8 Chapter 6 Concealment of Truth_1

Ning Cheng was shocked by his own thoughts and forcibly stopped cultivating. He was merely a cultivator at the first layer of Qi Gathering, with an understanding of cultivation that could be said to be at the most primitive level. The idea that someone like him, with a rough grasp of even the first layer of Qi Gathering, could come up with a better method of cultivation than the Ning family's inherited techniques was something he himself couldn't believe.

The Ning family's cultivation technique was a mortal-grade one, refined through countless years and numerous people's experiences. On what basis could he find faults in this cultivation technique and even correct them?

Although he wanted to try again, Ning Cheng held back the thought. He knew once he started cultivating, there would be no end to it. Without changing the technique, he might even be able to cultivate up to the second layer of Qi Gathering in one go. He could hardly explain having reached the first layer; if he now advanced to the second layer, he would have no idea how to explain that. He urgently needed to improve his cultivation level, but he had to find an appropriate reason or method before doing so.

Moreover, the fact that he was able to find a more suitable flow for his true Qi through the meridians was already an oddity in itself. Without understanding this matter, he really didn't dare to proceed in that manner.

However, Ning Cheng's heart grew more excited. Even if he didn't modify the cultivation technique, he was no longer worried about his poor aptitude preventing him from cultivating. Inside him seemed to be a tremendously powerful source of cultivation. If this continued, to what level could he possibly cultivate? To the Condensing Truth Realm or even the Building Foundation Realm?

Without continuing with his cultivation, Ning Cheng started studying the thin scroll of cultivation techniques in his hand. This mortal-grade cultivation technique provided detailed descriptions from the first to the ninth layer of Qi Gathering, as well as some annotations from the Ning family's ancestors. What surprised Ning Cheng was that, in the back of the technique, there were some simple spells.

Apart from the Fireball Technique and the Wind Blade Technique, there was also a Technique for Riding the Wind. By his nature, Ning Cheng was most interested in the Technique for Riding the Wind. According to the introduction, after cultivating to the third layer of Qi Gathering, one could traverse several feet or even dozens of feet through the air. If it weren't for the Hidden Truth Technique, Ning Cheng would definitely have tried to learn how to cultivate the Technique for Riding the Wind.

The description behind the Hidden Truth Technique made Ning Cheng feel that this was precisely what he needed at the moment. The Hidden Truth Technique stated that it could allow a cultivator to conceal their cultivation realm. This made Ning Cheng ecstatic; he had secrets within him, without considering what those secrets might be, the fact was he cultivated quickly. If he could conceal his cultivation level while cultivating rapidly, then what was there to worry about?

Ning Cheng's happiness didn't last long before disappointment set in again. This Hidden Truth Technique was just a spell from a mortal-grade technique; even if he cultivated it to the extreme, he could only conceal up to three minor levels according to the technique. Even if he managed to do that, he probably could only deceive cultivators at the Qi Gathering Realm. It would definitely be impossible to fool a cultivator in the Condensing Truth Realm.

In the Cang Qin Country, although there were few cultivators at the Condensing Truth Realm, it was not as if there were none. He remembered that the dean and vice-dean of Cang Qin's two-star academy were cultivators at the Condensing Truth Realm.

Even knowing that the Hidden Truth Technique from the scroll wasn't all that great, Ning Cheng still decided to learn it first. Ning Cheng was already at the first layer of Qi Gathering, and not only did he have an excellent memory, but he also possessed an extraordinary level of comprehension. Despite it being his first encounter with spells, he completely understood the method of cultivation within an hour.

When Ning Cheng started cultivating the Hidden Truth Technique, a gentle flow of Qi once again rose from his dantian. Simultaneously, some new pathways for operating Qi for the Hidden Truth Technique appeared in his mind once more.

This time, Ning Cheng didn't stop again; he hesitated only for a moment before practicing the Hidden Truth Technique according to the mantra that had appeared out of nowhere in his mind. He felt the mantra that had appeared in his mind was even better than the Hidden Truth Technique he had seen before. Or rather, the method of cultivation that appeared in his mind was a new Hidden Truth Technique based on modifications to the original.

Ning Cheng didn't understand what was happening, but he vaguely sensed that it was related to the yellow glow that had struck him before. He decided to first cultivate according to this modified Hidden Truth Technique and to stop immediately if he noticed anything wrong.

After Ning Cheng began cultivating, he didn't notice anything amiss. The flow of true Qi within his meridians followed the new circulatory route freely, without the slightest sluggishness.

Soon, Ning Cheng was once again immersed in the cultivation of the spell.

When Ning Cheng came back to his senses, he found that he had reached minor completion with the first spell he was cultivating. Ning Cheng tried using the Hidden Truth Technique to conceal his cultivation, and he was easily able to hide the fluctuations of his true Qi without a hitch.

"Good stuff," Ning Cheng subconsciously blurted out, unsure if he was referring to the Hidden Truth Technique or the ability to automatically correct his cultivation method as the good stuff.

Just after Ning Cheng had uttered these words, he heard Ji Luofei's voice from outside, "Since you're done cultivating, come out and eat."

