Chapter 344 - 341: Exchanging Secret Manuals
Chapter 344: Chapter 341: Exchanging Secret Manuals
Two days later, the majestic mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect came into view.
Fang Han, dressed in a green robe, calmly stepped onto the familiar green stone steps.
On both sides of the mountain path, the ancient trees were bare, their withered branches covered in a thin layer of white frost that glistened coldly in the afternoon sun.
It was deep winter. The wind was bitingly cold, and every breath turned to mist.
The disciples he encountered along the way still stopped in their tracks to bow respectfully.
However, compared to the pure reverence of the past, Fang Han keenly sensed that in the downcast eyes of some disciples, there were hints of more complex emotions—curiosity, scrutiny, and even a faint trace of doubt.
Faint whispers drifted to his ears on the wind.
"Senior Brother Fang is back..."
"He looks the same as always."
"Those rumors... they can’t be true. Ever since Senior Brother Fang joined the sect, when has he ever bullied his peers?"
"Exactly. The Gong Family was digging its own grave. Gong Xing hired killers first; he had it coming."
"Someone’s probably just jealous of Senior Brother Fang’s reputation and is deliberately trying to slander him."
The voices were kept low, carrying clear tones of disbelief and a desire to defend him.
Fang Han’s expression remained unchanged and his gaze fixed forward, his pace unwavering. Inwardly, however, he felt a flicker of warmth.
’It seems most disciples in the sect still trust me,’ he thought. ’The rumors have started, but they aren’t enough to sway their judgment.’
Upon returning to Courtyard No. 35, Qiu Lan learned of Fang Han’s return and rushed to greet him with the courtyard servants.
"Senior Brother, you’re back."
Her expression was as deferential as ever, but a closer look revealed a hint of unspoken worry in her eyes.
"Mm."
Fang Han gave a slight nod and walked straight into the courtyard.
The courtyard was spotless, and a few hardy plants stood tall in a corner, adding a splash of green to the desolate winter scenery.
When he reached the sitting room, Qiu Lan served hot tea.
Fang Han sat down and took a sip, the warm tea dispelling the chill from his journey.
He set down his teacup, looked at Qiu Lan standing attentively to the side, and said calmly,
"If you have something to say, just say it."
He had already noticed her hesitant expression.
Qiu Lan bit her lip and said in a low voice, "Senior Brother, while you were away these past few days, some... some unpleasant rumors have been circulating in the sect."
"About me?" Fang Han raised his eyes.
"Yes." Qiu Lan nodded, her face a mixture of indignation and worry.
"I don’t know where they started, but they’re saying that you... you used your strength to bully the weak, that you annihilated the entire Gong Family to seize their wealth."
"They’re also saying the same thing about... about the Lin Family in Liangshui City. The rumors are so detailed, a lot of disciples are talking about it in private."
Fang Han tapped his fingers twice on the smooth pearwood armrest, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
He raised his eyes and looked at Qiu Lan calmly.
"I’m already aware. I heard the rumors on my way back. There’s no need to worry."
He paused in thought for a moment before continuing.
"Go to Tingyu Hall now. Find the steward on duty and, in my name, request their assistance in investigating the source of these rumors. Have them focus on..."
He paused, a nearly imperceptible glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.
"...the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, especially its Young Master of the Tower, Wan Yuntian."
Qiu Lan’s spirits rose, and she immediately bowed.
"Yes, I understand. I’ll go at once."
She was inwardly alarmed. ’Senior Brother already has a suspect, and he’s pointing directly at the famous Young Master of the Tower from the Ten Thousand Treasures Building.’
’This is more complicated than it seems.’
After Qiu Lan took her leave and hurried off, Fang Han sat alone in the hall, his fingers unconsciously caressing the warm teacup as his thoughts began to churn.
According to Lan Yuexin, it was highly likely that Wan Yuntian was the one spreading the rumors, but Fang Han remained cautious.
To avoid being used as someone’s pawn, he had to find out for certain if Wan Yuntian was behind this before making any further moves.
