It was finally over.
After Tong Xinyao finished talking, Sun Chaoyue took the money from her hand, grumbling all the while.
She knew all along that Tong Xinyao was doing it on purpose.
It was a deliberate humiliation.
Because she was prettier, standing together, she always attracted more people than Tong.
Also because she was more talented, reaching the Fourth Grade at the age of twenty-two. Although delayed now, she was still stronger than Tong.
So Tong Xinyao had always been jealous of her and disliked her. Always trying to find ways to show she was better when they were out.
But....
Sun Chaoyue stopped her thoughts, her eyes dimming slightly.
Having taken the money, she turned to find that vendor.
Suddenly, she felt as if soone was watching her.
Following the sensation, she turned her head and t Zhang Rongfang’s gaze, who was sitting in the sedan.
In almost an instant, Sun Chaoyue recognized Zhang Rongfang.
Back in Tan Yang, rumors had spread about Zhang Rongfang being with that super fat Wanyan Road.
She had seen it with her own eyes then.
She had witnessed Zhang Ying board Wanyan Road’s carriage.
Therefore, she had a very deep impression of him.
She just hadn’t expected...
Hadn’t expected to encounter him here again.
’How could he be in Citong?? No... it must be that I’m mistaken, or it’s soone who rely looks like him.’
Thinking it over, Sun Chaoyue decided not to dwell on it, as Zhang Ying was just a local minor official in Tan Yang.
How could he possibly have traveled all the way to Citong, and looking at that luxurious sedan, only local dignitaries could ride such a soft silk sedan?
The fur cushion on top seed exclusive, not to ntion the four strong and muscular n carrying the sedan, who were obviously powerful warriors.
Having warriors carry the sedan showed a display of power only possible for powerful figures in such places.
Retrieving her gaze, she walked to the vendor, inquired about the price, and asked for five bottles of waterlon juice.
The waterlon juice was contained in simple palm-sized brown ceramic bottles, nicely decorated and tied with red strings, which could be hooked and carried by hand.
"A total of one hundred and fifty wen, young lady," the vendor quoted with a smile.
"Here."
Holding the five bottles.
After paying and taking back the change, she turned to leave.
But suddenly halted.
"Sun Chaoyue?"
A deep male voice sounded from one side.
She stopped and glanced over.
It was Zhang Rongfang.
At so point, he had gotten out of the sedan, approached, and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Are you.... Sun Chaoyue from Tan Yang, Chairman Sun?"
He called her Chairman because Zhang Rongfang rembered that Sun Chaoyue had founded the Yao Yuan Book Club, and he had attended events hosted by it.
So it was etched in his mory.
Chairman?
It had been a very long ti since anyone called her that.
Countless thoughts swirled in Sun Chaoyue’s mind, briefly considering pretending not to recognize him or that she was not Sun Chaoyue.
But since he recognized her, it ant this person was indeed the Zhang Ying of the past!
Zhang Ying??
She carefully scrutinized the tall and bulky figure before her, who had left such a profound impression when he paired with Wanyan Road in the past.
But looking at him now, it seed he was doing quite well?
How did that minor official from Tan Yang end up in a big city like Citong, with such a dignitary-like posture?
Could it be that Zhang Ying had so hidden background that no one knew about!?
Countless suspicions flashed through Sun Chaoyue’s mind.
But what did that have to do with her?
Besides, he seed not to know her current predicant... no matter, as long as she handled it calmly....
Sun Chaoyue tried her best to steady herself, her expression calm.
"You’re the Zhang Ying with Wanyan Road, right? I rember you."
She unconsciously regained her forr noble deanor, even if her attire was far less sumptuous than before, but that kind of aura was not sothing ordinary people could simply feign.
In front of an old acquaintance, she didn’t want to lose the last bit of dignity belonging to her forr self.
"Yes, I was helping Wanyan Road with weight loss in Tan Yang back then, which many misunderstood." Zhang Rongfang laughed mildly, "I haven’t been back for a long ti, I wonder how Li Huoyun, Wanyan Road, and others are doing?"
"Indeed, I haven’t been back for a while either," Sun Chaoyue nodded.
They were not familiar, to begin with, so exchanged a few words. Zhang Rongfang inquired about so situations; he didn’t recall much about Tan Yang back then.
He only rembered the Sun family seed to be noble Spirit People.
Now having t again, he casually asked about Li Huoyun and the Li family. Also Wanyan Road’s situation.
Sun Chaoyue simply brushed it off.
Zhang Rongfang soon left, returning to his sedan, and slowly departed with Isebas.
Watching the sedan gradually leave, Sun Chaoyue exhaled gently.
If the questions continued, they might have exposed her.
She didn’t want to be seen in her current embarrassed state by soone from her past, especially not by soone she didn’t think much of back then.
People whom she once thought were far inferior to herself now...seem to have far exceeded her expectations. Standing at a remarkably high level...
Although Zhang Rongfang just now explained that she and Wanyan Road were misunderstood.
But...even so, he was rely a newly appointed minor official of Tan Yang at that ti.
Whereas she was the eldest daughter of Tan Yang’s most prominent family, with a future hopeful to reach Ninth Grade.
Unfortunately....life is unpredictable.
