Chapter 6, The Art of Concealment

The cultivation method of the Ning family, even if it is of the mortal level, has been modified over countless years by numerous individuals based on their experiences. What qualifications does he have to identify the shortcomings of this cultivation method and to correct them?

In front of the academy's main gate, there is a vast square measuring several hundred zhang in both length and width, at the center of which stands an enormous arena.

"What problem have you encountered in your cultivation?" Ji Luofei stood up in surprise again upon seeing Ning Cheng. She could no longer sense the fluctuations of true energy emanating from him. In other words, she could not discern Ning Cheng's cultivation level; to be precise, Ning Cheng had lost his cultivation.

The Cangqin Second Star Academy bears some resemblance to Western castle architecture, and its area is indeed vast beyond measure. The clusters of trees and the magical training grounds appear exceptionally grand from a distance. The imperial city of Ningcheng in the Cangqin Kingdom is relatively familiar to him, and he is certain that the imperial city of Cangqin cannot compare to this Second Star Academy

However, Ning Cheng's heart became increasingly excited. Even if he did not modify his cultivation method, he no longer worried about his poor aptitude hindering his practice. It seemed that within him there was an incredibly powerful source of cultivation. If this situation continued, to what level would he cultivate? The Condensing Reality Realm or the Foundation Establishment Realm

Ning Cheng did not stop again; he hesitated for just a moment before practicing the Concealment Technique according to the incantation that had appeared in his mind out of nowhere. He felt that the incantation that emerged in his mind was somewhat better than the Concealment Technique he had studied before. In other words, the cultivation method that appeared in his mind was a revised version of the original Concealment Technique.

Standing at the entrance of the academy, Ning Cheng could clearly feel that the spiritual energy here was much denser than in other places

These spells, apart from Fireball and Wind Blade, also include Wind Control. Originally, Ning Cheng was most interested in Wind Control. The introduction to Wind Control states that after cultivating to the third layer of Qi Gathering, one can move horizontally several zhang, even over a dozen zhang, without any physical support. If he had not seen the Concealment Technique, Ning Cheng would definitely have tried to see how to cultivate Wind Control.

... ...

Ning Cheng did not hesitate at all. Even if Ji Luofei did not mention it, he intended to remind her. In recent days, Ning Cheng had a feeling that some people were lurking around the small stone house. If it were not for Ji Luofei still being here, perhaps someone would have already come in to take him away

Jiluo Fei's cultivation was quite low, and she was not familiar with this situation. She frowned slightly and after a while said, "Although you have gathered your energy, your cultivation should not be stable yet. Using that energy-gathering stone over the next few days should suffice. Let's eat first."

After speaking, Ji Luo Fei turned to Ning Cheng and advised, "In the future, when you are helping in the training room, try not to come out, and do not make enemies or cause trouble with others. Otherwise, once you are on the duel stage, it will be very difficult to get down."

Moreover, he can independently find a more suitable flow of vital energy meridians, which in itself is a peculiar matter. If he does not clarify this issue, he truly does not dare to proceed in such a manner

"What are you doing standing there?" Ji Luofei turned around and asked when she saw Ning Cheng standing there in a daze

On that day, Ji Luofei noticed that Ning Cheng's cultivation seemed to have stabilized at the first level of Qi Gathering, and thus said to Ning Cheng, "Your first level of Qi Gathering should be stable now; let us go to the academy today"

In the Cangqin Kingdom, although there are few practitioners of the Ningzhen realm among the scholars and librarians, they do exist. He recalls that both the president and vice president of the Cangqin Second Star Academy are practitioners of the Ningzhen realm

Soon, Ningcheng was once again immersed in the practice of magic.

In Ning Cheng's memory, Cang Qin Er Xing Academy is quite large. Since he did not often come to Ning Cheng before and had some aversion to Cang Qin Er Xing Academy, the memories he has now are not clear. It is only after he followed Ji Luo Fei to Cang Qin Er Xing Academy that he realized why this academy is the foremost power in Cang Qin Kingdom

This is a magical place where one can cultivate and perform various spells. However, Ning Cheng would rather choose to be on Earth. At least there, he has his younger sister and a family member.

Ning Cheng then noticed that the dishes on the small wooden table were already prepared and quickly said, "Thank you."

The two individuals each harbored their own thoughts, and breakfast was consumed in silence. After finishing the meal, Ning Cheng returned to his room to continue his cultivation, and Ji Luofei did not inquire further.

Despite his strong desire to try again, Ning Cheng restrained this thought. He knew that once he began cultivating, it would be an endless endeavor. Even without modifying the cultivation method, he might be able to reach the second level of Qi Gathering in one breath. He was already struggling to articulate his understanding of the first level of Qi Gathering, and now, advancing to the second level left him completely at a loss for words. He urgently needed to improve his cultivation, but before that, he had to find a suitable reason or an appropriate method.

Ning Cheng did not understand what was happening; he vaguely sensed that it was related to the yellow light that had struck him earlier. He decided to practice this modified concealment technique first, and if he noticed anything amiss, he would stop immediately

Even though the concealment technique in this thin volume of knowledge and books is not particularly impressive, Ning Cheng still decided to learn the concealment technique first. Ning Cheng had already gathered energy to the first layer, and not only did he have an exceptional memory, but he also possessed a strong understanding ability. Although it was his first time encountering a spell, he fully grasped the cultivation method within an hour.

