Completing the Technique Within the Clouds

Zhang Xuezhou finally embarked on his journey back to Chang'an City.

The Spirit Silk Jade Lotus Root did not produce the expected results, and his initial plan to go to the Yedie River Holy Land completely fell through.

But Zhang Xuezhou indirectly accomplished what he needed.

The impatient Venerable Lei was practically serving up a dish; it wouldn't be too difficult for Zhang Xuezhou to get the complete "Technique Within the Clouds".

As for the plan to go to the Xieluosi River Holy Land to obtain the Yang Soul Incarnation Technique for rapid cultivation, Zhang Xuezhou put it aside. Not only was Zhang Xuezhou's physical condition not good, but the Ghost of Poverty also arrived at the Xieluosi River Holy Land before him. Zhang Xuezhou could not take advantage of the time difference. If he wore the Seal-Bestowing Divine Robe and went there, he would be walking into a trap.

Moreover, Zhang Xuezhou acquired the quick way to cultivate the Yang Soul Transformation Technique because of a practical need.

His fate in reality is uncertain, so quickly mastering the Yang Soul Transformation Technique doesn't seem so important right now. It's not worth Zhang Xuezhou forcing himself to complete this requirement. If he could know the situation in reality, Zhang Xuezhou felt he could reconsider later.

"This road is really long!"

Zhang Xuezhou rode the black and white twin horses once again, but this time the horses were owned by Hongku.

The black and white horses can run day and night, have night vision, and can carry many people and goods, so they have many advantages. However, they are somewhat lacking in speed.

Zhang Xuezhou from Mount Tai to the Yedie River Holy Land by riding a treasure basin along the horse trail, and he was actually galloping along the horse trail at that moment.

The two Spirit Artifact bone horses possessed abundant Law Power. In addition to the Creation Pills and medicinal herbs filled in their own pouches, Hongku even had two large bags hanging on the black and white horses.

Although busy leading the team at the centennial event, Hongku's personal affairs clearly did not stop because of his official duties.

Zhang Xuezhou estimated that Hongku's ideal output of pills should be around two hundred Creation Pills.

This quantity is not large, only the amount of pills refined in two or three batches of Qinlu No. 8, and it is far from the grand spectacle of Zhang Xuezhou and others when they were refining pills. However, for regular pill refining, Hongku's batch is already considered a heavyweight refining effort, and it is even very likely that it is based on Hongku's personal connections and the accumulation of more than ten years of Venerable status.

Zhang Xuezhou had no intention of fooling Hongku or killing Hongku outright; he simply changed the quality of the Creation Pill to the Qi and Blood Creation Pill.

No matter what, he still gets 50% of the profit. Although Hongku might try to manipulate things, Zhang Xuezhou, as the resource processor, has a lot of freedom and wouldn't hesitate to play a little trick on the distribution of profits.

"The black and white horses are ultimately no match for those that fly in the sky. It will take at least three to five days to travel to Chang'an City, and if they encounter any accidents along the way, it will take even longer," Hongku sighed from ahead.

"Doesn't the Yedie River Holy Land have any flying magic Law Treasure?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"You've seen it before!"

Hongku scoffed, indicating that Zhang Xuezhou was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

He was immediately assigned to lead the team to participate in the centennial celebration after acquiring the black and white twin horses; what flying treasures could the Yedie River Holy Land possibly have?

Without the black and white horses, the way the Yedie River Holy Land participates in the centennial event is to set off early and constantly change horses to traverse long distances.

"I think Daojun's flying Technique Method for traversing the heavens and earth are very powerful; you can learn them," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Daojun hasn't even taken on any disciples, so why would he pass on his Technique Method?" Hongku complained.

"Venerable Hongku, would you like to learn my Technique Within the Clouds?"

Venerable Lei flew unhurriedly, his mood less agitated, and he was able to joke with Hongku in a more relaxed manner.

"Forget it, I don't want to kill myself!"

Hongku waved his hand, indicating that Venerable Lei's methods were not suitable for him.

Imbuing the wings with Demon Power is one thing, but the resources required to train them are beyond what ordinary people can afford. Furthermore, there are issues such as the conflict between Demon Power and Law Power, and the incompatibility between the demonic wings and the physical body.

