"Something my master doesn't want?" Zhang Rongfang narrowed his eyes, watching the other person stuff the spiciest pieces of stinky tofu into his mouth one after another.
The bright Tong Tong chili powder coated the golden tofu cubes, resembling a red-hot branding iron.
Just looking at it makes my gums hurt.
But Yan Shuang didn't mind at all, and kept panting as she ate.
"Just wait, we'll hear from you soon. But you should be prepared," Yan Shuang said while eating.
She never expected that Zhang Ying would end up like this.
Compared to being an ordinary Golden Wing Tower Spirit Envoy a few months ago, his current status as a Daoist Daozi of the Great Dao Sect is far superior.
"..." Zhang Rongfang slightly.
Given his current status, he couldn't imagine what power could influence him and allow him to escape his master's surveillance.
Master Chongxuan's status in the Great Dao Sect, even if not the highest level, is almost the same.
With such status and power, even if the top leaders of the True One Sect and the Western Sect of Buddhist School were to intervene, it would be difficult to influence them.
Especially after realizing that the true Great Dao Sect was far from the seemingly peaceful and ordinary sect it once appeared to be.
Zhang Rongfang thus gained a clearer understanding of his situation.
Unless suddenly his eyes lit up and he thought of a possibility.
"Alright, I just came to let you know, so you won't be too surprised. Just remember to cooperate," Yan Shuang said with a slight smile.
"..." Zhang Rongfang didn't say anything more, but just watched the other person finish eating the stinky tofu, get up, wave to him, and leave.
Watching Yan Shuang walk out of the small shop, disappear into the crowd, and vanish from sight.
He stood up as well, but his original intention to take a walk had vanished.
He just didn't know that.
Yan Shuang, who had just left the shop, quickened her pace and ran like the wind, rushing towards the outskirts of the city.
Unfortunately, she didn't get more than a few blocks away.
On the sidewalk ahead, amidst the comings and goings of people, two strong figures dressed in black Daoist Robe had already blocked her way.
The two people appeared to be walking freely in the crowd, but they were actually moving closer to her.
And his eyes were fixed on her, intentionally or unintentionally.
Yan Shuang's lips twitched slightly as she turned her head back.
Behind him were two men dressed in Daoist Robe, approaching him.
There is a wall on the left.
On the right, a scarred man with a cold expression and empty eyes slowly walked over.
It was fine just now, but when Yan Shuang saw the scarred man, her hair stood on end. Without thinking, she turned and ran.
She took a few steps forward along the left wall, then flipped over and used the wall to reach a window above her head.
The others were surprised that she had managed to escape the encirclement so easily. They quickly sped up to catch up.
Yan Shuang darted past someone else's house and leaped out of another window.
She moved with graceful speed and agility, but despite her apparent ease, she was quite nervous inside.
My brief encounter with Zhang Ying seemed simple and ordinary, yet she possessed the enigmatic air of a riddle teller.
Now, showing off might feel good for a moment, but it'll lead to disaster soon.
'I knew it! There must be something wrong with the job that no one else would take!' Yan Shuang sighed inwardly.
At this moment, she fully realized the status that Zhang Ying held in the Great Dao Sect.
Even in the briefest contact, she felt a sharp, terrifying gaze fixed on her every moment.
Then, less than ten seconds after the contact, so many experts appeared and surrounded us. Since the collapse of the Eastern Sect, the Great Dao Sect seems to have stopped hiding its power in the shadows.
Thinking to herself, Yan Shuang finally inherited the Prince Yan Yan Xi's body technique. She flipped in mid-air and landed lightly from the second floor. Using her palms to gain leverage from the wall, she leaped more than ten meters away.
Two women hanging clothes to dry in the alley below felt a Shadow flash above their heads, but when they looked up, there was nothing there.
Unable to complete his leisurely stroll, Zhang Rongfang returned to the Heavenly Treasure Palace, pondering the information Yan Shuang had provided.
Chongxuan treated him very well, and he couldn't possibly leave the Great Dao Sect. So, under these circumstances, how could he escape his current predicament? He originally thought this matter might take a long time to develop.
I just didn't expect that the opportunity Yan Shuang mentioned would come so quickly.
However, he was not in a hurry. It was impossible for him to leave the Great Dao Sect, but if there were other methods, he might be able to accept them.
October 22nd.
Longsheng Hall Heavenly Treasure Palace.
An unexpected visitor forced Zhang Rongfang to drop everything and come to deal with him.
As evening approached, the sky outside was overcast, with thick, cotton-like clouds that made it hard to breathe.
Guided by the servant, Zhang Rongfang strode into the Longsheng Hall.
This is a small hall specifically for distinguished guests and staff members of the Dao Palace to meet.
To be precise, most of the time, the people received here are from the palace.
"Rumors are not as good as seeing them in person. I originally thought he was just a figurehead, but I never expected that I would actually meet Master Heaven and Earth. He really surprised me."
The speaker had a sharp voice, a fair complexion without a beard, a slender figure, and a feminine demeanor.
It turned out to be a Fire Messenger from the Imperial Palace.
"You flatter me, sir," Zhang Rongfang said, bowing slightly. He was practicing his Civilian Skill when he was suddenly summoned here.
It was said that someone from the palace wanted to see him.
What he didn't expect was that it was Fire Messenger.
In the Great Ling, only the personal eunuchs Feng Ling can be called Fire Messenger.
In other words, the Fire Messenger, in a certain sense, represents the henchmen and servants of the His Majesty.
Many of the meanings that Ling Emperor did not want to issue openly were conveyed through the Fire Messenger in secret.
At this moment, a Fire Messenger approached him, a mere figure of no real power within the Great Dao Sect. Although Zhang Rongfang had some suspicions, he quickly became more vigilant.
