Chapter Seven, the weeping willows on both sides of the chrysanthemum moon
That is correct. Before his death, he was so pedantic, clinging to old conventions. However, if he were to see you all deferring to one another before destroying ancient texts, he would surely regret his will
Countless magical attacks, combined with numerous butterflies forcibly rushing into the dragon's mouth, gradually rendered this green dragon weak. No matter how it struggled, the butterflies within it were constantly destroying its internal organs at the cost of their own lives. After just a brief moment, it let out a tragic cry, and its massive body trembled before crashing to the ground with a loud thud
Xiao Chengfeng inserted a flower into her hair, witnessing the radiant smile blooming for him beneath the flowers, while on his left, Shu Yurou gently rested her soft hand against the outer side of his arm. The two girls were equally determined, their performance becoming increasingly intense, while the two earls in front seemed to have agreed beforehand, not turning back to look.
Xiao Chengfeng flew for half a cup of tea's time and arrived at the South China Sea. However, upon seeing the scene before him, he was even more stunned
The old man with white beard laughed heartily and said, "There are not many people left in this world who know he is still alive. It is surprising that someone is actually looking for him. This old fool probably refuses to meet outsiders. What is it that you want?"
Xiao Chengfeng, upon hearing the tone of the old man with the white beard, sensed a certain familiarity between him and the Elder Crane, which brought him a slight joy. He said, "As long as you can introduce me to the Elder Crane, I am willing..." Suddenly, he recalled that the other party was an extraordinary person. If he were to mention his "high official status" and "wealth," he would likely be ridiculed. Moreover, he understood that those who could associate with the Elder Crane must be exceptional individuals. How could he possibly bring himself to say such things? Consequently, his face turned slightly red, and he stammered.
The earl's mansion is exceedingly prosperous, surrounded by numerous lakes, where many jade chrysanthemums bloom and wither like the ebb and flow of the tide. Xiao Chengfeng sits in the center of the attic, when the elderly man on his left says: "If you do not mind, I would like to invite my daughter to have a detailed conversation with you, young hero Xiao."
The note was solemnly inscribed with:
The old man with white beard snorted coldly and said, "Do you wish to serve me like a beast of burden?" Suddenly, he swooped down from the branch, and his figure appeared to the left of Xiao Chengfeng. When Xiao Chengfeng turned to the left, the old man had already moved to his right. Xiao Chengfeng was astonished, realizing that the old man's cultivation had reached an unfathomable level. However, in that instant, he noticed that the old man had unexpectedly lost his left arm; the sleeve was empty, yet it seemed to possess a mysterious吸力, as if it could draw others in at any moment. Xiao Chengfeng was astonished, knowing that the old man's cultivation had reached an unfathomable level, but in that instant, he noticed that the old man had unexpectedly lost his left arm; the sleeve was empty, yet it seemed to possess a mysterious吸力, as if it could draw others in at any moment.
Xiao Chengfeng smiled slightly and said, "Isn't this just perfect? At critical moments, you both exhibit a spirit of selflessness. Therefore, both of you are worthy of this ancient book." He handed the ancient book to the elderly man on the left and said, "The most appropriate solution is for both of you to study it together."
Xiao Chengfeng suddenly sighed and murmured to himself: "The two elders, for the sake of a single manual, disregard brotherly bonds and are willing to fight to the death. Is it truly the case that a lifetime of interactions can become so fragile over greed? What wrong has the ancient texts done! Learning profound martial arts is not meant to benefit others?"
At this moment, from the midst of the flower bushes, two enchanting women suddenly emerged, surrounded by fluttering plum blossoms, which made them appear even whiter and more radiant than the flowers themselves. They were both in the prime of their youth, their eyes sparkling with smiles. Initially, they cast a feigned, affectionate glance at Xiao Chengfeng, but upon seeing his imposing demeanor, they were momentarily captivated, their expressions revealing immense happiness.
At this moment, the two earls displayed immense surprise and rushed forward simultaneously. Xiao Chengfeng suddenly placed the ancient book behind him and said calmly, "Did you not say you wanted to compete to determine the victor?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengfeng fell into deep contemplation, yet his heart was stirred by tumultuous waves. It was one thing to know that he had defeated Bei Ming Luoye, but who exactly was that Qianxunzhe, who could predict in advance that he would perform well at the Huaiqian Conference
Xiao Chengfeng struck back with a palm, suddenly drawing an arc, and the vast true energy was faintly visible in its fluctuation. He then said in a deep voice, "Since it is so, I shall destroy this ancient book." He extended his palm towards the ancient book.
