Chapter 8: Rapid Progress

Feeling a moment of unease, Du Feiyun ultimately decided to confront the situation. He keenly sensed that since the visitor was Qin Er, the steward of the Qin family, rather than the notoriously hot-tempered Qin Wannian, it indicated that the Qin family had not yet found evidence of his killing of Qin Shouyi. Otherwise, how could Qin Wannian possibly restrain himself? He would certainly have come in person to take revenge for his son!

However, he would absolutely not disclose any information to others. This matter, apart from himself, could definitely not be known by anyone else. He understands the principle that possessing a treasure can lead to trouble.

When Qin Er, the steward of the Qin family, arrived with a dozen or so servants, Du Feiyun felt a sense of foreboding. He was somewhat anxious and even harbored a faint regret for not having taken his mother and sister to escape from Baishi Town.

During these ten days, Du Feiyun continued his routine as always, getting up at dawn every morning. After practicing the Flowing Cloud technique twice, he would go to Langshi Mountain to gather herbs

However, although there is exhilarating good news, there is also concerning bad news

Having thought this through, Du Feiyun deliberately put on a slightly anxious and bewildered expression, responding to Qin Er's stern questioning with feigned ignorance. Although this infuriated Qin Er, it ultimately did not lead to any trouble.

If the Qin family intends to eliminate Du Feiyun, it would be as easy as turning over one's hand, requiring no effort at all

Clearly, Du Shi mistakenly believed that he had secretly taken on an apprenticeship. However, since this matter could not be clarified, Du Feiyun simply chose not to explain. After all, he knew that in the future, there would likely be more matters requiring explanation. Since his mother mistakenly thought he had taken on an apprenticeship, it conveniently spared him from much unnecessary discussion

Du Feiyun's rapid progress was clearly observed by the Du family, and they naturally felt both surprise and relief in their hearts. The son, who had been making slow advancements, finally saw the clouds parting to reveal the moon, having been accepted as a disciple by a mysterious master. He learned a secret technique, and his strength advanced at an astonishing pace; how could they not be delighted

Feiyun, your mother knows that you have grown up and have your own secrets. Perhaps you must obey your master's orders, but surely you should not hide things even from your mother

However, Du Shi was not angry; she let out a light laugh, extended her finger to gently tap Du Feiyun's forehead, and playfully scolded, "Ah, my son Feiyun actually dares to use such nonsense to deceive his mother."

What surprised him the most was that his strength had made rapid progress during this period, advancing two levels in just ten days, reaching the sixth level of the Body Refinement Stage

"Feiyun, the set of footwork and palm techniques you just practiced is quite unfamiliar. This is clearly not the Liu family martial arts I taught you. Tell me, where did you learn this?" Du Shi leaned on his cane with one hand while holding Du Feiyun's hand with the other, a hint of questioning in his eyes

After a long and tiring day, upon returning home in the evening and having dinner, he did not rest but instead began to concentrate on his cultivation, continuing until dawn the next day, repeating this cycle.

He had no doubt that if the cultivators from the three prominent families of Baishi Town were to learn of this matter, they would surely go mad. A single pill could eliminate years of arduous cultivation and elevate one's power by two levels; such efficacy is truly extraordinary!

Qin Er was unable to ascertain the reasons despite his inquiries, and, intimidated by Du Wanqing's fearsome reputation, he was reluctant to engage with him or confront him directly. Ultimately, he had no choice but to leave in disappointment, accompanied by his servants.

Having practiced this set of flowing and seamless techniques four times from beginning to end, two hours had already passed. Du Feiyun was immersed in that profound state, even forgetting to have breakfast.

After the incident with Qin Shouyi, whether it was due to inner resistance or the decreasing availability of herbs in the mountains, Du Feiyun no longer visited Baishi Peak. Instead, he sought out a remote mountain peak, where he harvested abundantly every day

When he finally finished his work, stood still, and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, he turned his head and saw Du leaning against the door, looking dazed, lost in thought about some concern.

More importantly, cultivators in the Body Refinement stage can barely consume this elixir. Therefore, he also needs to gather herbs and collect the materials required for the alchemical formula

Previously, Du Feiyun had only seen how miraculous and powerful the elixirs depicted in the jade slips were. It was only then that he truly witnessed the extraordinary effects of the elixirs with his own eyes. He had remained at the fourth level of the Body Refinement Stage for a full two years, but after consuming the Transcendence Pill, he made a leap to the fifth level, and just yesterday, he advanced once again to the sixth level.

