Chapter 67: Escape Shadow Technique

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Escape Shadow Technique

"He should be cultivating right now. After the Inner Sect Disciple assessment is over, I’ll host a banquet at Purple Bamboo Peak."

Mo Xuan shook his head. Although he didn’t know why Liu Chen had started training so frantically after learning about the September trial, he didn’t think it was a bad thing.

Greater strength was the only way to avoid accidents during the assessment. Moreover, Liu Chen hadn’t descended into a crazed state; although his schedule seemed tight, his cultivation remained methodical.

The only thing that worried him and Bai Qiulan was that if this continued, their exceptionally talented disciple might lose his emotions, step onto the Heartless Dao, and become a Puppet that only knew how to cultivate.

"And I’m the acting Peak Master."

Mo Xuan couldn’t help but add this. The Sect Leader was already treating him as the de facto Peak Master; if the one who had gone missing returned, things would get incredibly awkward.

"Alright, Peak Master Mo."

The Sect Leader pursed his lips. ’It’s only because Mo Xuan is so insistent on waiting for the previous Peak Master, who’s been gone for ages. Otherwise, he’d have been the official Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak long ago. If the Mo Family weren’t so undemanding, I wouldn’t even mind giving him my position as Sect Leader.’

"By all rights, a Second Grade Spirit Chef is qualified enough to become a True Disciple directly."

Outside the Sect Hall, the Sect Leader sat beside Mo Xuan, waiting for his response.

Purple Cloud Valley had no such rule, but that was because they had never had a Second Grade Spirit Chef before. Their previous Spirit Chef had only made it to the rank of Steward, and he was just a First Grade Spirit Chef.

Later, against everyone’s advice, he recklessly attempted to break through to a higher Realm and ended up perishing completely, which left Purple Cloud Valley’s foundation slightly weaker than those of Qingxu Hall and Thunder Mountain.

But things were different with a Second Grade Spirit Chef. A First Grade Spirit Chef could, at best, accelerate the cultivation of Body Tempering Realm disciples, whereas a Second Grade Spirit Chef could help Meridian Passage Realm disciples cultivate rapidly.

In the Great Xia Dynasty and its surrounding regions, those in the Meridian Passage Realm were already considered the pillars of the major Immortal Sects. A cultivator at the Qi Refining Realm was qualified for a promotion to Steward. As for the even higher Foundation Establishment Realm, they were Elders among the Three Immortal Sects. For the various clans and Noble Families, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was their true, hidden strength.

With a Second Grade Spirit Chef’s help, Purple Cloud Valley’s power would inevitably grow even stronger in just a few years.

"Let’s discuss it after the September trial."

Mo Xuan badly wanted to agree on the spot. If Liu Chen became a True Disciple, he wouldn’t have to participate in the trial. But he knew full well that only by experiencing matters of life and death could one become a truly strong practitioner.

Besides, Liu Chen had been training so hard recently, most likely for the September trial. It would be better not to crush his motivation.

"I wonder, does your dear disciple have a Body-Protecting Technique?"

The Sect Leader couldn’t resist asking. The September trial was quite dangerous, and a Second Grade Spirit Chef was an asset who, beyond his own cultivation, could influence the progress of other disciples. He was too valuable to lose.

"He does not."

Mo Xuan glanced at the Sect Leader. He understood the man’s intentions but saw no reason to refuse. ’Who would complain about their disciple having too many Body-Protecting Techniques?’

’The more, the better. That’s the only way to ensure his safety.’

"This is the Escape Shadow Technique. In my younger days, I was able to escape from all my enemies thanks to this very magic."

The Sect Leader glanced at Mo Xuan. ’There’s no way this guy hasn’t prepared a Body-Protecting Technique for his disciple.’ Still, he took out a Magic Secret Manual and handed it to Mo Xuan. ’For a Spirit Chef, the more protective techniques, the better.’

"Don’t you have a more basic Body-Protecting Technique? Forget my disciple, who’s only in the Body Tempering Realm—even a True Disciple in the Meridian Passage Realm would struggle to master this Escape Shadow Technique."

