Free Web NovelChapter 587: Chapter 44: Exploration (Part 2)
The location of the entrance is currently unknown.
"It’s fine!"
Shaking his head, Fang Zheng was not in a hurry:
"Surely I’m not the only one going into the Yama Secret Realm; once I meet others, I’ll know."
"However, the entrance shouldn’t be within the boundaries of Fengdu City, otherwise, things wouldn’t be so calm here."
"Boss!"
Stopping at a stall, sniffing the air, Fang Zheng called out:
"Give me three pounds of marinated meat, cut a few ounces of cow ear, and pack them up!"
"Alright."
The boss began to prepare the order:
"Please wait a moment."
The marinated meat and cow ear were packed with oil paper, tied with two hemp cords, and he headed towards his residence.
Due to Ma Ning’s situation, Fang Zheng and Ma Chao received special care and lived in a private house with a yard.
Pushing open the door,
a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
"Oh!"
Fang Zheng smiled:
"Little Ning is alright now."
"Master."
Ma Ning, who was joking with her brother, turned around and bowed, her respectful attitude slightly distant:
"You’re back."
"Hmm."
Fang Zheng nodded, scrutinizing her.
After a short absence, Ma Ning had grown significantly taller, seemingly aging a few years.
She looked like a young adult.
Her clothes were no longer ragged; instead, she wore fine silk with visible meticulous stitching.
She even had a hairpin in her hair.
Compared to the tattered and dusty Ma Chao, she now looked like a young lady from a wealthy family.
Of course.
The most noticeable aspect was her aura.
Heart Sutra Fifth Layer!
Uh...
Although the aura was somewhat unstable, it was indeed the Fifth Layer, surpassing her master.
Being able to refine part of the Inner Core in such a short time, it’s likely the Ghost King intervened.
"It seems you’ve been doing well these days."
Fang Zheng nodded and glanced aside:
"Who is this?"
Besides the Ma Family Siblings, there was another person present.
The person was draped in a black Magic Robe, face completely concealed, hands tucked inside long sleeves.
There was a chilling, eerie aura emanating from them.
Like a mass of black ice, intimidating and even Divine Thought instinctively avoided it.
"Master."
Ma Ning gestured, introducing:
"This is the Ghost Granny, Judge of Fengdu City, the City Lord... she wants me to apprentice with Ghost Granny."
Saying this, she lowered her head awkwardly.
Ma Chao’s expression changed slightly, looking worriedly at his sister and master, showing anxiety.
Fang Zheng was speechless!
Well,
The disciple he painstakingly nurtured directly brought someone else in, so blatantly.
"Indeed."
Ghost Granny spoke, her voice raspy and unpleasant:
"This girl Ma Ning has great fortune; her future is limitless. Being taught by you might hinder her advancement."
"I can teach her better."
"Hmm..." Fang Zheng pursed his lips, finally nodding after a long pause, somewhat reluctantly:
"That’s also good!"
"With her current cultivation base, she no longer needs my guidance; she should find a more esteemed teacher."
"You are quite sensible." Ghost Granny sounded surprised, seemingly did not expect Fang Zheng to agree so readily.
After all.
In the Yama Secret Realm, the master-disciple relationship sometimes outweighs blood ties, and seeking another master is a major taboo.
Even she cannot forcibly take a disciple.
Thinking for a moment, Ghost Granny spoke slowly:
"Rest assured, though I’m taking Ma Ning as my disciple, it’ll only be after the selection is over, it won’t delay your entry into the Inner City."
"I heard you wish to acquire the subsequent Dharma Gate of the Yama Heart Sutra?"
"Correct." Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up:
"My cultivation base has reached the Fourth Layer of the Heart Sutra; I’ve already submitted the paperwork and am just waiting for approval to receive the subsequent Dharma Gate."
"But it’s been several days with no news."
"No need to go through such trouble." Ghost Granny shook her head, and with a flick of her long sleeve, a Jade Scroll flew out.
"Pop!"
Fang Zheng caught it, sending Divine Thought into the Jade Scroll, his expression immediately turning to joy.
The Dharma Gates from the Heart Sutra First Layer to the Eighth Layer, along with some matching Magic, were all within the Jade Scroll.
According to the rules.
Once the Yama Heart Sutra is cultivated to the Fourth Layer, one can apply for the Fifth Layer’s Dharma Gate, applying one layer at a time afterward.
The process is both complex and straightforward.
Complex due to many procedures, simple because as long as the cultivation base is sufficient, all applications are approved without suppression.
And now.
The other party directly presented the complete set of Dharma Gates up to the Eighth Layer.
Meaning before becoming a Master, Fang Zheng need not undergo the application process, saving much time.
Of course.
He wasn’t planning to go through the application process anyway.
"Thank you!"
Fang Zheng bowed sincerely.
"It’s what should be done." Ghost Granny waved her hand, about to say something when her expression changed beneath the Magic Robe.
Seeing Fang Zheng’s clothes moving without wind, a gentle, slow yet unwavering aura spilled out.
Like a floodgate opening, a long-accumulated stream rushed out.
"Boom!"
Instantly.
His Heart Sutra surged from the Fourth Layer to the Fifth Layer.
The entire process happened in the blink of an eye, all extremely smooth, as if it was meant to be.
"Fifth Layer!"
Ghost Granny’s voice tensed slightly:
"You’ve broken through?"
"By chance." Fang Zheng stretched his bones; the Soul Hook Chain flew out from his sleeve, deftly weaving.
He had long mastered the Fourth Layer of the Heart Sutra, waiting for an opportunity to break through.
With the new Dharma Gate now in hand, a slight adjustment allowed smooth progress.
Beside him, Ma Ning’s mouth was wide open, filled with disbelief.
Her cultivation also advanced rapidly, but she lacked solid foundations, her strength far less than a normal Fifth Layer cultivator.
"Well done!"
Ghost Granny nodded and asked:
"How old are you this year?"
"Hmm..." Fang Zheng stroked his chin:
