Gone for Years, Not Changed a Bit

By observing only a part of the whole picture, one can gain a general understanding of the situation.

Having not seen Zhang Xuezhou for several years, Hongku felt that Zhang Xuezhou was not going well.

Based on his understanding of Zhang Xuezhou, he felt that a smart person like Zhang Xuezhou shouldn't have fallen to this state, but intelligence couldn't overcome physical ailments.

Looking at the residence where Zhang Xuezhou lived, Hongku knew very well that Zhang Xuezhou was far from being part of the core power of the Great Han Dynasty.

This is not a house for a high-ranking official.

Even if Zhang Xuezhou worked alongside Xu Chang, Li Guang, and others, Zhang Xuezhou was most likely just a conscript.

"What official position do you hold in the Han Dynasty?" Hongku asked after a sigh.

"I'm not officially an official yet," Zhang Xuezhou said, pursing his lips. "I'm currently awaiting imperial orders at the Eunuch's Office!"

"Eunuch's Office?"

Hongku frowned.

Waiting for an appointment was a candidate for officialdom. It was not uncommon for someone to become an official on the waiting list, but it was rare for someone to go to the eunuch's office to wait for an appointment.

"Normally, you should be waiting for an imperial summons at the Golden Horse Gate, not at the Eunuch's Office!"

Hongku felt that Zhang Xuezhou was being somewhat evasive and dishonest, but when he saw Zhang Xuezhou take out the plaque of the eunuch's office, he had mixed feelings.

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

It's not unusual for Zhang Xuezhou to be a court official at Jinma Gate; it's a place where outstanding and talented individuals await appointment.

However, the Eunuch's Office was where minor officials in the palace awaited appointments.

The former is Spring Snow, while the latter is popular and accessible.

Even those who aren't arrogant can feel a clear sense of humiliation.

"I'm quite ill, and my cousin has been taking care of me all these years," Zhang Xuezhou said, shaking his head. "The imperial court can't really make any arrangements for me; I can only wait to be summoned!"

"You still shouldn't go to the Eunuch's Office," Hongku said unhappily. "That's a place where lowly eunuchs gather. Sending you to such a place to serve as an imperial attendant is simply an insult!"

"The students are used to it!"

Zhang Xuezhou sighed, his face showing complete resignation.

Even someone as hard-hearted as Hongku felt that Zhang Xuezhou's life was terrible and that he wanted to break free just as much as he had back then.

"You performed quite well in front of Xu Chang, Li Guang, and others," Hongku finally had to say.

"Students should seize every opportunity to perform well. Perhaps one day they will be recommended for a suitable position, thereby gaining access to various cultivation resources. Maybe after their cultivation progresses, they can change their fate," Zhang Xuezhou said.

Having ambition is a good thing!

Hongku nodded.

But he knew in his heart that Zhang Xuezhou's performance was of no use whatsoever.

Prime Minister Xu Chang returned to Chang'an City in a panic, lying on his carriage. Li Guang did not kill Ao Sheng. These people were busy coming and going, but they did not achieve any merit. How could they possibly promote Zhang Xuezhou because of this?

If he wanted to perform well and get promoted, he would at least have to get the meat before Zhang Xuezhou could get a little soup.

The only bright spot was Zhang Xuezhou's intelligence, which he displayed as always. He feigned death to avoid being targeted, overheard relevant information, and then used coercion and inducement to force Ao Li to show himself. He even acted as a middleman between Ao Li and the Great Han Dynasty.

Hongku's gaze swept over Zhang Xuezhou, then settled on Rong Tianding.

Zhang Xuezhou's life was not good, but Zhang Xuezhou had a strong sense of risk.

Hongku felt that Zhang Xuezhou had the intention of killing him.

Moreover, Zhang Xuezhou has already turned his ideas into actual means of control.

"You came here because of my cousin?" Zhang Xuezhou asked first.

To be precise, I came here specifically for the magic he used!

Zhang Xuezhou was a smart man. After exchanging pleasantries, he got straight to the point. Hongku did not deny it and acknowledged that he had come for this reason.

