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Although he didn’t know the reason, his face was indeed paralyzed.

Facial paralysis was a characteristic of Boundless Mountain, and he was the first case in the Demon Sect.

Those who didn’t know might think there was a traitor among us.

As for his paralysis, Xu Zhongcheng didn’t have many thoughts about it.

Because he had been unattractive to begin with, his facial paralysis made him look icy and have a kind of ugly cool factor about it.

It seemed normal for a youth of this age to think a bit differently…

But upon learning that he had lost all his cultivation, Xu Zhongcheng instantly fell into a brief silence.

After a while, he asked, “Young Elder, how are the fellow disciples who were with me? Is everyone alright?”

“Don’t worry, they are all alright. I’ve ordered them to return to the sect.” said Lu Xun.

At this, Xu Zhongcheng showed a forced, rigid smile and said, “That’s a relief at least.”

But the desolation in his eyes was impossible to hide.

After all, he used to be the second seat of the outer sect, his cultivation base second only to Ji Li.

And now, he was no different from an average mortal.

While he did think it was worth it, he also felt genuine loss.

This young man still didn’t know that his Dantian was basically ruined.

Now, when he absorbed the nature’s spiritual energy, only a tenth of it remained in him.

Xu Zhongcheng looked at Lu Xun and said, “Young Elder, I have a doubt, and I hope you can clarify it to me.”

“What is it?” Lu Xun asked.

After organizing his words, Xu Zhongcheng asked, “Young Elder, when you finally saved me, did you see a wooden puppet?”

He further added, “A wooden puppet with a smiling face.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Lu Xun had just heard the story of the smiling wooden puppet before he came down from the mountain.

Considering the puppet was made by his master, and he was his junior disciple, it had a considerable connection with him.

In a strict sense, they could be considered family.

However, what does this puppet have to do with Xu Zhongcheng?

Moreover, the secret realm was an ancient relic. In theory, it should have nothing to do with all this.

“Right, just like the disciples of the Boundless Mountain, Xu Zhongcheng’s face is also paralyzed!” Lu Xun thought to himself.

Could it be that Xu Zhongcheng encountered something miraculous in the ancient secret realm?

Unlikely…

Lu Xun looked at him and said, “I didn’t see any smiling puppet in the secret realm. Why do you ask?”

Xu Zhongcheng rubbed his temples, unsure how to describe his experience. He took a moment and then said,

“Young Elder, I can’t be sure if what I went through was a dream or reality. In my dream, there was a smiling wooden puppet who taught me a cultivation technique. I even practiced it once in the dream…”

Lu Xun found it hard to believe. He told him, “Give me your hand.”

As a loyal fan, Xu Zhongcheng obediently stretched out his right hand.

Lu Xun put his finger on his pulse, using his divine sense to examine his body.

The Dantian was still empty, with no spiritual power inside!

But what surprised Lu Xun was that he found traces of spiritual energy dispersing throughout Xu Zhongcheng’s body, specifically avoiding the Dantian!

“He can actually still cultivate!” Lu Xun concluded.

Could it be that the puppet indeed passed on a technique to him in his dream?

Upon further thoughts, it made sense since a puppet definitely didn’t have a Dantian.

Where would a wooden thing get a Dantian?

The way it cultivated indeed seemed suitable for Xu Zhongcheng.

But what’s the reason? What’s the logic?

Why would something like this happen?

He didn’t believe the issue lied in that ancient secret realm.

Lu Xun fell silent, organizing his thoughts.

Then, he focused his gaze on the Spirit Crow outside the window.

The Elder sent him to Boundless Mountain to fetch something. He took the Spirit Crow with him, and on his way back, extraordinary phenomena occurred, transforming the Spirit Crow into a state of Semi-Spiritual Wisdom.

Recently, the Spirit Crow had suddenly become even more powerful, like it had gone back to its roots. Something was definitely off!

Outside the window, the Spirit Crow tilted its head and looked at Lu Xun. The more Lu Xun observed the crow, the more foolish its gaze seemed.

Lu Xun did nothing and said nothing, only thinking about taking it back to the mountain after he had completed his tasks, to ask the Elder for an explanation.

Upon second thought, the crow’s foolish expression was always on its face.

He had originally thought it was just dumb, but upon further consideration… who knows if it was just pretending to be aloof!

“Well, this is interesting!” Lu Xun mused to himself, finding the situation somewhat amusing.

He had previously thought that Xu Zhongcheng seemed like a typical protagonist, only lacking an “old grandpa”.

Who would have thought that in just a few days, his “old grandpa” had surfaced!

Looking at him, Lu Xun earnestly said, “Remember the cultivation technique that you dreamed of and practice diligently.”

“This might be your opportunity, your great fortune!”

Maybe, this young man’s misfortune did indeed bring about good luck!

“Yes, I will keep that in mind,” Xu Zhongcheng immediately responded upon hearing Lu Xun’s advice.

But it was unclear if the cultivation technique he was practicing was the mainstream technique of Boundless Mountain.

For a disciple of Demon Sect to cultivate the mainstream technique of Boundless Mountain seemed strange.

But no matter how you looked at it, it was better than him being useless from now on.

What’s more, whether it’s Demon Sect or Boundless Mountain, aren’t they both products of our backyard?

Xu Zhongcheng left. Lu Xun sent him off and let him take the Spirit Crow with him.

The reason for him sending the Spirit Crow back to the Demon Sect was simple. Lu Xun sat alone in front of the Spirit Crow and feigned calmness as he said to it, “I’ve guessed everything.”

Then, the Spirit Crow made a dull face and exclaimed “Crap—! Gan Linliang—! Crap—!”

Lu Xun, holding back his feelings, calmly said again, “Stop pretending, until when do you plan to keep it up?”

The Spirit Crow made a dull face again and exclaimed “Crap—! Gan Linliang—! Crap—!”

Lu Xun: “…”

He really wanted to squeeze that crow’s stupid head!

Forget it, it’s better to keep it away before he found out the truth.

Since this Spirit Crow began to show its power, and could be considered a bird demon, no regular schmuck could take on Lu Xun’s bird.

Having this damned bird protect Xu Zhongcheng on his way back to the sect offered Lu Xun some peace of mind.

Before parting, Lu Xun said earnestly, “I hope to see an outstanding performance from you in the next Outer Sect competition.”

Seeing his idol holding such high expectations for him, Xu Zhongcheng nodded resolutely, promising that he would strive to cultivate diligently and not let down Young Elder’s hopes!

See, this is the power of an idol!

After Xu Zhongcheng left, Lu Xun said to Ji Li: “I have something to do now, are you going to Turtle’s Longevity?”

Ji Li nodded her head in response.

In her view, it would be better if she could get busy when Lu Xun was out.

That way, when everyone had finished their tasks, they could spend time alone again!

With that, disguised by Illusion Technique, Lu Xun went out to collect Experience Points.

Meanwhile, Ji Li, in high spirits, occasionally walked on her tiptoes. After walking for a few minutes, she arrived at a very remote alley.

The dried-up well in the alley was the entrance to the Turtle’s Longevity.

Seeing nobody around, she jumped in.

It’s worth noting that the entrance to Turtle’s Longevity always gave people a very tight feeling. The sensation of spiritual power enshrouding them was pleasant, smooth, and warm.

Ji Li had a clear target this time – she wanted to rank third on the leaderboard!

The reason was simple, Lu Xun was ranked second.

“Only I can be beneath him!” Ji Li encouraged herself with a serious expression.

(Second update of the day, seeking monthly votes and recommendations)