Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 121 - 113 Approaching, Part 1
Upon returning from the Golden Wing Pavilion’s base, Zhang Rongfang calmly stayed at home, spending his days helping Wanyan Road lose weight, going to work, practicing martial arts, and resting.
During other times, it seemed he had completely abandoned the previous actions of collecting information related to the mysterious statue.
He had watched the entire anomaly caused by the statue.
The feeling it gave more resembled some kind of transformative intensification.
Those metallic threads should not be something created in this era.
This strange sense of contradiction made his mind filled with thoughts, pondering what kind of existence the Great Spirit and the secret cults truly were.
December 5th.
The rain temporarily paused, no longer intermittent.
Li Huoyun set up a banquet at the White Smoke Pavilion to celebrate his twentieth birthday.
This was a private gathering, inviting only a select few to participate.
Zhang Rongfang attended as invited, drank some rounds, and by the time he returned home, it was already past one in the morning.
Just as he opened the courtyard gate, he saw a small red bird silently perched on a tree branch in the courtyard, its ruby-like eyes fixed on him without blinking.
"Come." Zhang Rongfang reached out his hand, inviting the bird to fly onto the back of his hand.
He removed the bamboo tube from the bird’s leg.
Swiftly, he opened it to check.
Just after a quick glance, his expression slightly changed.
He immediately hurried into the room, changed clothes, and put on a mask. Hesitating for a moment, he decided against wearing it.
In reality, the Mingjing Palace also had people who used the wish wheel, not just himself.
But for him personally, aside from using it during assassination attempts, it was not suitable for dueling with masters.
Because he had not mastered the martial arts compatible with the wish wheel.
Thus, he could only use it as a simple heavy weapon or shield.
The timing of usage generally involved a single strike—if it failed, it would be difficult to continue using it in prolonged combat. Otherwise, mismatched techniques could greatly weaken his strength.
Casually grabbing a short sword, Zhang Rongfang set out lightly equipped.
The city gates of Tan Yang City had a separate door for entry and exit at night, exclusively for night-time traveling caravans and security bureaus.
The martial prowess of the Great Spirit was unrivaled, causing no concern about any potential attacks.
Outside the city gates, at the Pingya Temple.
Members from the Golden Wing Pavilion and other main building members were scattered, guarding all sides.
Upon seeing Zhang Rongfang’s arrival, they all bowed their heads in greeting.
Qingsu, Zhao Tianming, and Chi Xia—these three had all arrived.
The three stood scattered before a tall figure with a completely red mask, bowing in respect.
The figure sported a head full of tiny, braided hair. Broad shoulders and a complete set of hard leather half-body armor encased him. His right arm was wrapped in a thick bronze chain, clearly trained in exotic weaponry.
The sound of footsteps approached.
Zhang Rongfang strode into the main hall, immediately locking eyes with the person in the red mask.
The other person’s stature exceeded his current size by a full measure.
"Are you the messenger of Lord Red Spirit from the provincial city?" Zhang Rongfang asked solemnly.
"Indeed, and you are Tan Yang’s Bai Ying? Lord Red Spirit has sent me to Tan Yang to investigate matters concerning the secret scriptures. This scroll should have just surfaced; you may not be aware of its features, hence my personal presence to oversee identification and search tasks.
Moreover, I am also at Eagle Level; you can call me Rust Lock."
"Mirror Image." Zhang Rongfang’s mind quickly raced, and he immediately conjured up a nickname.
This nickname was quite suitable for his current layer of identities.
"You can call me Mirror Image."
"Very well. Next, I will station myself here to assist you in processing the matter of searching for the scriptures.
Furthermore, a word of caution. The Black Ten Sect’s Snake King Xue Jinghao has already arrived in Tan Yang, seemingly to investigate the recent assassinations of several high-ranking officials in this area."
"Snake King Xue Jinghao?" Zhang Rongfang’s eyes subtly reacted, "How strong is this person?"
"What do you think? Among those Black Ten Sect experts previously killed, there were even ones of Eighth Grade, so what level of experts do you think they would dispatch? Furthermore, he’s not alone—there are also two accompanying envoys, both at least Seventh or Eighth Grade. Be careful." Rust Lock cautioned.
"Ninth Grade...?" Zhang Rongfang felt a heavy heart. This was how these major powers operated.
When things escalated, they had headquarters, and a slew of expert support behind them.
"By the way. In Tan Yang, your intelligence isn’t very well-informed; you might not know the reason why the world’s Ninth Grade was originally delineated." Rust Lock added.
"Why was it divided?"
"Because...the Ninth Grade is actually the limit for ordinary people, the highest speed and strength they can unleash." Rust Lock calmly said.
"Using secret medicines, forging ahead regardless of the damage, can trigger a person’s peak speed and strength—up to Ninth Grade."
"Or to phrase it differently: when Spirit Court originally established the Nine-Grade System, they partly referenced official ranks and partly considered this aspect, labeling the burst limits of ordinary people as the highest Ninth Grade."
Zhang Rongfang’s heart trembled, suddenly recalling the gambler once driven by the statue.
Back then, his state was just so....
So, these were the limits of ordinary people? Ninth Grade....such secrets even exist.
"But you must know, this world isn’t only populated by ordinary people." Rust Lock suddenly interjected.
"Between individuals, though seemingly alike, some have vastly different physiques."
"Are you referring to those with talent and exceptional innate abilities?" Zhang Rongfang asked firmly.
"Exactly. Snake King Xue Jinghao belongs to this category. He possesses an unparalleled intuitive sense, not fearing any assassination or ambush, and has reaction speeds far exceeding the norm.
Therefore, by all means, avoid provoking this person." Rust Lock advised.
