“All Methods Return to the Source!”

The moment these four words were spoken, Su Rumei couldn’t help but reveal a look of shock.

Indeed! The Shadow’s thoughts were exactly the same as hers!

Ancient sages said that ‘All Methods Return to the Source’ means all methods return to the Dao. This is the origin of the Heavenly Dao, the Earthly Dao, and the Human Dao. This Dao can also lead to immortality.

These words have always had many interpretations because no one has ever truly seen what ‘All Methods Return to the Source’ entails. No matter how high one’s cultivation or how extraordinary one’s talents, achieving this state is impossible.

There are great powers who can create their own techniques, and there are sages who can evolve techniques, but without exception, such individuals are exceedingly rare. Moreover, such people cannot truly be called ‘All Methods Return to the Source’!

Just look at Feng Bugui before us. He simply relied on some newly acquired secret manuals, learned them in the shortest time, comprehended their essence, and then integrated them into his own techniques, evolving them into even stronger secret manuals!

Su Rumei didn’t know if this was truly ‘All Methods Return to the Source,’ but she understood one thing: this person’s future achievements would likely be beyond imagination.

“I might have been wrong before,” Su Rumei said with a bitter smile. “This person might not just be someone we look up to in the future. His future achievements… I’m afraid we won’t even have the chance to see his back…”

For once, the Shadow, who had never fully acknowledged Gu Xiu despite previous praise, did not voice any rebuttal. She just quietly nodded. She could no longer argue.

Dao Enlightenment, being a formation master, defeating enemies across realms, having profound fortune… each of these was enough to make one realize just how much potential this person possessed. And now, if ‘All Methods Return to the Source’ was added to the list, then Feng Bugui’s potential could be said to be absolutely top-tier!

Such potential concentrated in one person… wouldn’t his future achievements indeed make him an existence they could hardly hope to look up to?

“Where did this monster even come from?” the Shadow exclaimed with feeling. “Judging by his appearance, he’s clearly someone who broke away from some major sect or clan. I don’t know what sect or clan it was that could actually let such a person go. That’s just plain stupid!”

Su Rumei smiled at this. “No matter which sect or clan he broke away from, one thing is certain: right now should be his most destitute time!”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“What do I mean?” Su Rumei once again cast a deep glance towards Gu Xiu’s carriage. “Although I’ve always said it’s better to add flowers to brocade than offer charcoal in snowy weather… that was only because offering help in desperate times often yields insufficient returns. But if it’s Feng Bugui we’re talking about, I have only one thought.”

“What is it?” the Shadow asked curiously.

Su Rumei replied, “Wealth is found in danger!”

Without any hesitation, Su Rumei immediately ordered her people to pass down commands: Wanbao Pavilion would also begin collecting all kinds of technique manuals and secret texts!

Compared to Mou Xingsheng and those rogue cultivators, when a force like Wanbao Pavilion took action, it was naturally extraordinary. Su Rumei’s demands were much higher.

“Gather all technique manuals that can be found! We want both Mystic-rank and Yellow-rank! As for Earth-rank… I will discuss it with the Tower Master. Regarding Heaven-rank… also keep an eye out as much as possible. If any appear, we must secure them!”

The Shadow did not object at all, but when she heard Su Rumei setting her sights on something as rare and hard-to-find as Heaven-rank techniques, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of astonishment.

Su Rumei then said, “Shadow, I have a premonition.”

“What premonition?”

Su Rumei glanced once more at the carriage whose window was now closed, her eyes bright as she declared, “This Feng Bugui might be… our greatest opportunity in this lifetime!”

The next two days passed smoothly.

They were now less than a day’s journey from Yunxiao City. The expressions of everyone in the caravan gradually relaxed.

During these two days, they encountered some more petty bandits and ruffians. Most were rogue cultivators hoping to stumble upon some ‘opportunity,’ but there were also quite a few villains who used the guise of rogue cultivators to commit evil deeds—killing and plundering.

However, upon seeing Wanbao Pavilion’s grand banner and sensing Su Rumei’s formidable Golden Core aura, these people would immediately flee. Even when a Golden Core expert blocked their path midway, they ultimately dared not act rashly.

