Apology and Compensation, Each Rejoicing

Yin Xiaojian had no idea how she got from the depths of the Training Hall to the front hall, and then to the outside of the hall.

He only knew that he seemed to be following in Fang Shu's footsteps, and drifted to the front yard in a daze.

"Brother Fang, please take your time. My old servant has caused trouble today. I hope you will forgive him and explain the situation to Lone Pavilion Master carefully, so as not to damage the harmony between our two establishments."

"Your brother is too kind. I was just momentarily agitated today. I hope you can also explain to the owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall on my behalf. My connection with your establishment is actually quite extensive."

"Haha, absolutely right. Brother Fang is practically a member of the Scorched-Tail Hall, and now he's also practicing our Lead Method. We're all family."

Goodbye.

Yin Xiaojian only woke up with a start when Fang Shu's voice signaled that he was leaving.

He stood at the courtyard gate, his eyes darting towards Fang Shu. He wanted to go forward, but he didn't dare. He even felt a little guilty, afraid that his mistake of taking Fang Shu's chance to enter the museum would be exposed.

Before leaving, Fang Shu noticed that this fellow had actually come out, so he nodded to Yin Xiaojian.

Upon being glanced at by Fang Shu, Yin Xiaojian's expression immediately became more excited.

Feeling ashamed of his appearance, he couldn't help but straighten his chest and hurriedly returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Take care, Brother Fang..." Yin Xiaojian forced a smile, wanting to walk outside the courtyard to see him off, but Fang Shu had already stepped over the threshold and left gracefully.

This caused Yin Xiaojian to stop speaking, and he could only look away listlessly.

However, his gaze quickly shifted to the adopted son of the curator beside him— the Ling Baiquan.

So Yin Xiaojian, with a fawning yet self-satisfied smile, bowed to the other party and shamelessly began to chat:

"Brother Ling, this Brother Fang Shu is an old sworn brother of mine."

Unexpectedly, Ling Baiquan, who had just been chatting and laughing with Fang Shu, now had an indifferent expression and glanced at Yin Xiaojian:

"You dare to be brothers with the inner disciples of the Solitary Gu Hall, especially someone you squeezed out of the sect?"

A mocking smile, seemingly unheard of, crept onto the Ling Baiquan's lips.

These words froze Yin Xiaojian's expression, and his eyes clearly showed bewilderment and panic. He didn't understand why the Ling Baiquan knew about this.

Suddenly, the Ling Baiquan's gaze involuntarily fell on Yin Xiaojian's feet.

The man frowned further and said with disgust:

"What kind of person are you to dare wear the same shoes as me?"

The shoes they were both wearing were from the same tailor shop; Yin Xiaojian had secretly sold some of her own money to buy them to keep up with the shop's trend.

The shoes boosted his confidence, and he often used them as a conversation starter.

Now that the Ling Baiquan despises her so much, Yin Xiaojian's bewilderment deepens.

He stammered as if he wanted to say something, but the adopted son of the innkeeper simply ignored him, gave him a casual rebuke, and left on his own.

At the courtyard gate, only Yin Xiaojian remained standing there, huddled up like a wilted eggplant.

As a result, this guy couldn't muster any energy all day, and felt that hanging out with a bunch of outer court disciples who hadn't even entered the Dao was even more boring, and he was simply not worthy of being on the same level.

As night fell, the outer disciples in the hall discussed food and women during their meal.

Yin Xiaojian, mingling among them, finally began to speak fluently, regaining some of his spirits. He even began to look down on the novice children in the outer courtyard.

But after the crowd dispersed, some continued practicing their exercises, while others washed up.

Yin Xiaojian felt as if a cat was scratching at her chest, and a surge of anger welled up inside her, but she didn't know where to vent it.

"Damn it! I need to vent too." Gritting her teeth, Yin Xiaojian couldn't hold back once again.

He grabbed his empty purse, left the Scorched-Tail Hall, and walked deeper into the market.

