Mortal: I have a gathering technique

After careful consideration, Han Li ultimately decided against using the Azure Origin Sword Technique.

However, he didn't immediately refuse Fang Qing, but instead asked with a curious expression:

"Senior brother, aren't you a dual-elemental root of water and fire? Why do you want the Azure Origin Sword Technique?"

Fang Qing explained, half-jokingly:

"I've heard that this technique is the signature technique of the Xuanjian Sect from a thousand years ago. It is profound, mysterious, and powerful. I just want to see it for myself."

At this point, he looked at Han Li with a half-smile:

"Judging from your expression, junior brother, you're reluctant to take it out?"

A hint of guilt flashed across Han Li's face as he apologized:

"Please forgive me, senior brother. The Azure Origin Sword Technique is my fundamental skill, and it is really not appropriate to pass it on to outsiders."

Fang Qing remained noncommittal and chuckled lightly:

"What if I traded you a secret technique that could increase the probability of forming a core?"

The secret technique he mentioned was the [Great Evolution Technique]. Han Li has already established his foundation, and judging by the timeline, the young leader of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, Senior Brother Lin, is probably already on his deathbed.

Next, Fang Qing doesn't need to do anything; Senior Brother Lin will deliver the cultivation technique to his door on his own.

Upon hearing about a secret technique that could increase the probability of forming a core, Han Li couldn't help but think of the "Three Revolutions Rejuvenation Technique" in the Azure Origin Sword Manual.

"My senior brother mentioned the Azure Origin Sword Technique one minute, and then suddenly talked about a secret method to increase the probability of forming a core the next. Could the secret method he's talking about be the Three Revolutions Replenishing Yuan Technique?"

Thinking of this, Han Li tentatively asked:

"May I ask what the name of the secret technique you mentioned, senior brother?"

Fang Qing knew of the existence of the Three Revolutions Rejuvenation Technique. When he heard Han Li ask about the name of the secret technique, he immediately understood the other party's concerns and couldn't help but chuckle.

Tell the truth now:

"The secret technique I'm referring to is called the 'Great Evolution Technique,' which is a method for cultivating divine sense."

"Cultivating divine sense?"

Han Li was shocked. Divine sense could also be used for cultivation?

He considered himself no longer a novice, but this was the first time he had ever heard of the secret method for cultivating divine sense.

However, he did not doubt what Fang Qing said.

Over the years, his senior brother had never lied to him.

As for the claim that it increases the probability of forming a Golden Core, given the precedent of the Three Revolutions Rejuvenation Technique, he believed it to be true.

Thinking of this, Han Li gritted his teeth, looked up at Fang Qing, and said seriously:

"If the Great Evolution Technique that Senior Brother spoke of can truly increase the probability of Core Formation, I am willing to exchange it for the Azure Origin Sword Technique!"

Although he possessed such a rare item as the little green bottle, he had little confidence in achieving the Core Formation stage.

Therefore, he did not intend to let go of any secret techniques or treasures that could increase the probability of forming a core.

Seeing that Han Li had relented, Fang Qing nodded in satisfaction:

"Alright, junior brother, go back first. In a few days, I will personally come to your door with the Great Evolution Technique to exchange it with you."

Although Han Li didn't understand why he had to wait a few days, he still readily agreed.

"It's a deal!"

……

After sending Han Li back, Fang Qing stayed in the cave, continuing to accelerate the ripening of the spiritual herbs while waiting for Senior Brother Lin to come knocking on his door.

However, half a month passed and there was still no sign of Senior Brother Lin.

"That shouldn't be the case. Han Li's Foundation Establishment process wasn't affected by me. Logically, the timeline should be similar to the original story, and Senior Brother Lin should have appeared long ago."

Inside the cave, Fang Qing stroked his chin, looking puzzled.

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly stood up, opened the cave dwelling, and headed towards the sect.

Soon, Fang Qing landed on a lush, green mountain ridge.

There are no special buildings on this mountain ridge; they are all stone houses built of stone, which are the residences of disciples below the tenth level of Qi Refining in the sect.

Fang Qing also lived here for more than a year back then.

Immediately, following his memory, he headed straight for a large stone house in the middle.

Upon arriving at the stone house, he examined it closely and discovered that the door was closed, with a faint glow of a protective barrier emanating from it.

Clearly, the homeowner is home!

"Strange, hasn't this Senior Brother Lin contacted his old subordinates yet?"

Fang Qing clearly remembered that this Senior Brother Lin had developed a desire for revenge after breaking through to the third level of the Great Evolution Technique.

He then contacted his old subordinates, intending to plot the next three levels of the Great Evolution Technique, but was betrayed and ambushed. In the end, his physical body was destroyed by poison, and his primordial spirit was annihilated by the old demon.

