Martial Uncle Fei

Upon hearing the red-faced elder's words, the crowd's expressions shifted subtly. They looked at each other, none speaking, as if unwilling to offend anyone.

The green-robed elder, seeing their reactions, understood their thoughts. After a brief consideration, he chuckled and said, "Since Junior Brother Fei fancies this person, let him go with Junior Brother Fei."

The man cupped his hands to the crowd, then walked to Qin Fengming's side. He took Qin Fengming's left hand and walked out of the great hall without delay. He didn't even allow Qin Fengming to bid farewell to the sect leader.

Arriving at the foot of Cloud Spire Peak, they mounted a ruler-shaped artifact and flew towards a distant mountain peak.

Landing on a mountain peak, a two to three zhang tall pavilion appeared before them. The red-faced elder led Qin Fengming directly into the pavilion without hesitation, saying, "Get a set of new disciple supplies."

Inside the pavilion, a youth was present. Upon seeing the elder, he immediately showed a respectful expression. "I didn't know Uncle-Master Fei was visiting, please forgive me. Please wait a moment." He then retrieved a bundle from an inner room and placed it on the table before them.

The elder surnamed Fei gestured for Qin Fengming to pick up the bundle. He then turned and led Qin Fengming away from the mountain peak.

During the flight, the elder surnamed Fei saw Qin Fengming cradling the bundle and chuckled twice without speaking. Qin Fengming, seeing the elder's expression, was utterly bewildered, not understanding why he was laughing.

The elder stood on the ruler-shaped artifact and said indifferently, "If you reach the middle stage of Qi Gathering in the future, you can come here to collect a mid-grade magic artifact. In the late stage, you can collect a high-grade magic tool." After saying this, he spoke no more.

The elder led Qin Fengming onward. As they passed a valley, he turned to Qin Fengming and said:

"Starting tomorrow, you won't need to do any chores for the first forty days. You can go to this valley and learn basic immortal cultivation knowledge from Nephew-Disciple Su. You can also find some books to read and learn about the immortal cultivation world. After forty days, you will follow my instructions."

Qin Fengming secretly committed this to memory. He knew nothing about the immortal cultivation world and had many things he needed to ask.

Passing the valley and flying another twenty to thirty li north, they stopped on a mountain peak. On the peak stood a great hall about ten zhang high, with the words "Artifact Refining Hall" inscribed in the center. Beside the great hall, several houses were scattered deep within the dense forest.

The elder surnamed Fei pointed to a house and said, "From now on, you will live here. For meals, go behind the great hall; there is a kitchen there, and someone is in charge."

After speaking, he threw Qin Fengming a jade token and turned to enter the great hall. Qin Fengming saw the character "Artifact" carved on it. The jade token emitted a very comfortable fluctuation, indicating it was no ordinary item.

Qin Fengming went to the house and saw that it was built entirely of stone. The interior was dry and clean, containing a bed with bedding, a wooden chair, a table, and a pine oil lamp.

He opened the bundle. Inside was a set of gray robes, exceptionally soft, not like ordinary cloth. There was also a short sword, the size of a baby's palm, entirely green but appearing not very sharp. And there was a jet-black ring.

Upon seeing this ring, Qin Fengming's heart suddenly jolted. This ring bore a resemblance to the one he had obtained after killing the second young master of the Zhang Clan. He touched the ring, unsure how to use it.

Besides these, there was a small booklet titled "Beginner Five Elements Cultivation Method"; two pieces of ore he had seen before, emitting a soft red light; and several yellow talismans of unknown origin.

He picked up the ring and examined it closely. He then took out the original ring from his personal storage bag and compared the two. He found that apart from the style, the material seemed to be the same, and the weight was similar.

After fiddling with it for a while, he couldn't figure out its mystery or how to use it. He could only put it away, planning to go to the valley tomorrow and ask Senior Brother Su how to use it.

The next morning, Qin Fengming changed into the gray clothes he had received yesterday and flew from the mountain peak where the Artifact Refining Hall was located, heading straight for the valley they had passed yesterday.

Using his light body technique, Qin Fengming reached the valley in just over half an hour.

On the way, he encountered several disciples dressed in gray robes. Seeing him using martial arts techniques, they laughed and pointed at him. Qin Fengming paid them no mind.

In the valley stood a great hall, five to six zhang high. In the center of the hall was a plaque inscribed with "Merit Transfer Hall." Seeing this, Qin Fengming understood that, like the Hundred Refinements Hall in Luoxia Valley, this was where new disciples were taught basic cultivation methods.

Qin Fengming entered the great hall and saw over a dozen youths dressed in gray robes. The older ones were around his age, while the younger ones were only six or seven. They sat on cushions in the hall, some conversing with acquaintances.

"I heard that the young man surnamed Lin, who joined the sect with us, went from the third level to the sixth level in just five months. He's truly a cultivation genius."

"Who wouldn't be with dual spiritual roots? Unlike us, who only have quad spiritual roots, making cultivation vastly different."

"I heard that the young lady from the Yue Family possesses heavenly spiritual roots. I wonder if it's true?"

"I heard Grand-Uncle-Master Li brought back a five-year-old child from Taihu Prefecture and accepted him as a personal disciple. The child was born with a heavenly eye and can already see through ordinary illusionary techniques. They say if he cultivates to completion, he can see through all illusionary formations in the world."

"I heard Senior Brother Su is already at the tenth level of Qi Gathering and has unique insights into the basic Five Elements Cultivation Method. I have some cultivation questions that I need to ask Senior Brother Su."

"I haven't seen this junior brother before. What is your name, and under which uncle-master do you cultivate?" A youth who looked about fifteen or sixteen asked Qin Fengming with a look of confusion.

"My name is Qin Fengming. I joined the sect yesterday and was assigned to Uncle-Master Fei. May I ask your name, senior brother?" Qin Fengming replied with a smile.

"So you are following Uncle-Master Fei. My apologies. My surname is Wang, and I follow Uncle-Master Lu in alchemy. I will likely need to trouble you, Junior Brother Qin, in the future. Please don't refuse." He said with a solicitous expression.

Qin Fengming didn't understand why the other's attitude changed so drastically upon hearing he was with Uncle-Master Fei. Though puzzled, he replied, "Not at all. If Senior Brother needs anything, just ask."

Upon hearing that he followed Uncle-Master Fei, the others also came over to chat and greet him, all appearing very enthusiastic.

A little over half an hour later, a middle-aged man in gray robes entered the great hall. Qin Fengming saw everyone stand up and address him as "Senior Brother Su," so he also stood up.