On the other side.

After leaving the Scorched-Tail Hall, Fang Shu remained vigilant on the way and quickly returned to the Solitary Gu Hall.

Upon returning to the inn, he immediately sought out Du Yu'er, asking where the Lone Pavilion Master was, as he had something to report.

Not long after.

He then honestly recounted what he had done at the Scorched-Tail Hall, even detailing his grudge against the manager, Xiao Hu.

After saying that, he took out the fragment of the name card and the Lead Marrow Refinement Chapter Lead Method that he had obtained.

Just as Fang Shu had predicted.

The Lone Pavilion Master heard his words but continued to sip his tea leisurely, showing no surprise or desire to reprimand him. Instead, when he heard Fang Shu finally intervene, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

When he heard that Fang Shu had actually defeated a second-tribulation Immortal cultivator, even if the other party was a pampered fellow, the Lone Pavilion Master's lips curled into a clear smile.

After Fang Shu finished speaking, the Lone Pavilion Master said indifferently:

"Well done. As a member of the Immortal cultivator, you know when to advance and when to retreat, and you know when to yield and when to stand firm. But you can't keep your frustration inside. If you can clear your mind, then you can clear your mind."

This is beneficial for practicing the exercises, especially during the Refining Essence stage.

Fang Shu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

His mind immediately raced, and he summoned the Dao Register.

He noticed that a line of text in the Dao Register had changed compared to when he left. However, Fang Shu was so excited after taking action that he hadn't paid much attention to this detail.

And this text is:

[Realm: First-Tribulation Essence-Refining Human Immortal (37% complete)]

After fighting someone, Fang Shu not only escaped without any lasting injuries, but his cultivation progress actually increased by eight points in one go.

This is already almost 10% progress!

This clearly proves that the saying by the Lone Pavilion Master that "clear thoughts help with cultivation" is not false.

Fang Shu continued to be distracted, focusing his attention on the Dao Register and examining it closely.

He discovered that the reason his cultivation had made some progress was not only because his pent-up emotions were released and he felt comfortable, but also because his Qi and Blood and qi had been violently boiling during the battle, his spirit had been infused with courage, and he had been tempered by Xiao Hu's Qi and Blood pressure.

All of these things did not arise out of thin air.

Rather, it was the release of the medicinal power and vital energy that he had accumulated in his body in the past, which was equivalent to a "great accumulation that finally bursts forth".

In an instant, Fang Shu's eyes flickered. Having tasted success, the urge to practice with someone resurfaced in his heart.

The Lone Pavilion Master glanced at Fang Shu, then suddenly gave instructions:

"Oh, and there's one more thing you should know."

Fang Shu snapped out of his daze, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, please speak."

The Lone Pavilion Master put down his teacup, but instead of placing it on the table, he suddenly splashed it onto Fang Shu's feet.

Fang Shu stared intently, suppressing the urge to look away, and looked directly at his shoes that had been splashed with water.

He immediately heard the Lone Pavilion Master speak:

"As for what these words mean, you stay here and think about it. Don't leave until you understand."

The words had barely left his mouth.

The Lone Pavilion Master put down his teacup, and the other party left the council hall on his own, leaving Fang Shu alone in the hall as if he were being punished.

However, the Lone Pavilion Master was unaware that she didn't need to say these words to Fang Shu at all.

Because after Fang Shu defeated the manager Xiao Hu, his first thought was not something like "it's nothing special" or "I understand."

What he was thinking was that as long as his cultivation level was not at the second tribulation Refining Essence, or if he was close to the second tribulation Refining Essence and possessed a second tribulation Law Artifact, he could not leave the market and rush to the Lead Mountain Mine to search for treasure!

This is because, during his battle with Xiao Hu, Fang Shu deeply witnessed the difference between a first-tribulation Immortal cultivator and a second-tribulation Immortal cultivator.

That pampered old man Xiao Hu, whose future was ruined, was actually able to fight him to a standstill.

