41: Senior Brother Pang, cold on the outside but warm on the inside

Seeing Hong Yu's sincerity, Pang Hu felt a bit awkward. He suppressed his embarrassment and said, "Junior Brother, you overpraise me. It's fine for the two of us to talk like this, but there are many talented people Inside the Mansion. Besides, I am not a man who seeks vanity, so you must never speak such nonsense outside."

Hong Yu nodded immediately and said seriously, "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I naturally understand."

"By the way, do you have any other reason for coming?" Pang Hu changed the subject and asked about Hong Yu's purpose.

Seeing that the other party had moved on to business, Hong Yu immediately said, "Senior Brother, it's like this. I just arrived at the Xuan Yun Residence recently and accidentally got into some trouble. So, I've come specifically to seek your advice, hoping you can guide me."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Having accepted the Spirit Stones and seeing how sensible the other party was, Pang Hu had already categorized Hong Yu as someone worth cultivating. He spoke amiably, "I'm not boasting, but as long as it's not something too major within the Xuan Yun Residence, I can still help you out."

Hearing Pang Hu's words, whether they were sincere or not, Hong Yu felt slightly more at ease. He hurriedly said, "It's like this, Senior Brother. On the day I entered the mansion, I was assigned to a residence and happened to live with Li Fei, Tong Ming, and Zhang Meng. Unexpectedly, they took a liking to my top-grade magic tool and tried to take it by force."

"Initially, I wasn't someone who cared about worldly possessions, but this weapon was a gift from Saintess Xu. If they were to snatch it away, wouldn't that be losing the Saintess's Face?"

"Therefore, even though my strength is meager, I had to use every trick up my sleeve to protect this Magical Artifact and defend the Saintess's dignity."

"And then?" Hearing this, Pang Hu's Face was already ashen, a suspicion faintly rising in his heart.

Hong Yu replied respectfully, "Finally, after a difficult and fierce battle, I slew all three of them. However, those three have quite some background, and their families must harbor a grudge against me. Additionally, the Law Enforcement Hall imposed a fine of over eighty thousand Spirit Stones. I am truly short on funds, so I could only come to seek your protection, Senior Brother. I hope you can show me a way out!"

It matched. Everything matched. No wonder Zhang Meng said I sent someone to kill his brother; this was the root of it!

Realizing everything, Pang Hu's pupils shrank suddenly. He roared with a ferocious expression, "Damn it, so it was you, kid!"

As he spoke, he threw a palm strike directly toward Hong Yu's crown.

His Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation erupted with full force, and a massive pressure enveloped Hong Yu's entire body, rendering him unable to move an inch. Facing Pang Hu's hateful strike, despair welled up in Hong Yu's eyes. He could only watch helplessly as a palm larger than a cattail leaf fan pressed down on him like a mountain.

Just as Pang Hu's palm was less than a finger's breadth from the top of Hong Yu's head, he stopped. After the two of them remained as still as statues for a moment, Pang Hu slowly withdrew his hand. His expression shifted uncertainly as he looked at Hong Yu, his thoughts unknown.

The reason Pang Hu stopped was, naturally, out of respect for Xu Jing. After all, Xu Jing had given instructions, so he could not touch Hong Yu for the time being.

Having escaped death, Hong Yu was also confused and questioned angrily, "What is the meaning of this, Senior Brother?"

Pang Hu replied coldly, "Do you know how much trouble killing those three has brought to my Pan Mountain? Leave now. I cannot help you with this matter. You're on your own."

Damn, he took the Spirit Stones but won't do the job, Hong Yu thought to himself. But seeing Pang Hu's furious state, he didn't dare say much and could only turn to leave dejectedly.

Before he had taken two steps, Pang Hu called out to him, "You said you killed three people by yourself. What were their cultivation levels?"

"In response to Senior Brother, all three opponents were at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining," Hong Yu turned around and replied honestly.

"You weren't injured?"

"I suffered some minor injuries, but I have already fully recovered."

Pang Hu stood up and walked around Hong Yu, sizing him up while making sharp inhaling sounds of surprise.

In his view, defeating three opponents of the same Realm and killing them was already an extremely difficult feat. More importantly, Hong Yu had killed all three without being significantly injured, which was truly rare.

Furthermore, Pang Hu knew Hong Yu's background. He hadn't expected a Disciple from the Outer Sect to possess such strength. No wonder Senior Sister wanted to take him along when she left.

"Senior Sister truly has a Wisdom Eye as sharp as a torch." After sincerely praising Xu Jing, Pang Hu fell into thought.

This kid is clearly a Genius and has earned Senior Sister's regard. In the future, he might become a capable lieutenant under her command. I might as well do him a favor while he's still weak; perhaps he can help me out later on.

Besides, he and Zhang Meng were already arch-enemies. He already had so many debts that one more wouldn't matter; these one or two incidents wouldn't change anything.

Now that he knew the reason behind everything, he felt much better. He was no longer like a headless fly being kept in the dark.

Thus, Pang Hu's tone softened slightly as he said, "I understand the situation. The mansion has its own sect rules, so you needn't worry. Just be more mindful of your actions in the future."

Hong Yu was overjoyed upon hearing this. In his eyes, Pang Hu's words clearly meant he was taking responsibility for the matter.

He hadn't expected Senior Brother to be someone who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He talked tough, but his heart was quite kind.

Mountain Master Pang is truly a good man.

Thinking this, he asked cautiously, "Thank you, Senior Brother. I wonder if you know of any way to quickly earn eighty thousand Spirit Stones in a short period?"

"Scram!"

With a flick of his wide sleeve, a massive surge of spiritual power sent Hong Yu flying out of the Immortal Cave, and Pang Hu conveniently slammed the cave doors shut.

This kid really has some nerve. Does he even know what eighty thousand Spirit Stones represent?

If I could earn eighty thousand in a month, why would I still be a damn Mountain Master scraping by under the Saintess?

Pang Hu let out a disgruntled sneer and then continued his healing.

Seeing that there was no way forward with Pang Hu, Hong Yu could only rub his nose, pull out a map, and carefully identify the location of Pill Mountain.

As of now, earning Spirit Stones quickly was the only way. Therefore, Hong Yu planned to learn some immortal Cultivation arts; perhaps he would be exceptionally gifted in one of them.

There are seven mountains within the Xuan Yun Residence: Pan Mountain, Talisman Mountain, Hundred Forgings Mountain, Pill Mountain, Formation Mountain, Myriad Beast Mountain, and Ink Mountain, corresponding to Body Refining, Talismans, Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Formations, Beast Taming, and Puppets.

All Disciples could go to these seven mountains to learn the corresponding arts. Hong Yu soon arrived at the foot of Pill Mountain.

Before even ascending, he saw that Pill Mountain was covered in lush vegetation, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance. Hong Yu took a deep breath and felt his spirits lift, his whole body filled with motivation.

As expected of Pill Mountain. If one were to Cultivate here, the speed of progress would likely be several times faster.

Hong Yu steadied his mind and noticed many Disciples hurrying about. They looked busy and walked very fast, seemingly converging toward a certain place.

So, he quickly followed behind these Disciples. Not long after, he entered a large hall along with them.