I have a panel that reduces proficiency.

Chapter 76 It's as if the world is divided into two storylines

"Yes, Master."

Fang Shi bowed slightly.

Xuanzhu gave a cold "hmm," and without turning around, walked into the depths of the alley.

Fang Shi lagged two steps behind, following at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

He wasn't surprised.

Ever since I woke up seven days ago in my perfectly intact rented apartment, something has gone wrong.

There was no explosion in Qiyuan Town, and the Sanpan Bieyuan was not blown into a crater. Panshi was still bustling with activity, with people selling talismans and medicine.

Those rogue cultivators who should have been reduced to ashes in the turbid air and turned into flying zombies in the Five Yin Demon Realm all had rosy complexions.

Those survivors who, like him, were lucky enough to live, also remembered nothing.

Fortunately, he wasn't completely clueless.

The moment he woke up, a message resounded in his mind.

"My lord, with the fall of the True Lord, the order of heaven and earth has been disrupted, and calamities have followed. For your safety, I have eliminated all future troubles. All that has happened here is not a falsehood, but a real and undeniable reality."

The so-called "I have eliminated all future troubles" refers to his new identity as Mr. Fang of Songyuan Academy.

A rogue cultivator who was temporarily recruited by the Sanpan Temple to teach. His cultivation level was not high, but his temper was not bad, and he had a decent reputation among the students.

His identity appeared out of thin air, fabricated by Chaolu with incredible supernatural powers and stuffed into everyone's memory.

Of course, he wasn't the only one whose fate was altered.

During those seven days, he observed carefully and found that the identities of many people were in a jumbled mess.

It felt like stepping into another timeline.

For example, Zhao Hu actually became a high-ranking member of the Zhao family in Songyuan Town. He was a promising Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator in his prime, and his cultivation techniques had reached a high level. He was destined to become a Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator in the future.

Well, compared to the geniuses at Songyuan Academy who only reached the third level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty-eight, he's not really that great.

However, his identity as a member of a family at the late stage of Qi Refining was no longer comparable to his former identity as a rogue cultivator.

Fortunately, Zhao Hu did not forget Fang Shi because of this identity, and still called him "Brother Fang, Brother Fang".

Of course, there are also those who no longer recognize him.

For example, Xuanzhu, the deputy abbot of the Three Plates Temple who called himself "Great Heavenly Venerable" in the Realm of Seven Emotions and Desires, had long forgotten about him.

This also allowed Fang Shi to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

In the realm of the seven emotions and desires, the reason why Xuanzhu treated him so intimately, even making those intimate gestures that a superior cultivator should never make towards a inferior cultivator, was mostly due to the influence of Wanxia's "Five Yin Heavenly Demon Summoning Secret Mantra".

But if the sunset dies and the secret incantation dissipates, the situation will be completely different.

He didn't have much affection for Xuanzhu to begin with, and he didn't dare to gamble—a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a firm Dao heart, after breaking free from the desire realm, would recall that he once rode on the neck of a Qi Refining rogue cultivator shouting "Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up," recall that he once curled up in that rogue cultivator's arms and slept without any defenses, recall that his toes were once held in that person's palm.

Did they feel offended, or did they think it was just a dream, not worth mentioning?

Neither of these is something a small-time Qi Refining cultivator like him could possibly afford.

Now that Xuanzhu has completely forgotten him, it is actually the best outcome.

Chaolu was right; she had indeed eliminated all future troubles for him, even the most troublesome one.

In addition, Chaolu also left behind "The True Explanation of the Seven Emotions of the Supreme Being Responding to Transformation and Generating True Water".

However, Chaolu said, "Husband, this is my path. You can only look at it, not cultivate it. If you cultivate it, your path will be cut off here with me, and you will never go far. Evening Glow and I cannot leave too many traces here, lest Shouyijian discover you through cause and effect."

At this point, Wanxia's voice interjected, "Sister, why be so tactful? The truth is, brother simply cannot comprehend this true explanation."

The voice was crisp and clear, yet full of frustration and anger.

"Sunset!"

"snort!"

That hum was followed by an eerie silence.

Fang Shi naturally wouldn't cultivate.

He now possesses the "Yuanyun Jue," a technique derived from the "Xiaoshuiyun Jue," refined through the principles of "Taishang Qiqing Yinghua Sheng Zhenshui Dedao Zhenjie," and has reached a level of mastery.

The efficiency of refining magical power is now several times that of the previous "Minor Water Cloud Technique".

Although there was still no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, at least in the late Qi Refining stage, the Yuanyun Technique was enough to support him.

Even the "Frost Falls and Dust Returns" technique is a newly developed derivative spell of the "Yuanyun Jue".

With fear congealing into frost and magic transforming into light, a single strike froze the estranged couple into ice shards.

Compared to his previous fist-sized Water Cloud Seal, its power was many times greater.

More importantly, this spell shares the same origin as the "Yuanyun Technique," requiring very few additional openings of meridians. When cast, the flow of magical power is smooth, and the burden on the meridians is far less than that of other unorthodox spells.