About an hour later, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, followed by a maid’s voice.
"Senior Brother, Steward Zhou Heng is here to see you."
Fang Han rose to greet him.
Steward Zhou Heng entered with a beaming smile, holding a wooden tray covered with red silk.
"True Inheritor Fang, you’re finally back! This month’s resource allotment should have been delivered long ago, but since you hadn’t returned, I had to hold on to it for you. I heard you came back to the sect today, so I hurried over to deliver it."
Zhou Heng’s tone was effusive as he placed the wooden tray on the table.
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou. You didn’t have to come all this way yourself."
Fang Han said, cupping his hands in thanks.
"It’s my duty, my duty."
Zhou Heng smiled and lifted the red silk, revealing the items on the tray.
There was a simple, ancient Inheritance Jade Inkstone and three exquisite Jade Bottles with a lustrous sheen. Their surfaces were embossed with cloud patterns that seemed to faintly glow.
"True Inheritor Fang, please take out your Identity Token."
Steward Zhou Heng gestured.
Fang Han took out his Token and handed it over.
Zhou Heng placed the Token in the groove of the Jade Inkstone. After a moment, the inkstone flashed with a faint light.
"Sixth on the overall leaderboard. This month’s reward is still twenty-three thousand Contribution Points. They’ve been transferred, please check."
He handed the Token back.
Fang Han accepted it and infused a trace of Inner Qi. The Token flashed, displaying a number: 71,000.
He had spent two thousand Contribution Points last month, leaving him with forty-eight thousand. Adding this month’s twenty-three thousand brought the total to exactly seventy-one thousand.
For a disciple who had joined the sect less than two years ago, this was an astonishing amount.
Even many senior Stewards, after years of accumulation, might not have amassed so many Contribution Points.
"As for the special resource allotment..."
Zhou Heng’s voice grew solemn.
"This month, it’s three bottles of Soul Condensing Pills."
’Soul Condensing Pills.’
Fang Han’s gaze fell upon the three Jade Bottles.
Earth Spirit Pills nurtured Inner Qi, and Vajra Pills strengthened the body. Both benefited the aspects of "Essence" and "Qi."
The Soul Condensing Pill, however, as its name implied, was a precious elixir that nourished and fortified the soul, stabilizing the mind. It directly addressed the aspect of "Spirit."
In the cultivation of the Martial Dao, there were Body Hardening Techniques to temper the flesh and Inner Power Heart Methods to accumulate Inner Qi. But for the tempering and enhancement of one’s mind and will, there were no specialized Cultivation Techniques to follow—at least, none that Fang Han had ever heard of.
A Martial Artist’s mental fortitude depended mostly on innate talent, tempering through experience, and the natural nourishment that came with advancing one’s Cultivation Realm.
But the Soul Condensing Pill could directly and effectively nurture the soul through external means. In a way, its value surpassed even "conventional" precious resources like the Earth Spirit Pill and the Vajra Pill.
For a Martial Artist aspiring to the Grandmaster Realm, this elixir was a priceless treasure.
"This elixir is extremely difficult to concoct. The primary ingredients are rare, and the success rate is low, so the sect’s annual production is severely limited."
"In terms of rarity, it surpasses even the Earth Spirit Pill and Vajra Pill. It’s best if you use it yourself rather than trading it away."
Zhou Heng advised.
"Thank you for the information, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han accepted the three Jade Bottles solemnly. They were cool to the touch, and he could feel the strange spiritual energy contained within the elixirs.
"You’re too kind, True Inheritor Fang."
Zhou Heng smiled. Having completed his errand, he exchanged a few more pleasantries and then rose to take his leave.
After seeing Zhou Heng off, Fang Han returned to his Quiet Chamber and carefully stored the three bottles of Soul Condensing Pills.
The Medicinal Power of this elixir was unique; it had to be consumed and refined when one’s mind was calm and undisturbed. Now was not the right time.