The Golden Wing Pavilion, known primarily for assassination intelligence, evidently perceived a specific intent behind Black Ten Sect dispatching this individual.
"Is he considered Ninth Grade?" Zhang Rongfang questioned further.
"Three years ago, he was already Ninth Grade; given his genius now, he likely transcends grade limitations." Rust Lock marveled.
"Not within the grade restriction?"
"These people surpass grade evaluations, stronger than a typical Ninth Grade, yet not reaching the level of a sect’s Grandmaster. Some in the martial world refer to them as Super Grade, you can define it that way."
After Rusty Lock finished speaking, he took out a piece of paper, unfolded it, and handed it over.
"Alright, mentioning this is to remind you to be careful, and avoid provoking this person. Someone died in the Black Ten Sect, they’re definitely coming for revenge to find the enemy, so don’t get on their bad side.
Moreover, this is the secret sect scripture fabric pattern we’re seeking. Take a look, afterwards search for similar ones following this pattern."
Zhang Rongfang took the paper and examined it closely.
On it was a light yellow piece of fabric, filled with mysterious writings and symbols.
Its shape and design were exactly the same as the one he obtained before.
’Indeed.....’
His heart settled, and his previous worries were now instantaneously confirmed.
Having confirmed that the scroll of fabric was indeed the secret scripture fabric, he felt much relieved.
With a quick turn of mind, he spoke directly.
"Are you certain it’s this pattern?"
"Certain. Why? Have you seen it before?" Rusty Lock caught onto something in his tone.
Without a word, Zhang Rongfang took out the scroll of fabric from his body and handed it over.
"Recently, I just so happened to acquire this item in an accident, but did not expect it to be so precious. It turns out to be exactly what our pavilion needs."
Rusty Lock paused, seemingly a bit stunned.
He looked at Zhang Rongfang’s mask and then at the scripture fabric in his hand, as if he hadn’t expected everything to come so easily.
"How... did you get it?" He was somewhat incredulous, worried that the item might be a fake.
"A grave pit, I accidentally bumped into a stone wall, which fell off, revealing this stuck behind. I picked it up." Zhang Rongfang stated straightforwardly.
Rusty Lock took the scripture fabric, his eyes flickered, and quickly flipped through it.
Soon, he was certain of it.
"It’s real!" His emotions were slightly excited. "This matter is significant, I must contact the higher-ups immediately."
Then, he stared at Zhang Rongfang intently.
"I must say, Shadow, this time... you’ve hit the jackpot! This item is extremely important to the main building. I will immediately depart for the firm city, have it sent up layer by layer, and after confirmation, the rewards from the main building will soon follow.
Kid.... you’ve hit the jackpot!!"
He carefully put away the scripture fabric, securing it close to his body.
"No time to waste, I’ll hurry back to the firm city overnight for further verification, to avoid any dangers as night grows deep!"
"Alright! Need me to send someone to escort you?" Zhang Rongfang also noticed the other’s caution.
"No need, any additional person would slow me down. Farewell!" Rusty Lock immediately turned around and left the main hall without another word.
Zhang Rongfang wasn’t worried about the other taking credit; not to mention, within the Golden Wing Pavilion, there’s another covert supervision system specifically designed to prevent superiors from claiming subordinates’ merits.
This scripture fabric, along with the previous strange deity statue, looked like an abyss too deep to fathom.
One slight misstep, and it could potentially lead to a disastrous outcome.
So, upon confirming there was an issue with the scripture fabric, he instantly handed it over.
This item was now likely a hot potato.
He was not someone without self-awareness.
One should bite off only as much as they can chew. Overestimating oneself could only result in death.
"Now, everyone retreats separately; do not have any gatherings for a while." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Turning around, Zhang Rongfang instructed Zhao Tianming, Qingsu, Chi Xia, the three of them.
"Yes!"
The three were clear in their hearts.
This was to prevent being wiped out in one swoop, silenced.
No matter how, even if Rusty Lock was someone from the firm city, in case he harbored any ill intentions, one couldn’t be sure.
Hence, it was best to avoid each other for now.
Immediately, everyone dispersed.
Soon, only a few main building members guarding Pingya Temple remained.
Leaving Pingya Temple.
Zhang Rongfang crouched, moving swiftly under the night sky.
The forest and field paths outside the city were somewhat soft and damp. Due to excessive rain, stepping on them inevitably made wet soundings.
Just when he was about to reach the city gate, in a harvested field,
Suddenly, Zhang Rongfang halted, stopping abruptly from movement to stillness.
He looked up ahead.
There, on his usual path in his comings and goings, stood a person.
A figure entirely shrouded in a large black robe.
Under the moonlight, the only thing he could discern was that the figure appeared larger and bulkier than himself.
Of course, this could also be a disguise.
"Golden Wing Pavilion?" The figure’s voice was deep, seemingly deliberately altered through some special technique.
"Who are you??" Zhang Rongfang’s first reaction was that intelligence had leaked, there was a traitor betraying his whereabouts.
"As for Zhang Ying over there, you’ve gone overboard." The figure spoke. "Tan Yang City is not your playground."
"Zhang Ying? What do you mean?" Zhang Rongfang pretended not to know. The identity of Golden Wing Pavilion, he couldn’t shake off, as he was still wearing the mask. It could be seen at a glance.
But the identity related to Zhang Ying, he absolutely could not admit.
"The mask is the Bai Ying of Tan Yang; you should know the current state of Tan Yang is formed by multiple balancing forces. But now, your Golden Wing Pavilion has broken this balance, provoking the Snake King of the Black Ten Sect." The figure said in a deep voice.
"Do you really think the Snake King came purely for my Golden Wing Pavilion?" Zhang Rongfang countered.
"What do you mean??" The figure paused.
