Facing his "Patron," Teng Qingshan, Old Wang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Patron, this is something I'd rather not discuss. I hope you can forgive me." Seeing Old Wang’s expression, Teng Qingshan guessed that this matter was a profound secret to him.

“If you don’t wish to speak of it, then don't,” Teng Qingshan said with a faint smile. “However, Old Wang, you’ve been with me for over half a year now.

I can also see that you carry a great burden in your heart, one that tortures you and denies you peace every day! I want to tell you… no matter what trouble or difficulty you encounter, you must confront it, face it head-on!

Evasion solves nothing.” Old Wang’s expression grew even more complex, his complexion shifting constantly. “Patron!” Old Wang looked up at Teng Qingshan.

“I stand at a crossroads right now, and I truly, truly don’t know which path to take!” “That is not for me to decide.” Teng Qingshan looked at Old Wang. “Old Wang, remember this: no matter which path you choose, no matter what you decide to do… there is one thing—never regret your choice in the future!” “If you make a choice you won’t regret later, then that’s the right one.” Teng Qingshan lightly patted Old Wang’s shoulder and walked away.

“No regrets?” Old Wang stood frozen, Teng Qingshan’s words echoing in his mind. “Yes, no regrets!” Old Wang’s eyes brightened.

The problem that had troubled him for so long seemed to have cracked open overnight. “What if I die?

I will die without regret!” “Indeed!” The fog that had clouded Old Wang’s heart dispersed. His resolve was firm, and a rare smile touched his face.

“Be it life or death, I shall have no regrets…” * The next morning, within the vast, empty mountain cavern. Six stone carvings were laid out in a straight line.

Teng Qingshan stood with his eyes closed, practicing his fist techniques one move at a time. His entire body was shrouded in a golden light, a battle armor formed by the Golden Astral Qi enveloping him.

“Brother Teng, Brother Teng!” A crisp voice echoed through the cavern. “Hmm?” Teng Qingshan stopped his movements.

The golden Astral Qi on his surface receded back into his body. He looked at Li Jun with a questioning gaze.

He had explicitly instructed Li Jun not to disturb him during his cultivation practice. He knew Li Jun understood propriety; if she interrupted now, it must be for something vital.

“Brother Teng, come over here,” Li Jun called from the tiered entrance steps. Beside her stood Xiao Ping, looking anxious.

Teng Qingshan walked over, puzzled. “Xiao Jun, what is it?” “Old Wang has left!” Li Jun spoke urgently.

“Uncle, Uncle Wang has already gone,” Xiao Ping added anxiously. Teng Qingshan frowned slightly.

“Already gone? Without saying goodbye to you?” While Old Wang’s departure was sudden, Teng Qingshan was not entirely surprised.

Over the past half-year, his powers of observation had made it clear that Old Wang carried a very heavy secret. He had spoken with Old Wang just yesterday… “It seems my words yesterday prompted him to make a decision,” Teng Qingshan mused.

“Old Wang didn’t say goodbye to us. When I went out to prepare breakfast, I found he was gone.

However, in his room by Crescent Lake, we found a letter. The letter he left… it’s for you, Brother Teng.” Saying this, Li Jun handed over a folded piece of paper.

“A letter?” Teng Qingshan took it and unfolded it. “Patron.

Please forgive my unannounced departure. If you had asked me why I was leaving, I truly wouldn't have known how to answer, so I chose to slip away quietly!

You were right yesterday: as long as I don't regret my choice later, then it is right. So, I have made my decision… My heart feels completely unburdened now.

Patron, please forgive me for deceiving you all this time. My real name is not Wang Yang, but Yang Wang!

Haha, a name is just a label. Whether Wang Yang or Yang Wang, I am still that Old Wang, your Patron’s stable hand.

If my affairs can be settled, as long as the Patron doesn't mind, Old Wang is willing to serve the Patron by leading horses and wielding the reins for a lifetime, to be your stable hand. Old Wang’s parting words.” Looking at the writing, Teng Qingshan revealed a slight smile.

“Uncle, so Uncle Wang’s real name is Yang Wang, not Wang Yang. He actually tricked us on purpose; that’s not very nice,” Xiao Ping pouted, though her eyes were faintly red.

Since following Teng Qingshan, Xiao Ping had spent a long time with Old Wang, who had cared for the young girl deeply. His leaving left Xiao Ping feeling unsettled.

“Old Wang is an Inner Force master yet willingly serves as a stable hand. He’s clearly a master of the sword, yet he carries a battle saber.

He clearly harbors secrets… It’s not strange he used a false name,” Li Jun commented reflectively. “But the fact that Old Wang told us his true name before leaving shows that he truly trusts us.” “That’s enough.” Teng Qingshan shook his head.

“Old Wang had his worries but chose not to tell us, clearly not wanting us to know! Now that he has opened his heart and gone to face and resolve his issues himself, we should be happy for him… Um, Xiao Jun, is breakfast ready?” “Almost,” Li Jun replied, somewhat stunned.

“Let’s go eat breakfast,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile. “We’ll cultivate later.” Teng Qingshan also knew that Old Wang’s departure would likely leave Li Jun, Xiao Ping, and Teng Shou feeling down.

After all, they had spent so much time together; they were already friends. ** Old Wang’s departure was merely a ripple in the flow; life for those at Crescent Lake remained peaceful.

