Ling Boat, Red Sleeve Square.
Chen Mu sat in a secluded corner booth.
Before him, a wide, solid wood dinner table was filled with a colorful array of dishes, predominately fish.
Chen Mu picked up a slice of tender white fish and put it into his mouth, teeth lightly biting down… and failing to break through.
Then, applying a bit more force, a salty taste with a hint of sweetness assaulted his taste buds.
“The flavor is alright, but the softening of the meat’s texture is poorly done, affecting the taste,” Chen Mu shook his head and lamented.
The meat of Exotic Beasts was mostly tough.
Some were chewy to the point of comparing to rubber.
Though those who ate meat were strong and had powerful biting forces.
But if all the ingredients in a meal were too tough, it would be too tiring for the teeth, wouldn’t it?
While Chen Mu silently analyzed the ingredients to steal cooking methods, his gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the enchanting figure above the giant transparent water sphere in mid-air.
“Tsk tsk, that fish meat does look good.”
…
He twitched his ears slightly.
The buzzing of voices within the hall slowly unraveled, becoming clear and distinct.
“Do you think if we sell the information about those Jilong Road disciples to the Zhongshan Path, we could earn a large sum of White Jade Coins?”
“If you want to die, go ahead.”
“Who knows if the Sect Master of East Fence Path is dead or not.”
“If the real person of White Tower is dead, now that would be interesting.”
“I guess they dare to show up because they see Zhongshan Path’s people retracting their power.”
Listening to this idle gossip, Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief.
What he feared the most was his group being surrounded by Zhongshan Path as soon as they showed their faces.
It seemed Zhongshan Path and Jilong Road were in a delicate balance.
Unfortunately, this was only temporary.
Once either the real person of White Tower or the Sect Master of East Fence Path made an appearance,
either Zhongshan Path or Jilong Road would certainly be finished.
And if neither appeared for a prolonged period,
it could attract the covetous glances of other forces and trigger chaos.
“It’s out of my hands,” Chen Mu sighed.
Even with his concerns, there was nothing he could do.
Leave Jilong Road to become a Wild Cultivator?
It carried risks, but he wouldn’t need to be involved in the visible turmoil.
However, it was already difficult for disciples of Jilong Road to obtain the Condensing Aperture secret method, let alone a solitary Wild Cultivator with no support or connections…
“I’ll wait and see at the Heavenly River Water Mansion,” Chen Mu made a decision: “If things go south, I’ll make a run for it immediately.”
The more than three hundred surviving disciples actually all shared this thought.
This was also why Chen Mu was willing to continue following Jilong Road.
…
Having planned for the road ahead, Chen Mu refrained from overthinking.
He focused on eating and watching the show, circulating the Truthful Listening secret technique, and pricking up his ears for rumors.
“Maybe some of these people will also defect to Zhongshan Path.”
“Wasn’t it the people who originally stayed in the Lower Courtyard of Tongtian River who were incorporated by Zhongshan Path?”
Chen Mu raised his eyebrows in surprise, then had an epiphany.
Most disciples from the Lower Courtyard were more like serfs.
Skilled in farming, gardening, animal husbandry, and other productive resources.
They weren’t as loyal to Jilong Road, and with their specialized skills,
it was only natural for Zhongshan Path to absorb and utilize them.
“If Jilong Road really falls one day, most of us from the Lower Courtyard will probably end like this.”
…
Ling Boat, cabin 9633.
Chen Mu sat cross-legged on a soft couch, struggling to keep his face expressionless, his heart full of envy, jealousy, and reluctance: “I’m ready.”
“Ready!” Shi Xian’s face was tense as he stared intently at Chen Mu.
“Seven Souls Return to Origin.”
A familiar connection arose in their hearts.
Chen Mu closed his eyes and pushed out the glowing Truthful Listening Talisman from the Jade Seed, towards a bright spot lost in the mist.
Shi Xian’s face turned pale immediately, and if it weren’t for Wu Ruo’s support, he might have collapsed to the ground.
