A Single Oversight Amidst Thorough Preparation

This trip, the family's preparations had been sufficiently thorough. Yang Lingrui carried three Mountain-Splitting Talismans and three Vajra Talismans on him, along with a large handful of mid-grade Spirit Shield Talismans and Divine Movement Talismans.

But these methods were, after all, consumables.

If the opponents he encountered also possessed countermeasures, then once these talismans were exhausted, he would have to rely on his actual cultivation realm to prevail.

On his side, there were three of them: two at the Fourth Layer and one at the Fifth Layer-hardly an advantage.

Seeing the worry rise on Yang Lingrui's face, Gu Zhengyuan spoke up: "Fellow Daoist Lingrui, there's no need to be so distressed. In truth, obtaining the Mayfly Essence depends more on luck than on raw strength."

"Take the last opening of the treasure ground, for example. The Wangchao sent a prince inside, and his guards were all handpicked elites. They rampaged through the treasure ground unchecked, with no one able to stop them. Yet in the end, they didn't find a single wisp of Essence. Meanwhile, among the ordinary cultivators they chased all over, someone actually obtained that fated chance."

"Such a thing actually happened?"

Hearing this, Yang Lingrui's brows relaxed.

"Of course. Otherwise, why would everyone say that Providence is mysterious and unfathomable?"

Gu Zhengyuan stroked his beard and smiled. "In my old opinion, Fellow Daoist Lingrui still has a unique advantage."

"A unique advantage? Please enlighten me, Senior!"

"You practice wind techniques, correct?"

"That's right."

"Then do you know the Clear Breeze Entering the Body method?"

"I do!"

Yang Lingrui nodded.

Previously, during the battle with the Yin Ghost in Sanglu Valley, he had used this very method to finish off Zhang Yao.

This kind of wind technique application could dismantle an enemy from within, but the prerequisite was having the opportunity to send the clear breeze into their body.

"Then this is simple! There are many methods and techniques for collecting Mayfly Essence. Among them, one method is usable by wind technique practitioners. Few know of it, and even fewer can actually perform it."

Gu Zhengyuan gathered spiritual light on his fingertip, tapped it on the table, and drew the shape of a Mayfly larva.

Then, pointing at the larva's body, he said: "The Mayfly Essence is a peculiar substance. It evolves from the wisp of Spiritual Qi stored in the intestines of the Mayfly Spirit Insect as it transforms from larva to adult. Therefore, you can send your wind technique into the larva's body in advance using the Entering the Body method."

Hearing this, Yang Lingrui immediately understood.

"Senior means that by placing the wind technique into many larvae, if any of them produces an Essence after becoming an adult, I can use the technique to conceal it, wrap it up, and collect it without anyone noticing."

"Exactly. You are indeed clever, young friend. That's it!"

Gu Zhengyuan said: "If you can execute this method, it will greatly increase your chances of obtaining the Essence. However, it requires extremely precise control over your technique, as the larvae are very fragile. The slightest mistake could kill them with the technique."

"Lingrui understands! Thank you, Senior, for telling me this!"

After learning this method, Yang Lingrui became much more confident.

Ever since watching the Condensed Origin demonstration at the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly, his understanding of the techniques he practiced had deepened day by day.

Now, he was confident enough to control his strength and send the wind technique into the larvae's bodies.

"Ah, it was just a casual remark."

Gu Zhengyuan waved his hand. "There are still four days until the secret treasure ground opens. You all should rest well. If there's anything you need to buy, there's a temporary market set up in the north of town. You can go take a look there."

With that, he stood up, took his leave, and departed the pavilion.

After seeing Gu Zhengyuan off, Yang Linghu returned to the room and sat down, sighing: "I never imagined there were so many intricacies involved. If we hadn't spoken with Senior Gu today and rushed in blindly, we would have suffered quite a loss."

"Indeed. This shows the value of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. Accurate and precise intelligence is far too important for cultivators exploring secrets."

Yang Lingrui nodded in agreement.

They rested for a night. The next day, Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu went to the market north of town to purchase items like Antidote Pills and Miasma-Breaking Talismans.

They hadn't brought much cash, but the market supported bartering. They exchanged some of their existing talismans with the shops and spent a portion of Spirit Crystals to gather everything they needed.

By the fourth day, they split into two groups and headed to the Black Snake Hidden Treasure and the Mayfly Treasure Ground.

When Yang Lingrui and his two companions arrived at the treasure ground, they saw that the good spots near the entrance were already occupied by numerous temporary camps.

These were all people from major powers. Among those standing guard at the entrance were even Condensed Origin cultivators.

Seeing this, Yang Lingrui led Xie Chuan and Lü Lianshun to a distant spot.

The treasure ground would be open for a full twenty days. The Mayfly Spirit Insects inside also needed time to transform from larvae to adults. There was no need to take risks for the sake of seizing the initiative.

If these major powers wanted to enter first, let them.

Yang Lingrui and his companions, holding the mindset of avoiding trouble and not drawing attention, quietly blended in among the ordinary cultivators.

But he seemed to have forgotten one thing. Xie Chuan and Lü Lianshun could blend in among the cultivators and achieve a certain level of concealment.

However, when he stood among a group of cultivators, his appearance stood out even more starkly against the backdrop of ordinary faces, like a crane among chickens.

When he noticed people constantly sneaking glances at him, Yang Lingrui inwardly cried out in alarm. He quickly turned and walked out of the crowd, intending to find a secluded place to alter his face.

Back at the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly, he had been targeted by that scholar precisely because of his outstanding looks.

He had made so many preparations for this trip, yet he had overlooked this one detail-a single oversight amidst thorough preparation.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment."

No sooner had Yang Lingrui stepped out of the crowd than a voice sounded from behind him.

Hearing this, he felt a headache coming on. He tried to pretend he hadn't heard and keep walking, but the speaker had already drawn level with him.

Qi Gathering Late Stage!

Sensing this person's cultivation from his aura, Yang Lingrui knew he couldn't avoid it.

He turned around, bowed, and said: "Greetings, Senior. Were you calling me?"

As he spoke, he shot a glance at Xie Chuan and Lü Lianshun in the crowd, signaling them to stay hidden.

"Truly an exquisite face!"

Seeing Yang Lingrui's full visage, the Late Stage cultivator couldn't help but praise him. Then he said: "Don't be afraid, young friend. My name is Zhu Xuan, of the Feng Family from Qiulu City. I am here escorting my family's two young ladies to explore this secret ground."

"Greetings, Senior Zhu. May I ask why you have sought me out?"

Yang Lingrui had never heard of the Feng Family, but since this person's cultivation was above Pei Xuejian's and he was entrusted with an escort mission, the Feng Family must surely be among the great clans.

Unable to afford provoking them, he decided to go along with their wishes for now and take things step by step.

"It's like this. A few days ago, my young lady caught a glimpse of you at the market in Yanxia Town. Seeing you again today, she wishes to invite you to her dwelling for a chat."

"A glimpse?"

Yang Lingrui was taken aback, then began to recall.

When he had been purchasing items that day, something had indeed happened.

At a talisman stall, a young female cultivator was struggling to discern the quality of the talismans. Yang Lingrui happened to be waiting at the same stall to exchange talismans, so he casually offered a few pointers.

To him, it was a trivial matter, and he hadn't given it a second thought.

In truth, his only intention had been to get the female cultivator ahead of him to finish her purchase quickly so he could exchange his own talismans.

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