The Art of Concealment

"1,395 Immortal Merit!"

The number of Immortal Merit appeared in Bai Jing's eyes, and he could not help but smile.

He had been worrying about resources before, but this trial had solved his pressing need.

Especially since, before he passed the trial himself, Ling Qinghe and the other had come to seek his guidance one last time. That single consultation had brought him five hundred Immortal Merit.

Earning resources from these second-generation immortals was truly easy.

He tied the Jade Pendant around his waist, then looked toward the Talent Tree again:

Wind's Chant · Beginner (1/200)

Star Array Basics (100/150)

Purple Cauldron (66/300)

"The Wind Element Ultimate Skill has reached the beginner level, so there's no rush to continue cultivating it. Once I break through to the Dao Platform Realm, I'll cultivate it to completion."

Bai Jing pondered, "For now, my main focus should be cultivation. As for arrays, I naturally need to cultivate them to completion. That concerns the subsequent Star Array, as well as the most powerful Heavenly Cycle Star Array."

"As for the Immortal Foundation..."

He steadied his mind and looked inward at the great cauldron shimmering with violet light, frowning slightly.

He naturally had to cultivate the Immortal Cauldron Scripture. However, as the immortal cauldron improved and transformed, there was a risk that others would notice it.

If he encountered a great cultivator with dharma eyes like Ling Qinghe's, it would be like standing naked before them.

Therefore.

He needed to seek out an art of concealment to hide his cultivation foundation.

And this was standard equipment for every cultivator.

"Once this round of cultivation is over, I'll go take a look at the Scripture Repository."

Bai Jing glanced at the five bottles of Qi Replenishing Pills lying beside his meditation cushion and thought to himself.

Then, he took out a Qi Replenishing Pill and swallowed it, closing his eyes as he circulated the Minor Formless Technique.

Time slowly passed, and several days went by.

The Wind Element trial grounds.

Boom!

A young man circulated his ultimate skill, and surging currents of air faintly formed around him.

Then he leaped into the air. In the blink of an eye, he had crossed a thousand zhang.

Quite a few disciples watched as he landed steadily on the other side, unable to keep their envy from rising.

"Before he sought Bai Jing's guidance, his progress was worse than mine. But after receiving instruction, I'm still lingering around eight hundred zhang while he has already passed the trial." Someone stared at Xiao Yucheng's back and sighed.

Ling Qinghe, the Pill King Valley disciple who had likewise received Bai Jing's guidance, had passed yesterday.

That array cultivator was already impressive enough at cultivation himself—how was he also so formidable at guiding others?

"Yes. Tomorrow is the final day. I'm afraid I won't be able to pass." Several disciples' eyes dimmed.

"How is your progress, Brother Liang? Are you confident you can reach the beginner level before the trial ends?"

A disciple surnamed Zhou approached a somewhat tall young man and asked.

At those words, Liang Hai of Spiritual Elegance Peak revealed a bitter expression and shook his head. "I'm afraid I won't be able to pass this trial."

Zhou Yuan frowned. "I told you to seek Bai Jing's guidance back then, so why didn't you do it? You both came from Spiritual Elegance Peak. Asking him to lend you a hand wasn't excessive, but you were too proud to swallow your pride."

Liang Hai was filled with melancholy and had no excuse to offer in rebuttal. If he had not treated Bai Jing coldly before, he would have had the courage to shamelessly ask for guidance afterward. But the rift had already formed; it was too late for regret.

"By the way, how is Brother Zhou's cultivation progress?" He wanted to change the subject, but heard the other say:

"Before tomorrow ends, I'm ninety percent confident that I can pass this trial." Zhou Yuan spoke with complete confidence, his face full of smiles. To him, the Heaven Scroll inheritance seemed to be beckoning from just ahead.

Liang Hai froze, looking at him with complicated eyes. "Congratulations, Brother Zhou!"

After some thought, he immediately clasped his hands and bowed, speaking sincerely. "Brother Zhou, could you perhaps offer me a little guidance?"

"I haven't even reached the beginner level myself. Where would I find the spare time?"

A somewhat cold reply reached him. When he raised his head, Zhou Yuan had already turned and left, making his gaze grow even dimmer.

