According to Liu Buli, the best course of action would be for them to learn everything within the secret manual in this secluded realm.
Firstly, with only a few of them present, there would be no disturbances from others. Secondly, the contents of the manual were not meant to be revealed to the outside world. Once they had mastered it all, they could burn the manual, ensuring that these methods for dealing with the Ghost Clan would never reach the public.
"But speaking of which," Shen Muzhi asked casually, "if we burn all of this, and people outside don't know how to deal with the Ghost Clan, won't the cultivation world be at a disadvantage when the Ghost Clan causes trouble in the future?"
The moment he finished speaking, he felt Liu Buli's murderous gaze. Shen Muzhi immediately raised his hands in surrender and added, "Don't look at me with such hostility. I was just asking. I definitely won't impart the contents of this manual to anyone else, so no one will use these techniques against your disciple. Wuming is absolutely safe."
Hearing this, Liu Buli's expression finally softened.
Lu Wuming, listening to their conversation, pouted dismissively. "Does it even matter if they learn it? No one can kill me. Even if they master these techniques, they still won't have the strength to kill me."
"That's not entirely true," Liu Buli shook his head. "This world has already changed too much because of our intervention. I don't know what other dangers you might face, so nipping all dangers in the bud is the most correct approach."
Lu Wuming knew his master was protecting him.
Although he felt it was unnecessary, he didn't voice his opinion further.
After appeasing his disciple, Liu Buli turned his gaze back to Shen Muzhi. He let out a scoff and said, "Physician Shen, in that novel, although you cared for the world and discerned good from evil, you weren't exactly a generous person. So, in the end, only you learned these cultivation techniques. Even Yun Xiang, who entered this secret realm with you, was persuaded by you to only learn one book because these techniques were unsuitable for her."
The implication was that the cultivators in the book had no issues dealing with the Ghost Clan without learning these techniques. If they didn't spread the techniques now, the situation in the cultivation world would naturally remain unchanged.
While that was the case, Liu Buli's description made Shen Muzhi feel somewhat awkward.
He scratched his head, wanting to explain that he wasn't the protagonist of the novel. But upon seeing Liu Buli's smiling gaze, he abandoned the idea of explaining and waved his hand, returning to studying the contents of the manual.
There was nothing to explain.
Liu Buli was the one who knew best that he was not the protagonist.
If he were still the protagonist of the novel, Shen Muzhi was certain that Liu Buli would have unhesitatingly taken his life for Lu Wuming's safety.
The fact that he was still alive and could associate with them as friends clearly indicated that Liu Buli didn't see him as the protagonist.
...
For the next period, the group stayed in the secret realm, diligently studying the cultivation techniques.
After finishing her own manual, Yun Xiang also came to check on their progress.
Liu Buli had initially thought that after leaving, the young girl would return to the Pill Sect with him. Therefore, it wouldn't hurt for her to learn more.
Unfortunately, the reality was just as the novel described; Yun Xiang was indeed unsuitable for any of the techniques used to deal with the Ghost Clan. However, there was a silver lining. After everyone examined the manual Yun Xiang had learned, they found that only she was suited for it.
"This is good too. It's always beneficial to have one's own unique skill," Liu Buli commented on the situation. He then looked at Yun Xiang and asked with a gentle smile, "Yun Xiang, after we leave here, I'll take you back to my sect. From now on, you'll stay in the sect as my disciple. What do you say?"
Yun Xiang blinked. She really wanted to nod.
But she could sense Lu Wuming's strong hostility towards her. Even though she was inexperienced, she could still feel the overwhelming killing intent radiating from him.
The young girl became flustered, unsure how to respond. She could only look at Liu Buli nervously.
Liu Buli tilted his head and pondered, "Or, perhaps... you'd prefer to stay with Physician Shen and the others? We're not from the same sect, and we'll part ways after leaving here. You can consider it. If you want to go with them..."
"Let's not."
This time, before Yun Xiang could answer, Shen Muzhi spoke with a helpless expression. "You all know what my relationship with her was like in the novel. I've finally won over my beloved, and it's really not worth it to make her jealous for other reasons."
With Shen Muzhi saying this, You Siqi naturally wouldn't object.
In fact, he was already somewhat jealous of Shen Muzhi's situation in the novel where he had multiple romantic interests. Now that Shen Muzhi was actively choosing to distance himself from such a scenario, it was indeed a good thing for You Siqi.
With the options narrowed down to one, Liu Buli's smile grew even brighter.
Synchronizing with his mood, Lu Wuming's killing intent intensified.
Yun Xiang hesitated for a moment and then said, "Brother Liu... thank you for your kindness. I've thought about it, and I'm quite content with my current situation. I'm used to being alone, so there's no need to go out. Therefore..."
"No, you must go out," Liu Buli shook his head. "When we fell off the cliff, the barrier your master placed was already broken. This means others will discover this place, and they might also discover your identity. Although the Spirit Clan doesn't have a significant advantage, people's hearts are unpredictable. If you continue to stay here, it will be unsafe."
Yun Xiang frowned, conflicted.
She actually felt that it might be even more unsafe if she left with them.
Liu Buli sighed and tapped the head of the person beside him.
With a dull thud, Lu Wuming rubbed his head aggrievedly.
He looked at Liu Buli pitifully and said, "Master, I..."
"You behave yourself and don't cause trouble," Liu Buli said. "From today onwards, Yun Xiang is my final disciple. She will be your junior sister. You listen to me and don't bully her."