"So, the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual was indeed stolen from the sect by Lexin back then," Gui Ye sighed softly upon hearing that Wan Yunting had retrieved the manual from Lexin's tomb.
The Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual was rumored to have been personally created by the founding patriarch, a powerful internal energy cultivation technique that followed the Heavenly Dipper dominance path, distinguishing it from the current Nine Seal Internal Cultivation Manual taught at the Daoist temple, which primarily focused on nurturing the heart and cultivating the spirit.
Practicing this manual could make one's internal energy domineering. In the past, when Daoist Lexin stole the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual from the Daoist temple, it caused immense losses. Consequently, later disciples could only practice the Nine Seal Internal Cultivation Manual and other methods, but without the Heavenly Dipper dominance-style Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual, the disciples lost their advantage in practical martial arts combat.
In other words, the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual was an internal martial art for practical combat!
"I've also brought back the manual for the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual," Wan Yunting said. "I'll return it to the sect another day."
Gui Ye nodded and said, "You are a rare martial arts prodigy, with exceptional bones and natural meridian connections. In less than seven years of learning from Gongsun Xiuliang, you've reached the late stage of Hua Jin in martial arts. You are far superior to the young disciples in the sect, and even across all major sects, it would be difficult to find a martial arts prodigy with your talent."
Flattered by Gui Ye's praise, Wan Yunting humbly smiled, "The ancestor is too kind, I've just been lucky."
"You are indeed lucky," Gui Ye nodded. Then he got up, lifted the curtain, and went inside. After a while, he came out holding a book with withered yellow pages. "Take this Wuji Tiangang Fist and Wuji Tiangang Sword manual. They are a set with the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual. If you master these fist and sword techniques, your martial arts will reach another level, and you won't be at a disadvantage even when fighting opponents in the late stage of Dan Jin in martial arts."
Holding the two books, Wan Yunting couldn't help but look at the Wuji Tiangang Fist manual with surprise. He immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, ancestor."
"Alright, it's getting late, you should go down the mountain," Gui Ye waved his hand and said, "If you have any questions, come back to find me."
"Yes, please rest early, ancestor. Your disciple will take his leave."
Wan Yunting clasped his fists in a salute, and holding the two secret manuals, he turned and left, feeling extremely excited. These two manuals, the Wuji Tiangang Fist and Wuji Tiangang Sword, were a set with the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual he was practicing. However, back then, Daoist Lexin had stolen the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual, leaving only these two fist and sword techniques in the Daoist temple, rendering them useless.
Without practicing the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual, the power of the fist and sword techniques could not be unleashed. Therefore, it was pointless for the disciples of the Daoist temple to practice them. Thus, these two secret manuals had remained with Gui Ye. Now that he saw Wan Yunting practicing the Wuji Tiangang Internal Cultivation Manual, Gui Ye gave him these two books to help him improve his martial arts.
By the time Wan Yunting returned to Chang Wude's residence after descending the mountain, it was already three in the morning. Kang Nuolan had long since fallen asleep. Chang Wude was just about to sleep when he saw Wan Yunting return and asked him a few questions.
Chang Wude knew that Gui Ye had summoned Wan Yunting to inquire about Gongsun Xiuliang, but he was surprised that the Grandmaster Uncle had given him the Wuji Tiangang Fist and Sword manuals. "It seems you have gained the Grandmaster Uncle's approval," Chang Wude said.
Wan Yunting smiled and said, "Who told you I'm a martial arts prodigy."
"Tsk." Chang Wude rolled his eyes at him and then waved his hand, "Alright, you should go and rest quickly. When dawn breaks, you will go with your Uncle Shi Wu Wei to the Kunlun Mountains behind us to search for the Phoenix Tail Grass."
"Okay, you rest early too, old man." Wan Yunting nodded, then turned and went out of the room. After closing the door for him, he returned to the adjacent room. He couldn't help but read through the Wuji Tiangang Fist and Sword manuals before collapsing into bed. He only managed to sleep for less than five hours before being woken up by Chang Wude at eight in the morning.
"Come on, let's go to the dining hall to eat, and then we'll gather at your Uncle Shi Wu Wei's place," Chang Wude said.
"Alright." Wan Yunting nodded. He, along with Kang Nuolan, followed Chang Wude out and soon arrived at the dining hall, finding people from various sects also having breakfast.
"Good morning, Junior Brother Wan," Jiang Tingxia of the Emei Sect was eating a steamed bun. Upon seeing him enter, she stood up and greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning, Senior Sister Jiang," Wan Yunting also greeted her with a smile. However, he noticed that Jiang Tingxia had a suitcase at her feet, as did Zhou Ruoxi and the others.
"We'll be heading down the mountain to return after breakfast," Jiang Tingxia said.
"Oh." Wan Yunting raised his eyebrows, but it made sense to him. After all, given what had happened last night, it was inconvenient for people from various sects to continue staying at the Boundless Daoist Temple. Therefore, they had packed their belongings early in the morning and had also informed Yang Jingyi. They would be leaving after breakfast.
