Lei Qingyang Bestows Treasure

"Got it! You saw through me again!"

Chen Xian sighed helplessly inside. How could everyone see through his cultivation at a glance? How was he supposed to show off now?

When someone asked his identity: "Oh!?"

Then they looked at his uncle-master's cultivation: "Oh."

Lei Qingyang remarked with admiration, "The path of re-cultivation should be extremely difficult, but uncle-master's progress is truly astonishing. The Mystic Jade Sword Bone is indeed a heaven-born divine bone."

"At this rate, uncle-master might step into the third realm of Dao Disciple before the Grand Sect Tournament. You might even get on stage and show the juniors a thing or two."

Chen Xian's old face darkened, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Qingyang, stop slathering gold powder on this old man's face. I'm already embarrassed enough."

"It feels like anyone in the sect can take one glance and see right through me... There's not a shred of peace of mind."

"Hahaha, I understand what uncle-master means!"

Lei Qingyang caught the complaint in Chen Xian's words and couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.

This laugh lightened the murderous atmosphere that had filled the air just moments ago.

"I was careless."

"If uncle-master's rapid progress in re-cultivation draws the attention of those Blood Demon Sect vermin, it could be quite dangerous."

Lei Qingyang thought for a moment, then took a warm, lusterless green jade thumb ring from his left thumb. He wiped away the soul-bond connection and handed it to Chen Xian.

"This Honored Realm Dao artifact, the Spirit-Concealing Jade Ring, is of little use to me now. I gift it to uncle-master."

"Honored Realm? Hey, how can I accept this?"

Chen Xian smoothly took the ring. It was cool and soothing to the touch, and he could faintly sense layers of ripple-like prohibitions flowing within it.

"How do I use this thing? Can it hide my cultivation?" he asked after putting the ring on his left thumb.

"As long as you wear it, it will conceal your cultivation according to your will. But it can only hide downward—for example, if you're at Dao Disciple sixth layer now, you can only appear as First Realm Heaven or Second Realm Heaven to outsiders, not disguise yourself as Third Realm Heaven."

Lei Qingyang explained the ring's function with a smile. "Additionally, this ring contains a ten-thousand-stone space, which can store inanimate objects."

Chen Xian's heart leaped with joy. Wasn't this a spatial ring with a cultivation-hiding function?

Ten thousand stones was roughly a thousand cubic meters—a considerable space!

He'd been thinking about buying a Mustard Seed Bag, but now he didn't need to. He'd finally gotten his hands on something good.

Seeing the delight on his uncle-master's face, Lei Qingyang knew the gift was well received.

Though parting with an Honored Realm Dao artifact stung a little, this was still his own sect's uncle-master.

He hoped uncle-master would recover his cultivation quickly, ideally breaking through to Sect Realm or even Honored Realm!

That would elevate the Sword Sect's strength by a notch.

He'd thought it impossible before, but now hope was brimming. In just over a month, uncle-master had reached Dao Disciple sixth layer. Returning to Master Realm was a certainty.

A drop of blood fell onto the Spirit-Concealing Jade Ring and was quickly absorbed. Feeling the connection to the Dao artifact established, Chen Xian tried it. With a mere thought, he sensed a strange force around him that blocked prying eyes.

His Dao Power also settled slightly. Even he couldn't tell his actual cultivation level—at most, he could vaguely guess it was just at Third Realm Heaven.

"What a treasure!" he couldn't help but exclaim.

"Unless a Dao Venerable uses direct probing techniques, no one can see uncle-master's true cultivation."

Lei Qingyang added, "On the surface, uncle-master going from mortal back to Third Realm in a month is fast, but it can barely be explained away as residual wisdom and accumulated burst. You don't need to worry about drawing too much attention."

"Qingyang, you're thoughtful. When this old man's cultivation returns to its peak, I'll share your burdens and lighten your load! You've worked hard."