As Ning Cheng followed Ji Luofei into the academy, a clear voice reached his ears, "... The Cangqin Second Star Academy will select ten disciples to participate in the selection of the Huazhou Meteor Five Star Academy ..."

As soon as Ning Cheng finished speaking, he heard Ji Luofei's voice coming from outside, "Since you haven't been cultivating, come out for dinner."

Even though Ji Luo Fei is his fiancée, Ning Cheng still did not reveal his secret. He knew that if he had not altered the cultivation method of the Concealment Technique, he would not have been able to successfully cultivate it in just one night. This secret, which allows for the correction of cultivation methods, is simply too terrifying. If he were a master, it would be one thing, but the key is that he has only just begun to engage in cultivation.

Jiluo Fei seemed to be oblivious, yet Ning Cheng nearly stumbled. This was the sound of a broadcast; he was absolutely certain he had not misheard, it was undoubtedly the sound of a broadcast

However, after Ning Cheng began his cultivation, he did not notice any abnormalities. The true energy within his meridians flowed freely along the new meridian pathways, without any hint of sluggishness.

Ningcheng then realized that it must be due to his use of the concealment technique, and quickly said, "I feel that my realm is still not very stable; sometimes I can sense my true energy, and sometimes I cannot."

When Ning Cheng began to practice the Concealment Technique, a gentle stream of energy once again rose from his dantian, and new pathways for the Concealment Technique appeared in his mind.

This is a broadcast? Ning Cheng muttered to himself while standing still in place, as if he had returned to a place where he once lived. If it is not on Earth, where could this broadcast come from

Hearing Ji Luofei's voice, Ning Cheng finally realized that he had actually spent the entire night in the room, and it was now already the morning of the second day. Indeed, time is of little value when one is in cultivation; he had no sense of it passing, and an entire night had already gone by.

Without continuing his cultivation, Ning Cheng began to study the manual of the cultivation technique in his hands. This is a manual for mortal-level cultivation techniques, which provides detailed descriptions from the first layer of Qi Gathering to the ninth layer, along with some annotations from the ancestors of the Ning family regarding the technique. What surprised Ning Cheng was that at the end of this manual, there were also some simple spells.

When Ning Cheng awoke, he discovered that the first spell he had been cultivating had already reached a minor completion. Ning Cheng attempted to use the Concealment Technique to hide his cultivation method, and surprisingly, he effortlessly concealed the fluctuations of his true energy without any delay whatsoever

Ning Cheng was taken aback by his own thoughts, and he forcibly halted his cultivation. He was merely a practitioner at the first level of Qi Gathering, and his understanding of cultivation could be described as at the most primitive level. To say that someone like him, who had only a superficial understanding of the first level of Qi Gathering, could find a better cultivation method than the Ning family's inherited techniques, even he himself did not believe it.

Ning Cheng did not remain happy for long before becoming disappointed again. This concealment technique is merely a spell from a mortal-level cultivation method. Even if he were to cultivate it to the utmost, it would only allow him to hide three minor levels. Even if he achieved that, it would likely only deceive those in the Gathering Qi realm and those who are merely readers. It would certainly be impossible to deceive a True Condensation cultivator.

Ning Cheng asked in confusion, "If others challenge me to a duel, am I not allowed to refuse?"

Jian Ningcheng gazed at the enormous arena, and Ji Luofei spoke softly, "That is the Duel Platform. In the academy, cultivators with grievances, disputes, or bets can settle their differences here in a life-and-death duel. Previously, there was no Duel Platform here, as academies with three stars or above had such platforms. In order to compete with the three-star academies, the Cangqin Two-Star Academy also established this Duel Platform"

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Ning Cheng devoted himself entirely to the art of concealment. As for the Fireball Technique and the Wind Blade Technique, he merely familiarized himself with them and did not practice. He also understood that it was not suitable to cultivate such spells in his own room.

"Good stuff," Ning Cheng instinctively exclaimed, unsure whether he was referring to the concealment technique as good or the ability to automatically correct his cultivation method as good

"No." Ji Luo Fei responded even more succinctly this time. After finishing her words, without waiting for Ning Cheng to ask again, she had already entered the gates of the academy.

The introduction to the Concealment Technique made Ning Cheng feel that this was exactly what he needed at the moment. The description of the Concealment Technique stated that it could allow cultivators to hide their cultivation level. This filled Ning Cheng with immense joy; he had secrets within him, and regardless of what those secrets were, it was a fact that he cultivated quickly. If he could cultivate rapidly and also conceal his cultivation level, what else did he have to worry about

Cangqin Erxing Academy holds a transcendent status in the Cangqin Kingdom, even surpassing that of the kingdom itself. This is largely due to the fact that the academy's vice president, Yong Changyan, is a member of the Cangqin royal family, which makes Cangqin Erxing Academy somewhat of a semi-backstage force for the Cangqin Kingdom