Storm Clouds Gathering

After receiving Zhou Tingyu's definite reply, Kong Jiao's trip to Feng An's residence could be considered a success.

They first divided up the refining materials, then asked about Twin-Stem Ice Lingzhi. The three chatted for quite a while, and it was time for each of them to leave.

Zhou Tingyu left first.

But just as Kong Jiao was about to depart, Feng An gave him a meaningful look, as if he had something to say.

Kong Jiao immediately understood. He was in no hurry to leave, and after waiting for Zhou Tingyu to go far away, the two returned to the courtyard.

"What is it, Senior Brother Feng An?" Kong Jiao knew Feng An well. He would never deliberately keep him behind without reason; he must have something important to tell him.

"The atmosphere in the sect has been off lately." Feng An picked up the wine flask from the table and took a hard swig. Without wiping the wine from his beard, he gazed at the mountain spring flowing down from above into the courtyard and said uneasily, "The master of the Enforcement Hall hasn't shown his face for nearly a month."

"The Alchemy Pavilion has also been closed to outsiders every night since we returned from Frostmoon Altar."

"The reason Elder Zhou Shangxiang still hasn't emerged from seclusion is probably that she has some reason to be hastily refining pills."

"I've noticed these past few days that the number of disciples guarding the mountain is also wrong. There are several times more than usual."

"And most of the powerful experts from the first echelon of our outer sect who went out have been summoned back."

In a low voice, Feng An laid out every abnormality he had recently noticed within the Cangwu Sect, as though reciting treasured possessions from memory.

With every sentence Feng An spoke, Kong Jiao's brow tightened another degree.

He had been in seclusion for the past month and knew nothing of the outside world.

Feng An was different. He watched the movements of the outer sect every day, and his nose was exceptionally sharp, allowing him to notice details ordinary disciples would never pay attention to.

"Any one of the changes Senior Brother Feng An mentioned might not mean much on its own." Kong Jiao's expression gradually turned solemn as his mind raced.

"But when all these details are put together, they really are rather unusual."

At this, Kong Jiao looked gravely at Feng An, whose old face was equally stern. "Senior Brother Feng, are you saying something major is about to happen in the sect?"

The latter nodded cautiously and said in an intentionally lowered voice, "It must be something major. I've been in the Cangwu Sect for decades. I know our sect's way of doing things too well. Our Sect Master is a man of schemes. If he does not move, so be it—but once he moves, it will be with thunderous force."

As he spoke, Feng An gave Kong Jiao a particularly grave reminder. "Junior Brother Kong Jiao, it would be best if we don't leave the sect for anything during this period. Even if something major happens, the sect will still be safe."

A storm is on its way. Kong Jiao gently rubbed his brow, his face more worried than anything.

His strength had improved greatly recently, but he had cultivated for too short a time. At most, he only ranked among the second echelon of the outer sect.

Before the great tide of events, he was still nothing more than an ant.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced. Good thing I took that opportunity at Frostmoon Altar. If this affair gets in the way, who knows until what year of the monkey and month of the horse I'd have to wait before I could go there again.

The two discussed further details in the courtyard: what could not be done during this extraordinary period, and what had to be done with caution.

Whether Kong Jiao or Feng An, the young man and the old man were both quick-witted people. A single hint was often enough for them to understand.

Before leaving, Kong Jiao suddenly thought of something and asked Feng An one more question. "Senior Brother Feng, have you heard of an ancient book called Immortal Foundation?"

Huangfu Wuqin had once mentioned this ancient text, which recorded in detail the Heaven, Earth, and Human grades of Heaven-and-Earth Essences.

But she did not remember much of it.

Kong Jiao had just absorbed Frostsnow Essence, and he had also just heard news of Tidal Essence. Naturally, he had developed a strong interest in these Heaven-and-Earth Essences.

Naturally, he wanted to take a look.

Otherwise, if Heaven-and-Earth Essences came up in the future and he did not even know their grades, much less what value they represented, that would be rather negligent.

Besides, the strength of a Wheel Nurturing Realm cultivator was closely tied to the grade of the Heaven-and-Earth Essence they had absorbed.

Should he encounter an enemy like himself in the future, one who had already absorbed a Heaven-and-Earth Essence, he would at least be able to make a rough judgment.

Hearing the title Immortal Foundation, Feng An frowned and thought for a while, but could not find any information about it in his mind. He could only smile bitterly and shake his head. "Never heard of it."

Then he added, "But you can ask at the Outer Sect Technique Pavilion. They generally keep all sorts of ancient books there. If they don't have it, you can only look in the inner sect."

"Alright! I'll go ask right away." Kong Jiao nodded, rose to bid Feng An farewell, and left.

Outer Sect Technique Pavilion.

The one stationed here was still Zhao Wei, Deacon Zhao.

