The sun rises and sets.
The night falls, shrouding the earth.
In the small courtyard, the lamp light flickers like a tiny bean, its flame happily dancing atop the wick, dispelling the darkness. A strange scent of incense wafts through the room.
On the table, there is a fragrant meal.
A bowl of noodle porridge, an apple, half a string of roasted meat.
"Dharma Protector Xu, are you satisfied with today's meal?"
A woman around her forties stood at the door, cautiously glanced at General Wei napping in the courtyard, and softly spoke at the entrance.
She was the mother of Wang Jun from the alleyway.
Xu Guang lived here, and the biggest inconvenience was cooking. It wasn't that he couldn't cook, but he felt it was a waste of time. He wasn't short of money at the moment, so he asked Aunt Wang next door to help with the meals, giving her half a string of money each month.
"It's quite good."
Xu Guang nodded in satisfaction. Regardless of the quality, it at least freed up some of his time.
Aunt Wang breathed a sigh of relief and left contentedly.
Wang Jun wasn't a member of the Iron Armor Sect but was an apprentice at a pharmacy in the Iron Workshop. He was also responsible for delivering meals to General Wei daily.
The Iron Armor Sect, although a sect, did not seclude itself from the world and often interacted with the common people.
General Wei was enormous in size. The Iron Armor Sect didn't value it as much as the Zhu Family did, but they wouldn't skimp on its meals.
Thousands of pounds of grass and fruits were delivered on time each day.
Xu Guang watched Aunt Wang's departing figure and began to eat in the courtyard.
As the days grew warmer and with the increase in his strength, his vitality was abundant. He had long shed his coat and now wore only a thin garment.
His friendship with Wang Jun was partly for convenience and partly out of consideration for his next profession.
The Martial Artist Profession had reached Level 5, and he needed to think about his next career.
As the herbs sent by Zhu Zhenzhen were gradually consumed, both he and General Wei needed a large amount of medicine to replenish their vitality. Although he was not currently lacking money, it was like water without a source, and he needed to expand his resources as much as possible.
The pharmacists capable of alchemy were his next target.
The night fell.
Xu Guang walked in the courtyard, his posture somewhat strange, like he was imitating a bird. Clumsy, but with a certain peculiar beauty.
This was the White Crane Ladder Cloud Soaring.
With the foundation of the White Crane Longevity Technique, the body cultivated was most suited for this lightweight body technique.
Xu Guang was very interested in body techniques.
Not to mention other things, just having lightweight skills meant he could travel further, gaining more experience each day.
He tried to go into the city to perform horizontal pressure on the weaker ones but lost the thought after seeing the old beggar with a severed hand at the street corner.
The poor already suffer. Although his circumstances were a bit difficult, there was no need to throw away his conscience.
Moreover, he suspected that these frail individuals would not provide any experience at all.
'In a few days, I'll showcase my entry-level cultivation to the Iron Armor Sect. By then, I should be assigned some tasks. Then I can find some hoodlums causing trouble and harvest some experience.'
For some reason, Xu Guang thought it would be nice if the Iron Armor Sect could become the leading authority in the city.
Then, as a dharma protector and disciple of the Iron Armor Sect, he could sweep through all the hoodlums in the city...
...
Zhu Cheng joined the Iron Armor Sect because he was tactful enough, and his days were relatively smooth.
He was even personally accepted as a disciple by the sect leader, Tie Kuang.
"Second Brother, Xu Guang sent a message saying the medicine we gave him last time is almost finished."
Zhu Cheng turned around to look at Zhenzhen, a look of hesitation on his face.
"Do you think we should continue?"
Zhu Zhenzhen was speechless.
She knew what Zhu Cheng meant. Now that the Zhu siblings had joined the Iron Armor Sect, the resources were far less abundant than in the Zhu Family.
Investing too much in the big eater General Wei could affect their future cultivation.
"We'll have to continue..."
Zhu Cheng thought for a long time and decided to put his trust in Xu Guang.
"Perhaps, we might need to find someone to help."