The old man showed a hesitant expression, but Xiao Chengfeng smiled and said: "m.hetushu.com. You need not doubt, I merely wish to inquire about some information from him"
Xiao Chengfeng originally intended to ride a magical airship, but in order to master his wind-based flying technique more proficiently, he decided to fly south along the Longtian Mountain Range. However, less than half a day into his flight, he encountered an extremely bizarre situation.
Everyone's expression changed dramatically; the guards in this secret chamber were so strict that someone could actually infiltrate it, watch the entire performance, and leave calmly in the end. Xiao Chengfeng and the two earls simultaneously had a thought: the Seeker!
Xiao Chengfeng was taken aback, his expression hesitant. Suddenly, the elderly man on the right, who had remained silent, spoke in a deep voice: "I, an old man, know that Young Master Xiao is a person of keen insight, therefore I believe that Young Master Xiao must have a just decision." As he spoke, the beard at the corners of his mouth gently swayed, as if he were extremely agitated
Even after nightfall, these butterflies have not ceased their activity. As Xiao Chengfeng begins to feel drowsy, he employs the Red Powder Heart Method while in flight, circulating it around his body for a full cycle, and instantly feels refreshed and invigorated
As long as you promote the principles in the ancient texts, will your master still hold a grudge about this matter in the underworld? Did he come up with the idea of giving it to only one person to sow discord among you?
At the edge of Xiao Chengfeng's palm, he was merely an inch away from the ancient book. At this moment, he said lightly: "Why not? Should we still allow you to fight and let your offspring live in fear?"
Xiao Chengfeng recalled the words of Qian Xun Zhe before his departure: "Young Master Xiao is indeed a dragon among men." The other party did not say "as expected," but rather "indeed," which also indicated that he had anticipated Xiao would surely reconcile the two elderly individuals. As Xiao Chengfeng pondered this, he felt an even greater admiration for Qian Xun Zhe's remarkable foresight. He no longer hesitated in his heart, returned to Xue Hanxiang to pack his belongings, and prepared to head towards the South Sea
The elderly man on the left finally took the ancient book, at which point the two earls were utterly in awe of Xiao Chengfeng. Previously, they had tens of thousands of silver notes in their possession and had sent their daughter to tempt him, merely to increase their leverage while also seeking a husband with exceptional martial skills for their daughter. At this moment, they felt as if they had been enlightened, fully realizing how naive they had been, having been blinded by greed in the face of the profound principles. Their expressions were now a mix of embarrassment and regret.
Suddenly, the three fell silent at the same time. Shu Yuru and Shu Lan both felt they had achieved their goal, and now it was just a matter of waiting for Xiao Chengfeng to make his choice. They both gently bit their cherry lips, glancing at Xiao Chengfeng from the corners of their eyes, their hearts racing like startled deer. Although they were confident that Xiao Chengfeng would choose them, they were still afraid that the other party might make a move that would tip the balance, so they kept a close watch on each other.
The old man on the left gazed at the ancient book, hesitating and unwilling to reach out to take it: "But the master's last wish..."
Under the table, the two individuals had been tinkering for quite some time when, all of a sudden, they simultaneously understood something. The two girls exchanged glances, looking at each other in surprise, and the smiles that had initially been subtle on their faces turned into extreme awkwardness
If one seeks death, why go such a long way to die together by throwing oneself into the sea
The old man on the left shook his head and said: "It has always been the seeker who looks for others, for he knows who is most eager to obtain information. He is like a divine dragon in the clouds, appearing at the front but never revealing his tail"
Upon seeing the phrase "anxiously embarrassed," Xiao Chengfeng felt a peculiar thought arise within him. The way this seeker spoke must be a humble expression, yet this seeker must possess great confidence, which is why he discerned the matter of the courtesan and chose to sell the information to the two earls; and the fact that he, as a respected figure, remained unseen must be due to his arrogance, not wanting to show deference to someone as inexperienced as himself.
And those butterflies, upon encountering obstacles, although over one hundred thousand of their kind perished, did not hesitate and continued to fly
Xiao Chengfeng, however, did not take any action. He followed the two earls into the secret chamber, unlocked multiple layers of heavy locks, and beheld a crystal-clear jade box that emitted a purple glow. Inside the jade box, an ancient book was clearly visible.
