Accidents would always appear out of the blue and set off waves that would drown a person's mind.
At this moment, Xu Qing was only listening to the county minister talk about the history of the human race. This was the first time he heard about the past of the human race. He was instinctively immersed in it. Without any preparation, he heard the name that he did not want to hear the most.
From the county minister's words, it seemed that this person … had once made great contributions to the human race.
Xu Qing was not so noble. His thoughts were simple. He wanted to find that crow and kill him.
As for what the other party had done in the past, Xu Qing felt that there was no need for him to think about whether it was true or fabricated by later generations.
Perhaps there was really good and evil in this world. However, most of the time, the relationship between people was not so simple. It contained complexity.
Therefore, there were very few good and evil in the true sense. Everything was fundamentally caused by the different standpoints.
In order to survive, a person snatched the last white pill of another person's life. That person mutated and died. After that, the robber did many similar things and finally survived.
Then, in the eyes of the people who were killed by him and the people of the world, he was evil.
However, after he survived, he benefited more people in the future and saved others from death. Then, in the eyes of these people, he was good.
Then, was he evil or good?
Some things were not easy to distinguish because no matter what choice one made, it was wrong. To distinguish the action itself actually contained different standpoints.
The answers obtained from different standpoints were different.
Xu Qing had seen too many real cases when he was young. He was also confused about this.
Although he still hadn't fully grasped the situation, he knew the direction he should go.
He had to stick to his heart.
That was enough.
If you wanted to kill me, I would kill you.
If you snatched me, I would kill you.
If you wanted to harm me, I would kill you.
If you killed my parents, I would kill you even more!
Xu Qing raised his head from his lowered position. His eyes were clear as he looked at the county minister above.
At this moment, the county minister had finished talking about the history of the human race. He also looked at the outstanding people of this generation in the main hall. His gaze swept across everyone and he saw Xu Qing.
The two of them looked at each other.
The county minister nodded.
"Next, I will explain to you how to rely on plants to save yourself in a desperate situation. Of course, there are some limitations. The desperate situation you are in contains plants.
"
"This is actually very common. The number of plants in the Ancient Gazing continent exceeds that of the ten thousand races.
"
"If you can stand at an absolute height and look down on the entire Ancient Wang, you will find that after you wipe out all races, the Ancient Wang might not seem to have changed, but if you wipe out all the plants, the changes in the Ancient Wang will be extremely obvious.
"
The Prefectural Governor's voice was slightly hoarse. His voice seemed to contain the passage of time as it slowly entered everyone's minds.
"I won't teach you the specifics. You'll have to figure it out on your own after class. I'll only teach you the framework. This is also the direction of my research over the years.
"
"That is … to change the characteristics of a plant.
For example, turning a common grass into a medicinal herb, a spiritual herb into a poisonous herb, or a poisonous plant into a spiritual herb will give you an additional way to save yourself in a dangerous situation.
"
Xu Qing was deep in thought. He had thought about this before.
According to Grandmaster Bai, one could use the Yin and Yang Harmony Technique to combine the picked herbs according to different pharmacological principles to achieve a change.
However, there were still some flaws in this method. Some herbs could not be changed by Yin and Yang.
While Xu Qing was thinking, the others were also pondering.
Although everyone here had ordinary attainments in plants, they more or less had some. After all, in this world, elixirs were indispensable.
The Prefectural Governor smiled as he looked at everyone. Then, he waved his hand and took out a flower pot. There was a small red flower growing in it.
This flower branch.
It was a green and red flower with three petals. There were many small scales on each petal. When put together, it was filled with a demonic aura.
"Red Phosphorus Flower."
Xu Qing immediately recognized that this was a poisonous flower. There were very few of them and it belonged to the type that could not be changed by Yin and Yang.
"Look carefully."
"
The Prefectural Governor took out a small bottle and poured the liquid inside into the soil. Then, he observed the changes of the Red Scaled Flower and filled it with different medicinal liquids.
After doing all this, he waved his hands and instantly, his rich cultivation base spread out and supported the flower pot, causing the medicinal liquids that seeped into the soil to be absorbed by the Red Phosphorus Flower faster.
Gradually, a magical scene appeared.
The color of the Red Scaled Flower slowly changed and became white. There was also a fragrance that spread out in all directions.
Everyone in the hall was amazed. Xu Qing was even more shocked.
This scene seemed simple, but the more he understood, the more shocked he was.
Xu Qing knew very well that the Yin and Yang method could not change the Red Scaled Flower, but now, the Prefectural Governor's method could do this. This made Xu Qing's eyes shine brightly.
"Do you understand?"
"
"If you want to change the state of a herb, you don't need to be bold and decisive. You also don't need to harmonize Yin and Yang after plucking it. In my opinion, what you need to do is to nourish it silently."
"
"Unknowingly, you have changed the environment it is in and changed the nutrients it needs. You have made it unknowingly and slowly absorb them. You have influenced it from the inside."