"It's a shame, my Senior Sister Zhou hasn't had a chance to compete with you yet," Jiang Tingxia glanced at Zhou Ruoxi, who was sitting beside her, and said to Wan Yunting with a smile. Zhou Ruoxi was wearing a light blue ancient-style long dress and a white cloak today. Her long, dark hair cascaded smoothly down her chest and back, giving her a gentle, elegant, and ethereal appearance. Hearing this, she cast a glance at Jiang Tingxia with her autumn-like eyes.
Wan Yunting smiled and said, "If there's a chance in the future, I will definitely visit your Emei Sect to seek guidance from Senior Sister Zhou."
"Okay, it's a deal then," Jiang Tingxia was quite pleased to hear him say he would visit the Emei Sect. Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. It was just a polite remark. Little did he know that in the future, he would indeed make a trip to the Emei Sect.
There was no snow today, and the weather was excellent. After breakfast, at nine o'clock in the morning, disciples from various sects, laden with luggage, were escorted down the mountain by Wu Wei Zi, Chang Wude, Yang Jingyi, Xu Lingwei, Li Zihang, Qi Wu, and a group of other disciples, bidding farewell to Master Huikong, Abbess Yunbai, Elder Zhang Qing, and others.
"Everyone, I apologize on behalf of the Abbot for the inadequate hospitality these past two days. We hope for your understanding," Yang Jingyi bowed and apologized again to the sect leaders, heads of sects, Master Huikong, and others. "We, the Boundless Daoist Temple, will surely send gifts to make amends in the future."
"Madam Yang, you are too kind," Master Huikong and Abbess Yunbai waved their hands and said, "We hope Abbot Duan can recover soon. We will visit again then."
"Okay, thank you, Master Huikong, thank you everyone." Yang Jingyi nodded in thanks and watched the group from various sects descend the mountain.
"Junior Brother Wan, remember to visit our Emei Sect!" Jiang Tingxia couldn't help but look back and call out to Wan Yunting in her clear and pleasant voice. This made Zhou Ruoxi feel a bit embarrassed, and she quickly pulled the girl along as they followed Abbess Yunbai down the mountain. However, she also couldn't help but glance back at Wan Yunting.
"Okay, I will definitely visit when I have time in the future." He hadn't expected that girl Jiang Tingxia would shout that out. Seeing Zhou Ruoxi also looking back, Wan Yunting nodded and smiled at her, waving as he watched their group descend the mountain.
Afterward, Yang Jingyi turned around and said to Wu Wei Zi, Wan Yunting, and others, "Junior Brother Wu Wei, you should also prepare yourselves and go to the Kunlun Mountains to search for the Phoenix Tail Grass."
"Okay." Wu Wei Zi nodded. Chang Wude said, "I'll stay to guard the Daoist temple, lest that bastard Sima Boyong goes desperate and sends people to cause trouble. Junior Brother Wu Wei, you should take Wan Yunting and a few other young disciples with you."
"Mom, I'm going too," Duan Yingying, who was standing beside Yang Jingyi, immediately stated. Her face was a little haggard, clearly having not slept well last night. She pouted and said, "I want to find medicine for my father."
"Mistress, Senior Sister and I are also going," Li Zihang nodded in agreement. Xu Lingwei did not speak, but her attitude was clear.
"Alright, then you three will go with Uncle Shi Wu Wei, and take five disciples with you," Yang Jingyi agreed. "It is extremely dangerous to go to the Kunlun Mountains. You must be careful all the way, and obey your Uncle Shi Wu Wei, do you understand?"
"Understood, Mom. Senior Sister Zhi Shan, Junior Brother Zihang, and I will listen to Uncle Shi Wu Wei," Duan Yingying said, excited that her mother had agreed to let her go.
"Also, you must listen to Wan Yunting!" Yang Jingyi added seriously. This statement made Duan Yingying's eyes widen. She turned and glared sideways at Wan Yunting, who was standing nearby. She remembered that last night when he had sneaked into her parents' room, he had not only pressed her acupoints but also touched places he shouldn't have with his pig-like hands. Although he had helped her father, Duan Yingying had not forgotten this matter. Seeing her mother present, Duan Yingying snorted coldly, turned her head away, and said nothing.
Yang Jingyi was unaware of her daughter being harassed by Wan Yunting last night. "Alright, everyone quickly get ready. Searching for medicine in the Kunlun Mountains is not a matter of one or two days. You need to bring more clothes and dry food..." Thus, the group dispersed to prepare. Kang Nuolan also wanted to go, but Wan Yunting refused, telling her to stay and follow Chang Wude. This was because Wan Yunting had a feeling that the search for medicine in the Kunlun Mountains would not go smoothly!
At the foot of Mount Wuliang, in a building of the Wuliang Martial Arts School in Buxida County, Sima Boyong was leaning on the headboard of his bed in a room on the second floor. Sima Wentang stood beside him and said, "Dad, disciples from the Daoist temple just sent news that people from various sects have descended the mountain."