Xiao Chengfeng felt a great joy in his heart and repeatedly said, "I am willing to heed the elder's instructions"
Yet the flower butterfly and the * illustrated * book, in the face of this ten-thousandfold strength of its green dragon, did not hesitate and forcefully flew away
However, he turned back and respectfully said to the elder: "Thank you for your guidance, senior." At that moment, his expression was sincere, which was vastly different from the indifference he had shown when saying the same words earlier
Xiao Chengfeng, still quite young, felt a sense of honor upon hearing the elder's high regard for him. Moreover, judging by the dozens of skilled warriors behind him, he must hold a considerable status. Thus, he did not hesitate and replied, "Please."
The green dragon erupted with magic, and as its body trembled, its tail swept effortlessly, shattering over a thousand flowers and butterflies into fragments
They were originally the cherished jewels of two earls, yet they still became victims. Three days ago, they were ordered to seduce this Young Master Xiao. Both girls were proud and high-spirited, and the earls usually doted on them. However, this time they were asked to sacrifice their purity for an unfamiliar man. In their imagination, that man must be exceedingly disheveled, with a lewd smile on his face. The scenes they conjured in their minds terrified them; thus, they even cried in despair. Just a moment ago, they thought that hanging themselves was an option not to be missed in life, yet at this moment, they had already been completely moved.
The two counts exchanged a glance, without hesitation, and immediately unleashed their magic against each other. At that moment, both were expending all their true energy, and suddenly, brilliance radiated in all directions. They appeared like divine dragons, completely devoid of any signs of age. The continuous rumble of thunder was heard as the two engaged in a series of palm strikes, and simultaneously, they gasped for breath, landing on the ground to catch their breath slightly.
Xiao Chengfeng boarded a dedicated magical airship, and in no time at all, he arrived at a majestic earl's residence. Xiao Chengfeng only then realized that these two individuals held the title of earl; however, at this moment, he himself was a divine king, and thus did not display any expression of respect on his face. The two elderly earls seemed to have anticipated this, and respectfully welcomed him into a pavilion.
At this moment, Xiao Chengfeng stood up and, guided by the two earls, walked towards the inner chamber. The two girls grew increasingly anxious. Shu Yurou quickly took a few steps forward, reaching Xiao Chengfeng's left side, and suddenly pretended to stumble. Xiao Chengfeng hurriedly helped her up. She smiled gently at Xiao Chengfeng and shyly said, "Thank you, young master"
At that moment, he suddenly heard a cold laugh: "What's so surprising about this? You little brat, why are you still pretending to be sympathetic? It makes me angry just to see it."
It turns out that these butterflies rushed into the East China Sea one after another, only to be transformed into water by the cold breath of the sea, melting away... Could it be that those hundreds of thousands of butterflies came to the East China Sea seeking death?
Xiao Chengfeng was astonished to witness such a breathtaking spectacle; this contest, marked by a significant disparity in strength, concluded in such a manner. He was even more curious about what could possibly drive these butterflies to risk their lives so recklessly.
At that moment, he was unaware that the two girls before him wore expressions of delicate charm and deep embarrassment. It turned out that Shu Lan, feeling discontented after seeing Shu Yuru speak up first, hesitated for a while and then carefully positioned her leg under the table to nudge Xiao Chengfeng. Her face flushed with heat, she had no choice but to lower her head to conceal it. Unexpectedly, her leg brushed against Shu Yuru, who thought she had achieved her goal, and thus slowly moved closer, adopting a deliberately affectionate demeanor, occasionally glancing up at Xiao Chengfeng.
When Shu Yuru's foot was touched, she inevitably began to stutter while speaking—she was still contemplating ways to attract Xiao Chengfeng. Little did she know that Xiao Chengfeng was so proactive. Accepting his closeness in her heart, she lightly bit her lip, her face flushed with embarrassment—putting on a rather intentional appearance, fearing that Xiao Chengfeng might think it was a case of the flowers having intentions while the flowing water remained indifferent.
The old man with white beard looked Xiao Chengfeng up and down, then slowly nodded: "Your aptitude is quite good. If you agree to run back and forth in front of me, I might, if I feel pleased, take you to the old nest of that divine crane."
The two elderly men simultaneously witnessed the anxious situation of Shu Yurou and Shu Lan, and their hearts ached involuntarily. At that moment, the elderly man on the left suddenly exclaimed: "I don't want it anymore, just let it be for you." Meanwhile, the elderly man on the right almost simultaneously said: "I don't want it anymore, just let it be for you." The two spoke in identical tones, resolute and emphatic.
