All this time, Ma Bo had been cultivating with the wrong methods. Now that Ma Bo's spirit root turned out to be a lightning attribute, Feng Yongrui would choose a cultivation method suitable for this.
As for his Demonic Constitution...
Ma Bo could choose to continue cultivating with orthodox methods. This meant that his cultivation progress would be slow, and he might not reach the Nascent Soul Stage in his entire life.
On the other hand, Ma Bo could choose to cultivate Demonic Methods. If Ma Bo cultivated with these methods, he would definitely grow stronger than before, and he would even surpass Hou Renshu in no time.
Feng Yongrui wanted to know Ma Bo's opinion on this.
"Well, Master, I do want to become stronger, so I am tempted to cultivate with Demonic Methods... But, I'm afraid that those methods might not be very good..." Ma Bo hesitated.
"It's okay," Feng Yongrui nodded in approval. "I will look for a cultivation method that's suitable for you. If I find one, then you can use it. If I'm unlucky, then unfortunately you can only stick to cultivating with orthodox methods."
"Understood, Master," Ma Bo replied.
"I will also look for a spell that can hide you Demonic Constitution," Feng Yongrui said.
At the moment, Ma Bo's Demonic Constitution was hidden with Feng Yongrui's spell, but Feng Yongrui wanted to find a foolproof method, something that could always protect Ma Bo, even if he wasn't there.
"I'll look for them... As for now, you two should cultivate and practice your swordplay," Feng Yongrui said as he stood up.
The disciples bowed and thanked him, but Feng Yongrui did not notice. He was already opening the System Mall and chatting with the System.
Feng Yongrui returned to his room and scrolled through the System Mall, pondering.
"System, help me look for an unorthodox cultivation method, something for Demonic Cultivators... But, the method itself shouldn't be dangerous or inhumane."
"Host, that's quite difficult. What you want is a great cultivation method that is both suitable for Ma Bo AND is safe... Host, you can't always have the best of both worlds..." the System said.
Feng Yongrui knew that what the System said was true, but he couldn't help feeling annoyed. Ma Bo was the protagonist, but was he doomed to have mediocre skills forever?
Surely Ma Bo would find a cultivation technique that was suitable for him soon...
Feng Yongrui's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened the door and found Hou Renshu standing there.
"Master, there's someone looking for you. He says the Sect Master is waiting for you..." Hou Renshu said.
"Ah, I see," Feng Yongrui tapped his forehead.
How could he forget? He should report to the Boss, the Sect Master! The Sect Master was the one who told Feng Yongrui to capture the robbers who kidnapped the children, so of course Feng Yongrui was supposed to report back to him.
"I'm coming, hang on a minute," Feng Yongrui tidied up his appearance and left the Mountain Peak.
The Sect Master had sent a disciple to call Feng Yongrui over, so Feng Yongrui followed the disciple and flew to the Sect Master's place.
When he met the Sect Master, Feng Yongrui saluted and explained everything that had happened. He explained how the children were kidnapped, the Gu worms that were used, and the strange array on the ground.
The Sect Master listened with great interest, his right hand stroking his beard. From time to time, he shook his head and clicked his tongue. Feng Yongrui also noticed that he clenched his fists from time to time.
When Feng Yongrui got to the part where he extracted the Gu worms, the System reminded him to be careful. The Haunting Dreams Poison was bought from the System, so if the Sect Master asked Feng Yongrui about it, he had not way to answer.
So, Feng Yongrui did not tell the Sect Master about the Haunting Dreams Poison. He simply said that he lured the Gu worms with his internal energy alone. The Sect Master seemed a bit impressed, but he didn't say anything.
"Sect Master, I think the mastermind is not Xiang Si," Feng Yongrui said. "I think we should send people to investigate and capture the mastermind... And, I would be willing to lead the disciples to capture the mastermind."
The Sect Master gave a pause and eyed him with his deep eyes. Feng Yongrui bowed and waited for him to speak.
"I think this matter is too dangerous and complicated. It's better if we stay out of it. Since the children have been rescued, consider this matter done. You don't need to do anything else," the Sect Master said.
Feng Yongrui was stunned and stood rooted to the ground.
