"You can start cultivating now!"
After putting away the manual, Fang Han began to try cultivating it.
The azure-gold Internal Qi within his body flowed slowly, gradually advancing along the path of the Shadowveil cultivation technique.
Unlike the " Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art Origin Technique," which focuses on "convergence," the " Shadowveil " technique is more subtle and profound.
It requires practitioners to comprehend the Shadow Intent Domain, using the ability of Shadow Intent Domain to conceal one's Internal Qi, blood, and vitality.
At first, Fang Han's movements were rather clumsy.
Although I had mentally rehearsed the key points of Internal Qi circulation countless times, I still stumbled a bit when I actually tried to do it.
Fortunately, with the Talent Amplification, his Secret Art Talent was extremely high. Every time he was unfamiliar with something, he adapted to it after only a moment, and every stumble was smoothed out in a very short time.
"Buzz--"
Before long, the circulation of Internal Qi within Fang Han's body changed from clumsy to smooth, and the smoothness gradually transformed into harmony, within which a kind of darkness and profundity, completely different from his own temperament, was faintly revealed.
The aura emanating from him began to change.
The vibrant life force and Internal Qi fluctuations that originally belonged to Third Grade Late Stage martial artist began to recede and fall silent, as if slowly enveloped by an invisible black veil.
Although the concealment effect is not as good as the Perfection Realm < Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art > because it is only at the beginning of cultivation, it is still quite good.
"As expected of a grandmaster's secret technique, it has such effects even at the very beginning of its practice!"
Sensing the change in his own aura, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
While its concealment effect doesn't reach the Perfection Realm < Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art >, making it virtually undetectable to First Grade martial artist, it's still a decent concealment effect.
This is only the beginning of cultivation; it hasn't even reached the Beginner stage yet.
"However, it will probably take some time to Beginner stage."
Fang Han thought to himself.
As Breath Concealment Secret Technique 'Low-Grade Artistic Conception, the cultivation of " Shadowveil " already involves the Artistic Conception.
Like master-level Sword Intent and Body Movement, only by comprehending the corresponding Artistic Conception can one truly step into the threshold of this secret art.
The " Shadowveil " corresponds to the Shadow Intent Domain, a kind of obscure and dark Artistic Conception that is completely different from the Wind Sword Intent.
When it comes to Artistic Conception, nothing is easy. Throughout history, countless martial artists have been trapped outside of Artistic Conception, unable to enter it in their entire lives.
Although he has mastered the High Grade secret technique of < Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art > to the Perfection Realm and has a profound understanding of the Breath Concealment Secret Technique, it will still take him some time to comprehend the Shadow Intent Domain.
It's definitely impossible to achieve success overnight.
"There's no need to rush."
Fang Han slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, put away his cultivation technique, got up and went to sleep.
The next morning, Fang Han took out more than a dozen bottles of True Spirit Pill from his Storage Ring and handed them to his parents.
"Father, Mother, these Danyao are suitable for Lower Third Grade martial artists. You can take one pill each day and refine it through internal energy."
Fang Zheng took the Danyao, carefully wrapped the jade bottles in cloth, and put them into the wooden box by his bedside.
Lin Wan held Fang Han's hand and gave him a few words of advice, nothing more than "be careful on the road" and "eat on time."
Fang Han agreed to all of them, and then pointed out a few places where his parents were prone to making mistakes in their cultivation before taking his leave.
After leaving Liangshui City, Fang Han determined his direction and unleashed the < Wind God Step >, transforming into a pale blue streak of light as he sped towards the Azure Profound Sect.
The morning breeze whistled in my ears, and the scenery on both sides rushed past.
In less than half a day, the continuous outline of Azure Profound Mountain appeared at the edge of the field of vision.
It was already afternoon when I stepped through the mountain gate.
The ancient trees on both sides of the mountain path rustled in the autumn wind, and sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting large patches of light and shadow on the bluestone steps.
When the disciples encountered Fang Han, they were first taken aback, then quickly stepped aside to make way for him, bowed and paid their respects, their eyes filled with awe and joy.
For ordinary disciples, Fang Han, who ranked first on the Prodigy Ranking, was a source of pride and someone to look up to.
Fang Han nodded slightly in response, continuing on his way.
The gate to the No. 35 Annex of the True Transmission Courtyard was ajar.
Fang Han pushed open the door and entered; the bamboo grove in the courtyard rustled in the breeze.
Qui Lan was tidying something up in the corridor with two Maid when she heard the door open and looked up.
In that instant, Qui Lan seemed to be nailed to the spot.
"Senior brother!"
She hurried forward, her steps much faster than usual, and a relieved smile bloomed on her face, which had previously held a hint of worry.
The two Maid behind her quickly followed, their expressions mirroring Qui Lan's —the relief that came only after a weight had been lifted from their hearts.
Although Fang Han had said before he left that he would be gone for a month, more than a month has now passed, which makes them worry.
"You're finally back."
Has anyone come looking for me?
Fang Han glanced at Qui Lan.
"Senior Sister Yun has come looking for you twice."
Qui Lan paused, then continued.
"An Deacon from the Sect Master's Hall also came to inquire about the situation. Senior Brother has not returned for over a month, and the sect was worried that something might have happened to you. I relayed what you said before you left, and only then did the Deacon leave with peace of mind."
Fang Han was silent for a moment. His departure was indeed a few days later than expected.
Westview Prefecture for a few more days, the Black Tortoise True Art was finally broken through to the Minor Accomplishment completion stage, and the journey back was delayed for several more days in Songquan Prefecture in order to search for the Grandmaster's secret techniques. In total, the round trip took nearly ten more days.