He believes that if the cultivators from the three major families were to learn that he possesses such a treasure, they would undoubtedly swarm to him, employing all means to seize his treasure for themselves, and even he and his * map * book would be in mortal danger

The news of the disappearance of the second young master of the Qin family, Qin Shouyi, spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Baishi Town in no time, including the ears of Du Feiyun. Baishi Town is only about ten miles in circumference, with a population of just a few thousand. Even the most trivial matters are often the subject of much gossip, let alone the significant news of the second young master's disappearance, which naturally became known to everyone, from the elderly to the children.

Ten days have quietly passed

Once this news spread, many residents of Baishi Town couldn't help but chuckle to themselves. It is well known that Qin Shouyi has a greedy and lustful nature, and his desire for Du Wanquing's beauty has not been a secret for one or two years.

Although Du Wanquing came from a humble background and had to manage household chores daily, sometimes even going up the mountain to gather herbs, her attire was very simple, and she never wore makeup. However, even in her plain clothing and without adornments, she still possessed natural beauty, appearing three times more radiant than many wealthy young ladies in the town.

Du Feiyun's voice awakened Du Shi, and she leaned on her cane to walk into the courtyard. Du Feiyun quickly assisted her to sit down at the stone table.

However, in Baishi Town, everyone knows that this delicate young girl is a harbinger of misfortune; she brought about her father's death while still in the cradle.

Ah, well, if you truly do not wish to speak, then I shall not force you

A mere pill allowed him to forgo two years of arduous cultivation, enabling him to directly elevate from the fourth to the sixth level of body refinement. How powerful and astonishing this is!

Of course, before leaving, Qin Er did not forget to severely reprimand Du Feiyun in front of the library, claiming that the Qin family would never let this matter rest. If within half a month they still could not find the whereabouts of the second young master, Qin Shouyi, they would directly apprehend Du Wanquing to question her about it

All of this is due to the fact that during these ten days, the effects of the Transformation Elixir have gradually been fully absorbed, significantly enhancing his physical condition, both in terms of meridians and bones.

... ...

Since then, the people of the town would take a detour upon seeing Du Wanqing, and no one dared to approach her. The second young master of the Qin family, Qin Shouyi, had the audacity to attempt to bully Du Wanqing without regard for his own life, and now, as fate would have it, he has met with retribution. In an instant, the residents of Baishi Town, while reveling in Qin Shouyi's self-destructive path, became even more silent and fearful around Du Wanqing, further shrouding her in a layer of mystery and terror.

He secretly blamed himself, realizing that he had ultimately been careless. Even though he possessed treasures such as the Nine-Dragon Cauldron and the Lushan Herbal Classic, and had reached the sixth level of the Body Refinement stage, he still felt as fragile as a porcelain bowl in the face of the immense power of the Qin family. After all, among the known experts of the Qin family, aside from the head of the family, Qin Wannian, there was also a talented young man who had already reached the Qi Refinement stage, and there were more than twenty practitioners at the Body Refinement stage!

The notorious scion, who has bullied the weak and committed numerous wrongdoings, has vanished without a trace; there are no sightings of him alive or dead. Naturally, many of the oppressed citizens secretly applaud this turn of events. However, more people are speculating about the kind of overwhelming wrath that Qin Wanian, the head of the Qin family and a local tyrant in Baishi Town, will unleash in response to this situation.

The Qin family, with hundreds of members, naturally had a significant presence and quickly began investigations and inquiries throughout the neighborhoods. For some reason, the focus gradually shifted to Du Wanquing. It was said that on the day of the incident, someone saw Qin Shouyi in Baishi Town, wandering the streets around noon, and then, with a furtive demeanor, followed Du Wanquing out of Baishi Town, heading southeast towards Langshi Mountain.

Mother, please have breakfast first, don't wait for me

This statement is both true and false; only Du Feiyun understands the underlying reasons. However, to Du, it clearly sounds like deceptive nonsense

Upon hearing the Liu family's techniques mentioned by Du, Du Feiyun's gaze noticeably dimmed. He turned his head to conceal his gradually cooling eyes. After a pause, he turned back and smiled at his mother, Du, saying: "Mother, yesterday I dreamed of an old man with a white beard; he taught me these footwork and palm techniques!"

During this period, Du Feiyun has always appeared radiant, with a much better complexion than before, and his vitality is particularly abundant and full.

Later, she was taken in by Liu Yao, which caused Liu Yao to contract a serious illness that worsened over the years without any signs of improvement. By the age of thirteen, this girl was already stunningly beautiful. A distant relative of the Liu family in the town, upon seeing her enchanting appearance, was immediately consumed by lustful desires. However, when he attempted to take advantage of her, he inexplicably died in the flower garden

Herb gathering is currently the largest source of income for the family, so Du Feiyun cannot give it up. Recently, he discovered another formula in the Lushan Herbal Compendium, which, once refined, can greatly enhance his strength