Ye Ling sheathed her sword and calmly stepped down from the arena stage.
She had just claimed first place in the Baiyun City selection, stunning the entire audience.
Among the four major sects, Xuanling Valley's representative, Ye Yan, did not step forward.
However, the representatives from the Qinglan Sword Sect, Jingshui Yaotai, and Burning Heaven Martial Academy quickly rushed over to surround her. Each of them wore an eager expression, vying to recruit the strongest genius of this year's tournament.
The first to speak was the leading disciple from the Burning Heaven Martial Academy, his tone bold and sincere.
“Ye Ling, our Burning Heaven Martial Academy specializes in fierce and domineering martial arts, which is perfect for a sharp, decisive genius like you!”
“If you join our academy, you will not only be directly granted the status of an inner sect core disciple, but you will also receive high-grade body-tempering pills every month. The resources allocated to you will far exceed anyone else's, ensuring a smooth and unobstructed path for your future martial journey!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the female disciple from Jingshui Yaotai stepped forward. Her voice was gentle yet incredibly enticing.
“Ye Ling, our Jingshui Yaotai has a long and ancient heritage, and our cultivation environment is second to none, making it the most suitable place for tempering one's foundation and settling one's state of mind.”
“If you choose our Jingshui Yaotai, you can directly move into a top-tier spiritual spring courtyard, enjoying the exclusive nourishment of pure spiritual energy.”
“Our sect elders will personally provide regular instruction and carefully guide you through any cultivation bottlenecks, ensuring your path is completely smooth and free of obstacles!”
Finally, the disciple from the Qinglan Sword Sect stepped forward, his gaze solemn and filled with sincerity.
“Your talent in swordplay is unmatched in the entire commandery. You are a natural fit for our Qinglan Sword Sect!”
“Our sect was founded on the sword, and our swordplay heritage is vast and boundless. If you join our sect, you can study profound swordplay mental cultivation methods and contemplate the thousand-year-old sword stele to comprehend sword intent.”
Each of the three major sects listed their advantages, offering top-tier treatment and absolute sincerity. The surrounding clansmen and cultivators watching the scene were filled with immense envy.
To be simultaneously pursued by three major sects was an honor that Baiyun City had not seen in a hundred years.
Ye Ling stood quietly in place, her expression indifferent. She listened in silence the entire time, neither interrupting nor showing any emotion.
Only after all three had finished speaking did she slowly open her mouth. Her tone was calm and gentle, yet her attitude was resolute.
“Thank you for your high regard, but I already have a destination in mind, so I will not trouble you to recruit me.”
She did not explain her reasons in detail, offering only a polite refusal.
The disciples of the three major sects immediately showed deep regret and disappointment upon hearing her words.
They had offered the highest level of treatment their sects reserved for top geniuses, believing they had a guaranteed success. They never expected to be completely rejected by Ye Ling.
Though they were incredibly disappointed, they did not pester her or show any displeasure. They simply nodded slightly in respect before turning around to head toward Ye Chen.
However, before long, the three also left in disappointment. Aside from the two of them, none of the other eight had been successfully recruited.
The selection ceremony had completely come to an end, and the crowd gradually dispersed. The members of the Ye family packed up and set off on their return journey, walking slowly toward the Ye family residence.
Along the way, the clansmen discussed today's matches in low voices. Every face was glowing with pride as they continuously praised the stunning performances of Ye Ling and Ye Chen.
In particular, Ye Ling's feat of claiming the top spot became the main topic on everyone's lips.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Ye Chen suddenly left the group and quickly stepped forward to walk beside Ye Ling.
His face no longer held the gravity of the competition, and his battle intent had faded. His expression was somewhat solemn as he lowered his voice, speaking so that only the two of them could hear.
“After dinner, come to the small grove on the back mountain. I have something to give you.”
With that, without waiting for Ye Ling's response, Ye Chen turned around and walked back to the front of the group, leaving her with only his aloof back.
Ye Ling's steps paused slightly, a trace of faint surprise flickering in the depths of her eyes. She quickly regained her composure, however, and silently continued on the journey back with the group.
As the twilight faded, a bright moon hung in the dark blue sky, its clear light filtering through the gaps in the branches and leaves, scattering dappled silver across the forest floor.
Taking her leave of the clansmen, Ye Ling walked alone into the small grove on the back mountain.
