Paying a Visit to the Hilltop (4,000 words; bonus chapter for 20,000 monthly votes! Please vote!)

In the little courtyard.

Mr. Long practiced his punches at an unhurried pace.

Li Xiuwen asked:

"Sir, do you have a Breath-Concealing Technique?"

Mr. Long smiled. "I have a Secret Art called the Hibernating Dragon Art. It's a top-tier Breath-Concealing Technique on par with the Turtle-Breathing Skill. Once mastered, it'll be almost impossible for anyone less than two major realms above you to detect you. Even someone at the peak of Inner Heaven and Earth might not be able to gauge your strength. But the Hibernating Dragon Art is tied to my Red Chiuyou Style's Crossing the Three Gates method. Your priority now is to save up two hundred Tongbao and come learn that method from me. You're already in late Seed Condensation. You need to start learning Crossing the Three Gates by the Tiger Hunt Realm at the latest."

Li Xiuwen gave a wry smile. "Let me save up some money first, Master."

He had spent all his Tongbao pushing his Qi and Blood higher. Although he had just earned another hundred, he needed that for his next breakthrough. With the Incense Burner, he should be able to undergo Gate Initiation once he reached the limit of the Whale-Swallowing Art.

Crossing the Three Gates could wait.

He would learn it when he had money to spare.

If the Hibernating Dragon Art truly worked as Mr. Long claimed, it was undoubtedly one of the Learning Society's finest concealment arts.

It certainly would not be cheap.

He could not afford it now anyway.

Before Li Xiuwen left, Mr. Long said, "I heard about yesterday. Not bad. You didn't disgrace the Winter Division. Hong Sanquan is finished, so be careful. The Iron Wire Society's experts will probably retaliate."

Li Xiuwen smiled. "I know."

After a pause, Mr. Long added, "But you can