After Alex made bold changes to the Sun Moon Sect, the sect's top leaders gained more power, and naturally, they worked with greater zeal.
Alex took a page from Dongfang Bubai's book, living a hands-off life in the Sun Moon Sect.
Dongfang Bubai secluded himself in the back mountain, honing the Sunflower Manual's secrets, while Alex oversaw the sect's affairs.
Of course, Alex also spent these days exploring the Sun Moon Sect's treasure vault, where he found two Small Huandan pills.
However, only the first pill worked best, and later ones had much weaker effects. Since the vault belonged to the sect, not him, Alex chose not to take them.
Alex's real goal in the vault was to find a stronger inner strength method.
Though he found two or three inner strength techniques slightly better than those Elder Tong gave him—top-tier in the martial world—they weren't much stronger. Switching to them rashly would be a mistake.
Perhaps the greatest find was an ancient sword in the Sun Moon Sect's vault, named the White Dragon—a true gem.
Since Ren Woxing and Dongfang Bubai didn't wield swords, this blade had sat unused in the vault, a lucky break for Alex.
Plus, Alex ordered Blackwood Cliff's master smith to forge 108 black iron flying needles for him.
Magneto's power lets him control metal, but he can't lug around hundreds of pounds of iron, right? Controlling these flying needles is far easier. First, they're small and easy to carry. Second, their size makes them harder for enemies to counter.
On this day, Alex trained with his sword on Blackwood Cliff as usual, after practicing his inner strength.
The White Dragon sword danced like a shield in Alex's hands. Each move of the Dugu Nine Swords flowed effortlessly, smooth as a rushing river.
After a long while, Alex sheathed the White Dragon, calming his breath. He checked his D drive, looking at the Dugu Nine Swords skill file.
Its 5G capacity hadn't changed. Despite days of sword practice, Alex noticed that while his Dugu Nine Swords grew smoother, it still lagged behind Linghu Chong's skill.
"Could it be? Copied skills can't improve? Or is it because I never studied swordsmanship before and was just a beginner, so my swordsmanship hasn't gotten better?" Alex wondered quietly, staring at the Dugu Nine Swords' unchanged 5G capacity.
Three days ago, Lin Pingzhi mastered the Dugu Nine Swords and left Blackwood Cliff. Before he went, Alex checked Lin Pingzhi's Dugu Nine Swords file—it had grown to 5.1G.
The increase was small, but it proved Lin Pingzhi could improve on the copied skill.
"Maybe it's because I'm a total beginner in swordsmanship, with no foundation at all?" After thinking it over, Alex leaned toward this idea.
Though he copied the Dugu Nine Swords, Lin Pingzhi's version was copied too. It makes no sense that I can't improve, but Lin Pingzhi can, right?
In the end, it's because I never learned swordsmanship. Even with the Dugu Nine Swords, it's like building a tower without a base.
Even if Lin Pingzhi isn't the best, he's trained in the evil-repelling sword technique since childhood, so he has a foundation. After getting the Dugu Nine Swords, it's natural he can practice and improve.
"Skills, without the knowledge and foundation to back them, are just empty dreams?" Alex thought, a pang of regret in his heart.
His gaze shifted to the locked E and F drives.
Could those drives hold functions for building knowledge?
"Deputy leader!" At that moment, a figure approached Alex, kneeling with a respectful bow.
"Alright, Liu Yang, I've said I don't care for these formal gestures. What's the matter?" Alex waved a hand, looking at the kneeling figure.
Liu Yang was the disciple who brought Alex to the Sun Moon Sect when he first arrived in this world. Since he introduced Alex, he's been well-liked in the sect lately.
But he's much smarter than Yang Lianting, handling tasks with care. So, Alex doesn't mind speaking well of him.
With the deputy leader's praise, others in the sect treat Liu Yang with respect.
