daoist stammered, bowing deeply. Though the girl was a barbarian, Lingyuns word was law. With that, the girl became an official disciple of Qingyun Sect. The crowd looked on in awe, filled with envy. From a lowly barbarian to a disciple of Qingyun Sect, it was a leap to greatness. Even the boy in Hou Qings grip stared wide-eyed in shock. As Lingyun prepared to leave, holding the girl in her arms, the girl stirred and weakly called out, "Dont hit my young master Dont hit Young Master Fang Xing" Lingyun paused for a moment, then asked indifferently, "Who is Young Master Fang Xing?" The boy, still dumbfounded, raised his hand and shouted, "I Im Young Master Fang Xing! Youll return my servant to me!" Lingyun glanced at him with a faint smile. "From today onwards, shes no longer your servant." With that, she waved her hand and tossed a small jade talisman in his direction. It was a tiny, purple-hued jade pendant, delicate and exquisite. "The Innate Purple Qi Pill" The portly Daoist gasped in shock, unable to suppress his excitement. To help a barbarian servant girl escape her status as a mere servant, she had actually given up such a precious pill? The surrounding disciples, who were all waiting to be accepted, watched in stunned disbelief. Many of them couldnt help but show a greedy gleam in their eyes, as if they wished they could swallow the boy whole. The Innate Purple Qi Pill was a legendary treasure, capable of strengthening the body and improving one''s martial potential. Yet, this priceless item was just casually handed over to a little beggar? How many people, in that very moment, had thoughts of seizing the pill for themselves? The boy stared at the Innate Purple Qi Pill, unable to control the saliva that pooled in his mouth. But when he saw Lingyun, the woman in white, preparing to leave with the barbarian girl, he suddenly snapped out of his daze and shouted, You cant leave! Who said this pill can exchange for my servant? I dont want it! Take the pill back and leave my servant here! "Mm?" Lingyuns gaze turned back, her eyes cold with murderous intent. The boy immediately shut his mouth, too terrified to speak. "I I dont want the pill" The boy, still holding on to a bit of courage, stammered, "Unless unless you take me into your sect" At that moment, the other disciples, who had been silently criticizing the boy for his impudence, suddenly understood what was happening. They realized the boy had been waiting for this very moment. Lingyun was slightly taken aback, then smiled, though her expression was tinged with disdain. She turned to the portly Daoist and said, "Ill take him as well. But his talent is average at best, and his temper is wild. Lets put him to work in the herb garden and let him temper himself there." "Uh Understood, Senior Sister," the portly Daoist replied, a bit stunned. He bowed, though his face held a strange look of uncertainty. Chapter2锛歍he Tenth Bandit Qingyun Mountain, a renowned Taoist sect in the Chu Domain, boasts a rich legacy that spans over three millennia. In the Chu Domain, or perhaps across the entire Southern Continent, disciples of the Qingyun Sect stand as deities atop the mortal realm. The countless sects and factions of the three teachings and nine schools are like insignificant dust in the face of the Taoist disciples. Just three months ago, one of Qingyun Mountain''s true disciples, Xiao Jianming, single-handedly slayed the Nine Great Outlaws of Ghost Smoke Valley with a single sword, leaving only one to flee. The heads of the Nine Outlaws were publicly displayed at the entrance of Ghost Smoke Valley, and Xiao Jianming, ever diligent, was tracking the last outlaw in the Yandang Mountain region. It was said that this final outlaw was the most mysterious one, known only by name, with no one ever having seen his face... Xiao Jianming was confident he would find him and swore to do so. But what no one knew was that this Tenth Outlaw had, three months later, entered the Qingyun Sect as one of Xiao Jianming''s juniors... or perhaps, if a temple boy could be considered a junior. Qingyun Sect only takes in disciples every ten years, and each time, a thousand are selected. However, temple boys are recruited year-round, with their numbers exceeding ten thousand. Nominally, temple boys are also considered disciples of Qingyun Mountain, though they are quite different from regular disciples. Temple boys don''t receive monthly medicinal herbs nor have elders specifically imparting teachings to them. They spend their days doing exhausting menial labor, with only one day off per month. What he received in return was a thin little booklet, titled Qingyun Qi Forging Method. After Fat Taoist led Fang Xing to a row of small wooden houses and handed him over to a young man of around eighteen or nineteen, whose face bore a large black mole, he sneered and passed Fang Xing a bundle of green clothes, a small booklet, and a small wooden tag engraved with a name. "Go ahead and practice. Youve gotten lucky. Senior Sister Lingyun specifically spoke up for you to enter the sect. However, you have neither a letter of recommendation, nor wealth, nor talent. You''ll