Under One Person: The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain

Ma Xianhong was stunned.

He thought to himself: If his sister's knowledge system is also flawed, then the creation of the body-cultivating furnace might indeed go wrong.

But he quickly shook his head: "No, my sister is an expert in memory and physical health; she couldn't possibly make such a basic mistake."

Cheng Mo asked with feigned curiosity, "Oh? Is she a doctor? Or is she one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills?"

Ma Xianhong shook his head: "I can't tell you until my sister agrees."

"Fine, I won't tell you then." Cheng Mo smiled. "I have a question. You just said your sister is an expert in memory and physical health. Can't she treat you directly?"

Ma Xianhong sighed: "My sister tried, but failed, so she wants to use external help, and only this cultivation furnace can help."

Cheng Mo nodded: "Alright, we've pretty much finished our research today. Ask your sister if we can meet up; she has a lot of questions she'd like to ask."

Ma Xianhong stood up: "Okay, I'll ask her about it later."

As Cheng Mo left the Cultivation Hall, his gaze seemingly unintentionally swept over a certain corner.

The shadow in the corner seemed to flicker.

Cheng Mo continued on his way to find Xia He.

In the corner, someone pressed their pounding heart: What a close call! We almost got discovered.

He peeked out to confirm that Cheng Mo had left before turning around and finding a secluded spot to take out his communication device to contact Qu Tong.

"Hey, boss, Cheng Mo just told Village Chief Ma he wanted to see you. Did that kid find out something?"

Qu Tong's voice, calm as still water, came from the other end of the magical artifact: "Keep an eye on things, and don't expose yourself."

The man nodded: "Okay, I'll be careful."

He put away his ritual implements and casually walked into the village.

Watching the guy leave, Cheng Mo slapped his forehead: "I forgot, I could also make a communication artifact. I'll ask Old Ma how to make one tomorrow."

Only then did he stagger off to find Xia He.

……

Qu Tong had just cut off the person's communication signal when she received a contact request from Ma Xianhong.

"elder sister."

Ma Xianhong first told Qu Tong about the progress of the Body Refining Furnace, from the stability of the core to the modularization of the outer shell, from the modularization to the optimization of the runes, and from the optimization to the success rate of the recent experiments.

Qu Tong listened patiently, occasionally humming in agreement.

After introducing the progress of the Body Cultivation Furnace, Ma Xianhong got down to business: "Sister, this is Brother Cheng I told you about. We were talking about you today, and he wants to meet you. What do you think..."

Qu Tong interrupted him: "Xian Hong, didn't I tell you not to talk about me with other people?"

Ma Xianhong quickly explained, "Brother Cheng is no ordinary person. He has also mastered the Divine Hundred Refinements. With his help, our Body Refining Furnace will definitely be perfected much faster."

Qu Tong sighed: "Xian Hong, I understand how you feel, but we can't rush things, and you don't even know if Cheng Mo is really good to you."

She paused, her tone softening, "He mentioned you to me today, and he might mention you to others tomorrow. Think about it, your cultivation furnace, your plans—what would happen if too many people knew about these things?"

Ma Xianhong fell silent.

Qu Tong continued, "Why did your grandfather break his leg back then? Wasn't it because someone coveted your Ma family's possessions? Now you're all alone out there, without family protection or elders to look after you. How will you protect yourself? How will you protect the cultivation furnace?"

Ma Xianhong's voice lowered: "Sister, I..."

Qu Tong interrupted him: "I know what you're trying to say. You think Cheng Mo is a good person, you think he wouldn't harm you. But Xian Hong, you can't judge a book by its cover. Do you know who's behind him? What dangerous things might his backers do to you?"

Ma Xianhong defended himself, saying, "Brother Cheng is not that kind of person."

Qu Tong countered, "How long have you known him? How much do you know about him? Do you know if he approached you to help you, or to help those people behind him keep an eye on you?"

Ma Xianhong was speechless.

Qu Tong softened her tone: "Xian Hong, I'm not asking you to be wary of everyone. I just hope you'll be more careful. There aren't many people in this world who are truly good to you, and I'm one of them. I don't want you to get hurt."

Ma Xianhong's voice choked with emotion: "I understand, sister. I will never mention you to Brother Tongcheng again."

Qu Tong said, "Okay, I'm glad you understand. Have you been feeling unwell lately? I'll have someone bring you some medicine."

