Forget it, forget it, we’ll talk about it if the opportunity arises.

Unless I can get a high-level Cultivation Technique like Middle or High in the Wood Realm or Tree Realm, which would make it much easier to advance my Martial Arts to the Middle Stage of the Wood Realm, Fang Yu isn’t really considering learning other low-level Cultivation Techniques and using attribute points to slowly improve.

Of course, once I break through to the Middle Stage of the Wood Realm, I’ll need a new High-level Cultivation Technique to meet the breakthrough standards for the High Stage of the Wood Realm.

At that time, even if I don’t want to, I would have to pick one from the high-level Grass Realm techniques like [Ice Blood Storm] or others, and increase it to High in the Wood Realm for the breakthrough.

Looking at the Forest Snake Gang’s base, whose outline was already visible, Fang Yu slightly quickened his pace, suppressing his thoughts.

Now, I’ve yet to break through to the Middle Stage of the Wood Realm and I’m still short of one Cultivation Technique that meets the requirements. Thinking about the High Stage of the Wood Realm now is a bit too far-fetched.

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

"Mr. Diao!"

"Mr. Diao."

The guards at the Forest Snake Gang’s entrance were quite alert. Upon seeing Fang Yu, they immediately saluted.

People like the Hall Master of the Forest Snake Gang might refer to Fang Yu with a more distant title like Guest Elder, but the subordinates had to use a respectful title for him.

Upon seeing Fang Yu trying to enter, a guard quickly spoke up.

"Mr. Diao, you have guests waiting for you inside. They’ve been waiting for quite some time."

Huh?

Fang Yu was taken aback.

Quan Heng, that guy, sure acted quickly, he’s here already.

With a look of surprise and delight, Fang Yu asked where the guests were and then strode towards the hall.

From afar, he could hear some cheerful chatting from the hall, as if the fake Gang Leader was among them as well.

This guy, he sure knows how to play the game, building good relations with Monk Quan Heng.

"Quan..."

As he strode into the hall, Fang Yu realized something was amiss the next second.

[Qiu Xiaoping: 7248/8000.]

[Tu Guren: 100/100.]

[Liu Qiner: 5/5.]

[Fa Hongbao: 851/851.]

"Why is it you guys?"

Fang Yu’s sudden entrance also interrupted the pleasant atmosphere in the hall, bringing all the chatter to a halt.

Qiu Xiaoping blinked and was the first to stand up from her seat.

"Young Master Diao, were you perhaps expecting someone else?"

Fa Hongbao, the fake Gang Leader, quickly rushed over, laughing to ease the situation.

"Diao Keqing, it’s good you finally returned. Come, come, come, take a seat, these noble guests have been waiting almost all afternoon for you."

As he pulled Fang Yu into a seat, Fang Yu didn’t resist, but he did find it unexpected that the high officials of the Rebel Army came to see him openly at the Forest Snake Gang rather than sneaking in at night.

What does this mean?

An act of intimidation? Forcing me into a difficult decision between factions?

Fang Yu’s eyes showed a hint of hostility.

Liu Qiner, upon seeing the situation, instinctively gripped the hem of her skirt, bit her lip, and lowered her head, not daring to speak or even breathe.

That night, she, along with the Rebel Army’s Meng Huoke and Cao Fubi, escaped from the Prison. After leaving the Foolish Underworld, they went their separate ways.

She was the weakest in strength, and her pace was slower, but fortunately... the scarred man, Tu Guren.

Because he was concerned for Qiner, when he learned she was captured by the Foolish Underworld, he lingered around the area immediately, reporting the situation at once, which successfully summoned the well-intentioned Rebel Army Minister, Qiu Xiaoping.

Even so, Qiu Xiaoping dared not directly assault the Foolish Underworld, instead organizing personnel around to prepare for assistance.

As a result, only the locksmith Cao Fubi and Liu Qiner were rescued, as Meng Huoke was too closely watched by the Foolish Underworld’s experts. Qiu Xiaoping couldn’t risk rescuing him, as she might be trapped herself, falling into the Foolish Underworld’s hands.

After all, the Foolish Underworld was their stronghold, and staying there was not an option.

After saving two people of little consequence, Qiu Xiaoping led the retreat. As for Meng Huoke, she had to think of another way, though the chances of rescue seemed slim.

