Chapter 531 - 527: Handing Over

Chapter 531: Chapter 527: Handing Over

’I can start cultivating it now!’

Putting the manual away, Fang Han began his attempt at Cultivation.

The aquamarine Inner Qi in his body circulated slowly, gradually advancing along the Cultivation path of `Ghost Shadow`.

Unlike the method of `Returning Ruins Hidden Essence Skill`, which centered around "concealment," the method for `Ghost Shadow` was more refined, abstruse, and profound.

It required the Cultivator to comprehend the Shadow Realm. By using the Breath Concealment Effect of the Shadow Realm, they could conceal their Inner Qi, blood qi, and life force entirely.

At first, Fang Han’s movements were rather stiff.

Although he had mentally rehearsed the key points of Inner Qi circulation countless times, he still stumbled a bit when he actually put it into practice.

Fortunately, with his Talent Amplification, his Secret Technique Talent was extremely high. Each moment of stiffness lasted only an instant before he adapted, and every stumble was smoothed out in an incredibly short time.

HUMMM—

Before long, the circulation of Inner Qi in Fang Han’s body transitioned from stiff to smooth. The smoothness gradually became seamless, and within this seamlessness, a dim and profound quality, completely different from his own temperament, began to emerge.

The aura around his body began to change.

The vibrant life force and fluctuating Inner Qi of a Late Stage Third Grade Martial Artist were slowly veiled by an invisible, ink-black shroud, starting to recede and grow silent.

Although he had just started cultivating it, the concealment effect wasn’t as good as his `Returning Ruins Hidden Essence Skill` at the Perfection realm, but it was still quite impressive.

’As expected of a Grandmaster Secret Technique. To have such an effect right from the start!’

A flicker of satisfaction flashed in his eyes as he felt the change in his own aura.

Although the Breath Concealment Effect couldn’t match that of the `Returning Ruins Hidden Essence Skill` at the Realm of Perfection, which could even deceive a First Grade Martial Artist, it was still quite good.

And this was only the beginning of his Cultivation; he hadn’t even reached the Entry Level.

’But reaching the Entry Level will probably take some time,’ Fang Han thought.

As a Low Grade Realm Breath Concealment Secret Technique, the Cultivation of `Ghost Shadow` already involved the Mental Realm.

Just like with Grandmaster-Level Sword Intent and Body Techniques, only by comprehending the corresponding Mental Realm could one truly cross the threshold of this Secret Technique.

And what `Ghost Shadow` corresponded to was the Shadow Realm—a power of the Mental Realm that was completely different from the Wind Sword Intent, something abstruse and dim.

Anything involving the Mental Realm was never easy. Throughout history, countless Martial Artists had been trapped outside it, unable to enter for their entire lives.

Although he had already cultivated the Top-grade Secret Technique `Returning Ruins Hidden Essence Skill` to Perfection and had profound attainments in the art of Breath Concealment Secret Techniques, he would still need some time to comprehend the Shadow Realm.

Achieving it in one go was definitely impossible.

’I can’t rush this.’

Fang Han slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, stopped circulating the technique, and got up to sleep.

The next morning, Fang Han took out a dozen or so bottles of True Spirit Pills from his Storage Ring and handed them to his parents.

"Dad, Mom, these Elixirs are suitable for Lower Three Grades Martial Artists. Just take one pill each day and circulate your inner power to refine it."

Fang Zheng took the Elixirs, carefully wrapped the Jade Bottles in a cloth, and stored them in the Wooden Box by the bed.

Lin Wan, on the other hand, held Fang Han’s hand and nagged him with a few reminders, the usual things like "be careful on the road" and "eat on time."

Fang Han agreed to each one, then pointed out a few common mistakes in his parents’ Cultivation before finally taking his leave.

Outside Liangshui City, Fang Han determined his direction and unleashed `Wind God Step`. His figure transformed into a pale cyan stream of light, speeding toward the Qingxuan Sect.

