Zhang San, please behave yourself!

Zhang San picked up the secret manual left by Wei and couldn't help but turn to Xu and ask, "Senior Xu, does Senior Wei have social fear?"

"What's social fear?"

"It means social anxiety—interacting with others. Fear, well, it's just like Senior Wei."

Xu laughed; although it was the first time he had heard this term, he felt it was quite fitting.

"Wei doesn't exactly fear others, but he indeed prefers not to have too much contact with people."

"Zhang San, this 'Xun Wind Breathing Technique' is the cultivation technique that Wei mainly practices, and its potential is at the very top among the Wind Series Techniques!"

"You go back and study it well, write down any questions you don't understand, and when I'm with Wei, you come find us. I'll speak for you and let him give you some guidance! So you don't have to worry about his social fear when it's just the two of you."

Zhang San had been worried that a conman with a golden finger might only ever be a small fry without combat ability.

But now it seemed that the uses of deception were quite significant!

...

Meanwhile, Wei who had secretly transformed himself into an apple tree with Wood Series Techniques outside, was deep in thought.

Leaving aside how well this fellow named Zhang San could act, how did someone who hadn't even entered the Primordial Qi Realm manage to join the Town Martial Office?

It was known that the Town Martial Office in the Chuan-Yu Road of the Great Sui had the lowest casualty rate among the fourteen paths because of its higher threshold, which avoided the influx of slackers who only ate without working.

And Zhang San said he lost his memory before, was it really amnesia?

Wasn't he pretending to have amnesia to sneak in to avoid being interrogated by others?

The more Wei pondered, the more he felt something was off about this Zhang San.

Suddenly, a terrifying thought crossed Wei's mind.

These years, the low casualty rate of the Chuan-Yu Road had indeed pleased the higher-ups, but the other paths were very dissatisfied. They believed that the Chuan-Yu Road wasn't pulling its weight, which was why it had a low casualty rate.

So, wasn't this kid sent in as cannon fodder to increase the casualty rate and prevent the other paths from pressuring the Chuan-Yu Road?

Wouldn't that mean being close to this kid was very dangerous?

It seemed necessary to keep some distance from this Zhang San.

At the same time, Zhang San also bid farewell to Xu.

Stepping out of Wei's room and coming under an apple tree in the yard, he whispered with a sigh, "Senior Wei is so capable; I must get closer to him in the future."

Zhang San said this, looking up at the bright sky.

The sky today was especially blue.

The trees today, particularly shaky.

It was indeed a sunny and pleasant day.

Zhang San, upon returning, immediately read through the 'Xun Wind Breathing Technique' very carefully.

"Heaven and earth, the origin of Primordial Qi, the progenitor of all things."[Note 2]

The Qi that martial artists cultivate is to absorb the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, refining it into energy comparable to the primal energy when heaven and earth were born, storing it within the body for battle use.

With a basic understanding of Qi, proceeding to read the rest of the secret manual became much smoother.

As he read, Zhang San discovered that the value of this secret manual far exceeded the cultivation technique itself.

Because on this manual, Wei had left many annotations and insights.

The more Zhang San read, the more he appreciated the strength of the Wind Series Techniques and Martial Styles.

As he read, however, the originally proud smile on his face gradually solidified.

Swift Wind Technique.

Three Steps Wind Rise.

Eight Steps Xun Flash.

Wind Art Illusion Body Technique.

...

Wei had written down many insights, and even improved upon the techniques and martial styles documented in the 'Xun Wind Breathing Technique,' enhancing their power and making them more practical.

But...

How come they were all about increasing movement speed and concealing oneself?

The Wind Art Illusion Body Technique, originally a type of phantom skill that turns oneself into wind to enhance the perception and control of wind and allows for rapid movement, had been modified by Wei. He wrote that it could be combined with the Wind Gathering Technique to instantly disappear from one's location and then reappear far away—an ability for Instant Teleportation.

This must be the method Wei used to vanish from Zhang San's sight earlier.

Then there's this Three Steps Wind Rise, originally a technique that lets one tread upon the wind like a floating Sword Immortal, but according to Wei's insights, it's a Dodge Technique that gathers a reverse whirlwind underfoot, pushing off an enemy's attack, and taking the opportunity to flee.

Zhang San initially thought Wei had social fear, but now he realized this was a supreme escapist expert who shunned karmic ties!

However, looking at it from another angle, he indeed needed to become stronger, and becoming stronger is a slow process. By mastering these life-saving skills first, he could avoid dying.

Alive, there is hope.

But just as Zhang San finished studying the first secret manual of his cultivation career, shouts from other martial artists came from within the estate.

Apparently, a newcomer had arrived.

Zhang San, who had only arrived the day before, was still a newcomer himself.

Isn't it normal for new recruits to arrive together?

Why was another arriving a day later?

Zhang San, very curious, went out to welcome the new arrival, hoping that this newcomer would be a real novice who had not yet entered the Primordial Qi Realm, just like himself. After all, this would prove that all his previous worries were unfounded and that no one was out to get him.

Following everyone to the gate of the estate, they saw a young prince alighting from a luxuriously decorated carriage, assisted by an old servant.

The prince was dressed in a white robe with all the trims and collar lined with golden-threaded cloud patterns, clearly from a prominent family.

Hanging by his waist was an exquisite white jade pendant with a crane design and tassels.

