As the two men and a dog exchanged awkward glances, Ye Feng suddenly heard the cold voice of the Golden Plate echo in his mind:
"Your secret has been discovered by him."
"What?" Ye Feng's eyelid twitched. He didn't understand why the Golden Plate suddenly said this. Knowing he could communicate with the Golden Plate through his thoughts, he quickly asked, "What secret?"
"A hundred years ago, the Qi Induction Formula recorded on the stone wall here was known as the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture."
"What Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud... Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture!!"
Ye Feng nearly jumped up.
"Are you saying that what I just learned is the Tianyun Sect's ultimate skill—the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture?"
Swish.
This time, the Golden Plate didn't speak but instead replayed the scene of Ye Feng's recent cultivation in his mind, even capturing Meng Cangxing's expression as he approached swiftly and was stunned in place.
"This..."
Cold sweat broke out on Ye Feng's back instantly.
He had been careless.
He never imagined that the Star Map Qi Induction Formula was the legendary Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture, nor did he expect such a strange phenomenon to occur during cultivation. He also didn't anticipate that the Grand Martial Uncle, who was sleeping soundly during the day, would come to spy on him at night.
With all these coincidences, he was on the verge of being accused of secretly learning the Tianyun Sect's ultimate skill. Although he didn't know why Grand Martial Uncle Meng hadn't exposed him on the spot, Ye Feng knew that if not for the Golden Plate's timely reminder, he would be in big trouble.
"Why do you keep proving you have no brains, Ye Feng? Stop making me clean up after you."
The Golden Plate coldly threw out a sentence and then fell silent.
Ye Feng didn't have time to argue with the Golden Plate. Although much of this trouble stemmed from the Golden Plate's refusal to explain things clearly, the immediate priority was to clarify the origin of the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture. But how should he start?
Should he say he could traverse time and went back a hundred years to learn the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture?
Even Ye Feng wouldn't believe that. Why not just say the Ancestor manifested and passed down the skill in a dream?
Wait...
Ancestor's Manifestation?
A flash of inspiration crossed Ye Feng's mind, and his eyes darted quickly. Suddenly, he put on a bewildered expression in front of Meng Cangxing:
"Grand Martial Uncle, I think I noticed something strange on the stone wall back there?"
"Oh?"
Meng Cangxing's eyelid twitched slightly as he looked into the distance.
Is this kid talking about the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Wall?
He certainly knew the secrets of Cloud-Falling Peak from the past, but all of that had long been buried in a century of dust. Even second-generation disciples like Han Yun knew very little. What could this Ye Feng possibly know?
For Meng Cangxing, who intended to nurture Ye Feng, he couldn't directly take Ye Feng away for questioning. His curiosity about Ye Feng's words was piqued, so he had to patiently engage in a performance with Ye Feng:
"What kind of strange thing?"
"There was a huge starry sky pattern on it!"
Hiss~~~
Meng Cangxing took a deep breath, feeling as if his heart was about to explode, but he forced himself to maintain a curious expression: "What starry sky pattern?"
"It was a vast sea of stars, with stars of various sizes... Huh, why is it gone now? And where did that elder go?"
"What... what elder?"
"An elder with white hair and beard. He said he once comprehended a starry sky map containing the Great Dao here, carved on this stone wall. By the way, the stone wall I saw was dozens of meters high... Could it be that this was all a dream?" Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping . com.
"A dream... What else did you dream about?"
"The elder said we were destined, and he asked me to comprehend the starry sky map. Strangely, I felt that the stars corresponded to the acupoints in the human body. Following the sequence of the stars' flickering to open and close the acupoints attracted Profound Qi. It felt truly magical. I thought it was all real, but it turned out to be a dream... But Grand Martial Uncle, I seem to be able to use the method taught by that elder to cultivate Qi... Grand Martial Uncle? What's wrong?"
"Ye Feng, do you remember the elder's name?"
"He didn't say, only that he cared for Tianyun and hoped I would comprehend well, entrusting me with the task of revitalizing Tianyun... This is really too bizarre, Grand Martial Uncle, what is going on, who exactly was that elder?"
Who was it? Who do you think it was?
Meng Cangxing was utterly speechless after hearing Ye Feng's words.
Comprehending the Star Map, breaking through the Nine Heavens, and entrusting the revitalization of Tianyun—who else could it be?
This Ye Feng, either he's openly mocking my intelligence, or he really encountered such a fortuitous event. Otherwise, how could he dare to concoct such an absurd story about the Ancestor passing down skills in a dream to fool me?
Moreover, Ye Feng confessed voluntarily, with that bewildered expression and joyful demeanor. I can't see any flaws. Could it really be the Ancestor's Manifestation?
Damn it, why did my senior brother send such a weirdo to test me?
"Bone."
"Woof?"
