Inside the study.

Yue Dewen widened his eyes, staring at the apprentice before him. He felt he might be experiencing a hallucination.

After all, frequently dealing with gods and buddhas, hallucinations are trivial things.

But now...

To prevent any errors in his perception, Yue Dewen quickly activated the mental sphere in his mind.

Soon, he confirmed it: it was the Essence Qi spiritual trait!! No mistake!

This is the spiritual trait that only those in Refining God can possess!!

Because, at this moment, he was worshiping the Moon God, one of the top-tier deities. Under the Moon God's protection, it was impossible for anyone to silently and soundlessly trap him in a hallucination.

Even Spirit Flying Heaven couldn't!

So... does this mean that everything in front of him is real??

"So, you... what the hell are you!?"

The fat on his face trembled as he looked at Zhang Rongfang. Even with his terrifying talent, he only broke through to Refining God at the age of forty....

This guy... could he be some ancient being disguised like this!??

With that thought, Yue Dewen instantly became alert.

"I'm not a 'thing,' I'm just your disciple...." Zhang Rongfang's face stiffened, then he slowly showed helplessness, frustration, and bitterness.

"It's just that because of the rapid advancement, I've been secretly worried that something might be wrong. I couldn't bring myself to tell you...."

"..." Yue Dewen's throat bobbed as he repeatedly swallowed.

He felt it over and over.

No mistake!

It was indeed the unique spiritual trait of Refining God.

The so-called Refining God, the real focus is the mental sphere that can connect with gods and buddhas.

And at this moment, from Zhang Ying, his apprentice, came the exact same Refining God mental sphere he had earlier!!

How many years has it been!? Three years? Four years?

What is this??

Even beans sprouting in soil aren't this fast, right!!?

His expression grew grave.

He quickly stepped forward, his palms suddenly turning into a blur, slapping indiscriminately on Zhang Rongfang's body at a speed almost too fast to see.

The more he slapped, the more twisted his expression became.

"You... what on earth have you been practicing?? Why is your blood energy such a mess? Your physical strength is decent, but... what about martial skills? Did you just focus on practicing Hard Skill? What about martial arts?? Why is it still External Medicine!?"

He was practically speechless.

This disciple was just like those useless ones who trained in Hard Skill for years.

What use is Hard Skill?

When you reach Spirit General, you can instantly surpass numerous top Hard Skill masters.

No matter how strong you train, can you block Spiritual Line?

At first, he thought his apprentice was honing his martial skills, at least gaining some experience for martial arts techniques when reaching Spirit General, which could strengthen his forewarning skills and Absolute Defense circle.

But now... after years, it's still External Medicine?

After a round of inspection, Yue Dewen released his hand.

"So... you've been hiding around, not daring to carry the Token? You know that the Token can test your Cultivation of Literature?" he asked bitterly.

"Exactly. I really didn't want things to be this way either." Zhang Rongfang sighed sincerely.

"...."

"..."

For a moment, the apprentice-master duo fell silent.

One was in a state of shock, while the other looked innocent, not knowing what to say.

After a long while.

"Indeed... your situation... needs some serious thought...." Yue Dewen finally nodded stiffly, his voice dry.

Having a late-stage Nascent Soul at such a young age in his disciple would make him excited.

But Refining God at this age.

This wasn't excitement—he simply couldn't understand....

Because, something like this has never happened before!?

Look at the other Refining God practitioners; which one isn't seventy or eighty?

Then look at this guy....

In his twenties?

Is there no fairness in the world?!!

Yue Dewen felt a toothache.

This incident came too suddenly; he wasn't mentally prepared at all.

After thinking for a bit, he stepped forward again.

"Give me your hand!"

Zhang Rongfang hesitated for a moment but still extended his hand.

His pulse was seized.

As soon as he felt the pulse, Yue Dewen almost blurted out a curse.

It's real!

It really is Refining God!!

Moreover, it's complete Refining God!!?

He had already ignored his apprentice's powerful physical body, but that faintly perceptible spiritual trait running through his entire being was undeniably genuine.

"You damn...!!?"

He slapped Zhang Rongfang hard, his face twisted even more.

"Truly... truly a good child!!"

Having perfected the Refining God and not telling him, if some Outer God seized the opportunity...

Yue Dewen felt a fear in his heart.

He released his hand and exhaled deeply, thinking that his earlier reaction might have frightened the child.

Immediately, the dangerous look on his face began to soften, the previous estrangement and indifference turned into warmth and pity.

"Good... good child!"

He took a deep breath and heavily patted Zhang Rongfang on the back.

"All this time, you have truly suffered...."

Though his face was twisted, his heart was genuinely aching.

To practice martial arts every day and still manage to cultivate literature to this extent....

"Master... I... was just worried you might misunderstand..." Zhang Rongfang was equally emotional, his lips trembling, as if years of grievances had finally been understood.

The mentor and student locked eyes, both finding emotion on each other's faces.

"My disciple!"

"Master!"

"Alright, alright, you don't have to pretend anymore... Now, you can worship the gods... pack up, and come back with me!" Yue Dewen's expression gradually grew excited.

"Truly, fate intends to prosper my great path!"