"This humble Daoist priest, Heaven and Earth, greets you, sir."
If I remember correctly, my father-in-law and I have never met before. May I ask who you wish to see?
"My surname is Li, and my given name is Xuanze. You can just call me Eunuch Li," the man said readily.
"I heard a rumor that Lao Yue of the Heavenly Treasure Palace has taken on a fine disciple, and since I had nothing else to do, I came to check it out."
Li Xuance didn't look very old, appearing to be only in his thirties. He was dressed in red casual clothes with small white floral patterns on his arms and a black rhinoceros horn belt around his waist. His physique didn't look like that of a martial artist.
"I wouldn't call myself a 'disciple,' Heaven and Earth talent is just average. I'm afraid I'll be embarrassed by what you say, sir," Zhang Rongfang said modestly.
"You flatter me? Heaven and Earth, you really underestimate yourself too much," Li Xuance laughed. "If you successfully enter the late stage of Refining Spirit, the Great Dao Sect will surely prosper in the future. It can be said that you, now, may determine the rise and fall of the entire Great Dao Sect for the next few decades."
Before Zhang Rongfang reply, he continued, "Of course, both the Eastern Sect in the past and the Great Dao Sect in the present are towering trees."
But even the tallest tree can never compare to the vast sky beyond it.
"Father-in-law is right," Zhang Rongfang nodded.
"The Heaven and Earth Heaven and Earth, and it's clear how much hope Lao Yue has placed in you. And your talent has certainly not disappointed."
His Civilian Skill and martial arts skills have both reached an exceptionally high level for his age. He is truly a man of both literary and martial talents!
With a talent as exceptional as yours, how could our Great Ling not prosper in the future?
"You flatter me, sir. I am just an ordinary person. Even if I have some talent, how can I possibly represent the future prosperity of the Great Ling?" Zhang Rongfang quickly replied.
"Heaven and Earth, with your talent and abilities, you would shine as brightly as the sun wherever you go," Li Xuance said with a smile.
He walked slowly to Zhang Rongfang's side, his voice softening.
"Moreover, the realm of the Supreme Bright Void Skill is not only applicable to the sect of the Yujing Hanshi Celestial Lord."
As the saying goes, "A good tree chooses its birds, and a good bird chooses its tree." You really need to think this through carefully.
Zhang Rongfang instantly understood what he meant.
This is the Ling Ting sending people to win him over.
Since the Supreme Bright Void Skill has no restrictions on Worship God, why must one worship the Yujing Hanshi Celestial Lord of the Great Dao Sect? Since one has to worship anyway, why not worship the strongest one?
Li Xuance's meaning is very clear.
This is blatant recruitment and maneuvering.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir. The Great Dao Sect is excellent, and the Heavenly Treasure Palace is excellent as well. Heaven and Earth is just a man without great ambitions. To live a quiet and unassuming life, cultivating oneself, is surely a joy in life, isn't it?" Zhang Rongfang answered without hesitation.
"That's true. Everyone has their own ambitions and needs. Cultivating oneself is certainly a good thing. Of course, people also change as they get older," Li Xuance said with a smile.
"Master Heaven and Earth, just remember that what we say here will always be true."
"Thank you, sir," Zhang Rongfang said, clasping his hands in thanks.
"You're welcome. By the way, there's something else. The Eastern Sect is currently in chaos and falling apart. The regions that it used to suppress are also gradually becoming turbulent."
New recruits are needed to guard the area. The Great Dao Sect has been allocated quite a few positions, and that will be important."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Then, the two spoke quietly for a while inside the Longsheng Hall.
This time, Zhang Rongfang clearly felt that he was no longer being monitored as before.
This is clearly a temporary change brought about by Li Xuance.
From him, Zhang Rongfang also understood what Yan Shuang meant by the timing of leaving.
Li Xuance told him a lot, much of it about clarifying the Ling Ting Worship God.
Zhang Rongfang did not comment on whether what he said was true or false, but the other party mentioned that cultivating both Civilian Skill and martial arts skills simultaneously offers a much wider range of options compared to simply cultivating only Civilian Skill.
He was told not to give up martial arts, but to focus even more on it and progress in both areas simultaneously.
Zhang Rongfang vaguely understood the purpose behind the power behind Yan Shuang and the benefactor behind Li Xuance.
*** Golden Wing Tower Main Building.
Inside the damp cave.
With a light step, Cheng Hui nimbly leaped over the rubble and, protected by his subordinates on both sides, returned to the entrance of the main building's administrative offices.
With a dull thud, the entrance opened.
He slowly walked inside, looking at the familiar furnishings on both sides, a slight sigh appearing on his face.
Not long ago, this place was bustling with activity, and the Golden Wing Tower was full of talented people.
Now he is all alone.
The sound of a mechanism whirring behind them slowly closed the entrance.
Cheng Hui walked step by step into the empty Stone Hall.
He had just changed into his official robes and boots, the heels inlaid with metal plates striking the stone surface with a cold, metallic clanging sound.
"The familiar faces are gone, the guests Rogue Person, and the times have changed. Now, in the end, I am all alone."
He sighed and paused at the spot where he had personally killed Chong Ming last time.
Then they continued to the deepest part of the Golden Wing Tower, the place where the secret records were kept.
During this time, he had been searching for information about the Eastern Sect Human Seed.
He knew very well that although he had succeeded in joining the Western Sect, he would have to demonstrate more qualifications and value if he wanted to be given important responsibilities, promotions, and more cultivation resources.
And what is the most valuable thing he can obtain from his current position? Naturally, it is the remaining Human Seed of the Eastern Sect and the Heavenly Maiden Secret Treasure.