The big dog, who had been inactive all this time, seemed unconcerned about the conversation between the two men. It only turned its face when called.
"Take Ye Feng back and make sure he doesn't wander around. I need to go out for a while."
"Bring back some meat," the big dog licked its lips, indicating it was hungry.
Meng Cangxing ignored Bone, leaping into the distance and disappearing into the night with a few swift movements, clearly eager to discuss with his senior brother.
Left behind, Ye Feng watched Meng Cangxing's rapidly retreating figure and gave a faint, bitter smile.
There was no choice.
The situation was too sudden, with no preparation at all. Now, he could only grit his teeth and deny everything.
The Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture was one thing, as it was originally a Tianyun Sect technique, but the secret of his spacetime traversal must never be exposed. That was his strongest card for future rise.
This Grand Martial Uncle seemed to be reporting his situation to the higher-ups. As for what they would say... he should know when he returns.
While Ye Feng was looking at the night sky with a heavy heart, a cold snort suddenly came from below.
Huh?
Ye Feng looked down and found that the dog named Bone was giving him a sideways glance with a disdainful expression. When it noticed Ye Feng's attention, it pointed its nose towards the small courtyard in the distance and rolled its eyes:
"Are you done pretending? Everyone's gone far away, stop pretending, let's go..."
Bone managed to make a mocking face with its simple canine features.
Damn!
A quick look at will leave you more fulfilled.
Ye Feng felt like he had taken a massive hit.
After being humiliated by a plate, was he now being looked down upon by a dog?
Stop right there, don't go!
What kind of look is that?
Damn, you dare to laugh at me?
...
"What? You say that Ye Feng already possesses the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture?"
Moments later, in a secret chamber of the Tianyun Sect, Sect Master Li Shouzhuo was equally shocked upon hearing the news from Meng Cangxing.
"Senior Brother!" Meng Cangxing felt embarrassed even relaying Ye Feng's words: "He even dared to speak of such an absurd thing as the Ancestor's Manifestation..."
"That's the strangest part."
Li Shouzhuo furrowed his brows tightly, pondering, "If he had designs on our sect's ultimate skill, why would he be so careless as to expose it in front of you? It doesn't make sense. Moreover, no one knows the secret of the star map once carved on the Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Wall. How could he possibly know..."
"Senior Brother, do you mean... there really was an Ancestor's Manifestation?"
"We can't jump to conclusions now," Li Shouzhuo said slowly. "Ye Feng, this young man, already showed his extraordinary nature when he triggered the restriction in the Tianyun Qi-Testing Tablet. Besides, as you observed, Ye Feng has already reached the minor success stage of 'Profound Qi Star Condensation' at such a young age. It's too incredible. I can't think of any other possibility besides the Ancestor personally passing down skills... However, we do have a way to verify this."
"What method?"
After Li Shouzhuo whispered a few instructions into Meng Cangxing's ear, the latter nodded heavily:
"Alright, we'll do as you say, Senior Brother. We'll observe for a few days while you prepare."
"Cangxing, given the situation, you must ensure that no news of Ye Feng's cultivation at Cloud-Falling Peak leaks out, especially to Angry Cloud Peak. Han Buyi must not catch wind of this."
"Got it, Senior Brother. Don't worry, with me here, not a single hair of Ye Feng will leave Cloud-Falling Peak!"
"Ahem... Cangxing, you're over a hundred years old, remember to speak with decorum..."
...
While Meng Cangxing and Li Shouzhuo were discussing through the night, Ye Feng had already returned to the small courtyard.
Bone naturally followed Ye Feng back, but for some reason, the dog exuded an air of superiority. After entering the courtyard, it didn't speak to Ye Feng and simply lay down at the entrance, wearing a disdainful expression that seemed to say, "Don't talk to me, lowly creature."
Ye Feng was at a loss.
Why was everyone he encountered today such a weirdo?
The aloof and electric Golden Plate; the scruffy old Taoist who disappeared without finishing his sentences; and this dog, always rolling its eyes and acting superior.
Was he the only normal person on Cloud-Falling Peak?
While Ye Feng pondered this in exasperation, Meng Cangxing's hearty laughter echoed:
"Hahaha, Ye Feng, you lucky dog! Even the Ancestor's Manifestation happened to you. Come, come, let's not say anything more. Bone, bring out my treasured Seven-Day Drunk, let's have a drink first, hahaha."
He passed the test!
Ye Feng didn't care what Meng Cangxing said. At least the latter didn't take immediate action against him and even showed a friendly attitude, indicating that he was temporarily safe.
What he didn't expect was that the first thing the seemingly carefree Grand Martial Uncle said after sitting down was:
"Ye Feng... do you know that the technique you comprehended is our sect's Nine Heavens Spirit Cloud Scripture?"
"So direct!!"
Ye Feng was startled, then quickly got into character.
Next... it was time to showcase his acting skills!