Zhang San glanced at the young man's face and felt quite relieved.

Good, he isn't as handsome as I am.

Bai Yucheng immediately brought the young master inside and was about to introduce him to everyone when the young master spoke up first.

"I am Wang Ziteng, sixteen years old, and have just entered the Primordial Qi Realm. I hope for guidance from my fellow colleagues in the future."

Although Wang Ziteng was polite in his words, he gave only a slight nod upon first meeting everyone, his demeanor full of pride.

Many didn't understand—just entering the Primordial Qi Realm, what are you so proud of?

Others who hadn't even reached the Primordial Qi Realm had managed to join the Town Martial Office without being so arrogant!

Everyone had heard that Zhang San used to be part of the Town Martial Office, just that he had lost his memory, so they were all very warm to him.

But with Wang Ziteng's arrogant demeanor today, everyone just faked a smile for a while, nodded in acknowledgment, and considered the introductions done.

On the contrary, Zhang San was very enthusiastic—after all, this guy's cultivation was similar to his own.

With a few more days of diligent cultivation, I'll probably be at the same realm as him.

"I am Zhang San, and from now on, we're colleagues."

Wang Ziteng glanced at Zhang San and frowned slightly.

It's usually impossible for someone in the Primordial Qi Realm to sense another's realm, but Wang Ziteng was different— he had just approached Zhang San and felt the Qi around him... just a bit stronger than ordinary people.

"What's your level of cultivation? Which cultivation technique do you practice?"

Zhang San kept a warm smile on his face, but he was slightly annoyed inside.

Because Wang Ziteng's tone was just like a superior questioning a subordinate: cold, arrogant, and condescending.

Do you know that even my superior, Officer Bai, speaks to me politely!?

"I've just started cultivating, but the technique I practice is quite formidable. 'Xun Wind Breathing Technique', have you heard of it?"

Several martial artists nearby noticed that nobody was paying much attention to the arrogant Wang Ziteng, while this newcomer Zhang San was quite enthusiastic, likely to be warmly received but rebuffed, so they were watching the fun unfold.

Wang Ziteng, predictably, snorted coldly, looking down on everything with his head held high.

"It's just an ordinary technique, not impressive at all."

The onlooking martial artists laughed.

This technique is Senior Wei's main technique, and you've managed to offend him upon arrival; just wait and see how your days will be!

But then, they thought something was amiss.

The 'Xun Wind Breathing Technique' is among the top wind series techniques, and of all the martial artists in the Town Martial Office of Chuan-Yu Road, only Senior Wei knows it. What's the deal with Zhang San? How did he manage to get it?

Senior Wei's illegitimate son?

No, with Senior Wei's looks, he couldn't have an illegitimate son this handsome! Not even strong genes on the mother's side could make up for that!

Considering the relationship between Senior Wei and Senior Xu, it might be Senior Xu's illegitimate son!

After all, Senior Xu is quite good-looking.

Although Zhang San heard what Wang Ziteng said and was also not pleased, he pretended to be naive and asked, "Then your technique must be very powerful, right?"

Wang Ziteng, after all, was not yet sixteen and, noticing the expectant and admiring look in Zhang San's eyes, couldn't suppress his desire to show off, saying proudly, "'Primordial Extreme Technique,' have you heard of it?"

The few martial artists nearby were shocked when they heard the name of this technique!

Who exactly is this young man that he can practice such a divine technique!?

However, Zhang San looked indifferent.

"I haven't heard of it."

Wang Ziteng was displeased.

It felt to him like he had wooed the girl he liked, spent a passionate night with his best moves, and yet the next morning she lightly commented, "It was mediocre," before leaving.

But Wang Ziteng still had some grace and took a deep breath, maintaining the smile on his face.

"I don't blame you for not knowing. Ask any martial artist around, and if they don't know, then I'll call you 'big brother.' How about that?"

Wang Ziteng was confident that with the fame of his technique, revered through the ages, any practitioner of martial arts should know of it.

Zhang San was amused.

"Big Head Wang! Have you heard of 'Primordial Extreme Technique'?"

Big Head Wang had just arrived upon hearing of a newcomer and did not recognize Wang Ziteng, nor was he aware of what had just transpired.

After pondering Zhang San's question, he appeared contemplative.

Wang Ziteng was certain of victory, feeling this person had definitely reached Core Formation—the final stage of Primordial Qi Realm, Core Creation, or even might be at the True Core Realm of Yin and Yang Harmony.

At this level of cultivation, one surely couldn't be ignorant of some well-known techniques in the cultivation world.

"Is there some kind of chicken-chasing technique? I don't know one!"

Wang Ziteng's face turned an iron shade of blue.

Zhang San sneered inwardly: He can't even remember the name of his own technique, how could he remember yours?

He clapped Wang Ziteng on the shoulder, "Little brother, if someone bullies you in the Town Martial Office, just mention your Brother San, Zhang San's name!"

"Will that work?"

"Whether it works or not is a matter of strength, but mentioning my name or not is a matter of attitude. If we're nice about it, maybe they'll go easy on you."

Wang Ziteng: ...

=========

[Note 2]Citation

"Heaven and Earth are born from the Primordial Qi, the ancestors of all things." This sentence is cited from "White Tiger Comprehensive Meaning," a book compiled by Ban Gu of the Eastern Han Dynasty.