That afternoon.
When Yun Jin was handed over to Qing Yun, Ji Wusi's expression was tense, as if a heavy stone pressed down on his chest.
Qing Yun's eyes lit up with anticipation, and a faint smile curved his lips. "What now, was the training not going well?"
Ji Wusi kept a cool, indifferent face. "It's only just begun. What are you so eager for? This is a mid-tier sword technique we're talking about. It's not something you can rush."
Qing Yun chuckled. "Looks like Xiao Jin is more suited to my methods. Come on, Xiao Jin, let's begin."
Yun Jin obediently followed him away.
Once the two were out of sight, Ji Wusi's lips curled into a slow, satisfied grin.
"Hah. That fool Qing Yun really took the bait. Just wait, I'll give him the surprise of his life."
He quickly stifled the smile and left without another word.
Cang Li trailed behind, concern in his eyes. "Master, was it really that bad?"
Ji Wusi glanced at his disciple.
No good. This disciple of his had many fine qualities, but he was far too naive. Too easy to pry answers from. There was no way he could be told the truth.
With a sigh, Ji Wusi replied, "It's a mid-tier sword art after all. Even with my personal instruction, ten days is barely enough to get a foothold."
Ten days to gain entry into a mid-tier technique would already be impressive.
Cang Li nodded slowly, though concern still flickered in his eyes. Hopefully the others wouldn't progress too fast either. Otherwise, when it came time to compare results, they might end up losing out. And his hard-won junior sister might be lured away after all.
On the other side, Qing Yun had also taken Yun Jin far from Tianxing Sect, finding a quiet, secluded mountaintop before stopping. He, too, erected a careful array of defensive barriers.
Yun Jin let out a soft sigh. "Were all these senior cultivators this cautious?"
Seeing her expression, Qing Yun hastily explained, "You have to understand, that sword cultivator is all brute force and loves to charge straight ahead. As for that Beastmaster, she's got a thousand tricks and a heart as messy as a lotus pod. We have to watch out for them."
Yun Jin: "..."
So the backstabbing went both ways.
"Come, sit. This time, I'm teaching you a sensory art I developed myself. It's called the Thousand Veil Perception Technique. Its foundation lies in the concept of spiritual resonance. Everything in existence, whether objects or techniques, gives off a certain 'qi'. If you can sense that qi, you can perceive the true essence of things, even those hidden from ordinary eyes."
Qing Yun continued in a steady tone, "Take your fellow disciples for example. I used this technique on them briefly. Your eldest senior brother has an unusually powerful soul, one stronger than most, and it shows signs of mutation. For future growth, he'll need soul-based cultivation methods."
Yun Jin's eyes brightened. Without Qing Yun's insight, she would've had to spend a lot of simplified system attempts just to uncover that. A few words had saved her a lot of effort.
It proved that the Thousand Veil Perception Technique was far from ordinary.
Seeing her growing interest, Qing Yun leaned into his moment. "Your second senior sister also has an unusual soul. Hers is unstable. I foresee a nightmare soon. If she overcomes it, she may undergo a great transformation. If not, she'll suffer calamity."
Yun Jin's expression turned serious. "Is there a way to help her, Senior?"
Qing Yun smiled thinly, voice suddenly cold. "This nightmare... is also a heart demon. Every cultivator faces many such demons on the path. Whether they overcome them or not depends on themselves. If others interfere, it may only worsen the result."
Though still troubled, Yun Jin nodded.
Qing Yun continued, "As for your third senior brother, his qi is highly unusual. It doesn't belong to the human race. He must possess foreign bloodline. What kind, I'm not sure yet. To advance further, he'll have to fully awaken and integrate that bloodline. If he succeeds, he might end up with the greatest potential of you all."
"Foreign bloodline." Yun Jin's thoughts flickered.
So that was likely the cause of his petrification affliction. If she wanted answers, she'd probably have to visit the Yu family. She took careful note of everything, growing even more intrigued by Qing Yun's technique. Just thinking about how many emotional points it might save her, she felt thrilled.
Seeing her interest, Qing Yun smiled in satisfaction. Enthusiasm was the best teacher.
Unlike Ji Wusi, that muscle-brained fool, he clearly understood the elegant way.
"Let's begin with the first layer," Qing Yun said, pressing a finger lightly to her forehead.
Yun Jin closed her eyes to receive the surge of information. As it finished downloading into her mind, she couldn't help but admire his creation. As expected of a powerhouse at his level. This technique was incredible.
Qing Yun spoke gently, "The Thousand Veil Perception Technique has five stages. The first two are earth-tier. The third and fourth are heaven-tier. The fifth is just a theoretical realm I have yet to attain. For you, the first layer alone will offer enough depth to train for a long time."
Yun Jin nodded, then called up the system.
She immediately used her remaining high-grade simplification attempts.
Soon, a satisfactory result appeared:
[Thousand Veil Perception Technique. Original secret art created by Qing Yun. First stage is earth-tier. This art allows the user to sense the qi of all things and discern their essence. Its applications are boundless.]
[Simplified Cultivation Requirement: Complete mastery of one's soul power.]
For most people, this requirement would be quite difficult. But for Yun Jin, a natural prodigy with full control over her soul, this was child's play. She stopped simplifying after three high-level attempts. This condition was already perfect for her. Following the technique's guidance, she quickly began her cultivation.
Qing Yun stroked his beard with satisfaction, patiently watching. Though the technique's initial tier was not high, mastering it was far from easy. If Yun Jin hit a snag, he would step in, explain patiently, and surely win her admiration. Then, accepting him as her master would be only natural.
He couldn't imagine how Ji Wusi or Liu Li could hope to compete with him now!