On the following day, the flowers and butterflies had yet to cease, and even more butterflies joined in, instantly numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Xiao Chengfeng, witnessing this grand spectacle, found it utterly inconceivable. After following this way for three consecutive days, he finally arrived near the South China Sea
Regarding the matter of the courtesan guessing competition, it is Qianxun who, focusing on the immense wealth of the esteemed one, learned of the news that Shui Ruoling is in love with someone else, yet amidst this, unexpected complications arose. I privately believe that with the esteemed one's character, he will surely display great prowess. As anticipated, I feel anxious and embarrassed, fearing that I may be mistaken, and I hope the esteemed one can understand. Sincerely, Qianxun.
Xiao Chengfeng, upon hearing such words, finally understood the profound mysteries of the universe at this moment. The fact that these flowers and butterflies adhered to such rules filled him with countless feelings of gratitude and respect. He then respectfully bowed towards the direction where the flowers and butterflies had perished.
Xiao Chengfeng noticed that the old man was not fond of speaking, but once he did speak, he placed such a lofty hat upon him, leaving him no way to retreat. He could not help but feel admiration in his heart and thus slightly nodded his head
Countless flower butterflies were dancing in the air. These flower butterflies naturally blossomed from the flowers, deriving their essence from the spirit of the weather. However, it was the first time that Xiao Chengfeng had witnessed tens of thousands of these butterflies flying in the same direction. It seemed as if the butterflies were in a hurry, as if responding to a call for help from their kind, surging together in a wave of emotion.
However, the butterflies bravely advanced one after another, unafraid of death, while simultaneously casting their magic to attack the green dragon. Countless flowers bloomed in the world, surrounding the green dragon within them.
Xiao Chengfeng's expression remained unchanged: "Senior, you may not be aware, but my journey south is to seek guidance from the Elder of the South Sea Divine Crane."
Xiao Chengfeng looked up and saw in the distance an ancient towering tree, on which an old man with a white beard was hanging upside down from a branch. He curled his lips and no longer looked at Xiao Chengfeng
At this moment, the two young girls were filled with admiration for Xiao Chengfeng. With just a few words, he had reconciled the two elderly individuals, while they, as their children, had unwittingly become accomplices in their moment of "dizziness." Reflecting on the various means they had employed, the two dutiful and well-behaved girls felt an overwhelming sense of shame.
Xiao Chengfeng saw that their direction of travel was indeed towards the south, and thus he followed closely behind them
Xiao Chengfeng felt a surge of joy upon hearing about the "Thousand Seekers," yet his expression remained calm and composed: "I wonder where the Thousand Seeker is located"
Young Master Xiao, judging solely by his demeanor, seems to hold a status even higher than that of the two elderly gentlemen. At this moment, he gently invites the two young ladies to take a seat. The lady on the left appears quite shy, and after being introduced by the elder, she finally reveals her name as Shu Yuru. The other girl, Shu Lan, then speaks eloquently.
At this moment, he is unaware that once his cultivation reaches a certain level, he will be able to sense the aura of all individuals possessing the Crimson Heart Technique on the Dragon Heaven Continent, while others will be unable to perceive him
He couldn't help but smile wryly, feeling a surge of competitiveness within him. He was determined to achieve something noteworthy, to impress this seeker profoundly, so that they would willingly come forth to meet him.
The green dragon was struck by the magical power of hundreds of thousands, and the cumulative force caused it to cry out in agony, while those butterflies seemed to disregard the faint magic within them, continuously casting spells.
If the butterflies leave the flowers, their magic will be greatly diminished; however, they do not even glance at the flowers by the roadside. Seeing these butterflies flying desperately, Xiao Chengfeng is perplexed, and what astonishes him even more is that as these butterflies continue their journey, countless butterflies by the roadside also join in. Thus, from tens of thousands of butterflies, within half a day, the number has increased to over a hundred thousand.
Only such mysterious individuals can enter a realm as if it were uninhabited
"The child is teachable." The old man shook his head and said, "However, you came here just to watch the excitement, which is truly foolish. I look down on people like you, old man. You should go back to https://www.hetushucomcom."
Seeing that she had taken the lead, Shu Lan gently plucked a flower from the side and sweetly said to Xiao Chengfeng: "Young Master Xiao, do you like flowers?" Xiao Chengfeng smiled and nodded, but she softly said: "Could you help me place it on my head?"