“Give it a try.” Chen Mu stared intently at Shi Xian.
Hum!
A black orb appeared in Shi Xian’s palm.
Chen Mu eyed the pitch-black sphere, “Hmm, it’s Third Rank Truthful Listening.”
Chen Mu summoned the grey wall and looked at his own Truthful Listening Technique level.
Truthful Listening Technique: 43/10000/Fourth Rank;
The detection range of the Third Rank Truthful Listening expanded to more than ten miles.
No changes in Fourth Rank Truthful Listening range. But it became more delicate and secretive, not easy to detect.
Moreover, besides actively detecting outward, it could also be used for passive receiving of sounds at close range.
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He had used the Fourth Rank Truthful Listening Secret Technique to gather information in Red Sleeve Square.
“Now this is somewhat like Truthful Listening.”
With a thought,
smoke from the inner mana of the Jade Seed billowed.
A brand-new Truthful Listening Talisman that was uniquely his own swiftly took shape.
He glanced again at the black orb in Shi Xian’s hand, confirming it was only at Third Rank.
So, it could inherit the Proficiency I had practiced, but couldn’t inherit it completely, there had to be a discount.
This… this is too good! Haha!
If Shi Xian immediately reached whatever Rank I was at, Chen Mu felt he would die from jealousy.
“No, no, can’t be so petty. I’ve crossed over, how can I remain a small-minded commoner from the previous life! I need to be magnanimous! I have to learn to share!” Chen Mu chuckled as he teased himself.
Then he suppressed the laughter in his heart and put on a fake expression of regret, “What a pity.”
“I’ve already mastered Fourth Rank Truthful Listening.”
“By using mana, it can passively perceive information at short distances, and it’s already somewhat like the legendary Hearing the Wind.”
“If you could have fully inherited it, that would have been great.” Chen Mu let out a long sigh, putting on a very regretful look.
“I guess there’s loss during the talisman transfer.”
“Such a pity!”
He wanted to say a few more pleasantries.
But then he heard Shi Xian say with a realization, “No wonder I couldn’t activate it, it turns out I’m lacking mana!”
Chen Mu: “…”
What does that mean?
Did you really learn everything completely?!
Chen Mu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
If it weren’t for maintaining his image, he would have already glared with frustration.
Just then, Ai Ji stepped forward with a worried look and spoke,
“Mr. Gongsun, our departure from the mountains has already exposed our movements.”
“Zhongshan Path will definitely not sit idly by in regards to us disciples from Jilong Road.”
“Once we clash, I fear it will be a tough battle.”
“A chaotic situation is nearly upon us.” Ai Ji’s face was stern.
Chen Mu looked at him in surprise. This brash man could actually have such clear awareness?
“If something happens to you, we won’t be spared either.”
“My Giant Spirit Divine Secret Technique specializes in amplifying strength, directly enhancing combat power,”
“So please, start practicing. Don’t worry about my feelings. Quickly master more Secret Techniques to ensure your safety,” Ai Ji said with righteousness.
Chen Mu: “…”
“Get lost!”
…
After confirming multiple times that he could cultivate secret techniques with the help of Seven Souls Return to Origin for the six siblings of Wu Mountain,
and that the secret techniques he had practiced could also be inherited by the siblings,
Chen Mu’s mentality collapsed.
It took five continuous trips to Red Sleeve Square for him to slightly improve his mood.
“Always watching these performances here is still too depressing.”
“Should I find a Miss to chat with while bumming a meal?”
“Forget it, forget it, the food at Red Sleeve Square is so expensive, I barely have enough for myself, let alone someone else!”
“In that case, I can only visit a few more times to ease my gloomy mood,” Chen Mu thought helplessly.
Misses on stage, could you please be a bit bolder in your performances?
After staying another seven days and grinding out over two thousand experience points for Truthful Listening, Chen Mu reluctantly left Red Sleeve Square.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to stay longer, but the Heavenly River Water Mansion had arrived.