Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

Night fell. Chongyang Palace finally fell silent.

When Lu Qingdu was carried back, his leg was swollen like a bucket. Zhao Zhijing's face was ashen, and the way he looked at Yang Guo before leaving was as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Yang Guo lay on the hard communal bed, his hands behind his head and his legs crossed.

We won. A beautiful victory.

But he felt no joy at all.

This battle, seemingly won through clever trickery, actually exposed the true nature of the Quanzhen Sect. The eldest disciple of the third-generation head disciple, who had practiced Quanzhen swordsmanship for over a decade, was outmaneuvered by a "good-for-nothing" who had only been practicing for half a month, using crude and ineffective techniques. What does this demonstrate?

This shows that the martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect are really not good.

Yang Guo turned over and stared at the dark roof.

When Wang Chongyang participated in the Mount Hua Sword Tournament, he was incredibly glorious, overpowering the Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar to become the number one swordsman in the world. What did he rely on? His Innate Skill.

But the old Taoist priest died young, and the Innate Skill was never passed down. The Seven Masters of Quanzhen were of mediocre talent. They practiced their whole lives and only reached the top level of Acquired Skill. They could show off their power in the martial arts world, but they were no match for the old guard like the Golden Wheel Monk. They couldn't even compare to Uncle Guo.

"The Song of the Great Dao of Quanzhen..." Yang Guo silently recited the incantation in his mind, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

This skill is only good for health maintenance and prolonging life. If you really want to win Sister Rong back, with this slow and sluggish skill, you'd have to practice until your next life.

By then, Sister Rong would be an old woman, what use would she be?

Yang Guo's anger flared up again.

He's a pragmatist. All that talk about prestigious sects and esoteric schools is nonsense if it doesn't make him stronger.

What he wants is the power to trample everyone under his feet.

Ancient tomb.

These two words flashed through Yang Guo's mind.

When Wang Chongyang failed in his resistance against the Jin dynasty, he hid in the Tomb of the Living Dead and carved the Nine Yin Manual on the stone wall inside the tomb. That manual was the general outline of all martial arts in the world, containing a wide range of skills, including not only internal energy cultivation methods but also various insidious and ruthless moves.

Compared to the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, which requires finding a woman to practice naked with, the Nine Yin Manual is what he truly desires.

Once we get the scriptures, who would still put up with this awful attitude in this dilapidated Taoist temple?

But the problem is, how do we get in?

The Ancient Tomb Sect's place is riddled with traps and guarded by the aloof Little Dragon Girl. Forcing your way in is definitely out of the question; that would be suicide.

Yang Guo's eyes darted around, and he thought of someone.

Yin Zhiping.

Although his cheap master was a coward, he was still the second-in-command among the third-generation disciples of the Quanzhen Sect. Moreover, judging from the last situation, he seemed to still have some influence over Xiaolongnu.

At least, Xiaolongnu was willing to accept his pastries and teach him swordsmanship.

This is enough.

Yang Guo suddenly sat up.

The senior brother next to him was fast asleep, snoring loudly. Yang Guo quietly put on his shoes and slipped out of the room.

The moonlight was cold and clear.

The light was still on in Yin Zhiping's room.

Yang Guo went to the window and poked a hole in the window paper with his finger.

Yin Zhiping was sitting at the table, staring blankly at a white jade bottle in his hand. It was the jade bee jelly that Xiaolongnu had given him last time. The way he looked at the bottle was so infatuated that it gave one goosebumps; he would chuckle foolishly one moment and sigh the next.

"Knock knock knock".

Yang Guo knocked on the door.

Startled, Yin Zhiping inside the room hurriedly stuffed the bottle into his sleeve: "Who's there?"

"Master, it's me, Guo'er."

The door creaked open. Yin Zhiping looked at him warily: "What are you up to in the middle of the night? Let me tell you, there's no class tonight. Your teacher is tired."

Yang Guo squeezed into the room with a grin and closed the door behind him.