Sun Chaoyue felt relieved in her heart, grateful that she finally managed to cope with it.
However, she did not expect that not far away, Tong Xinyao had already seen the scene just now.
Traces of peculiar color appeared in her eyes.
*
*
*
At the invitation of Isebas, Zhang Rongfang dined with him and then watched the latest dramas on stage: Beautiful Oak Forest, Storm at Sea, Zhao Old Third Sells the Donkey, and others.
Regarding these dramas with overseas styles, Zhang Rongfang gave high praise, which made Isebas quite happy.
The two engaged in an intense discussion about the developnt of these dramas.
Actually, in Zhang Rongfang’s view, aren’t these simplified versions of TV dramas?
For soone who used to binge-watch countless TV series, casually discussing so plots was sothing no one in this world had ever considered.
To be deed a soul mate by Isebas was naturally effortless.
The night was drawing near.
Zhang Rongfang bid farewell earnestly and left the residence, taking a soft sedan chair back to the Agarwood Temple.
Along the way, he was also pondering his future arrangents.
Through his conversation with Isebas, Zhang Rongfang had understood that it would be unlikely to find the main dicine for the Chasing the Sun phase of Golden Toad Skill in the short term.
So, he could only proceed with the original plan.
As night fell, a crescent moon slowly revealed its edge from the clouds.
The Agarwood Temple is located on the top of a hill nad Agarwood Mountain, outside the Citong outer ring.
This hill, rather than being a mountain, was more like a small hillock. Often, people would go up to play and enjoy the flowers.
Zhang Rongfang, under the escort of Chen Han and several officials, was swaying as he was being carried into the temple, pondering along the way.
At this mont, outside the Agarwood Temple, there were several people standing on the high branches of so dense banyan trees, far away, observing Zhang Rongfang entering the temple under the moonlight.
"Shouldn’t he have already broken through to the Second Layer of Hidden Moon?" Miaoyu asked softly, puzzled.
As an expert from the Sensing Sect, she had also practiced the Golden Toad Skill.
To be precise, many in the Sensing Sect desired the physical strengthening ability of Golden Toad Skill, hence they all wanted to practice it.
Unfortunately....the damage was too great.
Therefore, they were very clear about the manifestations of the damage caused by Golden Toad Skill.
"I feel like we could soon return to the Great Capital." Zheng Shuyang agreed.
"I’ve already started to miss the taste of Great Capital’s spicy lung slices...."
"Look, his complexion is not good. Not as full of Essence Qi as before; obviously, his internal organs have been damaged by the toxin of the pills. Keep practicing, keep practicing, haha, exerting efforts in practice." Miaoyu laughed.
"However, this person has recently started collecting the main dicine for the First Layer of Chasing the Sun, isn’t this a bit too fast?" Yan Shuang hesitated on the side.
"Probably wants to plan ahead. After all, when the dicine is hard to find, looking for it in advance ensures it won’t delay when needed." Miaoyu replied.
"However, even within our sect, where there are many talented experts, no one has managed to practice to the Chasing the Sun stage.
His potential far exceeds that of ordinary people, but it can’t surpass too much.
At most, he is now at the Second Layer."
"The Second Layer is already quite impressive. Just...." Yan Shuang still felt sothing was wrong.
"Why do I always feel that his complexion is now much better again?"
Previously, when Zhang Rongfang was bedridden after coughing blood, they almost celebrated, almost thinking they could go back to rest.
But shortly after, he quickly recovered from weakness to his current state, which was slightly weak.
That was bizarre.
"It should be a temporary restoration. When Golden Toad Skill initially takes effect, there’s also a recovery phase. Perhaps he is special, having a short period of weakness, which suddenly emphasizes the effect of Golden Toad Skill." Miaoyu explained.
"So, what should we do now?" Zheng Shuyang frowned. "What if he keeps being like this, wouldn’t we have to keep waiting here?"
"Don’t worry, it should be soon." Yan Shuang stated seriously, "According to my forr master’s personal experience, this guy is definitely just tough on the outside but weak on the inside, appearing robust but internally almost ruined.
Just wait, at most six months, as short as two months, when he breaks through the Third Layer, sothing will surely happen!"
"Alright....then let’s continue to wait." Zheng Shuyang accepted this speculation.
The three contentedly withdrew, dispersing back to their residences.
As for Zhang Rongfang seeking the main dicine for the First Layer of Chasing the Sun, that thing is too rare, perhaps only the top Grandmasters of the Sensing Sect know the clues.
They were helpless this ti.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
Zhang Rongfang stayed diligently in the Agarwood Temple, not going anywhere.
Every day was spent ditating, cultivating, occasionally practicing martial arts to maintain his state.
Within the half month, he gained four attribute points again. This ti, he added them all to the life category.
His life value increased from 44 to 48, completely recovering to his previous state.
At this mont, on the Rebel Sect side, Zhang Yunqi also, at his request, gathered various information on external Hard Skill experts, recomnding them to him.
Martial arts differ greatly from the Cultivation of Literature.
Martial arts require the mastery of many details and cannot be easily learned by rely following a manual.
They must be taught hand in hand.
And Zhang Rongfang, worried about any issues, naturally chose to hire Hard Skill experts for firsthand training.
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