Having received Lei Qingyang's favor, Chen Xian naturally had to show his appreciation. He patted the other's shoulder in comfort.

Lei Qingyang took a sip of tea and smiled faintly. "This junior awaits the day uncle-master's edge shines again!"

A hint of weariness flickered in his eyes—something rarely seen.

The Sword Sect had only recovered for a few decades, and its high-end combat power was still lacking. He was the only Dao Venerable in the entire sect who could appear publicly. All the weight pressed down on him.

Wasn't he tired! Didn't he want someone to share the pressure?

Uncle-master's words struck a chord.

Since he'd already received such a great benefit, Chen Xian didn't hold back. He stretched out another hand matter-of-factly. "By the way, get me a Sound Transmission Talisman that can send and receive both ways."

"That sect token only lets me listen to your lectures all day. I can't even talk back. It's suffocating—makes me feel like you're afraid I'll borrow money from you."

Lei Qingyang shook his head helplessly, a smile on his lips. He flipped his palm and placed a fine jade pendant carved with cloud patterns into Chen Xian's hand.

"Since uncle-master has spoken, how dare this junior refuse? Sound Transmission Talismans are too weak. This Sound-Speed Jade Pendant works within a thousand li—speak and it's heard."

Chen Xian nodded in satisfaction and hung the jade pendant on his belt.

He'd snagged two treasures from Lei Qingyang in one go. He couldn't be greedy—he hadn't proven his worth yet.

He couldn't let the other think he was insatiable.

Standing up, he thought for a moment and said, "This old man's cultivation is still shallow, but I can help with small matters. I'll feel out Wei An, the steward of the Dining Hall."

"If I find any clues, I'll let you know."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Uncle-Master. You must also be careful—if the Blood Demon Sect's mole realizes they've been exposed, they might panic and lash out."

"Wei An's cultivation may have fallen to the ninth level of Dao Disciple, but we still need to guard against him!"

Lei Qingyang gave repeated instructions. He didn't expect his uncle-master to actually help him much right now; just having this intention was enough.

"Don't worry."

Chen Xian patted him on the shoulder. "Don't push yourself too hard either. Don't shoulder everything alone—delegate more to the people under you."

Lei Qingyang's heart relaxed. "This junior understands!"

Chen Xian strolled down the mountain with his hands behind his back, swaying leisurely.

Watching the path stretch into the lush forest, he mused to himself: "I'm about to reach the third realm of Dao Disciple soon. Should I buy a flying sword first? Or a flying boat wouldn't be bad either."

Walking every day was nearly a half-marathon. Even with Dao Power bolstering him, his old bones and limbs really couldn't take it.

With that thought, he turned down a fork toward Heavenly Craft Peak (Artifact Peak).

Meanwhile, at his residence.

A scruffy, unkempt man who looked like a beggar stood dazed at the entrance of the courtyard.

Nearby disciples passing by eyed the "beggar" with suspicion and surprise.

How could a beggar have sneaked into the Inner Sect's Sword Peak?

Three female disciples approached together. Before they got within three meters, they caught a strong stench of alcohol, so they pinched their noses and studied his face from a distance.

Suddenly, one exclaimed: "Isn't that Senior Brother Lin Xiaoyan from Heavy Sword Hall? How did he end up like this?"

"Shh! That's right—apparently Senior Brother Lin was called off his engagement by his fiancée. He's been in a slump and hasn't gone to Heavy Sword Hall to practice swordsmanship for days."

"Then what's he doing at the Grand-Uncle-Master's place?"

"No idea. Let's go, let's go! Don't gossip!"

They exchanged a few quick words and hurried away, afraid Lin Xiaoyan might lose his mind.

"Grand-Uncle-Master... I feel so awful!"

Lin Xiaoyan stared at the tightly shut courtyard gate with drunken, blurry eyes, pulled out a gourd of wine from his hand, and began gulping it down fiercely.