However, it seems that Senior Brother Lin has not yet taken any action.

Thinking of this, Fang Qing frowned and shouted loudly:

"Is Senior Brother Lin here? This is Fang Qing, a junior brother. I have something to ask you. I would like to request your presence."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door creaked open automatically.

Upon seeing this, Fang Qing strode through the stone gate and looked around. He saw that the room was cluttered with miscellaneous items scattered about.

In the center of the stone house, there was an eight-immortal table, and behind the table sat an old man in a gray robe with disheveled hair.

With a carving knife in one hand and yellow wood in the other, the old man moved with lightning speed, and amidst the flying wood shavings, a lifelike little monkey gradually took shape.

This old man was none other than Senior Brother Lin.

When Fang Qing joined Huangfeng Valley, he received his newbie gift pack from this person.

"It's been years, and your carving skills have improved quite a bit!"

Fang Qing casually offered a compliment, though it was the truth.

Senior Brother Lin chuckled, slowly stopped what he was doing, raised his head, and looked at Fang Qing with an extremely complicated expression, muttering:

"No matter how good your carving skills are, in the cultivation world, cultivation level is what matters. It's been a few years since I last saw you, Junior Brother. Not only have you successfully established your foundation, but you've also reached the middle stage of cultivation. I'm quite envious."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing knew that this Senior Brother Lin had not given up on the idea of ​​revenge.

With this thought in mind, he deliberately replied in a tone of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including regret or reflection):

"Junior brother's current cultivation level is only due to his desperate gamble and seizing the opportunity of the Blood Forbidden Trial."

Senior Brother Lin was taken aback, but then he understood what Fang Qing meant. Clearly, Fang Qing had participated in the Blood Forbidden Trial and gained a lot of benefits from it.

As for how he obtained it, the news of Li Huayuan publicly accepting disciples had already spread throughout Huangfeng Valley.

Since Fang Qing participated in the Blood Forbidden Trial, it's highly likely that he was later accepted as a disciple by some Core Formation elder...

Thinking of this, Senior Brother Lin's expression became even more complicated. After a long silence, he uttered two words:

"admire!"

Fang Qing smiled slightly, accepting the compliment readily, and then said meaningfully:

"As the saying goes, it's better to weave a net than to stand by the pond and envy the fish. Right now, an opportunity is presented to Senior Brother Lin. Let's see if you can seize it."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Lin immediately realized that the opportunity Fang Qing mentioned was the purpose of this trip, and slowly said:

"Junior Brother Fang, please speak frankly!"

Fang Qing didn't speak, but instead raised his hand and quickly swept it across the table.

Two small jade bottles appeared out of thin air on the table.

Senior Brother Lin looked up in confusion: "What's this?"

Fang Qing said calmly, "These are two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills!"

Upon hearing the words "Gathering Spirit Pill," Senior Brother Lin abruptly stood up, unable to maintain his previous composure any longer.

He exclaimed in disbelief, "A Spirit Gathering Pill suitable for mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators to enhance their mana?"

"Not bad!" Fang Qing nodded.

Upon hearing Fang Qing's confirmation, Senior Brother Lin stared intently at the small jade bottle on the table, his eyes gleaming with undisguised greed.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, slowly sat down, and looked at Fang Qing, saying:

"Tell me, junior brother, what do you wish to do for me?"

Fang Qing didn't keep them in suspense and stated his purpose directly:

"I want the four layers of the 'Great Evolution Technique' on Senior Brother Lin, as well as the complete 'Puppet True Explanation'!"

"That's impossible!"

Senior Brother Lin's expression changed drastically. Since it involved the inheritance of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, he refused without even thinking.

Fang Qing was not in a hurry and said calmly:

"As my senior brother just said, the cultivation world values ​​cultivation level; techniques are just inanimate objects."

"If you have these two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills, breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage will be a piece of cake. And after that, there's a good chance you'll even form a Golden Core."

"Once you become a Core Formation cultivator, let alone revenge, even the Thousand Bamboo Sect isn't without a chance to be taken back by your senior brother."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Lin's face indeed showed emotion.

Upon seeing this, Fang Qing's expression suddenly turned serious, and he coldly said:

"Senior Brother Lin, I hope you understand that I'm being so accommodating because of our shared sect affiliation. Otherwise, as a disciple of a Core Formation Elder, I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble."

If the Spirit Gathering Pill was a sweet treat, then this is now a naked stick.

Senior Brother Lin knew that Fang Qing's words were true, and his expression changed drastically. After a strong internal struggle, he lowered his eyes and sighed:

"Junior brother, you have excellent eloquence. I, Lin, agree."

……

After a stick of incense had burned, Fang Qing walked out of the stone house with a smile, released the Green Wind Boat, and headed towards the Green Wave Cave.