Dinner consisted of stir-fried eels and fermented rice. With the presence of the second-tier celestial phenomenon, Elder Lü Chonglou, the boat did not stop despite the danger. Whether it was the irresistibly tempting aroma of the stir-fried eels or Lord Wang's profound inner strength, during the meal, his expression returned to its usual coldness, devoid of any trace of anger.

No one dared to speak during the meal. It was a rule set by Lord Wang: silence during meals. The four, who had barely eaten lunch, now devoured their food with an insatiable appetite.

After the meal, Lord Wang asked, "Chen Xuanze, have you ever thought about using any weapons?" Chen Xuanze shook his head. He had obtained the Starry Nine Transformation not long ago and hadn't thought about this question.

Lord Wang continued, "Then do you have a preference? Sword? Knife? Spear?" After pondering for a moment, Chen Xuanze replied, "Staff." This answer surprised Lord Wang. The saying goes, "Staff in youth, knife in middle age, and spear in old age." Who wouldn't want to carry a three-foot green sword and roam the ends of the earth? Who wouldn't want to use a spear to pick a thousand troops and break a river with a single thrust?

In the vast land of Kyushu, for someone of Chen Xuanze's age to actively want to learn staff techniques, other than those cultivating Buddhism, he was a rare exception.

"What's your reasoning?" Lord Wang asked with interest. Chen Xuanze didn't think much and answered directly, "Just feel that staff techniques are easier to pick up."

This was his genuine thought. Sword and spear training had been going on for too long. With the Starry Nine Transformation, as long as he didn't die prematurely, his martial cultivation would inevitably reach the first-tier. If one force couldn't handle ten, he could add another strike; if that wasn't enough, he could swing a hundred and eighty strikes.

Lord Wang was somewhat speechless and asked, "You don't want to learn sword or spear? I can teach you sword. Even if I don't make you equal to the Sword Pavilion, at least your swordsmanship won't be inferior to other sects. There are 1,467 sword techniques in the world according to the Keeper of Demons. As for spear training, Uncle Lü can teach you. Don't be fooled by Uncle Lü using Daoist sword techniques to handle spears. In the realm of Kyushu, there are 432 spear techniques within the Keeper of Demons. Aren't these two superior to staff?"

Chen Xuanze hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. What Lord Wang said was right. Whether following Lord Wang to learn sword or Uncle Lü to learn spear, since they brought it up, it meant they would definitely impart their knowledge generously. With a famous teacher guiding him, his achievements would naturally be limitless.

However, he just didn't want to.

The reason is quite simple—these two weapons have too many diverse styles and techniques. Swordsmanship includes heavy swords, swift swords, Dao swords, Buddhist swords, Confucian swords, withered swords, swords for all living beings, and more. Similarly, spear techniques range from wild and furious to heavy and swift as lightning...

So Chen Xuanze replied, "I just feel that staff techniques are simpler and purer."

Seeing Chen Xuanze stubbornly sticking to his preference, Lord Wang chose not to continue the conversation. Chen Qianqian and the other two looked on with envy—it was such a great opportunity!

This time, Wang Qingxuan didn't act foolishly in front of Lord Wang but, with a stroke of luck, asked, "Lord, may I learn swordsmanship from you?"

Lord Wang didn't answer right away but turned to carefully examine the little Taoist. It was the first time he had scrutinized Wang Qingxuan so closely. Despite his lean figure and the three-point mustache, an eye patch covered his left eye.

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After a thorough examination, with the bone structure already formed, Lord Wang found a rare talent that met the requirements of his martial arts school.

"What's wrong with your left eye?" Lord Wang asked.

Seeing a chance, Wang Qingxuan didn't hide the truth: "Lord, I was born with Yin-Yang Eyes. I can only see ghosts and spirits. Due to my low cultivation, I can't see worldly things for now; not covering it would damage my lifespan. My master said that when I reach the third-tier Yang Spirit realm, I can remove the eyepatch."