have to start from the bottom. This Qingyun Qi Forging Method is a secret of our Qingyun Sect, rarely seen by outsiders. Practice it well. Once you reach the first stage of Qi sensitivity with this method, you can become an outer disciple..." With that, the Fat Taoist left. Fang Xing looked at the young man with the large black mole, who was crossing his arms with a displeased expression, and the other young temple boys around him, who were all putting on airs that seemed much older than their actual age. Fang Xing spoke up, "How many stages are you all at?" The young man with the black mole pointed his thumb at himself and said fiercely, "Ive already reached Qi Sensitivity. These others havent even felt a thing!" Fang Xing nodded thoughtfully and asked, "How long have you all been here?" The young man sneered and said, "Ive been here for six years. The others have been here for three." Fang Xing sighed, tossed the booklet aside, and muttered, "Looks like Ive been tricked by that woman." The young man with the black mole paused, surprised. "Which woman are you talking about?" Fang Xing replied, "Lingyun. That woman said she would take me into the sect. Who knew Id end up doing chores? She only gave me this useless booklet. You guys have either been here for seven years or three, and yet, none of you have made any progress. Isn''t this just a scam?" Senior Sister Lingyun? The young man with the black mole was taken aback, rushing up to grab Fang Xing by the collar and growling, "Shut your mouth! Dont bring misfortune upon yourself. If anyone hears you cursing Senior Sister Lingyun like that, not only will you be in trouble, but even well be affected! Remember thisonce you enter the medicinal fields here, youll follow my orders. If I tell you to go east, you dont go west. If I tell you to catch bugs, you cant chase chickens..." "Right, right. From now on, youll be the one to empty the latrine. And youll carry the water every day, filling up the water jars..." A freckled young temple boy chimed in, likely the one who had been tasked with the latrine and water duties before. "Hmph, and from now on, youll be the one to wash the clothes, until new people arrive!" Another somewhat fair-skinned temple boy added, obviously the one in charge of laundry. Fang Xing looked at each of them, nodded thoughtfully, and said, "So, youre bullying me, huh..." The young man with the black mole sneered, "And what if we are?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. With that, he slammed his fist down on a nearby table with a loud bang, veins bulging on his arm as he looked fierce and threatening. "You want to hit me? I can scream, you know..." Fang Xing pretended to be terrified, as though he was about to scream at the slightest touch. The young man with the black mole sneered and said, "Dont be afraid. Were not going to touch you now, but when night falls and the door is closed, heh, there will only be the few of us within a ten-mile radius. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will care..." "Right, right. Every three months, a senior brother from the medicinal department comes to inspect, but for the rest of the time, this place is ours. Even if you report us, the senior brothers wont bother. They wont waste their time on this, and your days will be miserable. Once you become a Dao child, youll have to stay here for at least ten years before you can leave the mountain..." The freckled young temple boy excitedly threatened Fang Xing, seeming a bit too eager, as if it was his first time threatening someone. "Oh, brothers, Im just an honest man. Ill do whatever you say..." Fang Xing suddenly became submissive, looking pitiful as he begged for mercy from the older boys. "Haha, a softie!" The young man with the black mole and the others laughed, clearly accustomed to dealing with such people. The medicinal fields were vast and unique. Even in late autumn, when the surrounding area seemed lifeless, these fields remained lush and green, a testament to the Daoist sects skill. On his first day, Fang Xing took on the hardest task in the medicinal fields. Together with the black mole youth, six people were responsible for tending to the fields within a ten-mile radius. The freckled boy took it upon himself to instruct Fang Xing on what to dowatering, weeding, catching pests, and loosening the soil. The medicinal plant called Qingruihua needed to be watered at the hour of the rooster at night, and another plant, Mo Ling Grass, required watering at dawn when the dew had formed... Fang Xing learned quickly and had a very good attitude. After dinner in the evening, he carried a full bucket of water and even soaked the other boys'' dirty clothes in it, promising to wash them all together that night and hang them out to dry so they would be ready to wear the next day. The other Dao children were quite satisfied with Fang Xings performance and proudly patted their chests, promising to guide his cultivation well. Fang Xing smiled brightly and said, "Okay, okay, thank you, senior brothers!" That night, after the Dao children had fallen asleep, the entire Qingyun Mountain fell into silence. Fang Xing