Chapter 91

The outer volume of the Soul Capturing Technique records several widely spread spells: the Soul Capturing Technique to control demons, the Soul Searching Technique to interrogate souls, and the Soul Calming Technique to soothe souls. These spells are not difficult to learn, but mastering them is not easy. Wei Shizheng caught a few brocade-patterned mice on Heavenly Capital Peak to practice. It took him twenty to thirty attempts just to勉强 succeed once in capturing a soul and controlling a demon. However, the soul of that brocade-patterned mouse was too weak, and it died after less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Only then did he realize why he had reacted so intensely when he killed the human-faced dove on Sky-Connecting Ridge. It wasn't just a matter of compensation. Sun Ergou's ability to subdue the human-faced dove was a stroke of luck, something that couldn't be repeated.

In the mountains, there are no seasons, and the passage of time is hard to track. Wei Shizheng had few demon cores left, and his cultivation had hit an insurmountable bottleneck. Staying on Immortal Cloud Peak would only waste time. He proposed to Wei Rongniang that he go out to train and seek opportunities.

Wei Rongniang knew he still hadn't given up on the Howling Moon Technique. However, the world was vast, and finding the third piece of the beast skin was like looking for a needle in a haystack. She thought for a moment and recalled a recent piece of news. She couldn't help but give him a hint, "In a few days, Senior Brother Deng will visit the general of the Northwest Border Army. I heard that someone from the Kunlun Sect's Hook and Sickle Sect is also going. If you want to train, this is an opportunity."

Opportunity? What opportunity? Wei Shizheng couldn't figure out the hidden meaning, but Wei Rongniang wouldn't say something without reason. The only thing that troubled him was his strained relationship with Deng Yuantong, which could be described as having a slight grudge.

Wei Rongniang mentioned it and then changed the subject. Wei Shizheng didn't ask more. After leaving the Bletilla Cave, he went directly to the Lotus Platform.

Holding the cloud-patterned ring bestowed by the sect leader, Wei Shizheng passed through without obstruction and ascended the Lotus Platform to pay respects to the sect leader Xi Huzi.

"You've come too late."

"Yes, I have failed to meet the sect leader's expectations."

Xi Huzi gave him a meaningful look, "What brings you here?"

"First, to return the ring, and second, to humbly request the sect leader's permission to go down the mountain to train and seek opportunities."

"Train? Where do you plan to go?"

"The Northwest Border Army."

Xi Huzi laughed, "Was it Rongniang who gave you the tip?"

Wei Shizheng smiled awkwardly, neither confirming nor denying, and presented the cloud-patterned ring with both hands, "I humbly request the sect leader's approval."

Xi Huzi didn't let him off the hook, "What did Rongniang say to you?"

"Senior Aunt Wei just heard me mention wanting to go down the mountain to train and casually mentioned that Senior Uncle Deng is going to visit the general of the Northwest Border Army. I also heard that someone from the Kunlun Sect's Hook and Sickle Sect is going."

"Hook and Sickle Sect, huh? Rongniang has been quite considerate of you! Since she mentioned it, I might as well tell you. About half a year ago, a Kunlun disciple was trapped in the Miasma Leaf Forest and went missing. The Hook and Sickle Sect sent two disciples to investigate. The Miasma Leaf Forest is near the Northwest Border Army's base. The sect leader of the Hook and Sickle Sect sent a letter to Immortal Cloud Peak, requesting assistance from Xian Du. I have already ordered Yuantong to take Xu Li, Xin Laoyao, and others on the trip. With Xu Li mediating, it will save a lot of trouble."

Wei Shizheng listened but still didn't understand why this was an opportunity for him.

"The two disciples sent by the Hook and Sickle Sect are surnamed Song, one is Song Yun, the sect leader's junior sister, whom you should call Senior Aunt. The other is the sect leader's disciple, Yu Yao, who entered the sect before you but is a few years younger."

"Is she the youngest daughter of the sect leader of the Cloud Tooth Sect, Yu Sanqin?"

"Never mention Yu Sanqin to anyone, remember! If you encounter Yu Yao, pretend you don't know her background. You must grasp the balance yourself. The Hook and Sickle Sect is a direct lineage of Kunlun. If you anger them, I might not be able to protect you."

"Yes." Wei Shizheng felt relieved. Xi Huzi's words clearly indicated his approval.

"During this trip, follow Yuantong's arrangements and do not act on your own. He sacrificed the essence soul of the Green Iron Bee King to resolve the pill poison in your body, which was a significant loss. After all, Yuantong is your senior uncle."

Deng Yuantong used the essence soul of the bee king to resolve the pill poison out of personal interest, without the sect leader's permission. Xi Huzi was well aware of this. By openly discussing it with Wei Shizheng, he was essentially letting the matter slide. Even if Xun Ye broke through his cultivation barrier in the future, there would be no further complications.

Wei Shizheng understood. He exchanged a cloud-patterned ring and an unspoken promise for this training opportunity.

However, he still couldn't figure out the role Xi Huzi played between Xun Ye and Deng Yuantong. It seemed he had no intention of supporting one and suppressing the other. Instead, he was content to see the disciples divided into two factions, opposing each other. Where there are people, there is a江湖, and Xian Du was no exception.

After receiving the sect leader's promise, Wei Shizheng began preparing for his training trip.

He checked his belongings: the Penglai Bag, the sword pouch, the Soul Calming Pearl, the fasting pill, and the Five Elements Qi Recovery Pill. His resources were not abundant. The Five Elements Qi Recovery Pill, obtained from Qian Juran of the Pingyuan Sect, was too mild for him and of little use. Wei Shizheng traded the Five Elements Qi Recovery Pill to Elder He of the Penglai Hall for a few Earth Elemental demon cores for emergencies, with the rest to be paid later. He Jingxian had a good impression of him and made an exception, agreeing to his request.

When she learned that her senior brother was about to go down the mountain to train, Qin Zhen was somewhat gloomy. The best she could do was prepare clean clothes for Wei Shizheng and chat with him. They had been apart more than together in recent years, and it would be the same for the next few years. She had to get used to waiting and missing him.

She silently encouraged herself, "Get stronger, Qin Zhen, you must get stronger! When he returns, make him see you in a new light!"