Chapter 576: Flight Technique

The few large characters within the jade slip read: Flight Technique!!!

It was precisely the aerial flight spell that Zhang Xiaohua dreamed about day and night.

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed and carefully began reading the contents of the jade slip from beginning to end.

As soon as he saw the opening of the jade slip, Zhang Xiaohua could not help but be stunned. Dear readers, do you know why?

Because the beginning of this Flight Technique was precisely the Piaomiao Step that Ou Peng had bestowed upon him back at Piaomiao Manor and had been delivered by Zhang Chengyue!

Well, this Piaomiao Step was somewhat different from the Piaomiao Step Zhang Xiaohua had learned back then. It contained only a portion of the original technique taught to him by He Tianshu, namely the Levitation Technique that He Tianshu could never possibly cultivate successfully.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua fell into thought. “There’s no need to mention it—the Levitation Technique is the foundation of the Flight Technique, and the Piaomiao Step that the Piaomiao Sect passed down earlier must have been an improved version suited for martial arts practitioners, not what was originally recorded in this Flight Technique. However, I heard that the Piaomiao Step is divided into nine levels. I’ve only seen the first three levels, while the later cultivation methods are missing. I wonder what comes after that in this Flight Technique?”

Then Zhang Xiaohua continued reading with great interest.

After roughly finishing the entire jade slip, he finally understood that the Piaomiao Sect’s Flight Technique was divided into three stages: the Levitation Technique, the Wind-Riding Technique, and the Flight Technique. It was a gradual, step-by-step process. Only after mastering the first two stages could one ultimately learn the Flight Technique and fly freely through the skies.

“The Flight Technique is divided into three stages, while the Piaomiao Step is divided into nine levels. The first stage of the Flight Technique, the Levitation Technique, corresponds exactly to the third level of the Piaomiao Sect’s Qinggong and Levitation Technique. Presumably, the remaining six levels correspond to the Wind-Riding Technique and the Flight Technique. But just how did the seniors of the Piaomiao Sect improve it? Could it be that after cultivating the Piaomiao Step to the ninth level, one can also ride the wind and fly?”

Zhang Xiaohua did not believe that at all. If one could truly ride the wind and fly, then Ou Peng would have long since flown away from Piaomiao Peak. How could he have been forced to commit suicide? Alas, at this moment, Zhang Xiaohua could not have imagined that Ou Peng had not actually been without hope of escape that day. But how could the current Zhang Xiaohua possibly understand the Ou Peng of that day???

Having obtained the jade slip of the Flight Technique, Zhang Xiaohua was extremely excited. Indeed, back on the deserted island, he had already seen the Flight Technique within Fire Dragon True Person’s jade slips and knew that during the flourishing age of the Immortal Dao, Qi Refiners mostly used Flight Techniques to travel everywhere, with very few relying on the Five Elements Escape Methods.

Previously, because he had not obtained this cultivation method and only knew the Levitation Technique, he could use it merely as Qinggong. As for escape arts, he only knew Earth Escape, burrowing around in the dark underground like a mouse. Ever since he had used Earth Escape to enter that mysterious cave beneath the mountain ravine and had nearly lost his life, Zhang Xiaohua had greatly disliked using Earth Escape.

Unfortunately, he did not yet know the graceful and carefree Flight Technique, so he had no choice but to make do with Earth Escape. Now that his long-cherished wish had finally been fulfilled, he naturally wanted to seize every moment and strive to rid himself of the fate of burrowing through the dirt as soon as possible.

As previously mentioned, the Piaomiao Sect’s Flight Technique was divided into three stages, and each stage was more difficult than the previous one. Although Zhang Xiaohua had long since seen and cultivated the Levitation Technique recorded in the jade slip, the cultivation method within this jade slip was far more complicated than the one written on the white paper, so Zhang Xiaohua had no choice but to study it carefully and cultivate it anew.

On Baiyue Peak, within an exquisite little courtyard, Vice Hall Master Xu held a short sword in his hand, fondly turning it over and over.

