Yù Quán had spent days practicing [Qi Compression], and while he grew more accustomed to using it, he didn’t make any progress in the amount of his qi he could compress at one time. It was still at 25%; he could just use it more instinctively and naturally. Looking at his information, he saw that it still said [Qi Compression] was at level one, so it was likely due to that.
“A blessing and a curse…” Yù Quán sighed. “It’s quicker and easier to improve with points and the system, but it’s the only way I’m able to do so. At least I’ve grown more familiar with using it.”
Yù Quán headed over to the cult grounds and walked around. He was wearing a brown cloak with a deep and heavy hood to cover his face. As he walked by, everyone pointed and whispered. They had been told of Mulian before even making it to the cult grounds. To see him walking about was something they felt was an honor. Su Chunhua had kept her promise and continued her recruitment efforts. The thirty or so heads were used to gather intel and resources that helped them gather forty or so more. A few talented individuals had already become the first peak disciples of the already established School of Knowledge, or School of Combat. Yù Quán stopped and greeted Su Chunhua, but he didn’t stay long because he had little interest in what they did. He was just happy that Su Chunhua seemed to have a knack for it.
Yù Quán walked to what used to be the training grounds of the Cult of the Almighty. It was a large area with stone squares laid on the ground. On top of the stone square ground was the dirt, dust, and debris Zhuo Duyong had left behind. Although there were some initiates picking it all up and some clear areas made by disciples of Rèn Chāngmíng's that needed room to train, Yù Quán took a bit of time to watch the training and was pleasantly surprised. Rèn Chāngmíng was truly a combat prodigy. Not just in the sense that he could fight well but that he understood it and could communicate it. It’s one thing to perform well and another to teach others to do the same. All at the young age of fifteen? Yù Quán was more than impressed.
Rèn Chāngmíng was having the older disciples spar while he closely directed the younger ones. Yù Quán nodded at Rèn Chāngmíng's foresight. No matter how powerful and knowing Rèn Chāngmíng was, the disciples older than him would never be able to completely see him as their leader, teacher, or master. It was one thing if he was similar in age to them, but some of them were in their twenties, thirties, and even a few in their forties. Rèn Chāngmíng realized that he would never be able to foster that sort of relationship with them. So instead, he allowed them to learn from experience and each other while fostering that relationship with the younger ones. The older disciples would still follow his commands due to his authority, and there wouldn’t be as much tension from them having to learn from a young teen.
The only issue could be in the long term, but Yù Quán felt that once Rèn Chāngmíng could get some older disciples he trusted to higher positions, they could handle teaching any and all disciples without having to have this problem. Yù Quán smiled and nodded. Another example of Rèn Chāngmíng's foresight. It made him wonder how such talent could go unnoticed by his father, who abandoned him. Even if he felt some type of way about Rèn Chāngmíng being a bastard, a talented one was better than any untalented one. It probably had to do with a great deal of pride and resources to make any child acceptable. Yù Quán didn’t feel this way and felt Rèn Chāngmíng was more useful than not.
Yù Quán walked up to Rèn Chāngmíng in his cloak. Rèn Chāngmíng’s face lit up, but he quickly fixed his face into that of determined respect. Su Chunhua and Rèn Chāngmíng were to put up the act as loyal and close followers of Mulian and had to keep appearances. Rèn Chāngmíng cupped his hands and bowed just as Su Chunhua and any other keeper would in the presence of people who didn’t know of the cult’s roots or Yù Quán’s real identity.
“Greetings, Mulian,” Rèn Chāngmíng said during his bow.
Yù Quán couldn’t help but smile; he almost couldn’t get the words out. “Rise,” he said in a raspy, monotone voice as he held up his hand with his palm facing the sky. Although it wasn’t as bad as the Cult of the Almighty, Yù Quán still found it silly. Regardless, he had to put that aside for the sake of their plan. After all the disciples heard the exchange, they all dropped what they were doing and did as Rèn Chāngmíng did. They waited for Yù Quán’s command to come out of their bows and return to what they were doing. Rèn Chāngmíng and Yù Quán stepped off to the side so they could talk without putting on airs.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
“How is everything, Junior Brother?”