For a rogue cultivator like him who has to carefully calculate the fatigue level of his meridians every day, this is a tailor-made killer move.

Thinking back to the scene of him using Frostfall Returns to Dust in the alley just now, Fang Shi's mind couldn't help but drift back to that true interpretation.

The passages about the "surprise" technique in "The True Explanation of the Seven Emotions of the Supreme Being Responding to Transformation and Generating True Water" corroborated his physical sensations when he made his move, giving him a vague sense of what he had grasped.

Of the seven emotions, he now only has fear sinking into the abyss, which is the foundation of the "Abyss Cloud Technique".

But that true explanation clearly states that the seven emotions are like boats and oars; fear is to suppress them, and shock is to stimulate them. If they are suppressed without being stimulated, it is like building a dam to store water without opening the sluice gate. The higher the dam is built and the deeper the water is stored, the more likely it will eventually collapse.

Frostfall Dust Returns can transform magical power into extreme cold to freeze the vengeful couple, relying on the power of restraining fear. But if a trace of surprise is introduced at the moment after restraint and before the attack, first restraining and then releasing, first accumulating and then surging, and the magical power suddenly bursts out at the moment it is suppressed to the extreme, will the freezing power directly increase to a higher level?

The idea was too tempting. After a month of the Awakening of Insects, he was no longer the rogue cultivator who only knew how to draw talismans.

As he pondered the matter more and more, his expression became somewhat dazed.

[Frostfall Returns to Dust Proficiency +1]

【————】

[Frostfall Returns to Dust Proficiency +1]

【Frost Falls, Dust Returns (Beginner): 92/100】

Suddenly, the footsteps ahead stopped.

Fang Shi couldn't stop in time and took two more steps forward. The edge of the plain oil-paper umbrella went over Xuan Zhu's head, shielding her from the rain.

Although she had her own magical barrier around her, and the raindrops would slide away on their own three inches in front of her, the umbrella still firmly covered her, as if he had rashly stepped forward and insisted on holding the umbrella for her.

Fang Shi suddenly snapped out of his daze, quickly took half a step back, bowed slightly, and said, "Master, please forgive me. I was distracted and had no intention of offending you."

As he spoke, he tried to step back further to retract the umbrella.

Xuanzhu suddenly spoke.

"Where are you going?"

Fang Shi was taken aback, stopped in his tracks, and said, "Hmm?"

Xuanzhu didn't turn around, only showing him the back of her head with her hair styled in a Taoist bun.

The jade bead on the sandalwood hairpin swayed gently in the rain, and her voice remained indifferent.

"You sheltered me from the rain just now, and now you're leaving me soaked all alone. Isn't that an offense?"

Fang Shi really couldn't understand what she meant.

After transcending the seven emotions and desires, this person was the high-ranking deputy abbot of the Three Plates Temple, the Jade Pivot Wonderful Dharma True Man, and now the head of the Zhenchong Division.

He was just a rogue cultivator she had temporarily recruited to work for. His daily reward of five spirit fragments would probably take him a hundred years to accumulate, and he still wouldn't be able to afford the uppers of the moon-white cloud shoes she was wearing.

Should I hold the umbrella for her?

The magical barrier surrounding her was so strong that not even a raindrop could touch her; there was no need for him to go to such lengths.

But before he could figure it out, Xuanzhu spoke again.

She still didn't turn around, but her voice was even colder than before, saying, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and shield me from the rain."

He spoke with such self-righteousness, as if he was born to hold an umbrella for her, as if his earlier distraction, overstepping, backing down, and apology were all his own fuss, and she was just giving him a way out.

Fang Shi really couldn't understand the Master's intentions. Back then, in the realm of the Seven Emotions and Desires, the secret incantation of the sunset was still in effect, and her behavior had become unrestrained. Now that the secret incantation had dissipated, and she had completely forgotten him, why was she taking the initiative to let him get close to her again? Was it because she was naturally somewhat capricious and unpredictable, and it was aroused by the realm of desire?

If you can't figure it out, then stop thinking about it.

Fang Shi composed himself, stepped forward, and steadily placed the plain oil-paper umbrella over Xuan Zhu's head again.

The raindrops pattered on the umbrella, making a soft rustling sound, and the curtain of water hanging from the edge of the umbrella just separated the two people from the surrounding rain.

Xuanzhu then gave a satisfied hum.

She didn't say anything more, and continued walking forward, the jade beads on the sandalwood hairpin swaying gently beside her hair.

Fang Shi held an umbrella and followed beside him, half a step behind.

This time, he dared not let his mind wander again.

The two walked through Qiyuan Town, from the west end of Panshi to the east end, and stopped in front of a building.

The building has upturned eaves and corners, green bricks and gray tiles, and a black ebony plaque hanging above the door with the three Taoist characters "Zhenchong Si" (meaning "Department for Suppressing Evil").

-

Fang Shi remembered clearly that this was not the building seven days ago.

