Mo Tiange looked at Ling Yunhe's expression at this moment, somewhat unable to gauge his relationship with Han Shizhi.
The two of them recognized each other at first sight, clearly old acquaintances. Their words carried a sense of familiarity, as if they were well aware of each other's circumstances, suggesting a long-standing acquaintance. Their relationship didn't seem like that of enemies, nor did it seem like friends. They harbored deep wariness towards each other, yet had no intention of becoming adversaries.
However, since Ling Yunhe had helped her, for now at least, he wasn't her enemy.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Ling," Mo Tiange quickly put on a smile. "Thank you for lending me a hand."
Ling Yunhe withdrew his gaze and waved his hand dismissively. "Even if I hadn't intervened just now, Fellow Daoist Qin wouldn't have lost to that fellow surnamed Han. There's no need for thanks."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange smiled, feeling another measure of goodwill towards this Ling Yunhe.
Although Han Shizhi's strength was formidable, she was confident she wouldn't lose. However, Ling Yunhe's intervention had scared him off, saving her a lot of trouble. After all, Han Shizhi was no mediocre opponent; if a real fight had broken out, it would have been difficult for her to emerge unscathed.
What was most commendable was that Ling Yunhe had helped her but didn't claim credit for it. From this perspective, he was a smart person. He didn't try to leverage the favor for repayment, yet his actions made Mo Tiange view him favorably. Consequently, regarding the matter of Carefree Valley, she couldn't help but give it more consideration.
"Fellow Daoist Ling, why are you here?" Mo Tiange asked. "Couldn't sleep in the middle of the night and came out for a stroll?"
She said this with a smile. They were both Core Formation cultivators; since when did they need sleep? Ling Yunhe immediately understood she was teasing.
He also smiled but replied, "If cultivators did need sleep, I really wouldn't be able to."
Mo Tiange hadn't expected such an answer. She was taken aback for a moment, guessing what he was referring to, and felt somewhat hesitant. Ling Yunhe had just helped her; she ought to show some concern. But if she followed that line of conversation, it would inevitably involve the Ling family's secrets. She had come to Yunzhong to experience its customs and befriend its cultivators, not to get entangled in these grudges and enmities.
Being a candidate for sect leader, Ling Yunhe was naturally sharp-minded. Seeing her expression, he guessed her reason. He smiled nonchalantly and changed the subject. "How did Fellow Daoist Qin manage to offend that Han Shizhi? That man is a professor at the Yueshan Academy in the Southern Zhou Kingdom, notorious for his ruthless methods and hidden daggers behind his smile. Although Fellow Daoist Qin's skills are extraordinary, you might not be able to guard against his covert attacks."
"Is that so?" Hearing this, Mo Tiange felt a spark of curiosity about Han Shizhi. "From what I know, most Confucian Cultivators cultivate their minds and nurture their nature. Why is this Han Shizhi of such a character?"
Ling Yunhe shook his head and sighed softly. "This Han Shizhi, though vicious in temperament, is a rare talent on the cultivation path. He likes to take unorthodox paths, yet he has a real knack for studying Confucian classics. He cultivates a Confucian Mental Cultivation Method, but it's one he researched and modified himself—a self-created method."
"What?" Mo Tiange was shocked. "He's only at Core Formation and can create his own technique?" It was no wonder she was so surprised. Creating cultivation techniques wasn't a simple matter. The techniques preserved in the current cultivation world were either adapted from ancient legacies or painstakingly revised and supplemented over generations by major sects. There were also techniques created by individual cultivators, but those cultivators were all Nascent Soul stage experts, each a stunningly brilliant genius. Nowadays, with the lack of Spiritual Qi in heaven and earth, many techniques couldn't be cultivated to their peak. Cultivators' utilization of Spiritual Qi was far inferior to ancient cultivators. The difficulty of creating a technique was truly beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Ling Yunhe understood Mo Tiange's astonishment well. He smiled somewhat helplessly. "That's why I say he's a rare talent." Seemingly inspired by the topic, Ling Yunhe continued, "Fellow Daoist Qin isn't from Yunzhong, so you might not be very familiar with the situation here. The Southern Zhou Kingdom is the domain of Buddhist and Confucian Cultivators. The Yueshan Academy is the largest academy in the Southern Zhou Kingdom. Becoming a professor there isn't just about having high cultivation."
"Oh? I truly haven't had much contact with Confucian Cultivators and don't understand the academy system. Isn't 'professor' just a title for their Core Formation cultivators?"
"Naturally not." On this point, Ling Yunhe shook his head. "In the Southern Zhou Kingdom, academies are the sects for Confucian Cultivators. Ordinary Qi Refining disciples are the lowest-level students. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, they can become lecturers. At Core Formation, they are assistant instructors. Only after reaching Nascent Soul do they become professors."
Mo Tiange was stunned. "Han Shizhi is only at Core Formation, yet he's already a professor..."
"Correct." Ling Yunhe smiled slightly. "Only some publicly recognized geniuses who have made contributions to the academy are granted higher titles. The reason Han Shizhi is already a professor despite being only at Core Formation is precisely because he created a set of Mental Cultivation Methods for the Yueshan Academy."
Hearing the reason, Mo Tiange sighed. "Yunzhong truly is a land teeming with talent." Not to mention others, the few people she had met today were all quite extraordinary. Demon Lord Xuanyue had astonishing spiritual sense. Han Shizhi turned out to be such a genius. Yang Chengji, who had been mostly silent during the trade meet, could easily produce so many demon cores. And the Ling Yunhe before her, judging by his earlier intervention, clearly possessed considerable strength. She wondered if Monk Yuankong, Qingyunzi, and the senior brother and junior sister pair Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo also had unique skills.