Even Feng An could smell that something was amiss within the sect, yet Deacon Zhao seemed entirely unaffected. He still sat here every day, teasing the little bird in its cage.

Just what cultivation does Deacon Zhao have? Kong Jiao secretly guessed as he watched the old man's leisurely manner.

Even though he had improved greatly since the time he came to purchase the Frostfall Fragmentary Scripture.

When looking at Deacon Zhao, he still felt unable to see through him.

Just then, Deacon Zhao noticed Kong Jiao entering the Technique Pavilion from the corner of his eye.

He still remembered this fool with too much money who had spent three hundred spirit crystals on a flawed technique.

He immediately put down the birdcage, looked at him with great interest, and teased, "Oh, the rich man is here."

"Deacon Zhao, long time no see. You're still so hale and hearty, every bit the bearing of an expert." Kong Jiao naturally put on a smile and showered Deacon Zhao with flattering pleasantries.

But the latter remained unmoved. The smile on his old face gave no indication whether it was genuine or false.

"Are you here to borrow something today, or have you taken a fancy to another technique?" Zhao Wei's words carried a heavy note of mockery. He assumed Kong Jiao had not made any sense of that Frostfall Fragmentary Scripture.

"To borrow! To borrow!" Kong Jiao pretended not to understand Deacon Zhao's words and hurriedly said, "May I ask, Deacon Zhao, whether the Outer Sect Technique Pavilion contains an ancient book called Immortal Foundation?"

"Immortal Foundation?" Deacon Zhao raised a brow and looked Kong Jiao up and down.

Then he clicked his tongue in wonder.

"The fifth level of Wheel Nurturing already. Your cultivation speed is quite fast. It truly is time for you to study this ancient book."

Hearing this, the corners of Kong Jiao's mouth rose. There's hope!

"Of course we have Immortal Foundation, but only a copy. The original is in the inner sect. The copy costs one contribution point per day to borrow, and no spirit crystals are charged." Zhao Wei stroked the beard on his chest and deliberately noted that no spirit crystals were required, seemingly reminding Kong Jiao of something.

Fortunately, Kong Jiao had just returned from Frostmoon Altar and gained twenty-eight contribution points. He immediately took out his identity token and said politely, "Then I'll trouble Deacon Zhao. This disciple wishes to borrow it for three days."

Zhao Wei first took Kong Jiao's identity token and confirmed that it held enough contribution points to pay for three days of borrowing. Only then did he give Kong Jiao a deep look.

Then he waved his hand.

Just as when he had retrieved the Frostfall Fragmentary Scripture before.

An ordinary-looking jade slip immediately shot out from among the many bookshelves and landed in his palm.

Before handing over Immortal Foundation, Deacon Zhao asked rather seriously, "Did you go to Frostmoon Altar, kid?"

Kong Jiao's heart jolted. Deacon Zhao was different from those outer sect disciples; whether in information or authority, they were not on the same level.

If he truly wished to investigate, he might actually be able to find something out.

Moreover, Kong Jiao had exchanged for the Frostfall Fragmentary Scripture through him, so it was inevitable that this would arouse his suspicion.

Fortunately, Deacon Zhao apparently did not possess Huangfu Wuqin's ability and could not see that he had already absorbed Frost-White Essence.

This put Kong Jiao's heart at ease. With an expression as still as an ancient well, he replied, "I haven't been there. Why do you ask, Deacon Zhao?"

"It's nothing. Keep Immortal Foundation safe." Zhao Wei did not ask further. He merely responded casually and handed the jade slip to Kong Jiao.

"This disciple takes his leave!" Kong Jiao put on a delighted expression and happily left with the jade slip.

Zhao Wei remained behind, half-squinting as he watched Kong Jiao's back vanish from the Technique Pavilion.

He muttered, "Who knows whether the kid was telling the truth or not. Still, his cultivation speed is quite fast. He's already at the fifth level of Wheel Nurturing at such a young age. I wonder how he compares with Shangguan Yuzhou, whom those old fellows in the inner sect have taken a fancy to."

After leaving the Outer Sect Technique Pavilion with Immortal Foundation in hand, the smile that had filled Kong Jiao's face a moment earlier immediately vanished. His eyes wary, he turned back to glance at the Technique Pavilion.

That old fellow is truly sharp.

Zhao Wei was a deacon, after all. Some matters would certainly be difficult to conceal from him.

Given enough time, Kong Jiao's lie would eventually collapse without being attacked.

"He's a sect elder. There's nothing on me worth coveting. He was probably just asking casually. It's nothing serious!" Kong Jiao muttered.

"Fortunately, it's safe within the Cangwu Sect." Looking at the bustling outer sect disciples outside the Technique Pavilion, Kong Jiao smiled faintly and cast this small unease to the back of his mind.

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