Chapter 197: Three Unique Talents

“Leshui Sect disciple Ling Yin pays respects to Shoushan Sect’s Elder Fang!”

“Leshui Sect disciple Ye Xuanzhen pays respects to Shoushan Sect’s Elder Fang…”

“Leshui Sect disciple He… hehe, Second Young Master Fang, long time no see…”

“…”

Soon, four or five Leshui Sect disciples were called over. They lined up neatly and bowed solemnly to Fang Cun.

At a glance, one could sense their extraordinary presence. Their aura fluctuations were hidden yet distinct, clearly indicating remarkable cultivation levels. Among them was a man in black robes. His eyes were bright and sharp, bearing a hint of pride. Just from looking at him, one could feel his blood and energy refined like mercury, his magical power deep and dense. He seemed to be at the peak of the Foundation Building Realm, standing right at the very brink of the Light Condensation Realm.

Squeezed among these outstanding disciples was one whose aura was dull, hunched over, grinning awkwardly at Fang Cun.

It was none other than He Zhenzhang – Fang Cun’s former classmate at White Xiang Academy in Willow Lake City.

“Hmm, Leshui Sect disciples are truly spirited, with admirable aura and imposing presence…”

Fang Cun deliberately looked at He Zhenzhang as he offered this praise.

The words sounded decidedly sarcastic.

An Elder nearby caught the undertone and immediately glared at He Zhenzhang, startling him into further hunching.

Smiling, Fang Cun addressed the Elders around him, “Since I’m visiting your esteemed Sect for the first time and have met these juniors, it wouldn’t do to be lacking in courtesy!”

He then gestured to Xiao Qingliu to bring some items and distribute them one by one.

Truth be told, Fang Cun wasn’t entirely sure why Leshui Sect had called these disciples forward. But he had his own plans. Since Leshui Sect was being this polite, he couldn’t afford to lose face. The air of a senior Elder had to be maintained.

“Oh?”

A few Leshui Sect Elders grew curious, leaning slightly forward.

In front of others, Xiao Qingliu appeared extremely proper as he respectfully presented the gifts. While the Leshui disciples had bowed to Fang Cun with strict formality, they were aware that Fang Cun was actually younger than most of them. His “senior” status came purely from his position as Elder in Shoushan Sect and the hierarchical customs between the Six Great Sects.

The idea of receiving gifts like juniors from someone practically their age naturally rankled some, particularly the proud ones.

Especially the black-robed young man at the front, who had been ready to refuse with a hint of pride. But when Xiao Qingliu carefully offered a scroll case – a long, narrow golden box – his eyes widened instantly upon recognizing the artistic seal impressed upon it.

“What’s that…?”

Even the Elders sipping wine glanced over, their eyes brightening with interest.

“It’s the rubbing of a stele inscription penned by Old Scholar Song in Zhaoge last month. It only recently arrived in Qingjiang,” Fang Cun explained with a smile. The surrounding Elders looked visibly surprised.

This Old Scholar Song was the foremost calligrapher in Zhaoge – arguably in all of Great Xia. His stele inscriptions were unparalleled, earning him the revered title of “Saint of Calligraphy.”

Most Leshui Sect disciples practiced Talisman arts and thus deeply appreciated fine calligraphy. Even those whose main focus wasn’t Talismans shared this passion. Works by masters like Old Scholar Song were highly coveted treasures. What they usually managed to find were mere copies, re-replicated countless times without a trace of the original’s spiritual resonance. But what Fang Cun presented was clearly a genuine rubbing from the actual inscription stele.

Such original masterpieces existed in different tiers. The actual handwritten piece, properly mounted, was naturally the most precious, worth thousands in gold yet almost impossible to acquire. Next came ink rubbings taken from inscription steles – copies faithfully reflecting the brushwork, intent, and even faint lingering wisps of the calligrapher’s original power and spirit within the strokes and composition. Copies made from these rubbings were merely book replicas, significantly less valuable and primarily for appreciation alone.

