112: Zhang Sanfeng's guess

"Yuanqiao, is there something that brings you here at this time?" Zhang Sanfeng looked at Eldest Martial Brother, his tone calm.

"Master, the matter regarding Zhang Wuji, is it really just going to be left like this?" Eldest Martial Brother said after a moment's hesitation.

"Sigh... many things must have happened to Zhang Wuji over these years."

"I also do not know what he has experienced to make him turn out like this."

"If he is not guided in time, he will go astray," Zhang Sanfeng said helplessly.

"I think so too, but now that Zhang Wuji has left Wudang, what should we do next?"

"We have no way of knowing what exactly happened during the years Zhang Wuji was missing."

"In that case, if we want to guide him, we have no place to start," Eldest Martial Brother said helplessly.

"Regarding this matter, I feel it is mainly because of that Duan Long. How much do you know about Duan Long's news?" Zhang Sanfeng asked.

"Master, this Duan Long claims to be from the Tang Clan of Shu. Upon my return, I already sent people to investigate news of Duan Long."

"However, in my view, this Duan Long is not a member of the Tang Clan at all. He is deliberately dragging the Tang Clan into this."

"As for whether there is a grudge between them, it is not yet clear. After all, these are just my speculations."

"For specifics, we still need the latest news," Eldest Martial Brother said.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear; at this moment, a sound came from outside the door.

When Eldest Martial Brother received the news sent back, his expression became more solemn than ever before.

Because he had received some very bad news.

"Alright, you may go. Keep a close watch on news regarding this Duan Long, and report immediately if there are any new developments," Eldest Martial Brother said.

"Yes..."

Eldest Martial Brother returned to his Master's room, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Master..."

"Alright, I already heard what was said just now. It seems now that this Duan Long is indeed a member of the Tang Clan; even if he wasn't before, he is now," Zhang Sanfeng said.

"There is another piece of news: Wang Lianhua is dead."

"Furthermore, it was caused by this Duan Long. According to our information, this Duan Long is very likely related to the Star Constellation Sect and the Sun Moon Holy Cult."

"When Wang Lianhua died, his Internal Energy was completely gone; he died because of the total loss of Internal Energy," Eldest Martial Brother said.

"Total loss of Internal Energy? It indeed has some relation to the Skill for Dissolving Internal Energy and the Star Sucking Great Technique."

"However, the Kyushu Continent has more than just these two types of Cultivation Techniques that can absorb others' Internal Energy," Zhang Sanfeng said.

"Oh? Master, could there be other Cultivation Techniques?" Eldest Martial Brother said in surprise.

"Of course. Back when I had just left the Shaolin Temple, I encountered someone while traveling the Jianghu."

"I was also given pointers on martial arts by that person back then, and that person displayed a Cultivation Technique that could make one's power vanish instantly."

"At that time, I was curious and asked him; the name of that Cultivation Technique is the Northern Darkness Divine Art, which can absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use."

"As for who that person was, I am not sure; he did not say. He only said he saw that I had some talent, so he gave me a few pointers."

"However, that is only one of them. There is another Cultivation Technique that can achieve this, and this technique is even more bizarre and terrifying compared to the Northern Darkness Divine Art."

"It is the Qi Absorption Great Technique. Although it only differs by one word from the Star Sucking Great Technique, they are worlds apart."

"Compared to the Qi Absorption Great Technique, the Star Sucking Great Technique is nothing at all."

"The Qi Absorption Great Technique can not only absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use, but even the opponent's martial arts will be directly absorbed away."

"One directly learns the opponent's martial arts. When this Cultivation Technique is practiced to the highest Realm, one can even perform remote power absorption," Zhang Sanfeng said, taking a deep breath.

"What? Master, does such a Cultivation Technique really exist in this world?" Eldest Martial Brother's face changed drastically as he said.

The Northern Darkness Divine Art's ability to absorb Internal Energy for one's own use is already Heaven-Defying; this is simply like cheating.

With this Northern Darkness Divine Art, where would there be a need to Cultivate? One could simply go and absorb others' Internal Energy to achieve a Breakthrough.

And this Qi Absorption Great Technique is even more ruthless; it not only absorbs Internal Energy but even the martial arts are taken away.

This is simply a forbidden Cultivation Technique. If this technique were to appear in the Jianghu, it would definitely cause a sensation.

"However, I have only heard of this Cultivation Technique. It is said to be the martial arts of the Eccentric Hero of Heavenly Pool from back then. But as the Eccentric Hero of Heavenly Pool disappeared, this technique also vanished."

"To this day, the appearance of this Qi Absorption Great Technique has not been seen in the Jianghu," Zhang Sanfeng said.

Hearing his Master's words, Eldest Martial Brother finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Still, his heart was very shocked.

After all, such a Cultivation Technique really existed back then, and only became lost because of a person's disappearance.

"Is there really such a terrifying martial art? This is too inconceivable," Eldest Martial Brother said, taking a deep breath.

"The world is vast, and there is no lack of wonders; every era has some brilliant Geniuses who appear."

"If what this Duan Long uses is the Northern Darkness Divine Art, it is very likely related to that expert who gave me pointers back then."

"It's possible he is his successor," Zhang Sanfeng said.

"Master... there was one more piece of news just now. You must stay calm when you hear it," Eldest Martial Brother said.

"Hmm? What is it?" Zhang Sanfeng said, frowning.

"Well, three days ago, Abbess Fengling of Emei died..." Eldest Martial Brother said.

Hearing that Abbess Fengling had died, Zhang Sanfeng's brow furrowed slightly.

He naturally knew who Abbess Fengling was; she was the second-generation Sect Head of Emei, the Master of Nickname, and the disciple of Guo Xiang.

Furthermore, he also knew why Guo Xiang gave her the name Fengling.

It was because of a certain person, and it was precisely because of that person's existence that he had never been able to be with Guo Xiang.

He just hadn't expected that Abbess Fengling had died.

He just didn't know if Guo Xiang had managed a Breakthrough from her Death Seclusion.

"What exactly happened?" Zhang Sanfeng said, frowning.

"Abbess Fengling wanted to seek revenge for Nickname, and after Duan Long left the Bright Summit, he actually went straight to the Shu Region, where he happened to encounter Abbess Fengling."

"As a result, Abbess Fengling was no match for Duan Long at all and was killed by him."

"If it weren't for Zhou Zhiruo agreeing to Duan Long's conditions, it's estimated that the Emei Sect would now exist in name only," Eldest Martial Brother said helplessly.

"Hmph... the lad is arrogant. Was it necessary to kill?" Zhang Sanfeng said, his face looking grim.

However, upon hearing Zhou Zhiruo's name, Zhang Sanfeng immediately thought of that little girl he had met by the Banks of the Wei River years ago.

She was indeed quite good; he had seen with his own eyes back then that this Zhou Zhiruo's talent was indeed excellent.

She was also beautiful; he hadn't expected she would go to such lengths for the Emei Sect.

"What conditions did Zhou Zhiruo agree to for Duan Long?" Zhang Sanfeng asked, frowning.

"That... it was to leave Emei and stay by his side from then on as a bed-warming maid," Eldest Martial Brother said with a somewhat strange expression.

"Hmm? Duan Long?"

"Yuanqiao, have you considered that this Duan Long might be related to the Dali Duan Clan?" Zhang Sanfeng said, frowning.

"Dali Duan Clan? Master, are you talking about that Prince of Zhennan of Dali, Duan Zhengchun, who is notorious in the Jianghu and known as the profligate prince?" Eldest Martial Brother asked in surprise.