"Buzz--"
Fang Han's mind stirred slightly, and he activated the Soul-Chasing Art at full power.
A far more subtle Spiritual Perception than before spread outwards from him like an invisible tide.
In the corridor, an old servant was dozing against a pillar, his breath steady and slow, carrying the calm and deliberate quality characteristic of the elderly.
On the other side of the courtyard wall, several Servant were sweeping the courtyard. Their souls were young and vibrant, each with its own subtle differences.
Further away, in the direction of the front hall of the Fang Mansion, the souls of the clansmen coming and going were clearly perceived by him.
Ten miles...
Fifteen miles...
Twenty li.
The range of perception suddenly expanded at this moment, eventually stabilizing at twenty miles, exactly the same as the Perfection Realm < Nether Guide >.
However, the level of refinement in perception far surpasses that of the Perfection Realm < Nether Guide >.
The aura of a soul is hard to conceal; those auras are clearly discernible in his perception. Each person's soul aura is unique, just like a different face.
Even if someone can disguise themselves as another, even if someone can imitate the life force of another, the soul's essence can never be imitated.
"My current sensory abilities are sufficient for me to use for a very long time."
Fang Han slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a very faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Beginner stage the basics of the Soul-Chasing Art, he has entered a completely new level in the art of Tracking Secret Technique Nether Guide.
Even a grandmaster skilled in concealing their presence could detect the opponent from a great distance.
This level of keen perception is more than sufficient for his current needs.
After a short rest, Fang Han resumed his cultivation.
" Shadowveil."
As he closed his eyes, the incantation for Shadowveil slowly surfaced in Fang Han's mind.
While practicing the Soul-Chasing Art, he was also practicing the Shadowveil.
The Shadow Intent Domain.
This dark and silent power, seemingly capable of devouring all Artistic Conception of existence, has shown signs of transformation after many days of cultivation.
Fang Han could clearly sense that Shadowveil was very close to the Proficiency Realm it.
Four days later, which was the day before he returned to his clan.
Fang Han sat in the bedroom, facing the window.
Outside the window, a few pink and white plum blossoms have sprung up on the branches of an old plum tree, their faint fragrance mingling with the chilly air and drifting into the room.
suddenly--
"Buzz..."
A faint yet incredibly clear hum resounded from deep within Fang Han's body.
The Shadow Intent Domain surged dramatically at this moment, transforming from a dark veil that had merely clung to him into a profound power that seemed to merge his entire being into the shadow.
Fang Han was sitting upright on the futon, but his aura, vitality, and even his presence completely subsided at this moment.
Just as a drop of ink blends into the night, or a drop of water falls into the water, leaving no trace.
Even a seasoned grandmaster, if he were to scan this Quiet Room with his Spiritual Perception, would find it extremely difficult to detect that a living martial artist with First Grade cultivation is sitting here.
"I've Proficiency Realm Shadowveil!"
After a long while, Fang Han slowly opened his eyes, sensing the aura around him that seemed to blend into the shadows.
With his current ability to conceal his presence, even a veteran grandmaster would be confident that he could get close without being detected.
If he had possessed such the ability to conceal his aura when he encountered that veteran master before, he would be confident that he could have launched a sneak attack and inflicted serious injuries on his opponent, rather than just suffering minor wounds.
"The training of this secret technique can now come to an end."
Fang Han murmured to himself, a smile playing on his lips.
Beginner stage the basics of Soul-Chasing Art and reached Proficiency Realm in Shadowveil Technique. His secret arts skills are sufficient for his current use, and he can now conclude his training in secret arts.
After finishing his cultivation, Fang Han sat cross-legged on the futon to regulate his breathing and recover his depleted Internal Qi. A series of light footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
A moment later, Lin Wan's mother's voice came from behind a wooden door:
"Han'er, come to the main hall."
Fang Han opened his eyes, got up, and opened the door.
Lin Wan stood outside the door, wearing a dark purple thick cotton jacket, with a gentle smile on her face, but a faint solemnity between her brows.
