Chapter 24: 24. Genius The next day, early morning. Song Yan sought out Senior Brother Zhang to look at the "red pepper"-like thing growing from the stone crack in the house, and was then informed, "This is indeed a Fire-Breath Pepper." Seeing his interest, Senior Brother Zhang even gifted him a stone flower bed about half a meter in length and width, filled with spiritual soil. Song Yan gave this flower bed directly to the Princess Consort, letting her play with it as she wished. While wandering outside casually, the "two missing disciples incident" apparently had not spread, so there was not much commotion. Song Yan went to Cuique Forest as usual. But today, he truly "matched his words with actions," only standing at the edge of the forest, rather than delving deep like the day before. ... ... Like this, for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, when he intended to go to Cuique Forest again, Zhang Yin suddenly grabbed him. "Don’t go for now." "What’s wrong, Senior Brother?" "Some loose cultivators supported by the Great Wei Royal Family, along with some disciples of the Southern Wu Jianmen, have quietly infiltrated the outer area of our Puppet Sect. Several patrolling official disciples have gone missing; some corpses were found, others... completely disappeared." Zhang Yin’s expression was grave. Song Yan showed an appropriate amount of shock and fear: "This... since when?" Zhang Yin chuckled: "Just these past two days. Even in Cuique Forest, some patrolling disciples have disappeared. You’ve been lucky, but luck won’t always be on your side, so best not to go for now." Song Yan clenched his fists, exclaiming angrily, "Southern Wu Jianmen, too much bullying!" "Indeed." Zhang Yin said, "We only capture some servants, make some furnaces, and shield those gangs in the Jianghu that lean towards us, yet they insist on attacking us, it’s outrageous!" Song Yan: ... Hmm. Capturing large batches of slaves, disregarding human lives; forcibly taking beautiful men and women from the mortal world, leading to the ruin of families; shielding the evil sects and crooked paths of the Jianghu, giving them a protective umbrella and creating fertile soil for bad influences to thrive... Senior Brother, oh Senior Brother, you truly have no shame. But now he was also a part of the Demon Sect, and in order to survive, his actions had become somewhat demonic too. Though it was not his original intention and done out of helplessness, the affairs of the world have always been judged by deeds, not intentions. Thinking of this, Song Yan said, "Just as well, during this time I’ve gained some insight into the ’Skin Painting Technique,’ so I’ll stay on the peak to make skins. The same old rule, I’ll do the share for Senior Brother, and the contribution points can be counted as Senior Brother’s." Zhang Yin, hearing this, beamed with joy, affectionately embracing his shoulder, and said with a smile, "I just like people like you, Junior Brother. Rest assured, with Senior Brother here, you won’t suffer any loss." As for the "insight into the Skin Painting Technique," Zhang Yin just pretended not to hear it. In his view, while the junior brother was diligent and had some talent, he was still far, far away from entering the realm of a Skin Master. ... ... A month later... Zhang Yin held the "Double-headed Wolf Shadow Puppet" made from demon beast skin in his hands, repeatedly examining it under the deep winter sunlight. The mountain wind blew, lifting his temples, but his eyes seemed glued to the shadow puppet, motionless. Suddenly, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he swallowed hard, his eyes revealing disbelief. This Senior Brother Zhang, as a standard disciple of the Demon Sect, rarely lost his composure, but he had done so frequently in the past few days. He looked at the "Double-headed Wolf Shadow Puppet," recalling the previous ones, and startlingly realized that if the shadow puppet from thirty days ago was ordinary, and the one from fifteen days ago was good, then the current one... was excellent. Since returning from Cuique Forest, Junior Brother Song has been progressing rapidly in the art of skin making at a "visibly fast pace." Zhang Yin always believed that "cultivation is a very slow process, everything needs to be subtle and imperceptible," yet... he had heard of certain things. Realm cultivation is quite lengthy because it mainly depends on the proficiency of the Profound Root talent. Although Profound Root talent is hard to measure, it can still be assessed through certain tests. But... magic cultivation is a completely different matter. Comprehension is unseen and intangible. The vast majority of cultivators have similar comprehension, but there are a very few with excellent comprehension, and those individuals, when understanding a magic, are indeed worlds apart from ordinary cultivators. This doesn’t have much to do with the Profound Root. Some people may not have good Profound Root talent, and may perform mediocrely in most magical understanding, but in one specific type of magic, they might exhibit exceptionally strong comprehension! If they lack opportunities, they might never discover this talent