Zhu Cheng thought to himself.
Calculating the time, the Grand Elder should be returning soon, right?
...
Two days later.
It was Zhu Fu's funeral. He had received favors from the Zhu Family, and this was an opportunity to go out and take a look.
Xu Guang stepped out of the house, accompanied by General Wei.
Leaving the Iron Workshop, Xu Guang's primary concern was his own safety.
He had offended the Wei Family, and leaving the Iron Workshop was destined to bring endless trouble.
But he had to go out. Staying in the Iron Workshop was safe, but resources would eventually run out, and even if he used money to buy medicine, it wouldn't go unnoticed.
Xu Guang advanced the White Crane Longevity Technique to Level 1 Mastery Perfection, reaching the peak of Ninth Grade Minor Cultivation.
Presumably, the breathing technique was of a high enough level. Without any surprises, advancing it to Level 2 should allow him to break through to the Ninth Grade Great Cultivation.
However, he didn't add points as he didn't have enough elixirs. It would be troublesome if being too aggressive in breaking through led to a depletion of vitality.
This time, taking advantage of the visit to the Zhu Family, he hoped to gain the support of Zhu Cheng and Zhenzhen.
He wasn't alone; many people accompanied him. Some disciples had previous connections with the Zhu Family, and others were there because of Zhu Cheng and Zhenzhen.
Xu Guang rode an elephant through the streets, creating a unique spectacle.
The massive creature, more than a zhang tall, walking down the broad street appeared somewhat cramped.
It was also the first time the surrounding disciples realized why the new dharma protector of the sect was appointed as such.
Those daring enough to approach General Wei were scarce.
"It's such a pity that Master Zhu passed away."
"Isn't it? But have you ever seen the dharma protector?"
"I heard he used to be a tributor to the Zhu Family..."
"And with Senior Sister Zhu..."
"Nothing at all, Senior Sister Zhu is with the No Gap Small Meeting, and Brother Tie Xiong said Senior Sister Zhu has a terrible relationship with him."
"Ah, why?"
"I heard he relied on that giant elephant in the Zhu Family, trusted by Master Zhu, showing no respect to the young master and miss of the Zhu Family. Also, he's extremely lecherous, failing to make progress in martial arts after several months, yet fancying a widow from the Zhu Family's third branch."
"How could someone like that be favored by Master Zhu?"
With Xu Guang's current strength, he could hear these people's discussions. He squinted slightly.
It all sounded absurd. He knew that after Zhu Cheng and Zhu Zhenzhen had led the Zhu Family into the Iron Armor Sect, they wouldn't get too close to him. His control over General Wei, if too intimate, would easily arouse the Iron Armor Sect's suspicion, which would be unfavorable for both him and the Zhu Family.
He understood this, but the rumors outside were so ridiculous they left him speechless.
Though his circumstances were challenging, he was not one to suffer silently.
Thud, thud, thud!
The giant elephant's footsteps landed on the ground, bringing forth earthquake-like power, making the surrounding shops and residences tremble slightly.
The chatter abruptly stopped.
Xu Guang looked down from above, his gaze lowered, as if he was looking at a bunch of dead people.
"Xu... Dharma Protector Xu..."
Xu Guang let out a light hum, gently stroking General Wei, "Whose disciples are you all?"
Everyone exchanged glances, unsure of what Xu Guang meant by his question.
After a pause, someone finally spoke up.
"I..."
"Never mind, it doesn't matter which elder's disciples you are. Since you gossip behind my back, think about how to face my wrath."
"Dharma Protector Xu, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding..."
The one who spoke most excitedly earlier reluctantly stepped forward, his lips moving, stuttering a bit.
"I'll give you two choices: either, get beaten by General Wei or, get beaten by me. Now, choose."
Having said that, Xu Guang raised his palm, as if holding something incredibly captivating.
Everyone was speechless, glanced at General Wei, and couldn't help swallowing.
After some hesitation, someone spoke up.
"Please punish us, Dharma Protector."