"Master, I can't sleep." Yang Guo poured himself a cup of tea. "I beat Senior Brother Lu today, and I'm really anxious. Uncle Zhao's eyes looked like he wanted to devour me. I'm wondering if I can't stay in the Quanzhen Sect anymore?"

Yin Zhiping frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? You won through your own skill, although... although your methods were a bit underhanded, a win is a win. With Master around, does Zhao Zhijing think he can eat you alive?"

"Master can protect us for a while, but not forever," Yang Guo sighed, putting down his teacup and staring intently at Yin Zhiping. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless I can learn a more powerful skill," Yang Guo leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Master, the Quanzhen Sect's skills are too slow. I want to learn something... different."

Yin Zhiping's face darkened: "What do you want to learn? Toad Kung Fu? That's an evil and heretical practice!"

"It's not Toad Style." Yang Guo shook his finger. "Master, you're so familiar with that fairy-like sister from the Ancient Tomb Sect, could you... ask her to give me some pointers?"

Yin Zhiping jumped to his feet like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: "Damn it! That's the Ancient Tomb Sect, we're the Quanzhen Sect! We keep to ourselves, what are you thinking?"

"Master, please don't get agitated." Yang Guo said calmly, "Look, you offered her pastries, and she accepted them; you performed your sword dance, and she watched. What does this show? It shows that the Fairy Sister looks at you with special regard."

This flattery made Yin Zhiping feel very comfortable. He sat down again, a smug look on his face: "Of course. Although Miss Long is cold-hearted, she is also a reasonable person."

"So," Yang Guo pressed on, "Master, think about it, if I could get some guidance from the Fairy Sister and shine in the sect's competitions, wouldn't that bring you honor? Besides..."

Yang Guo paused, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"If I, your disciple, can frequently visit the ancient tomb to seek guidance, then wouldn't you, Master, also have a reason... to visit more often?"

Yin Zhiping's heart skipped a beat.

That reason... is too tempting.

He was just looking for an excuse to see Miss Long again. He'd sent her pastries last time, but he couldn't send her food every day, could he? If he had the pretext of "instructing a disciple," wouldn't he be able to do it openly and legitimately from now on…?

Yin Zhiping looked at Yang Guo, his eyes flickering.

"This...isn't that a bit inappropriate?" He was still trying to back down verbally, but his tone softened.

"What's wrong with that?" Yang Guo patted his chest. "I'm a tight-lipped disciple. As long as I learn the skills, I promise I'll keep your secrets to myself. Besides, I'm clever enough to help you... sound out what's going on."

These last four words completely shattered Yin Zhiping's defenses.

Let's sound out what they're thinking.

He dreamed of knowing whether the Dragon Girl truly loved him.

Yin Zhiping took a deep breath, picked up his teacup, and took a sip to conceal his excitement.

"Since you have such ambition, I... will not stop you." Yin Zhiping put down his teacup and coughed dramatically. "However, Miss Long prefers quiet, so whether I can see you depends on fate."

"With Master on the case, how can we fail?" Yang Guo smiled like a little fox.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

The Taoist priests at Chongyang Palace were still performing their morning prayers when two more figures appeared on the path behind the mountain.

Yin Zhiping walked ahead, having specially changed into a brand-new Taoist robe. His hair was neatly combed, and he carried a food box in his hand. The food box contained the "Osmanthus Duck" that he had run down the mountain early that morning to buy, and it was still warm.

Yang Guo followed behind, carrying a broom in his hand and a blade of grass in his mouth, looking completely nonchalant.

"Spit out the grass!" Yin Zhiping turned around and glared at him. "When you see Miss Long later, behave yourself. Don't embarrass me."

"Yes, yes, Master is right." Yang Guo spat out the grass roots, straightened his collar, and said, "Master, you bought a good duck. Last time it was sweet, this time it's salty. The sweet and salty complement each other perfectly. Fairy Sister will definitely like it."

