Chapter 97

" Nope, not me... " Duan Yu, feeling the gazes of the crowd, quickly waved his hands in denial.

Everyone had heard Xuzhu's words and was speculating who could be so lucky to have learned the Xianyao Secret Manual. Duan Yu automatically stepped forward, and everyone assumed it was him. However, seeing him deny it, they were puzzled.

Xuzhu looked at Duan Yu, his eyes flashing with a thoughtful expression. Suddenly, he struck out at Duan Yu with incredible speed. The wind from the strike startled Duan Yu, who instinctively leaped to the side, taking three steps back, retreating three meters to avoid Xuzhu's palm.

Seeing his footwork, Su Xinghe and Xuzhu's eyes both lit up. Xuzhu smiled slightly and said to Su Xinghe, "Senior Brother, do you believe me now?"

Su Xinghe nodded. If it were someone else, he might have doubted, but not Duan Yu. He knew Duan Yu's identity, the noble prince of Dali, who wouldn't deceive Xuzhu. Moreover, Duan Yu was handsome, skilled in chess, and of noble birth, fitting the Xianyao Sect's principles. Having such a junior brother, the Master would surely be pleased.

The only regret was that Duan Yu couldn't solve the Zhenlong Chess Puzzle.

"Everyone, since you are unwilling to solve the Zhenlong Chess Puzzle, please leave," Su Xinghe stood up, a faint smile on his face. Everyone understood; they had found the person they were looking for and were now dismissing everyone.

Most people left, but Murong Fu was reluctant. He wanted to see what Su Xinghe was up to, and since Bai Xiaosheng and Xuan Nan did not leave, Murong Fu stayed as well.

Seeing that they hadn't moved, Su Xinghe frowned and said, "What? Do you need me to escort you out?"

"Haha..." Bai Xiaosheng laughed, clasping his hands and saying, "Senior Su, don't misunderstand. I am Duan Yu's sworn brother. If you want to keep him, I, as his elder brother, am worried."

Hearing this, Su Xinghe nodded and said nothing more. He looked at Murong Fu, his gaze unspoken. Bai Xiaosheng was Duan Yu's sworn brother and had a reason to stay, but what about you, Murong Fu?

Murong Fu smiled awkwardly and clasped his hands, saying, "Everyone, the green mountains remain, and the clear waters flow. Murong Fu takes his leave!" With that, he lifted his sword and quickly left the valley with his four bodyguards and Wang Yuyan. Watching Wang Yuyan's departing back, Duan Yu was very reluctant, his foot already raised, clearly about to chase after her, but he was held back by Bai Xiaosheng and couldn't move.

"Fourth Brother, there's still important business here. Don't be distracted!" Bai Xiaosheng reminded him. Duan Yu smiled sheepishly and walked to Su Xinghe, bowing and saying, "Senior, what do you need from Duan Yu?"

"Are you still pretending to be confused?" Su Xinghe coldly snorted, displeased with Duan Yu's words. He and Xuzhu had been very clear; the one who obtained the Xianyao Secret Manual in Wuliang Mountain should stay. Duan Yu, who possessed the Lingbo Weibu, clearly fit this description. What did he mean by saying such things? Was he looking down on them?

Duan Yu was very embarrassed, his hand in the air, not knowing what to say. He looked to Bai Xiaosheng for help, who smiled bitterly and said, "Senior, you have misunderstood my fourth brother. Although he possesses the Beiming Divine Skill and Lingbo Weibu, he truly doesn't know they are from the Xianyao Secret Manual."

"You know the Beiming Divine Skill and Lingbo Weibu?" Su Xinghe and Xuzhu looked at Bai Xiaosheng in surprise.

Bai Xiaosheng nodded and said, "The Sword Lake Palace in Wuliang Mountain was discovered by me. I also passed the Beiming Divine Skill and Lingbo Weibu to Duan Yu. Duan Yu doesn't know the details."

Xuzhu and Su Xinghe frowned. They looked at Bai Xiaosheng, and Su Xinghe asked, "Does Bai Chief also practice the Beiming Divine Skill and Lingbo Weibu?"

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head and said, "Senior Su should know that the conditions for practicing the Beiming Divine Skill are very strict. I couldn't bring myself to practice it. However, my fourth brother is different. He has no martial arts foundation, so he could learn it without hindrance. Therefore, I passed the Beiming Divine Skill to him." He then looked at Xuzhu and said, "Brother Xuzhu, my fourth brother and I are disciples of Xiao Feng. We three are sworn brothers, and you are included as the third brother."

Xuzhu was greatly surprised and said, "Really?"