After the successful operation and returning to the Rebel Army, they had a meeting with leaders from the other departments, discussing and handling some matters. Only then did she rush with the two to the Forest Snake Gang to meet Fang Yu.

However... Fang Yu was absent.

So they waited.

And they waited until sunset, which is now.

"Young Master Diao is such a busy person, it was truly a hard wait for me."

Qiu Xiaoping covered her mouth with a laugh, showing no sign of blame.

This sight left Fa Hongbao astonished.

Beautiful, beautiful, such a beautiful woman.

No! But I have a wife already, how can I have wandering thoughts, being unfaithful!

But, but soon, I will become the true Gang Leader of the Forest Snake Gang, as a leader, taking a concubine isn’t a big deal, right?

Fa Hongbao’s strength was too weak to see how terrifying Qiu Xiaoping really was; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare to have any presumptuous thoughts.

"I was just out for some errands, and yet you’re the one who managed to find your way here."

Fang Yu squinted his eyes.

"Young Master Diao underestimates us. We do have the ability to gather information."

Qiu Xiaoping still covered her mouth as she laughed. For someone in her position as a Minister of the Rebel Army, her current attitude was quite humble and gentle. If her subordinates in the Rebel Army’s Autumn Department saw this, they’d probably be shocked.

What kind of person could make Minister Qiu show such courtesy??

The scarred man Tu Guren, though not fully understanding the situation at hand, knew how esteemed Qiu Xiaoping’s status within the Rebel Army was.

For such a significant figure to be so humble to a teenager, could it be... this teenager is also a master, like Minister Qiu??

Thinking of this,

Thud!

Suddenly, the scarred man Tu Guren got up and knelt before Fang Yu.

"Mr. Diao, I have an unreasonable request! I wish for your acceptance!"

Everyone: ???

The suddenness of Tu Guren’s kneel left everyone so bewildered, they didn’t react, their faces filled with confusion.

Only Qiner seemed to realize what the scarred man was going to say, and she hurriedly stood to stop him, but it was already too late.

"Mr. Diao, I would like to ask you to take Qiner as your apprentice! Qiner’s talents are unparalleled in the world! One in a million! With your guidance, she will surely soar to greatness!"

After speaking, he kowtowed with a thud, remaining kneeling.

It seemed he intended to kneel until Fang Yu accepted the apprenticeship.

Qiner, who was already standing, nearly turned green with embarrassment.

Facing everyone’s gaze now focused on her, she hastily waved her hands.

"No, no! That wasn’t me! It’s not what I meant!!"

Fang Yu withdrew his gaze, frowning as he looked at Qiu Xiaoping.

But Qiu Xiaoping was furrowing her brows as well.

She brought Qiner along because Qiner had interacted with Fang Yu before, and it was necessary for Qiner to clear their Rebel Army’s name, that even under torture in prison, they wouldn’t sell Fang Yu out.

As for Tu Guren, he earned great merit by providing intelligence during their battle at the prison the previous night. Instead of asking for a reward, he merely wished to stay by Qiner’s side, never leaving, which they allowed for now.

And now, he was causing trouble.

"Tu Guren, get up."

Qiu Xiaoping’s gradually chilling voice sent a shiver down Fang Yu’s spine.

This tone was how Qiu Xiaoping typically addressed her subordinates.

However, Tu Guren seemed completely unaware that their Rebel Army minister was losing her temper.

Or perhaps, even if he knew, he would rather risk his life to seize this opportunity for Qiner to succeed in becoming an apprentice.

Unfortunately...

"I won’t, repeat myself."

Thwack!

With a swift chop, Tu Guren suddenly fell unconscious.

Retracting her hand, Qiu Xiaoping apologized to Fang Yu with a bow.

"My apologies, Young Master Diao, for such a spectacle."

Fang Yu waved his hand, and promptly found a seat nearby.

"Gang Leader Fa, you should attend to your own matters, I’ll take care of things here."

Fa Hongbao, wanting to stick around, heard this and immediately nodded in agreement.

He knew well what was important and what wasn’t.

However, just as he was about to leave, one of his subordinates suddenly burst into the hall in a hurry.

"Gang, Gang Leader! Something terrible has happened! Master Tai, Master Tai... Master Tai Xuelin, he’s... he’s dead!!"

What?!

With those words, both Fang Yu and Fa Hongbao were shocked.

...