The morning wind howled past his ears as the scenery on both sides flew backward at high speed.

In just half a day, the continuous silhouette of Qingxuan Mountain appeared at the edge of his vision.

It was already afternoon when he stepped through the Sect’s gates.

The ancient trees on both sides of the mountain path rustled in the autumn wind. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting large patches of light and shadow on the stone steps.

The disciples he met along the way were first startled to see Fang Han, then quickly stepped aside, bowed in salute, their eyes filled with reverence and joy.

To them, the ordinary disciples, Fang Han—ranked first on the Celestial Pride List—was a source of pride, an existence to be looked up to.

Fang Han gave a slight nod in response, his pace never slowing.

The gate to courtyard number thirty-five in the True Inheritance Courtyard was ajar.

Fang Han pushed the gate open and entered. The bamboo grove in the courtyard rustled in the gentle breeze.

Qiu Lan was tidying something up under the corridor with two other Maids. Hearing the sound of the gate, she looked up.

In that instant, it was as if Qiu Lan was nailed to the spot.

"Senior Brother!"

She hurried forward to greet him, her steps much faster than usual. A relieved smile bloomed on her face, which had previously been tinged with worry.

The two Maids behind her also hurried to follow, their expressions identical to Qiu Lan’s—the kind of relief one feels only after a heavy weight has been lifted from their heart.

Although Fang Han had said before leaving that he would be gone for a month, more than a month had passed, which had made them worry.

"You’re finally back."

"Did anyone come looking for me?"

Fang Han glanced at Qiu Lan.

"Senior Sister Yun came looking for you twice."

Qiu Lan paused, then added.

"Also, a Steward from the Sect Leader’s Hall came to inquire about the situation. Senior Brother, you had been gone for over a month, and the Sect was worried something had happened to you. I relayed what you said before you left, and only then did the Steward leave, reassured."

Fang Han fell silent for a moment. His trip this time had indeed taken longer than expected.

He had stayed a few extra days in Wangxi County until his `Xuanwu True Skill` broke through to Minor Achievement. Then, in Songquan County, he was delayed for several more days searching for a Grandmaster Secret Technique. All in all, it added up to nearly ten extra days.

"This trip did indeed take a little longer."

Fang Han nodded.

Yun Qianyue had come looking for him twice, and the Sect Leader’s Hall had also sent someone to ask. The former was out of concern, the latter a matter of routine, but both indicated that he had indeed been away for quite a while.

"I need to make a trip to the Sect Leader’s Hall."

After a moment of thought, Fang Han put the six manuals he had obtained into a cloth bag and turned to leave.

The majestic silhouette of the Sect Leader’s Hall glowed with a warm luster in the afternoon sun. A few gray sparrows were preening their feathers between the upturned eaves and decorative brackets; seeing him approach, they fluttered their wings and flew away.

The disciples on duty in front of the hall recognized him and quickly bowed in salute. One of them hurried inside to announce him and returned a moment later, gesturing for him to enter.

"Senior Brother Fang, the Sect Leader invites you in."

Fang Han nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and the scent of sandalwood smoke curled in the air. Chen Tianyuan was seated in a large chair at the head of the hall, a scroll in his hand, which he was examining with rapt attention.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up. A nearly imperceptible flicker of relief crossed his gentle eyes as he placed the scroll on the table.

"Disciple Fang Han pays his respects to the Sect Leader."

Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed.

"No need for formalities. Sit."

Chen Tianyuan gestured for Fang Han to take a seat below, his gaze lingering on him for a moment.

With no news for over a month, he had indeed been a little worried.

Fang Han was the most outstanding prodigy the Qingxuan Sect had seen in centuries. If any accident had befallen him outside, it would have been an unbearable loss for the Sect.

Now, seeing Fang Han return safely, his aura even more condensed and steady than when he left, the worry in his heart finally dissipated.

"Where have you been this past month or so? Why was there no news at all?"

