Fang Yu blinked, and Quan Heng immediately understood.

So, are they people from Tianyuan Town...

Quan Heng was a bit tempted. After all, before the An Mansion completed the ritual preparations, he actually had nothing much to do for the time being.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the time to frequently visit that frail and sickly female benefactor.

"It’s not impossible, but I need to return to the An Mansion first to inform the master, then I can leave. Additionally, I might bring Benefactor Guo along for a visit."

Quan Heng gave a heads-up, as he knew very well that if he left Guo Yuxin behind, she would definitely cause a scene and be troublesome.

Hearing this, Fang Yu immediately showed a joyful expression.

Monk Quan Heng was someone he could trust.

In Tianyuan Town, Fang Yu had some understanding of him and knew he was a very upright person. The rescue back then was still vivid in his memory.

Having such a believer expert nearby was undoubtedly reassuring, making trips outside feel much safer.

As for Benefactor Guo?

Fang Yu couldn’t recall who she was at first, but after a brief recollection, he remembered she was the woman who fought with his second sister and lost!

That guy is still alive?

Fang Yu was speechless. She’s really holding onto someone strong.

The incident in Tianyuan Town claimed the lives of many players, so it’s pretty astounding that she managed to escape alive.

However, that night was truly chaotic. Surviving didn’t necessarily depend on strength; luck played a bigger role.

"The commotion seems to be coming from over there!"

"Let’s go check it out!"

Voices came from afar, and Fang Yu and Quan Heng exchanged a glance, seemingly coming to a mutual understanding. They almost simultaneously activated their movement technique to quickly leave the area.

Fang Yu led the way, with Monk Quan Heng closely following behind.

Once they started moving, Fang Yu truly felt that Monk Quan Heng, without using his believer powers, was only at the level of a Thousand Blood Bar in terms of physical strength.

Because as soon as Fang Yu slightly increased his speed, Monk Quan Heng would show a slightly confused expression, falling a bit behind.

"Inspector Diao has gotten stronger."

After Fang Yu slowed down to run parallel with Quan Heng, Quan Heng clasped his palms together and said.

"Of course, I’ve been working really hard."

Fang Yu chuckled. Being praised by someone who effortlessly crushed him in the past was, in a sense, recognition of his improved strength.

Quan Heng started the conversation, and Fang Yu went along with it, saying, "Speaking of which, I never knew Master Quan Heng’s strength. When we first met, you greatly held back during our spar, didn’t you?"

"Amitabha, it was just a misunderstanding back then. How could I go all out? As for my current strength..."

"Fate, Wheel, Thought, Empty... I’m just at the Empty Soul level among the Seven Souls, which is equivalent to the Wood Realm in your Martial Arts."

Fang Yu was moved.

What is the Empty Soul level? Fang Yu didn’t understand, but he knew about the Wood Realm.

Unlike Qingling Taoist, although he was an expert among believers, he was ultimately an adversary, keeping many things hidden.

When at Sunset City a long time ago, if Fang Yu had agreed to become his apprentice, it might have been different, and he could have gained some cultivation insights.

But since he didn’t apprentice with him, he naturally missed a lot of information.

Monk Quan Heng in front of him was different.

Using a traditional game display, the health bar above his head would represent friendliness with a green bar.

Of course, this was just Fang Yu imagining. In reality, Quan Heng’s Thousand Blood Bar was no different from others, all blood-red.

"Wood Realm... Is it the Initial Stage of the Wood Realm? Or the Middle Stage? High-level?"

Fang Yu asked cautiously.

This question was quite sensitive.

If someone else asked Fang Yu about his realm strength, he would definitely not be pleased.

However, Master Quan Heng, being almost half of his own side or rather on a neutral friendly camp, pondered slightly and then put his palms together, saying, "Probably equivalent to your Martial Arts’ High-level in the Wood Realm. My master said that after that night in Tianyuan Town, I’ve been getting closer to breaking through. But I don’t feel it myself; most likely, it’s just my master’s consolation."

Step.

Fang Yu stopped walking, straightened his expression, and respectfully saluted, "Master Quan Heng, my current strength is at the Initial Stage of the Wood Realm, and I seem to be facing a bottleneck. I’m quite confused, so I kindly ask Master Quan Heng to help guide me whenever you have the time."

This gesture was both polite and honest.

Both parties revealed their realms, but they both knew this matter wouldn’t be disclosed to others.

Fang Yu still kept some real trump cards hidden, such as Bone Armor, Demonization, Bloodline Spirit, and Yuan Demon Body...

But who could guarantee that Monk Quan Heng didn’t have his own secrets?

A certain level of openness was already a great show of trust.

If it weren’t for their prior acquaintance and understanding of some character traits, Fang Yu would never have revealed his current realm to him.

"Amitabha, I wouldn’t dare say guide, rather let’s improve through mutual exchange."

Having set the stage, they exchanged a smile.

Fang Yu noticed that seeing Monk Quan Heng again, he seemed to have undergone some changes. But he couldn’t quite specify what had changed. When they were in Tianyuan Town, their relationship was nowhere near as close as it is now.

Leaving the alley, once they were on the street, their pace slowed down, blending in with the crowd.

"Master Quan Heng, earlier I observed your moves, they’re quite different from the believers I’ve seen during my travels."

"You’ve seen other believers?" Quan Heng looked surprised.

Believers are rare to come across.

With the crowd as cover, they weren’t afraid of being overheard.

Fang Yu first nodded, then continued, "I saw that believer fight; they had a blood-colored Qi Shield around them, extremely tough, using it against enemies. But your moves seemed like an ordinary Martial Artist’s, without any blood shield covering."

"So Inspector Diao could see? Oh right... you mentioned you possess the strength of the Wood Realm."

Pausing for a moment, Quan Heng explained, "The matter is actually quite simple. Take me as an example, believers are divided into three stages. The first stage is just awakening as a believer, using the power of Spirit to condense what you call a blood shield, also known as the Spirit Shield."

"The second stage is about reshaping the Spirit Shield, turning the Spirit Shield from absolute protection into a form most suitable for oneself. This form varies from person to person. Some choose to retain the Spirit Shield shape, only enhancing it for higher protection. Others, like me, reshape the Spirit Shield entirely. So what I’m using isn’t a Spirit Shield; it’s the reshaped form, making it less obvious."

"The third stage involves integrating the Spirit Shield into the body, achieving a tighter bond of Spirit and flesh, which is the direction I’m currently working hard towards. Successfully doing so would likely coincide with my realm breakthrough."

After hearing this, Fang Yu understood.

So, his Bloodline Spirit state was just at the first stage.

Looking at it this way, he still had a long road ahead. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Step.

Fang Yu stopped walking.

"Master Quan Heng, you go back to the An Mansion to report, and come to regroup at my Forest Snake Gang as soon as possible. I have some personal matters to settle."

The demon hunting plan had only just begun.

Fang Yu had no intention of stopping.

Now with a believer by his side, there was no need to lure demons. If the demons had any sense, seeing this guy, they would immediately turn and flee.

The terrifying deterrent of believers being like a natural enemy made ordinary demons not dare to approach at all.

Quan Heng was clearly taken aback.

They were chatting happily, and suddenly he had something to attend to.

But he didn’t think much of it and put his hands together.

"Amitabha, if that’s the case, Inspector Diao, I shall go ahead then. If things go smoothly, I should visit tonight. If anything changes, I’ll send someone to the Forest Snake Gang to inform you."

Fang Yu nodded with a smile.

"Alright."