72: Chapter 72 Summoning

Guo Yanlin did not refuse any comers, drinking cup after cup, speaking with composure.

To the flattery of the crowd, he responded with humility; regarding their inquiries about the demon, he remained vague, saying only, "This object is malevolent and not a good omen. Its specific type and function can only be determined after further investigation; one must not speak rashly," thus lightly brushing the topic aside.

Though the crowd was somewhat disappointed, they dared not probe further, only serving him drinks and food with even greater diligence, attempting to get closer to this mysterious Daoist.

Jiang Hanzhou sat alone at the end of the table, eating silently.

He did not eat quickly, but carefully, tasting a little of every dish, inwardly evaluating the heat and ingredients.

Regarding the fawning of the crowd and Guo Yanlin's responses, he watched coldly, his mind clear.

This Guo Yanlin was indeed capable, but he also deeply understood the art of self-preservation.

He said what should be said and revealed absolutely nothing that shouldn't be.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

Steward appeared again, arranging for servants to lead the guests to the guest courtyard to rest.

Jiang Hanzhou was led to a relatively quiet, independent small courtyard located on the west side of the Li Residence.

The courtyard was not large, but clean and tidy, with one main room and two side wings, a small patch of green bamboo, and a stone well.

The leading servant said respectfully: "Physician Jiang, please rest here. If you have any needs, you may pull the brass bell inside the room, and someone will come to serve you. The Master has ordered that all distinguished guests please temporarily refrain from leaving the guest courtyard area to avoid any misunderstandings during the patrols of the residence's guards."

The words were tactful, but the intention of confinement was clear.

Jiang Hanzhou nodded, indicating he understood.

After the servant left, he closed the courtyard gate and walked into the main room.

The room was simply and elegantly furnished, with a bed, table, chairs, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone all present, the windows bright and the tables clean.

He did not rest immediately, but sat at the table, picked up a brush, and using the available ink, quickly recorded the key information he had seen and heard today—especially Li Jingming's symptoms, Guo Yanlin's diagnosis, and Li Chongshan's reaction—on several sheets of paper using abbreviated symbols that only he could understand.

After writing, he exhaled a wisp of pale golden Qi and blood from his fingertips, and the paper silently turned into fine powder, scattering out through the window cracks with the wind.

Having done this, he walked to the bedside and sat cross-legged.

His mind settled, and he summoned the panel.

Silently, the familiar translucent light screen appeared in his consciousness:

【 host: Jiang Hanzhou 】

【 fate: Late Bloomer (Fourth Tier) 】

【 Cultivation Technique: Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Skill (Major Achievement), Evil Flood Dragon Wave Surfing Art (Major Achievement), Heavenly Dipper Treasure Refining Art (First Layer) 】

【 Martial Arts: Tidal Shadow Thousand Hands (Perfection), Dragons Roar and Tigers Howl (Major Achievement), Evil Flood Dragon Wave (Major Achievement), Thirteen Transformations of Heavenly Fire (Minor Achievement), Turtle Breathing Technique (Perfection), Wave-Treading Step (Perfection), Tidal Sound Sword (Perfection), Wave Splitting Saber Art (Perfection), Hundred Beasts Form and Will (Perfection)... 】

【 Current Martial Arts Comprehension accumulation: 1667 years / 3000 years 】

Scanning the panel, Jiang Hanzhou felt slightly reassured.

The accumulation was increasing steadily, various martial arts were either at Perfection or Major Achievement, and the Thirteen Transformations of Heavenly Fire had also reached Minor Achievement, allowing for the stable stacking of four layers of force.

It was just that there was still a distance to the three thousand years of comprehension required for his fate to ascend to the fifth tier.

And the Heavenly Dipper Treasure Refining Art was only at the first layer, having condensed a wisp of Heavenly Dipper Precious Qi; subsequent Cultivate would require more and rarer "Materials."

"The Li Family matter is trouble, but perhaps it is also an opportunity." Jiang Hanzhou mused inwardly.

If that "Guanchao Cliff" was truly related to demons, perhaps he could find exotic Materials suitable for the Heavenly Dipper Treasure Refining Art there?

