I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 326 - 285: The Unreliable Great Void Realm

Duan Rong swept his divine sense and discovered Zhu Xiaoqi standing outside the courtyard gate. He immediately sheathed his sword, leapt forward, and opened the gate.

The spring sunlight shone on Zhu Xiaoqi’s profile. She looked at Duan Rong, her eyes shimmering with a faint glow.

After a few breaths, Zhu Xiaoqi beamed and said, "Well... who is this young gentleman? I almost didn’t recognize you!"

Duan Rong replied, "How is it? Isn’t this outfit impressive?"

Zhu Xiaoqi blinked her eyes. "It’s great! Truly, clothes make the man!"

Duan Rong said, "I’m about to set out on a long journey, so I dressed up to create some presence! Xiaoqi, what’s the occasion for your visit?"

"I almost forgot! The old master asked you to come for lunch!"

"Lunch?"

"Yes. You and Miss Yu are leaving tomorrow. He wants you to come for a farewell meal!" Zhu Xiaoqi said as she turned to leave, "Don’t forget to come!"

Duan Rong watched as Zhu Xiaoqi walked while speaking and asked, "What’s the hurry?"

Zhu Xiaoqi pointed at the sun overhead and said, "Look at the time! I have to go back and prepare the dishes!"

Duan Rong smiled gently, closed the gate, and looked at the willow branches dancing in the wind in the courtyard, his eyes swirling with thoughts.

After the Talent Selection Conference, he obtained the Ice Toad Cream, and to avoid the social visits from various parties, he went directly to Wild Boar Mountain to begin secluded cultivation.

Duan Rong is an orphan, and he always envied those with perfect familial ties.

Especially at a time like this, when others faced awkward situations, their parents would step in to shield them from the myriad social interactions, deciding which were shallow, which were deep, and which could be ignored. The older generation had a knack for this.

But he lacked such connections!

Later, as soon as he returned to the city from Wild Boar Mountain, he dealt with Jie Daohan tracking him down, and as time slipped away, he failed to visit the people he should have, like Xiao Zongting and Ximen Yong.

According to social norms, he was somewhat lacking in etiquette.

Duan Rong then headed out, first to the Herbal Shop to buy two ginseng roots and two lingzhi mushrooms. Then he went to a jade store to purchase a fine Jade Ruyi, storing it in a wooden box.

Duan Rong saw it was close to meal time, so he carried the items to Xiao Zongting’s residence.

Xiao Zongting and Xiao Yu were chatting leisurely over tea in the main room. Seeing Duan Rong enter, both were momentarily taken aback.

Duan Rong had always been disheveled, and that rugged look was quite to Xiao Zongting’s liking. Today’s attire, however, made Xiao Zongting frown, as he felt Duan Rong’s outfit lacked the raw boldness of a martial artist.

But Xiao Yu found it pleasing to the eye and smiled, saying, "Where have you been these past few days? I’ve looked for you twice, but you were nowhere to be found."

Duan Rong laughed, "I went to the mountains to train."

Upon hearing this, both Xiao Zongting and Xiao Yu’s expressions evolved.

They were surprised to learn that Duan Rong had already advanced to become a sect named disciple and was still so diligent.

Especially Xiao Zongting, whose gaze towards Duan Rong deepened, admiring that this was the true essence of a martial arts enthusiast!

As Xiao Yu accepted the gifts Duan Rong brought, she made tea for him. The three sat in the main room and chatted idly.

During this time, none harbored any reservations, and their conversation soon turned lively. Xiao Yu laughed gleefully, her beautiful eyes occasionally glancing at Duan Rong.

Zhu Xiaoqi, having prepared the dishes, called the group to the wing room to dine.

During the meal, Xiao Zongting opened a jar of aged wine.

Zhu Xiaoqi couldn’t handle liquor well, and after a bowl of wine, she began to feel tipsy, starting to speak nonsense.

"The simpleton is leaving too! Miss Yu is leaving! It’ll just be me and the old master left alone in this courtyard..."

After the meal, Xiao Yu helped Zhu Xiaoqi to the bedchamber for rest.

Xiao Zongting sat in the Grandmaster’s Chair in the main room and summoned Xiao Yu and Duan Rong over.

With a serious expression, Xiao Zongting glanced at Xiao Yu and Duan Rong and sternly said, "You two, kneel down!"

Seeing her father’s solemn demeanor, Xiao Yu turned to look at Duan Rong before kneeling on her own.

Seeing Xiao Yu kneel, and given that he shared both the title and reality of a mentor-student relationship with Xiao Zongting, Duan Rong also knelt respectfully.

Xiao Zongting looked at Duan Rong, nodded, and took out three secret manuals from his bosom, placing two in Duan Rong’s hands and one in Xiao Yu’s.

"The secret manuals you hold are Middle Level Martial Arts I studied in my youth—the Soul-breaking Thirteen Techniques."

"This martial art is vigorous and robust, and may not be suitable for Xiao Yu. When you enter the Taiyi Sect, you can choose martial arts that suit you. This martial art can serve as a reference to study in your spare time."

"Duan Rong, in my view, the Soul-breaking Thirteen Techniques are quite suitable for your cultivation. But in the future, whatever martial arts you choose or how you cultivate, I can no longer guide you; you’ll have to discover them on your own!"

"There’s another Lightweight Skill—the Cloud Serpent Step—which I acquired during my early Jianghu adventures. It is also passed on to you!"

"Duan Rong, I have no son, and passing these things to you also leaves me with a token of remembrance. But I understand that whatever path you choose, you will surely have your own views!"

Clearly, Xiao Zongting’s words had deeper meanings!

As he spoke, Xiao Zongting glanced at Xiao Yu. He was already aware of Xiao Yu’s feelings for Duan Rong, but they were still young and about to journey far to the sect. What would be the outcome, who could say?

Given these two martial arts were passed on to Duan Rong, Xiao Zongting hoped he could understand his intentions and, in the future, not let Xiao Yu down.