Lord Wang nodded slightly. This situation was recorded in the records of the Keeper of Demons: Natural Yin-Yang Eyes—left Yin, connecting to the Nine Ghosts, observing Qi circulation; right Yang, following the will of heaven, pardoning ghosts and spirits.

Lord Wang continued, "Have you practiced the Nine Techniques of Divination from Qingyun View?"

Wang Qingxuan nodded, saying, "Yes, Lord. I started practicing when I was fourteen, and now I'm working on the third technique."

The Nine Techniques of Divination were handed down within Qingyun View's Qingyun Sutra.

Lord Wang then said, "Good. Starting tomorrow, practice swordsmanship with me at dawn. But remember, you must cultivate the Nine Techniques of Divination simultaneously with your swordsmanship."

Wang Qingxuan nodded enthusiastically, overjoyed.

Thinking about the vast inheritance of Qingyun View, though it had declined for many years, aside from the precious Qingyun Sutra, many legacies were incomplete.

The Qingyun Sutra covered a wide range, but it lacked content related to weapons. Moreover, Lord Wang was a master at the fourth or even third tier. With such a mentor, how could he not become proficient in swordsmanship?

Thinking of this, he got a bit impulsive and asked, "Lord, may I ask what tier you are currently at?"

Lord Wang regretted agreeing to this troublesome little fellow. This guy and his dead master, True Person Qingwei, were both impulsive and had foul mouths.

"Third tier. Is that strong enough for you? Do you want me to ask the Grand Commander if he's willing to teach you?"

Wang Qingxuan knew he had spoken out of turn and lowered his head, pretending to be an old tortoise.

At this moment, Elder Lü added more oil to the lamp in the cabin. Putting down the oil bottle, he said gently, "Is the third tier strong? The little Taoist asked, and you're not happy about it. If you don't want to teach, just give it to me."

Lord Wang reluctantly suppressed his anger, sat there, and started brewing tea.

Among those in the Keeper of Demons, he was the only one not accommodating to Lord Wang. Even Grand Commander Gao, the commanding officer, would give him some face. However, he had to admit that Lü's old man had saved him three times since he joined the Keeper of Demons.

Chen Xuanze and the other two were struggling to hold back their laughter. Seeing Lord Wang being outwitted was a rare sight.

Sanzang, focused on his meditation, had mastered the art of holding back laughter and displayed a dignified expression.

Elder Lü continued, "What's the point of asking them when you're exposing yourself? Chen lad, as well as Little Monk, tomorrow morning, practice spear techniques with me. Young lady, practice swordsmanship with the little Taoist and your commanding officer, Lord Wang."

Lord Commander and Lord Wang—these six words were pronounced distinctly.

Lord Wang blushed, a color rarely seen on his face, and then lifted an empty teacup, pretending to drink tea to cover up his embarrassment.

Hearing Lü's words, the four in the cabin were overjoyed. Chen Xuanze wanted to practice staff, but being forced to practice spear was not a big deal. After all, a spear was just a staff with extra heads.

Furthermore, Lü Chonglou was a presence who could eliminate a half-step second-tier existence with a single spear—a truly second-tier realm. Not to mention, Lord Wang mentioned that Elder Lü was among the top three spear users in Kyushu.

Chen Xuanze didn't doubt Lord Wang's words. Since joining the Keeper of Demons, he had heard a lot of rumors about others, but Lord Wang's stories were numerous. Stories about being the first sword of the Keeper of Demons, single-handedly suppressing demons and spirits, sounded good.

There were even more unpleasant stories, such as sweet-talking but deceitful, cunning as the number one evildoer in Da Liang, and the best backstabber in the autumn waters, among others.

But no matter how the stories went, he hadn't heard Lord Wang discounting what he said to the Keeper of Demons.

This was also one of the reasons why Lord Wang, at the fourth tier, could surpass Lord Commander Qiu at the third tier and become the deputy commanding officer.

The boat continued without stopping, and the black night was illuminated by lanterns.

The Tian Shui River roared, and the sound waves were like a song.