Chapter 84: Pupil Technique
"Zhao… Young Master, please allow to report your arrival first…"
The three were just discussing the Heaven's Path Alliance when Chunxiang’s voice suddenly ca from outside.
Then ca Zhao Xiyan’s voice, "No need, I’ll go in myself."
As she spoke, she had already entered the door. She glanced inside and smiled, "So Brother Chen has guests, pardon my intrusion."
She was still dressed in n’s attire, twirling a folding fan in her hand, appearing suave and elegant.
Only the heavy scent of costics on her betrayed her; anyone with a discerning eye could tell she was a woman.
Zhao Xiyan cupped her hands in greeting and spoke with natural grace, "You two must be Brother Chen’s friends. Zhao offers her respects."
Zhou Weihao was startled when he saw her and instinctively looked at Chen Ming.
He recognized her at a glance as the daughter of Governor Zhao.
They had t once during the Martial Gathering.
Their relationship was actually this close?
Moreover, she used such an intimate term—“Brother Chen”.
Although customs in Great Jin were relatively open, especially among martial artists where male-female interactions weren’t so restricted,
Zhao Xiyan was the daughter of the Governor, while Chen Ming, despite his extraordinary talent, ca from an ordinary background with no prominent sect.
Their statuses were worlds apart.
Deng Ziyang, who stood nearby, hadn’t seen Zhao Xiyan before and naturally didn’t recognize her.
He simply thought she was one of Chen Ming’s female confidantes and didn’t look further. He smiled, "Since Brother Chen has a guest, I won’t intrude. Farewell."
With that, he really just left.
As he walked away, he was still wondering to himself how Qingfeng City could have such an outstanding beauty—just which family was she from?
Zhou Weihao was equally tactful. He too bid farewell, but before leaving, couldn’t help glancing back.
He saw Zhao Xiyan’s beautiful eyes locked firmly on Chen Ming, never once straying.
He furrowed his brow slightly, and soon the two were out of sight. He quickened his pace and left.
……
In the courtyard, Chen Ming washed the tea set again.
This set was new and not cheap—porcelain as thin as eggshells, nearly translucent, of superior quality.
The tea leaves were also a gifted delicacy, highly valuable.
Erald green tea flowed into the cups, forming a picturesque contrast.
Zhao Xiyan picked up a cup, took a sip, and then drank it all in one go. She asked with a smile, "I didn’t interrupt, did I?"
Chen Ming smiled, "Not at all. We were done talking."
If he were to rank the guests to his house one day, this Young Miss Zhao would certainly be at the top.
After all, she had once helped him greatly—he owed her a big favor.
"Just now I heard you talking about the Heaven's Path Alliance?"
"Yes. It’s said that those monsters from the Cult of Eternal Life have resurfaced."
Upon hearing the words “Cult of Eternal Life,” Zhao Xiyan’s smile faded, and she said, "That man nad Zhou is surprisingly well-inford."
She pursed her lips slightly, showing a hint of displeasure.
Chen Ming smiled, "Did you co to tell this as well?"
"That’s part of it. There’s sothing else too." Zhao Xiyan said as she looked him up and down, her eyes flashing with a trace of surprise. "If I’m not mistaken, you’re not far from mastering your Qi and Blood."
Chen Ming was startled.
She could actually see through his true cultivation?
Logically speaking, even experienced martial artists could only roughly judge soone’s level.
After all, Qi and Blood were hidden within the body, and without using full strength, it wouldn’t show at all.
Normally, only during actual combat could one truly assess another’s cultivation level.
Seeing his surprised and doubtful expression, Zhao Xiyan blinked playfully and smiled, "You’re so shocked. Don’t you know that in this world, there are those who specialize in Eye Techniques?"
Eye Techniques?
Chen Ming truly was hearing this for the first ti.
He said honestly, "It seems I was ignorant."
That admission was tantamount to confirming her earlier remark.
Zhao Xiyan’s heart thumped violently.
In truth, her mastery of Eye Techniques was still lacking; she could only see a rough estimate.
Every few days when she visited Chen Ming, she could sense that his Qi and Blood had grown significantly stronger than the last ti. His progress was so astonishing, it was nearly unheard of.
She had even suspected her own eyes were faulty.
That earlier comnt had also been partly a test.
She hadn’t expected—it was actually true!
