"Uncle Ning, let me explain," Lin Jie said, stepping forward.
"I don't know how many secret techniques Tang San has in total, but I've observed him during training and combat, so I'm familiar with a few of them."
"One is a movement technique. When activated, his speed increases drastically, and he moves like a ghost, leaving behind multiple afterimages. It allows him to quickly evade attacks."
"Another is a technique for training the eyes. When used, his pupils glow with a purple light, giving him extremely keen perception—as if he can see through everything. I've heard that once trained to a high level, it even enables a type of spiritual attack. It's also a cultivation method for spiritual power."
"There's also a grappling art. Once mastered, it allows him to control objects barehanded, using minimal effort to deflect greater force—essentially turning an opponent's strength against them."
"That's what I know for sure. There may be more, but these are the ones I'm familiar with. If you want details on the others, Rongrong will have to ask Tang San herself."
After listening, Ning Fengzhi nodded to himself. These techniques—he had never heard of any of them on the continent, and certainly not from the Clear Sky Clan. Could they have come from Tang San's father, Tang Hao? But there was no record of Tang Hao using skills like these either. Still, they sounded quite powerful.
That movement technique, in particular, seemed extremely useful for his clan. As a Support-type sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan lacked offensive power, so the ability to evade and retreat quickly was especially important. That skill would be a perfect fit.
The eye technique sounded even more intriguing. Boosting perception, unleashing spiritual attacks, and training mental strength? That was something Ning Fengzhi had never encountered. Although he himself had sharp insight, that came from years of experience, not a cultivation method.
As for the grappling technique, it didn't hold much value for a Support-type clan like his.
Even though Ning Fengzhi wanted them all, he knew that wasn't realistic. And as the head of a major clan, he couldn't exactly demand secrets from a junior. "Rongrong, I approve of this exchange. As for which one to choose, I'll let you decide. Once you've received it, bring it to me afterward for a look."
With Ning Fengzhi's approval secured, Ning Rongrong and Lin Jie stayed to chat for a while before leaving and heading back to the academy.
As they walked through the streets, Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Jie, still undecided. "Lin Jie, which technique do you think I should pick?"
"Well, ultimately, it's your decision. But I can offer a suggestion," Lin Jie said.
He was well aware of Tang San's mastery of the Tang Sect's Six Hidden Techniques.
Tang San would never give up Mysterious Heaven Skill, his internal energy method, nor Hidden Weapon Hundred Separation Manual, which formed the foundation of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons. Those were non-negotiable.
That left four other options: Purple Demon Eye, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Jade Hand, and Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon.
From Lin Jie's perspective, the most beneficial to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would be either Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track or Purple Demon Eye.
The movement technique could vastly improve speed and evasiveness—very helpful for support-type Spirit Masters.
But the eye technique offered much more: enhanced perception, refined observation, even preemptive insight in combat. More importantly, it strengthened spiritual power—which, for a clan like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan that relied on Heart Separation Control, was invaluable.
"Well then, tell me more," Ning Rongrong said, looking at him.
Lin Jie nodded. "I believe Purple Demon Eye is more significant for your clan than the others. It boosts your visual acuity—allowing you to see minute details, discern patterns, and even read subtle cues in combat. But more than that, it strengthens your spiritual power."
"Rongrong, you already know that with the special nature of your Martial Soul, using Heart Separation Control to support multiple teammates consumes a lot of spiritual energy. Purple Demon Eye complements that weakness perfectly."
"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track does enhance evasion and movement speed, but compared to the comprehensive benefits of Purple Demon Eye, it falls a bit short—at least for your clan. Of course, that's assuming you're able to cultivate it successfully."
"That's just my advice," Lin Jie concluded, looking at her. "In the end, the decision is yours. And we don't even know if Tang San is really willing to make the exchange."
Hearing all this, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. What Lin Jie said made perfect sense. Whenever she used Heart Separation Control during battle, her mental strength was quickly drained. If she had a technique to bolster that, it would be a huge benefit.
"Mhm, Lin Jie. I know which one to pick now," she said, smiling. Shortly after, the two of them returned to the academy.
Back at the academy, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were already waiting for them. It looked like they had been discussing and had come to a decision.
"Tang San, my father agreed. He also wrote you a letter," Ning Rongrong said as she took out the sealed note and handed it over.
Tang San opened the envelope and glanced over its contents. The message was brief, but polite—praising him first, then giving a clear, if subtle, consent.
"Alright, Rongrong. I've made up my mind—I'll exchange a secret technique with you," Tang San said.
Even as he spoke, there was a trace of pain in his heart. But recalling his teacher's earnest words from earlier, he slowly accepted it.
"However," Tang San continued, "after I pass this technique to you, I hope that you'll only share it with people you trust deeply. Please don't spread it beyond that. Likewise, I will not teach the technique I receive from you to anyone else."
"Okay, I agree," Ning Rongrong nodded. Truthfully, it was a bit unreasonable of Tang San to place conditions like this—once the exchange was made, the technique would belong to her to use as she saw fit. But she understood where he was coming from. After all, she didn't want Heart Separation Control to be spread either.
"You've seen me use some of these techniques before," Tang San said. "But I've never explained them in detail. The ones I'm offering include Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Purple Demon Eye, Mysterious Jade Hand, and Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon. There are four total, but I can only offer one in exchange."
As he explained the traits of each technique, he didn't even mind that Yu Xiaogang and Lin Jie were listening.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Lin Jie. What Tang San said matched almost exactly what Lin Jie had told her earlier. How did he know so much?
"Rongrong, choose one," Tang San said.
"I'll choose Purple Demon Eye," she replied with a soft smile.
"Purple Demon Eye?" Tang San was visibly surprised. He'd assumed she would pick Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. But then he recalled what his teacher had told him earlier about the inner workings of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and his surprise faded.
Without the help of the immortal dew from the immortal herb Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Tang San himself had only reached the mid-tier Detailed stage of Purple Demon Eye. Even if Rongrong's clan obtained the technique, mastering it wouldn't be easy. Then again, geniuses were exceptions to the rule — and Ning Rongrong was still only fourteen, at the perfect age to cultivate new techniques.
"In that case, come with me, Rongrong. Let's talk somewhere private," Tang San said. While he didn't mind Yu Xiaogang or Lin Jie knowing that he had these techniques, he wasn't about to share their inner workings—not even with his teacher. After all, if he'd been willing to, Yu Xiaogang would've known years ago.
And so, Tang San and Ning Rongrong stepped out to complete the exchange. Since explaining and learning such techniques was no easy task, the two of them spent the entire afternoon going over the details together.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin