Laying Low

"I don't know about that. I haven't practiced it, and I haven't seen anyone in the sect practice it. However, judging by Elder Lu's stingy refusal to hand it over, it must have some value," Zhao Tong said, shaking his head and speaking ambiguously.

"Alright, then I'll trade for it," Yuan Ming said after a moment of thought.

"Okay, I'll clear your account then. It's the usual rule: you can read for an hour. How much you can remember... never mind, you won't forget," Zhao Tong said, stopping halfway as he remembered Yuan Ming's photographic memory.

Yuan Ming took the book and found a corner to sit cross-legged, flipping through it carefully.

Zhao Tong also picked up the book in his hand, lay down on the lounge chair, and began to read on his own.

"All bodies circulate Qi, spiritual laws precede, the body as the tool, the laws as the defense..." The moment Yuan Ming saw the contents, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

It turned out that the cultivation technique recorded in the "Shadowless Step" did not use Southern Border script, but Central Plains script. No wonder Zhao Tong had been so vague. It was likely not that he didn't want to practice it, but that he might not have understood it himself.

In addition to the text, the booklet also contained eighteen portraits of masked women, either standing or walking. Their figures were depicted from various angles, their movements graceful and elegant. Each portrait was accompanied by countless footprints, which appeared chaotic at first glance, but upon closer inspection, were breathtakingly ingenious. The footprints were dense, numbering in the thousands.

In less than half an hour, Yuan Ming had memorized the entire contents of the booklet. However, the moment he closed the book, he felt a surge of anger.

"Zhao Tong, why did you lie to me?" Yuan Ming asked, frowning.

"When did I lie to you?" Zhao Tong sat up, looking puzzled.

"The 'Shadowless Step' you gave me is incomplete. The content is not whole," Yuan Ming said, his brow furrowed.

"Incomplete?" Zhao Tong's expression became slightly awkward upon hearing this.

It was clear that he was unaware of this.

"Incomplete or not, this 'Shadowless Step' was given by the elder, and I don't understand it, so you can't blame me." But then, he spread his hands, acting as if it had nothing to do with him.

Although Yuan Ming was dissatisfied, he could do nothing about it.

Compared to the condescending attitude of other registered disciples, Zhao Tong was already quite good to him. He couldn't demand too much, especially since his own contribution wasn't much.

Moreover, although this "Shadowless Step" was only the upper volume, judging from the general outline, it was indeed not a common cultivation technique. At least its level was much higher than the "Wood Thorn Technique."

Furthermore, after cultivating this movement technique, not only would he be more confident in combat, but it would also be much more convenient for stealth and tracking in the future, especially when encountering fierce beasts with high vigilance, making it easier to track and approach them.

Yuan Ming was about to bid farewell and had already cupped his fists, but he suddenly remembered the incident of Hagon being attacked and then said:

"By the way, I have one more thing to ask you?"

Seeing that Yuan Ming wasn't dwelling on the incompleteness of the "Shadowless Step," Zhao Tong smiled and said, "What is it? Tell me."

Yuan Ming immediately recounted Hagon's experience and his description of the long-haired monster.

After listening, Zhao Tong put down the book in his hand and pondered with a frown.

"I really don't know what you're talking about. When I have time, I'll go back and ask my fellow disciples," he said after a moment, shaking his head.

Yuan Ming could only nod in agreement and then took his leave.

He didn't linger in Toad Valley and walked straight out of the valley. Just as he exited the valley entrance, a short and sturdy young man with a scar on his face walked towards him.

"Brother Yuan, I've looked for you in Toad Valley many times, and I've finally met you today. Do you have any wound healing ointment?" Seeing Yuan Ming, the scarred youth's face lit up with surprise, and he greeted him enthusiastically.

"Oh, it's Brother Tule. I'm truly sorry, but I don't have any extra stock on hand lately," Yuan Ming said with a look of helplessness.

"Don't give me that. Last time you promised two cans of ointment. If you don't give me the goods, you won't leave Toad Valley today." Tule spread his arms, blocking the way, looking like a ruffian.

"You're... alright, this was originally intended for my own use. Since you're in a hurry, I'll give it to you first." Yuan Ming took out two bamboo tubes of ointment from his pack and handed them over.

"Heh heh, that's more like it. This is your reward. Don't say I gave it to you for free." Tule chuckled and threw a small cloth bag over.

Yuan Ming opened the bag, glanced inside, and quietly put it away.

The two chatted for a while longer before parting ways.

Yuan Ming left the valley and arrived at a dense forest. He climbed a large tree and opened the cloth bag again.

Inside was a piece of animal skin, covered with tiny characters, detailing recent events in the nearby mountain forest.

That Tule was a member of a beast-slave team called the "Earth Bear Society." It was a small group with only a dozen members.

Unlike the Green Wolf Gang, the Earth Bear Society had a much gentler style of conduct. Its members collected blood food through their own efforts and had never engaged in looting.

Yuan Ming had met Tule more than two months ago and had saved his life. Tule was very loyal and wanted to repay him, but his strength was insufficient.

Seeing that Tule was shrewd and good at socializing, Yuan Ming asked him to help gather information on the furred beast slaves in the mountain forest so that he could stay updated on various situations.

The two met periodically, using transactions to hide their true intentions.

Looking at the contents of the animal skin, Yuan Ming's expression became serious. According to the information collected by Tule, the Green Wolf Gang had found the bodies of Bayin and others and, based on the cause and effect, deduced that he was the murderer.

The animal skin also stated that the leader of the Green Wolf Gang, Wubao, had offered a bounty of a Half-Magic Tool divine weapon for Yuan Ming's whereabouts.

"If that's the case, I can't enter or leave Toad Valley for a while. There are too many people in the valley, and it's too easy to attract the attention of those with ulterior motives," Yuan Ming suddenly realized something and turned to leave.

He increased his speed to the maximum, circled around the mountain forest for a long time, and after confirming that he was not being followed, he returned to the vicinity of his wooden cabin.

Inside the wooden cabin, Hagon was lying down, resting.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, forced himself to get up, and gripped the Green Wolf beast skin, ready to activate the Fur Transformation Technique at any moment.

"It's me," Yuan Ming's voice sounded from outside the door.

Seeing this, Hagon finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down again.

"While I was away, did anyone come?" Yuan Ming asked as he pushed open the door.

"This place is quite remote, with no one around. I took some time to adjust and recover. But you, why does your face look so solemn? What happened?" Hagon asked after looking at Yuan Ming.

"The Green Wolf Gang already knows I killed Bayin and is offering a bounty everywhere looking for me. I'm afraid we can't stay here anymore; we need to move to a more secluded place to lie low," Yuan Ming said slowly.

"You really killed Bayin! You're quite audacious. He was at the third level of Qi Refining, not much weaker than Wubao. What method did you use?" Hagon was surprised.

"Just some minor tricks, not worth mentioning. What are your plans next, Brother Hagon? The Green Wolf Gang is putting all their effort into finding me, they probably don't care much about you. Are you planning to leave with me or act alone?" Yuan Ming changed the subject and asked.

"Brother Yuan, you underestimate me, Hagon. We people of the Wusun Tribe value gratitude and righteousness the most. If someone gives me a peck, I will repay them tenfold. You risked exposing your whereabouts to save me earlier. If I leave now, how can I stand tall and pray to Lord Dog God in the future?" Hagon snorted, a hint of anger showing on his face.

"It was my mistake. Please forgive me, Brother Hagon," Yuan Ming said, cupping his hands.

He had been in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for some time and had gained some understanding of the customs and traditions of the Southern Border.

The indigenous people of the Southern Border were referred to as 'savages' by the Central Plains. Most of them lived in tribal communities, with each tribe having its own customs and beliefs, and they were most sensitive to others offending them.

"Brother Yuan is from the Central Plains and knows nothing about our Wusun Tribe. There's no need for that. Just don't say it again in the future," Hagon said, his expression softening considerably upon seeing Yuan Ming's sincere apology.

"I will definitely remember. Since Brother Hagon has made up his mind, let's go quickly. Every extra moment we stay here is an extra moment of danger," Yuan Ming said.

"Alright, but I'm having trouble moving. I'll have to rely on you for transportation," Hagon said, spreading his hands.

Yuan Ming said nothing. He picked up Hagon and left the wooden house, heading towards the canyon.

If there was a safe place, it would naturally be on the other side of the canyon.

It was remote there, with few Fierce Beasts, and consequently, few Furred Beast Slaves would go there. For now, it was suitable for resting and recuperating, as well as evading the Green Wolf Gang's pursuit.

Most importantly, with that misty canyon there, even if the entire Green Wolf Gang came looking, he could hide in the mist at the bottom of the valley. No amount of people would be useful then.

With Yuan Ming's current strength, even carrying Hagon, he quickly arrived at the canyon.

He didn't look for another place and directly took Hagon to the cave where he had previously resided.

After spending so much time together, Yuan Ming had a general understanding of Hagon's character. He was trustworthy and worth befriending. This residence wasn't a particularly important place, so revealing it to him wasn't a big problem.

"I didn't expect you to have a place like this, Brother Yuan," Hagon said, marveling at the well-equipped cave.

"I set it up when I first arrived here. The Green Wolf Gang won't find this place anytime soon, and there's plenty of food and water inside. Rest assured and recover here," Yuan Ming said.

Hagon nodded, sat down cross-legged, and began circulating his Qi to heal his injuries.

Yuan Ming did not stay there to cultivate. He got up and walked outside, soon arriving at a secluded forest.

He brought Hagon here not only to avoid the Green Wolf Gang's search and allow Hagon to recover peacefully but also for his own purposes.

His current situation was not ideal. He had to improve his strength as much as possible to ensure a safe retreat when unexpected situations arose. Cultivation improvement was not something that happened overnight. The Shadowless Step technique he had just acquired was undoubtedly the most effective choice for immediate results.

This movement technique was profound and mysterious, requiring time and space to practice. The secluded and quiet canyon was perfect for it.

Yuan Ming stood still, closed his eyes, and meticulously recalled the written descriptions and diagrams of the Shadowless Step technique. He then took a deep breath, sank his Qi to his dantian, and took the first step. As he took the second step, he exhaled his Qi again