Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

From afar, he could sense the aura of a demonic beast rapidly approaching. Ironbone Old Man, who was resting against a wooden chair, opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the Ironwood Forest.

Amidst the thick ironwood, a dog demon rode the wind, with a young cultivator sitting steadily on its back, his flowing robes and black hair fluttering in the wind.

It crashed straight into the Iron-Boned Old Man's line of sight.

Such a scene truly made the Iron-Boned Old Man somewhat realize something.

Years have passed, and time has taken its toll on human life. It feels like only yesterday that the adorable little dog, once like a fluffy ball, and the toddler in open-crotch pants, have grown into such a graceful young man.

More than a decade has passed so quickly.

It is truly said: Time shows no mercy to old monks, and the years hasten the birth of new lives.

As the demonic wind subsided, the dog demon slowly descended. Wang Mian leaped down and walked to the Iron Bone Elder, respectfully bowing to him as a junior: "Wang Mian greets Senior, may you be well."

Among Cang Songzi's few close friends, Wang Mian was more familiar with Tie Gu Sou. The two families' sacred sites were not far apart, and they had always been in a relationship of mutual support and assistance. When Cang Songzi was alive, they visited each other frequently.

After Cangsongzi passed away, Tiegusou, to avoid suspicion, rarely went to Songlintan, and usually only Jiang Hao went there.

In recent years, he has been taking good care of Wang Mian.

Wang Mian treated such a senior with utmost respect.

"You're too polite, Mian-ge'er."

Iron Bone Old Man stood up and glanced at him a few times. Sensing Wang Mian's current aura, his smile grew even wider: "Seeing how outstanding you are, I am quite envious of my old friend. Having such a fine disciple as you is enough to make him smile in the afterlife."

At such a young age, to have reached the second level of Qi Refining in such a poor and remote place as Luopo Mountain is already quite an achievement.

Iron-Boned Old Man felt gratified for his old friend.

Wang Mian dared not accept such praise: "Senior, you flatter me. My meager skills are but a drop in the ocean compared to yours. I still need to work harder."

The path of Qi Refining is long, and he has only taken a few steps so far. There are still higher peaks to climb. Reaching the second level of Qi Refining is not enough to make him complacent or self-satisfied.

Be down-to-earth and make steady progress.

Iron Bone Old Man said "good" several times. He was very satisfied with Wang Mian's humble and down-to-earth attitude. Such a junior was pleasing to the eye.

If he had a disciple like that, he would even take out his ribs to make soup for his disciple.

"You wretched child, why aren't you getting some wild fruits and tea? What are you doing standing there like a block of wood?" Iron Bone Old Man looked at Jiang Hao standing to the side: "Look at Mian Ge'er, and look at yourself. How dare you laugh?"

Still shocked by Wang Mian's breakthrough, Jiang Hao chuckled as he received a kick from his master before suddenly remembering to entertain the guests.

After moving tables and chairs, setting out mountain fruits, and serving tea, Jiang Hao sat to one side, staring at Wang Mian for a long time. He had been visiting Songlintan frequently lately and knew that Wang Mian's cultivation had greatly improved and his aura was harmonious.

It's only been a few days since I last saw you, I never expected you to break through so quickly.

Jiang Hao suddenly felt that the gains from going down the mountain with his master several times were not as great as those from Wang Mian's one trip down the mountain. Wang Mian went away for several months and returned to break through to the second level of Qi Refining.

He went down the mountain with his master, but his plan was fraught with difficulty, and he almost got sent to meet his grandmaster.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Wang Mian pointed to Bai Jiuniang and said, "Senior, my Jiuniang is about to break through, and recently many villains have been spying on her. There will likely be enemies causing trouble. I would like to ask for your help to protect Jiuniang for a while."

A few days earlier, Bai Jiuniang had keenly sensed that someone was spying on her, and she even recognized one or two of the auras.

Otherwise, Wang Mian would not have sought help from his long-lost senior. He was too weak to protect Bai Jiuniang and ensure her successful breakthrough.

"I agree to this," the Iron-Boned Old Man readily agreed.

Jiang Hao and Wang Mian had frequent interactions, and after returning, Jiang Hao had already discussed Bai Jiu Niang's matter with him. Jiang Hao had expected that Wang Mian would come to Tie Mu Ling to ask for his help.

Bai Jiuniang's breakthrough would also benefit Tiemuling, and Tiegusou would not refuse it for both reason and emotion.

Wang Mian is now quite powerful, and with the help of his demon pet Bai Jiuniang, doing a favor today will provide more assistance should Jiang Hao fall into trouble in the future.

Having settled the matter, and seeing that Wang Mian showed no intention of leaving and seemed to have more to say, the Iron-Bone Old Man asked him, "Do you wish to inquire about the White-Browed Old Mother's condition?"

Jiang Hao had already spoken up; Wang Mian wanted to find out clues about the White-Browed Old Mother's newly accepted disciple. Although Tie Gu Sou knew very little about this inside story, he also asked a friend to inquire about the information.

That white-browed old woman was no benevolent person.

Wang Mian nodded in agreement. His second most important task in coming to Tiemuling was to understand the situation of the White-Browed Old Mother, so that he could know himself and his enemy and make plans accordingly.

Standing up, Wang Mian said earnestly, "Please tell me, senior. I am deeply grateful."

Iron-Boned Old Man waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down first: "These past few days, I've asked a friend to inquire, and the Marquis you mentioned has indeed become a disciple of the White-Browed Old Mother."