With a sect of three Spirit Generals, who else in the world could compare to them!?

"Master, I think we shouldn't rush for now." Zhang Rongfang said in a deep voice, "I feel that the cultivation of literature might still progress further...."

"Progress further? Yes, yes!! Not bad, not bad, if you can enter Returning to Void before worshipping the gods... perhaps..." Yue Dewen himself had worshipped the gods after reaching Returning to Void, knowing the vast difference.

He immediately became even more excited.

"Indeed, you're right!" He nodded repeatedly, walking back and forth in the study.

"With the Supreme Bright Void Skill as your foundation, if now you could progress further, with your talent it shouldn't take too much time. At most a few years, no! Even if it takes ten years, it would be enough; if you can surpass your master and reach the peak of Returning to Void...." Yue Dewen grew more excited.

He had barely entered Returning to Void before worshipping the gods, already feeling it was his limit then.

But Zhang Rongfang was different!

He was still young, only in his twenties!

In his twenties...

Simply a born Dao Body! The greatest throughout history!!

Yue Dewen's expression grew increasingly excited.

"Whatever you need, just say it! Whatever I can do, I'll meet your needs! Don't be shy! When you worship the gods in the future, with your master ruling the world, we will inevitably accomplish great things! No one can stand in our way!"

Zhang Rongfang felt a weight lift off his heart, knowing that this hurdle had temporarily passed.

He had previously deduced in his mind what would happen if he exposed his cultivation of literature, and the outcome was unexpected; the result of his deduction didn't coincide with his initial fears.

No matter who, upon seeing someone his age capable of cultivating to the culmination of Refining God, would know he could continue further.

The inevitable decision would be to let him continue advancing, achieving the ultimate, before worshipping the gods.

The usual logic would not immediately rush him to worship the gods, cutting off future paths.

Thus, Zhang Rongfang decisively removed his disguise.

After all, he was almost unable to keep it up.

"Master, the disciple has recently encountered some strange things, could you shed some light?"

Having revealed his capabilities, with a world-class powerful teacher before him, naturally Zhang Rongfang first wanted to inquire about the doubts he had been burying deep in his heart.

"You mean the matter about the two Residual God auras in your residence?" Yue Dewen seemed to have anticipated this.

"Actually, there's not much to say. The Great Spirit once suppressed and slaughtered countless Secret Gods, although these Secret Gods, like the Spirit Generals, cannot be killed, as long as all who saw them are killed, they can be completely forgotten."

He paused.

"What is meant by forgotten, is that they and their Spirit Generals will forever remain in their own place, unable to influence the world again. That is all."

"Then... how should we deal with the mysterious fog?" Zhang Rongfang asked again.

"The only thing that can counter a god is another god." Yue Dewen laughed, "When you worship the gods in the future, with the Celestial Venerable's protection, the mysterious fog will be useless against you. Even weak Residual Gods wouldn't dare approach you."

"Why? Since they cannot die, what do they fear?"

"Immortality only means they will continually reincarnate, not that they cannot be vanquished. Each time they are killed, they will fall into a weakened slumber." Yue Dewen explained.

He walked around the study with his hands behind his back, his expression relaxed and joyful.

"As long as you carry the Token, no one would dare approach you. Oh no." He suddenly snatched the Token back from Zhang Rongfang's hand.

"You cannot carry it for now. To avoid accidents." He paused, his expression turning solemn.

"When you reach your limit and can worship the gods, then it wouldn't be too late to give it to you. For now... I will keep it safe for you."

His inexplicable action made Zhang Rongfang suddenly recall what Xue Tong had mentioned before.

Within the Token, perhaps there really were Spiritual Lines of deities and buddhas, which could erupt at the appropriate time, forcibly possessing and descending upon them.

"This way, you follow me back to the Great Capital, you can do whatever you wish, and have whatever you desire, as long as you cultivate your literature diligently for me. Even if you want the royal princess to accompany you, I can arrange it! It's more comfortable than that little girl just now!"

"...Master, you misunderstand, the disciple actually feels that in a free and unfettered state, I can improve my cultivation of literature faster.

Back when I was in the Great Capital for some time, the progress was slow. Unexpectedly, after leaving the capital and going to Citong, the progress surged!" Zhang Rongfang sighed.

"Cultivating outside, is it... This could be somewhat problematic, but as long as it stays a secret, you haven't told anyone about your cultivation of literature, right?" Yue Dewen asked worriedly.

"No, Master, you are definitely the first!" Zhang Rongfang said resolutely.

"That's good." Yue Dewen pondered for a moment, "This way, I will arrange people to protect you closely. Protect you secretly, and you also need to be careful, the situation is changing too fast lately, I might not be able to keep an eye on you. Do not get involved in the struggle of the Five Kings."

"The Five Kings, even you are wary of them?" Zhang Rongfang asked, surprised.

"The Five Kings, on the surface, have the support of various sect forces in secret, without the support of Spirit Generals, they wouldn't dare contend for the throne.

Besides... hehe, you will find out later. We also have our supporters, but it's not time to reveal them yet." Yue Dewen did not keep things hidden as much now and began to reveal some information to his disciple.

This meant he had already begun to plan to guide Zhang Rongfang into the circle he was part of.