"This trip did indeed take a little longer than expected."
Fang Han nodded.
Yun Qianyue came looking for him twice, and the Sect Master's Hall also sent someone to inquire. The former was out of concern, and the latter was just routine business, but both indicated that he had indeed been away for quite some time.
"I have something to attend to at the Sect Master's Hall."
After thinking for a moment, Fang Han put the six secret manuals he had obtained into a Cloth Pouch and turned to walk out.
The majestic outline of the Sect Master's Hall gleamed with a warm glow in the afternoon sun. A few gray sparrows were preening their feathers among the eaves and brackets. When they saw him approaching, they flapped their wings and flew away.
The disciples guarding the palace gate recognized the person who came out and quickly bowed. One of them hurriedly went inside to announce the arrival, and a moment later returned, gesturing to the side.
"Senior Brother Fang, the Sect Master invites you in."
Fang Han nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.
The hall was brightly lit, filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood Incense. Chen Tianyuan sat upright in a large chair at the head of the table, holding a scroll in his hand, intently studying it.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up, a barely perceptible hint of relaxation flashing in his gentle eyes, and placed the documents on the table.
"Disciple Fang Han greets Sect Master."
Fang Han stepped forward and bowed.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan gestured for Fang Han to sit down at the lower end of the table, his gaze lingering on Fang Han for a moment.
He was indeed a little worried after being out of touch for more than a month.
Fang Han is the most outstanding prodigy of the Azure Profound Sect in hundreds of years. If something were to happen to him outside, it would be an unbearable loss for the sect.
Seeing Fang Han return safely, his aura even more composed than when he left, the worry in his heart finally dissipated.
Where have you been for the past month or so? Why haven't we heard from you at all?
Chen Tianyuan up his teacup and took a small sip, his tone calm yet inquiring.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this disciple has left Qingyang Prefecture and gone on a journey."
Fang Han sat down in the chair and calmly delivered the speech he had prepared beforehand.
The secret realm, which he can enter once a year, will be an important way for him to accumulate wealth. It is extremely important to him, who is known as a "money-devouring tycoon". He does not plan to tell the sect for the time being.
"I see."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly, not delving into the matter further.
It is a common practice for disciples to travel and broaden their horizons and hone their martial arts skills.
Fang Han is now at the Third Grade Late Stage, and his combat strength is enough to rival that of Second Grade. Looking at the younger generation in Qingyang Prefecture, no one can match him. It is normal for him to travel outside.
"Traveling is a good thing, but you should also be careful."
Chen Tianyuan put down his teacup, his tone becoming more serious.
" Songquan Prefecture has been extremely unsettled recently."
"On my way back, I passed through Songquan Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, Fang Han raised his eyes and continued Chen Tianyuan's train of thought.
"It has indeed become quite chaotic there. Various forces are constantly fighting each other for the treasures unearthed from the Grandmaster's Tomb. I even stumbled upon a battle along the way."
At this point, Fang Han paused slightly, took out a Cloth Pouch from his pocket, stood up, and presented it to Chen Tianyuan with both hands.
"Sect Master, while I was in Songquan Prefecture, I unexpectedly obtained six secret manuals."
Most of the six manuals were indistinguishable from genuine ones, so after some consideration, he decided to hand them over to his sect.
"Oh?"
Chen Tianyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, took the Cloth Pouch, and took out the six booklets inside.
All six manuals are very new; they must have been copied just a few months ago.
He casually flipped to the top book— Shadowveil. The neat lines of small regular script on the title page caught his eye. His gaze fell on the words "Grandmaster-level Breath Concealment Secret Technique," and his fingers paused slightly as he turned the page.
"Grandmaster's Secret Technique?"
He knew all too well the weight of those four words.
The Azure Profound Sect has been established for hundreds of years, but the Library Pavilion contains only a handful of master-level martial arts techniques, all of which are Low-Grade Artistic Conception martial arts techniques.
As for grandmaster-level secret techniques, the entire Azure Profound Sect doesn't possess a single one.
Several months ago, Fang Han handed over the < Great Void Wind God Sword >, which gave the sect a Middle-Grade Artistic Conception Sword Technique, a pleasant surprise.
Now, another master-level Breath Concealment Secret Technique has arrived—this is the most sought-after master-level martial art in the sect.
He suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and opened the other secret manuals.
The first book, < Heavenfrost Fist >, is a top-tier fist technique.
He flipped through a few pages, then picked up the second book, " Void-Breaking Finger," which was also a top-notch finger technique.
The third book, " Primordial Unity Qi Art," High Grade internal energy cultivation technique.
The fourth book, the fifth book... He flipped through them one by one, mentally categorizing the quality and type of these secret manuals.
" Fang Han."
Chen Tianyuan raised his head, his warm eyes almost overflowing with satisfaction.
"These six secret manuals...?"
"This disciple wishes to hand them over to the sect."
Fang Han met Chen Tianyuan's gaze, his voice steady. He paused, then added.
"However, these six manuals came from a forger who specializes in counterfeiting manuals unearthed from ancient tombs. His skills are so high that they can be mistaken for the real thing."
"This disciple has carefully examined them, and the < Shadowveil Primordial Unity Qi Art > are indeed genuine."
"However, regarding the other four books, including the two top-tier techniques Heavenfrost Fist and the Void-Breaking Finger, I cannot determine their authenticity and the sect needs to carefully examine them."
"Forgers?"
Chen Tianyuan put down the booklet in his hand, his expression becoming more serious.
"What exactly happened?"