After all, they were nearing Yunxiao City now. Wanbao Pavilion had considerable influence within the city. Without absolute confidence in eliminating their opponents in one strike, no one wanted to provoke this caravan.

The journey remained smooth.

But just as it seemed the caravan was about to arrive at Yunxiao City—while Su Rumei was still within the caravan making arrangements for matters after their arrival—she suddenly frowned.

There is a powerful expert nearby watching us! The Shadow sent a voice transmission.

Su Rumei also frowned. Can you tell what cultivation level?

Unknown. But definitely stronger than both of us. The Shadow’s transmission carried tension. At least late Golden Core stage; possibly a Nascent Soul great power!

Friend or foe?

There has been killing intent gathering continuously, but they haven’t made a move yet.

In that case, they probably don’t want us meddling in their affairs. Su Rumei immediately spoke aloud: “Order the caravan to pass through quickly!”

Soon, the caravan continued forward as usual.

On the road, a group of cultivators chatted and laughed among themselves, discussing where they would go to relax after the tiring journey. Their cultivation wasn’t high enough; they couldn’t even detect the presence hidden in the shadows.

But for Su Rumei and the Shadow, the feeling remained like having a bone stuck in their throat; cold sweat trickled down their backs. This was equivalent to walking right past someone who could strike at any moment.

Fortunately, the caravan soon passed more than halfway, and it seemed the hidden figure withdrew its gaze.

It seems we’ve passed through safely now.

I sensed earlier that there was something off with the mountain terrain here; it seems someone used some kind of secret technique here—likely that hidden great power taking action.

Shh… matters unrelated to us are best not discussed.

Alright.

Su Rumei and the Shadow secretly breathed sighs of relief.

But before that breath could fully settle…

“Hmm?”

A soft sound of surprise suddenly came from nearby.

Immediately after, a figure entirely wrapped in black robes, revealing not an inch of skin, suddenly appeared within the caravan!

“Who goes there?”

“What audacity! How dare you intrude upon our caravan!”

Two guards noticed first and were about to take action when Su Rumei swiftly arrived, stopping them. She then gave a slight bow towards the black-robed figure.

“This humble woman is Su Rumei, a manager of Wanbao Pavilion. May I ask why you have stopped our caravan, Esteemed Senior? If you have any needs, please feel free to speak.”

Her face still wore its usual smile, but her heart was tense to the extreme. Because both she and the Shadow had discerned this person’s cultivation level.

Nascent Soul!

This was a Nascent Soul great power!

Especially since this Nascent Soul expert was dressed like this, seemingly unwilling for anyone to recognize their identity, which made her heart grow even more uneasy with apprehension.

Fortunately, the Nascent Soul great power did not directly attack. Instead, their gaze swept over the caravan as they asked, “This Venerable One wishes to ask: is there anyone among you proficient in formations?”

This…

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Almost instinctively, they wanted to glance towards Gu Xiu’s carriage.

Luckily, Su Rumei reacted quickly and immediately replied, “Esteemed Senior jests. We are merely an ordinary merchant caravan; how could we possibly have the means to employ a formation master? However, if Senior has need, perhaps after we return to the city, we could help Senior find a highly skilled formation master?”

The Nascent Soul cultivator frowned, clearly dissatisfied with this answer. They stared at the caravan for another moment before finally shaking their head, preparing to leave.

But just then…

“Hmm?”

Just as they were about to depart, the Nascent Soul cultivator suddenly let out another sound of surprise. Their gaze then fell upon a certain carriage, their eyes carrying an expression of disbelief and even faint traces of… fear?

Seeing where their gaze lingered, Su Rumei’s heart tightened instantly.

Because where they were looking… was precisely Feng Bugui’s carriage!

As if fearing something would happen exactly when worried about it—just as Su Rumei was on tenterhooks—the Nascent Soul cultivator spoke.

“The person inside… come out and let this Venerable One see you!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on-site instantly froze solid.

And Gu Xiu’s carriage… remained completely motionless.