"The Golden Crane Twelve Fists builds on the concept of aggression. By becoming synonymous with aggression, one can completely overwhelm one's opponents both mentally and physically, attaining victory in the swiftest and most effective manner..."
Zhao Yunxiao sat cross-legged on a straw mat that had been laid out in front of the jade statue, his eyes closed as he carefully recited the mantras of various combat techniques.
These were all techniques that were authored by the Untethered Sage Jiang Taiming. Not just that, but these were also the specific techniques from which Zhao Yunxiao had gotten the cryptic message.
By reciting them here, he was hoping to trigger some sort of response from the statue of the Untethered Sage.
If it did not, so be it. But there was no harm in trying. Should this statue truly contain a wisp of the remnant will of the Untethered Sage and was tied to the message that the ancient cultivator left behind, this might just be a way to awaken it!
"I have already instructed the servants to purchase the materials for the rites, but is this a part of the rites as well?" Old Ping asked out of curiosity.
Gang Yeshan did not respond. Instead, she continued to watch speechlessly as this young cultivator from the Black Tortoise Sect continued mumbling away.
She had seen the exact steps to perform the rites, so she naturally knew that this was not part of it. In fact, she even recognised parts of what Zhao Yunxiao was saying.
For some reason, after they returned to the temple, Zhao Yunxiao suddenly paid his respects to the statue, then sat down in front of it to meditate.
He did say that there was no need for them to stay and watch, but she had still chosen to do so purely out of curiosity. That was how she found herself watching in confusion as Zhao Yunxiao started going through the mantras of numerous common combat techniques.
A few of these were techniques that Gang Yeshan had never heard of, but most were common enough that even unaffiliated cultivators like her could not be deigned to practise. That said, the unfamiliar ones did not sound all too impressive either.
That led to the question in Gang Yeshan's mind...
Why?
What was the point of reciting all these combat techniques' mantras in front of the statue?
Was this a secret method that those from the prestigious factions used to test for the presence of curses or evil spirits residing in the statue?
Or was the cultivator simply taking this time to meditate while waiting for them to be done procuring the materials for the rites? But even if that was the case, was there even anyone who would meditate in such a manner?
She really had no clue what was going on.
All she knew was that she regretted staying behind to watch. Because that decision had now landed her in a rather awkward situation.
It seemed rather disrespectful to just leave without saying a word, but it was also not like she could just speak to him and risk breaking his concentration.
Gang Yeshan let out a helpless sigh.
Had this happened years ago, she might still be interested in learning about the different combat techniques that were being recited by the young cultivator right now. But as she drew closer to the end of her lifespan, she no longer cared as much about becoming stronger. That was, unless it could lead to an increase in her cultivation level, which would in turn lead to an increased lifespan.
Unfortunately, combat techniques would not help in that aspect.
Without anything better to do, she could only sit down and enter her own meditation while waiting.
Seeing Gang Yeshan enter meditation, it was now Old Ping's turn to feel speechless. She had a rough idea of just how long cultivators could meditate in a single sitting, and could only hope that they would not end up taking all day!
***
As the night deepened, Zhao Yunxiao lay in his bed at the inn, staring up at the empty ceiling as he thought back on the events that had transpired today.
Depending on what happened next, he might have to reassess his plans here at Thousand Autumn City.
It might be difficult to ascertain the origin of the treasure statue, but he should still try to figure out as much about it as possible.
Should the statue really contain a wisp of the Untethered Sage' remnant will, he might have to some more time at the Hei Residence even after dealing with the curses, trying to figure out the mysteries behind the statue and how it was connected to the message left behind by the ancient cultivator.
His earlier attempt at awakening any wisps of remnant will within the Untethered Sage's statue had ended up falling flat, drawing absolutely no response whatsoever. But Zhao Yunxiao was not discouraged.
He had never expected this to be an easy task. If this method did not work, he would just have to think of something else that might.
At the same time, he would continue to proceed with the recommendations by the sect administrators. Just that the way it was carried out would need to be more calculated and intentional. This was quite a fortuitous coincidence, and the last thing he wanted was to screw things up due to his own carelessness.
After thinking things through, Zhao Yunxiao sat back up and ended his night with his usual meditation.
***
The next day began with a huge commotion as cultivators from all over the city converged towards the city hall.
General Tie Huaheng had previously announced that there would be a private discussion on how everyone could collaborate against the threat of the Scarlet Leaf Sect in the region, sending an open invitation to anyone who could prove that they belonged to an orthodox faction.
This announcement had naturally drawn the attention of just about every cultivator currently residing in Thousand Autumn City. Some were interested in the plans that would arise from this discussion, while others were simply after the information on the Scarlet Leaf Sect.
Zhao Yunxiao was no exception.
Yet despite his curiosity, he knew for a fact that he did not want to get involved. Therefore, he simply arrived early to have his breakfast at a restaurant across the street from the city hall, seeking to observe the situation without being too obvious.
