"Elder Fang Zheng." Shi Hong first bowed in greeting.
Fang Zheng returned the bow, a little embarrassed in his heart. This was because Shi Hong was an elite disciple, older than Fang Zheng, and originally his senior by several generations.
"I humbly ask Elder Fang Zheng, among the four entrance test problems of this Gu Refining Convention, one requires refining the Ksitigarbha Flower Gu. To refine this Gu, the third-to-last step requires using Upstream Grass, combined with Zen Lion mane, aided by a Gu refining technique. But I always fail at this step. Might I know what the correct refining technique is exactly?"
"This..." Fang Zheng was taken aback, his tone hesitant. He specialized in the enslavement path, controlling flying cranes, and his combat strength was outstanding among mortal Gu Masters. However, he understood absolutely nothing about the refining path.
Fortunately, he had the Soul Imprint Flea, and Tianhe Shangren secretly transmitted the answer to him.
Only then did Fang Zheng reply, "This refining technique is called the Scattering Hands. Its purpose is to intertwine every strand of Upstream Grass with every strand of Zen Lion mane. To refine the Ksitigarbha Flower Gu, you must weave hundreds of strands of grass and mane within thirty breaths. If you exceed this time, the refining flame will scorch the grass and mane. Therefore, if you are not proficient in this technique, the refining will easily fail."
Fang Zheng repeated Tianhe Shangren's words, becoming more fluent as he spoke. After saying this, he went on to explain how to train the "Scattering Hands" technique.
Shi Hong's expression changed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes. He quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Fang Zheng. This disciple has benefited greatly."
"Are there any other points of confusion?" Fang Zheng smiled, enjoying the feeling of being a teacher.
"No, no. This disciple takes his leave!" Shi Hong bowed and departed.
After the two parted ways, Fang Zheng walked for a while, then suddenly slowed down.
He frowned, coming to a realization. "This Shi Hong didn't come to sincerely seek advice, but rather to deliberately make things difficult for me."
"Hehe. You can tell now too, huh? Not bad, not bad." Tianhe Shangren said with a laugh.
Fang Zheng silently called out, "Master, you knew all along!"
"Nonsense, your background is very easy to find out, and your age is there for all to see. Everyone knows you have never cultivated the refining path. For Shi Hong to intentionally come ask you such an obscure question, what else could it be if not deliberate provocation?"
Saying this, Tianhe Shangren paused, then asked Fang Zheng, "Do you know why he is making things difficult for you?"
"Why?" Fang Zheng felt confused.
Tianhe Shangren laughed heartily and explained the reason, "Because Shi Hong likes the female disciple Yi Yue. This Yi Yue is the daughter of the Flame Hall Elder. The Flame Hall Elder is isolated and without support, suffering from exclusion within the Immortal Crane Sect. He intends to betroth his daughter to you, to form a clique and achieve a mutually beneficial alliance with you, the youngest elder in the history of the Immortal Crane Sect. If not for this, why would he repeatedly invite you for drinks? And always deliberately arrange for his daughter to sit with you?"
"Ah!" Fang Zheng exclaimed, suddenly understanding. His mind involuntarily conjured an image of Yi Yue's beauty, sitting beside him, warmly placing food in his bowl, and frequently toasting him. After a few sips of wine, her face was flushed with red, beautiful and moving.
"Remembering now? Remembering? Hahaha. Silly boy!" Tianhe Shangren was delighted to see Fang Zheng stunned. It was clear that the gossipy spirit transcended gender, age, and even life and death.
Fang Zheng sighed helplessly, shook his head, and said with disgust, "It's all schemes again, all interests. I really don't like it. From now on, if the Flame Hall Elder invites me, I'll decline. After all, I'm an elder too, on the same level as him, declining won't be a big deal."
