Compared to General Wei, the disciples truly didn't think being beaten by Xu Guang was a big deal.
After all, Xu Guang was just a worthless person who hadn't even reached the Entry Grade yet.
Most of them had been practicing for years, were minor experts of the Ninth Grade Small Training. Standing still to let Xu Guang hit them, what could he possibly do to them?
Xu Guang slid down from General Wei. Everything about General Wei was great, except he was too tall, making it impossible to dismount gracefully.
Of course, it was also because Xu Guang purposely hid his abilities.
The group of thirteen looked at Xu Guang with a gaze filled with humiliation.
Xu Guang remained silent, suddenly stepped forward, and slapped the leading man.
The man instinctively dodged, suddenly his expression changed drastically.
Like a giant python, a long trunk had somehow appeared beside him, coiling around his body.
"You..."
Smack!
Xu Guang's slap landed on the face.
Inexperienced?
Without hesitation, slaps followed one after another.
Until the opponent fainted.
But the Martial Artist's Log still didn't show successful horizontal pressure feedback.
Xu Guang frowned.
This method, doesn't work?
He paused for a moment and looked at the remaining ten or so people.
"Dharma Protector, could you avoid hitting the face?"
Xu Guang smiled, "I'll hold back a bit."
[Martial Artist's Log: You successfully suppressed a martial artist of the same realm, martial artist experience +10]
[Martial Artist's Log: You successfully suppressed a martial artist of the same realm, martial artist experience +10]
Among the thirteen people, a total of five provided experience.
Xu Guang carefully observed, noticing that the five looked at him with some degree of fear.
He gained a sudden understanding.
It seems that to gain experience from martial arts combat, you have to make the opponent submit?
But the rest fainted, yet still didn't submit?
Does it imply that he needs to kill?
Xu Guang thought about it but ultimately didn't try.
After all, they were all fellow disciples!
That day, Xu Guang's name spread crazily among the disciples of the Iron Armor Sect, though it wasn't in a good way.
Narrow-minded, reliant on beast power...
Nevertheless, after this incident, almost no one in the Iron Armor Sect dared to provoke Xu Guang lightly.
…
Zhu Mansion.
"Today, with distinguished guests present, filial sons and daughters, along with virtuous friends and acquaintances…"
Before even entering the Zhu Mansion, one could hear the rhythmic and cadenced elegy being recited.
Standing at the entrance, Xu Guang felt his mood grow complex.
He saw Zhu Cheng welcoming guests at the door and Zhu Zhenzhen kneeling in front of the altar in the courtyard.
Since Great Zhou plunged into chaos, with the Imperial Family missing and various sinister entities frequent, those like Zhu Fu who died unexpectedly would stay for a while longer at home to prevent corpse mutation.
"Is this the Dharma Protector Xu?"
Just as Xu Guang intended to find a chance to speak with Zhu Cheng, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
Xu Guang turned around, his pupils narrowing slightly.
The Iron Armor Sect's Grand Elder Liu Ning.
The Iron Armor Sect held great power; its three real leaders included the Sect Leader Tie Kuang, who was of Seventh Grade Great Cultivation, reputedly already touching the Sixth Grade threshold. This made him undoubtedly a master in Qingshuo County and even in Songjiang Prefecture.
Beneath him were the Vice Sect Leader Yu Shaohua and Grand Elder Liu Ning, both of Seventh Grade cultivation.
Minor rumors claimed Liu Ning had already broken through, achieving the same Seventh Grade Great Cultivation as Tie Kuang.
Xu Guang recognized him because yesterday, returning to the Iron Workshop from traveling abroad, he saw him being surrounded by countless disciples and remembered his name.
Liu Ning, about forty years old with a goatee, looked very serious. He did not look at Xu Guang but instead glanced admiringly at General Wei beside him.
Behind him, followed several disciples, among them, to Xu Guang's surprise, was the Zhu Family's eldest son, Zhu Ping.
Xu Guang's expression turned odd; Liu Ning and Tie Kuang should not belong to the same faction, right?
However, he said nothing, simply standing aside.
Letting Liu Ning admire General Wei.
"This beast is not bad."
Liu Ning gave his evaluation.
Xu Guang appeared respectful, cupping his hands in thanks.
"Dharma Protector Xu, you've been in the sect for a while now, are you getting accustomed?"
"Thank you for your concern, Elder."
Liu Ning nodded and continued, "How's your progress in martial arts recently?"
"Our sect's disciples all have some tasks outside, first to train, second for martial arts resources. The Sect Leader previously wanted you to take on tasks, but I postponed it. After all, born in these times, martial arts are the foundation of our establishment.
You may hold great power with the Great Beast, but ultimately it is an external force. I thought of letting you advance in grade before you go outside to take on tasks."
Xu Guang realized something internally, but immediately felt a bit surprised.
Judging by the attitude, the other seemed very kind toward him, doing things apparently for his good.
He didn't understand why this Grand Elder was like this toward him.
"Thank you, Grand Elder, but Xu Guang's talent is dull, failing to live up to the Grand Elder's goodwill…"
Xu Guang cupped his hands, his face showing embarrassment.
Liu Ning waved it off, "It's fine, I just want to ask, what are your plans now?"
Xu Guang fell silent once again, this Grand Elder was indeed too kind to him, wasn't he?
"What instructions does the Grand Elder have?"
A trace of a smile and appreciation crossed Liu Ning's face, "Since you find it hard to achieve in martial arts, why not focus on taming Great Beasts? Such a beast can't stop at Seventh Grade; I've thought, humans can improve cultivation with medication, maybe the Great Beasts could too with some grand medicines?
I intend for you to learn some pharmacological knowledge to help the Great Beast in advancing."
Xu Guang first glanced at Zhu Ping without any emotion.
He felt slightly assured that Liu Ning probably didn't know he could help General Wei in advancing.
He might indeed be planning for his future development genuinely.
Moreover…
Learning pharmacology, becoming an Alchemist or Pharmacist was already his next targeted career.
With these thoughts, Xu Guang's gaze toward Liu Ning became somewhat more intimate.
In recent days in the Iron Armor Sect, he had seen many people, but this one likely held the greatest goodwill toward him.
"I will leave everything to the Grand Elder."
After Liu Ning nodded, he left.
However, before leaving, a certain young disciple behind him inadvertently glanced at Xu Guang, with a gaze carrying a distinct chill that Xu Guang could clearly feel.
The other… had murderous intent against him!
Why was that?
Xu Guang felt a bit bewildered but narrowed his eyes, memorizing the person's face, planning to inquire later. If they indeed held a grudge, it would be wise to prepare early.
Today was Zhu Fu's funeral, and Zhu Cheng had been busy all day.
Today's funeral attendees included not only Iron Armor Sect but also other two major forces and numerous large and small families from the city had representatives showing up.
However, due to the Zhu Family's full allegiance to the Iron Armor Sect, many of its disciples treated themselves as the major family, acting as hosts.
Xu Guang noticed Zhu Cheng's expression becoming increasingly unsightly.
Moreover, the members of the Wei Family also looked displeased, some even pointing at Xu Guang and the General Wei behind him.
By noon, Tie Kuang arrived.
"Master Zhu was a great philanthropist of Qingshuo County. It's truly a pity he faced such a disaster. It's a shame I and several elders were not present that day, or we certainly wouldn't let Master Zhu endure this…"
The members of the Wei Family sneered below.
The Iron Armor Sect members appeared moved, feeling fortunate to have such a Sect Leader.
All kinds of human behaviors, too numerous to recount.
Xu Guang watched everything unfold, merely posing as a statue alongside General Wei, acting as Tie Kuang's backdrop.
…