Chapter 37

"I don't know about that. I've never practiced it, and I haven't seen anyone in the sect practice it either. However, from the way Elder Lu was so reluctant to part with it, it must have some value," Zhao Tong shook his head and spoke somewhat ambiguously.

"Alright, I'll take it then," Yuan Ming pondered for a moment and said.

"Good, then I'll clear your account. The old rules apply; you can read for one hour. How much you can remember... forget it, you, you won't forget anything," Zhao Tong said halfway through, then remembered Yuan Ming's photographic memory.

Yuan Ming took the book, found a corner, and sat cross-legged, carefully flipping through it.

Zhao Tong simply picked up his own book, leaned back in his recliner, and started reading.

"Move the body, the spirit method leads, use the body as the vessel, and the method as the controller..." The moment Yuan Ming saw the content, he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

This was because the *Invisible Step* technique was recorded in Central Plains script, not Southern Border script. No wonder Zhao Tong was so vague; he probably couldn't read it himself.

In addition to the text, the book contained eighteen illustrations of a veiled woman, either walking or standing, with graceful and fluid movements. Each illustration was accompanied by countless footprints, seemingly random but, upon closer inspection, ingeniously arranged, with no less than a thousand footprints.

In less than half an hour, Yuan Ming had memorized the entire content of the book. But the moment he closed it, he felt a bit angry.

"Zhao Tong, why did you deceive me?" Yuan Ming frowned.

"When did I deceive you?" Zhao Tong sat up straight, puzzled.

"The *Invisible Step* you gave me is incomplete, the content is not full," Yuan Ming said with a frown.

"Incomplete?" Zhao Tong's expression turned slightly awkward.

Clearly, he was unaware of this.

"Fine, if it's incomplete, it's incomplete. The *Invisible Step* was given by the elder, and I couldn't read it anyway. You can't blame me," but soon, he shrugged, adopting an indifferent attitude.

Although Yuan Ming was dissatisfied, he had no choice.

Compared to the other named disciples who acted superior, Zhao Tong had been quite good to him. He couldn't ask for too much, after all, he hadn't contributed much himself.

Moreover, even though this *Invisible Step* was only the first volume, from the content of the general principles, it was indeed not a common technique. At least it was a level higher than the *Wood Spike Technique*.

Additionally, after practicing this body technique, he would have more confidence in combat and would find it easier to track and approach stealthily, especially when dealing with highly alert fierce beasts.

Yuan Ming was about to take his leave, already clasping his fists, when he suddenly remembered the attack on Hagong and said:

"By the way, I have one more thing to ask."

Seeing that Yuan Ming wasn't upset about the incomplete *Invisible Step*, Zhao Tong smiled and said, "What is it? Go ahead and ask."

Yuan Ming then recounted Hagong's experience and described the long-haired monster.

After listening, Zhao Tong put down his book and frowned in deep thought.

"I don't know what you're talking about. When I have time, I'll ask my fellow disciples for you," he said after a moment, shaking his head.

Yuan Ming nodded in agreement and took his leave.

He didn't linger in Toad Valley but walked straight out. Just as he reached the valley entrance, a short and sturdy young man with a scar on his face approached.

"Brother Yuan, I've been looking for you in Toad Valley many times. Finally, I've found you. Do you have any healing ointment?" The scar-faced youth looked pleasantly surprised and warmly greeted him.

"Oh, it's Brother Tulai. I'm really sorry, I don't have any extra stock right now," Yuan Ming said with a helpless expression.

"Don't give me that. You promised me two jars of ointment last time. If you don't give me anything, you won't leave Toad Valley today," Tulai spread his arms in front, acting like a thug.

"Alright, fine. This was meant for my own use, but since you're in a hurry, take it," Yuan Ming took out two bamboo jars from his bag and handed them over.

"Hehe, that's more like it. Here's your payment, don't think I'm taking it for free," Tulai laughed and threw a small cloth bag at him.

Yuan Ming opened the bag, glanced inside, and quietly put it away.

They chatted for a bit more before parting ways.

Yuan Ming left the valley and entered a dense forest. He leaped onto a large tree and opened the bag again.

Inside was a piece of animal skin, covered in tiny writing, detailing recent events in the nearby mountains.

Tulai was a member of a beast slave group called the "Earth Bear Society," a small group of only a dozen or so people.

Unlike the Blue Wolf Gang, the Earth Bear Society was much more gentle in their dealings. All members collected blood food through their own strength and had never been involved in plundering others.

Yuan Ming had met Tulai two months ago and had once saved his life. Tulai was a loyal person and wanted to repay him, but his strength was limited.

