"I am Yang Guo, a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect."

Indeed, it is Yang Guo.

Ding Ling sized Yang Guo up with a couple of glances.

This young man has certainly grown into a fine figure, genuinely dignified and upright!

His person possesses a phoenix demeanor and dragon grace, his spirit is elegant and outstanding, truly a rare beauty among men.

No wonder Little East Evil, Guo Xiang, would be captivated for life at first sight; he leaves a deep impression on those who gaze upon him.

"What brings you to me?"

Ding Ling inquired.

"I wish to invite you to visit the Ancient Tomb Sect as my guest."

Yang Guo, fearing Ding Ling might misunderstand, solemnly explained:

"You might not be aware, but I harbor a deep grudge against the Quanzhen Sect’s Lul Qingdu, Hao Datong, and others. You avenged me, cleansing the shame. I cannot find words to express my gratitude, so I would like to first invite you to the Ancient Tomb Sect for a meal before discussing other matters."

He pleaded:

"I hope you won’t decline or refuse."

His eyes blazed as he gazed at Ding Ling:

"I hold nothing back, speaking sincerely from the heart, with absolutely no falsehoods or deception. I earnestly invite you to the Ancient Tomb Sect so I can properly host you..."

He seemed afraid Ding Ling would disagree.

He poured out an unending river of words, referencing text and citations, speaking on and on.

Ding Ling glanced sideways, musing:

"Yang Guo indeed has a glib tongue, clever and witty, able to speak at length without pausing. If I continue to refuse, he might talk until nightfall."

Yang Guo clearly was not someone to give up easily.

Ding Ling did not agree.

He persistently continued to plead, earnestly and eagerly gazing at Ding Ling.

His intense gaze seemed as if to melt Ding Ling.

Causing Ding Ling to get goosebumps, he coughed dryly:

"Alright. Say no more. I’ll go!"

Thinking of the Nine Yin Scripture Fragment accessible through the tomb’s secret chamber, it seemed more convenient and time-saving.

Ding Ling formed the idea of exploring the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Finding a pond alone amidst these vast mountains proved challenging.

Not to mention the time, effort, and mental drain.

Given his tense relations with the Quanzhen Sect now,

there would certainly be many Daoists watching him from the shadows. Ding Ling intended to search the pond and explore the tomb’s secret chamber, a discreet task, yet if watched from afar by Quanzhen Sect Daoists he remained unaware, how could it be called a secret? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Moreover,

he had come to terms with Ma Yu and others. At this point, returning to Quanzhen Sect was inadvisable, to prevent further disputes.

The Secret Manual Ma Yu had provided was genuine.

If it were false.

Ding Ling would naturally have reason to revisit Quanzhen Sect, but since it was real, he had already promised, and it didn’t suit him to renege now.

Had Ma Yu been wicked and harbored murderous intent, Ding Ling would surely act preemptively.

Naturally, he wouldn’t abide by any Jianghu code or promises.

Yet the issue was Ma Yu had always been extremely respectful, vigilant, and cautious.

Ding Ling wouldn’t kill without reason.

This was secondary.

The main issue was Ding Ling thought the task time-consuming and exhausting.

Now, since he intended to go to the tomb. He might as well resolve the matter.

With this thought, Ding Ling joined Yang Guo in heading towards the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Along the way.

Yang Guo chatted avidly, full of enthusiasm, clearly enjoying the discussion.

Ding Ling occasionally chimed in, finding his interaction with Yang Guo quite pleasant.

Midway.

Ding Ling spotted a Daoist observing him from a distance.

If not for his profound skill and exceptional vision, he might not have noticed the Daoist concealed amongst the thorns.

The Daoist apparently realized he had been spotted by Ding Ling, panicking and yelling, fled frantically, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Ding Ling furrowed his brow in thought.

Scanning the surroundings.

In the distance, faint figures could be seen in all directions.

He shouted:

"Get lost!"

Ang!

Roar!

The Lion’s Roar displayed its power, startling countless birds in the mountains to flutter into the sky. Some Quanzhen Sect disciples watching Ding Ling’s movements from hiding were also petrified, turning pale and retreating back to their sect.

Ding Ling observed this without much thought.

He simply disliked being stared at by these Quanzhen Sect disciples.

But even if now no one watched him.

Searching for the pond without detection.

Ding Ling had no desire to search.

Taking the shortcut instead of a winding path.

How idle could one be?

How foolish?

With this in mind, Ding Ling further resolved to confess this matter to Yang Guo upon entering the tomb, treating access to the secret chamber as compensation.

After all, even if not mentioned.

Following the plot, Yang Guo and Little Dragon Girl would eventually learn the Nine Yin Scripture Fragment.

The main point is that many people in this world know the Nine Yin Scripture, and this fragment is not some secret tradition, there’s no need to hide it.

Honestly speaking,

Yang Guo would cooperate better with him.

"What kind of Kung Fu is this?"

Yang Guo witnessed Ding Ling’s shout echoing through the skies, his proximity nearly shattered his eardrums, and he was stunned.

This was because Ding Ling’s soundwave aimed at the Quanzhen Sect disciples.

Had it been directed straight at him.

Wouldn’t he be deafened in an instant, becoming completely deaf?

Just imagining it.

Yang Guo couldn’t help but feel even more reverent.

"Lion’s Roar."

"Shaolin Temple’s Buddhist Lion’s Roar?!"

Yang Guo gaped in awe.

"Seems your knowledge is not shallow either."

Ding Ling was surprised:

"You mentioned you spent these past years living in the tomb, right?"

"But I spent over a decade mingling in the mundane world."

Yang Guo laughed:

"Moreover, I also lived on Peach Blossom Island. During that time, I listened daily to Uncle Guo and Lady Guo discussing various martial arts in the land, and happened to hear about this Lion’s Roar Divine Skill Secret Technique. I hadn’t expected the technique to be so powerful, truly stunning."

Ding Ling smiled slightly:

"Would you like to learn it?"

"What?"

Yang Guo was shaken, eyes wide looking at Ding Ling:

"You want to teach me, hero?"

"What martial arts do you know?"

Ding Ling did not answer but asked instead.

Yang Guo candidly responded:

"I was once taught Toad Skill by my foster father, later joined the Quanzhen Sect, memorized some Profound Skill Heart Method Mantras, but didn’t learn any martial arts..."

He concluded:

"The martial arts I’m most proficient in now must be those of the Ancient Tomb Sect."

Upon finishing, he looked at Ding Ling:

"What did the hero intend?"

"If you don’t mind, you could exchange your Toad Skill for my Lion’s Roar and Nine Heavens Thunder Hammer Technique. I’ve heard you praising my hammer technique all along the way, claiming that it’s what men truly ought to learn among martial arts skills. Now I give you the opportunity. Can you seize it?"

Ding Ling did not particularly care about exchanging skills.

After all, these skills were not exclusively his to know.

Li Yuanba had penned the Nine Heavens Thunder Hammer Technique for Zuo Lengchan; it’s hard to say he hadn’t shared it with Li Shimin and others either.

Since many people would know it.