Liu Yang said "I've looked into what you asked me to watch. Ren Woxing escaped Meizhuang with help from Linghu Chong and Xiang Wentian in Huashan, but Linghu Chong and Ren Woxing have split up. The Saint Aunt is under house arrest in Shaolin Temple, and Linghu Chong is gathering fighters to rescue her there."
"Good, keep watching," Alex nodded, waving a hand after hearing the report.
"Oh, one more thing," Liu Yang added, head still low. "The Four Friends of Meizhuang know they've committed a grave error, but they didn't fight back. They surrendered and have been brought to Blackwood Cliff, awaiting your judgment."
"I see. I'll handle it when I have time. For now, I'm heading to the back mountain. Ren Woxing's escape needs to be reported to the Leader," Alex nodded, turning to leave for the back mountain.
Liu Yang stayed kneeling until Alex's figure faded, then stood and left.
Liu Yang is sharp—smart enough to know how to act when in favor, and wise enough to stay cautious.
Yang Lianting's fate is a clear warning.
Dongfang Bubai trains tirelessly. When Alex arrived, he found him perfecting his flying needle art, using collisions to steer the needles. The technique was nearing mastery.
Not only did the first needle hit the target dead-on, but he was also guiding the second needle to land precisely where he wanted.
"No need for modesty, Brother Alex," Dongfang Bubai said, gathering his needles with a bold grin as Alex approached.
"No, I truly admire you," Alex shook his head, speaking from the heart.
Dongfang Bubai's hard work and skill earned Alex's genuine respect.
With such talent and dedication, it's no surprise he's the world's greatest.
"Though the idea is simple, landing flying needles exactly where you want after a collision is tough. Two needles are my limit. But you, Brother Alex, control dozens of needles—that's incredible. I admire you," Dongfang Bubai said, shaking his head, as they exchanged praise.
Alex didn't dwell on it. His face grew serious. "I came to report something to the Leader."
"Speak," Dongfang Bubai nodded.
"The former leader, Ren Woxing, was locked in Meizhuang. He's been freed," Alex said, briefly outlining Ren Woxing's escape.
"You've had people watching Meizhuang lately. I suspect you let Ren Woxing escape on purpose. You don't even see him as a threat. I'm curious—what's your plan?" Dongfang Bubai said, his words sharp and moves with a warrior's grace.
Though he stays in the back mountain while Alex runs the Sun Moon Sect, Dongfang Bubai is still the Leader, seeing through every move in the sect.
Alex wasn't surprised Dongfang Bubai saw through it. He said openly: "Yes, I did it on purpose."
For most, admitting to freeing Ren Woxing would be a dire crime. But Alex spoke as casually as if discussing dinner plans with Dongfang Bubai.
They didn't act like Leader and deputy, but like equals trading thoughts.
"From what I know, the Saint Aunt is under house arrest at Shaolin Temple. Linghu Chong, expelled from Huashan Sect by Yue Buqun, is rallying a rough crew to rescue her there. I think a clash at Shaolin Temple is coming, and only Ren Woxing and Linghu Chong together can stir up a bigger storm—perfect for us to strike in the chaos. My target is the Yi Jin Jing of Shaolin Temple."
"Hahaha!" Alex's words made Dongfang Bubai laugh heartily. "I thought you aimed to rule the martial world from Shaolin Temple, but it's just for the Yi Jin Jing. That suits you."
"Alright, go for it. I'll spread the word—the Sun Moon Sect will back you fully. If you pull it off, let me see the Yi Jin Jing. I'm curious about the top technique of that ancient temple," Dongfang Bubai nodded, approving Alex's plan.
"Thank you, Leader. If I succeed, the Yi Jin Jing belongs to the Sun Moon Sect, not me alone," Alex said, clasping his hands, then turned to leave.
His goal for visiting the back mountain was met. Without Dongfang Bubai's approval, even as deputy leader, Alex couldn't rally most of the Sun Moon Sect's forces to strike Shaolin Temple.