quietly took out a sharp dagger from his bundle. It looked very sharp, with a brass-inlaid edge, and the blade was still unstained with blood. It had been given to him by his third uncle, who also taught him a set of knife techniquesclose combat, treacherous and devious. His bundle also contained many other useful items: a cloth tiger from his eldest uncle, medicine for wounds from his second uncle, a smoke flask that could release smoke from his fourth uncle, a pouch of iron needles from his fifth uncle, a wild ginseng from his sixth uncle, a wine gourd from his eighth uncle... and most importantly, a book from his ninth uncle. As for the gold leaves his third uncle gave him, they had been spent on purchasing a maid when they were on the road. All these items were originally carried by Xiao Man, but after Xiao Man fainted, the bundle was left behind, and Fang Xing retrieved it. Staring at the contents of his bundle, Fang Xing was momentarily lost in thought, then quickly tied it up again. With the dagger in hand, he silently approached the black mole youths bed and whispered, Brother Wang Zhi, Brother Wang Zhi The black mole youth snored lightly, and it took Fang Xing three tries to wake him up. Disrupted from his sweet dreams, the youth angrily shouted, What do you want in the middle of the night? Are you looking for death? Fang Xing grinned and replied, Youre the one looking for death! With that, he stabbed the dagger down, burying it to the hilt. "Ah..." The black-spot youth screamed like a slaughtered pig, but as soon as he let out a sound, Fang Xing covered his mouth. He listened carefully to the surroundings. Good, it was quietindeed, there was no one for miles. Wang Zhi tried to struggle, but the knife was stuck in his stomach, seemingly pinned to the bed. He dared not move, for every movement sent sharp pain through him. The other people in the room were all awakened. In a panic, they quickly lit the oil lamps and immediately saw Fang Xing standing beside Wang Zhi''s bed, holding a knife and stabbing it into Wang Zhi''s stomach, his face twisted in a grimace. The timid little freckled boy immediately screamed in fright. "If you don''t want to die, shut your mouth!" Fang Xing whispered harshly. His voice, still sounding youthful, was now chilling and sinister. The little freckled boy immediately stopped his screams, but liquid began to seep through his pants. Fang Xing slowly pulled the knife out of Wang Zhis stomach, allowing Wang Zhi to writhe on the bed in agony, clutching his stomach like a large shrimp. Fang Xing then walked slowly between the other disciples. Every time he looked at one of them, they trembled in fear. The timid little freckled boy had already covered his head with the blanket, making muffled sobbing sounds, though it was barely audible, like a ghost. "I''ve always been the one bullying others. No one dares to bully me. You guys sure have guts..." Fang Xing swung the knife in front of each of the disciples: "I''ll make one thing clear. From today on, Im the boss here. If I tell someone to go east, they better not go west. If I tell someone to catch bugs, they better not chase chickens. Otherwise... Heh heh, this knife in my hand doesnt recognize anyone. With your worthless lives, killing you would be no different than swatting a fly. Do you know who my sister is?" "Shes a close confidante of Senior Sister Lingyun! Go ask around, you blind fools!" Fang Xings voice echoed in the cabin, and no one dared to respond. After all, the knife was right in front of them... "Fang Xing..." "What did you call me?" "Ah... Boss Fang, please help Brother Wang Zhi with the bandaging. He... hes going to die..." Fang Xing glanced at Wang Zhi, who was curled up on the bed, silent. He chuckled sinisterly, twirling the knife in his hand before sheathing it, disdainfully saying, "Hes not going to die. My third uncle taught me that if the knife enters from the diaphragm and exits through the foot-arch point, it wont damage the internal organs, so he wont die. But if my hand slips and I miss, then thats another story. Whos going to bandage him?" Chapter3锛歍he Yin-Yang Divine and Demonic Mirror "The scorching sun, life is so dull..." It was midday, the hottest time of the day, and Fang Xing sat with his legs crossed in a lounge chair inside a grass hut. From a distance, Wang Zhi and the others were busy in the medicinal field. Some herbs had to be dewormed during the peak of midday sun because that was when the flowers of the plants would naturally open, allowing the parasites inside the petals to be caught. Fang Xing, the boss of the third medicinal field, naturally didnt have to do such menial labor. Ever since the night he stabbed Wang Zhi, Fang Xing had become the lord of the third medicinal field. Even his smelly socks were now washed and hung up neatly for him every day. Wang Zhi had thought of seeking revenge. The next day, he looked at Fang Xing with hostility. But Fang Xing only smiled and, once again, stabbed him in the thigh. From that moment on, Wang Zhi had completely surrendered. The strong fear the ruthless! Although Wang Zhi was considered the boss of the third