Was it not precisely the one Yang Yao had painfully parted with?

At first, Vice Hall Master Xu had not paid much attention to this short sword. He had merely felt that Yang Yao had actually dared to violate the rules of Tuodan Hall and arbitrarily bring Zhang Xiaohua, who did not meet the requirements, into the Incense-Spreading Sect as a medicine boy. He had no choice but to teach Yang Yao a lesson.

Moreover, Yang Yao had always been rather close to Elder Zishen and had always treated him indifferently. Having finally gotten such an opportunity, how could he not make use of it? In the beginning, he had not thought much of this short sword, but as time passed, he discovered that it was exceptionally sharp. Even some of the divine weapons he had collected were inferior to it. Furthermore, its style was ancient and its shape small and compact, making it just right in his hand.

“That Yang Yao… tsk, tsk, to think he managed to gather such a fine item from Spring Rebirth Valley. Hehe, don’t think that the Hall Master alone can make decisions in this Tuodan Hall. Although I may not have the final say, I can still make it so that you don’t get to have the final say either.”

Then greed flashed in his eyes once more as he muttered to himself, “Five hundred taels worth of gold leaves! I haven’t seen that much in many years. That golden color is truly the most beautiful color in this world.”

At this moment, a disciple walked in and reported, “Vice Hall Master Xu, Tianmu Peak’s Wu Zhouxu has once again sent a disciple to report.”

“Tianmu Peak? Wu Zhouxu?” Vice Hall Master Xu was startled. “What matter does he have? Eh? Could it be…”

A delighted expression appeared on Vice Hall Master Xu’s face as he said, “Quickly, let him in.”

“Yes.” It was also rare for that disciple to see Vice Hall Master Xu so overjoyed, and he was rather surprised.

However, when Vice Hall Master Xu saw that the disciple from Tianmu Peak had entered empty-handed, his expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant. He inconspicuously frowned and asked in a deep voice, “What matter did Wu Zhouxu send you here for?”

The disciple looked around and, seeing that there was no one else present, quietly explained how Zhang Xiaohua had refused to hand over the gold leaves.

Vice Hall Master Xu’s expression became even gloomier. Slapping the table, he angrily said, “That Wu Zhouxu, what is he doing? I only told him to keep an eye on the matter. Who told him to speak up first? He’s needlessly drawing attention to it. Useless fool—he ruins more things than he accomplishes!”

Seeing Vice Hall Master Xu’s anger, the disciple shrank his neck and dared not say a word.

After quite a while, Vice Hall Master Xu cast a sidelong glance at the disciple and asked, “How did Wu Zhouxu speak to that ungrateful fellow? Did he mention this old man’s name?”

“This…” The disciple hesitated somewhat. Although the things Wu Zhouxu had done were not a major matter, they had still been carried out in secret and he had never intended for this trusted disciple to know about them. However, there are no walls without cracks, much less for someone who was Wu Zhouxu’s confidant. How could he fail to notice or overhear things he was not supposed to? It was one thing for him to know these things himself, but if he spoke of them, Wu Zhouxu would certainly not be pleased!

Seeing the disciple’s hesitation, Vice Hall Master Xu grinned. “Could it be that your Wu Dalang actually…”

The disciple quickly bowed and said, “Dalang has always acted cautiously. This matter was not handled by this subordinate, so I do not know the details. However, although I did not witness it with my own eyes, I do know a little.”

Thus, he recounted both what he had seen and his own guesses.

“Hmph.” Vice Hall Master Xu became even angrier. “He’s nothing more than a son-in-law from Spring Rebirth Valley, yet he puts on such airs. Just because he thinks he’s climbed up to the Hall Master, he no longer puts this old man in his eyes. Hehe, very good, very good indeed. Mm, go back and tell Wu Zhouxu to simply keep an eye on that fellow. There’s no need to startle the grass and alert the snake again. I know of his loyalty. How could this old man do something as shameless as taking another person’s belongings for nothing? He has done very well, and it suits my intentions perfectly.”

