18: Chapter 18: The Ordinary Woman

The book was not the original; the cover was boldly inscribed with the words Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art, and the ink was still damp.

It could be confirmed that this book was recently transcribed by Lin Chunqiu.

Chen Jiancang sat cross-legged, opened the Secret Manual, and carefully studied it in the Cloud Come Teahouse.

As time passed, he gradually became immersed in the profound mysteries of the Cultivation Technique, nodding in praise from time to time.

This Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art was indeed as Lin Chunqiu described; it could not only conceal one's own aura but also mobilize spiritual energy to simulate Soul aura, achieving the effect of changing the Soul's aura to a certain extent, making one difficult to grasp.

However, a trace of doubt always remained in Chen Jiancang's heart.

After all, Lin Chunqiu did not sell the Cultivation Technique only to him, which meant that others might have also cultivated the same technique.

In this way, whether he could truly rely on this Cultivation Technique to remain hidden in the crisis-ridden cultivation world became an unknown.

To verify the effect of the Cultivation Technique, Chen Jiancang circulated the Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art, feeling the aura within his body gradually converge, as if his entire being merged with the surrounding environment.

Then, he tried to use the power of his Soul to probe his cultivation, but found that he could only sense a blurry aura, unable to determine the specific Realm.

"As expected, it's a good technique. Just practicing it once can reach this level. If I practice diligently every day, the degree of breath concealment will be even more perfect."

Chen Jiancang was very satisfied with the effect of the Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art.

With the Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art constantly circulating, Chen Jiancang suppressed his aura to the third level of Qi Refining before leaving the Cloud Come Teahouse. By this time, the sky was gradually darkening, and the flow of people in the Market had also decreased significantly.

Chen Jiancang no longer lingered and hurried towards home.

Originally, after selling the Lue Ling Powder, he had planned to buy a Magical Artifact Flying Sword, but due to Lin Chunqiu's interference, he had bought the Northern Darkness Breath Concealing Art, leaving him with no budget to purchase the Flying Sword.

He could only wait until he had saved up another sum of spiritual stone to realize this plan.

Walking slowly home, when he was not far from his house, Chen Jiancang saw a beautiful figure standing quietly at the entrance of his home.

The figure was graceful and slender, and a gentle breeze blew, lifting the hem of her dress, like a fairy descending to the Mortal world.

"Yun Mei, why are you hesitating here?" Chen Jiancang asked with a smile.

"Chen Jianyun has been waiting here for a long time. Thank you, Thirteenth Brother, for helping father today."

After bowing, Chen Jianyun used her slender finger to tuck away a strand of hair by her ear and handed over an exquisite small basket.

"This is Linggui Flower Pastry that I made myself; I wanted to bring it for you to taste."

Chen Jiancang smiled slightly, took the small basket, and felt the faint fragrance emanating from it, a warm current surging in his heart.

He gently opened the lid of the basket and saw several exquisite pieces of Linggui Flower Pastry neatly arranged inside, each emitting a tempting sheen that made one's mouth water.

Although Chen Jianyun was a Mortal, her temperament was exceptionally refined, and even her skill in making this Linggui Flower Pastry was not bad.

"Yun Mei, you don't have to be like this. I just happened to encounter this matter in the Market; it was just a minor effort."

"Even if I wasn't here, as a member of the Chen Family, Uncle Qin is someone those people wouldn't dare to be too presumptuous towards."

Chen Jiancang explained with a smile.

As the largest cultivation Family in the Qingya Mountain Range, the Chen Family had always coexisted peacefully with rogue cultivators, but they also possessed thunderous methods; the bloody reputation of the Law Enforcement Hall was not just for show.

"This Linggui Flower Pastry looks delicious and tasty. I won't stand on ceremony with you then." Chen Jiancang said with a smile, while reaching out to pick up a piece of Linggui Flower Pastry and taking a small bite.

Instantly, a rich floral fragrance and spiritual energy intertwined in his mouth, making him feel refreshed.

He savored it carefully, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face.

"How is it? Does it suit Thirteenth Brother's taste?" Chen Jianyun asked expectantly, blinking her large eyes.

"Of course it suits my taste! I didn't expect Yun Mei's craftsmanship to be so exquisite. This Linggui Flower Pastry not only tastes wonderful but also feels like it contains spiritual energy fluctuations, which is greatly beneficial for cultivation." Chen Jiancang praised incessantly.

Hearing Chen Jiancang's praise, Chen Jianyun's face broke into a happy smile.

She gently walked to Chen Jiancang's side, unconsciously standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Thirteenth Brother, why did you come back so late today? I thought you had gone somewhere." Chen Jianyun asked softly, her tone carrying a hint of concern.

"I took a stroll in the Market..."

Chen Jiancang did not hide the matter of buying Mortal martial arts in the Market and his idea of wanting to learn them.

"Ah, Thirteenth Brother is also interested in Mortal martial arts?"

"Thirteenth Brother, aren't you a cultivator? Why would you distract yourself to practice Mortal martial arts?"

Chen Jianyun asked in surprise. In her opinion, someone with a Spiritual Root distracting themselves with Mortal martial arts was like buying a box and returning the pearl, a waste of heavenly resources.

"Mortal martial arts also have their merits. Besides, with my Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Root, it's difficult to achieve great results in my lifetime. Since that's the case, what's wrong with doing something I'm interested in?"

"So that's how it is. Chen Jianyun also once diligently studied Mortal martial arts. Can I come and Cultivate with Thirteenth Brother often in the future?" Chen Jianyun asked, looking at Chen Jiancang with anticipation.

Chen Jiancang hesitated slightly. After all, the secret that he could refine pills could not be revealed for now. If he agreed to this, his secret would be exposed if he was seen while refining pills.

However, seeing Chen Jianyun's expectant look, he couldn't help but soften. "Okay, but I still need to Cultivate. I only have time early every morning. If Yun Mei is free, you can come and find me."

"Okay, Thirteenth Brother, then it's a promise." Chen Jianyun was full of joy upon receiving Chen Jiancang's agreement.

Chen Jiancang glanced at the Linggui Flower Pastry in his hand, then at the cheerful fairy beside him, and took out ten spirit rain talismans from his storage bag.

"These are spirit rain talismans that I drew myself. You can take them to water the Spirit Field. Consider it my reward for your Linggui Flower Pastry."

Mortals can activate Spirit Talismans using their blood essence. For example, the Spirit Field at Qin Huai's house is usually taken care of by Chen Jianyun. When Qin Huai is busy with pill refining and cannot spare time, she uses spirit rain talismans to water the Spirit Field.

"No, no, this is too valuable. The Linggui Flower Pastry I made is not worth much."

Chen Jianyun repeatedly waved her hands. She knew that the value of a single spirit rain talisman in the Market was as high as 30 ling sand, and this stack of spirit rain talismans had at least ten.

For her, this return gift was too valuable.

Chen Jiancang insisted on stuffing the spirit rain talismans into Chen Jianyun's hand. "Yun Mei, don't refuse. This Linggui Flower Pastry contains your heartfelt intention, and for me, it is also an extremely precious item. Just take these spirit rain talismans."

"What's more, these Spirit Talismans were all drawn by myself and don't cost anything. I have many more here."

Chen Jianyun's cheeks flushed, looking shy.

Seeing this, Chen Jiancang's expression faltered, and he also realized that his words carried ambiguity.