Venerable Lei gives sermons from time to time, hoping that he will have disciples to carry on his teachings, but so far no one has achieved success in his practice.

Several disciples who had exhausted their cultivation resources to reach the Iron Wing level eventually ended up unable to even lift their arms, let alone fly.

"Speaking of which Wu Jin, you've also practiced Technique Within the Clouds. How's your skill level?"

Hongku suddenly remembered that Zhang Xuezhou had also been exposed to Technique Within the Clouds in the past, and had even used demon wings to hover and ascend into the sky. He couldn't help but want to know about it.

"The Technique Within the Clouds I obtained is incomplete; it lacks the part on matching body tempering techniques. Forcing myself to practice it would be too risky, so I've put it aside for a long time," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Missing content?"

Hongku exclaimed in surprise, his gaze sweeping over Venerable Lei was flying low in the sky, flapping his demonic wings.

"Only those who have reached the Golden Wing level can perceive the body's deficiencies," said Venerable Lei. "The early stages of the ' Technique Within the Clouds ' focus on cultivating demonic wings, while the later stages require body refinement. Without completing the earlier parts, one naturally cannot know the later parts. Cultivators are still in the first three stages of Qi Refining; I cannot possibly explain the content of the middle three stages or even the later three stages!"

"So, Wu Jin, your skill in the ' Technique Within the Clouds ' is quite high," Hongku exclaimed in surprise.

"My body isn't coordinated enough to use it," Zhang Xuezhou shook his head repeatedly. "I hope Venerable Lei can teach me, lest I spend a fortune only to find I can't use the Technique Within the Clouds!"

"This..."

"What do you mean, 'this'? You're actually hoping for someone else's longevity elixir!"

When Venerable Lei hesitated slightly, Hongku added a sentence.

Hongku knew the situation as soon as Zhang Xuezhou spoke. Venerable Lei's hesitation was useless; sooner or later, Zhang Xuezhou would Venerable Lei by the neck and force him to reveal the truth.

It's better to be straightforward than to hide things, so as to avoid backstabbing and infighting when cooperating.

"It's not that I'm reluctant," Venerable Lei shook his head and said, "But the body-refining technique of the Technique Within the Clouds is very risky. A slight mistake can lead to going astray, and the refinement will inevitably result in physical disfigurement, Wu Jin may not be able to accept!"

"Can the Technique Within the Clouds make you uglier the more you practice it?" Hongku exclaimed in surprise.

"I used to be quite handsome, but as my strength grew, my appearance became increasingly ugly, resulting in my current pointy-mouthed, monkey-faced look," said Venerable Lei. "This body-refining method alters every inch of the body's flesh and blood, and a person's body and appearance are both composed of flesh and blood in harmony. Once they become disharmonious, they become incredibly ugly!"

"Wu Jin, did you hear me clearly?" Hongku shouted, "Aren't you afraid of looking ugly?"

"I'm already like this, why would I be afraid of looking ugly? Venerable Lei, please just tell me!"

Zhang Xuezhou shouted, but he was actually having second thoughts.

Zhang Xuezhou was aware of his appearance problem and knew that he could fix it by practicing the aging technique, but he was a little unsure about the modifications made by the "Technique Within the Clouds".

Although he wasn't obsessed with looks, Zhang Xuezhou didn't intend to become so unrecognizable as human and detached from popular aesthetics.

He could accept being a little ugly, but Zhang Xuezhou found it hard to accept Venerable Lei's appearance.

But Zhang Xuezhou felt that cultivation was one thing, and understanding was another. Even if he didn't cultivate, there was nothing wrong with him knowing the relevant information.

With the relationship established, Venerable Lei was much easier to communicate with than Zhang Xuezhou had imagined, and there was no need for Zhang Xuezhou to use the matter of refining the Longevity Elixir as leverage.

With Venerable Lei providing supplementary explanations of "The Technique Within the Clouds" along the way, Zhang Xuezhou found the journey less tedious.

Hongku was preoccupied with the high success rate of the Creation Pill, Venerable Lei longed for the Longevity Pill which was still uncertain, and Zhang Xuezhou felt somewhat anxious after learning about the "Technique Within the Clouds". The three were in very similar states.

This uncertainty left all three parties with a mix of trepidation and anticipation, unsure of the final outcome.