Book lovers are all in the discussion area, chatting about the charm of fantasy novels.

Ma Xianhong asked, "Sister, could you come and see us?"

Qu Tong sighed: "I have other things to do."

Ma Xianhong was somewhat disappointed: "Okay, sister."

"Go on with your work, Xianhong."

Ma Xianhong nodded: "Okay, goodbye, sister."

After ending the call, Qu Tong leaned back in her chair and tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

Cheng Mo, the Two Elements Observatory, is a bit troublesome.

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Or... should I kill him?

She thought for a moment, then shook her head.

Or should we just put him under control?

Her eyes lit up.

"A character like that is definitely worth pursuing."

……

In Biyou Village.

Cheng Mo found Xia He.

Cheng Mo walked over and took her hand: "Why are you acting like a gossip, nagging people? Stop talking so much."

Xia He shook off his hand: "Cheng Mo, are you finding me annoying? I knew you men were all like this. Everything's wonderful when you're pursuing me, but once you've got me, you find me annoying. Who was it that shamelessly followed me back then? Who was it that said they'd be good to me? And now, after such a short time, you're complaining that I talk too much?"

Cheng Mo explained, "I'm not saying you talk too much, I'm saying you shouldn't talk to these people about these useless things."

Xia He stood up, her voice rising: "What do you mean 'useless'? What's wrong with me chatting with people? What's wrong with me making friends? How am I bothering you? Do you think I'm embarrassing you? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

Cheng Mo sighed helplessly, "What are you talking about? I just wanted you to say less."

Xia He yelled, "I won't! I just like to say it! What's it to you?"

Cheng Mo waved his hand: "Fine, fine, say whatever you want, I won't say anything more."

Xia He's almond-shaped eyes widened: "You're not going to talk? What gives you the right to stop talking? Explain yourself! How have I embarrassed you?"

Cheng Mo: "...I didn't say you embarrassed me."

Xia He: "Then what do you mean?"

Cheng Mo: "Why are you being so unreasonable?"

Xia He: "I'm being unreasonable? You're the one being unreasonable!"

The two argued louder and more agitated.

Villagers passing by stopped to watch the spectacle and whispered among themselves.

"Oh dear, are the young couple arguing?"

"Should we go and try to persuade them?"

"Why try to persuade me? The more you try, the more enthusiastic I become."

Cheng Mo flung his hand away, saying, "I'm not talking to you anymore!" and turned to leave.

Xia He chased after him, shouting, "Cheng Mo, you stop right there! Explain yourself!"

The two walked one after the other, arguing and making a racket, towards the edge of the village. They walked further and further away, away from the crowds and the village, until they reached the stream.

Xia He looked around to make sure no one was nearby, and the anger on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a smiling expression.

"Not bad, little Taoist priest, your acting skills are improving."

Cheng Mo cupped his hands in a fist and said, "Thanks to Teacher Xia's excellent teaching."

Xia He chuckled twice, then asked, "But what's the point of all this? Surely no one actually thinks it can drive a wedge between us?"

Cheng Mo scooped up some water and washed his face: "Ordinary methods certainly won't work, but it might be possible with both hands."

Xia He washed her hands as well: "Double-handed? There are double-handed people in the village?"

Cheng Mo shook the water off his hands: "Old Ma's sister is the master of the Dual-Hand Technique. She created the core of the Body Cultivation Furnace, making a living flesh mass and injecting a complete microcosmic orbital structure into it, which increases the conversion rate of superhumans."

Xia He frowned and thought for a moment: "The Dual-Hand Technique... it means both life and death, right? What you just mentioned were modifications to the body, what about the mental aspect?"

Cheng Mo gave a thumbs up: "That's great, you figured it out just from the name."

Xia He chuckled: "That's right, look who taught you that."

Cheng Mo: "...Your praise makes me a little embarrassed."

Xia He put her arm around his: "You actually have times when you're embarrassed? Okay, stop joking around, tell me about it."

Cheng Mo explained, "The Dual-Hand Technique is divided into red and blue. The red hand is used to cultivate the body, while the blue hand is used to manage memories. The Soul-Clearing Technique that the Lü family is currently using is actually the blue hand."

For die-hard fans who are asleep and not thinking about anything, the latest chapter of "Under One Person: The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain" has been released!