He picked up his Identity Token again, infused a wisp of Inner Qi, and watched the number "71,000" materialize on its surface as his mind began to race.
’It’s already the twelfth month, and the year is drawing to a close. The sect will be on holiday soon...’
Fang Han muttered to himself.
By tradition, on the twenty-fifth of the last month, disciples were permitted to leave the sect and return home. That day was not far off. It was time to redeem some Cultivation Techniques for his family and bring them home.
Without further delay, Fang Han left his courtyard and headed for the Library Pavilion.
The Library Pavilion was still filled with the faint scent of ink and old scrolls.
Fang Han went straight to the third floor.
The one on duty on the third floor was the same middle-aged steward as before, a man with a lean face and a scholarly air.
In such an important place, to prevent the theft of manuals, the selection of personnel had to be handled with extreme care. The guards had to be absolutely trustworthy, which was why their positions were not often changed.
This was true for the middle-aged steward before him, and it was also true for Elder Mo on the floor above.
"True Inheritor Fang, what kind of Cultivation Technique are you looking for today?"
Upon seeing Fang Han, a flash of surprise crossed the middle-aged steward’s eyes, quickly replaced by a warm, enthusiastic smile.
If any of the ordinary disciples who came here to select techniques were to see this, they would be stunned. The steward who was normally aloof and paid them no mind was showing a completely different side.
"Thank you, Steward. I’d like to redeem a few Cultivation Techniques for my family."
Fang Han explained his purpose and handed over his Identity Token.
"Redeeming for your family? I trust True Inheritor Fang is aware that the Contribution Point cost for family-use techniques is a hundred times higher?"
the middle-aged steward asked obsequiously as he accepted the Token.
"I am aware."
Fang Han said with a nod.
"Does True Inheritor Fang have any particular focus for the Martial Arts he wishes to redeem?"
the middle-aged steward asked.
"I want to redeem two Middle Grade Inner Power Heart Methods and three Middle Grade Martial Techniques. For the Inner Power, one should focus on building a solid, stable foundation, while the other should prioritize cultivation speed or explosive power."
"For the Martial Techniques, one Swordsmanship, one Saber Technique, and one Fist and Palm technique. They need to be suitable for the family’s Martial Artists to cultivate and easy to learn."
Fang Han had clearly given this some thought, as he quickly laid out his requirements.
"True Inheritor Fang has considered this thoroughly."
The middle-aged steward offered his praise before leading Fang Han to an area on the third floor dedicated to techniques that could be redeemed for use outside the sect.
The manuals on these shelves were not originals but copies available for transcription. Though the variety was far less than the collection on the floor above, it was still quite extensive.
The middle-aged steward was clearly an expert. He quickly selected five or six Inner Power methods and nearly ten Martial Techniques based on Fang Han’s requirements, explaining the characteristics, pros, cons, cultivation difficulties, and suitability of each one.
His explanations were meticulous, his service exceptionally thorough.
Fang Han listened carefully, comparing them, and finally selected two Inner Power techniques: the Evergreen Technique and the Fiery Sun Skill.
The Evergreen Technique was balanced and gentle. The Inner Qi it cultivated was rich and enduring, excellent for nourishing meridians and solidifying one’s foundation, making it suitable for beginners and older cultivators.
The Fiery Sun Skill was of a more yang and aggressive nature. Its cultivation speed was among the fastest for its grade, and the Inner Qi it produced had strong explosive power, making it suitable for younger disciples eager for rapid advancement.
For the three Martial Techniques, he chose the Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship, the Wind-Breaking Saber Technique, and the Mountain-Opening Palm.
The Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship was agile and swift, with fluid, connected moves. It was easy to learn but difficult to master, and it had good potential for growth.
The Wind-Breaking Saber Technique was powerful and heavy, focused on overwhelming skill with brute force. Its power in actual combat was straightforward and devastating.
The Mountain-Opening Palm was fierce and direct, producing immense Palm Force. Its cultivation threshold was relatively low, making it easy to popularize.