Of course, risks and opportunities coexist.

Dealing with demons, if not handled well, could lead to a monstrous disaster.

"The urgent priority is still to improve my own strength. fate ascension is key, and Martial Arts Comprehension needs to continue to accumulate. If the Thirteen Transformations of Heavenly Fire can break through to Major Achievement, or even Perfection, it will allow for more stacked force and stronger bursts, giving me more confidence in dealing with emergencies."

With his mind made up, Jiang Hanzhou did not hesitate.

He closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and slowly circulated the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Skill within his body. His Qi and blood, like mercury, flowed murmuringly along his Meridians, nourishing his limbs and bones.

At the same time, he began to repeatedly deduce the force-stacking method of the Thirteen Transformations of Heavenly Fire in his mind.

The first layer, Qi and blood surging, like a spark just ignited.

The second layer, force stacking, like flames rising.

The third layer, raging flames sweeping, unstoppable.

The fourth layer...

His consciousness sank into a deep state of Cultivate, and all sounds from the outside world seemed to drift away.

Outside the guest courtyard, the Li Residence, this giant beast that had crouched for a hundred years, was surging with undercurrents due to the word "demon."

Secret orders were issued one after another from the Master's study.

Teams of elite guards and secret agents left the residence silently, rushing to Guanchao Cliff in the south of the city, and to every place that had been in contact with Li Jingming over the past six months.

Li Chongshan sat alone in his study, with a detailed map of Donghai Prefecture and the surrounding seas spread out before him.

His finger pressed heavily on the three characters "Guanchao Cliff," and in his crimson eyes, cold murderous intent surged, along with a trace of... shock and suspicion that even he did not want to delve into.

The night deepened, shrouding the Li Residence.

Only in key passages and hidden places on the rooftops did the figures of patrolling guards become denser, their eyes like hawks, vigilant against any movement inside or outside.

And in the west guest courtyard, Jiang Hanzhou's aura was restrained, but beneath his skin, crimson-gold light patterns faintly flowed and flickered, like the movement of underground fire, ready to be unleashed.

...

Time flew by, and three days passed.

In the Li Residence guest courtyard, the depression and panic caused by the word "demon" not only did not dissipate, but fermented and became heavier with the passage of time and waiting.

The physicians and Jianghu figures, who were effectively under house arrest, were initially able to maintain a facade of calm, discussing medical techniques or privately exchanging hearsay.

But as three meals a day were delivered on time, with the servants' respectful yet distant service, and the noticeably increased number of guards outside the courtyard gates, a restlessness of being isolated from the outside world quietly climbed onto the brows of many, like slowly growing vines.

"How long are we expected to wait?"

"The Li Family is investigating their own affairs; they can't keep us locked up here forever, right?"

"Sigh, involving demons... I fear it won't be that easy to get away."

Whispers sounded from time to time under the corridors and in the corners of the courtyard, only to be quickly extinguished by the wind.

The small courtyard where Jiang Hanzhou stayed remained quiet.

During the day, he either flipped through those foreign-language classics, comparing them with the insights on Bloodline secret arts in the sheepskin scroll, trying to understand the distinct logic of their energy operation.

Or he deduced the key points of the subsequent force-stacking of the Thirteen Transformations of Heavenly Fire, repeatedly simulating the Qi and blood operation route in his mind.

At night, he practiced as usual, and the nourishment of the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Skill and that wisp of Heavenly Dipper Precious Qi never ceased.

The Spiritual Qi in the Li Residence was indeed much denser than in the outer city, which was slightly beneficial to his Cultivate.

As for the outside restlessness, it seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, not disturbing his state of mind in the slightest.

On the afternoon of the third day, sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the bluestone ground.

Jiang Hanzhou had just finished a round of Qi and blood circulation when clear footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, different from the servants who delivered food in the past; the steps were heavier and the rhythm steadier.

"Physician Jiang," came the steady voice of Steward from outside the door, "The Master has returned to the residence. Please proceed to the main hall for a discussion."

It was here.