Big Data Cultivation

Feng Jun stayed at Mount Zhige for two months and once again awaited King Liang Tian's arrival.

This time, King Liang Tian did not come alone; he also invited a real person, Yue Qing, from his sect, accompanied by Huang Fu Wuxia.

Yue Qing appeared to be gentle and refined, but his every move was steady, truly deserving of the description "a man of depth and elegance."

Master Yue was also quite meticulous, not directly seeking out Feng Jun, but first setting up a temporary residence to slowly absorb spiritual energy, while following Huang Fu Wuxia into the Tiantong Courtyard.

Only then did Huang Fu Wuxia inform Feng Jun, through the relevant people, that he and Liang Chao had arrived, along with Master Yueqing.

According to protocol, Master Yue paid respects at the mountain gate but did not insist on entering, leaving it to Feng Jun to decide how to handle it.

Qu Jianlei frowned upon hearing the name, "Why has this guy come? He's not to be trifled with."

Feng Jun had also heard of this person, "Isn't he the Master Yue from the Qinggang, known for his unparalleled combat strength?"

"He's not really known for unparalleled combat strength," Qu Jianlei shook his head with a smile, "This guy is renowned for his strong defense and swift movement, claiming he can take on three opponents at once because he can withstand and evade attacks…"

After a brief pause, he added, "But someone like him, in a one-on-one, doesn't fear anyone."

Feng Jun tilted his head in thought, "Then should I… go out to meet him?"

"You might as well go," Qu Jianlei spoke indifferently. In truth, he didn't want Feng Jun to meet the man. Even though Qu Jianlei had become a real person, he estimated he was still no match for Master Yueqing. The strong defense he mentioned was that his poisons were futile against the opponent.

But if Feng Jun wanted to go, who could stop him?

According to the traditions of this world, if a real person comes to see an upper person, and the upper person does not come out to greet them, it would be considered disrespectful to the real person.

Feng Jun wasn't as timid as Qu Jianlei thought. As he headed out, he curiously asked, "Is Master Yue's defense stronger, or is Master Ma's defense stronger?"

Qu Jianlei certainly knew how strong Master Ma's defense was, but he replied solemnly, "It's not the same. You can injure Master Ma, but Master Yue is different. It's not just about physical defense."

As they spoke, suddenly someone appeared beside them. It was Master Yuanming, who had been mulling over the Destiny Stone of Mount Zhige in recent days, considering whether he could enhance Mount Zhige's Earth Vein without affecting the Destiny Stone.

It wasn't Feng Jun who asked him to do it; he just saw it as a challenge.

However, now he appeared beside them, and stated, "That Yue Qing fellow is quite formidable. I'll go with you… to prevent any losses."

Just as he finished speaking, a long laugh echoed, "Old Yuanming, gossiping behind people's backs, does that suit the master of Yifeng?"

This long laughter wasn't loud, directed only toward them, and didn't carry any intention of intimidation. Everything was just right, as if proving that Master Yue indeed had a low profile.

However, in reality, the voice spread from outside the mountain gate to inside, not exactly offending the host, but somewhat implying his confidence.

Master Yuanming's face changed; he had intentionally isolated the sound just now, yet the other party heard him speak without revealing any divine sense. He shook his head and smiled bitterly, "This guy's cultivation level… has increased again."

Qu Jianlei's expression became a bit more serious. The other party was known to be able to take on three opponents at once—certainly not three upper people.

As mentioned before, for cultivators of the same level of cultivation, even with similar magical treasures and talismans, defeating two opponents would be difficult.

The three of them exited the mountain gate, and Yue Qing walked to the entrance of the Tiantong Courtyard with a beaming smile, "Two real people came out to greet me; I'm truly unworthy. This must be Mountain Master Feng? Indeed, outstanding and exceptional, a talent among talents."

Feng Jun cupped his hands, "Feng Jun of Mount Zhige, nice to meet Master Yue, I'm undeserving of such praise."

"No need to be so polite," Yue Qing said with a smiling wave, "I came to the Secular World for two reasons: to meet you, the rare talent in deducing, and to request something. With you being so polite, how can I dare to speak my request?"

Feng Jun pondered for a moment before replying, "If Master Yue has a request, I should naturally agree. However, I have some unresolved matters with Qinggang… Please forgive me, Master Yue."

"Hehe," Yue Qing chuckled dryly and waved, "Please come in for detailed discussion."

Master Yuanming observed this and couldn't help but speak, "Your temporary residence is just nearby, inviting us into Tiantong implies a lack of sincerity."

Yue Qing gave him a sideways glance and said with a smirk, "Entering my temporary residence… do you have the guts?"

Master Yuanming was momentarily stunned by this, as temporary residences are indeed places for living, cultivation, and hospitality. However, entering an adversary's temporary residence is best avoided—arranging traps would be far too simple, that would be truly cornering the enemy.

Yet he still expressed disdainfully, "Do you think you can handle us?"

"As long as you're not afraid," Yue Qing said with another smiling wave, "then please, enter my temporary residence for a detailed discussion."