On the afternoon of the second day, the newcomers' trial finally came to a complete close.

"You didn't pass the trial either? How far short were you?"

Lin Changsheng led several disciples to Wind Star Valley. Seeing the dejected Liang Hai, he was somewhat surprised and could not help asking.

Junior Brother Chu had already told him about Bai Jing earning Immortal Merit by offering guidance.

Logically speaking, Liang Hai and Bai Jing both came from Spiritual Elegance Peak and shared the ties of the same lineage. Even if Liang Hai had to swallow his pride and ask Bai Jing for some pointers,

Lin Changsheng believed Bai Jing would not refuse.

But judging from the current situation, Liang Hai probably had not received Bai Jing's guidance.

"I have disappointed you, Senior Brother. I was still quite a ways off and failed to pass this trial." Liang Hai answered in a low voice.

Lin Changsheng nodded and said nothing further.

This was a matter among newcomers, so he naturally would not pry or interfere.

Then he looked at the several disciples beside him and sighed inwardly.

Of the nearly ten Purple Cauldron Geniuses from Spiritual Elegance Peak, only three had passed the trial. Forget Wind Star Valley and the others—even compared with the array and pill lineages among the three great immortal mountains, they still fell somewhat short.

Looking at these disheartened geniuses, he could not help saying:

"None of you need to feel discouraged. In every newcomers' trial throughout history, many have ended with this sort of result. Once you have grown stronger, you will certainly obtain a Heaven Scroll inheritance in the future. Your Senior Brother Fang Wenze was the same. He failed once, yet now he has become a disciple of the upper peaks, where he is also an outstanding figure."

"Come with me to receive the inheritance of a high-grade immortal art. For now, your goal remains breaking through to the Dao Platform Realm. After that, find ways to earn Immortal Merit and seek an opportunity for the next trial."

Wind Star Valley.

A young man stood before the Myriad Pill Hall, his expression somewhat hesitant.

"Now that my Spirit Stones have been exhausted, if I want to buy more Qi Replenishing Pills, I can only use the little Immortal Merit I have left."

Xu Shan muttered, lingering indecisively.

During this time, he had already learned that Immortal Merit was extremely important, as it was a means of obtaining a Heaven Scroll inheritance.

There was no need to say more about Heaven Scrolls. After learning about them, he had long been deeply drawn to them.

Unfortunately, his talent was insufficient, and he could not obtain an opportunity for the newcomers' trial. Immortal Merit was naturally his only chance.

Thus, he followed the principle of not using Immortal Merit whenever he could avoid it.

But now, he had reached the end of the road.

"Are you Fellow Daoist Xu Shan?"

Just then, a voice broke his train of thought.

Xu Shan turned around. It was a handsome youth—one who looked somewhat familiar.

He carefully examined the other several times before asking tentatively:

"Could you be Fellow Daoist Xiao Yucheng?"

"You recognize me?" Xiao Yucheng smiled, somewhat surprised.

"Your talent is exceedingly high, Fellow Daoist, and your reputation has spread far and wide. It would be difficult not to recognize you." Xu Shan explained, which only made the other's smile widen.

Xiao Yucheng looked toward the Myriad Pill Hall and could not help asking, "Are you here to buy pills too?"

"Yes. As my cultivation has risen, resources have been consumed rather quickly." Xu Shan nodded with a bitter smile.

"If so, let us go together."

"Alright." Though surprised that the other would strike up a conversation with him, he readily agreed.

When they arrived at the place selling Qi Replenishing Pills, Xiao Yucheng bought ten bottles in one go, making Xu Shan feel both envious and longing.

But when it was Xu Shan's turn, he appeared rather hesitant.

Xiao Yucheng seemed to see through him and immediately said to the senior brother behind the counter, "Bring me another five bottles!"

Then he handed the five bottles of Qi Replenishing Pills to Xu Shan. "Fellow Daoist, take these and use them first."

"Brother Xiao, what is this...?" Xu Shan was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and did not understand why.

Xiao Yucheng smiled broadly and said, "A friend of Fellow Daoist Bai Jing is a friend of mine!"

"Huh?" Xu Shan was stunned.