throughout their lives. But if they encounter the right opportunity, they will burst forth with stunning brilliance! Zhang Yin had only ever heard about such people. But today, he believed he had truly encountered one. "This shadow puppet already has a divine resemblance, very lifelike." "Junior Brother Song truly has the talent to become a Skin Master." "He just went to wander Cuique Forest by himself, if guided by a famous teacher..." Zhang Yin dared not think further, taking a deep breath, he ran towards the peak, heading to the Cave Mansion of Peak Master Cheng Danqing on South Bamboo Peak. Usually, the Master is cultivating inside the cave, and he would not disturb him. But today, he felt this matter was of no small importance and had to tell his Master. Knock knock knock... He lifted his hand and gently knocked on the stone door. However... There was no response from inside. Zhang Yin knocked again. Still nothing. It’s as if... the master who was supposed to be cultivating in the cave isn’t here today. "Where did the master go?" Zhang Yin showed a slight expression of doubt, but he turned and left. ... ... The next day, Zhang Yin finally met Cheng Danqing. "I was cultivating in my residence yesterday and perhaps got too absorbed; I didn’t hear your knocking." Cheng Danqing casually explained, "What do you need?" "Master, please take a look." Zhang Yin took out two "Two-Headed Wolf Shadow Puppets" and excitedly handed them over. One puppet was unremarkable, the other vivid and lifelike. Cheng Danqing took them, looked at them, and raised the lifelike one, asking, "Who made this?" "Song Yan, Junior Brother Song!" "And this one?" Cheng Danqing slightly raised the unremarkable one. "Also made by Junior Brother Song Yan, but he made it a month ago." Zhang Yin immediately explained everything but skipped over the greedy details. Cheng Danqing, after examining the two shadow puppets repeatedly, suddenly asked, "Do you still have all the puppets he’s made this month?" Zhang Yin replied, "Yes, recently there’s tension in the sect, and the disciples who came to collect them were delayed; all the puppets are still in the storage and haven’t been sent out." "Bring them over." After saying this, Cheng Danqing added, "I’ll go with you to take a look!" ... ... A moment later. Thirty pairs of "Two-Headed Wolf Shadow Puppets" were laid out in front of Cheng Danqing. Cheng Danqing examined each one, and by the end, his unruffled gaze had shifted. He uttered one phrase: "Genius." Zhang Yin clapped his hands, "This is a true genius; I never thought I’d encounter one." Cheng Danqing lowered his eyes, pondered a bit, and said, "Go tell Song Yan that I will personally visit the main peak for him to discuss his matters with Elder Shi." "Yes, Master!" ... ... In the evening. Zhang Yin went to the Skinning Cave Mansion, observing Song Yan’s focused expression, his fluent drawing, and skin-making, patiently waiting on the side. Only after he finished did he come forward and pat him on the shoulder. Song Yan understood and followed him out of the cave mansion. Zhang Yin said seriously, "Junior Brother, I discovered you have a significant talent in skin-making. Therefore, I specifically asked Master to go to the main peak for your matter and pay a visit to Elder Shi." Song Yan replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother." Zhang Yin waved his hand, "No need for thanks between brothers. Also, from now on, all the skins you make will count towards your own contribution points; no need to give them to Senior Brother anymore..." Seeing Song Yan about to speak again, Zhang Yin said softly, "Or should Senior Brother return everything to you? Just give me some time, alright?" Song Yan: ... ... ... The next day. The main peak of Shadow Puppet Peak. In a mysterious dark hall, a strange and huge figure sat with its back to the light, enveloped in a thick aura of death, its face unseen. Cheng Danqing entered through a side method door and reported respectfully. That person responded. The voice was very peculiar, as if two faces were mixed together, chattering away. "Skin Master is a talent, and we need such talent too. But the Profound Jade will shine on its own... This way, Elder Stone Seat will hold a demon beast exhibition in Linglong Valley next month for half a month, to observe the divine nature of demon beasts. At that time, many Skin Masters, and even those with potential, will be there... You recommend him to go, let him see the world in Linglong Valley, and also test what level of skill he really has. The rest... we’ll discuss later." "Yes." Cheng Danqing responded respectfully. The mysterious figure then said, "How’s the task I assigned you to find the spy from Nanwu Sword Sect going?" Cheng Danqing respectfully replied, "Arrangements have been made; I believe there will be news soon." The mysterious figure said, "Hurry up, King Wei has already successfully escaped to the Mountain and Sea Demon Country, and he should soon see his elder from the Multi-tailed Dragon Bo Cannibal Fox Race... and our opportunity is arriving soon." The words ended with a sinister laugh. Cheng Danqing grinned, following with a "Heheh." laugh.