Yuanming was momentarily stunned, then looked up and laughed heartily, "Haha, it's finally my turn to say something… even if the Qinggang Sect invites me, I won't go!"

He was rather quick-witted and managed to brush off the awkwardness just like that.

Yue Qing cast a disdainful glance at him and snorted lightly, "Putting on airs… Alright, enough chit-chat, let's head to Tiantong."

After entering Tiantong, Liang Chao first took out eight volumes, "Mountain Master Feng, these are all about the theory and application of the Earth Vein Technique. I will definitely fulfill what I promised you."

Feng Jun glanced at them and then looked at Master Yuanming, "These volumes have nothing to do with your sect, right?"

He actually didn't think the volumes from the Qinggang Sect would have any connection with the Taiqing Sect. If such a situation really occurred, he would resolutely refuse any dealings with Qinggang—greed might still be forgiven, but there is no cure for stupidity.

The reason he said this was just to see if Master Yuanming might help him verify the goods.

He knew too little about the Earth Vein Technique.

"Qinggang wouldn't dare bring Taiqing's secret techniques," said Master Yuanming candidly. He didn't claim Qinggang had no Taiqing techniques but noted they wouldn't be that bold, and he understood Feng Jun's meaning, "I could help you authenticate these."

Indeed, the Qinggang Sect was not foolish. Master Yuanming authenticated six books, none of which had much to do with Taiqing's heritage—claiming there was no connection at all would be impossible since Earth Vein Techniques are fundamentally similar, though.

His authentication didn't involve reading an entire book; looking at the beginning was enough—even if he wanted to see more, it was impossible since they were under restrictions.

When he tried to look at the seventh book, he couldn't pick it up.

Yue Qing somehow managed it and smiled warmly, "These two books can't be shown to you; they were obtained elsewhere. Taiqing's foundation is already profound; we Qinggang have no tradition of aiding our competitors."

"Bah," Master Yuanming snorted in disdain, "Not anything good, though it might matter to you Qinggang."

Though he spoke disdainfully, the frustration on his face was undeniable.

Taiqing indeed knew a lot about the Earth Vein Technique, but… "obtained elsewhere" basically meant it wasn't part of this plane's knowledge system.

Taiqing had also acquired some Earth Vein Techniques from other planes, a fact Master Yuanming didn't doubt; he also believed Qinggang Sect had the ability to acquire such knowledge systems.

Actually, aside from the inheriting systems sent from above, Taiqing considered their Earth Vein Techniques stronger than those of most planes at a similar level, but… why not learn from other approaches if available?

Yue Qing glanced at him, "Whether or not they are good, it's none of Taiqing's business. Spare yourself the unnecessary worry."

Hearing this, Feng Jun waved his hand and took the eight volumes back, along with two teleportation formation plates, "Alright, my grievances with Qinggang are settled; Master Yue, is there anything else you'd like to address?"

"Not advice, but a request," Yue Qing answered seriously, "My Qinggang disciples mostly practice at the location of the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind after entering the Outtranscendent realm. I hope you can help deduce the strong and weak points of the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind."

The Nine Heavens Fierce Wind does not exist in this plane but in the sky, beyond the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is actually a standard judgment for the Earth Plane, while in this plane, it is called the planar macro-membrane—essentially the range protected by the plane's will.

Beyond the planar macro-membrane, there is not only the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind but also various bizarre phenomena. For instance, the tragic story between Ji Buseng from Tianxin Platform and Master Sumiao occurred outside the atmosphere—they encountered a spatial rift, and no one knew if they could ever return.

These two not only returned but also brought back the Chaos Yin-Yang Curse—a trouble possible only beyond the skies.

Qinggang Sect places significant emphasis on Qi Refinement—not the Qi Refinement Realm, but refining spiritual energy. Most of the outtranscendent phase requires periodic trips outside to temper oneself.

For Qinggang Sect's immortals, this is a crucial step, but the inherent dangers cannot be underestimated—the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind tempering can result in either growth or complete annihilation when done improperly.

Since the strength of the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind is difficult to judge, and it is unpredictable, on planet Earth: rain ensures a good grain harvest, but heavy rains are flood disasters, and hailstones are catastrophic.

There is also wind in the Earth Realm—there's mild wind and there's gale-force wind, can they be the same?

What's painfully inconvenient is that the Nine Heavens Fierce Wind is unpredictably variable, impossible to analyze, even harder to grasp than the Thunder Plains' lightning.

Though there is no known pattern in Thunder Plains' lightning, at least within certain areas, lightning cultivators have some understanding of the levels of lightning they might face, knowing which areas are hazardous.

With Nine Heavens Fierce Wind being so enigmatic, Qinggang Sect immortals tend to target safer zones for physical training; otherwise, many Qinggang immortals couldn't withstand the casualties.

But safe zones, being safe, yield less from training—spending a whole month outside the sphere without encountering any Nine Heavens Fierce Wind at all—what a waste of time!

To outtranscendent immortals with long lifespans, wasting a month is nothing, but… it is quite frustrating.

Every trip outside also comes with costs.