Ah? The Sect Master didn't want him to pursue this matter?
But, if they never caught the mastermind, wouldn't more children get hurt?
Feng Yongrui hid his confusion and said, "Understood. I will take my leave."
He gave a bow and left the Sect Master, his thoughts in a whirl. In any case, even if the Sect Master didn't want him to pursue this matter, Feng Yongrui knew that he still needed to find the mastermind.
Not only for the sake of his side quest, but also so that such horrible things wouldn't happen again...
Feng Yongrui returned to his Mountain Peak and watched his disciples practice their swordplay while chatting with the System.
"What do you think about the Sect Master?" Feng Yongrui asked.
"Hm... Well, even though he is old, he still looks handsome," the System replied cheerfully.
Feng Yongrui's lips twitched and he was at a loss for words.
"...I'm talking about his attitude regarding this case. Shouldn't he send people to look for the mastermind? I mean, he's from a Righteous Sect. Just now, it seemed like he didn't really care..."
"Host, even if he's from a Righteous Sect, he might not actually be a good person, right?" the System reminded him.
That's right... In novels and dramas, those kind of people are the most hypocritical ones throughout the entire story. They claim to be doing things for the greater good, but in the end, isn't it just a matter of their pride?
Or perhaps, they secretly have a grudge or backstory, and then the "Righteous" people pretended to kill someone for the sake of goodness... Things like this were common in stories.
Feng Yongrui sighed and put the Sect Master's words aside. For now, he needed to find the mastermind and capture him or her. However, he didn't have much clues...
Feng Yongrui took out a piece of paper and drew the array that was on the fourth floor. Feng Yongrui wanted to play it cool and draw it from memory, but his hand paused.
Ahem, he forgot certain parts of it.
Feng Yongrui pursed his lips and drew the parts that he could remember, but when he was finished, he heard the System gasp. Feng Yongrui was elated. The System must remember something, right? And, maybe the System knew what kind of array this was...
"System, what is it?" Feng Yongrui asked, rubbing his hands with anticipation.
"H-host..." the System faltered.
"It's okay, just say it quickly!" Feng Yongrui urged.
"Host... your drawing skills are simply... terrible," the System finally blurted out.
Feng Yongrui made a sound in protest, but the System continued.
"This drawing... Host, even if you want to draw a... a... chicken... I don't think you should draw it like this... The shape of the beak and the wings are not clear..." the System criticized.
Feng Yongrui: "..."
"System, that's not a chicken," Feng Yongrui said with gritted teeth.
"Ah, I knew it didn't look that much like a chicken... Well, even if you want to draw a... a..." the System was at a loss for words.
"Well, even if you want to draw something, you shouldn't be like this... Host, how about I recommend a drawing class for you?" the System asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
"I'll even give you a discount... 5% discount sounds good, right?" the System said.
Feng Yongrui did not reply. Instead, he swallowed the lump in his throat and took a deep breath.
"System, is there a mute button?" Feng Yongrui finally asked.
The System did not understand his intentions and replied dumbly.
"Well, yes. All you need to do is go to your profile page and look at the top right corner... But Host, why do you want to --"
Mute.
Feng Yongrui clicked on the button and the System's voice was finally gone. Feng Yongrui gave a small smile.
Finally! He should've done this a long time ago~
Feng Yongrui folded his drawing and headed to the Sect library. Maybe he would be able to find something about the array over there.
As Feng Yongrui went through the books in the library, he suddenly thought of something and reached inside his inventory. He took out a gleaming green jade pendant.
This pendant was the one he had found inside the robbers' clothes, five years ago. Feng Yongrui had inspected it many times but he did not find anything special about it.
But when Feng Yongrui brought the green pendant closer to his eyes and squinted, he could see small and faint red lump inside. He had noticed this lump a few months ago, but he had simply brushed it off.
Maybe the pendant was dirty, he had thought.
But now...
He recalled the Gu worms he had killed. Could it be...?
***
Small theater:
Feng Yongrui looked at the drawing of the array again.
Feng Yongrui: Hmm... From this angle, it does look like a chicken...
***
If you could create a type of poison, what would it be? What would it smell like, or look like? And, what is it for?
Comment below~