Fang Cun casually gifting an original rubbing straight from Zhaoge was undeniably rare and precious.

The arrogance in the hearts of the Leshui Sect disciples immediately faded by half. Though they still hesitated verbally about accepting…

But their damned hands seemed to have a will of their own…

“We thank Elder Fang…”

Accepting the rubbing obligated them to express gratitude. As they spoke their thanks, they instinctively bowed a little lower.

“As expected of Second Young Master Fang! His rewards are truly generous…”

He Zhenzhang stood at the end of the line, straining his neck to see. When his turn finally came, he eagerly reached out with a beaming smile. Unexpectedly, Xiao Qingliu suddenly put the rubbing scroll back into his bag. Instead, Xiao Qingliu rummaged for a moment and produced a heavy, black jar, wearing a mischievous grin. “Young Master He,” he whispered conspiratorially, “The Young Master specifically set aside this good stuff just for you…”

“Eh?”

He Zhenzhang clutched the black jar, his expression utterly baffled.

The people around all turned in unison, their eyes fixing on He Zhenzhang curiously.

Everyone knew this Junior Brother He was a former classmate of Second Young Master Fang. Rumor had it they got along well. It seemed there was truly special treatment?

“Good stuff indeed…” Xiao Qingliu leaned close to He Zhenzhang’s ear and whispered, a playful tone in his voice, “This is… brewed from that thing from a Demon King, used specifically for treating… well, that thing… you know…”

Whoosh!

He Zhenzhang’s face immediately flushed crimson.

The eyes of his surrounding sect brothers and the Elders widened instantly in shock.

Even Yu Qingli, standing quietly beside Fang Cun, subtly pinched the bridge of his nose, as if trying to stifle laughter.

Xiao Qingliu wasn’t a Qi Refiner! No matter how softly he whispered, his words couldn’t escape the ears of these cultivators!

Instantly, the gazes fixed on He Zhenzhang became a bizarre mix of profound weirdness and deep-seated apprehension!

“You… this…” He Zhenzhang’s face was practically dripping blood. He wanted to show disgust… but, thinking twice… this was brewed using that thing from a Demon King…

In the end, he carefully stored it away, keeping his head down and eyes lowered in flustered gratitude: “Th-thank you, Young Master Fang…”

“You’re most welcome!”

Seated at the head seat, Fang Cun beamed back at He Zhenzhang and added cheerfully, “I’ve got plenty more where that came from. I can give you as much as you want!”

He Zhenzhang immediately drew a sharp breath. He clearly wanted to say something but didn’t dare.

“Haha, we initially called these disciples to showcase their talents – albeit crudely – little did we expect Elder Fang’s first gesture to be such a generous reward!”

Seeing the disciples receive their gifts, one of the Leshui Sect Elders smiled once more at Fang Cun. “Second Young Master Fang, while Leshui Sect specializes in Talisman Arts, we have developed our own unique cultivation paths. Naturally, our esteemed forebears have derived several techniques and divine abilities. Merely describing them might prove insufficient in a short time. That’s why we summoned these disciples: to demonstrate one by one. We humbly request your guidance, Young Master!”

Hearing this, Fang Cun nodded pleasantly. “Nothing could be better!”

By now, he had a better inkling of what these Leshui Sect Elders were scheming.

“We offer our minor skills before Elder Fang!”

At the Elder’s instructions, the Leshui Sect disciples stepped back. Stepping forward into the center was a young-looking disciple, seemingly around twenty years old, with refined features. He had already introduced himself earlier as Ling Yin. He offered another respectful bow to Fang Cun before speaking, “This junior has trained at Leshui Sect for four years. Guided by my teachers, I’ve refined a minor technique: the Minor Fire Spirit Art. I respectfully request Elder Fang’s appraisal and guidance!”

He finished speaking and immediately formed a seal with his hands, channeling his magical power. The space around him subtly shimmered like ripples; the air itself seemed to dim slightly. Then, he abruptly took a step sideways, pointed forward with one hand, and shouted forcefully: “Fire!”

