Which of You Two Is the Master?

"Ever since word about Hidden Origin Peak got out, the other factions have been keeping an eye on it too."

"After you took Gu Chen out last time, some people secretly tried to investigate."

"This matter still needs to be kept secret for a while longer."

"Besides, the people you encountered outside last time were involved in some cult activities. A great deal of blood was found in their storage rings, and the people sent to investigate have learned some things."

"Over the past six months, more people have gone missing. And it isn't just happening in the Five Symbols Sect's territory. Other factions have made some related discoveries as well."

"I'm afraid those people weren't the only ones doing this."

As Lu Changzhi listened to Cang Wenyu, his expression shifted slightly.

This was probably an unexpected gain from his previous trip.

"With disciples going out, the sect has increased the forces protecting them in secret. As things stand, we're already somewhat short of elders."

"If you go out, I'm afraid we won't be able to provide enough people to protect you."

That was the main reason.

Lu Changzhi pondered for a moment.

"Sect Master Cang, I won't be going too far this time. I mainly have a few things to do, and it might not take that long. Once I'm done, I'll return to the sect immediately."

After a pause, Lu Changzhi added:

"Besides, I've already reached the ninth level of the Dao Platform Realm, and I've learned a few life-saving techniques. There's no need to worry about ordinary dangers."

With that, Lu Changzhi revealed his presence.

"Hmm?"

Cang Wenyu let out a quiet exclamation, sounding a little uncertain.

"If I remember correctly, you'd only just entered the Dao Platform Realm a month ago, hadn't you?"

And in the blink of an eye, he was at the peak of the Dao Platform Realm?

Wasn't that a little too fast?

Lu Changzhi smiled faintly and said:

"As the ancestral teachings say..."

Before he could finish, Cang Wenyu understood.

"Then what are these life-saving techniques you mentioned?"

With a thought from Lu Changzhi, his figure vanished into thin air and appeared outside the hall the next moment.

It was completely silent, without the slightest ripple.

"Hiss-"

Cang Wenyu drew a quiet breath.

"What technique have you been practicing?"

With his discerning eye, he could tell that what Lu Changzhi had just used was definitely Spirit Rank.

He had reached at least the minor mastery level.

"That doesn't seem to be from the sect, does it?"

"It isn't." Lu Changzhi nodded.

"My disciple taught it to me. What do you think, Sect Master?"

"Gu Chen?"

Cang Wenyu looked at Lu Changzhi with a somewhat peculiar expression.

"He gave you Dao Comprehension Tea, lent you his flying boat, and even taught you a Spirit Rank cultivation technique. Which of you two is the master?"

"You're his master. Have you given him anything?"

Lu Changzhi fell silent.

He was actually at a loss for words.

But he quickly changed the subject.

"Sect Master, what have you decided?"

Cang Wenyu pondered for a moment. "In that case, go ahead. But you must be extra careful. If you encounter danger, run and call for help immediately."

As he spoke, a flash of light appeared.

Twenty special talisman papers flew into Lu Changzhi's hands.

"These are all upper-grade Heaven Rank talismans. The ones with brown patterns can be used for defense; they're enough to withstand a strike from someone at the peak of the Life and Death Realm. Stick the green ones on your body, and they can greatly increase your speed at a critical moment."

"Whatever you're going out to do, protect yourself first if you encounter danger."

After a pause, Cang Wenyu added:

"See if that's enough. If it isn't, I'll give you some more."

As he spoke, Cang Wenyu took out another storage ring and held it out to Lu Changzhi.

"That's enough, enough."

Lu Changzhi couldn't help laughing.

These were Heaven Rank talismans, and every one of them was worth quite a bit.

After putting the talismans away, Lu Changzhi headed outside.

If he didn't leave now, the sect master would probably stuff him full of things before long.

"Hmm, wait, something's not right."

After Lu Changzhi left, a puzzled look appeared on Cang Wenyu's face.

"Gu Chen hasn't even been on Hidden Origin Peak for a month, has he?"

"And Changzhi has already cultivated a Spirit Rank technique to minor mastery? If I remember correctly, his aptitude was only Earth Rank..."

"Could it be..."

As he spoke, a pleased smile appeared on Cang Wenyu's face.

"Not bad. As expected of a youngster who grew up in the Five Symbols Sect. He's pretty good at keeping things hidden."

"I'll have to find a chance to give that boy's aptitude a proper test later."

"Changzhi, where are we planning to go on this trip?"

Xu Kun asked aboard the flying boat.

Lu Changzhi thought for a moment and said:

"Let's go a little farther away, then look around."

The system's detection range was limited. High in the sky, it couldn't scan what was below.

To search, he would have to get off the flying boat and enter those places himself.

The nearby places had already been visited countless times, so the chances of finding someone with Upper-Grade Spirit-Rank Aptitude there were minuscule.

Only by going a little farther away would the chances be greater.

Generally speaking, if an ordinary person wanted to know what aptitude they had, they could have someone with a high enough cultivation examine them and tell them, though it usually wouldn't be particularly accurate.

Otherwise, they could go to the Five Symbols Sect and pay for a test.

But for an ordinary person, the time and effort involved weren't worth it.

And that was his opportunity.

The system could scan people directly.

All he had to do was get them within his detection range.

Still, Lu Changzhi understood.

This probably wouldn't be easy.

After all, someone with Upper-Grade Spirit-Rank Aptitude would show signs of being extraordinary even before they began cultivating.

The chances of such a person actually going unnoticed were still very low.

That was probably also why the system had offered such a generous amount of experience.

"Forget it. If I find someone, I'll take them in. If I don't, I'll just treat it as a trip to relax."

Over the following days, Lu Changzhi traveled through one major city after another.

He ate, drank, and made merry, experiencing the mortal world.

His days passed in carefree ease.

Xu Kun enjoyed himself too.

For no other reason than that following Lu Changzhi meant having Dao Comprehension Tea to drink.

This was far more pleasant than staying in the sect.

One day, in Golden Cloud City.

Lu Changzhi was walking along when he suddenly stopped.

After more than ten days, the system had actually given him a notification.

"Someone with a special talent is currently within range. Would you like to examine them?"