Ling Yunhe's gaze, however, fell on Mo Tiange with a pointed meaning. "Fellow Daoist Qin, why praise others? Just now, facing Han Shizhi, you didn't fall behind in the slightest. Such strength ranks you among the top experts in Yunzhong as well." At this, he smiled slightly. "It seems I didn't misjudge you."
Receiving Ling Yunhe's praise, Mo Tiange merely smiled.
Under the moonlight, the two fell into a brief silence. Mo Tiange suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Ling, what exactly is this Carefree Valley you mentioned during the day?"
Hearing the question, Ling Yunhe was momentarily lost in thought before reacting, his face showing delight. "Is Fellow Daoist Qin willing to accept my invitation to go?"
Mo Tiange replied vaguely, "We'll see about that..."
Not getting a definite answer, Ling Yunhe wasn't disappointed. He quickly regained his composure, glanced around, and smiled. "Talk about it here?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback, then apologetic. "That was my oversight. If you don't mind, Fellow Daoist Ling, why not come to my small Cave Abode for a sit?"
Ling Yunhe didn't stand on ceremony and readily nodded. "I was hoping you'd suggest that."
Mo Tiange was somewhat speechless. This person... really didn't know the meaning of politeness. Anyone else, even if they agreed immediately, would at least exchange a few polite words, right?
However, from this, it seemed he was a straightforward person, and Mo Tiange happened to enjoy interacting with such people. Talking with this type was less tiring because they were smart enough, and because they were straightforward, there was no need for baseless suspicion. This feeling reminded her of Qin Xi—back when he was still "Senior Brother Qin," although he had many secrets, he was also similarly intelligent and straightforward.
She suddenly missed Qin Xi a little, wondering if his seclusion was going smoothly.
"Fellow Daoist Qin?" About to take a step, seeing Mo Tiange still standing in place, Ling Yunhe turned his head and called out in puzzlement.
"Ah!" Mo Tiange snapped back to reality, patted her forehead, and showed him a smile. "Please."
The two walked in silence to the small Cave Abode where Mo Tiange was temporarily staying.
Although the Spiritual Qi here was average, the place was well arranged. Moonlight stones shone brightly, illuminating it as if it were daytime.
This time, Mo Tiange politely served him guest tea.
Ling Yunhe was quite satisfied. Did this mean their relationship had taken a step forward?
After drinking the tea, Ling Yunhe spoke again. "Fellow Daoist Qin, I don't wish to pry into why you provoked Han Shizhi. However, heed my advice: from now on, you must be careful in everything. That man is narrow-minded and places great importance on face. Having suffered a setback by you, he will definitely seek to get even. This time, he underestimated you. Next time, you might not be so lucky."
Mo Tiange smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Ling. I will be careful."
Ling Yunhe's eyes shifted, and he continued with a smile, "However, if Fellow Daoist Qin is willing to help me with this matter, I will certainly resolve the issue of Han Shizhi for you in the future."
Mo Tiange was startled. Thinking of Ling Yunhe's identity, she suddenly understood. Even if Han Shizhi held an esteemed position in the Southern Zhou Kingdom, the man before her was one of the candidates for sect leader of the Jiuyan Sect, the number one major sect in Yunzhong, with a great chance of becoming its leader. With his help, the matter of Han Shizhi would naturally be nothing to worry about.
Her heart stirred. She raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Ling, suppose I agree to this and am willing to go to Carefree Valley with you. What benefits are you willing to offer me?"
She asked directly, but Ling Yunhe was very pleased. "If Fellow Daoist Qin is willing to help, whatever you need, as long as I can manage it, I will assist."
Mo Tiange stared intently at him and pressed on. "What if I want to obtain the complete version of a cultivation technique from the Danxia Sect?"
Ling Yunhe was taken aback. "A technique?"
Since she had already brought it up, Mo Tiange decided to lay her cards on the table. "Correct. I won't hide it from you, Fellow Daoist Ling. I came to Yunzhong this time under orders from my elders to obtain a certain technique from the Danxia Sect. However, as you know, who would be willing to casually give away a profound technique? I arrived in Yunzhong unfamiliar with the place and its people, with no connections to the Danxia Sect whatsoever. It's quite a headache."
"Is that so?" Ling Yunhe pondered slightly, giving Mo Tiange a thoughtful glance. "The technique Fellow Daoist Qin speaks of is presumably no ordinary one?"
"...Exactly." Mo Tiange smiled wryly. "To be honest, I have no confidence in this matter at all. I feel it's most likely impossible. But it's an order from my elders; I have no choice but to try."
"First, tell me which technique you want." Ling Yunhe contemplated for a moment, then looked at her. "Perhaps I really do have a way."
"It's... the Art of the Plain Maiden." Mo Tiange slowly uttered the three words, looking up at Ling Yunhe. "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Ling has heard of it?"
"The Art of the Plain Maiden..." Ling Yunhe murmured, as if recalling. Suddenly, his gaze turned sharp as he looked at Mo Tiange. "The Art of the Plain Maiden for female cultivators with pure yin constitutions?"
"Correct." Mo Tiange's expression remained calm. "Thousands of years ago, my ancestor was a cultivator from Yunzhong. She once heard that the Danxia Sect possessed a technique called the Art of the Plain Maiden, for female cultivators with pure yin constitutions to cultivate."