Whoosh!

Along with his cry, a streak of fiery spiritual light, resembling a blazing spirit bird, shot forth from beside him! It slammed straight into a massive rock ten zhangs away. A loud BOOM followed! The spirit bird effortlessly punched a clean hole straight through the incredibly sturdy rock. Strangely, there was absolutely no debris or dust around the hole – as if the stone had vaporized instantly upon contact.

Seeing this, even Yu Qingli couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Having demonstrated his technique, Ling Yin bowed once more and retreated.

The next disciple stepped forward. He bowed and stated, “This junior has trained at Leshui Sect for seven years. The technique I’ve mastered is called the River Drawing Art.”

As he spoke, he advanced a few steps towards the cliff, facing the crisscrossing rivers winding below the peak. He formed intricate hand seals, his body moving in complex ritualistic steps (gongbu footwork). After a few whirl-like spins, he abruptly pointed his finger downward!

Instantly, thunder erupted on the river’s surface hundreds of zhangs away! Following the boom, a colossal column of water surged over ten zhangs high – it was like a river beast awakening! Violent and powerful, the water surged upstream against its natural current for nearly twenty zhangs before the force finally dissipated.

Witnessing this display, even the Leshui Sect Elders instinctively stroked their beards, smiles of satisfaction playing on their lips.

From such a great distance, he could unleash this kind of power! Performing this technique right beside the river itself would undoubtedly yield terrifying force.

“This junior, Ye Xuanzhen, has mastered the Great Luo Flowing Cloud Sleeves. I humbly offer my crude skill for Elder Fang’s guidance!”

The last to step out was the disciple in the black robes. He bowed deeply to Fang Cun. When he raised his head, a clear touch of pride colored his expression. He retreated a few steps, seemingly standing nonchalantly. Yet, abruptly, several Talismans flew out from behind him! Some sparked into fierce flames, some erupted with brilliant golden light, and others instantly condensed sharp, frigid frost.

Simultaneously, Ye Xuanzhen sharply lifted his head, his gaze snapping to the swirling Talismans. He flicked his wide sleeves outward! In a flash, his sleeves seemed to take on a life of their own. Like agile, coiling snakes, they swept and tumbled, perfectly capturing and retracting each of those three disparate Talismans back into them!

The three Talismans varied in power. When tucked into his sleeve, each now released its divine might.

In that instant, Ye Xuanzhen fluttered his wide sleeves, his movements elegant and transcendent. His magical power instantly manifested countless shifts:

Rolling. Sweeping. Entangling. Retracting. Surging.

His magical power intertwined, evolving into astonishing sophistication and intricacy.

Shuasha…

As his sleeves danced gracefully, he gathered his posture slightly, flicked both sleeves sharply forward, then drew them back slowly.

Upon the ground, three Talismans now lay. One bore scorch marks, another had a jagged crack shimmering with golden light, the last was crusted with lingering frost.

The power of all three Talismans had been instantly neutralized by him.

Effortlessly. Seamlessly. It appeared almost graceful, like lifting something heavy as if it weighed nothing!

“Not bad!”

Observing the three discarded Talismans on the ground, the five Elders of the Leshui Sect exchanged glances, smiles tugging at the corners of their mouths, impossible to resist.

They looked as if, were it not for Fang Cun standing beside them, they might have even applauded and praised.

Meanwhile, the other Shoushan Sect disciples nearby all turned their gazes toward Ye Xuanzhen, their expressions openly filled with envy.

“These are but meager techniques, hardly worth mentioning. We humbly request Elder Fang’s guidance!”

After each finished demonstrating their skills, these Leshui Sect disciples stepped forward together, formed a row, and bowed respectfully to Fang Cun, speaking in unison.

Their etiquette was impeccable. Their words brimmed with reverence.

But the underlying intent to challenge simply could not be concealed.

Yu Qingli suddenly understood their aim. His brow furrowed faintly, and he shot Fang Cun a subtle, questioning look.

