Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside Room C-7, Fang Han sat cross-legged. The aura around him was faint, almost imperceptible, as if he had merged with the room’s table, chairs, and the dust on the floor.

His mind was focused as he channeled the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique with all his effort.

After days of arduous cultivation, boosted by his terrifying thirty-two-fold Secret Technique Talent, his understanding of this Breath Concealment Secret Technique deepened daily.

His Inner Qi flowed through the complex and subtle meridians with increasing smoothness and ease. His ability to conceal and control his own aura, life force, and even body temperature had reached a whole new level.

Suddenly, the already extremely faint fluctuations of his aura, like a candle flame brushed by a gentle breeze, abruptly subsided and retracted completely.

A realm of "emptiness" spread out.

At this moment, if he weren’t visible to the naked eye, relying on Spiritual Sense alone, he was virtually indistinguishable from a simple stone or a piece of deadwood.

’The Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique... I’ve reached Minor Achievement.’

Fang Han slowly opened his eyes. A trace of green light flashed in their depths before vanishing as he carefully savored his current state.

Compared to the Entry Level, the Breath Concealment Effect of the Minor Achievement Realm was a quantum leap.

With a thought, he tried to use his Mastery-level Spirit Nose Technique to detect his own scent.

His sense of smell was pushed to its absolute limit, picking up the scents of wood, dust, and the various objects in the room.

However, his own scent, as if completely erased by an invisible hand, had vanished without a single trace!

’As expected. Now that the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique has reached Minor Achievement, even the Mastery Level Spirit Nose Technique can no longer detect any trace of my scent when I conceal my aura.’

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.

The Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique was a Middle Grade Secret Technique. In theory, reaching Minor Achievement with it was comparable to a Perfection Lower Grade Breath Concealment Secret Technique.

Tracking Secret Techniques were difficult to cultivate and could easily harm the user. Very few people would risk learning them, and even fewer possessed extremely high talent for them.

Therefore, those who could cultivate a Tracking Secret Technique to a very high realm were as rare as a phoenix’s feather.

With the effect of the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique at Minor Achievement, he was highly confident he could make the vast majority of trackers return empty-handed after he made his move.

However, "highly confident" wasn’t foolproof.

Chu Feng’s power was vast and deeply entrenched; he could certainly hire an expert in this field. Fang Han didn’t want "high confidence," he wanted "absolutely untraceable."

’It’s not enough!’

Suppressing these stray thoughts, Fang Han closed his eyes once more and threw himself back into the cultivation of the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique.

His goal: the Mastery Realm!

Time flew, and another ten-odd days passed.

As Fang Han repeatedly tempered the profound principles of the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique until the circulation of his Inner Qi reached a state of sublime perfection, a feeling that success was a natural outcome welled up within him.

BUZZ...

An almost inaudible hum resonated from deep within his body.

His aura didn’t vanish completely but instead seemed to melt into his surroundings, achieving a wondrous harmony with the flowing air and settling dust.

If Minor Achievement was "emptiness" and "nothingness," then this moment was "transformation" and "fusion."

The Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique, Mastery!

Fang Han rose to his feet, pushed open the door, and strolled into the Sub-Branch courtyard.

It was afternoon, and the courtyard was bustling with disciples coming and going along the bluestone paths.

As the top disciple of the Sub-Branch and a prominent figure ranked eighty-seventh on the general list, Fang Han usually attracted numerous gazes of awe, curiosity, or other complex emotions wherever he went.

But today, the situation was completely different.

He activated the Mastery Level Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique and walked unhurriedly along the path.

A strange thing happened. Most of the disciples who brushed past him didn’t even give him a second glance, their eyes fixed forward.

Even if their gazes did sweep over him, it was as if they were seeing just an ordinary disciple, and they subconsciously ignored him without paying any extra attention.

He walked the entire way like an invisible man, without attracting any noticeable attention.

’The Breath Concealment Effect of the Mastery Level is truly profound. It not only conceals aura and scent but can also, to a certain extent, reduce my presence and affect the perception of others.’

The last trace of worry in Fang Han’s heart completely dissipated.

With a Breath Concealment Technique of this caliber, he was confident that there was absolutely no chance of being followed, even by a Martial Artist who had achieved Mastery in a Tracking Technique.

His Breath Concealment Technique was complete. It was time to act.

However, as the saying goes: know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.

If he wanted to strike at the forces under Chu Feng, the first order of business was to get a clear picture of their specific situations.

Fang Han already had a plan for this.

He didn’t return to his residence. Instead, he went straight down the mountain, left the sect gates, and entered the bustling Qingxuan City.

He bought a plain set of gray cloth clothes and found a secluded corner in the city to change into them.

He then bought a wide-brimmed conical hat made of black cloth. He put it on, and the attached black veil completely concealed his face.

Now, he looked no different from an ordinary wandering Martial Artist in the city, without a trace of the air of an elite Qingxuan Sect disciple.

Once his disguise was ready, Fang Han walked with a steady gait through several bustling streets, finally stopping before a rather old and unremarkable three-story pavilion.

Above the entrance hung a faded plaque inscribed with two words: "Rain Pavilion."

This place was one of the properties established in Qingxuan City by Tingyu Building, one of the Seven Sects.

According to his inquiries, one of Tingyu Building’s main businesses was selling intelligence.

The breadth of its intelligence network and the accuracy of its information were said to be unparalleled within Qingyang County.

Rumor had it that Tingyu Building had once offended a colossal power because of its intelligence business, forcing it to relocate to Qingyang County to seek refuge.

Fang Han lowered the brim of his hat and stepped into the pavilion.

The interior was simply furnished and rather dim.

A middle-aged man in gray robes with an ordinary face greeted him.

