For a Blessed Land, the ultimate Cultivation Technique would obviously not be Tier Five. It would have to be a Tier Seven Scripture at a minimum. Otherwise, it would be impossible to support the birth of a Blessed Land Grotto Heaven.
And the Five Elents Blessed Land, while considered one of the weaker ones, was still a Blessed Land nonetheless.
Therefore, its ultimate Cultivation Technique was naturally also Tier Seven and was called the Five Elents Secret Scripture.
According to the records, the Secret Scripture vanished along with the Blessed Land, leaving no trace.
However, there were also rumors that the Five Elents Secret Scripture, much like the Five Elents Blessed Land itself, was a Scripture synthesized from the fusion of five different techniques.
Zhang Deming had initially been skeptical of this. After all, the Sect already possessed two of the techniques. But when he had switched his cultivation to the Turtle Water Defense Array, the script hadn’t required him to discard the Tier Two Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique.
When he had previously switched to the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique, the script had explicitly required him to discard his Basic Cultivation Technique.
Furthermore, his Spiritual Power still contained the properties of the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique, a clear sign that the two techniques had fused.
However, since the Tier Two Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique was so low-level, the effect was barely noticeable.
He only learned later that the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique was supposed to be a top-tier Tier Five Cultivation Technique. The one he and Li Shifan had practiced was just a gutted, entry-level version.
During this period, through searches conducted by the intelligence division, he discovered that while the Cyan Wood Secret Realm was indeed well-preserved and had yielded many precious items, the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique was nowhere to be found.
Zhang Deming had originally given up on the matter, but now it had suddenly resurfaced. This was really...
"Have you seen the Cultivation Technique?" Zhang Deming asked.
Qu Qizhong shook his head. "The other party is an Advanced Apprentice with a Cultivation level similar to my own, so he’s being exceptionally cautious.
"However, when he ca to see , he provided a hand-copied half of the technique. I had my Old Ancestor examine it, and he said it is very likely authentic.
"Originally, I intended to have my Old Ancestor follow him to investigate.
"But the Old Ancestor ultimately rejected my proposal. He said that for an Apprentice-level Loose Cultivator to dare take such a risk, he must be fully prepared.
"If we act rashly, the potential losses could far outweigh the gains. If we alert him, we’ll probably never see the Cultivation Technique again.
"The Celestial Spirit Sect only has three Tier Five Cultivation Techniques, two of which are incomplete fragnts from the Five Elents Blessed Land. That shows you how precious they are.
"So, I didn’t dare to act rashly. I decided to ask for your decision, Steward."
Zhang Deming nodded in satisfaction. "You’ve done well. Did he say when he would contact you again?"
Qu Qizhong imdiately replied, "This afternoon. He ca yesterday evening, and we agreed to et again this afternoon to make a final decision after I received an answer."
Zhang Deming thought for a mont. "In that case, after you et him this afternoon, bring him to... hmm... bring him to the Jade Delicacy Tower in the city to see ."
"eting there should put him more at ease and provide a pleasant environnt for our conversation."
The Jade Delicacy Tower was the most high-end Spirit Food Tower in Celestial Spirit City. It wasn’t just a restaurant, but sothing more akin to a luxury hotel complex, and was considered one of the city’s landmarks.
The place was established by the Celestial Spirit Sect, so few dared to cause trouble inside.
This was because so of the Sect personnel stationed in Celestial Spirit City were primarily responsible for the tower’s day-to-day operations.
Qu Qizhong nodded. "I understand."
Zhang Deming said, "Mm. As for the Spirit Nurturing Beads, my people placed them in a pile of rubble in the corner at 165 Cyan Gate Street. Go retrieve them quickly before sothing unexpected happens."
"This shipnt should be enough to last you a few months."
Qu Qizhong nodded, then hesitated as if he wanted to say sothing more.
Seeing this, Zhang Deming asked, "Is there sothing else?"
Qu Qizhong said, "Steward, about the matter of the other orders..."
Zhang Deming’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Qu Qizhong. "You and your Old Ancestor wanting to expand the business and develop the Qu Family... I don’t care about any of that."
"I also don’t care if you use your current allotnt as a flagship product to draw custors."
