Returning Heart Sect Is All Me

As an "All-Round Master" who "holds multiple positions," Jiang Beiran has to go out and trigger options during the day and tinker with pills, formations, forging, and other "undertakings" at night. Many times, he is stretched too thin and simply doesn't have the time to go down the mountain to collect rare materials that are difficult to obtain from various sects.

Therefore, under duress, Jiang Beiran had no choice but to carefully select a few outstanding "Errand Boys."

Wu Qingce was the first person Jiang Beiran chose. Firstly, this "Hero Second Generation" had a direct confrontation with him, making him one of the few who knew a small part of his true strength.

Secondly, a year after the incident, Wu Qingce had indeed kept his mouth shut and never revealed his strength to anyone.

Of course, the most crucial point was that when Jiang Beiran was preparing to "subdue" him, the system did not present any danger options. This meant that revealing a portion of his strength to Wu Qingce would not pose any danger.

Thus, Wu Qingce, who had unknowingly passed numerous tests, was invited by Jiang Beiran to the back mountain for a deep conversation. The latter already inexplicably admired Jiang Beiran, considering him a trustworthy "Senior Brother," so he agreed to the conditions after just a few words.

The condition was that Jiang Beiran would provide him with various weapons, pills, formations, and "Gu Poison," while Wu Qingce, in return, would help with errands.

"Senior Brother... you almost knocked me out just now," Wu Qingce said, applying medicinal wine to the two large lumps on his head.

Jiang Beiran glanced at him after hearing this, "If I don't make you feel pain, will you remember?"

"I was wrong, I'll never barge into the great formation you set up again, Senior Brother."

"You!" Jiang Beiran said, raising his hand to strike again, but he stopped himself upon seeing the two red lumps. "Am I angry that you trespassed into my formation? I'm angry that even though I've taught you so many times, you still make every mistake you shouldn't. First of all, what did you do when you smelled the strange scent?"

"Hold my breath," Wu Qingce replied.

"Sigh, do you think if I really wanted to knock someone out with sleeping mist, I would let it give off a scent?"

"Ah..." Wu Qingce froze and asked, "So the purpose of Senior Brother letting me smell the scent was for me to hold my breath?"

"Otherwise? Tricks like sleeping incense are nothing to many experts. Once their bodies feel something is wrong, they have various ways to expel it. But if you intentionally let them smell it, they will choose to hold their breath like you. Although it won't harm a "Mystic Practitioner" to not breathe for an hour, not inhaling oxygen continuously... not breathing continuously will gradually make your mind sluggish, thus losing your usual reason and judgment.

"Ultimately, you'll become as foolish as you were just now, knowing you can't leave the formation but still insisting on forcing your way through."

"So that's how it is..." Wu Qingce suddenly understood. He had indeed been a bit hot-headed when he couldn't get out of the formation earlier and had charged through again without much thought. Recalling it now, he felt as if he were possessed.

"I forgive you...!" Jiang Beiran, unable to hold back, wanted to strike again but ultimately calmed himself down first.

Don't get angry, don't get angry, I accept it, I accept it.

It was no wonder Jiang Beiran was so angry. He had repeatedly warned Wu Qingce, telling him to blow his flute when he arrived and not to enter the formation himself, as it was very dangerous inside. One must know that the "Eight Directions Asura Formation" just now was entirely a killing formation, specifically designed to deal with uninvited guests who attempted to force their way through. If he hadn't arrived in time, his "Number One Underling" would have become the first "Ghost Under Formation." Who would he complain to then?

Letting out a long sigh, Jiang Beiran changed the subject and asked, "What brings you here this time?"

Seeing that his Senior Brother had finally let him off the hook this time, Wu Qingce quickly replied, "I won the "JB District Sect Disciple Tournament" this time, and I've come to report the good news to you, Senior Brother."

Jiang Beiran understood when he heard this. No wonder this kid was suddenly so arrogant. As the name suggests, the "JB District Sect Disciple Tournament" was a contest among the young disciples of various sects. Anyone under 20 could participate. If one could achieve first place in this competition, they would be considered the well-deserved "Number One Person" among the young disciples.

"So that's the reason you dared to barge into the formation?"

Wu Qingce quickly put away his proud expression upon hearing this: "I mainly wanted Senior Brother to see my progress. I've read through the Positive Negative Four Symbols Formation several times on the way here and gained quite a bit of insight, so I..."

"Fine, winning the championship is a joyous occasion, I won't lecture you further. But remember next time, the moment you feel most proud is also the moment you're most likely to stumble. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Qingce will engrave this in my heart."

Nodding with satisfaction, Jiang Beiran couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he looked at the Number One Person of the JB District Young Disciple before him.

'As expected, all the Returning Heart Sect members are just like me, stuck in C.'

Jiang Beiran was naturally well aware of Wu Qingce's strength. After a year of "cooperation," Jiang Beiran had gradually begun to truly regard him as his junior brother. Thus, he would often give him pills to improve his physical strength or cultivation power, and occasionally act as a sparring partner, pointing out his flaws in combat.

Yet, he hadn't expected that by teaching him like this, he would actually produce a "Number One Person of the JB District."

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Senior Brother, the Birch Leaf Forest you told me to keep going to has changed recently. A second-tier Thunder Pattern Zhen has suddenly moved in."

Jiang Beiran's body paused upon hearing this. He nodded and said, "Very good. Continue observing to see if more exotic beasts move in. If there are three or more, notify me immediately."

"Yes." After agreeing, Wu Qingce hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior Brother, may I ask what your plans are?"

"What is it? Something's up?" Given their long-standing tacit understanding, Wu Qingce rarely questioned Jiang Beiran's orders; he would simply carry them out.

"Yes." Wu Qingce cupped his hands towards Jiang Beiran: "My cultivation has increased significantly during this period, so I wish to challenge a second-tier exotic beast and break through to the Xuan Master realm in one go."

'Oh? Is he finally about to break through? Alright, then I'll bring you along when I go to Birch Leaf Forest next time. I'll help you watch from the sidelines.'

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Wu Qingce cupped his hands joyfully.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at Jiang Beiran's "Secret Base" in the back mountain.

Generally speaking, registered disciples like Jiang Beiran would not be able to own a cultivation ground in the back mountain. However, Jiang Beiran, relying on his superb Chess Skill and by frequently helping the Hall Master resolve some "minor troubles," had managed to open a backdoor.

"Every time I come to this Purple Bamboo Forest, I feel more comfortable than the last time. Senior Brother, how do you grow these bamboos?"

Wu Qingce distinctly remembered that when he first brought these purple bamboos, each one was at most less than two meters tall. But now, they were reaching for the sky, casting a vast shadow.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Come over for some tea."