medicinal field, he only bullied the younger disciples around him. He had never truly fought with anyone before. It should be noted that, although he was a disciple, he came from a family with three generations of good reputation, which was why he had been selected. Looking back three generations of his ancestors, not one of them was as ruthless as Fang Xing, and it wasnt even a competition. As for the others, they had completely submitted that night. Little Freckle, for example, still trembled whenever he saw Fang Xing. After sitting idly for a while, Fang Xing grew bored and once again started flipping through the "ƶƪ" (Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter). But after a while, he shook his head and closed it. It was useless. He had tried the cultivation method described in the book, but he couldnt feel any of the so-called spiritual energy. After three tries, Fang Xing concluded that the book was nonsense. It wasnt just himthe others in the third medicinal field couldn''t sense any spiritual energy either. Even Wang Zhi, who claimed to have sensed "qi," was only lying to boast. Fang Xing had already forced him to admit the truth. However, Fang Xing hadnt discarded the book. After all, Wang Zhi and the others had said that, out of ten thousand disciples, there were always one or two who cultivated the spiritual energy described in the book and became outer disciples of Qingyun Mountain. Such people were rare, but the rumors had spread every year. It couldnt all be a lie. "Maybe Im just not cut out for cultivation..." Fang Xing sighed and shook his head, thinking to himself that the Daoist sects indeed valued aptitude. And it made senseaptitude was important after all. Fang Xing, abandoning any further attempts at studying the Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter, took out the small purple-covered booklet from his bundle. This booklet had been given to him by his Ninth Uncle, and it was the same book that had brought about the destruction of Ghost Smoke Valley. That night, Xiao Jianming, riding an iron eagle, descended from the sky, wielding a cold and eerie flying sword, and wiped out the 300 fierce bandits of Ghost Smoke Valley without a trace. The only one who escaped was himself, the little bandit. Xiao Jianming had always thought the tenth bandit who escaped was just another strong man like the others. He probably never considered that it was a mere ten-year-old child... It was precisely because he was a child that, when the others had resolved to fight to the death, Ninth Uncle had given him this book to keep safe, then tossed him into a secret passage. Fang Xing had fled without hesitation, running as fast as he could. He knew full well that he wasnt a match for the cold and ruthless man on the iron eagle, and even the eagle under his feet could kill him with a single claw... On the cover of the purple booklet were five ancient seal characters. Fang Xing, having studied ancient seal script with his Ninth Uncle, recognized the five words: Yin Yang Divine Demon Mirror. However, when he opened it, the pages were completely blank. He held it up to the sunlight, but nothing changed. He was certain this was not an empty book. Otherwise, Ghost Smoke Valley wouldnt have suffered such a disaster. "Could it be that the characters were written with some kind of special ink, like the treasure maps my Second Uncle used to trick the fat sheep?" Fang Xing wondered, but then he felt that wasnt quite right. Those kinds of inks had time limits, but this book clearly had an ancient aura, and such old marks couldnt be faked. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. As he thought this, Fang Xing placed the book on top of the Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter that was spread across his lap. He sighed deeply, feeling that his journey was long and full of hardships. He had almost no hope of revenge. But just then, as he lowered his head, he suddenly froze in shock. He looked in amazement as a faint line of text appeared on the Yin Yang Divine Demon Mirror as though it was manifesting out of thin air. "Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter, Qi Condensation Stage cultivation method, refining essence into qi, can achieve divine powers..." "Are you kidding me..." Fang Xing abruptly straightened his back, staring dumbfounded at the few lines of text on the page. On the blank pages of the book, the description of the Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter materialized. Though not detailed, it consisted of just a few lines that briefly outlined the purpose and principles of the Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter, even pointing out some of its shortcomings in the cultivation method. Fang Xing stared blankly for a long while, then lifted the Yin Yang Divine Demon Mirror book. Sure enough, the text quickly vanished. He placed the book back down, and as it came into contact with the Qingyun Qi Refining Chapter, the text appeared once more. Fang Xing was filled with excitement. He quickly looked around and, after some thought, placed the half-eaten watermelon next to the book. No