Chapter 1824: Chapter 1818: Victorious and Virtuous

"You finished learning?" Qi Congyun’s face fell.

Even Qi Congyun was considered quite a remarkable figure in the Sunset Sect. He became an outer sect disciple after ranking in the top ten during his three-year apprenticeship evaluation.

Then, after 10 years, he became an Inner Gate disciple, and after 36 years, a Core Disciple. During his time as a Core Disciple, he mastered the Nine Nether Sunset Art and directly became a Sunset Sect Elder upon advancing to Dao Realm.

Even for the first level of Nine Nether Sunset Art, it took him more than 30 years to comprehend, and among the people who understood the Nine Nether Sunset Art across the entire Sunset Sect, his comprehension ability and speed were considered relatively fast.

Even for a fierce individual like Lei Poguan, it took a full year to comprehend the first level.

"You really comprehended the Nine Nether Sunset Art?" Qi Congyun couldn’t help but confirm once more. Of course, he automatically thought that Zhang Menglong’s so-called "finished learning" meant he had mastered the first level of Nine Nether Sunset Art.

"Yes," Zhang Menglong nodded, "if I hadn’t learned it, why would I come out?"

Though Zhang Menglong’s voice wasn’t very loud, his emergence from Sunset River attracted quite a bit of attention. Many were watching him, and this statement was undoubtedly a bombshell for the disciples of Sunset Sect.

From entering Sunset River to now, it should have been around 20 days, not even a month. He had already comprehended the first level of Nine Nether Sunset Art? How could others continue to live?

"Had I not witnessed him soaking in Sunset River for twenty days the first time, I’d never believe someone could comprehend the first level of Nine Nether Sunset Art in less than a month."

"An apprentice disciple at this level might jump to become an Inner Gate disciple in the first evaluation three years from now."

"You’re thinking too small? I heard during the recruitment evaluation, he already had the strength comparable to a Divine Profound Hall Core Disciple, three years later, he’d certainly be at the Core Disciple level."

"With his Gift, he might be taken in as a Direct Disciple by some Elder or even the Deputy Sect Master."

"If our Sect Master weren’t so laid-back now, focusing on playing chess and fishing, I bet he’d be interested in this Gu Xiao."

"Didn’t you notice? Elder Qi Congyun especially cares for this Gu Xiao; perhaps they’ve already reached some agreement in private?"

"Now that you mention it, it seems possible. I heard their relationship was already quite close in Hong Yun Empire."

...

"You’re always surprising me!" Qi Congyun patted Zhang Menglong’s shoulder, "If the people from Divine Profound Hall found out about this, their Hall Master wouldn’t sleep well for years; the shock they receive might not be less than Lei Poguan’s senior, it would be almost like their nightmare."

"No need for that," Zhang Menglong waved his hand, "I’m a low-key person. Let’s not publicize this matter."

Of course, Zhang Menglong kept a thought to himself: Silent showing off is most deadly, preserving surprises is crucial for showing off effectively!

"I fell for your trick," Qi Congyun rolled his eyes. If Zhang Menglong considered himself low-key, then there’s no one flamboyant in this world.

"Alright, hurry back," Qi Congyun said. "Although you’ve comprehended part of Nine Nether Sunset Art during this period, you’ve missed a lot of progress in apprentice disciple tasks. You might not find them valuable, but it’s best not to lag behind the group."

...

"Senior Brother Gu Xiao is back!"

As if everyone had been waiting for a long time, Zhang Menglong had just returned to the apprentice disciples’ residential area, quite a few people gathered around immediately.

"Senior Brother Gu Xiao, we’ve heard you comprehended the Nine Nether Sunset Art; you’re truly amazing!"

"I tried it at Sunset River, but couldn’t even feel the power of fate mentioned in the incantation."

"Senior Brother Gu Xiao, do you have any secrets you could teach us?"

"Yes, Clan Leader, guide us?"

"Want to learn?" Zhang Menglong smiled.

"Want! Definitely want!"

"Dream of it!"

Zhang Menglong’s words invigorated everyone. Since he mentioned that, could there really be some sort of secret?

"Actually, I do have a way for you to learn it quickly," Zhang Menglong said.

After these dozens of days of study, he and Gou Dan had summed up quite a few experiences.

In fact, Sunset River isn’t absolutely necessary to learn the Nine Nether Sunset Art; its role is to help practitioners feel and understand the power of fate.

But practically, the power of fate is everywhere; it’s just more diluted in ordinary areas, whereas Sunset River contains the purest power of fate.

"You guys take this and pass it around for reading." Zhang Menglong took out a thick book from his body, on which several words were written:

"The Basic Structure of the Power of Fate"

Published by Shamate Clan Press

Author: Gu Xiao

In this book, Gou Dan had dissected the power of fate to its most intricate structure.

To comprehend it, one must first understand it; starting from the underlying material structure to comprehend it naturally is the best choice.

"Once you finish reading this, even the scattered power of fate in the air around, I guarantee you will sense it within a week." Zhang Menglong said, "This is just the basic study material; later, I’ll teach you the methods of understanding and cultivating, and within this week, everyone must sense its existence."

The apprentice disciples receiving the book were excited. They naturally knew that Nine Nether Sunset Art’s foundation was the power of fate, but they had searched all available data, and descriptions of the power of fate were always shallow and rough, hardly helping them understand this energy.

"This information is for your eyes only; if anyone dares to spread it..." Zhang Menglong stopped halfway, leaving the rest to their imagination.

He certainly wasn’t the type who liked charity; a super sect was almost the pinnacle of this world. His next move might require a lot of manpower, so it’s perfect to train a group of his own followers now.

Though these apprentice disciples are very limited now, Zhang Menglong is confident that under his three years of guidance, they can all become capable masters, and these people must be under his control.

"Rest easy, Clan Leader; if anyone dares, we won’t need you to speak up, we’ll deal with them ourselves."

"That’s right, Senior Gu Xiao, we can take a curse oath!"

A curse is a type of curse only used in specific contexts; it connects with world force, and once the oath is broken, you will be hunted endlessly by world force!

"Great!" Since they spoke to this extent, Zhang Menglong could fully trust them now.

Of course, to master the Nine Nether Sunset Art, just these won’t suffice. Zhang Menglong needs them to grow stronger as quickly as possible!

However, there’s only one mirror, and Zhang Menglong doesn’t dare to reveal it; otherwise, the whole Sunset Sect might focus on him, possibly leading to conflicts.

But with the original unavailable, Zhang Menglong still has a way to produce a batch of replicas, achieving at least 60%-80% of the original’s effectiveness.

His only goal is to enable the entire Shamate Clan to win battles, with commendable conduct!