The Wild Phoenix's face turned cold: "Earth Master, watch your words! My Jianghu reputation has been ruined by you bunch who love to speak without thinking.

Claws, when have I ever had any claws, am I the kind of person who uses force? I have always believed in mutual affection and consent; if you like someone, it's because you like them, not because you want to escape.

This Escape Love Pill is ridiculous, and what's even more ridiculous is that there's actually an Escape Technique. Are they taking themselves too seriously? Is it really necessary to cultivate such absurd techniques?"

Gu Chun shook his head and said: "They say I'm always thinking about those things, but wasn't it you who led me astray? The so-called Escape Technique is completely different from what I heard about the Escape Love Pill. So-called emotions aren't only about romantic feelings.

The Qi Observation Sect's Escape Technique is about escaping from 'Duo Qing', not meant to fake death, but rather to fake illness! Nowadays, very few people cultivate it, even the Second Elder hasn't practiced it. If I didn't specifically ask, he wouldn't even remember it…"

In many periods of ancient China, when an official's parent passed away, according to ritual, they had to resign and observe filial mourning. Failing to do so was considered unfilial, which was a serious moral blemish in those days.

This system of observing filial mourning later evolved into a kind of political game.

After all, it might take ten or even dozens of years of hard work to attain a position. Once one's feet are firmly planted in the political arena, it would be difficult to suddenly give up one's position and resign.

But the ritual had to be observed, so officially, the official would submit a letter expressing their deep sorrow and sincere request to return home for mourning.

Unless the Emperor had already taken a dislike to him and wanted him gone without a tangible excuse, the Emperor would typically issue an edict of Duo Qing.

Duo Qing meant taking the loyal feelings over the filial ones, allowing the official to remain in their position to continue making contributions to the country and its people.

In a certain dynasty, there was a Prime Minister named Li. During his time, when mourning was required, he followed the custom by submitting his sorrowful letter and was retained by Duo Qing edict without objection from anyone.

Years later, when he was disgraced and imprisoned, many criticized him for being unfilial because historically one had to submit letters three times. Only after three requests followed by three edicts of Duo Qing could one truly fulfill filial piety.

However, Prime Minister Li submitted his letter only once, the Emperor issued the Duo Qing edict swiftly, and he accepted his retention after just one request and one edict, clearly showing his attachment to power and absence of filial duty!

So what was the Escape Technique about? If an official wanted to resign but couldn't, they could use it.

It's applicable not just in mourning, but also when assigned an unwanted task by the Emperor that couldn't be directly refused; one could feign illness.

This illness couldn't be diagnosed by any royal physician; being unconscious meant certainly being unable to fulfill duties.

Though the Escape Technique had such anecdotal uses, no one would invent a technique solely for such trivial purposes; in fact, it's a supplementary cultivation method for purifying and refining the mind.

Just as each Magic Sect has a Fasting Skill, rumored to be a hunger therapy with body detoxification effects, Escape Technique has a similar use aimed at the mind.

Escape Technique isn't easy to cultivate, as only Tier Three Sorcerers can start learning, and Tier Three Cultivation is actually quite strained. However, as one's cultivation level increases, its supplementary usefulness isn't very significant.

In modern terms, cultivating the Escape Technique has a low cost-benefit ratio, so currently, almost no one in the Qi Observation Sect practices it.

Who would have thought that Qian Guran actually cultivated this obscure technique, even the Wild Phoenix hadn't heard of it, until Gu Chun had found out from the Second Elder.

The Second Elder does not mean he's ranked second.

"Second" in the Northeast is an adjective with meanings similar to "foolish", "eccentric", "dolt", or "half-witted", yet it has a unique subtle connotation.

The Second Elder's real name is Zong Zheng, being a Tier Six Seat Master of the Qi Observation Sect, and an Elder of the Ancestral Hall. He's known for being an amiable, easy-going personality, rarely getting angry, always speaking kindly, and smoothing things over.

Hence, many who've committed misdeeds seek connections, often ask others to plead on their behalf. Regardless of achieving the goal or not, Elder Zong Zheng is willing to listen to explanations, even if it's a precarious interpretation.

Some privately gossip that this Elder Zong is rather 'Second', enduringly calling him the nickname Second Elder. Yet Zong Zheng himself doesn't mind; even if addressed directly as Second Elder, he would still grin and respond accordingly.

Though seen as slightly 'Second', the Second Elder's cultivation is genuinely Tier Six Seat Master level, representing the Qi Observation Sect in the Ancestral Hall. Only he might know that the sect passed down the obscure technique Escape Technique.

After hearing the Escape Technique's introduction, the Wild Phoenix mused: "Seems my judgment was correct, with Qian Guran's cultivation; regardless of what he gains from the Escape Technique, he should wake in a month or two at most.

What is he trying to escape from? He feels Qi Yuan's matter bothersome, hopes to wake up and have the Ancestral Hall solve all these troubles? Whoever suffers and offends, it's all unrelated to him anyway."

Gu Chun: "That's not necessarily a bad method. He's just a Tier Three Sorcerer, and a Lone Wanderer at that, who only closely associates with a fellow disciple Yao Shaolan, rarely interacting with others.

Faced with such a situation, can he be expected to resolve it himself?

I often suspect Qian Guran came to Qi Yuan to wade into the Hidden Moth's mess, partially because Yao Shaolan is in Qi Yuan, making it convenient for them to be close, and incidentally, find Hidden Moth Objects."

The Wild Phoenix turned to look out the window, abruptly stating: "That slippery Second Elder never shows up when offended, always playing the good guy."

Gu Chun chuckled: "This isn't for you, if replaced by the Second Elder, how could it have your intimidation? Besides, once you announce the Ancestral Hall's decision, the Second Elder will be plenty busy.

Not sure how many will look for him to plead, either visiting in person or sending messages…"

The Wild Phoenix coldly added: "Including speaking ill of me!"

The Ancestral Hall had received damaging material from Lin Qingshuang, and then Qian Guran had an incident. Naturally, they were to investigate the most suspected Qi Observation Sect disciple, Gu Yunteng.

Originally, the Qi Observation Sect leadership shouldn't have been absent, but the Second Elder claimed he had received many gifts from Gu Yunteng, using the excuse of avoiding suspicion, thus not attending in Qi Yuan.

After venting, the Wild Phoenix sternly asked: "Is it decided then, that I'll represent the Ancestral Hall in the announcement?"

Gu Chun: "That's also Elder Jiang's opinion."

The Wild Phoenix sneered: "That wicked old man is full of bad ideas."

Gu Chun: "The Second Elder handles inquiries, I manage errands, the Old Ghost Jiang devises plans, only you are the biggest presence of the Ancestral Hall, you need to stabilize the situation."

What black schemes are they discussing?

The Ancestral Hall made a significant decision that all disciples from various Magic Sects who couldn't be reached or whose whereabouts couldn't be ascertained would have their registration temporarily revoked, with a buffer period of one month!

This decision will be announced by the Wild Phoenix on behalf of the Ancestral Hall and overseen for execution.

**

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