Seeing the two girls' shy demeanor, Xiao Chengfeng couldn't help but smile, while the two girls felt even more ashamed, sensing that Xiao Chengfeng's smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze
Xiao Chengfeng gazed intently at the surface of the sea, once again convinced that those flowers and butterflies would immediately dissolve and decay upon encountering the icy seawater
He knew that with the agility of a seeker, he would never be able to catch up. The other party was merely luring him out. He admired the other's elusive nature and uncanny foresight, and surely they were aware that he was a respected figure from the Crimson Academy. This letter must be informing him of the location of the Crimson Academy, stirring a wave of excitement within him
In that moment, the green dragon felt a flicker of fear; however, as a creature of dignity, how could it be intimidated by mere butterflies? Just this moment of hesitation, and countless butterflies had already floated over.
The two elderly men suddenly froze. They felt that Xiao Chengfeng's words weighed heavily, striking forcefully at their hearts
The elder on the left exclaimed, "The master is certainly not that kind of person"
Both girls wished to present their obedient sides in front of Xiao Chengfeng, while simultaneously wanting to outdo each other. However, they were ultimately unaware of the concept of subtlety, and thus their hidden schemes were laid bare before Xiao Chengfeng. Caught between the attentions of two beauties, Xiao Chengfeng found himself in a rather difficult position and could only remain silent. Yet amidst this difficulty, there was an indescribable sense of pleasure.
The two elderly individuals exclaimed simultaneously, "Absolutely not"
He continued onward, gliding past the body of the green dragon, only to find that the green dragon had long since decayed. The dragon's scales had already been infiltrated by the corrosive magic of the flower butterflies, and ultimately, it had gradually transformed into a pile of white bones
Xiao Chengfeng understood that the other party must be an extraordinary person, and respectfully said: "That young man requests guidance from the senior, why do these flowers and butterflies..."
Esteemed One: Qianxun dares to say that it is truly unavoidable not to have personally paid a visit to the Esteemed One; the Red Powder Academy sought by the Esteemed One is not to be inquired about from the Elder Crane in the South Sea.
The two elderly individuals could not help but stamp their feet and sigh, fully aware that with Xiao Chengfeng leaving in such a manner, he would not return. They regretted not having the chance to express their gratitude to him. At that moment, both girls simultaneously displayed a melancholic expression, for it was clear that their hearts had been completely captivated by Xiao Chengfeng.
Xiao Chengfeng's figure suddenly floated up like willow catkins, soaring into the air to pursue.
He displayed an expression even more astonishing than that of the green dragon being slain
"Because they are foolish," the old man with the white beard said lightly, "You can't even grasp this point?"
At this moment, however, it was the gentle Shu Yurou who, in this critical moment, displayed a strong determination and eloquence, which inevitably surprised the two elderly men. Through her narration, Xiao Chengfeng finally grasped the general idea.
At this moment, a green dragon suddenly appeared before the countless flowers and butterflies. Although the green dragon is the weakest among the four great dragons, it undoubtedly stands as the king in front of these small flowers and butterflies. Its massive body blocks the valley, exuding an air of authority that dares anyone to infringe upon it
He was utterly perplexed, only to see all the flowers and butterflies dissolve into the sea, and with a gentle sigh, he paused for a long time before slowly turning back.
The other party leaked their whereabouts, yet it stemmed from a judgment of character, which inevitably gave him a warm feeling; moreover, the two counts were certainly not malicious, and the seeker seemed to be continuously protecting him. He had an indescribable feeling, sensing that he could breathe together with some disciples from the external college of the Crimson Academy.
Xiao Chengfeng was taken aback and said, "Then you must be very eager to find me, right?"
He suddenly reflected that he had become quite self-serving, often resorting to money and official positions to achieve his goals. This realization brought clarity to his mind, leading to significant changes in his future conduct, so as to avoid straying onto a misguided path
The crowd behind him, upon seeing Xiao Chengfeng suddenly emit a radiant glow and not be repelled by the jade box, was filled with astonishment. However, as Xiao Chengfeng swiftly grasped the jade box with one hand and gently channeled his true energy, the jade box immediately opened. Xiao Chengfeng had already taken the ancient book into his possession.