"But don’t you dare try your little sches on . Don’t even think about testing my limits. Your Qu Family doesn’t have the clout."
Hearing this, Qu Qizhong’s legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees. With a terrified expression, he said, "Steward Zhang, I only want to grow the shop so I can better serve you! I have no other intentions."
"What my family did in the past truly disheartened . I have no such ambitions now."
Zhang Deming nodded. "That’s for the best. I’ll say it again: I’m not taking on any other orders, and the monthly quota for Spirit Nurturing Beads won’t be increasing anyti soon. As for the shop, do with it as you please."
"Of course, a special case like this one is sothing you can pursue."
"After all, who doesn’t love a sucker?"
"Alright, get up. I’m just giving you a warning, making my boundaries clear to you ahead of ti."
Only then did Qu Qizhong scramble to his feet, saying timidly, "I will rember."
Zhang Deming glanced at him. "You’re so eager to take on more orders, yet you say it’s not to develop your family. It seems your Old Ancestor is preparing to break through to the Duality realm, is he?"
This seemingly random comnt made Qu Qizhong freeze. He didn’t answer, nor did he dare to deny it, which amounted to a tacit admission.
"Hah. It’s been a year since Qu Qingxian condensed his Three Lives Rune, hasn’t it? It’s about ti he started thinking about the Duality realm."
"Judging by your reaction, don’t tell he plans to use the Spirit Water Technique for his Enlightennt Dao? To pursue the path of Form-Shaping Summoning Spirit and Human-Dragon Unity for the Duality realm?" Zhang Deming said, looking at Qu Qizhong.
Qu Qizhong hesitated for a mont before nodding. "Yes, that is my Old Ancestor’s plan."
Zhang Deming smiled. "We’ll see. If your performance is satisfactory and I’m in a good mood, I might just lend him a hand when the ti cos."
"Next ti you have sothing on your mind, just say it. If you want to request Beads for your Old Ancestor, asking directly is far better than this beating around the bush."
Qu Qizhong nodded timidly. "I’ll rember that."
Zhang Deming asked, "Anything else?"
Qu Qizhong shook his head. "No, Steward. Nothing else."
Zhang Deming nodded. "Alright then. Go and make your preparations. I’ll book a room at the Jade Delicacy Tower and notify you."
"Oh, and this afternoon, you don’t need to bring him over. Just give him the address and have him co on his own."
"You showing up at the Jade Delicacy Tower would likely draw unnecessary attention. After all, you’re a man of so renown in Celestial Spirit City these days."
Qu Qizhong paused for a mont, then said, "I understand."
With that, Zhang Deming waved his hand, ejecting Qu Qizhong from the space.
Zhang Deming remained in the Spirit Nurturing Space, pondering for a mont before he exited.
After his Heart Spirit returned to his body, he sat in the teahouse, quietly sipping his tea.
A mont later, Qu Qizhong hurried over to retrieve the Spirit Nurturing Beads. Zhang Deming watched him leave with the beads and sank into thought.
’Since the Sect already knows my identity as Zhang Wu, they most likely figured it out through clues and speculation after learning of my ’rebirth’.’
’After all, my true identity had no connection to Zhang Wu before this.’
’Or perhaps the Sect hasn’t uncovered the Zhang Wu alias at all, and only knows that there’s a Spirit Nurturing Master in Celestial Spirit City.’
Regardless of the situation, since Zhang Deming had indirectly acknowledged it himself, he figured the Sect must have also learned sothing about his dealings with Qu Qizhong.
’In that case, I should change the thod for our next Spirit Nurturing Bead transaction.’
’This thod was great for secrecy, but if I don’t need to be secretive anymore, it seems a bit crude.’
After thinking for a mont, Zhang Deming rose and left the teahouse. Adopting a new identity, he went to the Jade Delicacy Tower and booked a private room for half a day.
He then sent the information to Qu Qizhong via the Spirit Nurturing Space and settled in the private room to wait.
Zhang Deming waited for most of the afternoon. With nothing else to do, he eventually set up a few Array Cards, closed the door to his room, and started producing Spirit Nurturing Beads.
After a long while, a subtle change ca over Zhang Deming’s expression. He packed his things away and opened the door.
...
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