Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

Hearing that Wang Mian had no intention of returning to Songlintan and wanted to find a place to cultivate, Yu Tinghe thought of a suitable place that happened to be not far from Yuerwan.

Wang Mian's swordsmanship was superb and he cultivated it rapidly. Yu Tinghe had long wanted to learn from him, and this opportunity seemed to be a good one for her.

She immediately spoke up: "There is a sacred site that Grandma occupied in her early years by Taro Bay. It is secluded and quiet. If you don't mind the desolation, it would be a good choice."

In Taro Bay, Granny Yu, as a formation master, can set up formations to shield spiritual energy from people seeking it, thus occupying several spiritual sites.

They used the money to grow medicinal herbs and open up spiritual pools as their livelihood, but neither she nor her master were good at these things, so they could only try their best to maintain a balance.

"I have nowhere else to go if I don't return to Songlin Pool, so there's no need to disturb Fellow Daoist Yu and Senior's cultivation." Wang Mian declined the offer.

He could stay temporarily in that gap-toothed cave, the bamboo forest, and the red-haired demon's cave.

Hearing Wang Mian's polite refusal, Yu Tinghe said with some regret, "Fellow Daoist's swordsmanship is incredibly sharp. I only asked to learn from you about swordsmanship, so I apologize for being so abrupt."

She didn't insist that Wang Mian stay, but she was a little disappointed that she couldn't ask him for advice. She also practiced swordsmanship and had learned a set of sword techniques, but unfortunately her master didn't understand them. She had many questions and no good teachers or friends, so she could only explore on her own.

With the outside world in turmoil, this desolate mountain was not a peaceful place either. Moreover, seeing Wang Mian constantly struggling to survive, she felt more and more that protective measures were important.

Upon hearing Yu Tinghe's words, Wang Mian fell silent for a moment, pondering whether he should take this opportunity to repay the kindness of Granny Yu.

Looking at the Iron-Boned Old Man whose face was covered in whip marks, and then at Jiang Hao sitting beside him, Wang Mian pondered for a moment before making up his mind.

"If that's the case, then I'll trouble you, fellow Daoist, to stay here for a while," Wang Mian agreed.

Having perfected the Four Seasons Sword Technique, instructing Yu Tinghe should not be a problem, which can be considered as repaying part of the favor done to Granny Yu.

Upon hearing his agreement, Yu Tinghe was overjoyed. She felt that she had finally gained a good teacher and friend, and she would no longer have to rack her brains alone if she had any doubts about swordsmanship.

"Brother Jiang, let's not go back to Ironwood Ridge for now. You and Senior Ironbone Elder should stay in the Green Bamboo Forest. The spiritual energy there is more abundant, and there is also a spiritual pool where you can build your business." He didn't intend to return to Pine Forest Pool, as it was hard to guarantee that the Lü family wouldn't make a move.

Wang Mian, who relied heavily on spirit stones for cultivation, found the bamboo forest rather useless, and even the spiritual land of Luopo Mountain was dispensable to him.

A spiritual vein with inexhaustible spiritual energy is the most ideal place for Wang Mian to cultivate now, but he can't get his hands on such a cave.

Even if the bamboo grove isn't given to Jiang Hao, it will eventually be occupied by other rogue cultivators after a while, so it's better to give it to the master and disciple.

To prevent the master and his disciple from becoming homeless and wandering again, only to be captured by Lady Lü once more.

"Brother Wang, that bamboo grove is what you obtained after beheading Luo Yi, so it is rightfully yours to live there. I already owe you a great deal, so I dare not occupy the sacred land you have acquired," Jiang Hao refused.

Although Tiemuling has been impoverished throughout history, it has never lost its integrity and pride. Wang Mian is a generous man, but Jiang Hao cannot and will not take advantage of such a sacred place.

They still owe Wang Mian two healing pills, a storage token, sixty-eight spirit stones, and twelve buckets of spirit rice.

Jiang Hao always remembered all the gifts he received, intending to repay them in the future; he never thought of taking advantage of them for free.

"I have already decided to stay temporarily in Yuer Bay. If you want to wander the world and not go to the Green Bamboo Forest, other cultivators will take it. You can decide for yourself," Wang Mian explained the pros and cons.

Jiang Hao was speechless and remained silent.

This matter alarmed several elders, and even the Iron-Boned Elder disagreed, feeling it was an attempt to take advantage of the younger generation. Even if he were homeless, he shouldn't have taken advantage of them.

Wang Mian asked several seniors to persuade him. After they took turns trying to persuade him for a long time, they finally managed to get the old man to agree.

Tie Gu Sou solemnly had several people witness him, stating that the Green Bamboo Forest was considered as their temporary residence, and that any produce would first be counted towards Wang Mian's share.

