Chapter 51: Open and Honest

"Wei Cheng, can we talk for a moment?"

Just as Wei Cheng had finished eating and drinking and was preparing to sit cross-legged and cultivate, Zhou Wu approached him.

"Of course," Wei Cheng replied, already guessing the purpose of Zhou Wu's visit.

"Would you teach me the second level of the Mountain-Moving Heart Method? Consider it a favor I owe you—or name your terms, anything I can do, I will."

Zhou Wu spoke bluntly.

Wei Cheng smiled.

"The Transmission Stele doesn’t forbid private instruction, so I see no reason not to teach you. After all, we’re still part of the same district, and who knows what awaits us at the final challenge of the sixth stage? The more strong allies we have, the greater our chances. However—"

Wei Cheng’s tone shifted.

"The second level requires exceptional mental strength, and a deep comprehension of the Mountain-Moving Visualization. Are you sure you meet these criteria?"

"I should be fine," Zhou Wu nodded. His mental strength was somewhat lacking, but the three seconds of Divine Light earlier had increased it, and more importantly, he sensed the bottleneck in his body’s growth potential had been completely broken through.

That was why he wanted to strike a deal with Wei Cheng. He hadn’t expected Wei Cheng to be so agreeable—no wonder the rumors called him 'Wei the Fool.'

"Let’s begin, then. The second level will double the quality of your Mountain-Moving inner force. The sooner you master it, the better."

"Thank you. May I allow a few of my companions to listen in?"

"Why not? If Tang Xiaojun is here, they may listen as well. Enhancing overall team strength is the key to clearing the challenge."

Upon hearing this, even the stoic Zhou Wu was moved. If he’d had this mindset in the fifth stage, how could he have ended up like this?

Before long, a crowd gathered around Wei Cheng—whether they were seven cycles into Mountain-Moving, six, five, or even four, everyone wanted to join in.

Even those with the Purple Mist or Spirit Swallow professions were eager to take notes—just in case they might be able to practice it in the future.

Wei Cheng held nothing back, sharing his understanding of the second level in full detail. Those capable understood; those who weren’t simply heard nothing of substance.

After finishing, there was no punitive mechanism—though it was clear that his teaching was far inferior to the Transmission Stele.

He was like an amateur teacher, while the Stele was a top-tier master. There was simply no comparison.

So, among the many Mountain-Moving practitioners gathered, only Zhou Wu could truly comprehend and remember what was taught. Even the other three at the seventh cycle were bewildered, yearning for Wei Cheng to repeat it dozens, even hundreds of times.

But Wei Cheng closed his eyes and began to regulate his breath, ignoring them.

Zhou Wu understood because his talent was exceptional, and his mental strength just sufficient.

As for the others—they would have to wait. The ultimate reward of the sixth stage would surely be worth it.

—

As dusk fell, Yang Yufeng’s team returned with spoils. Although they had lost two six-cycle Mountain-Moving members, the mood was jubilant.

Clearly, they had successfully annihilated a scouting squad of monsters and gained considerable benefit, once again proving the Spirit Swallow profession could stand on its own.

However, Tang Xiaojun’s team and another group were nowhere to be seen.

Night descended. Wei Cheng slowly opened his eyes; his depleted Mountain-Moving inner force was fully restored.

Unfortunately, even with resources as refined as the Pig Demon, it still wasn’t enough to complete the fine-tuning of his seventh innate meridian.

Without this adjustment, he could not break through to the eighth cycle.

This is the foundation—without it, there’s no point in talking about further progress.

Another troublesome issue: after mastering the second level of the Mountain-Moving Heart Method, even something as precious as Osmanthus Wine lost much of its effectiveness as a cultivation resource.

That was one reason Wei Cheng wanted to reach Cangwu City as soon as possible—there, he would surely find higher-grade resources.

"Wei Cheng!"

Zhou Wu strode over, his presence transformed.

Wei Cheng cursed inwardly, "I hate overachievers!"

Incredibly, Zhou Wu had mastered the second level in such a short time. Already at the eighth cycle, he was now like a tiger with wings—his combat power could easily double!

For example, at full strength, Wei Cheng could withstand five fireballs before exhausting all his inner force. Zhou Wu, having opened his eighth innate meridian, could now endure at least ten.

The gap had widened.

"Is there something you need?"

"You’ve obtained the seventh level of the Golden Bell technique, haven’t you? I’ll share my insights—combined with the second level of the Mountain-Moving Heart Method, you could even withstand two fireballs from the Antler Demon at once. Of course, this isn’t part of the favor I owe you."

Without waiting for Wei Cheng’s reply, Zhou Wu began explaining, personally demonstrating the Golden Bell visualization.

After one explanation, Zhou Wu left.

The surrounding Mountain-Moving practitioners barely heard a complete version, but even if they had, it would have been useless without the proper foundation.

"Interesting!"

Wei Cheng chuckled, finally feeling like he was copying answers from a top student at the exam.

Zhou Wu’s understanding of the Golden Bell visualization was both comprehensive and profound, with insights Wei Cheng hadn’t considered. Zhou Wu’s visualization was even more complete than his own.

To quantify it: Wei Cheng’s visualization could be rated sixty out of a hundred—barely passing, relying mostly on his superior Mountain-Moving inner force.

Zhou Wu’s version would score eighty.

By copying it, Wei Cheng saved months of effort.

Now, at full strength, he could withstand at least seven or eight fireballs, though three at once would still kill him.

"Tang Xiaojun’s team has returned, but they’re being pursued. Their current position is at seven o’clock, two kilometers away."

A night watch squad relayed a message that made everyone’s hearts sink.

"Wei Cheng, guard the camp!"

"Yang Yufeng, come with us to rescue them!"

Zhou Wu’s voice was confident.

"Why should I? In the dark, do you even know what monsters are chasing Tang Xiaojun?"

Yang Yufeng refused with a cold laugh—he was busy cultivating, having gained greatly and preparing to break through to the seventh cycle. With his Spirit Swallow visualization and seven-cycle inner force, the sky and sea would be his to roam.

"Let’s go!"

Zhou Wu didn’t waste words, leading his first and second teams—nearly a hundred people, his core force—straight out.

Wei Cheng didn’t argue, instead quickly taking Liu Sui, Xu Shan, Cheng An, and others to the highest point in the camp, ready to respond to any emergency.

With his vision, even at night he could see two or three miles away.

But nothing happened. Half an hour later, Zhou Wu’s squad returned, escorting Tang Xiaojun’s team. Zhou Wu’s men were unscathed, but Tang Xiaojun’s group was reduced to just three survivors.