Chapter 21: Shadows and Steel
A few days after claiming his monthly stipend, Lin Xuan found himself once again in the mission hall.
This time, he didn't look at the high-reward postings. Instead, he selected something so ordinary no one would connect it to him:
> Mission: Collect Colddew Moss from the Mistwood Marsh. Reward: 5 Spirit Stones + Contribution Credit.
To the casual observer, it was nothing more than a resource-gathering errand.
But the Mistwood Marsh was also known to occasionally harbor spirit lotus seeds — a rare alchemy ingredient he needed for one of Liang Feixu's advanced formulas.
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The Scripture Pavilion Visit
Before leaving, Lin Xuan climbed the winding stairs of the Scripture Pavilion's third floor.
This time, he wasn't looking for offensive power.
A thin jade slip in a corner shelf caught his eye: "Veil of the Hidden Moon" — a concealment art designed to suppress qi fluctuations, mask life force, and blend spiritual presence into the environment.
It wasn't perfect — high-realm experts could still detect the user with effort — but it would greatly reduce casual tracking.
> [Upgrade Talent Activated]
Veil of the Hidden Moon → Celestial-Grade Veil of the Hidden Moon
The jade slip pulsed with new depth, adding techniques for shifting qi signature entirely, even mimicking the presence of another cultivation level.
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The Weight of Power
From the armory, he traded his choice voucher for a weapon: a heavy blacksteel spear nearly a head taller than himself. Its shaft was thick, built for brute strength as much as technique.
> [Upgrade Talent Activated]
Blacksteel Spear → Earth-Grade Blackstorm Pike
When he hefted it, the weight was satisfying — the kind that would shatter bones through sheer force even without qi enhancement.
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Foundation Establishment Training
That night, Lin Xuan sat in his cultivation chamber, reflecting on his new realm.
In Foundation Establishment, cultivation wasn't just about gathering qi — it was about compression.
The liquid qi in the dantian had to be condensed again and again until it reached its absolute limit, then replenished to full before repeating the process.
Each complete cycle of compression and refill counted as one level. The denser the qi, the greater the cultivator's raw power, even within the same stage.
His divine physique meant he could store and compress far more qi than others — but it also meant each level would demand far more resources.
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Departure and an Unwanted "Ally"
The next morning, Lin Xuan was almost at the sect's outer gates when a young man in light-green robes intercepted him.
"Senior Brother Lin, Elder Qiu Wansheng asked me to accompany you on your mission," the man said with a too-pleasant smile. "Two hands make work easier, yes?"
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He didn't know exactly what Qiu wanted, but the intent was clear enough: watch him, learn him.
"Fine," Lin Xuan said calmly. "Just don't slow me down."
As they left the sect together, Lin Xuan silently activated the Veil of the Hidden Moon, letting his qi signature fade to a dull, unremarkable hum.
He didn't know if Qiu's disciple would notice. But if the man planned to spy on him, Lin Xuan would make sure he left with nothing useful.