"You just came here yesterday, and now you're back today without a break. Is there really that much mire in the human world?"

"Then why are you here? We bumped into each other here, so you clearly wanted to go inside, right?"

"I came here looking for you! I've been waiting on the opposite side of the street for ages! Old Zhang slipped up while bragging to people, so I went to your apartment and you weren't there. I figured you must have come here alone... Tell me you didn't foolishly pay with your own account?"

"Ah, then whose account should I use?"

"Cash. You can't use cash? When you come to places like this, keep two things in mind: safety and safety."

"Isn't that just one thing?"

"The first safety is precautions, and the second is not leaving any transaction records that might get you caught later."

"How come you're such an expert? Do you come here often? Why don't you take me along?"

"You don't watch the news? Several big celebrities got exposed... all because they left transaction records."

"Ah, but I've already left one!"

"Then you just have to hope for the best!"

Xiaopang is clearly quite naive in this area, with almost no experience, getting spooked by just a few words.

Actually, He Kao has even less experience. He's never been to such places either, but he pays attention to details and reads the news, so he intentionally scared Xiaopang.

Xiaopang: "You came to block me just to warn me about these things? Fine, I admit, it was my mistake not to invite you here!"

He Kao: "I came to find you for something else. Let's find a place to talk."

Xiaopang: "What kind of place?"

He Kao: "There's a 24-hour hotpot restaurant over there."

How does He Kao know what Xiaopang has been up to lately? Actually, he didn't need Old Zhang to spill the beans—he's now a Tier Three Explorer of the Hidden Moth Sect, and sitting in the office, he can sense every movement with his divine sense.

Before getting off work, Old Zhang invited Xiaopang for a foot massage again, which Xiaopang declined. He Kao knew about this, just as he knew about Old Zhang taking Xiaopang for a foot massage yesterday.

What's more annoying is that Old Zhang didn't actually let it slip but casually boasted to a female colleague from another department during dinner in the company cafeteria, saying he saw Xiaopang go to the foot massage place last night.

It's true, Old Zhang definitely saw it but didn't mention he was the one who took Xiaopang.

Xiaopang's not in the right state lately. Even if he wants to make a mistake, he shouldn't be hanging around with someone like Old Zhang, right? As for the mistake itself, He Kao could only sigh without saying much more.

Other than the person involved and the police, such matters are difficult for others to manage, and He Kao even understood the reason.

Xiaopang is the same age as him, 26 this year, and has never dated. Last time during a team-building karaoke session, Xiaopang drank too much and grabbed the mic to wail, and one of the lyrics was sung with heart and soul—

"What's the use of this iron stick..." and totally offbeat.

Sitting down at the hotpot restaurant, He Kao glanced at Xiaopang. This guy had slimmed down a lot recently, became more solid, and his essence, Qi, and spirit were particularly vigorous, completely shedding the drained look he had half a year ago.

The Foundation Establishment Skills of inner nourishment and external training from the Observing Body Sect weren't practiced in vain, and the Nourishing Essence Pill he took every month wasn't consumed in vain either. Not only has he replenished his postnatal depletion, but he's just a step away from entry level cultivation.

But this crucial step is often the hardest.

He Kao, having been through it, knew what this stage involved. From exaggerated feelings to chaotic emotions, it's the crucial step before entry, what the ancient Magic Sect ancestors called the trial of passion.

Xiaopang just happened to encounter some issues in life and, coupled with Old Zhang's 'guidance', that's why he...

Occasionally going for a foot massage twice doesn't necessarily ruin one's cultivation. The more important thing is the mental state. If the mental state is chaotic, leading to unrestrained behavior, that hurdle cannot be crossed.

For cultivators who have entered the path to break through higher realms, major Magic Sects have summarized corresponding advancement rituals. For an ordinary disciple who isn't extremely talented, following the ritual might just enable one to advance.

However, the entry level threshold is more complex, and even if there are rituals, they're usually designed by seniors on the spot based on the specific situation. But He Kao can assure that the content of the ritual likely doesn't include foot massages.

During that brief moment of dazing, Xiaopang already ordered a table full of dishes and was genuinely hungry. Once the pot boiled, he started cooking and asked, "You said you wanted to talk to me about something, is it work or personal?"

He Kao: "Stop with the fake accent, do we come here for work?"

Huang Xiaopang: "It's not about my family, is it? Have you heard about it too?"

He Kao: "I did hear a bit, but today is not about you and Xiaoshan, it's about your own matter. Lucky for you, I blocked you. If it were Lin Qingshuang catching you in the act, you'd be in big trouble!"

Xiaopang put down his chopsticks and frowned, "Lin Qingshuang?"

He Kao: "I'll test you and see if your brain's still working right. I'll give you three chances to guess who I'm talking about."

Xiaopang: "Could it be that Sister Lin?"

He Kao: "Exactly, the Sister Lin who often guides you and Meng Ya in cultivation!"

Xiaopang was astonished: "You know her?"

Sitting in the hotpot restaurant discussing this, Xiaopang intentionally lowered his voice, unaware that He Kao had subtly used Spiritual Sense Gathering Sound, making it so others couldn't hear what they were saying... This was also a newly acquired technique by He Kao.

He Kao's words took Xiaopang by surprise: "You're just a step away from entry level cultivation now, and this is the time when problems arise easily. There are things you need to be told clearly: I not only know Lin Qingshuang but also Meng Ya..."

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