Chapter 15: The Hidden Truth of Reaching Perfection in the Enlightenment Realm

Senior Sister Lin Qian rarely appeared within the sect. It was said that she refused to squander even the slightest bit of her natural talent, remaining in seclusion for arduous cultivation. Her sole aim was to surpass Yang Xiangtian and become the foremost of the younger generation in Idle Cloud Sect. Her remarkable determination and extraordinary gifts—coupled with an ethereal beauty and a cold, unapproachable aura—made her a goddess in the hearts of all the inner disciples.

Jiang Ning was surprised, but he quickly dismantled the trapping array, storing its core within his spatial ring, and faced this enigmatic senior sister of Idle Cloud Sect.

He clasped his hands in salute. “What business does the Sect Master have with me?”

“The Sect Master told me to inform you: originally, you were to go to the main hall in half a month, but there has been a change of plans. You must wait another ten days.”

Lin Qian’s words drifted lightly; though she stood before him, her voice seemed distant, leaving Jiang Ning with a peculiar feeling. He looked up, meeting the gaze of the sect’s goddess.

No words came to him. The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

“Ahem… I understand,” he replied. Though he did not know the reason, Jiang Ning was more than happy to avoid seeing the old man Yang. He was increasingly convinced that the so-called Dao Imprint was no blessing. He wanted nothing to do with it. If he could find a way to break through to the Tempered Body Stage and cleanse himself of the Imprint within these ten days, he would leave at once.

“Junior Brother Jiang Ning, hiding your true strength must have been quite the ordeal for you.”

Lin Qian suddenly smiled, a vision of a thousand blossoms blooming at once, making Jiang Ning’s heart race uncontrollably.

“This Idle Cloud Sect really is full of fox spirits…” he cursed inwardly, though aloud, he said, “Not at all, I still have much to improve.”

At that moment, Er Huang bounded over. Its wounds had mostly healed, and it tilted its head curiously, studying Lin Qian.

“This little dog… it’s the one that Wang Shuo injured that day, isn’t it?” Lin Qian laughed. Her previously strange, ethereal aura seemed to dissipate, and as Er Huang began to act cute, she laughed even more heartily and picked the dog up.

“This yellow mutt…” Jiang Ning was speechless. Would it never learn?

“Senior Sister Lin Qian, you were there that day as well?”

“It was quite the commotion—hard not to notice,” Lin Qian replied calmly. She lowered her gaze to Er Huang, who was basking in her embrace.

Jiang Ning’s expression betrayed nothing, but he was thoughtful.

“By the way, earlier, Senior Sister Lin Qian…”

He was referring to that initial sense of ethereality—a method, perhaps, that shielded her from detection. Even within the array, as its master, Jiang Ning hadn’t been able to sense the slightest trace of her presence.

“It’s a concealment technique,” Lin Qian explained without reservation. “Nothing supreme, just a method to mask one’s aura. I came across it while out on a mission.”

A concealment technique?!

Jiang Ning’s heart leapt. For him, this was a supreme art!

“Junior Brother Jiang Ning, your array technique seems impressive as well.”

Lin Qian seemed uninterested in discussing concealment further and shifted the conversation to his formation.

“Ahem… Well, I acquired it by chance,” Jiang Ning said, coughing lightly. He altered the array’s structure, cutting off the world outside. Even if someone suspected, there was no evidence to tie it to Zhao Feng’s old trapping array.

“You should know that Zhao Feng disappeared two days ago,” Lin Qian said, her words suggestive but not direct.

“Is that so?” Jiang Ning feigned surprise.

“I haven’t seen him since that day either.” Lin Qian’s beautiful eyes glimmered. She looked at Jiang Ning with a faint smile, her subtle fragrance lingering in the air. After a moment, she lowered her eyes, set Er Huang down, and prepared to leave.

“Senior Sister Lin Qian!” Jiang Ning hurried after her, wanting to ask about the concealment technique but unsure what he could offer in exchange.

“My residence is the third abode on the First Peak of the Disciples’ Gate… You’re welcome to visit when you have time.”

Once again, Lin Qian’s presence grew ethereal as she left those words behind and soared into the sky, not giving Jiang Ning a chance to say more.

Jiang Ning was left speechless, watching Er Huang’s reluctant gaze and fighting the urge to thump the dog.

“Some yellow dog you are!”

…

For the next two or three days, a steady stream of inner disciples came to pay him visits.

Jiang Ning was beset with headaches and refused them all.

The most troublesome thing about exposing one’s strength was this relentless parade of well-wishers, all eager to forge ties. Yet Jiang Ning harbored great secrets and could not afford to grow close to anyone. He could only keep them at arm’s length.

The good news was that the old Sect Master Yang truly hadn’t sent for him again. The other ancient monsters of Idle Cloud Sect had yet to appear either; perhaps they’d all noticed the battle that day but had chosen not to intervene.

“Idle Cloud Sect has been far too quiet these past few days…” Jiang Ning mused. He had finished off his remaining two spiritual fruits, still unable to find any opportunity for a breakthrough. It felt as though the spiritual energy his body required was endless.

He still had more than a dozen low-grade spirit stones in his spatial ring, but he didn’t bother with them. Using them for cultivation would be a waste—Clear Spirit Liquid was far superior.

If he couldn’t break through soon, there was only one path left: acquire the concealment technique. To mask one’s presence completely from detection was no simple feat, certainly not as effortless as Lin Qian had made it seem. If he could obtain it, he could leave Idle Cloud Sect.

“There are seven or eight days left. That old man is bound to summon me to the main hall, and I doubt it’ll be for any good purpose…”

Jiang Ning felt everything was coming to a head.

Just as he was about to leave, he saw Li Zhenyu flying over on a rainbow arc, drifting down lightly.

“Not him again…”

Jiang Ning was exasperated. Li Zhenyu was coming straight for him, calling out affectionately from afar, “Junior Brother Jiang Ning!”

“What do you want?” Jiang Ning had little fondness for this character—he wanted to go find Lin Qian.

“Ah, Junior Brother Jiang Ning, can’t I just visit for no reason? I was hoping to discuss the supreme Dao with you.”

Li Zhenyu was full of bluster.

“…”

“By the way, last time you were too hasty. You didn’t achieve the intended effect. Though your Dao is the Doctrine of the Mean, you’ve grasped its essence. How could you act so rashly?”

Li Zhenyu sounded disappointed, making Jiang Ning itch to punch him.

“Woof!”

Er Huang, in Jiang Ning’s arms, also seemed displeased and barked at Li Zhenyu.

Li Zhenyu’s gaze darted about.

“So, Junior Brother Jiang Ning, you’re off to…”

“To see Senior Sister Lin Qian,” Jiang Ning replied testily, eager to shake him off.

“Oh?” Li Zhenyu mused, “Brilliant, I understand now—truly brilliant!”

Jiang Ning was caught off guard.

“So you weren’t acting impulsively; you’re trying to break out of the mold, to make a move on Senior Sister Lin Qian. Impressive!”

Li Zhenyu nodded approvingly.

Jiang Ning was done with him. He turned to leave, but Li Zhenyu clung to him like a leech, shadowing his every step.

“Don’t run off, Junior Brother! We haven’t discussed the supreme Dao yet…”

“Junior Brother, though our paths differ, we can learn from one another. We are truly without equal…”

“Please wait, Junior Brother…”

Jiang Ning’s face darkened with exasperation.

He stopped. “I don’t mind discussing the supreme Dao, but I have a specific question for you.”

“What is it?” Li Zhenyu, holding his palm fan, actually managed to look the part of a sage.

“It’s about the secrets of attaining perfection in the Enlightenment Stage.”