Zhang Yong cast a glance around the first floor of the tower before saying,
"Why don't we look for some techniques? There's no need to waste the two hours we have."
Su Ming nodded calmly and went to search around. At the same time, Zhang Yong looked at the shelves where the techniques were placed. He picked up a random book and began to flip through it.
"The Hidden Palm? Seems like a technique that creates the illusion of having multiple hands, making it hard for the opponent to tell which palm will strike. Kind of like Tang San's Thousand Hands Buddha technique..."
He returned the book to its place and began flipping through many others, arriving at a realization:
"Why are palm techniques and such so different from each other, and why are they categorized as low, medium, or high level?"
If one were to simplify it, techniques can be divided into two types:
Internal techniques and external techniques.
Internal techniques involve channeling spiritual energy through the body, but this must be done carefully
one must follow the correct flow of spiritual energy through the meridians points
If the energy flows incorrectly, known as qi deviation, it could lead to chaotic results , either madness or even physical explosion.
That's why Yellow-level techniques, which require only a few meridian points , are common and relatively safe.
However, the more meridians a technique requires, the higher the risk of explosion but also the power of the technique is big
So saying that you perfected a technique means you're able to move your qi fast through the right points so fast without any fault or mistakes
Thus, only a few dare create their own techniques, relying instead on those passed down by family or masters
Sometimes, though, mistakes can lead to success , There's a case of someone who go into a qi deviation while practicing their technique and accidentally discovered a way to slightly increase its power But that was merely luck.
Then there are the external Qi techniques, where a person releases an attack outside like a big energy palm flying
Ofc , Randomly releasing spiritual energy in the form of a palm is easy, but without passing it through the meridian with precise steps, this attack is like an empty shell
That's why This requires activating every meridian in the hand In the correct sequence, Once the energy runs through them, you can launch an external strike.
Thus, internal Qi techniques are typically Yellow or Profound level, while external techniques are Earth or Heaven level but not all the time , that's why it's hard to determine the level of the technique by seeing the technique alone
This is also why Earth and Heaven level techniques are extremely rare compared to Yellow and Profound ones.
Zhang Yong flipped through many books, but they were all Yellow-level.
"Seriously, all these techniques are weak. Still… is there a technique that channels spiritual energy through the entire body's meridians? I wonder—"
Before he could finish the thought, an idea struck him:
"Could it be that the Heaven-Defying Body Technique is one that utilizes the full-body meridian network? No, that's uncertain. It restructures my body, sure, but doesn't rely on internal spiritual energy or else i wouldn't be able to learn it... Maybe that's why it's a forbidden technique? No way to be sure. Perhaps Earth and Heaven-level techniques are the same, but are any even stored in this tower?"
Deep in thought, his eyes drifted to glowing jade tablets affixed to the wall, which he dubbed more accurately as "stones stuck to a wall."
"What are these?"
He extended his hand and touched one of the tablets—an idea entered his mind:
"Law of Earth."
Meanwhile, Su Ming was browsing through the books and sighed,
"All these techniques are weak. Only five of them are mid-Yellow level. I wonder what Zhang Yong is up to."
He turned his head to check on Zhang Yong and saw him sitting cross-legged in front of a jade tablet.
"Tch… this shouldn't be happening!" he cursed, rushing toward him.
When Su Ming arrived, he saw the tablet in front of Zhang Yong.
"Now is not the time to comprehend Laws! That takes a lot of time. If we exceed two hours we'll be punished!"
—
At the same time, outside—
An old, hunched man with thick eyebrows and a round bald head approached, carrying a basket.
He walked up to the hall attendant.
"Oi, still alive, old Bai?"
The attendant opened one eye while sitting on his creaky wooden rocking chair.
"Old Gu Zixian? Haven't seen you in a while."
Gu Zixian chuckled softly.
"My disciple's been a bit of a headache lately. Haven't had the time."
Old Bai raised an eyebrow.
"You mean that womanizer? I told you to just ignore him."
Gu Zixian placed the basket on the table and pulled up a chair "You know, he's diligent when he takes things seriously. If it weren't for his obsession with women, he'd be one of the sect's geniuses by now," he sighed.
Old Bai smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with concern "I understand. But... could it be you don't have much time left in this life?"
Gu Zixian slowly massaged his bald head.
"You know my condition. The upcoming disciple examination might be the last one I attend. Speaking of which, I see the hall door is open. Is someone inside?"
