Ch 5 - Dabbling in Refinement Path

Haru was practicing riding the flying crane for past few hours. Many times he was on the edge of falling off but ultimately saved himself. Once, he was really close to hitting another flying crane rider. That person wanted to shout curses but seeing it was Elder Fang Zheng, the disciple held back and kept his curses to himself.

Rumours started flooding in the clan among the disciples that Fang Zheng had suffered a backlash due to advancing to Rank 5 very fast. It was some secret technique which would help in faster increase in cultivation but harm the foundation.

Other Elders also started sneering at this : Even if he became Rank 5 like this, he will never be able to advance to the next rank. Even though he may stay at the peak of the mortal world, he would never advance to the next stage.

Haru obviously ignored the comments. He knew he was not the real Fang Zheng. He had only one objective : Survive. Everything else didn't matter enough for him to pay attention.

Haru had just came back after practicing and was walking in the Hall.

The halls were mysterious and unfathomably long. It suppressed the use of mortal Gu worms upto rank 3.

Whenever he passed by any disciple, they would bow to him. This made him remember his school time on earth. At that time, he used to similarly pay respect to his teachers for imparting the knowledge.

Haru was going to attend an elder's public lecture, when he was obstructed by a disciple called Shi Hong.

"Elder Fang Zheng." Shi Hong bowed in greeting.

Haru returned the greeting, but felt somewhat awkward inwardly. He did not know this person. It happened many times that someone familiar to the original Fang Zheng would approach him but situation would turn ackward soon.

"Ahh Elder it seems you don't remember me. This is elite disciple, Shi Hong, we competed in the Disciple selection competition."

"Ahh yes yes I remember.", Haru hurriedly waved his hands. "So disciple Shi Hong, what troubles are you facing?"

Shi Hong's face color changed to white. He understood that the other party knew his intentions.

'Shi Hong. He is older than Fang Zheng, and had originally been a senior disciple several generations above Fang Zheng. As per the novel, he likes Yi Yue and will try to cause trouble for me if I don't nip him in the bud.', a ruthless gaze passed through Fang Zheng's eyes.

Shi Hong shivered but still persisted, "Elder Fang Zheng is really sharp and easily identified my intentions. I would like to receive guidance from Elder Fang Zheng. One of the four entry tasks for the current Refinement Path Convention pertains to refining earth treasury flower Gu. The third last step of refining this Gu requires the use of upstream grass, matched with zen lion's mane, supplemented by the Gu refinement method. But this disciple has always failed in this step, I would like to know what the correct Gu refinement method for this is?"

'Master, he is trying to create trouble for me due to the rumours going around recently. I hope you can help me out here since I have no attainment in refinement path.', Haru spoke to Lord Sky Crane.

'Disciple, it seems you have become both smart and foolish. You have correctly identified his intentions. Listen carefully, This Gu refinement technique is called 'one after another'. Its purpose is to entwine every stalk of the upstream grass with every strand of the zen lion's mane. To refine earth treasury flower Gu, you must weave together a hundred stalks and strands within thirty breaths of time. If you go beyond this time, the fire from the Gu refinement will burn these stalks and strands to ashes. Thus, if you are not familiar with this method, you will easily fail in this refinement...'

Haru repeated the same to Shi Hong which left him and all the onlookers shocked. Everyone knew that Fang Zheng did not dabble into refinement path but still able to answer in such depth. Everyone looked at him in a new light.

Shi Hong's expression slightly changed, showing astonishment before hurriedly bowing in thanks: "Many thanks for Elder Fang Zheng's guidance, I have learned a lot."

"Do you still have anything you don't understand?" Haru smiled eerily making Shi Hong back out from his earlier intentions.

"There is no more, no more. This disciple shall take his leave!" Shi Hong hurriedly bowed, and left.

The crowd also started to part.

Lord Sky Crane suddenly asked: "Do you know why he was trying to create difficulties for you?"

"Why?" Haru pretended to not know the reason and followed up with another question.

Lord Sky Crane smiled brightly as he explained the reason: "Because Shi Hong likes a female disciple called Yi Yue. And this Yi Yue is Elder Yan Tang's daughter. Elder Yan Tang is weak, he is sidelined in Immortal Crane Sect, and has had difficulties. He plans to betroth his daughter to you to form a connection, an alliance of benefits with you, the youngest elder in the history of Immortal Crane Sect. Otherwise, why would he repeatedly invite you for drinking? Moreover, intentionally arrange his daughter to sit together with you every time?"

"Ahh, so that's it!", Haru pretended to just realize the situation.

"Hahaha, foolish boy!" Lord Sky Crane was happy to see Fang Zheng looking dazed. Clearly, the spirit of gossip was commonly held between men and woman, the old and young, and even the living and dead.

"Well if he wants that, then I am happy to comply. I also personally feel attracted to Yi Yue."

"Ohh I thought you would vehemently oppose it. It seems you have truly matured after the incident."

"Hehehe", Haru gave a sheepish smile.

"Good. It seems that the materials you requested from sect leader has already been delivered to your room. Go and begin practice if you want to participate in the Refinement Path Convention. With my guidance, if you train crazily in this period of time, you can also succeed.", Lord Sky Crane urged Fang Zheng.