She waved to Fang Han and said:
"Let's talk about your marriage."
Fang Han followed his mother through the Corridor and arrived at the main hall of the Rain-Listening Pavilion.
The charcoal fire in the hall was burning brightly, and a pot of daffodils sat on the windowsill, with a few white petals and yellow stamens that were half-open, emitting a delicate fragrance.
The father Fang Zheng sitting in a pear wood chair by the window. When Fang Han came in, he gestured for him to sit down.
Fang Han sat down opposite his father, and Lin Wan also sat down beside Fang Zheng, placing her hands on her knees. Her gaze lingered on Fang Han's face for a moment, as if she was considering how to speak.
Fang Zheng spoke first:
"Your wedding dates with the Yun Clan and the Lan Clan are set for June and July respectively; the dates are fast approaching."
His tone was calm, with the deliberate slowness characteristic of a father discussing family matters with his children.
"I've discussed this with several elders these past few days, and we've prepared almost everything we need. However, there are a few things I need your advice on."
Fang Han nodded slightly, waiting for his father to continue.
Fang Zheng picked up his teacup, then put it down again, as if gathering his thoughts, before continuing:
"Firstly, there's the True Disciple of the Azure Profound Sect. If it's too simple, people might think that our Fang Clan is being disrespectful. But the strongest member of the Fang Clan is only Middle Third Grade, which is really not presentable."
Fang Han thought for a moment and said, "I will invite familiar sect Elder to participate in the wedding procession."
Lin Wan chimed in, her voice gentle yet earnest:
"The Elder of the Lan Clan have added some silks and precious items to the betrothal gifts. They've already made a list. Take a look, and if there's anything inappropriate, we can adjust it."
She took a folded gift list from her sleeve and handed it to Fang Han.
Fang Han took the unfolded document and scanned it line by line.
He looked at it twice, then folded the gift list and returned it to his mother.
"Very good, no changes needed."
Fang Zheng nodded, and then said:
"Another matter is the arrangement of the specific wedding date. The Yun Clan is on June 16th, and the Lan Clan's is on July 18th, with a month in between, which is not too tight. I have already exchanged letters with the Yun Clan head and the Lan family head, and both families have no objections."
Let's set it for one of these two times.
Fang Han nodded in agreement.
Lin Wan glanced at Fang Han, a smile appearing on her face, a smile carrying a mother's knowing understanding:
"You've always been a person of your own mind, so we won't interfere. We just hope you can take care of both sides and not neglect either one."
Fang Zheng didn't reply, but simply picked up his teacup and took a sip. His face, smoothed by time, had a slight smile on his lips, clearly indicating that he was in a very good mood.
The three then discussed some other details, such as the menu for the banquet, the seating arrangements for the guests, and how monetary gifts would be collected.
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan had clearly discussed the matter repeatedly with the clan elders, and the proposed arrangements were all very appropriate. Fang Han simply listened, occasionally responding, without any objections.
About an hour later, the matter was concluded, and Fang Zheng stood up and patted Fang Han on the shoulder:
"You're returning to your sect tomorrow, so get some rest today."
Fang Han stood up and agreed, then saw his parents out of the main hall.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Fang Han had already finished getting ready.
He put a few changes of clothes and the unused Danyao into his Storage Ring, then changed into a clean blue robe and hung his Silver-Gray Longsword at his waist.
When I pushed open the door, the thin mist in the courtyard had not yet dissipated, and a few plum trees were blooming with scattered pink and white flowers, their clear, cool fragrance drifting faintly in the morning breeze.
The father stood Fang Zheng on the veranda, his hands behind his back.
He didn't say much, he just nodded to Fang Han.
Fang Han's mother, Lin Wan, held his hand and talked for a long time, mostly telling him to be careful on the road and to remember to send a message back when he arrived at the sect. At the end, she added one more thing:
"We will arrange everything for the wedding; you just need to focus on your cultivation."