Bai turned his head toward the door and pointed.
"Two youngsters went in earlier. They didn't seem ordinary. At least one of them has reached the guru's Stage."
Gu Zixian's eyes widened.
"Guru's Stage? I don't see what's so unusual about that."
Old Bai chuckled coldly.
"Hehe, one's in the guru's Stage, but the other on their aura was stronger, and I couldn't gauge their level at all. And they're both outer disciples under eighteen."
Gu Zixian's eyes sparkled in shock.
"One's a guru , and the other might be beyond that? And under eighteen? What a talent. I must see this for myself!"
He stood up and started walking, hands behind his back.
Old Bai leaned his head against his knuckles and muttered,
"Look at this old man, getting excited over talent again. But I suppose I should be happy for my old drinking buddy."
—
Inside the tower—
Gu Zixian entered and saw Zhang Yong and Su Ming in front of a Law tablets
"You boys, what are you doing here this late?"
Su Ming was startled and stammered,
"Ah, n-nothing! M-my friend is just… training!"
Gu Zixian's eyes lit up as he smiled.
"No need to panic, boy. I'm not even in charge here. You can speak freely."
Su Ming exhaled in relief.
"Actually… my friend is studying a Law. But truthfully, we only have two hours inside this tower."
The old man walked forward and placed a hand on Zhang Yong's shoulder. The moment he did, a jolt of electricity shot through him, and he felt it instantly. His eyes widened.
'Unbelievable… truly unbelievable… This boy—he has all five elements inside him! Even with a broken dantian, he seems to have subdued them. But this Law of Earth he's practicing… it's only the first stage. Has he not practiced the others yet?' he thought
He removed his hand and continued watching silently 'this boy...hehe , if he could learn all the elements and merge them all , even someone higher by four levels won't defeat him'
After three hours, Zhang Yong opened his eyes and looked around. Su Ming was staring at him in shock. Then he turned and noticed Gu Zixian. He looked back at Su Ming.
"What is it?"
Su Ming gestured toward the old man and explained,
"Zhang Yong… do you realize what you just did?"
Zhang Yong tilted his head.
"What did I do? I think I mastered the first level of the Earth Law."
Su Ming grabbed Zhang Yong's shoulders.
"Don't joke like that! You mastered an elemental Law in just three hours! You're a literal monster!"
Zhang Yong gently removed his hands and spoke calmly.
"So what? I can't even use it anyway."
Gu Zixian cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Boy, what your friend said is true. But… you've already passed the time limit allowed here."
Zhang Yong turned toward him and asked,
"Who are you, elder?"
"Me?" The old man chuckled.
"Just someone knocking on death's door. But you still need to face the punishment. Fortunately for you, I'm friends with the techniques Hall Elder. So, how about a deal?"
Zhang Yong looked at him curiously.
'An old man near death? I'm starting to wonder… Maybe he's a Hall Elder? No, unlikely. But he must hold some position to be friends with a Skill Hall Elder. I shouldn't act rashly'
Zhang Yong raised his hands in front of him respectfully.
"I'm all ears, Elder. Though, I still don't know your name."
The old man crossed his arms and muttered,
"Just call me Elder Gu. As for the deal: Learn the remaining Laws in In less or equal time than you took for the Earth Law, and I'll speak with the Hall Elder so you avoid punishment."
Zhang Yong stood up and smiled confidently.
"That's it? Fine then. Su Ming, you can go. You don't need to stay all night."
Su Ming shook his head.
"I won't. Didn't we say we're brothers? I'm not leaving you alone with this problem."
Zhang Yong chuckled softly and flicked Su Ming's forehead gently.
"Don't worry. It's not like I'm going to die. Worst case, it's just a punishment."
Su Ming rubbed his forehead.
"Don't you dare flickering my forehead, but fine , if you insist." He turned and left.
Elder Gu Zixian laughed as he watched.
"You two have a strong bond."
Zhang Yong stretched lightly.
"Yeah, I suppose so. Now then… that leaves Water , Metal, Wood, Lightning, and Wind."
Elder Gu's eyes lit up.
"Does that mean you've already comprehended Fire and Ice Laws?"
Zhang Yong stood straight after finishing his stretches.
"Why don't you guess?"
He approached another tablet and touched it—this one held the Law of Metal. He completed it in two and a half hours.
Elder Gu nodded.
"Hmm, not bad. Actually, quite amazing."