Chen Tianyuan picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his tone calm but with a hint of inquiry.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, this disciple left Qingyang County and went on a journey."

Fang Han sat down and calmly recited his prepared explanation.

The Secret Realm he could enter once a year would be a crucial way for him to accumulate wealth. It was extremely important to him, a notorious "money guzzler," so he didn’t plan on telling the Sect for the time being.

"I see."

Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly, not pressing the matter.

It was common practice in all sects for disciples to travel abroad to broaden their horizons and hone their Martial Dao.

Fang Han was now at the Late Stage of Third Grade, with combat power sufficient to contend with a Second Grade. Among the younger generation of Qingyang County, he was unmatched, so it was only normal for him to go out and travel.

"Traveling is a good thing, but you must be careful."

Chen Tianyuan put down his teacup, his tone growing more solemn.

"Recently, Songquan County has been extremely turbulent."

"This disciple passed through Songquan County on my way back."

Hearing this, Fang Han looked up and continued along Chen Tianyuan’s line of conversation.

"It has indeed become quite chaotic there. The various factions are fighting endlessly over the treasures unearthed from the Grandmaster’s Tomb. This disciple happened upon a battle along the way."

At this point, Fang Han paused slightly, took a cloth bag from his robes, stood up, and presented it to Chen Tianyuan with both hands.

"Sect Leader, while this disciple was in Songquan County, I unexpectedly obtained six manuals."

He couldn’t verify the authenticity of most of the six manuals, so after some consideration, he decided to hand them over to the Sect.

"Oh?"

Chen Tianyuan raised an eyebrow slightly. He took the cloth bag and pulled out the six booklets inside.

The six manuals were all very new, likely transcribed within the last few months.

He casually opened the one on top—`Ghost Shadow`. The few lines of neat, small-font script on the title page caught his eye. His gaze fell upon the words "Grandmaster-Level Breath Concealment Secret Technique," and the finger turning the page paused for a fraction of a second.

"A Grandmaster Secret Technique?"

He knew better than anyone the weight those three words carried.

The Qingxuan Sect had been established for centuries, but the Library Pavilion only housed a handful of Grandmaster-Level Martial Arts, all of which were Low Grade Realm Martial Arts.

As for Grandmaster-Level Secret Techniques, the entire Qingxuan Sect didn’t possess a single one.

A few months ago, Fang Han had submitted the `Void Wind God Sword`, giving the Sect a Middle Grade Swordsmanship, which had been an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

And now, a Grandmaster-Level Breath Concealment Secret Technique had appeared—precisely the type of Grandmaster-Level Martial Arts the Sect needed most.

He suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and opened the other manuals.

The first, `Heavenly Frost Fist`, a top-level Fist Technique.

He flipped through a few pages, then picked up the second, `Void-Breaking Finger`, another top-level Finger Technique.

The third, `Mixed Yuan Qi Skill`, a Top-Grade Inner Power technique.

The fourth, the fifth... He went through them one by one, mentally categorizing the Grade and type of each manual.

"Fang Han."

Chen Tianyuan looked up, his gentle eyes practically overflowing with gratification.

"These six manuals...?"

"This disciple wishes to submit them to the Sect."

Fang Han met Chen Tianyuan’s gaze, his voice steady. He paused, then added.

"However, these six manuals were obtained from a forger. That person specializes in counterfeiting manuals unearthed from ancient tombs. His skills are so high that his fakes are indistinguishable from the real thing."

"This disciple has inspected them carefully. Among them, `Ghost Shadow` and `Mixed Yuan Qi Skill` should be authentic."

"But for the other four, including the two top-level Cultivation Techniques `Heavenly Frost Fist` and `Void-Breaking Finger`, this disciple cannot determine their authenticity. The Sect will need to examine them carefully."

"A forger?"

Chen Tianyuan put down the booklets in his hand, his expression growing a bit more serious.

"What exactly is going on?"