Bai Xiaosheng nodded and confirmed, "That's right! By age, Xiao Feng is the eldest, I am the second, Duan Yu is the fourth, and you are the third."

Hearing this, Xuzhu had no doubts and immediately bowed to Bai Xiaosheng, saying, "Xuzhu greets Second Brother! Fourth Brother!"

"Second Brother (Third Brother), you are too polite!" They both returned the bow. With the sworn brotherhood, they became even closer. Bai Xiaosheng didn't hide anything and told Xuzhu about his trip to Huashan.

Hearing this, Xuzhu was even more delighted. To be honest, the Master's legacy was too heavy, and Xiao Feng, with his deep grudge, was secretly investigating in the martial world. Xuzhu, on the other hand, stayed in Xingxiu Sea, researching martial arts. However, Xuzhu's personality was honest and sincere, and he was not as passionate about martial arts as Duan Yu.

What he was truly passionate about was medicine. Xuzhu had a great talent in this area. In the original story, he learned eye replacement in a short time, a talent unmatched by anyone before or after.

In his research of medicine, Xuzhu was like a fish in water. He also delved into the poison-making, poisoning, and detoxification techniques left by Ding Chunqiu, from which he derived methods to save lives. To aid his martial arts practice, he studied ancient texts and refined elixirs. Shaolin had the Great Revitalizing Pill and the Small Revitalizing Pill, which were holy medicines in the martial world, and the Xianyao Sect had the Nine-Transmutation Bear-Snake Pill, which was extremely precious.

Based on this knowledge, although Xuzhu had not yet created his own elixirs, he could refine these three pills. Through his research and refinement, he also developed a soup that could stimulate human potential.

Through repeated experiments, he had perfected this soup. Many of his disciples practiced with this soup, and the results were excellent. Xuzhu also believed that with careful research, he could one day refine the soup into a pill, creating a truly beneficial elixir for cultivation.

This process sounded simple, but the hardships were only known to Xuzhu. He never stopped, driven by his Master's legacy. Now, with Bai Xiaosheng joining, he could share the burden.

This was the reason for his joy!

Each of them shared their experiences. Su Xinghe asked Duan Yu in detail about his past, and Duan Yu, who couldn't lie, told everything. Then, he led Duan Yu to the back, into a stone room, while Xuzhu and Bai Xiaosheng stayed outside to discuss martial arts, enjoying themselves.

Unconsciously, it was already dark. Duan Yu and Su Xinghe emerged from the cave. Seeing Duan Yu, Xuzhu and Bai Xiaosheng exchanged glances, inwardly amazed.

Duan Yu, who had just received Wuyazi's transmission, could not yet perfectly control his strength. The combination of Wuyazi's internal energy and the energy he had absorbed was extremely powerful.

In terms of internal energy, Duan Yu was undoubtedly the strongest in the world! Unfortunately, his internal energy was not pure enough, and it would take at least three to five years for him to fully absorb it.

Speaking of which, Duan Yu had only learned the Beiming Divine Skill. If he had learned the Absorbing Skill, he would have been overwhelmed by the internal energy!

Xuzhu carefully examined Duan Yu and saw the seven-jewel ring on his right thumb. He immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Xuzhu greets the Sect Leader!"

Duan Yu smiled bitterly and quickly helped Xuzhu up, saying, "Third Brother, don't be like that." In his heart, he didn't like being the Xianyao Sect Leader, but since he had learned the Beiming Divine Skill and the old man had begged him... "Third Brother, although we are of the same sect, let's still call each other brothers. Otherwise, I would be ashamed."

"Alright!" Xuzhu smiled and patted his shoulder, saying, "Fourth Brother, you have a broad mind and a generous spirit. No wonder the eldest and second brother would swear brotherhood with you."

"Today, the three of us are reunited. Let's have a good drink!" Bai Xiaosheng stepped forward and said loudly.

Xuzhu nodded and said to Su Xinghe, "Senior Brother, do you have good wine here?"

Su Xinghe, having completed his Master's wish, felt a mix of sorrow and comfort. He was not as cold to Xuzhu. Hearing Xuzhu's question and seeing Duan Yu and Bai Xiaosheng looking at him, he nodded and said, "Yes! Mu Hua, go and bring the wine from the cellar."

"Yes!" Xue Muhua responded and immediately went to fetch the wine.

As the good wine was brought out, the three of them each held a jar and drank heartily, enjoying themselves immensely!

They drank until midnight. While they weren't all drunk, the wine had its effect. In such a joyful setting, Bai Xiaosheng also felt a bit tipsy. Under the moonlight, the three of them, each holding a wine jar, lay on the valley's ground, smiling faintly.