Adjusting his mindset, Huang Ye began to ponder the third layer of the technique.

Aside from refining the technique, the third layer focused on how to use elements, and it also included corresponding spells.

The role of the wood element is to accelerate growth; the stronger the ability, the faster the growth.

According to the technique, his current realm should be the late Initial Yang Realm.

He could rapidly grow wooden spikes, with the spikes reaching the length of a toothpick and the thickness of a chopstick.

Although these wooden spikes weren't as hard as metal hidden weapons, their toughness was exceptional. As long as his Spiritual Energy wasn't exhausted, he could continuously produce wooden spikes.

The most threatening aspect was their suddenness and speed; the speed driven by Spiritual Energy far exceeded that driven by True Qi.

Huang Ye knew that to reach this level, he had to complete his current refinement.

It couldn't be done in a short time, but there was no rush. As long as he could use the wood element to accelerate plant growth, it would suffice.

If Father Tang saw this growth ability, he would acknowledge him as a cultivator.

Sitting cross-legged, he dissected the third layer of the technique word by word.

Two hours later, Huang Ye stopped, having tried multiple times but still unable to grasp it.

It seemed that his refinement of the second layer was not yet complete, so he couldn't circulate Spiritual Energy as described in the technique.

Since he couldn't cultivate the technique, he decided to see if he could use spells.

If he could use wood-based spells, he would have leverage when negotiating with Father Tang.

He walked over to a pot of greenery, a pine bonsai.

Just as he was about to try to mobilize the wood element within him, he heard the faint sound of clothes fluttering.

Huang Ye immediately held his breath, listening to the movements outside the courtyard.

Someone was indeed there to investigate the small courtyard.

He quietly took out cosmetics from his pocket and smeared them on his face.

He crouched silently beneath the window.

A stick of incense later, the sound of fluttering clothes was heard again, gradually fading away.

He immediately opened the window and slipped out like a ghost.

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Huang Ye had long mastered the art of lightness, reaching the level of walking on water, easily leaping dozens of meters.

As long as he didn't move too fast, he could move silently, using every plant and tree for support.

This was the advantage of cultivators, who could harness the power of the world.

A martial artist practicing the same lightness technique would be considered a genius if they achieved the level of leaving no trace in the snow in ten years.

Before long, Huang Ye saw the black figure ahead. Judging by the silhouette, he recognized the person as the mysterious old man.

Who exactly was this old man, and why did he repeatedly come to investigate the two maidservants?

This time, Huang Ye decided to follow him.

Hmm, the old man's direction seemed to be outside the mansion. Could it be that he wasn't from the mansion?

Huang Ye didn't dare to follow too closely; the old man's strength was definitely not weak. If he got too close, he would easily be discovered.

The old man, like him, floated to the wall of the dense forest and slipped over it.

Huang Ye reached the wall, listened outside, and heard nothing.

He leaped over the wall, and everything was pitch black. Even with his extraordinary eyesight, he could only see vaguely unless the other party was moving.

He looked around and saw nothing unusual.

As expected, the old man must have accelerated away after leaving the wall.

Huang Ye regretted not having time to change into his specially made nightwear earlier.

Although his current clothes were black, they had sleeves, and once he increased his speed, they would surely make noise.

If he had his nightwear, he could have quickly reached the wall to listen for the old man's direction upon leaving.

Even if he guessed the direction correctly now, following might still lead to being discovered by the old man.

Even if he fought the old man, he wasn't confident he could hold him.

If he exposed himself, even if the old man couldn't recognize him, he would suspect the two maidservants.

His purpose in following was merely to find out the old man's hiding place.

Got it, last time the woman in black circled outside and finally entered the mansion through the main gate.

He would go directly to the main gate and wait. If the old man returned to the mansion, he would know his general identity.

Huang Ye drifted and leaped to the vicinity of the main gate, hiding his form and keeping a close watch on the gate.

An entire hour passed, and he still hadn't seen the old man.

There was no choice but to return.

You old fox, quite cunning. Once I learn celestial arts, I'll make sure you pay.

Huang Ye returned the way he came, feeling disgruntled.

He slipped into the dense forest, listened for any sounds, and detected nothing unusual. The patrolling guards should have returned.

His figure floated as he leaped towards the wall.

After only two leaps, he suddenly stopped.

He saw a horrifying scene: a tall, dark figure was holding a human corpse, sucking on it, with another corpse lying on the ground.

The corpses were dressed in the attire of the mansion's guards.

The dark figure also raised its head. If this were his previous life, Huang Ye would have run at the sight of such a monster.

The monster's mouth was full of blood, baring its fangs, with eyes as big as copper bells.

Its face was covered in black fur, resembling a bear, with long arms like an ape. Standing upright, it was taller than a small giant.

The monster grinned, "Hehehe, didn't expect an extra meal tonight. This one looks fresher, the blood must be delicious."

Damn, this guy can speak human language. What's going on? Could it be a powerful demon?

No, this monster was sneaking around in the forest, killing guards.

It indicated that its strength wasn't enough to wreak havoc; otherwise, it would be hunting humans outside.

Huang Ye watched the monster with full vigilance, hesitating whether to fight or flee.

Fight, could he win? Run, could he outrun it?

This monster had killed two guards, so its combat power must be strong.

He wasn't weak either, and after so much body refinement, he could at least contend with a peak Martial King.

Since entering this world of survival of the fittest, he hadn't experienced a real battle, a battle of blood and fire.

This was undoubtedly his first battle. If he chose to flee now, what right did he have to survive in this world?

Now that the monster was here, if it ever broke into the mansion, Qing'er and Yue'er would surely be in danger.

No, he had to fight it. Even if he couldn't win, he couldn't let it have its way.

"Big Bear, my blood is indeed delicious. Are you sure you can drink it?"

The monster's eyes rolled around. Facing this little thing that wasn't afraid of it, it was unsure.

"Hehehe, let's find out."

"Wait."

The monster didn't listen, charging directly at him.

Damn, can't you answer my question first? This guy is fast.

Faster than expected, faster than him. In just a few leaps, Huang Ye could feel the approaching wind.

The monster's long arms weren't hands but claws, like eagle talons, gleaming with a chilling light.

Huang Ye didn't dare to clash his fists against these claws. Although his body had been refined, increasing his resistance several times, the sharpness of these claws could definitely cut through his body.

He sidestepped, dodging the attack, and flicked his hand, sending out two iron caltrops using the hidden weapons technique.

The monster moved quickly, dodging one caltrop, but the second was swatted away by its claw.

However, the monster's reverse claw strike injured its talon, breaking the keratin layer and oozing black liquid.

Seeing the monster's grimace, Huang Ye was secretly pleased.

That must have hurt. It endured the pain, clearly afraid of making too much noise.

Since it feared being discovered, it indicated its strength wasn't enough to handle being surrounded. He also feared being discovered.

Let's have a low-noise fight and see who comes out on top!