Wang Sheng’s single statement had silenced them both.
But this issue couldn’t be so easily overlooked. Based on the information available, the best course for the Master of Destiny from the Great Zhou was simply to eliminate the other Great Grandmasters, ensuring the rule of Great Zhou.
Yet, in reality, the Master of Destiny from Great Zhou had shown no intention of making a move.
If one were to say there was external pressure, the Border Army wasn’t just for show.
Furthermore, according to Yue, it seemed the Border Army wasn’t unique to Great Zhou; other dynasties had their own as well. This bizarre border force almost certainly precluded the likelihood of conflict.
So, it was even more perplexing.
Could it be that the Master of Destiny had a nobleness of character to such an extent?
Wang Sheng looked at Yue.
“Has your Stargazing Skill not deduced anything?”
“I’m sorry, Lord Wang Sheng, my Stargazing Skill is unable to deduce the actions of Grandmasters, unless I myself reach the Grandmaster Realm. The Valley Master does not share everything with us either…”
Yue appeared somewhat embarrassed, unable to answer his lord’s first question; this was definitely a professional mistake.
“It’s okay, I was just curious,” Wang Sheng waved his hand. He indeed wanted to know a bit more, but he wouldn’t insist.
Thinking this, Wang Sheng was reminded of something—divination, deduction, calculation, and fortune-telling were the things most likely to attract trouble.
“Yue, if you are to follow me, there is one thing you must abide by!”
“Please tell me!”
“That is to stop at hints. For example, if you encounter a deduction problem and feel a danger looming, you must immediately abandon it. Don’t continue to engage in it, and cut off any possibility of being tracked down.”
Yue was taken aback, “Can fortune-telling be like that?”
“What’s more important, stargazing or your life? If you deduce something that can’t be deduced, don’t be curious. In my experience, those in your profession who insist on forcing a deduction almost never meet a good end.”
“Understood!”
Yue, intending to follow Wang Sheng, would naturally heed his word.
However, while he had been with the Valley Master, he had seen countless people, most of whom begged the Valley Master for guidance despite being warned of severe consequences.
Of course, there were also some divining sects that took pride in solving these difficult problems.
Indeed, for sects such as his that specialized in divination, it was normal. After all, if not divination, what else could be their standard for judgment?
In fact, he had been about to try forcing a deduction just moments ago.
Of course, this wasn’t to satisfy his own curiosity, but mainly because he had just started following someone and couldn’t answer a question. He had also been intending to ask if he should really do so.
But the person he was following had directly instructed him not to bother.
Seeing Yue agree, but with a puzzled expression, Wang Sheng said, “I know you might not understand, but think about it—is satisfying your curiosity more important than your life? Deduce this and that, and you could end up dead and dismembered!”
He was indeed curious, but what good was curiosity if it exceeded his capabilities?
He did not know, for he had never experienced it!
“I understand now!”
Yue could never have imagined that Wang Sheng seemed not to place much value on what he thought to be most useful. Rather, he seemed to value the information he already possessed. Was it an illusion?
“It’s good that you understand. Now, let’s head back. We’re going to have to live in seclusion for quite a while!”
“I, Yue, am by nature inclined to seclusion. This will be no problem.”
Under Da Bai’s lead, the two of them returned directly to Qingshan Village.
Wang Sheng had Da Bai go ahead as he and Yue found the village chief.
“Chief, could you arrange for the houses near mine to be fixed up a bit?”
The two had discussed this on the way back.
Yue would live in the house nearest to Wang Sheng.
“Is this your friend, Yun Sheng?”
The village chief was seeing Wang Sheng bring someone back for the first time, and it was a pity it wasn’t a woman.
The issue of some of the young men in the village finding wives was enough to worry him to death, but he dared not force the issue.
“I am a follower of Lord Wang Sheng.” Before Wang Sheng could explain, Yue clarified for himself.
“?”
The village chief was taken aback, at a loss.
The term “follower” was a completely novel concept to the chief.
Wang Sheng, somewhat helplessly, said, “Chief, this is my friend. Please tidy up the place next to mine. Oh, and his name is Yue, a Grandmaster Level Martial Artist.”
“Grand… Grandmaster level?”
The village chief stuttered.
He knew of Wang Sheng’s strength, a Grandmaster Level, but he hadn’t expected that after just one trip, another Grandmaster Level powerhouse would be brought back.
Could it be that their Qingshan Village was not just any ordinary power?
Two Grandmasters, let alone a village, even a provincial capital wouldn’t possess such strength, right?
“I’ll arrange it right away!”
Normally, Wang Sheng would have taken good care of the people he brought back, but now it was even more crucial.
After all, they were Martial Artists of the Grandmaster Level, a sort of person one might never encounter in their lifetime, and now there were two within the village – they had to be treated with great importance.
Although he didn’t think their belongings would be valued, the appropriate attitude was indispensable and could not be slighted in the least.
Soon, the village head found people to repair the houses.
Wang Sheng was then taking Yue to get acquainted with the village and their temporary living arrangements.