It was only when Ning Cheng heard Ji Luofei's voice that he realized he had spent the entire night in his room; it was already the morning of the next day. Time indeed meant nothing when deeply involved in cultivation; the night had passed without him noticing.

"Did you encounter some problem with your cultivation?" Ji Luofei stood up in astonishment when Ning Cheng went out. She could no longer sense the true Qi fluctuating around Ning Cheng. In other words, she couldn't determine Ning Cheng's cultivation level anymore; to be exact, it was as if Ning Cheng had no cultivation at all.

It was then that Ning Cheng realized that this must be due to using the Hidden Truth Technique. He promptly said, "I feel that my realm is not very stable; sometimes, I can sense the true Qi, and sometimes I can't."

Even though Ji Luofei was his fiancée, Ning Cheng still didn't reveal his secret. He knew that he wouldn't have been able to cultivate the Hidden Truth Technique overnight had he not modified the method of cultivation. The secret of being able to correct the cultivation method on its own was simply too terrifying. If he had been a master, it might be a different story, but he had only just started cultivating.

Ji Luofei's cultivation was very low, so she didn't understand much about the situation. She frowned slightly and after a while, she said, "Although you have gathered Qi, your cultivation might not have stabilized yet. These few days, after you use the Qi Gathering Stone, it should be just about right. Let's eat first."

Only then did Ning Cheng notice that the food on the little wooden table had long been ready and hurriedly said, "Thank you."

Both of them were preoccupied with their thoughts and breakfast was eaten in silence. After finishing the meal, Ning Cheng continued to return to his room to cultivate, and Ji Luofei did not ask further.

Several days flashed by, and during these days, Ning Cheng had been concentrating on the Hidden Truth Technique. As for the Fireball Technique and the Wind Cutter Technique, he just got to know them a bit and didn't cultivate them. He also knew that practicing such techniques in his own room was not suitable.

One day, seeing that Ning Cheng's cultivation seemed to have stabilized at the first level of Gathering Qi, Ji Luofei said to him, "Your Qi Gathering at the first level should be stable now, let's go to the academy today."

"Okay," Ning Cheng responded without any hesitation. Even if Ji Luofei hadn't mentioned it, he was planning to remind her. These past days, Ning Cheng always felt that there were people sneaking around the stone hut, and if Ji Luofei hadn't been there, someone might have already taken him away.

...

Cang Qin Country's Two-Star Academy had an extraordinary status, one even slightly higher than the country itself. The academy's vice principal was Yong Changyan, a royal of Cang Qin Country, hence the Two-Star Academy was regarded as half the backing of the country.

In Ning Cheng's memory, the Two-Star Academy of Cang Qin Country was very large. Because the original Ning Cheng didn't often come here and even had some aversion to the academy, the memories Ning Cheng now possessed were not clear. Only after he followed Ji Luofei to the Two-Star Academy did he understand why it was considered the number one power in Cang Qin Country.

The academy resembled the castles of the West, indeed vast in size, with groves and magic technique fields that looked very imposing from a distance. Ning Cheng was familiar with the imperial city of Cang Qin Country and was certain that the imperial city was not a match for this academy.

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

In front of the academy's main gate was a square hundreds of feet wide, and in the center of the square stood an enormous dueling platform.

Seeing Ning Cheng staring at the massive dueling platform, Ji Luofei spoke in a light voice, "That is the dueling platform. The cultivators of the academy can settle grudges, disputes, or wager duels there, deciding life and death on the platform. There used to be no dueling platform here, but since academies of three stars and above all have such platforms, the Two-Star Academy built this one in an attempt to advance to a three-star academy."

After speaking, Ji Luofei turned to Ning Cheng and cautioned him, "When you're helping in the cultivation room later, try not to come out too much, and avoid making enemies or causing trouble. Otherwise, once you go up on that dueling platform, it's very hard to come down."

Ning Cheng asked in confusion, "If someone challenges me to a duel, can't I just refuse to fight?"

"No," Ji Luofei replied even more succinctly. After saying this, she did not wait for Ning Cheng to ask any more questions and already entered the gates of the academy.

As soon as Ning Cheng stepped into the academy with Ji Luofei, a clear voice came to his ears, "… Cang Qin Two-Star Academy will select ten disciples to participate in the selection for Huazhou's Fallen Star Five-Star Academy …"

It was as if Ji Luofei hadn't heard anything, but Ning Cheng almost stumbled. That was the sound of a broadcast; he had not heard it wrong; it was definitely the sound of a broadcast.

"What are you standing there for?" Ji Luofei, seeing Ning Cheng standing there in a daze, turned around and asked.

"Is this a broadcast?" Ning Cheng stood still and muttered to himself, feeling as if he had returned to the place where he once lived. If he wasn't on Earth, where would there be a broadcast?

This was a magical place where one could cultivate and cast various magic techniques. But if Ning Cheng had to choose, he would have preferred still to be on Earth. At least there he had a sister, a family member waiting for him.

(Chapter Two is here, Old Five requests your vigorous support with recommendation tickets and favorites.)

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