Free Web NovelChapter 295: Chapter 158: 9-Qi Divine Technique and the Technique Thief?
’Or maybe it would take some time for this purple aura to dissipate?’
Fang Shuwen pondered for a moment, glanced at the purple soil beneath his feet, and decided not to dig any deeper.
Finding this Purple Bamboo was already a stroke of incredible luck; it wouldn’t do to be greedy.
What Fang Shuwen didn’t know was that his decision had saved him a great deal of trouble. There was indeed something more to be found in the soil below and the waters of the pool, but it was nothing beneficial. Had he rashly ventured down, even with his level of Martial Arts, he would have inevitably suffered some harm.
His restraint, his refusal to be greedy, had saved him from a disaster.
At that moment, he leaped back to the shore and glanced at the Iron-Eating Beast.
The Iron-Eating Beast immediately watched him with caution.
Fang Shuwen smiled.
"If you still want to learn Martial Arts tomorrow, you’re welcome to come and watch anytime."
The Iron-Eating Beast seemed to hesitate for a moment, then turned and slowly walked away.
Fang Shuwen chuckled to himself. He didn’t pursue it, instead heading back to the hunter’s cabin on his own.
Long Qingzhi had been waiting anxiously. Only after seeing Fang Shuwen return did she finally feel at ease.
"Brother Fang, did you find anything?"
"This."
Fang Shuwen handed the Purple Bamboo to Long Qingzhi.
"It’s a pretty good treasure. Quite interesting."
"It really is a treasure! It feels like a warm current is flowing through it. And just by holding this stalk, I feel my spirits lift."
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"I feel it too."
"So, did you catch the little thief who was stealing your Martial Arts?"
Long Qingzhi asked again. The reason Fang Shuwen had given for leaving was that someone was stealing his Martial Arts, and he had to investigate.
But when he returned, he didn’t mention the thief at all, instead producing this Purple Bamboo.
Fang Shuwen just smiled at her words.
"Don’t worry, it won’t escape my grasp."
Long Qingzhi didn’t understand what he meant by that. Of course a thief stealing his Martial Arts wouldn’t be able to escape his grasp.
’Why does he look so pleased with himself?’
’As if he’s stumbled upon some incredible windfall?’
She had no idea that Fang Shuwen was, in fact, incredibly excited at that very moment.
He was even prepared to stay here for the long term.
At the very least, he had to trick this Iron-Eating Beast into his possession.
The creature was quite large, very smart, and could understand human speech.
’Wouldn’t it be amazing to have it as a mount!?’
’In my past life, I had to pay money just to see a national treasure. In this life, I get to ride an Iron-Eating Beast for free.’
’My status would be on par with Chiyou’s in an instant.’
How could Fang Shuwen not be thrilled?
However, he knew tricking this creature into becoming his mount wouldn’t be so simple.
’But seeing how eagerly it’s stealing my Martial Arts, I’ll just use that to lure it in...’
’No matter how smart it is, it’s still a beast. I refuse to believe I can’t outwit it.’
Long Qingzhi had no idea about the schemes running through Fang Shuwen’s mind. Seeing how happy he seemed, however, she didn’t say anything more.
Her body was recovering quickly, and she thought they would be able to continue their journey the next day.
Unexpectedly, however, Fang Shuwen decided not to leave.
Moreover, every morning, Fang Shuwen would practice his Martial Arts in the yard.
One day it was practicing the Sea-Shaking Divine Fist, the next it was the Great Black Heaven God Palm, or perhaps the Celestial Intent Four Symbols Technique or the Four Seas Shocking Emperor Finger.
A different one every day, with no repeats.
Because of this, Long Qingzhi and Fang Shuwen ended up staying at the hunter’s cabin for a full five nights.
For the past few days, Long Qingzhi had been eating winter bamboo shoots stewed with meat every single day.
It might be rabbit, or wolf, or even bear or eagle meat.
Now, even the sight of winter bamboo shoots made her feel a little nauseous.
After all, the meat was always changing, but the winter bamboo shoots were an eternal constant.
She did, however, feel that her constitution had become much stronger in the process.
This was mainly because Long Qingzhi didn’t know any Martial Arts and her senses were dull.
Fang Shuwen had long since discovered that these bamboo shoots had an extremely special property: they could nourish one’s physical constitution to a certain extent.
During this time, he practiced a different Martial Art every morning to entice the Iron-Eating Beast to come and secretly learn.
As it turned out, the creature was quite savvy. It never came empty-handed, always bringing two winter bamboo shoots that shimmered with a purple hue.
For the creature to bring them so earnestly, these bamboo shoots were clearly extraordinary.
Fang Shuwen tried stewing them with meat and found the effects to be outstanding.
Long Qingzhi had been weak in both qi and blood, but after being nourished by these shoots, her complexion had improved significantly.
And after this period of effort, the Iron-Eating Beast’s wariness toward Fang Shuwen diminished. At first, it would hide and watch from a distance, but later, it didn’t bother hiding at all.
Eventually, it came right up to him, lying down to watch. When it reached a crucial point, it would even stand up and practice along with Fang Shuwen.
Sometimes, when Fang Shuwen thought about it, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
’What is this?’
’Kung Fu Panda!?’
It was at this time that Long Qingzhi also discovered the true identity of the "secret-learning thief."
For a moment, she was utterly speechless.
Looking at the beast, which was both adorable and exuding an intensely oppressive aura, Long Qingzhi felt a chill of fear.
But when her gaze fell upon Fang Shuwen, that feeling instantly vanished.
She couldn’t help but ask:
"Brother Fang... what is this?"
"This is Fang Dabao."
Fang Shuwen casually introduced it to Long Qingzhi.
"?"
Long Qingzhi felt like she hadn’t heard him correctly.
"It’s a name. I gave it to him. It sounds pretty good, don’t you think?"
Fang Shuwen said with a smile.
"Since you’ve been stealing my Martial Arts, it’s only natural that I give you a name, right?"
The Iron-Eating Beast thought for a moment, felt that it made sense, and tacitly accepted.
Long Qingzhi was even more shocked.
"It... it can understand human speech?"
Fang Dabao glanced at her, its eyes filled with a hint of disdain.
This human-like gaze left Long Qingzhi even more stunned.
"It’s... it’s looking down on me! This creature... has it become a spirit monster?"
Fang Shuwen burst out laughing.
"Indeed. That gaze is much sharper than Chen Yan’s donkey."
Fang Dabao looked at Fang Shuwen in confusion, clearly having no idea what the deal was with Chen Yan’s donkey.
Naturally, Fang Shuwen had no intention of explaining. He just told it that was enough for today, and they would continue tomorrow morning.
The night passed quickly once again.
But by the next morning, something unexpected happened.
Fang Dabao, who was expected to arrive, did not. Instead, an uninvited guest appeared outside the small wooden cabin.
He was a man in his fifties, with a fair, beardless face and eyes that held a restrained, divine light.
His hands were clasped within his sleeves as he admired the little cabin before him.
He nodded slightly from time to time, seemingly quite pleased, and then he spoke slowly:
"Is anyone in the cabin?
"I am He Shidao, Hall Master of the Uncertain Hall. I have come specifically to pay a visit. I invite the friend inside to show themselves."
...
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