You must first obtain a higher position in the Great Dao Sect.
This is the best way to make legitimate contact and search for the Secret Medicine.
Zhang Rongfang did not believe that the Second Under Heaven- largest Daoist Sect in the world would not have a top expert guarding its ancestral home.
If that were true, this ancestral temple would probably have been destroyed long ago.
No matter how peaceful a religious sect may be, it will inevitably be targeted by others because of their own interests.
The group sat waiting for the time to Asking Master.
The Daoist priest Zhang Qingzhi seemed to be in charge of welcoming guests, and soon a few more new Daoist priests were brought in.
Everyone present had traveled from afar and was physically imposing. Clearly, it would have been impossible to get here without considerable martial prowess.
Zhang Rongfang observed carefully and found that Zhang Qingzhi was always polite, courteous, gentle and humble to every Daoist who came in.
Such self-cultivation is not something that ordinary people can achieve.
A short while later, a young Daoist priest brought over hot tea.
Zhang Rongfang picked up the glass and took a small sip; a faint aroma of Scrophularia ningpoensis filled his nostrils.
He looked up and around.
On the right wall, there is a calligraphy scroll that reads, "The Tao gives birth to One, and One transforms into all things."
On the left wall, there is another piece of calligraphy that reads, "Three Essentials of Asking Master".
"First, I inquire about their Civilian Skill; second, their martial arts prowess; third, their moral character."
Below are various detailed assessment examples, including phrases such as "loyalty to the emperor and service to the country."
By this time, two people had already noticed the painting and got up to examine it closely.
When Zhang Rongfang saw that the first item to be tested was Civilian Skill, an idea struck him.
Given his current circumstances, it's impossible for him to make a name for himself in the Heavenly Treasure Palace by relying solely on Zhang Ying's superficially displayed low-level martial arts skills.
When Zhang Ying was serving in Tanyang Mingjing Palace, he was still Third Grade, even after he broke through to the Fourth Grade.
If it's just ordinary in the Mingjing Palace, it's even less worth mentioning here.
Unless he reveals his identity Spirit Envoy, he can forget about making any progress in martial arts at the Heavenly Treasure Palace.
'The only way is through Civilian Skill!'
Zhang Rongfang looked at his Attribute Panel; he was now at the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill cultivation level.
Even though his Civilian Skill cannot be observed externally, he already has a thorough understanding of the various levels of Civilian Skill.
Perhaps he could do it right away. He stood up and walked to Zhang Qingzhi, who was at the door talking to someone.
"Brother Daoist, may I have a word with you in private?" He quietly produced a Gold Leaf in his hand.
*** Hundreds of miles away from Great Capital — Floating Pagoda Mountain.
A Gray-haired Old Man, resembling a farmer, was riding a small donkey at a leisurely pace, carrying a wooden cane, heading towards Great Capital.
The old man's eyes were cloudy, and he was thin and looked rather malnourished.
Strangely enough, on the road from Floating Pagoda Mountain to Great Capital, there was only the old man and his donkey.
Kong Wu one around.
What's even more puzzling is that the old man had no bags or luggage on him.
He looked like he had just gone out for a walk from home, without taking anything with him.
There's no village or shop in sight, and without any belongings, an elderly person would have a hard time finding food and drink.
The summer sun was blazing, its rays intense and scorching.
The old man had not a single drop of sweat on his body.
After walking for a while, a somewhat decomposed corpse slowly appeared on the road ahead.
Several Bald Eagle flapped their wings and squatted on the ground, pecking at the carcass.
Scattered sedan chairs, swordsmen, and bloodied severed limbs scattered on the ground.
There was no living creature left at the scene.
Even the black dogs were chopped in half and left to rot.
Seeing this, the old man sighed softly.
"Is there no one to collect the body? After killing someone, one should at least have basic morality."
"You old codger who worships the Jade Sea Dragon God, how dare you talk about morality?" Two figures, one tall and one short, slowly walked out from both sides of the road.
"Has the situation in the Eastern Sect deteriorated to this extent that they sent the two of you out to intercept and kill them?" The old man frowned.
"Anyway, we won't die, we can still hold you off," the taller of the two men sneered.
"Two people dragging you down, you've really hit the jackpot," the shorter man sneered in return.
"You've misunderstood me," the old man shook his head. "I've come here not to get involved in this mess. I'm just here to find the murderer who killed and injured my apprentice."
"Don't think we won't recognize you just because you've grown your hair out," the tall man said impatiently. "Red Cliff Monk, enough nonsense. If you're so capable, go ahead and chop it off so we can pass."
If you don't have the ability, go back to where you came from.
"That's right, that's right," the short man echoed.
The old man was speechless and looked up at the sky.
The sky was bright, and it was only noon.
"The Eastern Sect claims to be the leader of the Extreme Realm, but now it has started using Spirit Vein like yours. How pathetic and lamentable."
Without another word, he leaped off the donkey, his body as large as a bird, and in the blink of an eye, he nimbly pounced on the two people of different heights.
A moment later.
Among the corpses scattered on the ground, two more mangled bodies of varying heights were added.
The Red Cliff Monk sighed, mounted his donkey again, and slowly headed towards Great Capital.
He had to act quickly, taking advantage of the fact that the Eastern Sect's power was currently suppressed and Thousand Leaves Princess was locked in the palace, to resolve the trouble as soon as possible.
Otherwise, once this period passes and the situation stabilizes, he might not have another chance.
In fact, he had no affection for his disciples.
If his apprentice is killed and seriously injured, and he, as the master, doesn't even show any remorse...
Wouldn't that mean anyone could step on him or slap him in the head in the future?
Therefore, he has to get his money back no matter what.
"According to the information, that kid is currently at the Heavenly Treasure Palace. As long as I quickly go in, kill him, and escape immediately, there shouldn't be any major problems."
At such a critical juncture, I doubt the Heavenly Treasure Palace would bother me because of a mere Golden Wing Tower Spirit Envoy.
His expression was indifferent.
He had investigated all the information about the murderer, Zhang Ying.
At the peak of the Ninth Grade, possessing Super Grade physical attributes and talent.
After Limit State, his strength can reach an even higher level, enabling him to directly injure Xue Chengyu, a disciple of the Super Grade has already taken External Medicine.
Although Xue Chengyu has only taken the medicine a few times, his overall improvement has not yet reached the limit of the External Medicine.
But to be able to inflict a serious blow on Xue Chengyu is already quite remarkable.
"And your movement speed is extremely fast, comparable to my second disciple. With such talent, you truly cannot be allowed to live."
"Then let's treat it as Internal Method." Red Cliff Monk never underestimated any opponent.
Moreover, he was a genius Spirit Envoy from the Golden Wing Tower.
Therefore, we will arrive in Yangshuo tonight, launch a surprise attack, and wipe out the remaining threats to eliminate any future troubles. This is the style of Floating Pagoda Mountain.
***In the grove of trees at the Heavenly Treasure Palace.
"Absolutely not!" Zhang Qingzhi repeatedly declined, resolutely refusing the bribe of Gold Leaf.
"Brother Dao, you are truly of noble character, I admire you. Actually, you don't need to worry, I just hope you can tell me more about the situation of Asking Master in the Heavenly Treasure Palace. I have no other intentions."
Zhang Rongfang, his face showing admiration.
His current identity is Zhang Ying, as written on his Daoist Certificate.
At this time, Zhang Ying's martial arts skill was at the Fourth Grade. He was nineteen years old. What he wanted to know was what level Fourth Grade of that age would be considered in the Heavenly Treasure Palace.
"Fellow Daoist, could you tell me how much of this 'Asking Master' step involves Civilian Skill?" Zhang Rongfang asked.
Zhang Qingzhi hesitated for a moment, but still did not accept the money.
"In the process of Asking Master, there are usually three Asking Masters. You choose one and go forward to accept the test questions."
As for your Civilian Skill, Brother Zhang, your martial arts have now reached the Fourth Grade. Therefore, you only need to reach the Foundation Establishment in your Civilian Skill. Such aptitude is already quite excellent."
Is that so?
Zhang Rongfang nodded, having a better understanding of the situation.
"Then may I ask, brother, is there any way to identify Civilian Skill?" he asked again.
"It's difficult. It's not possible in most places, but here, top-level experts can determine whether you've cheated through debate, detailed questioning, and other methods."
After all, if your cultivation level is not high enough, the body will not be able to produce certain emergency responses at the corresponding level.
"These are things that no amount of memorized experiential imagery can conceal," Zhang Qingzhi answered honestly.
In fact, at the Heavenly Treasure Palace, Civilian Skill were far more valued than martial arts skills.
If one possesses exceptional Civilian Skill, they may even have High Grade Expert from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion providing one-on-one protection.
This is Imperial Clan privilege.
Thinking about this, Zhang Qingzhi felt a mix of emotions, including some doubts.
As far as he knew, within the Heavenly Treasure Palace, those with Civilian Skill above the Nascent Soul stage were all guarded by Ninth Grade Snow Rainbow Pavilion experts.
As for the two remaining Refining Spirit Great Cultivator, although he was unsure, they must be protected by an even stronger force.
It is comparable to a national treasure.
In particular, the Late Refining Spirit Grand Cultivator was always escorted by numerous soldiers and experts when he went out.
Their demeanor was in no way inferior to that of the great Noble of the Spirit Person.
The imperial court valued those with high literary achievements far more than most people imagined.
Therefore, the entire Great Dao Sect takes the cultivation of Civilian Skill as its primary purpose.
He looked at Zhang Ying in front of him.
The other person looked much older than that, but the Daoist Certificate clearly stated that he was nineteen.
If this age is true.
So, reaching the Fourth Grade Martial Arts at the age of nineteen shows truly remarkable talent.
If Civilian Skill had also followed, then he heard Zhang Ying ask a question.
"May I ask, Brother Wen, within our Great Dao Sect, what is the most advanced level of Civilian Skill for someone my age?"
"The most powerful?" Zhang Qingzhi was confused for a moment. "It should be Junior Brother Zhao Dingran, right? He is only nineteen years old now, but he has already reached the Fifth Revolution Core Formation Realm. His talent in Civilian Skill is extremely outstanding."
"Impressive!" Zhang Rongfang understood.
If someone reaches the Fifth Revolution Core Formation at nineteen, then he must be a genius among geniuses to Nine Revolutions Golden Pill.
According to the Heavenly Treasure Palace's attitude towards Civilian Skill geniuses.
If he reveals his cultivation level... no.
Zhang Rongfang's heart skipped a beat.
'If he were to reveal his cultivation level now, how would you explain Golden Core at such a young age?'
Civilian Skill require even more accumulation than martial skills.
So-called talent is simply that some people are born with a faster rate of accumulation, nothing more.
But reaching the Golden Core at the age of nineteen, isn't that rate of accumulation a bit too much?
The process from the Core Formation to the Golden Core still requires a physiological transformation and a profound understanding of the Dao.
It cannot be achieved simply through ascetic practices.
Many understandings of Daoist techniques and methods are simply beyond what a nineteen-year-old can achieve.
Zhang Rongfang hesitated.
"What do you seem to be worried about?" Zhang Qingzhi asked when he saw him hesitate.
"It's nothing." Zhang Rongfang hadn't yet figured out the most appropriate way to reveal his Civilian Skill Cultivation.
"Brother, don't worry about it. People with high talent in Civilian Skill are actually harder to find than those with talent in martial arts. At your age, with such martial arts skills, your future is promising. You will surely be valued and given important responsibilities," Zhang Qingzhi comforted him.
"Then thank you for your kind words, brother." Zhang Rongfang nodded.