"
"To be precise, I did not change its state. It was its own power that changed its state. What I did was to create an environment and nutrients to guide it in the right direction."
"
The Prefectural Governor said with a smile. There was encouragement in his eyes as he looked at the people in the hall who were deep in thought.
"This is the framework that I have imparted to you. If you use this as a foundation to look at the Way of Plants, you will get twice the results with half the effort."
"
"I will explain this knowledge to you every day for the next seven days. If you can't master it after seven days, you can come to the Prefectural Governor's residence to learn from me."
"
After that, the Prefectural Governor got up and walked out.
Everyone in the hall was solemn and bowed to the Prefectural Governor.
Xu Qing did the same. This lesson had been a great inspiration for him.
With the Prefectural Governor's departure, today's lesson also ended. Everyone walked out of the hall.
At this moment, dusk had passed and the moon had risen.
The moon was very beautiful today. There were no clouds in the sky and the moonlight was bright like the Milky Way.
Xu Qing, who was leaving with the team leader to return to the sub-sect, had just left the hall when Kong Xianglong's hearty voice came from behind him.
"Xu Qing."
"Yes.
"We will be comrades in the future. I want to invite you for a drink. I will not beat around the bush. I want to be friends with you."
"
"My childhood friends are also curious about you. You just came to the prefecture capital and might not know much about the Sword Holding Palace. I will explain it to you later."
"
"What do you think?"
"
Xu Qing stopped in his tracks and looked back at Kong Xianglong who was walking over. Kong Xianglong had a sincere smile on his face and was followed by Shan Hezi and the others.
Xu Qing hesitated. The other party was so sincere in his invitation and he did want to know more about the Sword Holding Palace. However, it seemed that the other party did not like the team leader.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, if you don't have time …" Kong Xianglong seemed careless but that was just his character. He was just too lazy to think. However, it did not mean that he was stupid. At this moment, he naturally saw the reason for Xu Qing's hesitation.
Therefore, he suppressed his wariness towards Chen Erniu and spoke calmly.
"I do have time!"
The team leader coughed and was very satisfied with Xu Qing's way of taking care of him.
Xu Qing nodded.
Kong Xianglong did not care too much about the extra person and laughed at Xu Qing. Just as the group was about to leave, Night Spirit grabbed Qing Qiu who was about to leave.
Qing Qiu had no choice but to follow along.
Just like that, the seven of them flew out of the Sword Holding Palace like a small group.
Behind them, Zhang Siyun walked out of the Knowledge Hall and saw this scene.
Then, he snorted coldly and left alone.
Kong Xianglong and the others grew up in the prefecture capital and were naturally very familiar with places to eat wine. However, they did not choose a luxurious place but an ordinary winery.
There were not many diners inside and the owners were an old couple. Clearly, they were familiar with Kong Xianglong and the others. When they came out with the dishes and saw them, they immediately smiled.
"Little Kong is here. You have new friends this time?"
"
"Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou."
After Kong Xianglong arrived, he hurriedly ran over to take the dishes and helped to bring them to the table next door. When the diners at the table saw the group of Sword Holding Palace, they were not afraid and laughed and joked.
"Little Kong is here to help again?"
"Yes."
"Of course. We drink while doing odd jobs."
Kong Xianglong smiled and put down the dishes. Then, he took some wine and walked towards Xu Qing.
"Why are you all standing? Sit down. The wine here is brewed by me and it is not watered at all."
Kong Xianglong pulled everyone to a table and sat down. He put down the wine and acted like a shop owner.
This scene made Qingqiu feel very strange. Xu Qing also looked at Kong Xianglong a few more times. The captain looked as if he had already known.
Kong Xianglong was about to speak when another table of diners shouted for the bill. He hurriedly got up and ran over. His movements were very practiced and he did not seem to be the same person as when he walked in the Sword Holding Palace.
"Brother Kong has been poor since he was young. When he was young, he did odd jobs in the Sword Holding Palace. At that time, he even worked part-time to earn spirit coins."
Night Spirit glanced at Xu Qing and the others and explained.
"He worked as a waiter in this winery for three years. After he cultivated, he went out on many missions and quit. However, every time we gather, we will choose this place because Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou treat him very well."
"
"Brother Kong is a nostalgic person."
Beside him, Shan Hezi instinctively maintained a gloomy expression and said coldly.
Xu Qing looked up at the busy Kong Xianglong. He had never met such a person since he was young.
Soon, Kong Xianglong ran back. After sitting down, he picked up the wine pot and laughed at everyone.
"I'm happy today and made new friends. Come, brothers, let's have a toast!"
"
Shan Hezi and the others raised their wine pots. Xu Qing, the captain, and Qing Qiu also picked up their wine pots. Everyone looked at each other and drank together.
They were all young people and drank quickly. Although wine was nothing to cultivators, it could still liven up the atmosphere. In particular, Kong Xianglong's laughter was hearty and very enthusiastic.
Under his influence, the atmosphere gradually became less monotonous.