reaction... "Could it be too ordinary?" He rummaged around, and then suddenly remembered the smoke flask he had in his pocket. His Fourth Uncle had told him it was a treasure. The mist it released could overwhelm most people and even topple a cow. He placed the flask on the book, and after a moment, faint writing appeared: "Magic item, capable of storing mist, not a rankable item..." Just these ten simple words appeared, and after waiting a long while, no more text followed. "So it''s a magic item... this really is a good treasure. Fourth Uncle is definitely the most reliable of the nine uncles, even though he''s a bit... well..." Fang Xing muttered to himself, trying a few more items but finding no further responses from the book. "Fang Laoda, it''s scorching today. How about some wine to beat the heat?" From a distance, Wang Zhi came over, wiping his hands and calling out. After taking two knife wounds, Wang Zhi completely surrendered to Fang Xing, and their relationship gradually improved. As he put it, You dont know someone until youve fought them. Even though hed been stabbed twice, he had come to know a true heroone who was only ten years old. Fang Xing, without showing any emotion, tucked the book away and jokingly scolded, Damn you, all you think about is drinking. Have you finished your work yet? Almost. The others can finish up the rest. Im off to buy some wine! Wang Zhi replied, walking over and grabbing a piece of watermelon to eat, but he didn''t move from his spot. Youre a poor bastard, how much silver do you even have? Fang Xing scoffed, tossing a piece of silver at him. And make sure to get some pigs head meat too! Got it! Wang Zhi grinned, pocketing the silver, tossing the watermelon aside, and sprinting down the mountain. Although the medicinal herb fields were the property of the Daoist sect, the ones in charge of managing them were all Daoist novices, essentially just commoners doing manual labor. Therefore, alcohol and meat werent forbidden. In fact, there was a small town located a few miles downhill, where a variety of goods could be purchasedalthough it was slightly more expensive than in regular markets. The main customers were the Daoist novices who managed the herb fields. Fang Xing wasnt the type to be cruel for no reason. When it was time to give a little reward, he did so. For example, he often treated the others to drinks. The Daoist novices earned a modest wage of three or two silver coins a month. Before Fang Xing arrived, all the wages went to Wang Zhi. But after Fang Xing showed up, those wages became his. However, Fang Xing wasnt one to hoard wealth. Though he took the money for himself, he used it to buy food and drinks for everyone to share, unlike Wang Zhi, who used to lock himself up and enjoy it all alone. To put it simply, he took this money just to assert his dominance. After Wang Zhi left, Fang Xing resumed contemplating the "Yin-Yang Divine Demon Mirror" book. The more he thought about it, the more curious it seemed. He speculated that this book likely possessed some kind of identification ability, though not everything could be identified. Based on his current experiments, it seemed to work only on things related to the Daoist sect or those with spiritual properties, like cultivation techniques and enchanted artifacts... "Ugh, useless... Am I supposed to become a treasure appraiser or something?" Fang Xing pondered for a while, feeling a bit disheartened. No matter how powerful this book was, it didnt seem very useful to him. "Hehe, Ive gathered a few more ''Bedroom Treasures''. If I sell them, itll be another little fortune" At that moment, a cheerful voice echoed from a distanceit was Xiao Queban and Diaosi Gui returning. Xiao Queban was holding a few vibrant, purplish-green herbs, grinning proudly. These were companion plants in the spiritual herb field, called "Huajing Grass," also known as "Bedroom Treasure." It was considered a weed in the spiritual fields, and once found, it had to be removed, as it had little use for cultivators. However, it was quite valuable for those in the mortal realm. The herb had the ability to transform blood into essence, and consuming it would enhance physical strengthmaking a person feel as powerful as a dragon or tiger. This concept should be familiar, right? Because of its effects, people in the mortal world highly valued this herb, and the herbal disciples often sold it off when they harvested it. "Transform blood into essence... refine essence into energy..." Fang Xing didnt pay much attention at first. He was only concerned with the herb because his fourth uncle liked it. But suddenly, something clicked. He shot upright, his eyes fixed on Xiao Queban. "Fang Laoda... I wasnt slacking off..." Xiao Queban startled, almost slipping to the ground in fear. Diaosi Gui also jumped in shock, thinking they had done something to anger Fang Xing. He froze, not daring to move. "Give me that thing." Xiao Queban froze, trembling as he handed it over. Fang Xing snatched the "Huajing Grass" from Xiao Quebans hand, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly popped it into his mouth, chewing it down in large bites.