13: Provocation from Burning Heaven Palace

Xuan Yangzi nodded with satisfaction, then changed the subject, speaking with a hint of pride.

“You see, I, your Master, have always only shown myself to be in the Middle Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm in front of outsiders. But that’s not actually true; I had already broken through to the Late Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm.”

As soon as his voice fell, a majestic aura suddenly emanated from Xuan Yangzi.

Although he deliberately reined in a lot of it, it still clearly revealed his cultivation in the Late Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm, and the air in the study seemed to solidify slightly.

Shen Jinghong's face showed surprise, then she bowed and said, “Congratulations, Master, on advancing your cultivation further!”

Xuan Yangzi smiled and waved his hand, retracting his aura, and thought to himself, 'This girl is still too young; I can't let her know all of my tricks.'

Shen Jinghong stood still, looking at her Master's proud expression, as if saying, 'I'm so good at hiding, aren't I?' She couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Master's actions are just like Martial Uncle Gu's.

One only shows to be in the Early Stage of the Core Formation Realm, while the other only claims to be in the Middle Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm externally, then turns around and gives himself a Late Stage surprise. Do all the Elders in the Sect love to play these games?

She secretly glanced at Xuan Yangzi, seeing him lower his head to read the scrolls again, a faint smile playing on his lips. She couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.

These two old foxes, each more pretentious than the other.

Martial Uncle Gu used his shallow cultivation as an excuse not to take her as a Disciple, and now Master is showing off his hidden cultivation. Do all the big shots in the cultivation world enjoy these tricks of hiding their strength?

Do the other Seniors in the Sect also have hidden cultivation? Shen Jinghong suddenly thought of others.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to complain, and respectfully bowed.

“Master, if there’s nothing else, this Disciple will take her leave to Cultivate.”

Xuan Yangzi waved his hand without lifting his head. Shen Jinghong turned and walked out of the study, and as soon as she rounded the corridor, she couldn't help but mutter softly.

“No wonder Master and Martial Uncle Gu get along so well; their ability to hide their strength is truly on par...”

As soon as she finished speaking, as if afraid of being overheard, she quickly quickened her pace towards her cultivation room. Only the slight twitching of her lips betrayed her current mood.

Walking along the path, Shen Jinghong had another idea in mind.

Since Master and Martial Uncle Gu are so good at hiding their cultivation, it seems that concealing one's strength is indeed a mandatory course in the cultivation world.

She possessed the Jinghong Sword Body and had Heaven-Grade Aptitude. If she were too ostentatious, she might really attract trouble.

Thinking this, she paused, then turned and walked back towards Xuan Yangzi's study.

If she was going to hide her cultivation, she needed a decent Cultivation Technique, didn't she?

Master must have some treasures in that regard.

Entering the study again, Xuan Yangzi was annotating something on a scroll with a wolf-hair brush.

Seeing her return, he looked up and asked, “Is there anything else?”

Shen Jinghong bowed and said, “Master, this Disciple was just enlightened by your teachings. You said one should know how to hide one's strength, and this Disciple finds it very reasonable. However, this Disciple does not know how to hide her own cultivation. Do you have a suitable Qi concealing technique?”

Xuan Yangzi put down the wolf-hair brush and examined Shen Jinghong, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

“It is very good that you have such a thought. It seems you truly listened to what I said today.”

He took a yellowed booklet from the bookshelf and handed it to Shen Jinghong.

“This is the Qingxuan Qi Concealing Technique. Although it's not top-tier, it's sufficient for hiding your cultivation. Take it and study it well.”

Shen Jinghong took the booklet with both hands and respectfully bowed, “Thank you, Master! This Disciple understands the gravity of the situation.”

Walking out of the study with the Qi Concealing Technique, Shen Jinghong felt delighted.

Hmph, you two can pretend, and I'll be able to hide too from now on.

Once I Master this Qi Concealing Technique, perhaps one day I can also give others a “surprise” and let them experience what it's like to be kept in the dark.

She looked down at the booklet in her hand, her steps light as she walked towards the cultivation room, as if she could already see herself astonishing everyone after hiding her cultivation... Three days later, the clouds outside the Qingyun Peak mountain gate were suddenly torn apart by a sharp aura, like fine brocade sliced by a keen blade, revealing the majestic mountain gate behind it.

A group of figures dressed in crimson-gold trimmed brocade robes ascended the steps. The warm jade at the waist of the leader swayed lightly with his steps, and the airflow stirred by his fluttering robes actually caused the dewdrops beside the mountain path to roll down.

The pressure of an Early Stage Heavenly Human Realm expert spread out like an invisible giant wave, forcing the welcoming pines in front of the mountain gate to bend their backs, their needles shedding morning dew that created dense water marks on the stone steps.

His eyebrows were raised, and a half-smile played on his lips. His gaze, as he swept over the gate-keeping Disciples, was casual, as if he were appraising ordinary objects.

Beside him, four purple-robed Elders, whose sleeves were embroidered with a blazing sun totem, had their Cave Heaven Realm and Purple Mansion Realm spiritual power intertwined, creating a whirlwind outside the mountain gate that sent fallen leaves spiraling endlessly.

Behind them, five young men and women stood tall, their waists adorned with gleaming swords, confidence mixed with a hint of arrogance.

The foremost young man stood with his arms crossed, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping over the Azure Profound Sect mountain gate, as if evaluating whether this immortal realm was worthy of his attention.

“The Palace Master of Burning Heaven Palace has brought his Disciples to visit.”

The brocade-robed man slightly raised his chin towards the gate-keeping Disciples, his voice calm yet carrying an overbearing authority that made the gate-keeping Disciples' hearts tighten.

The gate-keeping Disciple gripped his long spear tightly, forcing himself to remain calm as he turned to send a message.

Far away on Zizhu Peak, Gu Changge opened his eyes and glanced in the direction of the mountain gate, sensing that the highest cultivation was merely Heavenly Human Realm.

He felt that a group of clowns were not worth mentioning, and the Sect Master could easily handle them, so he closed his eyes again.

At this moment, on the training ground halfway up Qingyun Peak, Xuan Yangzi was guiding Disciples in their Cultivation along with several Peak Masters.

The light of the communication talisman reflected on his face. After hearing the report, his fingers, which were crushing the talisman, paused slightly, and his gaze swept over the surging clouds in the sky.

“Burning Heaven Palace coming to our door at this time, I'm afraid they mean no good.”

The Peak Master of Zhenyue Peak, to his right, glared with wide eyes.

“These guys must be here to show off their newly recruited Disciples! They lost face in the last Black Wind Ridge dispute, and now they want to make up for it through the younger generation!”

Xuan Yangzi flicked his long sleeve: “Everyone, follow me to the mountain gate to see.”

When the Burning Heaven Palace group saw Xuan Yangzi, Lie Tianxiong was standing by the welcoming pine, plucking its needles. The needles touched by his spiritual power instantly turned to ash.

Xuan Yangzi's gaze fell on that pine tree, his tone calm but laced with coldness.

“Palace Master Lie is indeed a rare guest; it has been a long time since we parted at Black Wind Ridge. May I ask the purpose of your grand visit today?”

Lie Tianxiong looked up, the warm jade reflecting a dazzling light in the sunlight, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

“Xuan Yangzi, it's been a while. The Seven Great Sects competition in a year will be held at my Burning Heaven Palace. I specifically came to inform you, so your esteemed Sect can prepare early.”

Xuan Yangzi understood in his heart, his face betraying no emotion: “Oh? The Seven Great Sects competition has always been hosted by the previous champion Sect. Palace Master Lie's news is quite surprising.”