Chapter 47

As the scroll slowly unfurled, Shen Lian expected something wondrous inside, but it turned out to be completely blank.

He hesitated and said, "Is this the thing from the Green Bamboo Gang?"

"Of course it is. To be precise, this is something that Ancestor Ling Chongxiao brought out from Qingxuan," Xin Qubing said with a light laugh.

"What is the secret of this painting?" Shen Lian was somewhat curious. The green-robed man had been preoccupied with this object, and if it were just blank, there must be some other secret.

Xin Qubing showed a strange expression, casually picked up the scroll, and threw it into the furnace.

The fire was burning brightly, and the scroll fell into it, causing Shen Lian's expression to change.

However, no matter how fiercely the fire burned, it failed to ignite the scroll, which seemed to be made of an unknown material.

Xin Qubing's withered hand reached into the fire, retrieved the scroll, and said, "Young Master Shen, use the flying knife on your person to cut this scroll, and remember to infuse it with your inner energy."

Shen Lian followed his instructions. The flying knife, though made of ordinary iron, was extremely sharp.

Shen Lian's inner energy was somewhat accomplished, and when infused, the force was more than a thousand pounds.

Even a stone the size of a cucumber could be split.

But when it landed on the blank scroll, not even a mark was left.

"Indeed, it is a strange object. No wonder it has something to do with immortals," Shen Lian said solemnly.

"Although this painting originated from Qingxuan, it seems no one has paid much attention to it, nor has anyone tried to reclaim it. Just like the Divine Foot Scripture you practice, it is ultimately just a martial art of the mortal world. Even if the person who later attained the Dao has long since had little to do with the Divine Foot Scripture. To speak of this painting, it was a gift from one of Ling Chongxiao's predecessors to the Green Bamboo Gang. The reason behind it, I do not know in detail. These matters I learned by chance in my past wanderings in the mortal world.

Apart from being immune to water and fire and resistant to blades, no other secrets have been discovered in this painting.

Actually, if it weren't for Yang Xuan's attempt to seize the painting last time, few people would have known about this object.

The Green Bamboo Gang has many members in Qingzhou, and An Wanli is a shrewd old fox. He kept this object very secret, so outsiders, though aware of its peculiarities, did not understand much.

If not for someone like Ye Liuyun, who is unafraid of the sin of possessing a precious object, and with An Wanli hinting at the painting's secrets being uncovered by you, he would not have advanced so rapidly to become a top-notch figure in the martial world.

It's likely that he couldn't have kept this object for long, and now the Green Bamboo Gang can no longer retain it," Xin Qubing casually recounted, as if he had witnessed it all, revealing how much he knew about the hidden matters.

"Since Mr. Shao'an knows the peculiarities of this painting, why didn't you take it earlier for research, instead of waiting for Ye Liuyun to take it and then retrieving it from him?"

Shen Lian raised a key question, which he found hard to understand. Given that Xin Qubing was a fox spirit, he should be invincible in the mortal world unless there were other concerns.

"Young Master Shen will understand the reason in the future. This painting indeed has some secrets, which even the people of Qingxuan may not fully understand. I only learned a bit by chance. Unfortunately, this painting seems to be of no use to me, but it might be beneficial to you."

"Are you going to give this painting to me?" Shen Lian asked with a smile.

"You wish." Xin Shisiniang's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

"Actually, giving it to you would be fine, but the time is not right. The immortal sects are divided into different schools. If I were to say which one suits you best, it would be Qingxuan. I believe Ling Chongxiao must have mentioned the origin of his sect's martial arts to you, so you should have some understanding. Next year, on the Double Ninth Festival, the gates of Qingxuan will open. For the next six months, it will be the period for Qingxuan to select disciples. If you want to know more, it's best to ask Ye Liuyun," Xin Qubing smiled faintly, finally getting to the point.

"Regarding the matters of the immortal sects, I am indeed quite confused. After hearing Mr. Shao'an's words, I have a rough idea, but I don't know what you need from me."

"If you really join Qingxuan in the future, I will indeed have a favor to ask of you. I won't make it too difficult for you, and with Qingxuan as your backing, even if you turn against me, I would be helpless. However, I believe in your character and know you won't do such a thing."

Xin Qubing spoke sincerely. Shen Lian had first-class character, and over the past few days, Xin Qubing had been secretly observing him with his supernatural powers.

This was also why he did not have Xin Shisiniang immediately invite Shen Lian to the mountain but gave him a few more days to adjust.

"Mr. Shao'an, I trust you, and I don't doubt your intentions. If there's nothing else, I would like to return home. I need to sort out what I've learned," Shen Lian said apologetically.

"Dragging your feet, not decisive enough," Xin Shisiniang said coldly from the side.

"Living in the mortal world, one is always mired in mud. How can one be completely decisive? I never deceive myself," Shen Lian replied lightly to Xin Shisiniang.

"I won't keep you for the night. Young Master, please go."

Shen Lian left the mountain. The fox spirit father and daughter did not leave him empty-handed.

At least Shen Lian obtained the recipe for the invigorating soup.

He would not rashly gather the ingredients. Although they had talked a lot tonight, it had only lifted a corner of the veil on the mysteries of the immortal sects.

He felt that even though the fox spirit seemed to have no ill intentions toward him, there were still many untruths.

But both Xin Shisiniang and Xin Qubing were unfathomable.

Shen Lian admitted that if they wanted to make things difficult for him, it would be easy.

What was more remarkable was that the fox spirit was deeply versed in human affairs, far more cunning than even Old Master Shen.

Looking back at the mountain, he could still see Xin Qubing's profound gaze and Xin Shisiniang's almost perfect beauty.

He was far from as calm as he appeared. If Xin Qubing had not been lying, then the opening of Qingxuan's gates to accept disciples would be an excellent opportunity for him.

Only by entering such an immortal sect would he not be as clueless about cultivation as he was now.

No matter how many mountains and rivers he crossed, or how many years he lived, he would not regret it.

He seemed to be a slow person, but once he made up his mind, he would not look back.

The path of immortality was elusive, but even a glimmer of hope, he would seize.

Returning to the inn, it was already late at night.

Even the diligent Manager Wu had already gone to sleep.

Entering the inn, Shen Lian did not see Manager Wu but saw Bai Yufei.

"Are you on duty tonight?" Shen Lian asked. He had an excellent memory and recalled that according to the schedule Manager Wu had given him, it was not Bai Yufei's turn to be on duty tonight.

"I specifically switched shifts to wait for you to return," Bai Yufei smiled casually in the lamplight.

"Do you need something from me?"

"Knowing you are about to travel far, I asked Manager Wu to advance me next month's salary to treat you to a drink. I just don't know if you will honor me with your presence."

"Someone is treating me to a drink, how can I refuse?" Shen Lian smiled. Bai Yufei was a remarkable person.

He was sure he had not misjudged. As long as Bai Yufei was at the inn, everything would be peaceful.

"Actually, there's nothing much. I just want to have a drink with you and hope to get you drunk once," Bai Yufei chuckled.

...

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