For the Yedie River Holy Land, this was an act of treasure hunting, but more importantly, it was a training exercise for the great cultivators.

After nearly ten years of cultivation, many venerable ones and Dharma masters in the Sacred Land have more or less successfully condensed their Yang Souls into incarnations. This is also the first time that so many people have joined forces in this battle.

Just as expected, the sorcerers, who were already skilled in long-range combat, completely outmaneuvered the experts of the Great Han Dynasty, causing chaos and confusion for them with only a small price to pay.

If this capability were used to aid in warfare, it would undoubtedly be of even greater use.

Everything went according to plan, except for one minor mishap.

Hongku looked at Rong Tianding and sensed that the other party's cultivation level was not particularly strong.

It is not uncommon for there to be methods to break Incantation Technique in the world, and it is also common for the inferior to the superior to overthrow the superior among cultivators. Hongku could even accept that his Yang Soul body was forcefully dispelled and scattered, but Hongku never thought that a little flame could spread and burn so quickly to break the spell.

If the reaction is even slightly slow, or if the distance of the spell is too close, there is a high probability that the fire will be ignited in the body, especially since this kind of Fire Technique is cast at an extremely fast speed, making it almost impossible to defend against.

"I want to ask you, is his Fire Technique able to suppress the Yang Soul Incarnation?" Hongku asked earnestly.

The Yang Soul Incarnation of the cultivators of the Yedie River Holy Land is a powerful weapon. Until a countermeasure is found, Hongku also agrees that this technique is unsolvable.

Even if the Yang Soul incarnation can only unleash half of its full power, it would still be enough.

The Yang Soul Incarnation possesses the abilities to fly, conceal itself, and fearlessly face death. These three qualities finally allow Incantation Technique, who have always been secretive, to step into the limelight and engage their opponents at close range. This transforms tactics that previously required days, months, or even years of preparation into instantaneous action.

However, Hongku keenly sensed the threat posed by Rong Tianding's Fire Technique. He felt that this technique could not only overcome superiors but also quickly break curses, and it was also likely to melt the Yang Soul Incarnation. It might even have the ability to trace back to the source and kill the original body.

He didn't ask Rong Tianding, but instead pressed Zhang Xuezhou for answers.

Zhang Xuezhou did not belong to a cultivator Lineage, so when it came to relatives cultivating, Zhang Xuezhou would naturally be the leader. Moreover, Zhang Xuezhou was familiar with the Yang Soul Incarnation Technique and had even impersonated him to preach at the Black Stone Courtyard.

Even if Zhang Xuezhou's Yang Soul Incarnation technique was inadequate, the other party at least had sufficient understanding in this regard.

"I'll have my cousin help you verify it," Zhang Xuezhou said, shaking his head. "After all, you won't believe me; you'll only believe what you see with your own eyes!"

"What are you saying? How could I not believe you!"

Hongku frowned.

Zhang Xuezhou was right, but Hongku wouldn't believe Zhang Xuezhou without verifying it himself.

However, verification inevitably comes at a price, and Hongku could not afford to pay the price of his body being harmed.

"Have you practiced this kind of Fire Technique?" Hongku asked.

"No," Zhang Xuezhou shook his head.

"Can't I?" Hongku asked again.

"If you'd like to try spiritual cultivation, you can give it a shot," Zhang Xuezhou recommended.

"I really want to try. What price do I need to pay to obtain the original Fire Technique?"

Hongku skipped a beat.

His eyes were fixed on Zhang Xuezhou.

Hongku could not discern any falsehood in Zhang Xuezhou's demeanor during the exchange.

But Hongku knew Zhang Xuezhou too well. If a technique had the ability to overcome superiors, he didn't believe Zhang Xuezhou wouldn't practice it.

If Zhang Xuezhou did not cultivate, it can only be because Zhang Xuezhou did not meet the requirements and had to give up cultivation.

When Zhang Xuezhou recommended him to practice Buddhism, Hongku knew very well that this was bound to be a trap.

But he was genuinely curious about this Fire Technique, and even if it came at a certain cost, Hongku felt he wanted to learn about it.