This must be one of the ways that Chaolu said, "I have eliminated all future troubles."

Two guards stood at the gate, one on the left and one on the right.

On the left is a burly man, none other than Han Mu, Han Laoliu.

On the right is a tall, thin man in his forties with a few long wisps of beard; who else could it be but Zhao Xuan?

These two, thanks to their mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, fared much better than the rogue cultivators at the early stage of Qi Refining during the flying zombie calamity seven days ago, and suffered no harm whatsoever.

Now they all have new identities—as people who still retain faint memories of the snowfall after it happened, they have been recruited by the Sanpan Temple and transformed from rogue cultivators who drew talismans in Taoyuan Town into gatekeepers of the Zhenchong Division.

Upon seeing Xuanzhu approach, Han Mu and Zhao Xuan bowed in unison, their voices filled with utmost respect, and said, "Master."

Xuanzhu didn't even lift her eyelids, walking straight between the two of them before stopping at the threshold.

She turned around, her gaze passing over the oil-paper umbrella in Fang Shi's hand and landing on his face.

"I'm tired, I'm going back."

Without waiting for Fang Shi's reply, she turned and walked back into the rain.

The white Taoist robe drifted away into the hazy alley, the raindrops still unable to touch her at all.

Han Mu had just seen this fellow Daoist, Zhen Renyi, at the door. This mere Qi Refining cultivator was actually able to hold an umbrella for the Master and walk side by side with her all the way.

He was always quick-witted, and seeing this opportunity, he was not about to let it slip by. He quickly grabbed a spare oil-paper umbrella from beside the door, and hurried after him, saying respectfully, "Master, please wait, I'll hold the umbrella for you."

Before he could finish speaking, an invisible force struck him.

Han Mu, along with his umbrella, flew backward several feet, his back slamming heavily against the blue brick wall of the Zhenchong Division. He groaned and slid to the ground.

The blind man's oil-paper umbrella was in a terrible state—the canopy was torn into more than a dozen pieces of rags, the umbrella bone was broken into seven or eight pieces, and the handle was cracked in half, scattered at his feet.

Xuanzhu didn't even pause for a moment, gradually blurring into a faint shadow in the depths of the rain, finally disappearing at the end of the fox's mouth.

Zhao Xuan also looked at Fang Shi in surprise, his gaze lingering on him for a moment before shifting to Han Mu, who was coughing and clutching his chest against the wall.

He knew exactly what Han Mu was thinking.

He saw what happened just now clearly. Han Mu must have seen Fang Shi holding an umbrella for the Master all the way and thought that anyone could take on this task, so he rushed forward to curry favor. As a result, he was blown away before he could even touch the Master's clothes.

But then again, why is it that this attentiveness is only offered by Fang Shi?

Zhao Xuan couldn't help but glance at Fang Shi again. The young man in front of him was only at the second level of Qi Refining, a whole level lower than Zhao Xuan. His blue Taoist robe was faded from washing, and there was nothing unusual about him.

But the master insisted that he hold the umbrella.

Zhao Xuan couldn't figure out the difference.

However, though he couldn't figure it out, the conclusion was already clear—this rogue cultivator who had been recruited into the Yunzhensui Division with him just seven days ago was definitely not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

Zhao Xuan secretly made a mental note of Fang Shi, but remained outwardly calm. He simply nodded slightly to Fang Shi, then turned and walked to the base of the wall, reaching out to help Han Mu up.

"Cough—cough cough—" Han Mu clutched his chest, using Zhao Xuan's arm to barely stand up, a trace of blood still clinging to the corner of his mouth.

He glanced in Fang Shi's direction and whispered, "Brother Zhao, do you think I was too hasty just now?"

Zhao Xuan simply held his arm and gently shook his head.

Fang Shi stood under the porch, watching Zhao Xuan help Han Mu slowly walk back to the door, and sighed inwardly.

This player had dealt with him quite a bit in the old timeline.

Zhao Xuan had gathered his qi, and Han Mu had drawn talismans for him.

But now, they see him only as a colleague who also works in the Zhenchong Division.

However, he quickly suppressed these feelings.

What he's really worried about right now is Xuanzhu's attitude towards him, which is just too strange.

She had clearly forgotten him completely, yet she insisted on having him hold the umbrella for her, showing no mercy to Han Mu's attentiveness.

If she remembers him, he might even risk being slapped to death.

But if she doesn't remember him, why does she treat him differently?

If you can't figure it out, then stop thinking about it.

Fang Shi withdrew his gaze, folded the umbrella, hung it on the umbrella rack under the porch, and stepped out of the gate of the Zhenchong Division.

Along the way, he glanced at the panel: [Qi Refinement Level 2: 111/200]

Seven days after the Awakening of Insects, my proficiency increased by 21 points, which was quite rapid.

At this rate, we should be able to reach the threshold of the third level of Qi Refining in about half a month.

I just hope that the job of the Suppressing Evil Division won't be too busy or too dangerous, so that he can break through this level safely and smoothly.