The city hall had already thrown such a tasty bait to fish out all the cultivators in the city. Even if he did not join them, it would be a shame for him not to at least take this opportunity to have a look at the cultivators present.
And there were actually more of them than he had imagined.
Despite the early hour, a long line of cultivators could be seen queuing to enter the city hall. This alone would have already been a rare sight, but the haggling that continued at the front of the line was even more so.
"What is this?" the guard asked after reading the piece of paper that a cultivator had passed to him.
"It is a letter from my master, stating that I am part of the Eminent Tree Hall. This should suffice as proof that I am from an orthodox sect!" the scholarly-looking cultivator answered proudly.
"Sir, is this okay?" the guard hesitantly asked General Tie Huaheng who was standing behind him.
"What do you think? If I write a letter stating that you are part of the Scarlet Leaf Sect, does that make you part of the Scarlet Leaf Sect?" General Tie Huaheng scoffed before looking at the cultivator. "Get lost if you don't have any actual proof!"
"No, wait. This is really the proof of membership that our disciples bring with them!"
"Don't make me say it twice!"
"This... I understand," the cultivator sighed in disappointment before walking away.
Behind him, a skinny-looking cultivator stepped up and passed the guard a large bag. "Within this bag are the token stones of my Giant Cloud Sect. Please take a close look."
The guard opened the bag, and his eyes immediately widened in surprise. It was a bag filled with spirit stones!
"Sir..." the guard hesitantly called for General Tie Huaheng once again.
Taking a quick glance at the contents, General Tie Huaheng narrowed his eyes at the skinny cultivator. "These are indeed token stones of the esteemed Giant Cloud Sect. However, I believe that the sect usually gave them out in pairs. We would need one more bag of it to take it as proof."
"One more bag?" the skinny cultivator felt the corner of his lips twitch. "That is a little difficult. What about half a bag?"
"One bag."
"This..."
Despite the look of pain on his face, the skinny cultivator reluctantly pulled out another similar-looking bag and handed it over to the guard. Only after checking the contents did the guard let him enter the city hall.
Watching this from afar, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but shake his head in disapproval.
It would appear that this proof of belonging to an orthodox faction that General Tie Huaheng had asked for could come in two different forms – the first being an actual proof, while the second could be purely financial in nature.
He had heard plenty of allegations that the city lord's faction was one that operated on greed and benefits. From the looks of it, there was truly no smoke without fire.
By the time the line cleared, it was already late morning. Zhao Yunxiao stayed all the way until the very end, making sure to remember each and every face.
As far as possible, he would try to steer clear of all these people during his stay here.
With nothing left to see outside the city hall, he headed for the Hei Residence once again.
***
"Here are all the materials for the rites. I would like to seek Young Hero's help in checking things through before I proceed," Gang Yeshan said.
Zhao Yunxiao did not decline. He meticulously looked through the numerous items neatly arranged on a table that had been set up in the small temple, and gave a simple nod.
These might not be considered rare materials, but that was only when going by cultivators' standards. To ordinary mortals, these were not things that just anyone would be able to get their hands on.
As expected of the number one wealthiest faction in Thousand Autumn City, they actually managed to gather all the required materials within a single day.
"All right, I will be counting on Young Hero to provide guidance if I were to make any mistakes," Gang Yeshan said.
"No problem," Zhao Yunxiao said before taking a few steps back.
Seeing this, Old Ping hurriedly followed suit. The two of them stood side by side, with their backs almost against the closed temple door. One of them was calm; the other, anxious.
And before their very eyes, Gang Yeshan got to work.
Her years of experience as a seasoned cultivator immediately showed. Her hands moved quickly, processing the materials and setting up the underlying array required for the curse purification rites with great precision. The way she channelled her essence energy was calculated and efficient, reducing her energy expenditure to a minimal level.
Zhao Yunxiao smiled in surprise.
It was quite the performance.
But more importantly, Gang Yeshan's use of essence energy allowed Zhao Yunxiao to finally determine her cultivation level.
Primary Essence Physique realm.
This meant that her cultivation level was higher than his, though he had already guessed as much. After all, the way she spoke about her past experiences suggested that her lifespan had already been extended beyond that of ordinary mortals.
And it was only at the Essence Physique realm that a cultivator would receive a qualitative change in their physique, bringing about an increase in lifespan to around two hundred years.
"Done!" Gang Yeshan took a step back after she completed the array setup.
Next, she closed her eyes, taking a break to regulate her condition and mentally go through all the steps that were listed in the message that Zhao Yunxiao had delivered. It only took a few moments before her eyes shot open once again.
"Here I go!" Gang Yeshan announced as she activated the small array, commencing the curse purification rite.
Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes.
Now then, how would this seemingly sentient statue react to something like a curse purification rite?