Kong Xianglong's boldness could also be seen from the way he drank. He was clearly a wine lover and drank one pot after another.
Slowly, Xu Qing and Qing Qiu also relaxed. However, the two of them still disliked each other and ignored each other.
As for the captain, he was very friendly and kept drinking with Shan Hezi and the others.
"Little River, Night Spirit, and Wang Chen, I know that the three of you are not convinced by the fact that Xu Qing was appointed by the Great Emperor, but let me tell you, the most taboo among human prodigies is jealousy. You have heard the history of the human race today. The human race is not as strong as before. If there is still internal strife, the future will be bleak."
"
"I don't care what you do," he said. "But as for Xu Qing, I respect him. 30,000 meters is 30,000 meters.
"
Kong Xianglong sighed. Under his words, Shan Hezi and the other two also relaxed a little and tried to interact with Xu Qing and the others. However, they were obviously very wary of the captain and could not let go for a while.
Just like that, after three rounds of drinking and when the dishes were served, Kong Xianglong smiled and looked at Xu Qing.
"Xu Qing, you guys haven't comprehended the Emperor Sword yet, right? Little Night Spirit too. I succeeded last year and can share some of my experiences with you guys."
"
Xu Qing was a little moved. This kind of comprehension experience was extremely precious and usually, very few people would share it. The captain was also surprised and Qing Qiu even raised his head.
"What's with your expressions? Isn't it just the Emperor Sword comprehension experience?"
Kong Xianglong laughed.
Wang Chen, who had been quiet all this while, spoke softly at this moment.
"Brother Kong's personality is like this. My life lamp was given to me by him."
"
"Your life lamp was not given to you by me. I snatched it with you."
Kong Xianglong patted Wang Chen on the shoulder with his big hand.
His hand passed through it.
"Brother Kong, my main body is at a critical moment in cultivation …"
Kong Xianglong smiled and did not mind. He told Xu Qing and the others about the Emperor Sword experience.
Time passed slowly and the group drank more and more. The captain took out some spirit wine brewed by the Seven-blooded Pupils. This kind of wine was not for mortals to drink as they would get drunk.
But to cultivators, it was a good wine.
This made Kong Xianglong feel a little better about the captain.
So in the end, even though they were cultivators, they still felt a little tipsy.
This was because no one circulated their cultivation to dissipate the alcohol.
Naturally, they talked more and Shan Hezi was no longer gloomy. Instead, he scolded the Yao family and was extremely dissatisfied with the Yao family being close to other races.
He also mentioned the county governor and the county minister. The former was lamented and understood and admired, while the latter was acknowledged to be knowledgeable and talented.
In the end, the captain even had a drinking competition with Kong Xianglong, causing the atmosphere to be extremely lively.
Everyone only left the winery in the middle of the night.
Although this gathering couldn't make them friends immediately, they were more familiar with each other.
On the way back to the branch sect, the captain put his arm around Xu Qing's neck and looked disdainfully at the world.
"Little Qing, these people can't hold their liquor well. I only used 10% of my ability. That Kong Xianglong is even worse. He can't beat me in drinking!"
"
Xu Qing smiled and nodded in agreement.
The night was silent.
In the next six days, the lessons in the Hall of Knowledge continued. This batch of new swordsmen learned more secret techniques and gained more knowledge.
In the middle, the Sword Holding Palace also organized groups to assist in the lessons.
Under the arrangement of the Sword Holding Palace, although the lessons were held in some of the palaces in the Sword Holding Palace, everything in the palaces could transform and form a space of its own.
Under the constant grouping, everyone gradually became familiar with each other.
Once, Xu Qing and Qing Qiu were assigned to the same group. The two of them completed an ambush test together. Although they were cold, their invisible cooperation was very tacit, which made Qing Qiu feel sick of it for a long time.
Another time, Kong Xianglong and the captain were in a group to cooperate in a search.
But they failed.
Because of the item they were searching for, the captain could not help but take a bite.
After that, Kong Xianglong secretly reminded Shan Hezi and the others to be careful of Chen Erniu.
"That guy has a dog's nose and relies on instinct to search for things. His eyes shine and he likes to take a bite. When you go on a mission with him in the future, you must be careful of the mission items!"
"
Just like that, seven days passed in a flash, and the secret training ended.
It had to be said that the seven days of secret training in the Sword Holding Palace were very useful. Seven days ago, most of them were strangers to each other, but after seven days, they became more familiar with each other and had some friendship.
Although it was not deep, it was a seed.
A seed to become a comrade.
Of course, Zhang Siyun was an exception.
When everyone participated in the final assessment of the secret training, Xu Qing received a post order and was told that he did not need to take the assessment and had to report to the Palace Master immediately.
The Palace Master was not in the Sword Holding Palace.
He was in the Prison Department.
This was the responsibility of the Sword Holding Palace Master of Fenghai County to guard the Prison Department.
Therefore, Xu Qing left the Hall of Knowledge with the post order and went to the First Prison of Fenghai County.