Soon, Fang Zhixing learned about Ling Zhaoyong’s residence and went directly to find him.
What surprised him was!
The home of Ling Zhaoyong was merely an ordinary residence, simple and unadorned.
Logically, a person who could master the Heavenly Net Holy Blood Book must be a master of the Five Beasts Realm with impressive strength.
For a person with such formidable strength, it would be difficult to live poorly.
However, Ling Zhaoyong was living in such a humble place, which was indeed rather mysterious.
Fang Zhixing thought it over and did not act rashly.
He first approached Ling Zhaoyong’s neighbors, spent some money, and inquired about his situation.
He learned that Ling Zhaoyong was just a cranky old man who lived alone, never socializing with anyone, and had no children at home.
His only hobby was raising leeches.
Moreover, he fed the leeches with fresh blood, which often left his neighbors smelling a strong scent of blood.
Naturally, the neighbors were very unhappy and sometimes cursed him when they were too angry.
But Ling Zhaoyong never retorted; he acted deaf and ignored everyone.
Since he was elderly, people generally did not treat him harshly.
In this way, everyone managed to coexist, seeing each other without really seeing each other.
After asking several neighbors, Fang Zhixing discovered that they were completely unaware that Ling Zhaoyong was a martial artist from Jianghu.
"Could it be that Ling Zhaoyong had retired from Jianghu long ago?"
Fang Zhixing pondered for a moment, strolled around Ling Zhaoyong’s residence, and climbed up a large tree, activating his Red Blood Pupil.
From his high vantage point, he surveyed the scene below.
He saw that Ling Zhaoyong’s yard was filled with large water tanks.
From the tanks, Qi-Blood smoke rose, denser even than that of ordinary people.
It was almost certain that the tanks contained Mutant Beasts, and they were at least First Level.
After a long while, a robust old man with a gray beard returned from outside.
In his hands, he carried a large chunk of meat, unidentifiable, but its Qi-Blood levels were definitely that of Second Level Exotic Beast Meat.
Besides the large chunk of meat, he also carried a leather bag, bulging with some type of liquid.
The bearded old man entered the yard, set down the Exotic Beast Meat and the leather bag.
Then he fetched a cutting board and a large basin.
He chopped the Exotic Beast Meat, tossed it into the basin.
Next, he opened the leather bag and poured out a fresh red liquid.
Fang Zhixing’s eyes sparkled, deep in thought.
Sure enough, the next moment!
The bearded old man carried the basin to each of the large tanks and scooped out the blood-soaked Exotic Beast Meat to feed it.
The water in the tanks rippled.
One by one, large leeches emerged, colorful and large, almost as thick as an adult’s arm.
"Tsk tsk, it’s clear that Ling Zhaoyong really likes raising leeches, sparing no expense."
Fang Zhixing calculated, with both Exotic Beast Meat and beast blood, feeding them three times a day must result in enormous expenses.
But why is Ling Zhaoyong raising so many leeches? It couldn’t simply be because he likes leeches.
Fang Zhixing lightly landed, approached and knocked on the door.
Ling Zhaoyong opened the door, looking at Fang Zhixing with surprise and asked, "Who are you?"
Fang Zhixing stood nearby, scrutinizing Ling Zhaoyong carefully, noticing that although his appearance was old, his skin was vibrant and rosy, giving him a youthful appearance despite his white hair.
He revealed a kind smile, cupped his hands and said, "Junior Zhang Changji, from the County, has seen senior Ling."
Ling Zhaoyong furrowed his brows, puzzled and incredulous, and asked, "I’ve retired from Jianghu for nearly twenty-five years; I didn’t expect anyone in the world to remember me."
Fang Zhixing smiled and said, "Senior has a renowned reputation; who wouldn’t know? You may have put down Jianghu, but your legend remains in Jianghu."
"Don’t give me that."
Ling Zhaoyong waved his hand and said, "I don’t like flattery; speak plainly, what do you want with this worthless old man?"
Fang Zhixing replied evenly, "May we sit down and talk?"
Ling Zhaoyong hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside and gestured, "Come in."
The two sat opposite each other in the yard.
Ling Zhaoyong urged, "Don’t keep me in suspense, can you speak now?"
Fang Zhixing started slowly, "First, I need to confirm something with you. You practice the ’Heavenly Net Holy Blood Book,’ right?"
Ling Zhaoyong’s expression changed slightly, and after a deep look at Fang Zhixing, he hesitated for a few seconds and nodded, "So what if it’s true?"
Fang Zhixing was delighted and said straightly, "Honestly, I also plan to cultivate the ’Heavenly Net Holy Blood Book,’ and I hope to receive some guidance from you."
Ling Zhaoyong tilted his head, emitting a sound of surprise and skepticism, "Where did you get the Cultivation Technique?"
Fang Zhixing replied, "Does it matter? As long as you are willing to teach me, I will pay you a generous fee. How about it?"
"Of course it matters!"
Ling Zhaoyong said decisively, "’The Heavenly Net Holy Blood Book’ originates from the Luo Family; without their permission, no one can cultivate it. Do you really not understand the rules?"
Fang Zhixing was struck by a thought and said earnestly, "From your words, are you a member of the Luo Family?"
Ling Zhaoyong didn’t hide his past, stating firmly, "I served the Luo Family for over thirty years until I could no longer handle the demands, and then I retired."
Fang Zhixing suddenly understood.
The once Ling Zhaoyong, was actually the man he was now!
Fang Zhixing stood up and gave a deep bow, saying, "Junior is also serving the Luo Family."
"Humph, I guessed as much!"
Ling Zhaoyong laughed, "If you weren’t serving the Luo Family, you wouldn’t have had a chance to come into contact with the ’Heavenly Net Holy Blood Book.’"