The light in the forest was half-bright and half-dark, with crisscrossing shadows of trees. Looking up, Ye Chen was already standing quietly in the center of the clearing, his clothes coated in a pale white glow by the moonlight.
With his back to the scattered branches, he stood quietly in the soft moonlight. Only when he heard her footsteps did he slowly turn his head.
The night breeze in the forest gently drifted, carrying fragments of leaves and grass, as the moonlight filtered through the branches to rest upon them.
Watching Ye Ling as she slowly approached, Ye Chen was the first to speak, his tone serious and sincere.
“Looking at your cultivation, it is definitely not as simple as the Houtian Eighth Layer you showed on the surface. You have been deliberately suppressing your realm and hiding your strength.”
“However, your current method of concealment still has shortcomings. If you encounter a Xiantian Realm expert's inspection, you won't be able to hide your true strength after all.”
As he spoke, he took out a yellowed beast-skin scroll from his robe and handed it to Ye Ling.
“I happen to have a secret aura-concealing technique. Once cultivated to Great Perfection, your aura will become completely natural.”
“Even if a Xiantian Realm expert focuses their inspection on you, they won't be able to see through your true cultivation. It perfectly suits your needs, so I am gifting this to you.”
Ye Chen held out the beast-skin scroll, his gaze sincere.
“Consider this technique as repayment for your past kindness. Back when Ye Long made things difficult for me, you stepped in to help me out. I have always kept that favor in mind.”
The night breeze swept through the treetops, casting fragmented moonlight onto the yellowed beast-skin, its patterns faintly shimmering with a dim light. He nudged it forward.
“This technique is rare and precious, and it will perfectly make up for the flaws in your current concealment method. In the future, even when faced with the inspection of a Xiantian Realm expert, you will be able to securely hide your realm and no longer have to worry about your true strength being exposed.”
Ye Ling lowered her eyes to gaze at the beast-skin scroll. After a moment of contemplation, she reached out and took the technique.
When she had stepped in to help Ye Chen against Ye Long, she had vaguely anticipated some form of return in the future, but she had not expected this pleasant surprise to arrive so quickly.
She cupped her hands in gratitude. “Thank you. I happen to be in need of a cultivation concealment technique right now.”
Ye Chen watched her put away the scroll, the moonlight falling across his face and adding a touch of melancholy.
“I can see that your preference is likely the Qinglan Sword Sect. I plan to join the Burning Heaven Martial Academy. In the future, we will be in different places, and it won't be easy to meet again.”
“I wish you smooth cultivation in the Sword Sect. If you ever run into trouble, you can always send me a message—though with your abilities, you probably won't need to.”
Ye Ling nodded gently. “The same goes for you. If you encounter any trouble outside that you cannot resolve, just come to me. We are both from the Ye family, after all.”
Ye Chen nodded in response. Without another word, he turned and stepped into the dark shadows of the forest, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Only the rustling of the evening breeze remained in the forest. Ye Ling looked down to examine the scroll in her palm. Four words were neatly engraved on the beast-skin cover: Turtle Breathing Art. Next to them, smaller characters marked its rank: Yellow-grade high-tier.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This favor was truly valuable.
Once Ye Chen's figure had completely vanished into the depths of the forest, Ye Ling found a flat blue stone to sit on. Aided by the faint moonlight filtering through the trees, she opened the 《Turtle Breathing Art》 scroll and began to quietly comprehend it.
The pathways of the technique were clear and easy to understand. Combined with her robust foundation, outstanding comprehension, and the support of Heaven Rewards Diligence, which eliminated any cultivation bottlenecks, it did not take long for her to successfully reach the Entry Level.
The moment she reached the Entry Level of the technique, the aura inside her body naturally withdrew and went dormant. The majestic spiritual energy throughout her body sank completely into the depths of her dantian, no longer leaking outward in the slightest.
She silently circulated her aura to test it. As long as she deliberately suppressed her true foundation and did not actively unleash her cultivation, any Houtian Realm cultivator inspecting her would only perceive the Houtian Eighth Layer aura she chose to display, unable to catch even a glimpse of her hidden, true realm.
Ye Ling's fingertips brushed against the beast-skin pages, and she felt a surge of secret joy. A Yellow-grade high-tier technique indeed lived up to its reputation; even reaching just the Entry Level yielded such miraculous effects.
If she cultivated it to Mastery in the future, even Xiantian Realm experts would find it difficult to see through her.
Rate on N.U.
