The Provocation of the Sky-Burning Palace

Xuanyangzi nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject, speaking with a touch of smugness.

"Look at your master. In front of outsiders, I have always only revealed the cultivation of the mid-stage of the Cave Heaven Realm. But in reality, I have long since broken through to the late-stage of the Cave Heaven Realm."

As soon as his voice fell, a majestic aura suddenly erupted from Xuanyangzi's body.

Although he deliberately restrained it quite a bit, it still clearly revealed his late-stage Cave Heaven Realm cultivation, making the air in the study seem to stagnate a bit.

Shen Jinghong's face showed surprise, and she immediately bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Master, on taking another step forward in your cultivation!"

Xuanyangzi smiled and waved his hand, withdrawing his aura. He thought to himself, "This girl is still too young. I cannot let her know all of my tricks."

Shen Jinghong stood there, looking at her master's smug expression that seemed to say "I hide it well, don't I", and couldn't help but mutter in her heart.

Master's behavior is exactly the same as Martial Uncle Gu's.

One is only at the early stage of the Core Condensation Realm, and the other only claims to be at the mid-stage of the Cave Heaven Realm to the outside world, only to turn around and give her a late-stage surprise. So all the elders in the sect love to play this kind of game?

She stealthily glanced up at Xuanyangzi and saw that he had lowered his head to flip through the scrolls again, a faint smile playing on his lips. She couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.

These two sly foxes, one is better at pretending than the other.

Martial Uncle Gu used his shallow cultivation as an excuse to refuse to take her as a disciple, and now Master is showing off his hidden cultivation. Is it a trend for the big shots in the cultivation world to play this game of hiding their true strength?

Could the other seniors in the sect also be hiding their strength? Shen Jinghong suddenly thought of the others.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to complain, and bowed respectfully.

"Master, if there is nothing else, this disciple will take her leave to cultivate."

Xuanyangzi waved his hand without raising his head. Shen Jinghong turned and walked out of the study. Just as she turned the corner of the corridor, she couldn't help but mutter softly.

"No wonder Master and Martial Uncle Gu get along so well. Their ability to hide their true strength is truly on par with each other..."

As soon as she finished speaking, as if afraid of being overheard, she quickly quickened her pace towards her cultivation room. However, her slightly twitching lips betrayed her current mood.

Walking on the path, Shen Jinghong started to formulate another plan in her mind.

Master and Martial Uncle Gu both played the game of hiding their cultivation so smoothly. It seems that concealing one's strength is indeed a mandatory course in the cultivation world.

She possessed the Jinghong Sword Physique and Heaven-rank aptitude. If she was too flashy, it might really bring her trouble.

Thinking of this, her footsteps paused, and she turned around to head back to Xuanyangzi's study.

Since she was going to hide her cultivation, she needed a decent technique, right?

Master definitely had some treasures in this regard.

Entering the study again, she saw Xuanyangzi holding a wolf-hair brush, annotating something on a scroll.

Seeing her return, he raised his eyes and asked, "Is there something else?"

Shen Jinghong bowed and said, "Master, this disciple was deeply inspired by your teachings just now.

You said that one must know how to hide their strength, and this disciple feels it makes perfect sense. It's just that this disciple doesn't know how to conceal her cultivation. Do you have a suitable aura-concealing technique?"

Xuanyangzi put down his brush and looked Shen Jinghong up and down, a flash of approval in his eyes.

"It is very good that you have this idea. It seems you really took my words to heart today."

He took down a yellowed booklet from the bookshelf and handed it to Shen Jinghong.

"This is the Azure Mystic Aura Concealment Art. Although it is not top-tier, it is more than enough to hide your cultivation. Take it and study it well."

Shen Jinghong received the booklet with both hands and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master! This disciple knows her limits."

Walking out of the study with the aura-concealing technique in hand, Shen Jinghong felt delighted.

Hmph, you two know how to pretend, and I will be able to hide from now on too.

Once I master this aura-concealing technique, maybe one day I can also give someone a surprise and let them taste what it's like to be kept in the dark.

She looked down at the booklet in her hands and walked briskly towards the cultivation room, as if she could already see the scene of herself astonishing everyone after hiding her cultivation.

...

Three days later, the clouds and mist outside the mountain gate of Azure Cloud Peak were suddenly torn apart by a sharp aura, like fine brocade sliced open by a sharp blade, revealing the majestic mountain gate behind it.

A group of figures dressed in brocade robes with red-gold trim strode up the steps. The warm jade at the waist of the leader swayed gently with his steps, and the airflow stirred up by his fluttering robes actually shook the dewdrops off the plants along the mountain path.

The coercion of the early stage of the Deva Realm spread out like an invisible tidal wave, pressing down so heavily that the welcoming pine trees in front of the mountain gate bent their spines. The morning dew on the pine needles poured down, smashing dense water marks onto the stone steps.

His eyebrows slanted upwards, and the corners of his mouth carried a half-smile. His gaze swept over the gatekeeping disciples carelessly, as if he were examining ordinary objects.

Beside him, four purple-robed elders had blazing sun totems embroidered on their cuffs. The spiritual energy of the Cave Heaven Realm and Purple Mansion Realm intertwined, whipping up a whirlwind outside the mountain gate and sending fallen leaves spiraling endlessly.

Behind them stood five young boys and girls with upright postures. The swords at their waists flowed with radiance, and their confidence hid a bit of arrogance.

The boy at the very front crossed his arms over his chest, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping across the mountain gate of the Azure Mystic Sect, as if evaluating whether this fairyland was worthy of his attention.

"The Palace Master of the Burning Heaven Palace has brought his disciples to visit."

The brocade-robed man slightly raised his chin at the gatekeeping disciples. His voice was calm but carried a domineering majesty, startling the disciples and making their hearts tighten.

The gatekeeping disciples gripped their long spears tightly, forcing themselves to stay calm as they turned to send a message.

Far away on Purple Bamboo Peak, Gu Changge opened his eyes and glanced in the direction of the mountain gate, sensing the cultivation that was at most at the Deva Realm.

Feeling that they were just a bunch of jumping clowns not worth mentioning and that the Sect Master could easily handle them, he closed his eyes again.

At this time, in the martial arts arena halfway up Azure Cloud Peak, Xuanyangzi was instructing the disciples in their cultivation along with several peak masters.

The light of the communication talisman reflected on his face. After listening to the report, his fingers that crushed the talisman paused slightly, and his gaze swept over the churning clouds on the horizon.

"The Burning Heaven Palace coming to our door at this time, I am afraid they come with ill intentions."

The Peak Master of Quelling Mountain Peak on his right glared with wide eyes.

"These guys must be here to show off their newly accepted disciples! They lost face in the Black Wind Ridge dispute last time, and now they want to make up for it through the younger generation!"

Xuanyangzi flicked his long sleeves. "Everyone, follow me to the mountain gate to take a look."

When the group from the Burning Heaven Palace saw Xuanyangzi, Lie Tianxiong was standing by a welcoming pine, fiddling with the pine needles. The needles touched by his spiritual energy instantly turned to ash.

Xuanyangzi's gaze fell on that pine tree, his tone plain but hiding a chill.

"Palace Master Lie is a rare guest. We have not seen each other for a long time since we parted at the Black Wind Ridge. I wonder what brings you here today?"

Lie Tianxiong looked up, the warm jade reflecting a dazzling light in the sun, and a meaningful smile curled the corners of his mouth.

"I trust you have been well since we last met, Xuanyangzi. The Seven Great Sects Tournament in a year's time has been scheduled to be held at my Burning Heaven Palace. I came specially to inform you, so that your esteemed sect can prepare early."

Xuanyangzi understood in his heart, but his face remained impassive. "Oh? The Seven Great Sects Tournament has always been hosted by the sect of the previous champion. Palace Master Lie's news is quite surprising."