Rèn Chāngmíng tried his best to look like they were talking about serious matters while he spoke. “Pretty well. I’m doing the best with what we have. If Su Chunhua can increase the number of people, I can start the real development.”
It was a lot easier for Yù Quán, who only had to watch the tone of his voice. “That’s great. I wanted to let you know I put a very special technique in the mind palace. It’s called Qi Compression. You can learn it yourself for now, but I won’t be able to teach you for awhile.”
Rèn Chāngmíng's eyes glittered behind his blank, slightly stern expression. “Thank you, Senior Brother.”
“Don’t mention it. But hold off on teaching it to disciples until you at least have the higher positions filled. If there’s anything else you need, let me know.”
“Sure, I’ll just get familiar with it… but, I actually do need something.”
Rèn Chāngmíng and Yù Quán continued their side conversation and parted ways. Of course, Rèn Chāngmíng and all the disciples bowed as he left. Yù Quán then went straight to Su Chunhua, where the same greeting occurred, and he took her aside to ask her for what Rèn Chāngmíng needed.
“Healing techniques?”
Yù Quán instinctively nodded but realized his hood prevented anyone from even making out his head movements.
“Yeah, Rèn Chāngmíng says if he wants to increase the efficiency of training and even be ready for combat as soon as possible in case of any emergencies, he needs to be able to help his disciples recover quickly'.”
Su Chunhua thought for a moment before answering. “Well, we don’t have enough money to buy any good ones, that’s for sure.”
Yù Quán was about to say that was fine and that he would handle it, but he changed his mind. He could deduce the techniques, but he already doesn’t have enough points as it is. It would be fine if he deduced one or two higher-level techniques, but it would take a lot to take two of the lowest-level healing techniques and bring them up to high levels. So, he would avoid using his points like that unless necessary.
“What if we stole some?” Su Chunhua asked.
“No. I don’t want the cult getting involved in crime. At least, not yet. How could we defend ourselves if caught?”
Su Chunhua nodded. She could afford to be more like her normal self because she had better control of her behavior and mannerisms. They all, including Rèn Chāngmíng, were worried that if he didn’t have a tight leash on himself, he would accidentally fall back into how he normally acted and that would ruin the façade.
“Okay, makes sense. I’ll see what I can do while dealing with the disciples and initiates. Just give me several days. I have a lot on my plate right now.”
“Mm. Take your time. We’ll find some trustworthy people to take over things outside of your School of Knowledge as soon as we lay a good foundation.”
Yù Quán left after running through the whole parting ritual again. He didn’t have much else to do while waiting for Su Chunhua to get back to him so he could help Rèn Chāngmíng, so he decided to get some things done for himself. He still needed more points, which he could get from law enforcement to kill two birds with one stone. But, he also needed to cultivate. He had been neglecting cultivation in favor of other priorities for too long.
…
Yù Quán
Realm: Body Tempering Realm
Stage: 1st Level Skin Tempering
Main Cultivation Art: [Stolen-eyed Mùmùlián Body](Level 3)
Strength: 850 Catties
Qi: 2220/2220 wisps
Mùmùlián Core: 22/100
Strange Fire: (Level 2)Murderous Flame(x1)
Techniques:
[Mùmùlián Eye Stealing](Level 3)
[Mùmùlián Eye Refining](Level 3)
[Murder Mantra](Level 1)
[Yellow Qilin Dance](Level 1)
[Qi Compression](Level 1)
Attributes:
[Strange Fire: Murderous Flame]
[Star Gazing Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Maned Hog Ferocity Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Winged Watcher Awareness Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality False Dragon Pride Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Death-Dealing Dama Killing Eyes](Level 1)(x2)