If it were a normal second-stage Human Immortal who could still use Law Technique... the outcome would be far more uncertain!

In the council chamber, Fang Shu stared at his shoes, let out a long breath, and muttered to himself:

"If you walk along the shore often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet."

This sentence should be what the Lone Pavilion Master wanted to say but hadn't yet.

Avoid arrogance and impatience, and never be discouraged or disheartened.

Fang Shu recalled the feeling of fighting in the Scorched-Tail Hall. He immediately set up his boxing stance in the council hall and practiced punches again and again, driving his Qi and Blood, cleansing his muscles and bones, and calming the restlessness in his heart.

A surge of heat emanated from his body, and his Qi and Blood energy and essence swirled fiercely, as if a fire had broken out in the hall.

In an instant, Fang Shu became completely absorbed in his practice.

He was unaware of the internal and external worlds, nor the passage of time; he only felt his own vital Qi and Blood were extremely vigorous, like a surging river.

Cracking and popping.

When he finished work, his muscles and bones crackled like they were popping when he fried soybeans, and his muscles trembled so much that mosquitoes could hardly attach themselves to him.

When Fang Shu came to his senses, he looked up and found that the hall was dark and it was already late. He had been practicing for several hours straight.

In a daze, Fang Shu felt physically and mentally exhausted and hungry, his whole body aching as if he could eat a whole cow, yet he also felt extremely comfortable, with his Qi and Blood more active than ever before.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he looked at the Dao Register in his mind again and found that the realm section had changed once more:

[Realm: First-Tribulation Essence-Refining Human Immortal (42% complete)]

His cultivation progress has actually increased by another half percent!

In just one day, Fang Shu's cultivation level increased by 13% and his Qi and Blood level rose to over 14 feet!

A surge of joy and exhilaration filled Fang Shu's chest, making him feel incredibly refreshed!

In addition to that, there is another piece of good news.

Fang Shu's attention shifted outward, his eyes sharp and penetrating, and he immediately noticed two more books placed on the table where the teacups had been.

He stepped forward and took a look, his eyes showing surprise mixed with understanding.

The two extra books were titled "Complete Lead-Mercury Blood-Treasure Artifact-Seeding Secret Method" and "Complete Manual of the Mouth-and-Stomach Secret Sword Technique," respectively.

Fang Shu immediately flipped through the pages and found that the former contained the content of the first to third tribulations of the Lead Method, while the latter contained the method of refining the Long-Tongue Sword for the first to third tribulations.

Without a doubt, this should be the apology and compensation from the Scorched-Tail Hall. It's just unclear whether Scorched-Tail Hall offered it voluntarily or whether the Lone Pavilion Master helped him obtain it.

Fang Shu quickly put away the secret manual on the table.

He then respectfully bowed to the Five-Poison Diagram hanging on the wall before calmly leaving.

At the same time.

Inside the Scorched-Tail Hall.

After the steward Xiao Hu fainted again in the hall, he was hurriedly carried into a quiet room to rest by a group of servants.

I heard that halfway there, a servant accidentally slammed this fellow's right leg hard against a pillar, but even that didn't wake him up; he just twitched a little.

Xiao Hu remained unconscious until nightfall.

The Ling Baiquan accompanied his daughter and stood guard outside the room for a long time until a disciple from the academy came to deliver a message that the academy master had summoned him. Only then did he leave the quiet room.

After leaving the room, the Ling Baiquan squinted and glanced into the room, a mocking smile appearing on its face.

"Old dog, you can really sleep."

He only slightly raised the corners of his mouth before suppressing it again. He quickly composed himself and rushed to the master's quiet room to await questioning.

I waited for less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

"Come in, my little one."

A hoarse voice came from inside the room.

There was a thin, elderly man sitting on a bamboo couch. In front of him was an incense burner, with incense burning and wisps of smoke rising.