Even He Zhenzhang’s expression grew a fraction more serious; he too stealthily signaled Fang Cun with his eyes.

……

Fang Cun watched as the few Leshui Sect disciples lined up before him, waiting expectantly. The Leshui Sect Elders by his side stroked their beards, chuckling softly, evidently pleased with their disciples’ performances. Suddenly, Fang Cun found the whole situation rather amusing.

So this was the Leshui Sect’s game!

He had come seeking knowledge, wishing to enter their Scripture Hall. Because he’d won the previous bet, the Leshui Sect had no justifiable reason to refuse him. Moreover, having heard of his deeds at the Duskblade Sect, they were unlikely to risk damaging their own reputation. Thus, not only had they agreed, they’d done so with remarkable swiftness and apparent generosity!

Not only did they permit him access to the Scripture Hall, but they had also summoned their most outstanding Foundation Building Realm disciples to demonstrate one after another.

However, this very display of “generosity” now put Fang Cun in a delicate position.

Since these disciples had performed, as a senior, it was only natural for him to offer some comments of appraisal.

If he couldn’t provide meaningful guidance, or worse, failed to recognize the subtlety and power in their techniques, it would imply that his own cultivation was mediocre. Why then insist on entering the Scripture Hall? Wouldn’t it be simpler for their own disciples to teach him a few tricks? This wasn’t stinginess – on the contrary, it was meant to be a favor. Wouldn’t it be kinder, more considerate, to prevent him from entering only to find the profound scriptures within the Scripture Hall utterly incomprehensible?

Furthermore, even if Fang Cun stubbornly insisted on going in, the Leshui Sect now had perfect grounds to assign accompanying disciples. Their summoning of He Zhenzhang was proof enough – He Zhenzhang, who had joined Shoushan not long ago, still lagged far behind these elite Leshui disciples. There was little he could effectively demonstrate here; his real purpose was likely to accompany Fang Cun inside the Scripture Hall later…

To speak plainly: The Leshui Sect accepted their loss and held no fear of Fang Cun learning some techniques.

They feared something else entirely: that once inside the Scripture Hall, Fang Cun might memorize vast tracts of scripture wholesale and later divulge the entire core of the Leshui Sect’s teachings and methods.

Hence, they much preferred letting their own disciples teach him a few selected moves.

This tactic was, in essence, similar to what the Duskblade Sect had tried. Only, the Leshui Sect implemented it with a level of finesse that surpassed them by leaps and bounds.

How to respond to this?

Fang Cun smiled inwardly. Of course…

……

With the cards now laid bare on the table, the Elders relaxed slightly, watching Fang Cun with amused expectancy.

Simultaneously, the Leshui Sect disciples who had just displayed their prowess stood shoulder-to-shoulder, gazing intently at Fang Cun. Their faces wore expressions of eager anticipation mixed with undeniable pride. For them, this too was a challenge – an opportunity to make Second Young Master Fang recognize the true distance between them and withdraw. Second Young Master Fang’s reputation was considerable; succeeding in this would bring them significant honor and glory.

Amidst these varying looks of expectation and concern, Fang Cun smiled, adjusted his own wide sleeves casually, and said, “Not bad.”

Hearing Fang Cun’s agreement, the Leshui Sect Elders visibly brightened.

Elder Chen addressed Fang Cun with a hearty guffaw, “If Second Young Master Fang does not find them lacking, then perhaps…”

But before he could finish, Fang Cun continued smoothly, “…such a performance is indeed quite good… if one is only considering them as sect disciples who specialize in Talismanic Dao!”

“…Huh?”

The expressions of the Leshui Sect Elders froze, twisting into something slightly peculiar.

“As disciples specializing in Talismanic Dao, quite good”… meaning that in the wider realm, against practitioners from other sects, they might only be considered mediocre?

Below, the faces of the Leshui Sect disciples themselves also darkened considerably.

Only He Zhenzhang stared blankly for a moment. He suddenly felt this scene held an alarming sense of deja vu.