After the disciple left, Vice Hall Master Xu’s face immediately sank. He thought to himself, “Ren Xiaoyao, ah, Ren Xiaoyao. Since you refuse a toast, don’t blame this old man for using some methods. Hehe, five hundred taels worth of gold leaves are practically like dirt within the Incense-Spreading Sect. Only Hall Masters like us have some use for them. Aren’t your hands burning from holding them?”

Just then, another disciple hurried in and reported, “Vice Hall Master Xu, Hall Master requests your presence urgently.”

“Urgently?” Vice Hall Master Xu was taken aback. “Did the Hall Master say what it was about?”

“This subordinate does not know. However, our Tuodan Hall has never had any urgent matters. Since the Hall Master put it that way, Vice Hall Master Xu had better go over as soon as possible.”

“Mm, go back and report that this old man will be there immediately.”

After the disciple had gone far away, Vice Hall Master Xu straightened his robes and then left as well, muttering as he walked, “Could it be that Ren Xiaoyao went to the Hall Master and lodged a complaint? Impossible…”

Alas, a classic case of a guilty conscience!

Among the nineteen peaks of the Incense-Spreading Sect, the lofty peak standing at the very center was Yixiang Peak, where the inner sect disciples resided. At this moment, within a secluded little courtyard on Yixiang Peak, a beautiful young woman sat cross-legged, gazing out the window, her eyes carrying a trace of confusion.

Yixiang Peak was loftier and more majestic than the other peaks. The surging sea of clouds and drifting white mist enveloped half of Yixiang Peak from its mountainside upward. The residences of the inner sect disciples were all situated above the mountainside, and so there were pavilions and terraces, white cranes dancing in flight, plum deer at play, and together with the jade-like boys and girls carved from powder and jade, as well as the wisps of mist that lingered from time to time, the entirety of Yixiang Peak was almost a heavenly realm of jade terraces and precious forests.

Although the courtyard where the woman was staying was not large, the vegetation was lush, and several small houses were arranged in a pleasing pattern. In the middle of the courtyard was a small pond, and from time to time, golden carp leaped from its waters. Together with the sparse lotus leaves and lotus blossoms, it possessed a rather charming elegance.

“Kong Que…” A gentle and kindly voice sounded.

The woman was startled, then immediately rose to her feet in delight and turned around. “Master, you’ve come out of seclusion! You… your Fantian(Mortals and Heaven) Heart Method has reached Great Success?”

The confusion in the woman’s eyes vanished, and the graceful and dignified bearing on her face was fully revealed. Was she not precisely the outstanding disciple of the Incense-Spreading Sect, Kong Que?

From the direction of the voice, an elderly woman in palace attire floated in. Her hair was graying, and there were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, yet they seemed somewhat at odds with the still slightly youthful skin on her face. She was none other than Kong Que’s master, Master Jingfan. Seeing Kong Que approach, Master Jingfan was also delighted and said with a smile, “It was merely a short period of secluded cultivation. How could I possibly have achieved what you imagine? The Fantian Heart Method, the Fantian Heart Method—if it could reach Great Success so easily, how could it still be known as the supreme heart method most likely to bridge the gap between mortals and the heavenly realm?”

Kong Que laughed sweetly and said, “Then Master must have still taken another step forward after reaching the summit of the hundred-foot pole. This disciple merely went out for a few months, and Master entered seclusion to cultivate. You must have gained something.”

“You little girl and your sweet tongue. Eh, where’s Chen Chen? Where has that crazy girl run off to again?”

“Please don’t blame her, Master. Junior Sister Chen waited for several more days, but in the end, she could no longer endure the loneliness and left only yesterday. Who knows which Martial Uncle she has gone to mooch off of this time? This disciple will have the servants go and look for her immediately.”

“Hehe, there’s no need to hurry. Kong Que, let this old woman take a look at you. You’ve changed quite a bit after going out on this trip! How is it that… your master had already walked up behind you, yet you didn’t notice? Could it be that you have something on your mind?”