Teng Qingshan was wholly immersed in his cultivation, meditating upon the six carved reliefs. During this process, Teng Qingshan instructed Li Jun, when she went to South Mountain City for groceries, to notify the Rising Sun Merchant Guild to come and collect the ninth stone carving that belonged to the Jiang family!

After all, that ninth carving was no longer of use to Teng Qingshan. … In the deep darkness of the empty mountain cavern.

Immersed in cultivation, he completely lost track of time. If Li Jun and the others hadn't frequently updated him on the time, Teng Qingshan wouldn't have known how long had passed.

Of these six stone carvings, the first depicted the Sixth Form. It took Teng Qingshan only two months to fully comprehend it!

The second carving depicted the Twelfth Form. Teng Qingshan spent three months, but after grasping some of it, he could comprehend no more.

So, Teng Qingshan shifted his focus to studying the Seventeenth, Eighteenth… and the next four consecutive forms. “This Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting begins with the Dao of Earth, gradually integrating the Dao of Metal as one cultivates.

The further one progresses, by the time reaching the Seventeenth through Twentieth Forms, the ‘Dao of Fire’ has been incorporated within. With three Daos fused into a single form, peeling out the Dao of Earth, the Dao of Metal, and the Dao of Fire contained within is incredibly difficult!” These four consecutive forms, though incorporating the ‘Dao of Earth’ and the other two, did not integrate the entirety of their profound concepts; they only contained partial elements.

For instance, the Seventeenth Form was primarily centered on the Dao of Fire, with only fragments of the Dao of Earth and the Dao of Metal present. What Teng Qingshan needed to do now was— To forcibly separate the fused Dao of Earth, Dao of Fire, and Dao of Metal from these moves and forms.

The more he could peel away, the more Teng Qingshan would comprehend, which he could then integrate into his own fist techniques. “It’s a pity; if only I possessed the stone carvings for the first twelve forms of the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting,” Teng Qingshan sighed.

Although this cultivation method possessed thirty-six forms in total, the foundation lay in the first twelve! Based on the content of the Twelfth Form he had deciphered, the first twelve forms exclusively contained elements of the ‘Dao of Earth’ and the ‘Dao of Metal.’ Since these two were integrated less, the difficulty of separation was significantly lower.

It became harder the further one proceeded! “Alas, the stone carvings are scattered across the world; they cannot be gathered according to my wishes.” “Well, I must continue meditating.

Several months of contemplation on these four consecutive forms have allowed my Fist of Earth to see a minor breakthrough, and my Fist of Fire, which started from absolute zero, has now grasped the Fifth Fist—that’s quite good.” Teng Qingshan cherished this opportunity, possessing both the Mountain Splitting Axe and the stone carvings. The combination of the two was akin to receiving personal tutelage from Emperor Yu himself!

Moreover, it was like being taught each form broken down into dozens of scattered techniques! Emperor Yu was the ultimate powerhouse!

The very first supreme expert in the world. He created two peerless techniques: the Nine Cauldrons Heavenly Tome and the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting.

His comprehension of the Dao had reached an apex. Where else could one find such a teacher?

And Teng Qingshan… having no initial teacher, he managed to use Heaven and Earth as his master to create the six moves of the Fist of Earth. Such comprehension was also rare.

When the disciple’s innate level is already high, the teacher’s instruction becomes much easier. Combined, the two factors explained why Teng Qingshan’s rate of progress was so swift.

* Crescent Lake was covered in packed snow and ice. At this moment, a large number of War Gou (Zhan Hou) arrived at the lakeside.

“Haha, Miss Li Jun.” A stout elder leaped down from a War Gou. Li Jun, who had paused her whip practice, looked at the newcomer in surprise.

“Second Elder.” She immediately added, “Second Elder, please sit. Xiao Ping, bring some tea.” “Heh heh, no need,” the Second Elder said cheerfully.

“Miss Li Jun, I have been sent on an official mission to invite Mr. Teng.” “On a mission?

Whose command?” Li Jun asked, confused. The Second Elder rarely looked so solemn.

He lowered his voice: “Cloud… Dream… War… God.” Upon hearing this, Li Jun’s face immediately lit up with joy, and she whispered back, “Is this about the Cloud Dream White Fruit?” “Mm,” the Second Elder nodded. “Yes, it is the Cloud Dream White Fruit… The Cloud Dream White Fruit has matured.” “It has been nearly a year since Brother Teng visited your Cloud Dream Ancient City last year.

Brother Teng mentioned not long ago… that the Cloud Dream White Fruit should be ripe by now. I never expected that a fruit so close to maturity would take this long to fully ripen,” Li Jun also sighed.

Teng Qingshan had discussed this matter with her. The Cloud Dream White Fruit was already nearly the size of a fist, still just a green husk, very close to maturity.

However, the growth cycle of the Cloud Dream White Fruit was clearly long; it took a full year to ripen completely. “I wonder if Mr.

Teng is available now?” the Second Elder inquired. “Brother Teng is cultivating,” Li Jun replied.

“I’ll go inform him… This matter has always been on his mind. Second Elder, please wait here for a moment.” “I am not in a hurry,” the Second Elder chuckled good-naturedly.

Li Jun immediately ran towards the underground cavern where Teng Qingshan was secluded in his cultivation.