His gaze lingered on Fang Han’s hat for only a moment before returning to normal. In a flat, emotionless tone, he asked,

"What do you require?"

"I’m here to buy intelligence."

Fang Han deliberately deepened his voice, keeping his words concise.

The middle-aged man nodded slightly and gestured to the side. "This way, please."

One walking behind the other, they passed through a corridor and entered a quiet private room.

The private room contained only a table and chairs. Its furnishings were simple, but the soundproofing was excellent, completely blocking out the noise from outside.

"What kind of intelligence do you need?"

The middle-aged man closed the door and got straight to the point.

"Information on the Qingxuan Sect True Disciple, Chu Feng. Specifically, the subordinate powers and businesses under his name or closely related to him. The more detailed, the better."

Fang Han didn’t beat around the bush either.

"Intelligence of this nature, involving a True Disciple on the Celestial Pride List, is not cheap. It will cost ten thousand silver."

Upon hearing the request, an imperceptible flicker of surprise flashed in the middle-aged man’s eyes before vanishing just as quickly. He had pondered for a moment, then quoted the price.

Although Fang Han had expected it to be expensive, his heart still skipped a beat when he heard the number. A single piece of intelligence actually cost ten thousand silver.

He took a silent, deep breath.

If he hadn’t held some money back instead of using it all for top-ups, he probably wouldn’t have even had enough to pay for this intelligence.

Knowing that haggling was against the rules here, he took out ten silver notes, each worth a thousand, from his robes and placed them neatly on the table.

"A decisive customer. Please wait a moment."

The middle-aged man verified the authenticity of the silver notes, a professional smile appearing on his face.

With that, he collected the silver notes and left.

Fang Han sat quietly in the room, waiting patiently.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the door opened again. The middle-aged man returned, now holding a thin booklet bound with ordinary paper.

"Everything you require is in here. According to the rules of Tingyu Building, once the goods are paid for and delivered, the transaction is final. We offer no credit, nor do we ask questions."

"Once the intelligence is provided, whether it brings you fortune or disaster has nothing to do with Tingyu Building."

The middle-aged man handed over the booklet, his tone still flat but carrying an air that permitted no argument.

"Understood. Farewell."

Fang Han took the booklet. It felt slightly heavy in his hand.

After a quick glance confirmed it was indeed intelligence related to Chu Feng, he tucked it into his robes and offered a clasped-hand salute.

He rose, left the Rain Pavilion, and his figure soon melted into the bustling crowds of Qingxuan City, vanishing from sight.

After leaving Qingxuan City and traveling some distance along the main road, Fang Han suddenly veered off, disappearing into a dense forest by the roadside.

He found a secluded, rarely-trodden spot shielded by thick foliage and sat down, his back against an ancient tree so large it would take several people to encircle.

He took out the booklet he had bought from the Rain Pavilion and began to read it carefully by the sparse light filtering through the trees.

The booklet wasn’t thick, but its contents were quite detailed, listing a total of thirteen subordinate forces and businesses under Chu Feng’s name or closely affiliated with him.

Among them, four forces were explicitly stated to be overseen by Sixth Grade Martial Artists. These were far beyond his current ability to handle, so he decisively discarded them as options.

Another five, while lacking Sixth Grade Martial Artists, were guarded by experts at the Late Stage of Seventh Grade or even its peak. They also had strong contingents of guards and tight security, posing considerable risk.

The remaining four were relatively weaker. Their leaders’ cultivation ranged from the Middle Stage to the Early Stage of Seventh Grade, and their territories were mostly located in smaller cities.

’The Huang Family of Baiyun City. Patriarch Huang Shiren, Early Stage of Seventh Grade cultivation, skilled in Fist Techniques. Main business is in medicinal herbs and furs. The family is located in the west district of Baiyun City...’

Fang Han’s gaze slowly swept over the names of these four relatively weak forces, finally settling on the one named the "Huang Family."

’Early Stage of Seventh Grade. Even if I’m exposed, I can easily subdue him. This is the one.’

Fang Han had made his decision.

For his first move, caution was paramount. The Huang Family was the weakest, making them a perfect target to test the waters.

With his mind made up, he took out a detailed map of Qingyang County from his robes.

His fingertip traced across it, quickly finding "Baiyun City," located about four hundred-odd li northeast of Qingxuan City.

A journey of over four hundred li. With his current Late-Stage Seventh Grade Cultivation, plus his Flowing Wind Shadowless Step at Minor Achievement, it would only take a few hours if he traveled at full speed.

After confirming the location, he delayed no further. He carefully put away the booklet and map, took a deep breath, and silently circulated the Inner Qi in his body before lightly tapping his toes on the ground.

WHOOSH—

His figure shot out from the forest like a faint, barely perceptible wisp of green smoke.

He didn’t return to the main road. Instead, he followed a direct path, using his Body Technique to cross mountains and ridges as he sped toward Baiyun City.

When he used the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, his speed far surpassed that of a fine steed.

Where his figure passed, only the faintest whisper of wind and a faint afterimage remained, quickly vanishing into the vast, wild mountains.

As the sun sank in the west, dyeing the evening clouds a magnificent brocade, Fang Han could already see the distant silhouette of a city on the horizon.

The city walls weren’t particularly high, but they were neat and orderly, forming a continuous line. This was Baiyun City.

He slowed down, straightened his slightly disheveled robes from the long journey, and followed the sparse stream of people, paying a small entry tax before calmly walking into the city.

It was nearly dusk, and the city streets were relatively quiet.

The Huang Family was quite well-known in the city. After a few brief inquiries, Fang Han had already found the location of the Huang Mansion.

Following the directions he’d received, he headed toward the Huang Mansion.