Wang Mian listened attentively.

When he heard that the news was true, a look of joy appeared on Wang Mian's face.

Knowing where someone is is better than searching for a needle in a haystack; knowing where they are allows for action and planning.

"Do you know that the White-Browed Old Mother is now a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator with many disciples? If you kill that Marquis, you will definitely cause even greater trouble." Seeing the joy on his face, the Iron-Bone Elder reminded him.

A Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator is considered a significant figure on this desolate mountain.

In Iron Bone Elder's opinion, it was unwise and inadvisable for Wang Mian, who was only at the second level of Qi Refining, to provoke such a cultivator and kill his disciple.

A gentleman takes his revenge, even after ten years.

"Thank you for your lesson, senior. I will certainly consider it carefully." Upon hearing that he had reached the sixth level of Qi Refining, Wang Mian had a plan in mind: "Senior, where is the White-Browed Old Mother's cave?"

He wanted Hou Cheng's order, but not immediately.

Wang Mian knew what was important and what was urgent.

It was truly a case of a newborn calf not fearing a tiger. When Tie Gu Sou saw that Wang Mian's expression remained unchanged and that he even inquired about the location of the other party's cave, he knew that Wang Mian would definitely take some action later.

After thinking for a moment, the Iron-Bone Elder continued, "The White-Browed Old Mother's cave is in the Maple Forest. If there is any movement, I will have my disciple inform you. That old dove has profound magical power, so remember not to act rashly."

Hou Cheng was involved in a long-standing feud, which Tie Gu Sou knew little about, and his apprentice Jiang Hao also knew very little about.

Jiang Hao made many friends in Luopo Mountain. Some were friends with snobbish interests, some were friends with drinking buddies, and some were childhood friends like Wang Mian. As Jiang Hao wandered around, he always heard some gossip.

That's how Hou Cheng got his news.

Wang Mian had instructed Jiang Hao that if he heard any news about Hou Cheng, he must inform him immediately. As for why, Wang Mian only said that it was related to his master.

"Don't worry, senior, I won't act rashly."

Both master and disciple feigned doubt, not understanding why Wang Mian was going to such lengths.

Unable to keep a secret, Jiang Hao, driven by curiosity, tentatively asked, "Brother Wang, does that Marquis Cheng possess some kind of treasure that's worth your pursuit?"

If he remembered correctly, two years ago, Wang Mian, together with Bai Jiuniang, had already chased Hou Cheng once, driving him to the brink of despair, until he jumped off a cliff at Caiyun Ravine before they stopped.

Afterwards, Hou Cheng disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead. Wang Mian did not give up and instructed him to inform others whenever he heard news of Hou Cheng.

"Even I am a little curious. I know that your master had a grudge against Hou Guan back then. Didn't Hou Guan die later? Why is Hou Guan's disciple worthy of your treatment?" Tie Gu Sou asked, following up on the conversation.

Years of grudges and new hatreds abound in this desolate mountain, where love and hate are never lacking.

Besides, that poor, stingy old man Hou Guan had a grudge against Cang Songzi over a spirit stone. What kind of treasure could he possibly have to pass on to his disciple Hou Cheng?

"Senior, I am an unfilial junior. My master's head is still in Hou Cheng's hands." Wang Mian said with a sorrowful expression.

That bastard Hou Cheng, using some kind of evil magic, found Cang Songzi's burial site, dug up the grave, took Cang Songzi's head, and only found him by following Bai Jiu Niang's fading scent.

Hou Cheng, who was a few years older than Wang Mian, was no match for Bai Jiuniang. Relying on talismans, poison smoke, and hidden weapons, as well as his skill in escaping, he eventually jumped into Caiyun Ravine and disappeared without a trace.

The reason Wang Mian relentlessly pursued Hou Cheng was that his master's head was still in Hou Cheng's hands, and he vowed not to be a man until he avenged this grudge.

next moment.

Bang!

The ironwood table shattered with a single slap. The Iron-Boned Old Man's eyes widened in fury, his killing intent palpable: "You two wait here for me. I'm going out for a bit."

"If I don't return today, you two should go down the mountain and find a market to live in. Don't come back to this desolate mountain." With that, he was about to take a step.

Wang Mian, Bai Jiuniang, and Jiang Hao did their best to stop him, but they managed to stop him because they were worried about hurting Wang Mian and Jiang Hao.

Tie Gu Sou covered his face and wept bitterly, beating his chest and stamping his feet, repeatedly saying that he had failed to pay attention to his old friend for many years. Wang Mian's expression was also sorrowful.

Wang Mian only now understood the profound meaning behind Cang Songzi's dying words, "The old man of iron will is righteous and loyal to the heavens."

However, there are priorities, and right now, the most important thing is for Bai Jiuniang to break through her cultivation barrier.

Hou Cheng's decision to join the White-Browed Old Mother's tutelage was not solely for protection; he also harbored the intention of observing the situation from a distance, knowing that he could maneuver around whatever Wang Mian did.

"Senior, I will handle Master's matter. Right now, Jiu Niang's breakthrough is more important. I hope you can calm your mind and help me overcome this tribulation," Wang Mian said.

The old man with iron bones wiped away his tears and nodded in agreement.

Since the younger generation had already spoken, he composed himself and said to Wang Mian, "You go and make your preparations. I will be there on time. Even if there are any petty people who try to cause trouble, I will ensure that it can pass the test smoothly."