Both elderly men displayed expressions of joy, seemingly surprised by his amiable demeanor. It is important to note that at this moment, they were each holding several tens of thousands of taels in silver notes. However, who would have thought that at the courtesan gathering, Xiao Chengfeng would casually give away one hundred thousand taels? The two could not help but feel apprehensive, but now they finally felt at ease.
Xiao Chengfeng was momentarily speechless, but he still cupped his fists and said to the old man, "Thank you for your guidance, senior." Just as he was about to leave, the old man suddenly snorted through his nostrils and said, "Do you think I am mocking you? These flower butterflies grow vigorously every year, but once they exceed their limits, they will all perish together in the sea. This way, they will not leave the next year's flower butterflies without food, and their deaths will not take up space. They have followed this principle for decades, yet it is laughable that humans do not understand this truth, mining everywhere and depleting resources, which is both sad and lamentable. "These flower butterflies grow vigorously every year, but once they exceed their limits, they will all perish together in the sea. This way, they will not leave the next year's flower butterflies without food, and their deaths will not take up space. They have followed this principle for decades, yet it is laughable that humans do not understand this truth, mining everywhere and depleting resources, which is both sad and lamentable.
Xiao Chengfeng swiftly arrived outside the Earl's residence, only to suddenly see a flash before his eyes, and that figure had vanished. Shortly thereafter, a piece of paper unexpectedly fell from the sky. Xiao Chengfeng turned his hand to grasp the paper, and with his mind probing the surroundings, he discovered that there was no one in sight.
Xiao Chengfeng only dared to glance at the elder's sleeve before looking away, feeling a deep admiration for the old man, especially because the elder had not been defeated by his hardships.
Xiao Chengfeng circled around and returned to Xue Hanxiang, but at the entrance stood two robust men in strong attire. Upon seeing Xiao Chengfeng, they immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Please, Young Master Xiao." Xiao Chengfeng felt puzzled, yet two elderly men in brocade robes had already come out from Xue Hanxiang, their faces beaming with smiles. Behind them stood dozens of warriors with sharp, piercing gazes. The elder on the left spoke heartily, "Young Master Xiao, what great spirit you have! This year's courtesan's gift, worth over ten thousand gold, will surely be the talk of Longtian Continent."
Xiao Chengfeng was astonished at how the other party knew, his expression changing. However, the old man quickly said: "Young Master Xiao, please do not take offense. We obtained this information from Qianxunzhe, who mentioned that Young Master Xiao once defeated the head of the Beiming family with a single sword."
The elderly man on the left appeared embarrassed and said, "This... may I ask if you could visit my humble abode for a detailed discussion? We have a matter we would like to trouble Young Master Xiao with. I have heard that Young Master Xiao possesses a natural sense of chivalry, and I believe he will certainly lend a helping hand with righteousness."
At that moment, a voice suddenly praised, "Young Master Xiao is indeed a dragon among men." The voice abruptly sounded, and a figure swiftly emerged from above the secret chamber.
However, he thought to himself that if he were a seeker with immense wealth and great renown, he certainly would not kneel or bow before the new dignitary without careful consideration
Shu Lan has an outgoing personality, but after meeting Xiao Chengfeng, she feels restless and anxious. The courage she had prepared to lightly tap his legs under the table has completely vanished. At this moment, she realizes her gentle nature, wanting to say something, yet her mind is blank.
Xiao Chengfeng suddenly felt a warm and familiar aura enveloping him. At that moment, he leaped up, floating in front of the jade box, and simultaneously, he sensed that the aura of the jade box was being absorbed into his body by the red powder heart technique.
It turns out that these two earls are brothers. They used to admire each other and were inseparable, but half a month ago, they learned that their master had left behind a set of heart techniques, claiming that once mastered, their martial arts skills would increase several times, but it could only belong to one of them. After several arguments, the two earls turned coldly against each other; they ultimately agreed that after obtaining the heart techniques, they would compete with their martial arts and magic to determine ownership. However, when they discovered the box containing the heart techniques left by their master, which was glowing with a mysterious light, they found themselves unable to approach it. They exhausted all means but could not gain access. At that moment, a seeker arrived, speaking of a peerless youth in the East who had defeated Bei Ming Luo Ye with a single sword strike, and that he would soon perform at the courtesan competition on the pleasure boat. The two earls were skeptical and secretly went to see Xiao Chengfeng, only to realize that the seeker's scheme had been set in motion from a thousand miles away. They certainly had informants in Longtian City, who easily discovered that Xiao Chengfeng was at the Xue Hanxiang Tavern.