Chapter 11: Legacy

"You're absolutely right, Valley Master. Sometimes, we may form opinions based on appearances or first impressions, but just like a book has a story beyond its cover, people have experiences and qualities that aren't always visible at first glance. It's important to take the time to understand and appreciate what lies beneath." Qing Chen gave a relaxed reply to Mu Qingfeng.

Hahaha...

Mu Qingfeng burst into laughter. He laughed for a whole minute, then looked back into Qing Chen's eyes.

"No, no... Do not misunderstand. I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing because what you said today—the same thing was said to me by someone in the past."

Mu Qingfeng waved his arm in the air as a gesture toward Qing Chen.

"So, are you willing to take over my position?"

"...Yes. Thank you for this generosity, Valley Master." Qing Chen cupped his hands again as a form of thanks. Becoming the next Valley Master of the Herbs Valley would open up many new doors of opportunity for him.

He would also be able to secure more spiritual stones from the sect.

...

After an hour, Qing Chen had completed all his pending work and arrived at the courtyard of the Valley Master.

"I see that you have already cultivated, but your control over the spiritual energy is not refined enough to execute even the basic combat techniques."

"Here, practice these techniques first."

Mu Qingfeng used his spiritual energy to make the technique books appear in front of him. Qing Chen reached out to grab the skill books.

As the evening deepened, casting long shadows across the quiet study, Mu Qingfeng retrieved four ancient tomes from a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards. Their covers were aged and worn, but the titles etched into them gleamed faintly, as though untouched by time. Qing Chen eyed the books with a mix of curiosity and caution.

“These,” Mu Qingfeng began, placing the tomes on the table, “are my most precious legacies. Each one holds a technique that I have safeguarded for decades, waiting for someone worthy to inherit them. You, Qing Chen, are that person.”

Qing Chen hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The titles caught his attention first:

Verdant Soul Manifestation

Eclipsing Shadows Technique

Azure Sky's Final Resurgence

Sealed Void Incantation

“These are...” Qing Chen’s voice trailed off as he reached for the first book.

Mu Qingfeng gestured toward the green-bound tome. “This technique is deeply tied to nature itself. With it, you’ll learn to harmonize with the natural world—drawing energy from plants, healing wounds, and even using the environment as a weapon or shield. It suits you well, given your unique connection to the Valley.”

Qing Chen opened the book and skimmed the first page. The words spoke of becoming one with the earth and nurturing life while understanding the balance of destruction and preservation.

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The second book, bound in sleek black leather, exuded an air of mystery. Mu Qingfeng tapped its cover lightly. “This is for survival. Eclipsing Shadows Technique will teach you to move unseen, mask your presence, and strike without warning. It’s not a path for the reckless—it requires patience and precision.”

Qing Chen felt a chill as he touched the book. The air around it seemed to shift, as though the shadows in the room grew darker in its presence.

The third tome radiated a faint blue glow, its title shimmering like a calm sky before a storm. “This,” Mu Qingfeng said with reverence, “is a combat technique that originated from the Azure Sky Sect. It is their final legacy—a set of devastating strikes and celestial defenses. It is said that mastering this will grant strength akin to the founders themselves.”

Qing Chen’s pulse quickened as he picked up the tome. Flipping through its pages, he saw illustrations of energy surging from the heavens, forming shields and blades.

Finally, Mu Qingfeng rested his hand on the violet tome, its surface swirling with faint, arcane patterns. “The last of these is Sealed Void Incantation. It’s a defensive and sealing technique—one that can trap foes, suppress spiritual energy, or lock away secrets that must never see the light of day. It’s the most dangerous to learn, as it requires immense spiritual control.”

Qing Chen stared at the book, feeling its quiet, oppressive aura. “And why are you giving me all of these?”

Mu Qingfeng smiled faintly, his eyes clouded with something unspoken. “Because I will not be here forever, and this Valley—this world—will need someone prepared for the challenges to come. Each of these skills serves a purpose, but together, they form a foundation strong enough to withstand what lies ahead.”

As Qing Chen gazed at the four tomes, he felt a heavy responsibility settling over him. These were not just books—they were lifelines, tools to navigate a world fraught with danger and hidden enemies. He clenched his fists, his determination solidifying.

“I will study them well, Valley Master,” he said firmly.

Mu Qingfeng nodded, his expression unreadable. “Good. Then let’s begin with the basics.”

...

A week later.

Qing Chen was still doing what he usually did—cleaning the dry leaves and dirt from the Valley while trimming the extra-long branches of trees.

Qing Chen was still unsure about the real identity of the Valley Master. He had shown no signs of having any ill intentions toward him.

Did Mu Qingfeng really take the senior brother of Zhao Ling to the outer sect?

At first, Qing Chen thought he had killed the senior brother of Zhao Ling long ago. But he might have been too quick to judge the Valley Master after meeting him just once.

Qing Chen’s mind again drifted to debating this topic inside his head. While he held the broom no longer with his hand but instead used his spiritual energy, Qing Chen stood on the side with his hands folded and his eyes closed. To avoid sleeping, he just chose a topic, and the battle of debate was going on in full swing inside his brain.

[+10 Harmony Point.]

The broom stopped when the prompt notification sounded from the system.

Today, he had decided to increase his realm. He did not feel safe staying in the Golden Core Realm for so long. He knew that an average talent takes around a maximum of two decades to break through to the Nascent Soul all the way from the First Realm of Golden Core, but Qing Chen was still young and he had not experienced enough adventures and trials yet that could shape his Daoist heart.

It should be remembered that Qing Chen's current strength is enough to suppress all the powers on Earth and become the real ruler of almost the whole solar system, but here his current strength was only enough to place him in the position of an assistant elder of the Outer Sect.

Qing Chen chose to go to the forest at the back of the Herbs Valley, as that was the only place he could go for now to avoid attracting attention from the sect. Even if they noticed, he could just use Harmony Veil and stealthily return to the Valley.

The harm that Feng Liang's breakthrough had caused to the forest had already been largely recovered, but there were still some old trees that were at the end of their lives and no longer able to recover from the impact of Feng Liang's Devouring Law.

It made the forest visually different. At the outer periphery of the forest, there were some harmless animals with vibrant green trees and wild grass growing, but at the very center of the forest, the scene changed from life to death. The whole center of the forest was filled with dry grass, trees, and even some animal bodies, but this was only visible if one walked on foot through the forest. People flying on their artifacts were not able to spot anything unusual, as they usually flew at altitudes that made even the Azure Sky Sect look like a speck of dust.