If he rembered correctly, it had only been a little over three months since he broke through to Seventh Grade, right?
Such a rate of progress was truly astonishing.
Zhao Xiyan was deeply shaken inside but kept a calm expression as she said, "Ever since that incident thirty years ago, Qingfeng City has indeed declined. So-called Eye Techniques are not all that rare. They just require a certain talent and daily eye-washing with spiritual liquid from a young age."
"For descendants of major families, eyesight is extrely important. So most of them practice Eye Techniques to varying degrees. Those with shallow training can only see a person’s approximate level. Those with deeper mastery can see through many disguises."
Chen Ming nodded repeatedly as he listened.
Talking with such people really broadened his horizons.
Suddenly, he recalled Fu Zhengyang in the Six Doors Authority Prison and asked, "Then there must be secret techniques in the world that can disguise one’s cultivation level, right?"
"Of course there are. But such secret techniques are only effective when used alongside specific martial arts. The martial art you cultivate is extrely yang and forceful. I'm afraid such techniques wouldn’t work for you."
She could even tell the nature of my cultivation?
Chen Ming beca increasingly aware that this Young Miss Zhao was far from ordinary.
Zhao Xiyan said, "At your current rate, you’ll likely achieve mastery in Qi and Blood soon. To my knowledge, there are two martial arts suitable for you."
Chen Ming originally wanted to decline, but after hearing her words, he suddenly changed his mind and said, "I’d like to hear them, Miss."
Zhao Xiyan began explaining, "One is in the Six Doors Authority, called 《Primordial Heaven Technique》. It is a supre divine art aid beyond First Grade. Only mbers of the Six Doors Authority may learn it. Even just its Sixth Grade version requires imnse rit."
He shook his head after hearing it. He wasn’t considering joining the Six Doors Authority for now. "What about the other one?"
Zhao Xiyan said, "The other is the Four Seas Trading Company’s 《Nine Dragons Fire Divine Art》, a divine art said to be capable of reaching First Grade. However, it’s rumored that the first part is missing, and no one has been able to complete it. Perhaps it suits you. I can ask the Four Seas Trading Company for a favor."
《Nine Dragons Fire Divine Art》?
And the first part was missing?
Could it really be such a coincidence?
Chen Ming had a strong instinct that this so-called 《Nine Dragons Fire Divine Art》 might very well be the third part of the 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》.
Asking casually had really yielded a key piece of information.
He shook his head, "There’s no rush for this. I still need so ti to fully master Qi and Blood. Let’s discuss this when the ti cos."
Better not startle the snake in the grass just yet.
Zhao Xiyan nodded, "Mm, I’ll follow your lead."
……
The next day, Xiao Zhuyun ca visiting with Huo Qianqian.
Interestingly, over the past month or so, Xiao Zhuyun had been dropping by now and then to spar with him, yet never once ran into Zhao Xiyan.
They always just missed each other.
One had to admit, the two of them really had tacit understanding.
"Brother Chen, Junior Sister and I have co to say farewell. We leave tomorrow. Thank you for all your care during this ti."
Leaving, huh?
Chen Ming felt a bit disappointed.
With her gone, he’d lose a regular training partner.
He asked with concern, "I heard the attackers this ti were from the Cult of Eternal Life. Isn’t it a bit risky to leave now?"
Xiao Zhuyun smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Chen. Yesterday, seniors from our sect arrived and will escort us back."
"That’s good. I wish you and Junior Sister a safe journey."
"If you ever visit our sect in the future, be sure to let know, so I can properly host you."
"Absolutely."
Chen Ming saw them off at the main gate.
……
Inside the carriage, Xiao Zhuyun took out a finely crafted dagger from her bosom and played with it in her hand, a trace of lancholy in her expression.
Huo Qianqian, sitting across from her, suddenly asked, "Senior Sister, were you planning to give that to Brother Chen just now? Why didn’t you in the end?"
Xiao Zhuyun looked down at the dagger in her hand and softly said, "That man—I’ve never been able to see through him. Everyone says he’s obsessed with martial arts, but judging from his behavior and words, he’s worldly and smooth, knowing just the right distance to keep with others. Soone like that isn’t soone I can control."
There was one thing she didn’t say aloud.
Especially since he also had Zhao Xiyan by his side.
So, forget it.
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