Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 73 Let's Speak Frankly

Zhu Wuyao immediately bowed down:

“Senior Brother Shen, this was my reckless act. I used morality to coerce others because of my own selfish thoughts. It was my fault.”

“It is my fault. Your letter to me is an acknowledgment and expectation of my character. I have failed to live up to this expectation by never leaving the mountain gate.”

"No, everyone has their own choices and judgments, Senior Brother Shen. You don't have to do things you don't want to do just because of my expectations."

After Zhu Wuyao finished speaking, Shen Anzhi seemed even more ashamed.

He stood in front of the courtyard gate, wanting to say that it wasn't that he didn't want to help, but that he knew he couldn't save them, so he didn't dare to get involved or even look.

"Junior Sister Zhu, I...I'm so sorry."

Shen Anzhi lowered his head and could only utter this one sentence.

“My letter, though seemingly a plea, was actually a form of coercion. Senior Brother Shen, you didn’t have to know about this; it was none of your business.”

The letter sent from Nanli City has left those uninvolved in the matter feeling guilty to this day.

Zhu Wuyao was clearly feeling guilty, so she continued:

"It was my fault that I used moral blackmail to disturb your peace of mind."

Shen Anzhi shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. My mind was in turmoil ten years ago, so one more letter won't make a difference."

Uh-huh?

Zhu Wuyao blinked, somewhat stunned.

Doesn't something about this sound a bit off?

She saw someone looking in their direction from not far away, and felt that the scene of her and Shen Anzhi bowing and apologizing to each other in front of the courtyard gate was somewhat familiar and strange.

"Let's pretend we were both wrong. Come in, it's cold outside."

Zhu Wuyao opened the courtyard gate and led the way, going far away from his own vegetable garden.

Looking at Shen Anzhi in front of her, she suddenly became curious. With such a personality, how did he pass the Star-Picking Tower assessment back then?

"Congratulations, Junior Sister, on your successful passing of the Star-Picking Tower assessment. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet."

After saying that, he placed a storage bag on the table, pushed it to Zhu Wuyao, and continued:

"Exchanging storage bags at the Star-Picking Pavilion won't be as expensive as outside, so please don't refuse."

Essential items for cultivators, such as storage bags, protective magic artifacts, and healing pills, are priced at almost half the cost of those outside the cultivation world by the Star-Picking Pavilion.

There is a limited quantity, to prevent resale for profit.

Some upgrade items, such as flying spirit boats, are priced very high.

Most items are priced similarly to those elsewhere.

Zhu Wuyao's eyes lit up when she saw the small bag on the table, but instead of reaching for it, she asked:

"Senior Brother Shen, storage bags aren't cheap. Are you giving them to me as a token of your apology?"

She does not represent the people of Nanli City, and the affairs of Nanli City have nothing to do with Shen Anzhi.

If this is an apology, then... then Shen Anzhi can only give her a discount as a congratulatory gift, and she can repay him slowly in the future!

Zhu Wuyao still really wants to have a magical storage bag.

"it's not true."

Shen Anzhi shook his head and continued:

“I went into the treasure vault to choose a gift for you, and when I saw this, I felt that this storage bag was destined to be with me today.”

Does this work too?

Zhu Wuyao grabbed the storage bag from the table and suddenly felt that it was indeed destined for him.

This has nothing to do with magical divination or premonition; it's simply human instinct.

If there were a pile of silver coins or spirit stones on the table, she would feel that they were destined to be with her.

"Senior Brother Shen, I'm going to collect white amber in a couple of days. Do you think I have a connection with white amber?"

Shen Anzhi looked at it carefully and said:

"do not know."

Ok?

The question had barely formed in her mind when she heard Shen Anzhi explain:

"Perhaps it's that calligraphy brush, or perhaps it's the 'Heavenly Gazing Technique' you've cultivated; I can't tell."

Zhu Wuyao recalled the scene in the Mirror Realm, frowned, and asked:

"Senior Brother Shen, what exactly is this Heavenly Observation Technique? I feel like something's not quite right about it."

Leaving aside the fact that this method of forming a bond through strategic moves is quite formidable.

Especially after attending a few classes at the Star-Picking Tower, I discovered that it was vastly different from normal secret manuals and Taoist techniques.

Shen Anzhi recalled for a moment and said, "The Heavenly Observation Technique is said to have been created by a senior from several hundred years ago before he betrayed the Star-Picking Tower."

"The head of the Star-Picking Pavilion, who is also my master, personally perfected the Heavenly Observation Technique."

"In the past, it wasn't that no one had tried to cultivate it, but no one had grasped its true meaning, and no one had used this technique to build a foundation. Their cultivation had almost stagnated, and they were far inferior to their fellow disciples in terms of realm."

"Fortunately, my cultivation level is not high, so I can start from scratch and switch to cultivating other cultivation methods."

After hesitating for a moment, Shen Anzhi continued:

"Junior Sister Zhu, you are the one whose cultivation has improved the fastest among those who practice this technique."

"However, there has never been a successful Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Star-Picking Tower. Why don't you take advantage of your relatively low cultivation level and try a different cultivation method?"

If one reaches the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stage and their cultivation stagnates with no further progress, the price to pay for switching to a new cultivation method would be too high.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wuyao seemed to be deep in thought.

She already knew that the senior who helped her heal and retrieve her sword in Nanli City was none other than the Sect Leader Fang of Zhaixing Tower.

Was the reason for that assistance precisely because the Taoist practice he cultivated was the "Art of Peeping at the Heavens"?

If that's the case, then Sect Leader Fang probably wants her to give it a try?

Zhu Wuyao hesitated for a moment, then said:

"I'll think about it again."

As a disciple of the Star-Picking Pavilion, she only met the sect leader twice and didn't know much about him.

I wonder if switching to other Taoist practices will displease my seniors.

But then again, even with gratitude, she couldn't afford to gamble her path to immortality.

Zhu Wuyao wanted to continue trying, mainly because she felt that she could actually cultivate this "Sky-Gazing Technique".

Okay, I'll go to Beixuan City tomorrow.

Let's try placing stones to see what this "connection" is all about.

After chatting for a while, Shen Anzhi said goodbye, left the courtyard, and paused at the gate.

I feel like there's something I forgot to mention.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Zhu Wuyao moistened her brush in the room and decided to write a storybook. She would be going out of the courtyard in a few days and needed to submit the manuscript first.

Otherwise, when she returns from her duties at the office, she'll likely be subjected to another long lecture and heartfelt nagging from Manager Li.

In the storybook—

Zhou Zhi's soul was invaded by a wisp of demonic energy, but he was unaware of it.

They brought their master medicinal herbs to heal his injuries, visited the seniors in the library, and enjoyed a period of peace and comfort.

Little did anyone know that the fact that the sect elder was impersonated by a demon was just a harbinger, a prelude to the chaos to come.

Similar incidents began to occur in various places. Zhou Zhi once again took up his sword and descended the mountain. With the Moon Appreciation Sword Technique and the Demon Slaying Heart Technique, he rose to fame and his strength improved rapidly in battle.

During this process, he discovered that the source of the demonic energy vaguely pointed to the town where his home was located.

Now, he is incredibly strong, and his Moon Appreciation Sword Technique is unmatched by most, a stark contrast to his disheveled state when he left home.

Wealth and honor without returning home is like wearing fine clothes at night.

After many years, Zhou Zhiyu returned on his sword.

This time, he's going to take back everything that belongs to him.

That's all for the last story. To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!