A hint of joy appeared on Yin Zhiping's face: "You think it'll work too?"

"Amazing!" Yang Guo gave a thumbs up. "Master, your mind is more delicate than an embroidery needle. It's just that the fairy sister doesn't understand romance. If it were anyone else, they would have been moved to give themselves to you long ago."

Yin Zhiping blushed, but his steps quickened.

The two walked through the woods and arrived at the sea of ​​flowers.

The stone gate of the Tomb of the Living Dead remained tightly closed, exuding a coldness that kept people at a distance.

Yang Guo stood by the flower bushes, but his eyes were darting around.

He was surveying the terrain.

The ancient tomb was built against the mountain, and apart from the main entrance, there seemed to be no other entrances. Moreover, the place was extremely eerie, with not even a bird's chirp; it was eerily quiet.

"Ahem." Yin Zhiping cleared his throat, straightened his clothes, and then stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting to the stone gate, saying, "Yin Zhiping of the Quanzhen Sect, along with my unworthy disciple Yang Guo, requests an audience with Miss Long."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was made with internal force and had extremely strong penetrating power.

After a long while, there was still no sound from inside.

Yin Zhiping felt a little embarrassed and glanced back at Yang Guo.

Yang Guo curled his lip, thinking to himself that this old Taoist priest was really stubborn. Who pursues a woman like that? Standing at the door shouting like he was calling for her soul.

"Master, you can't just call me that," Yang Guo leaned closer. "You need to be more sincere."

"What sincerity?"

"Didn't you get stung by a jade bee last time?" Yang Guo pointed to Yin Zhiping's face. "Although the swelling has gone down, you can say that there's still some residual poison, so you came here specifically to ask for medicine. That's called a self-inflicted injury strategy."

Yin Zhiping hesitated for a moment: "This...this is deception."

"What deception? This is called strategy." Yang Guo rolled his eyes. "Don't you want to see the Fairy Sister anymore?"

Yin Zhiping gritted his teeth, about to speak, when the stone door suddenly rumbled loudly.

The door opened.

Instead of Little Dragon Girl, an old woman with a wrinkled face and a withered appearance appeared.

The old woman was dressed in a gray cloth robe, leaning on a cane, with a sinister look in her eyes, staring at the two as if they were two dead men.

Grandma Sun.

Yang Guo's heart skipped a beat. This old woman didn't look like someone to be trifled with.

"What are you doing here again, you stinking Taoist priest from the Quanzhen Sect?" Granny Sun's voice was hoarse and her tone extremely aggressive. "You didn't die from being stung last time, and you still dare to come here to die?"

Yin Zhiping quickly bowed and said, "Please calm down, Mother. I... I came to deliver some food to Miss Long, and also... I brought my unworthy disciple to apologize. It was truly unintentional that we disturbed the jade bees last time."

"An apology?" Granny Sun sneered, her gaze falling on Yang Guo. "Is this the brat?"

Yang Guo immediately put on a docile expression, stepped forward, and bowed deeply: "Greetings, Granny. This junior, Yang Guo, greets Granny. Last time, I was ignorant and was frightened by the wasps, which is why I ran around and shouted. After returning home, my master severely punished me and made me apologize in person. So, my master specially bought Osmanthus Duck, saying it was for Granny and Fairy Sister to have a taste."

His words were impeccable, and he flattered Yin Zhiping once again.

Granny Sun's expression softened slightly. Although she disliked the Taoist priests of the Quanzhen Sect, this young man was sweet-talking and handsome, so he wasn't so unpleasant to look at.

"Hmph, glib tongue." Granny Sun took the food box, opened it, and glanced inside. The aroma was irresistible. "At least you have some conscience. Leave the food here, and get out of here."

Upon hearing that someone was to be sent away, Yin Zhiping panicked: "Grandma, that... Miss Long, she..."

"The young lady is practicing her martial arts and doesn't have time to see you." Granny Sun was about to close the door.