"Silly boy, what organization in this world isn't bound by interests? True feelings do exist, but it is precisely because they are rare that they are precious." Tianhe Shangren sighed with emotion, "Don't avoid this. I advise you not to reject the Flame Hall Elder's invitations. Even if you don't marry his daughter, don't sour your relationship with him. Because right now, you are even more isolated and without support than the Flame Hall Elder."
"Let's not talk about this anymore, Master. You just mentioned the Gu Refining Convention. Recently, both disciples and elders have been discussing this matter. What exactly is this Gu Refining Convention?" Fang Zheng deliberately changed the subject.
"You ask me about this. Don't ask anyone else. Otherwise, they will look at you like you are an idiot. Let me explain in detail. This Gu Refining Convention is no ordinary event. It is a grand gathering held once every hundred years in the Central Continent. In other words, without special means to extend one's lifespan, the vast majority of Gu Masters can only participate once in their lifetime." Tianhe Shangren replied.
Fang Zheng spoke, "The Gu Refining Convention, is it a grand gathering solely for refining path Gu Masters?"
"No, it's not like that. Gu Masters cultivate in three major aspects: raising Gu, using Gu, and refining Gu. The Gu Refining Convention is not a gathering only for refining path Gu Masters. As long as you have a skill in Gu refining, or have experience and insights, you can participate in this grand event."
Tianhe Shangren continued, "The scale of this grand event is unprecedented. It is definitely the number one refining path gathering in the world. Every session of the Gu Refining Convention has hundreds of thousands of Gu Masters participating, hailing from various sects across the Central Continent. Even Gu Masters from the Eastern Sea, Western Desert, Southern Border, and Northern Plains will appear."
"Southern Border..." Fang Zheng was stirred by a thread of nostalgia. He couldn't help but recall Qing Mao Mountain.
He then asked, "What about the so-called four entrance test problems Shi Hong mentioned just now? What are they?"
Tianhe Shangren answered without holding anything back, "The so-called four test problems are equivalent to the entry qualification. Any Gu master, no matter who, will refine Gu during their cultivation. The Gu Refining Convention has generous rewards, attracting countless Gu Masters to participate. If there were no checkpoints, there would be too many people trying to pass off inferior goods, seeking a stroke of luck. Thus, the four test problems exist to filter out truly outstanding Gu Masters with achievements in the refining path."
"That is to say, to participate in the Gu Refining Convention, one must complete these four test problems." Fang Zheng realized.
"Hehehe." Tianhe Shangren chuckled, "Actually, these four problems all test the basics of Gu refining. Gu Masters with some experience can usually pass them."
Fang Zheng was stunned, "Master, I wouldn't be able to pass them."
"It doesn't matter. Under my guidance, with focused training over this period, you can succeed too." Tianhe Shangren said.
"Really? Then I can broaden my horizons!" Fang Zheng rejoiced.
Central Continent. Five Virtues Mountain.
A bustling crowd flowed like a river, surrounding Five Virtues Mountain.
Five Virtues Mountain was not high. It was located in the east of the Central Continent and was the sect headquarters of the medium-sized sect, the Five Virtues Sect.
Within a range of three thousand li, the Five Virtues Sect could be considered a significant power. Especially its background was profound. The current sect master of the Five Virtues Sect was an elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect. The Heavenly Lotus Sect was one of the top ten ancient sects of the Central Continent, a super power. Therefore, although the Five Virtues Sect was not established for long, it developed smoothly, and the surrounding established powers did not dare to suppress or exclude it.
Fang Yuan was disguised as a mortal Gu Master. At this moment, he was also mingling in the crowd, slowly walking up the mountain from the foot of Five Virtues Mountain.
He wore a black robe, his figure neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin. He wore a mask and a rain hat. The brim of the hat was very low, and the shadow cast under the sunlight even covered Fang Yuan's shoulders.
However, this disguise was not very conspicuous in the crowd. Many people's concealment was even more excessive than his.
As the crowd slowly moved forward, Fang Yuan saw the mountain gate of the Five Virtues Sect.