Seeing that Tulai was smooth and good at socializing, Yuan Ming asked him to help gather information on the beast slaves in the forest, so he could stay informed of various situations.

They met periodically, using transactions to hide their true intentions.

Reading the content on the animal skin, Yuan Ming's expression turned serious. According to the information Tulai had gathered, the Blue Wolf Gang had found the bodies of Bayin and his companions and deduced that he was the killer.

The animal skin also mentioned that the Blue Wolf Gang's leader, Wu Bao, had offered a half-magic weapon as a reward for finding Yuan Ming.

"If that's the case, I can't enter or leave Toad Valley for a while. There are too many people and eyes, making it easy to attract attention," Yuan Ming thought and turned to leave.

He pushed his speed to the limit, circling the forest to ensure no one was following him before returning to his wooden hut.

Inside the hut, Hagong was lying down, resting.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, struggled to get up, and gripped the Blue Wolf beast skin, ready to activate the Fur Technique at any moment.

"It's me," Yuan Ming's voice came from outside the door.

Seeing this, Hagong let out a sigh of relief and sat back down.

"Did anyone come while I was gone?" Yuan Ming asked as he pushed the door open.

"This place is quite secluded, no one came. I've been resting and meditating. But you, why do you look so serious? What happened?" Hagong asked, looking at Yuan Ming.

"The Blue Wolf Gang knows I killed Bayin and is offering a reward to find me. We can't stay here; we need to move to a more secluded place to avoid the heat," Yuan Ming said slowly.

"Bayin was really killed by you! You're quite bold. He was at the third level of Qi Cultivation, almost as strong as Wu Bao. What did you do?" Hagong was shocked.

"Just some tricks, not worth mentioning. What are your plans, Brother Hagong? The Blue Wolf Gang is focusing on finding me and probably won't pay much attention to you. Do you want to leave with me or go on your own?" Yuan Ming changed the subject and asked.

"Brother Yuan, you underestimate me. The Wu Sun tribe values loyalty and righteousness. If someone gives me a cup, I will repay them tenfold. You risked exposure to save me. If I leave now, how can I face the Dog God in the future?" Hagong huffed, his face showing a hint of anger.

"I apologize, Brother Hagong. Please forgive me," Yuan Ming bowed.

He had been in the Ten Thousand Mountains for some time and had learned a bit about the customs and traditions of the Southern Border.

The indigenous people of the Southern Border, known as "wild men" by the Central Plains, lived in tribes, each with its own customs and beliefs, and were very sensitive to violations.

"Brother Yuan is from the Central Plains and knows nothing about the Wu Sun tribe. No need to apologize, just don't say such things again," Hagong's expression softened when he saw Yuan Ming's sincere apology.

"I will remember that. Since you've made up your mind, let's go. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes," Yuan Ming said.

"Alright, but I can't move easily. I'll need your help," Hagong said, spreading his hands.

Yuan Ming didn't say anything, picked up Hagong, and left the hut, heading toward the canyon.

If there was a safe place, it was on the other side of the canyon.

That area was secluded, with few fierce beasts, and naturally, few beast slaves went there. It was suitable for rest and hiding from the Blue Wolf Gang.

Most importantly, with the misty canyon, even if the entire Blue Wolf Gang came, he could hide in the mist at the bottom, rendering their numbers useless.

With his current strength, even carrying Hagong, Yuan Ming quickly reached the canyon.

He didn't look for another place but directly took Hagong to the cave where he had previously lived.

After spending so much time together, Yuan Ming had a good understanding of Hagong's character. He was honest and trustworthy, a person worth befriending. This residence wasn't important, so exposing it wasn't a big issue.

"I didn't expect you to have such a place, Brother Yuan," Hagong marveled at the well-equipped cave.

"I left it when I first came here. The Blue Wolf Gang won't find us here for a while. The cave has plenty of food and water, so you can rest here," Yuan Ming said.

Hagong nodded, sat cross-legged, and began to meditate and heal.

Yuan Ming didn't stay to practice but got up and walked out, soon reaching a secluded forest.

He brought Hagong here not only to avoid the Blue Wolf Gang's search and let Hagong rest but also for his own purposes.

His current situation was not good, and he needed to improve his strength as much as possible to ensure he could escape in emergencies. Cultivation improvement takes time, but the *Invisible Step* technique he had just obtained was a good choice for immediate results.

This technique was mysterious and required time and space to practice, and the canyon was secluded and quiet, making it suitable.

Yuan Ming stood still, closed his eyes, and carefully recalled the text and illustrations of the *Invisible Step* technique. He then took a deep breath, sank his qi to his dantian, and took the first step. On the second step, he exhaled...