The younger Younger Sister Fang Ying, peeked half her head out from behind her mother, her face slightly flushed by the morning breeze, and blinked as she said:
"Brother, when you come back next time, will I have two beautiful sisters-in-law?"
"That's right, you'll soon have two beautiful sisters-in-law."
Fang Han gently patted the top of her head and smiled.
He turned and walked towards the gate of the mansion.
Fang Yingxue was already waiting outside the mansion gate, dressed in a light blue outfit, carrying a small bag on her back, with a giant crimson lion— Redfire —beside her.
A large carriage was added to the back of the Redfire, with Iron Wood frame and thick animal hides. Although it was not exquisite, it was sturdy and stable.
When it saw Fang Han approaching, it shook its huge head, let out a low whimper, and flicked its tail from side to side, clearly showing its affection for Fang Han.
Fang Han patted its neck, waved goodbye to his parents, and boarded the train.
Fang Yingxue followed closely behind and boarded the carriage, sitting down opposite Fang Han. She lowered the curtain to keep out the winter wind.
Redfire let out a deep roar, its four paws moving as it pulled the carriage toward the city gate.
Its pace was steady and fast, and the carriage barely felt any bumps, only occasional slight swaying, as if sitting on a small boat sailing on still water.
Fang Yingxue leaned against the carriage wall, her gaze lingering through the half-open curtain as she watched the silhouette of the Fang Mansion gradually recede into the distance. A hint of reluctance flickered in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
Redfire moved with incredible speed; in less than half a day, the majestic gate of the Azure Profound Sect appeared on the horizon.
The mountain gate was covered with a thin layer of residual snow, gleaming with a faint silver light.
The Redfire stopped in front of the mountain gate, and Fang Han and Fang Yingxue jumped out of the carriage one after the other.
The disciples guarding the mountain gate recognized Redfire and remained calm. Upon seeing Fang Han leap down from the carriage, they quickly bowed in respect.
"Senior Brother Fang!"
Fang Han nodded slightly, then waved to Fang Yingxue:
"Let's go, I'll take you back to You Courtyard first."
He gestured for Redfire to follow behind, while he led Fang Yingxue along the bluestone path to the You Courtyard among the Twelve Courtyards.
The layout of the You Courtyard is very similar to that of the Zi Courtyard where Fang Han once stayed, with rows of neat brick and tile houses and groves of trees standing among them.
When disciples occasionally came in or out, they were all taken aback when they saw Fang Han, and then hurriedly made way and bowed.
Fang Han stopped in front of Fang Yingxue's residence and said:
"Focus on your cultivation. If anything happens, you can come to the True Transmission Courtyard to find me."
Fang Yingxue nodded and responded:
"Understood, Brother Fang Han."
Just then, a young female disciple passed by.
Upon seeing Fang Han, his eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a low gasp:
"Fang... Senior Brother Fang?!"
Several disciples from the You Courtyard who heard the exclamations came over to investigate. Their gazes swept back and forth between Fang Han and Fang Yingxue several times before quickly looking away.
Fang Yingxue pursed her lips, a little embarrassed, but her back remained very straight.
Fang Han made her extremely proud.
She said goodbye to Fang Han and then walked back to her residence.
Less than a short while after Fang Han left, several female disciples appeared at Fang Yingxue's residence.
The female disciple's eyes were sparkling as she lowered her voice and said:
"Yingxue, Senior Brother Fang personally escorted you to You Courtyard just now. What is your relationship with him?"
Fang Yingxue was packing her bags when she heard this. She looked up, her face calm, and said:
He is my cousin.
"Cousin?!"
Another round-faced woman exclaimed in surprise, her voice filled with undisguised envy.
"No wonder the Elder and Deacon have taken such good care of you since you joined the sect; it turns out you're Senior Brother Fang's cousin!"
"With this connection, while you might not be able to act with impunity in the Azure Profound Sect, no one would dare to provoke you easily."
The female disciple from before had an indescribable look of envy on her face.
Fang Yingxue didn't reply, but just kept her head down and continued packing.