Firebird

"So that's how it is."

During their conversation, Yang Qingyun finally learned some of the inside story.

It turned out Zhou Weilong was a half-exiled disciple of the Sifang Society. At over thirty years old, he still hadn't broken through to the Viscera Refining Realm, meaning in the eyes of others, he had no potential left.

Adding to that, he had offended someone within the Sifang Society and had been sidelined, not given any important roles.

Disheartened, he had used some connections to leave the Sifang Society and come to this Huangshi Town, intending to build a career here.

However, it was an unfortunate coincidence that…

During this period, as the Sifang Society gradually stabilized its situation in the county town and dismantled the opposition from over a dozen other towns, the ambitious leader of the Sifang Society had once again conceived of expansion.

But wary of the lesson learned from the previous time they were pressured by the combined forces of over a dozen towns in Bao'an County, the Sifang Society had also changed its former extremely crude and brutal methods of destroying families and exterminating clans.

They were trying new methods that wouldn't incite such fierce resistance from others to seize control of a town.

And so…

Huangshi Town and Zhou Weilong within it, thus entered the Sifang Society's sights.

Following this, the Sifang Society's Hall Master Feng made this visit.

Although Zhou Weilong had used his connections to leave the Sifang Society, his name was still on their roster. When Hall Master Feng arrived, he could only obey the other party's orders.

"I originally wanted to build a martial arts school here in Huangshi Town, establish a family business, get married and have children, and have something to rely on in my old age. I never expected life to be so unpredictable, and that I'd have no control over my own fate."

Zhou Weilong let out a bitter laugh, downed a cup of clear tea, and sighed.

"Alas, it all comes down to strength. Those who are weak don't even have the right to choose; they're just meat on a chopping block, at the mercy of others."

"If I could have advanced to the Viscera Refining Realm, why would I have ended up in this small town trying to establish a foundation? Why would the great leader send someone over without even asking me, just after I'd barely settled in?"

At this moment, his face was filled with bitterness.

Regardless of whether the Sifang Society's scheme succeeded this time, the Weilong Martial Arts School would be unable to continue.

His perfectly good foundation would be utterly ruined.

He, who was once the master of a school and a prominent figure in town, would now, in the blink of an eye, be reduced to a pawn in the struggle between two major forces.

No one would feel good about such a situation.

In response, Yang Qingyun remained silent.

The weak, did not have the right to control their own destiny.

They could only endure hardship and displacement, praying to survive in the cracks between the strong. He understood this truth all too well.

"Actually, Brother Zhou, although you are over thirty now and have passed the peak of your Blood Essence potential, you have been cultivating for many years and have reached the peak of the Entering Realm. If you could obtain some precious medicine that greatly enhances Blood Essence, it's not impossible for you to advance to the Viscera Refining Realm."

Seeing Zhou Weilong's dejected state, Yang Qingyun couldn't help but try to change the subject.

"Ha, such treasures are considered top-tier valuables even within the Sifang Society, and are priceless. How could I possibly get my hands on them?"

"For now, I'll just spend more time practicing diligently and see if I can find an opportunity to break through."

Zhou Weilong shook his head repeatedly, not paying much attention.

If treasures that could help break through realms were that easy to obtain, then the world would be full of Viscera Refining Realm martial artists.

"Right, the guidance you gave me last time was extremely helpful. These past few days, I've felt like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, but there are still a few things I don't quite understand. So, I've come to bother you again, shamelessly. I hope you don't mind, Brother Yang."

A martial artist at the peak of the Entering Realm seeking advice from someone who had only recently been in the early-Entry Realm about cultivating and breaking through to the Viscera Refining Realm.

Such a situation would definitely seem strange to outsiders.

But, Zhou Weilong acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Brother Zhou, your foundation is already sufficient for a breakthrough. What you lack is only the body's age-related solidification and insufficient vitality in your Blood Essence."

Yang Qingyun shook his head.

Under Zhou Weilong's puzzled gaze, he took out a jade bottle from his embrace and placed it on the table.

"This is a pill I refined. After taking it, it can replenish a large amount of vital essence. When you are ready to break through, Brother Zhou, take one. Use the vital essence to refine your Blood Essence, and with the temporarily enhanced, robust Bloodline Power, you should be able to compensate for the lack of vitality in your Blood Essence and break through the bottleneck of Viscera Refining."

Zhou Weilong took the jade bottle with some confusion. He opened the cap, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Instantly, his Blood Essence within his body stirred slightly!

Zhou Weilong's expression changed.

He carefully put the wooden cap back on, his face showing clear signs of inner conflict.

But after a moment of thought, he ultimately put the item down, enduring the heartache, and pushed it back towards Yang Qingyun, sighing deeply.

"Brother Yang, this item is too precious. It's priceless on the market, and I dare not accept it. Please take it back. Also, it's best not to let any news of this leak out, otherwise, it will cause trouble."

Zhou Weilong spoke with difficulty, shifting his gaze away, afraid he might agree to it in the next moment.

Although he didn't understand pills, just by smelling it, he could feel the fluctuations of Blood Essence.

It was undoubtedly a precious medicine with extremely potent effects!

He had no doubt about Yang Qingyun's words that it could help him break through the bottleneck of the Viscera Refining Realm.

However, this item, was too valuable!

So valuable that even the Sifang Society would struggle to produce a pill with comparable effects!

It could be imagined that, once this matter was leaked, Yang Qingyun would never have peace from then on!

Seeing this, Yang Qingyun smiled and waved his hand.

"Brother Zhou, I only brought it out because I trust you."

"And how should I put it? To others, this would be a treasure worth a fortune, but to me, it's just... well, like this."

"I had some opportunities when I went out previously. Without the first batch of medicinal ingredients you sent, this pill might not have seen the light of day."

This pill, was indeed not a particularly precious thing.

It was made by re-boiling the leftover meat and bone residue from the pot of All-Encompassing Tonic Soup after Yang Qingyun had consumed all the liquid essence, adding a certain amount of medicinal ingredients to absorb the last bit of essence.

"Brother Zhou, please take it. Consider it an apology for my neglect today, or a thank-you gift for the medicinal ingredients you sent in the past!"

Under Yang Qingyun's persistent refusal, Zhou Weilong gritted his teeth.

Ultimately, the temptation of the Viscera Refining Realm won out, and he finally accepted it.

"Brother Yang's great kindness today is something I will never forget. If you ever need anything in the future, I will spare no effort to help!"

Zhou Weilong said solemnly, cupping his hands.

"No need for such formality."

Yang Qingyun waved his hand.

"However, there is indeed one thing I need your help with."

"Your disciples are numerous, Brother Zhou. Could you perhaps gather some information about rare treasures or exotic items that have appeared nearby recently, or any strange news like sites of Falling Stars? This matter is of great use to me."

"Rare treasures and exotic items, strange news about Falling Stars?"

Zhou Weilong frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly slapped his thigh.

"There really is!"

"Oh?"

"When I had my martial arts school in Huangshi Town, I heard that several years ago, in the western mountains west of Huangshi Town, a large bird covered in flames seemed to have fallen from the sky, causing a mountain fire. Later, the Black Tiger Gang sent a large number of people to seal it off. The Gang Leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Shi Meng, even went personally. It seems he brought something back from the mountain..."