"You haven't seen anything yet, elder gu"
Next was the Law of Wood—he completed it in two hours and twenty-five minutes.
Then the Law of Lightning in two hours and fifty minutes.
Then the Law of water in two hours and forty minutes
And finally, the Law of Wind in two hours and forty-five minutes.
His body was already familiar with Wood and Metal, so those were easier to grasp. The Earth Law had taken him three hours because he'd also spent time exploring the tablet itself.
Elder Gu clapped his hands.
"Good, what great talent. Truly a genius among geniuses."
Zhang Yong sighed.
"Sorry to waste your time, Elder Gu. I can't use the Laws due to my body's condition."
Inside, Zhang Yong thought:
'He'll probably leave now that he knows about my broken dantian'
The old man scoffed.
"Is it because of your broken energy core? I understand. You see, I didn't have much talent either—I stayed stuck at the Grandmaster Stage."
Zhang Yong's heart skipped.
'Why does this feel like I'm looking at a miniature version of the Great Master...?'
The elder turned and began walking away.
"Come along, didn't I promise to speak to the Elder about your punishment?"
They left the tower, and while the two elders talked, Zhang Yong was deep in thought.
'The first floor only had first-level Laws. I wonder if each floor holds a different level. That would mean the highest in this tower is level seven. Outer disciples can only access up to the third floor… if I really want to benefit from the tower, I need to become an inner disciple'
He scoffed internally.
'Heh. The Laws won't help me anyway if I can't use spiritual energy. Honestly, the only benefit of being an inner disciple is the freedom it offers—I can carry out my plans then'
As his thoughts concluded, Elder Gu Zixian was walking ahead.
Zhang Yong followed.
"Elder Gu, you helped me with my issue. At least allow me to escort you."
Elder Gu raised a hand.
"No need, no need. You gave me a great show. I simply kept my end of the deal."
Zhang Yong insisted.
"No,The Elder has done me a favor. Please let me."
Seeing the determination in Zhang Yong's eyes, the elder finally gave in.
"Alright, as you wish."
Zhang Yong carried Elder Gu on his back.
"Tell me, Elder, where do you live?"
The old man pointed.
"That way."
Zhang Yong tensed up.
"Uh… Elder, are you sure?"
Gu nodded.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Zhang Yong smiled awkwardly.
"Well… that's one of the Five Peaks. Doesn't that make you…?"
Gu Zixian chuckled.
"Yes, I'm an Inner Sect Elder."
Zhang Yong cursed inwardly
'Damn… Good thing I didn't offend him'
Without further words, he sprinted and jumped, running up the stairs toward the peak.
Elder Gu was impressed.
"The energy of youth, truly splendid."
When they arrived, the peak was almost deserted. Unlike the Thunder Peak, which looked like a festival ground full of disciples, this one was like a ghost town.
Seeing Zhang Yong's reaction, Gu dismounted.
"Don't be shocked. I don't take many disciples,So this place is quiet....most of the time"
Suddenly, a voice rang from the sky.
"Master, I'm back!"
It was a female voice.
A girl flew down toward them, riding on a sword made of energy.
"What is it , Liu yan" Elder gu asked firmly
She landed gracefully before Gu Zixian.
"It's Xing Feng again. No matter how many times I beat him, he doesn't stop."
Gu sighed.
"What am I going to do with a disciple like him..."
She looked at Zhang Yong with interest
"And who's this handsome boy?"
Zhang Yong was taken aback.
'She's… really straightforward'
He bowed lightly.
"Sorry for the disturbance. Since I've escorted the Elder, I'll take my leave."
He turned and walked away quickly.
The girl turned to Elder Gu "Who was that?"
Gu chuckled as he returned to his quarters.
"A sparkling talent that needs a bit of polish."
Meanwhile, Zhang Yong left the peak and sighed.
"Wow… Not even a month in the sect and I'm already mixed up with inner disciples. As long as I don't cause trouble, I'll be fine."
He returned to his residence. It was already noon or more
When he arrived, he saw a group of people.
He muttered to himself,
"What now? Last time they were assassins, now what? Punishment Hall? Imagine if that were true, hehe..."
He didn't really care what was coming.
He walked up to them and asked,
"What are you doing here?"
A tall, burly man stepped forward.
"Are you Zhang Yong?"
Zhang Yong nodded.
"Yeah? Who's asking?"
The man held up a paper.
"Zhang Yong. You're under arrest as a suspect in the murder of an inner disciple. Resistance is futile"