Chapter Nine: The Prying Eyes
Ling Yu returned at sunset, carrying in his bag some spiritual herbs he had collected like the other disciples. He didn't look like he'd just returned from a great adventure, and he deliberately concealed any expression that seemed different.
At the sect gate, Elder Zhang Yun stood welcoming the returning disciples. He reviewed their harvest one by one, his gaze sharp enough to distinguish between the truthful and the liar.
When it was Ling Yu's turn, he bowed and handed him his bag. But as soon as the Elder raised his eyes and looked at him... he froze for a moment.
A very faint aura emanated from the boy's body, but to the eyes of an expert like him, it was as clear as day: He had passed the lineage stage and set foot in the foundation stage!
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, but quickly concealed his expression to avoid attracting the attention of others. He reached out and took the bag, then said in a normal voice in front of everyone:
"Good. Acceptable work."
He didn't comment further, but instead gestured for him to follow after the others had left.
Warning
In a quiet stone room within the sect, the elder sat on his mat, with Ling Yue standing in front of him, looking nervous.
"Tell me, kid… what happened in the forest?"
Ling Yue hesitated, but felt that keeping it from the elder would be of no use. He briefly recounted how he'd found the cave and how the crystal ball had helped him break through the barrier and reach the Foundation Stage.
The elder remained silent for a long time, then heaved a deep sigh:
"Heaven has chosen you in some way… but you must understand: rapid advancement isn't always a blessing. In the sect, there are eyes watching for any extraordinary talent. Some will try to embrace you, others will try to crush you before you grow."
He approached him, extended his hand, and released a thread of spiritual energy, implanting it in his body.
"Take this technique: the Hidden Soul Veil. It will allow you to conceal your spiritual essence, so that no one will discover your true stage. From now on, you will appear to others as a disciple who has only opened four meridians."
Ling Yu's eyes widened in surprise, and he bowed gratefully.
"Thank you, Elder! I will never forget your kindness."
The Elder smiled faintly.
"Don't thank me yet, young man. He who conceals his light must know when to reveal it… or else all is lost."
Ling Yu walked out of the hall, the sect enveloped in night.
He now possessed two powers:
The Foundation Establishment Stage, which no one had expected him to reach.
And a technique that concealed him from prying eyes.
He raised his head toward the moon and smiled softly.
"I may be an outer disciple in their eyes... but deep down, I am walking a path that no one will stop.