Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?-Chapter 32: Say That About My Master Again If You Dare

There was no denying that Phantom Shadow Soul-Chasing Steps was quite difficult to learn. Mastering the energy flow through the meridian acupoints and coordinating it perfectly with footwork was the only way to achieve that ghostly effect.
It wasn't until dawn that Ji Qinglin finally grasped the basic techniques of the move. He originally planned to train a little longer but realized that the data he had absorbed from Sea of Data was already more than half consumed.
Another issue was that his eerie movements—jumping up and down like a phantom at the courtyard gate—had already frightened several groups of Old Town residents out for their morning exercises.
Since he hadn’t slept the previous day and had trained through the night, Ji Qinglin, exhausted after two straight days, returned to his second-hand bedroom and got a good rest. By the time he woke up, it was already the next afternoon.
After waking, he casually ate a few bites before resuming his absorption of Sea of Data’s power. This time, however, he noticed that his absorption speed was significantly faster than before.
Once his strength was restored, Ji Qinglin thoroughly searched the house again, even moving the medical pod to the courtyard and carefully sifting through the soil inside, but found no clues. Only after confirming there was nothing of note did he begin packing to leave.
Originally, Ji Qinglin had planned to stay here longer, but after what happened yesterday, he felt it would be best to lay low. If that red-eyed girl, Qian Feng, turned out to be some high-profile criminal or if the company caught her and she revealed him, things could get complicated.
Besides, leaving Yu Ye alone to watch the house—now that he thought about it—was somewhat unsettling.
Moreover, since he could scan techniques to learn them, Bangkok had far more high-level techniques available. Returning there would be much more efficient for training.
Thus, Ji Qinglin bought an old three-wheeled cart from a nearby vendor and loaded it up with most of the "study materials" from his bookshelf. These were his only leads, so there was no way he could leave them behind.
After getting everything ready, he didn’t set out immediately but instead waited until it was completely dark. Only then did he quietly push the Night Owl 750 out of the western wing and fill it up with gas.
Returning to the city would be fine, but flaunting wealth in this place would likely mean that by the next time he came back, even the doors would be gone.
The old three-wheeler was hitched to the sleek, brand-new Night Owl 750. The scene looked as ridiculous as a breathtaking beauty in black stockings carrying a ragged garbage bag full of plastic bottles—utterly mismatched.
But if he wanted to bring everything back, he had no choice.
Ji Qinglin swung a leg over and twisted the throttle.
VROOOOM—
The Night Owl 750's first-ever roar was bold and powerful, not the least bit reserved.
VROOM—
As Ji Qinglin released the throttle, the Night Owl 750 finally surged forward. Since he was towing a three-wheeled cart full of items, he kept his speed moderate. However, the raw force beneath him was unmistakable—it felt like riding a wild, muscular stallion.
The nearly airborne Coal Boss had no choice but to follow along in the air.
Before long, Ji Qinglin, riding this bizarre five-wheeled contraption, arrived at Xindong Street. Knowing his setup was way too conspicuous, he deliberately avoided crowded areas.
Before even reaching the alley, Ji Qinglin killed the engine and dismounted. He hadn’t told Yu Ye he was coming back and figured a surprise inspection would be a good way to see if the kid had been diligently training in his absence.
He separated the three-wheeler from the Night Owl 750 and parked them nearby. Coal Boss silently landed on Ji Qinglin’s shoulder. With one man and two birds, they slowly approached the Ji Family General Store, which still had its lights on and door open.
From the side, everything inside seemed untouched. It appeared that Boss Yu hadn’t needed to fight anyone over the past two days—otherwise, the defense system inside would have left the shop in ruins.
Then, he noticed two figures moving inside, and faint voices could be heard.
Just as he was about to lean in and eavesdrop, a figure suddenly flew out of the Ji Family General Store, startling Ji Qinglin so much that he nearly lost his balance.
He thought,
Is everyone’s movement technique this insane now? How are people flying in the blink of an eye?
But when he looked up, he realized—the person who had been thrown out was actually horizontal.
Sensing that something was off, Ji Qinglin instinctively retreated into the shadows.
THUD—
The person who had been thrown out slammed into the opposite wall of the alley. Judging by the sound, it was a solid hit. However, he didn’t lose consciousness. Supporting himself with one hand, he struggled to his feet, wincing as he rubbed his abdomen.
"Miss Yu Ye, you actually hit me?"
That voice sounded quite familiar. Ji Qinglin squinted in the darkness.
Isn’t that Ji Congliang?
He was wearing different clothes, and he flew out so fast that Ji Qinglin almost didn’t recognize him. But it had only been two days—why was he suddenly so weak? Did Yu Ye really just knock him out of the shop?
Then, Yu Ye stepped out of the store. Her blue athletic wear hugged her form well, and a baseball cap sat on her head, her ponytail slipping out from the back—giving off a youthful and sharp look.
As she flexed her right wrist, she coldly said:
"Say that about my Master again if you dare."
"
Ahem,
Miss Yu Ye, but I was just stating facts."
Originally, President Lei Qiong had intended to send an experienced Commerce Guild member to guide Yu Ye in cultivation. Seeing his opportunity, Ji Congliang, who had long had his eyes on Yu Ye, eagerly volunteered. Since the two had already met and wouldn’t be complete strangers, the President agreed to let him go.
However, Yu Ye didn’t have a great impression of him. After all, the last time they met, he had stared at her for nearly an hour. But since this was the President’s goodwill, she couldn’t outright refuse.
During the day, Ji Congliang had spent hours showering Yu Ye with praise to the point where even she got annoyed. Mad Ye had even suggested knocking him out with a hammer and blaming it on exhaustion when he woke up.
But since Ji Congliang was a disciple of another Elder, Yu Ye worried that causing trouble might make things difficult for her Master later, so she endured it.
Realizing that flattery wasn’t working, Ji Congliang changed tactics. He started boasting about Elder Yu Jizi of Zilong Peak, claiming he had abundant cultivation resources. He went on about how Ji Qinglin, as an Elder, didn’t even have an advanced cultivation set, which was holding Yu Ye back. He even suggested that she switch sides and follow him instead.
Yu Ye found it amusing.
If my Master hadn’t told me to keep quiet about installing an A-rank meridian set before he left, I’d show you right now and scare you senseless.
As Ji Congliang’s words became more outrageous, Yu Ye saw the perfect excuse—defending her Master’s honor—and promptly taught him a lesson. He never expected her to attack so decisively and was sent flying by a Mountain-Pushing Palm before he could react.
Seeing that Ji Congliang was still running his mouth, Yu Ye clenched her fists.
"What ‘facts’?"
"Well, Elder Ji Qinglin, he…"
Ji Congliang’s words trailed off as his eyes landed on the real Ji Qinglin standing in the shadows. He immediately switched his tone:
"Elder Ji Qinglin might not be the strongest in the Commerce Guild, but his looks, character, and wisdom are among the best. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become an Elder at such a young age. And he definitely cares deeply for his Disciple, making him a true pillar of the Commerce Guild—Miss Yu Ye’s most honorable mentor…"
Hearing Ji Congliang suddenly spout this exaggerated praise, Yu Ye found it strange. She assumed he was just scared from that earlier palm strike.
Waving him off, she said:
"Alright, enough with the flattery. My Master is great, but he’s not some divine being. Be realistic."
Just as she finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out from behind her.
"Oh? Then tell me, what would be a ‘realistic’ way to put it?"