With this arrangement made, Wang Mian stayed at Yuerwan, while he and his apprentice went to the Green Bamboo Forest.

As it was getting late, the seniors took their leave and prepared to return to their caves.

The old man with white hair took the Iron Bone Elder and his apprentice away, and the Bone Daoist also rode away on his Bone Bird. Before leaving, Flower Girl handed a storage bag to Wang Mian.

"This rescue of Iron Bone Elder resulted in the killing of many members of the Bian clan and the search of the treasury, where some spirit stones and pills were found. All of this success is thanks to you for leading those people away. After discussing it, we decided to share this with you."

"Aunt Rong..."

Hua Gu stuffed the storage bag into his arms, and before he could say anything, she said, "The journey is long, and you shouldn't complain about having too much spiritual resources. I've taken the liberty of not keeping the miscellaneous items and exchanged them for spirit stones and pills. Keep them safe."

Wang Mian was speechless for a moment.

Hua Gu chuckled and told him to visit Wanxiang Valley often when he had time. When Wang Mian agreed, she whispered in his ear, "Tinghe is a good girl. Don't be a blockhead."

Wang Mian: "..."

Hua Gu laughed at his speechless and helpless expression, only telling him to try harder, then lightly chuckled as she set up her magical artifact and left, gradually disappearing into the night sky.

Watching the figure who had been interfering in the marriage disappear, Wang Mian turned and walked towards Granny Yu and her apprentice.

"Tinghe, take Mian-ge'er to see that cave. I've had quite a bit of wine, so I won't go." Granny Yu was a little drunk.

Whenever friends get together, they inevitably drink too much. With Wang Mian around, she wasn't worried about Yu Tinghe being in danger. Putting everything else aside, in Wang Mian's eyes, she hadn't even seen any lustful thoughts.

Compared to Cangsongzi, his disciple was more focused on the path of cultivation and had no romantic feelings. She had dispelled any thoughts she had had of him.

"Senior, please rest early. Later, I will escort Fellow Daoist Yu back." Wang Mian took his leave.

Grandma Fish waved her hand, indicating that they could leave, and then rested on the table for a while.

The two left the cave and traveled several miles away, landing on a mountainside. They found the surrounding rock walls smooth, unremarkable, and without any outstanding features.

Yu Tinghe stepped on a hidden mechanism, and the stone door slid open, revealing the entrance to the cave. She lit a candle that burned continuously at the entrance and walked along the stone path for several dozen steps, when suddenly the space opened up before her.

The cave is quite spacious, with fresh air and gurgling spring water. It is fully equipped with stone tables and chairs. In the center of the cave, the hazy spiritual energy is firmly locked by a simple spirit-gathering array.

"The conditions are simple, I'm sorry Fellow Daoist Wang, but there are a few other cave dwellings. Would you like to take a look?"

If she hadn't asked for his advice, Wang Mian might have had a better place to go. When she needed his help, Yu Tinghe was very polite.

He wasn't picky about the conditions; this place wasn't exactly shabby. He didn't need to practice swordsmanship now; his focus was on talisman drawing and cultivation, so quiet was all he needed.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yu. This place is fine. Jiu Niang and I are not picky about where we stay. This is already very good." Wang Mian felt rather uncomfortable with her politeness.

After settling down her accommodations and exchanging pleasantries for a while, Wang Mian arranged a time to consult with her before sending her back to Yuer Bay.

After urging Bai Jiuniang to take another pill, Wang Mian entered the Spirit Gathering Array and began cultivating.

In the days that followed, Wang Mian lived a simple and monotonous life, cultivating, drawing talismans, practicing magic, and occasionally giving pointers to Yu Tinghe. That was his entire daily routine.

Time flies, and he was immersed in the joy of his daily progress in cultivation. Before he knew it, a month had passed.

After finishing his cultivation again, Wang Mian closed his eyes and concentrated, and a golden seal appeared in his mind:

[Low-grade Qi Refining Method: Diligently practice 1200 times until the practice is perfected, and you can enter the fifth level of Qi Refining]

[Consuming Divine Mushrooms to break through realms can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 100%.]

[Accumulated: 100]

[Introduction to the Art of Object Manipulation: Mastery Requires 700 Practice Sessions]

[Introduction to Puppet Manipulation: Mastery Requires 800 Practice Sessions]

[The Second Volume of the Nine Talismans Scripture: Drawing nine hundred low-grade talismans is sufficient to master the skill, achieving a 66% success rate]

[Nine Talismans Scripture: Drawing ninety mid-grade talismans is sufficient for beginners, with a success rate of 33%.]

[Dust Concealment Technique Perfected: Face Change, Alien.]

[The Perfection of the Four Seasons Sword Technique: Sword Qi, Sword Intent]