“As you can see, this village is essentially just a collection of ordinary villages, the majority of its population are common folks, but it’s extremely suitable for living in seclusion. There’s basically no disturbances, and if you have any needs, you can go directly to the village head – the person you met earlier.
If you have nothing to do, just quietly focus on your cultivation. Speaking of which, do you need resources for your cultivation?”
Yue shook his head and said, “At my stage, it’s more about studying the power of Qi Blood. Regular meat is sufficient for my needs, and if I require anything specific, I will go and find it myself.”
His realm did need an enhancement of Qi Blood Power, but it wasn’t an immediate necessity.
Control was most crucial. According to what the Valley Master said, that was the path to becoming a Great Grandmaster.
“Moreover, I have brought resources with me. This is a Blood Storage Pill, crafted by the Medicine King, and will sustain my cultivation for a long time. Do you need any, Lord Wang Sheng?”
Yue took a small porcelain bottle out of his Taoist robe and opened it, releasing a wave of medicinal fragrance.
All one could say was that it befit the caliber of a Great Grandmaster’s faction, the casually offered item was nothing short of extraordinary.
Just from the scent alone, Wang Sheng knew that its effects were likely superior to that of his own Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pills.
Of course, his own Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pills had potential for development and were renewable, packing a powerful combined effect.
But this pill –
“Let me try one to assess its effect. However, I won’t take advantage of you, take these in exchange.”
Although Yue was one of his followers, Wang Sheng was not fond of taking advantage of others.
“Please do not worry about this, Lord Wang Sheng. I seek your protection, and apart from the core inheritance of Stargazing Valley, feel free to take anything.”
Yue was adamant in his refusal.
Wang Sheng wasn’t one to stand on ceremony, especially since Yue had said as much. He thus accepted a Blood Storage Pill and planned to try it out later.
“Yue, are elixirs graded? And are there early, middle, and late phases for Grandmasters?”
“Elixirs are only crudely graded, judged simply by their effects. Generally, each faction will have its proprietary formula, but ultimately, the effectiveness of the Spiritual Medicine is decisive. Common Spiritual Medicine is referred to as spiritual pill, and those crafted by the Medicine King are called King Pills – it’s as straightforward as that.
As for the levels of Grandmasters, they’re not defined either. In truth, even Martial Artists are classified by combat strength. For instance, if a Third Grade Martial Artist can defeat a Fourth Grade Martial Artist, wouldn’t he actually be of the Fourth Grade? That’s how it is for Martial Artists!
It’s the same for Grandmasters; it all comes down to the real fights. Whoever wins is simply stronger among the Grandmasters. Assigning early, middle, or late phases is pointless. One might be considered early phase immediately upon entering the Grandmaster Realm.
But what if someone could defeat a person who’s been in the Grandmaster Realm for a long time and possesses considerable strength? Then, he’d be deemed as middle or late phase. Thus, such distinctions aren’t really significant.
Within the Grandmaster Realm, there are no qualitative changes, and only such changes would prompt a new classification.”
Wang Sheng nodded thoughtfully.
There’s no point in dividing the macro-level realms since they involve qualitative changes and the combat power differences are substantial. Within the same realm, without a qualitative change, there’s no need for early, mid, or late stages.
In simple terms, it’s all about pragmatism, or combat power dominance.
What’s the point of all these divisions? If a late phase were defeated by an early phase, it would be an embarrassing loss indeed.
So, no divisions are made. If you can defeat me, I acknowledge you’re stronger.
“Lord Wang Sheng, given your strength, you should be among the top within the Grandmasters, are you perhaps looking to achieve a breakthrough to become a Great Grandmaster?”
“Something like that!”
He wasn’t clear on what becoming a Great Grandmaster entailed, but he was indeed preparing for the breakthrough that followed.
The transitional state of “Refining Essence to Qi, Sealing Furnace” would take a bit less time than producing elixirs, just a few months, and then he would be able to enter the next realm.
Of course, whether or not the next realm would compare to that of a Great Grandmaster, he still had no certainty.
Especially after learning of a Great Grandmaster’s combat capabilities.
And even more so for Masters of Destiny, capable of creating something like the Human Emperor’s Dharma Decree, he didn’t believe that a simple breakthrough would make him comparable.
So, increasing his strength was essential.
The more he understood, the more he realized just how murky the depths of this world were.
It wasn’t as simple as it first appeared.
Next, Wang Sheng continued to show Yue around the village for a while until they had become familiar with it, then they arrived at the living quarters arranged by the village head.
“This will be your temporary residence. Just quietly focus on your cultivation here. If you wish to be involved in something, you can seek arrangements from the village head. Although there’s not much going on in the village, it can help pass the time.”
“Understood.”
Yue had no objections to Wang Sheng’s arrangements – for him, it was simply a change of scenery for his reclusive life.
Once Wang Sheng had sorted everything out, he departed directly.
Yue also returned to the room that had been arranged for him.
“I’ve taken the first step and found someone who can provide protection. Three choices, and I managed to judge the situation correctly; it wasn’t easy. I just wonder how Xing is doing now…”