Mo Xuan briefly examined the Escape Shadow Technique before putting it directly into his Storage Ring. Since it was a gift for Liu Chen, he had no intention of learning it himself. Once he confirmed there were no dangers associated with practicing it, he didn’t examine it any further.

"But once it’s mastered, it can even evade the senses of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator."

The Sect Leader was quite confident; this was a feat he himself had accomplished in the past. Unfortunately, after reaching Minor Success with the Escape Shadow Technique, he was never able to advance further. Otherwise, his ability to save his own skin would have increased immensely.

"Rather than for self-preservation, I have a feeling he’ll use the Escape Shadow Technique for... other purposes."

Mo Xuan shook his head, recalling the time he’d secretly observed Liu Chen ambushing and killing a group of local thugs in the dead of night. He thought about his disciple’s current strength, now combined with the Escape Shadow Technique. ’The combination of the two will be a nightmare for the other Inner Sect Disciples in the trial.’

"Speaking of which, you have two other disciples under your tutelage. Why not bring them here to let them witness this?"

The Sect Leader didn’t want to press the issue, so he changed the subject. Others might not know Mo Xuan had two other disciples, but he was well aware. Because of the Mo Family, he even prioritized Mo Xuan’s affairs above those of Purple Cloud Valley itself.

’If there’s a mishap in the management of Purple Cloud Valley, there’s still a chance to fix it. But if any accident befalls Mo Xuan, then not only Purple Cloud Valley but the entire Three Immortal Sects of the Great Xia Dynasty will be beyond saving.’

"They are at a crucial stage of building their foundations. Rather than sitting here idly, it’s better for them to be using Spiritual Cuisine to build up their own reserves for the future."

Mo Xuan shook his head, unwilling to elaborate. ’If my three disciples hadn’t consulted with each other and tried to resolve the Ye Family’s matter on their own, I definitely would have brought them. Even if they just made a brief appearance, most of the problems with both the Ye Family and the Great Xia Royal Family would be solved.’

’But since the three of them are already working hard in secret, I just need to act as their final safety net. It’s reasonable for disciples to rely on their master, but they shouldn’t become overly dependent. That goes against my principles.’

"On that note, I have a junior relative... are you considering taking on any more disciples?"

For a moment, the Sect Leader was at a loss for words. He glanced over at the True Disciples who were still messing around at the edge of the square and recalled the fierce competition for Spiritual Cuisine from before. He couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation.

’Some people scheme endlessly for a single portion of Second Grade Spiritual Cuisine, while others get to eat it for all three meals a day. The disparity is clear as day.’

Mo Xuan couldn’t help but glance at the Sect Leader. ’Does he think I don’t know? His family moved their entire clan to the Mo Family’s territory more than a decade ago. The cultivation environment there is far better than in Purple Cloud Valley.’

"Ahem... Registration for the Inner Sect Disciple assessment is closed. I’ll go see if there are any problems."

Noticing Mo Xuan’s stare, the Sect Leader promptly got up and walked away.

Hiding in an obscure corner, Yang Haichen’s attention was caught by a wail in the distance. The sound came from the pathway used after registering for the Inner Sect Disciple assessment. Outside the entrance, a disciple in the Late Stage of Body Tempering was kneeling on the ground. It seemed he had missed the registration deadline.

’Perhaps he missed the deadline because he was trying to make a last-minute push to Body Tempering Perfection before the assessment. But no excuses are accepted here. The same goes for the Inner Sect Disciple assessment—no exceptions are made. Of the hundreds of fellow disciples participating, not even one in ten will succeed in becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.’

Yang Haichen slowly rose to his feet, filled with confidence for the upcoming assessment. ’Without Junior Brother Liu,’ he thought, ’I might have tried for a last-minute breakthrough to Body Tempering Perfection, too. That Outer Sect Disciple’s tragedy could easily have been my own.’

But now, he had already reached Body Tempering Perfection and possessed a trump card gifted to him by Junior Brother Liu. He was determined to become an Inner Sect Disciple.