A light breeze blew on the hillside and brushed past one’s face gently. It gave off a graceful and leisure feeling, allowing one to fully relax.
This place was the best getaway paradise on this mountain. A splendid courtyard occupied the best spot here, where an elder was seen doing a martial-art squat seriously inside.
Ou Yangming smiled as he watched from a distance away, but he still felt something strange.
Ever since Ou Yangming was adopted by Old Craftsman in the lower realm, he had always learned under his supervision. Whether it was reading or equipment smithing, the old man had taught him everything.
Nonetheless, the situation was the opposite this time, where Ou Yangming was teaching… No, observing Old Craftsman practicing martial arts.
Based on Ou Yangming’s cultivation base, he could very well teach Old Craftsman martial arts and give him some pointers. Even so, he could not become a real teacher in front of the old man.
Old Craftsman performed a body technique and trembled as he managed to complete a fist technique. He later exhaled deeply and looked anxiously at the people in the distance.
“Great,” Mao Jianbi shouted and clapped. “Old Craftsman, you’re old but vigorous indeed. Hehe, this is only a fist technique, but very few people in the sect can grasp everything within 3 days.”
The old man smiled gladly and was happy from the bottom of his heart.
He laughed. “Senior Mao…”
Mao Jianbi waved his hand and said, “Ah, Old Craftsman, how many times have I told you that we’re professionals in different aspects, so please don’t address me as a senior anymore.” He pointed at Ou Yangming and continued, “Master Ou and I address each other as brothers, so would you like me to address you as Old Man too? Look, even Sir Venerable One addressed you as a younger brother. As bold as I am, I dare not call you a senior.”
Old Craftsman flushed and immediately waved his hand. “Ah, this, this, Mao…” He finally gave in while being stared at fiercely by Mao Jianbi, so he uttered softly, “Big Brother Mao.”
The great elder finally laughed out loud and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take you as my brother now.”
Judging from their appearances, anyone would say that Old Craftsman looked more senior than Mao Jianbi but in reality, Mao Jianbi’s was a top-grade Spiritualist in the Spiritual Realm and had lived much longer than the old man.
In a way, Old Craftsman’s age was not even a fraction of that of Mao Jianbi.
Nevertheless, due to Ou Yangming, not to mention Mao Jianbi, who still wanted to ask for a Thunderbolt-resistant Suit, but Yuqi the Venerable One and the old macaque also dared not offend Old Craftsman.
In particular, after seeing how Ou Yangming respected and relied on Old Craftsman, the top-notch figures in the Beast King Sect made the wise decision to respect Old Craftsman.
As at this moment, Old Craftsman was only to be taught an introductory fist technique. Even if there were no 100,000 figures, there were 80,000 to 90,000 qualified figures in the Beast King Sect to do the task, and yet Mao Jianbi—a top-grade Spiritualist—did anything he could to get the honor.
If other people knew a top-grade Spiritualist was patiently teaching a newbie in martial arts a basic fist technique, what kind of sensation would it stir up?
Ou Yangming cleared his throat and approached the pair. “Old Man, you’ve practiced a fist technique, so you should rest now.”
Old Craftsman shook his head. “Why should I rest? I’m feeling energetic now, and my body hasn’t even fully warmed up. Hmph, don’t fool me just because I’ve never practiced martial arts before.” He rolled his eyes at Ou Yanging. “Practicing martial arts is extremely tough. If I can’t endure the hardship, why the hell should I do this?”
The young fellow was stunned. Although he did not want Old Man to work too hard, he thought about the Eternal Pill. If one wanted to stimulate the pill’s efficacy to be born again through the fire, one must possess immense willpower.
‘Old Man might be suffering a little now, but it’ll benefit him very much in the future.’
Ou Yangming nodded and commented, “Old Man, you’re right.”
Following that, Old Craftsman stroked his beard and got into a stance. He was going to continue to practice the fist technique when he looked at Ou Yangming and advised him earnestly, “Young fella, can’t you see that I’m working hard despite my age? You should quickly cultivate too and stop staying here like an eyesore.”
Ou Yangming was dumbfounded. He pointed at his nose and thought, ‘An eyesore? When did I end up in such a miserable spot?’
Having said that, when he looked around, he realized that Old Craftsman was making sense.
After the celebration, Ni Yinghong and Wu Hanning went to the Beast King Sect’s library.
Even though they did not receive the same treatment as Ou Yangming, who could read anything he wanted, Yuqi the Venerable One still picked several books for them. Given his vision, it would be overkill for him to guide the ladies.
That said, since they were being supervised by the Venerable One, Ou Yangming did not need to worry about them at all.