Ling Baiquan to enter, then immediately bowed and said:

"Greetings, Master."

The old man smiled slightly and instructed, "Don't call me 'Master' in private; just call me 'Godfather'."

"Yes, Godfather," the Ling Baiquan obediently replied.

This old man was the master of the Scorched-Tail Hall. He and the master of the Solitary Gu Hall Pavilion were both masters in the market, having been trained by the Immortal Sect and sent down the mountain to cultivate talents.

"I am already aware of what happened today. You did well, acting with composure and prudence, without interfering recklessly, and without damaging the relationship between the two institutions because of that Xiao Hu."

The owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall Ling Baiquan with satisfaction.

Then he frowned again and said unhappily, "It seems that Xiao Hu is really used to flattering superiors and bullying subordinates. He doesn't even like my former disciple, his fellow disciples."

Not only did they refuse to accept his nephew, but they also tried to steal his tuition fees and hire people as servants.

At this point, the head of the Scorched-Tail Hall's face darkened. "If this gets out, the reputation that I and generations of disciples have worked so hard to build will be tarnished!"

Upon Ling Baiquan cupped its hands and spoke:

"Father, rest assured, I have already instructed all the servants in the hall that day. The Solitary Gu Hall has always maintained good relations with ours, and although Fang Shu is young, he is not someone who doesn't know his place."

As they spoke, the Ling Baiquan recounted his conversation with Fang Shu when he saw Fang Shu off, word for word.

Upon hearing this, the owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall's expression softened considerably.

The man looked at the Ling Baiquan with satisfaction and praised it:

"Excellent, methodical and poised. It seems my choice of you as the face and your brother Bai Lang as the inside man was truly wise! With you here, all the miscellaneous affairs of this establishment will be handled smoothly, and your brother and I can both relax."

However, the person did not notice that Ling Baiquan heard the words "face" and "substance," his eyes unconsciously darkened, and the joy in his eyes faded somewhat.

"Godfather flatters me," Ling Baiquan replied with a smile that remained unchanged.

The owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall sized him up, a smile appearing on his face:

"That's an overstatement. Although our academy lost an ordinary inner disciple because of Xiao Hu, this incident has also made me realize that our academy has gained an excellent young master."

The Ling Baiquan's expression changed, and he suddenly raised his head to look at the owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall: "What did you mean, Godfather?"

On the bamboo couch, the lean old man smiled and said:

"Xiao Hu is an unkind, unjust, and disloyal person. After being raised for ten years, he was even promoted to some kind of 'chief steward' by people inside and outside the academy. He has become quite wealthy, which is quite a fair reward for him."

It's time for him to relinquish his many positions at the institution and hand them over to you. That would be a proper way to appease that old hag.

The owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall sighed softly, "However, Xiao Hu is, after all, one of my first disciples. Let's retain his title as manager."

The Ling Baiquan said excitedly:

"Yes, Godfather!"

After a heartfelt conversation, the Ling Baiquan received instructions from the owner of the Scorched-Tail Hall to personally deliver the two secret manuals to the Solitary Gu Hall before withdrawing.

Even after completely leaving the owner's quiet room and Ling Baiquan walk on the road, he was still extremely excited.

He hadn't expected that Xiao Hu's status in his godfather's eyes was even lower than he had imagined.

"As expected, for the dojo, the inner disciples are the only ones who truly belong; the stewards and servants are nothing more than house-keeping dogs!"

For a moment, the Ling Baiquan's eyes flickered, and he thought to himself:

"Fang Shu, it seems I should thank you. You've shown me the true nature of that Xiao fellow; he's nothing but a paper tiger."

So when retrieving the Cultivation Method Secret Manual, the Ling Baiquan's gaze drifted to a certain Cultivation Method on the bookshelf with blood-red characters.

A Yin Evil thought lurking in this person's mind.

In an instant, the focus shifted from Fang Shu to Xiao Hu, and a strong look of covetous greed appeared on his face.