As for Bai Shixue, she was even busier. Being Ou Yangming’s proxy, she was still quite reserved when she first arrived. When Sect Leader Gu Jiacheng from the Alchemy Hall and Sect Leader Peng Yanbing from the Smithing Hall found the young lady one after another and expressed their wills to cooperate with her, she seemed to have changed into a different person right away. Filled with excitement, Bai Shixue began to look for stores, contact sources, inspect manpower, and so on. All in all, she was as busy as a bee.
Ou Yangming could also smith pieces of equipment, but he alone would not be enough to bring out Bai Shixue’s wild ambition, which was why she did anything she could to contact other people.
In any case, Ou Yangming was not worried because he would be Bai Shixue’s backing. Besides, the Beast King Sect was willing to support her. He knew even if the young lady was being ineffectual, the worst outcome would be they would not generate any income.
As for losses… With the support of the sect leaders from the Alchemy Hall and the Smithing Hall, as well as the endorsement of the top-notch figure from the Beast King Sect, the agent must be ridiculous for the business to suffer any losses.
There were no unspeakable personal feelings between Ou Yangming and the 3 ladies, but there were more or less some secretive and ambiguous feelings.
However, after coming to the Spiritual Realm, the ladies somehow had a tacit understanding to avoid Ou Yangming, who was puzzled instead.
Seeing as Ou Yangming was dazed, Old Craftsman shook his head. He no longer bothered about the young fellow and began to practice the fist technique step by step.
Old Craftsman was only a blacksmith before this, where he had his understanding in equipment smithing. Nonetheless, being a man, he would be lying to say that he was not interested in martial arts at all. The only thing was that the old man never got the chance to learn real martial arts in the lower realm. After missing the prime time to cultivate martial arts, he completely gave up on the thought.
Who knew, Old Craftsman was given a chance in the Spiritual Realm. Moreover, he became incredibly passionate, thus he invested all of his energy in it, so much so that he temporarily put his beloved smithing art aside.
Ou Yangming followed Old Craftsman’s movements with his eyes. Indeed, this was the most ordinary introductory fist technique.
They were in the Spiritual Realm and one of the Humans’ Nine Great Sects, and the person that was teaching Old Craftsman the fist art was a top-grade Spiritualist.
Nevertheless, an introductory fist technique was the most basic fist technique, so it would not be much greater than that of the lower realm.
A flash of a figure was seen as Mao Jianbi approached Ou Yangming without a sound and remarked with a smile, “Master Ou, Old Man’s in a good spirit.”
Ou Yangming nodded and asked, “Great Elder Mao, is it true that very few people can grasp this fist technique within 3 days?”
Mao Jianbi opened his mouth and felt rather troubled as he answered, “Very few people can grasp its essence within 3 days indeed.”
The young fellow was struck dumb, and he cast a weird look at Mao Jianbi. The great elder only added a word, but it changed the whole meaning drastically.
One could be considered to have grasped the fist technique if one stuck closely to the steps, but mastering its essence would have a deep meaning to it.
Ou Yangming knew Mao Jianbi had only said this to fool Old Man, but he was deeply moved.
“Great Elder Mao, will Old Man’s mind and body be able to take it if he practices hard like this?” He curbed his thought and asked in a deep voice.
“You’re too concerned about Old Craftsman, don’t you think? He’s only cultivating at this level. Which new disciple doesn’t train 10 times harder than him?’ Mao Jianbi thought but no matter how he complained internally, he kept a smile on his face. “Master Ou, don’t worry, we’ve mixed the most precious spiritual medicines in Old Man’s daily meal for him, and I’ll massage him every time after he cultivates. Hehe, I assure you that he won’t face any risk.”
Ou Yangming nodded gratefully. “Great Elder Mao, thank you.”
Mao Jianbi chuckled. “Master Ou, you’re being too polite. Many people want to do something for you but don’t have the opportunity to.”
Even Ou Yangming’s face reddened when he heard the great Elder’s flatters.
He looked deeply and asked, “Great Elder Mao, once Old Man has some achievement in his cultivation, I’d like to smith a special equipment set for you. Would you be willing to accept it?”
Mao Jianbi’s heart pounded at once. He took a deep breath to suppress his excitement and responded, “Thank you, Master Ou.”
Had he not been fawning Old Craftsman for this?
All of a sudden, a chime was heard coming from the distance. Far away, a multi-colored cloud was vaguely seen.
Mao Jianbi’s face changed. His eyes glimmered as he said, “Mount Wuzhi—they’re here…”
Ou Yangming raised his eyebrows. His eyes were filled with a strong fighting spirit.
‘Next, it’ll be my fight.’
