Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

’But this thing is just too incredible. It seems as if I can choose any Weapon Skill and instantly master it—and this is from an incomplete Black Celestial Book. Even with just this one ability, the Black Celestial Book is a divine treasure. No wonder Grandmasters would fight to the death for it.’

’Not to mention its other functions, like this Celestial Concealment Skill.’

He recalled several other images from that time, which likely symbolized different functions... Xie Yuan shook his head. It was hard to be certain.

Right now, he only had a rudimentary understanding of the Black Celestial Book. He feared that only Miss Yun knew its specific uses.

But regardless, its power, strangeness, and immense value were beyond doubt. It was a rare treasure that could absolutely stir up a storm of blood.

Xie Yuan had only just come into contact with it, yet he had already comprehended a perfected saber art, advancing his mastery of the saber and significantly boosting his combat strength.

And looking at the description for the Celestial Concealment Skill, which claimed it could "obscure heavenly secrets and seize fortune’s flow," its effects were even more powerful.

’Arts that can interfere with heavenly secrets and fortune are all top-tier Secret Techniques. One must be at least in the Grandmaster Realm and able to perceive the world’s energies to even begin to learn them. Yet, I’ve somehow grasped one... though it’s only at the entry level. To achieve that kind of effect, I’d need an extremely deep understanding. It’s 1,000 points just for the entry level. I wonder how long it will take to progress further?’

Xie Yuan looked at this Secret Technique and had a thought:

’Right now, I can only use it in the most basic way—to interfere with others’ perception for a slight concealing effect. The next stage might allow me to block perception entirely and hide myself. That’s a top-tier concealment method... Isn’t that Miss Yun’s technique?’

He mulled it over for a long time and decided to test it.

Just then, a servant girl knocked gently on the door. An idea struck Xie Yuan. "Come in," he said hoarsely, then silently activated the Celestial Concealment Skill.

A servant girl holding a tray pushed the door open gently and stepped inside.

After entering the room, she went around the screen and glanced at the bed, pausing for a moment. Then, her gaze shifted to other parts of the room, as if searching for something.

Xie Yuan was sitting up against the headboard, his eyes following the servant girl’s movements.

He had clearly made eye contact with her just a moment ago, yet she acted as if she hadn’t seen him and started looking for him instead.

’Interesting.’

The servant girl looked around the room but couldn’t find anyone. She was baffled. ’I’m sure I heard the guest tell me to come in, right?’

She hesitated, turning her head as she called out softly,

"Young Master? Young Master..."

"Ahem."

Xie Yuan coughed twice. The servant girl followed the sound with her eyes and let out a small cry of surprise.

"Oh, Young Master, you’re here... My apologies. I’ve brought your medicine."

The servant girl’s expression was a little strange.

’Didn’t I just look and not see anyone?’

’Are my eyes playing tricks on me?’

Xie Yuan nodded slightly, letting the servant girl apply the poultice and bandage his wound. He then drank the medicinal decoction and thanked the young maid.

The servant girl seemed rather flustered, likely having never met such a polite guest. Most people in this world wouldn’t thank a servant.

She bowed as she took her leave.

After the servant girl left the room, Xie Yuan’s keen hearing faintly caught her muttering:

"Strange... Are my eyes going bad?"

Having tested the Celestial Concealment Skill, Xie Yuan’s eyes lit up.

This Cultivation Technique was simply incredible!

Although it only worked on ordinary people who hadn’t cultivated, the fact that they couldn’t see him standing right in front of them was already quite amazing.

Moreover, he was only at the entry level. In the future, he should be able to deceive Martial Artists. The effect of making oneself hard to track in battle was thrilling enough—just like Miss Yun, who could seize the initiative even when facing opponents of a higher realm.

Not to mention, based on the technique’s effects and description, its potential uses were endless.

[Celestial Concealment Skill · Entry Level: (3/1000)]

’I tested it once and gained two points. Hmm, I should practice this technique more. It will definitely be very useful in the future.’

After taking the medicine, Xie Yuan felt a cool, refreshing sensation on his neck, while a warmth spread through his body, coiling around the blood vessels there. He soon felt drowsy.

The day had been full of twists and turns, with several perilous moments. Now that he was finally safe, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

The next day, with the sun high in the sky, Xie Yuan slowly opened his eyes and subconsciously touched his neck.

’It’s already mostly healed... Huh? It doesn’t hurt much to speak anymore. Truly worthy of being called the best divine doctor in Yunzhou. In a few more days, it should be almost completely recovered. He was just being conservative with his prognosis.’

With his injuries improving, Xie Yuan was in a good mood. Although he still couldn’t engage in any strenuous activity, normal movements were no longer a problem.

Fresh water and a set of clean clothes had been laid out in the room. He washed up and changed into an indigo robe of fine material, which fit him perfectly.

The Situ Qin household certainly wouldn’t keep guest clothes in all sizes on hand. They must have sent someone to buy these overnight or early in the morning, and they had gotten the measurements exactly right.

He figured such trivial matters wouldn’t even require a direct order from Situ Qin. He could only sigh in admiration. ’The life of a great family...’

He pushed the door open. The servant girl waiting outside saw that he was awake and bowed.

"Good morning, Young Master Xie. Miss Qin has already prepared breakfast in the tea room and was just waiting for you to wake."

"Miss Qin is very thoughtful. Please lead the way."

Xie Yuan followed the servant girl through three winding corridors and past two gardens. After a long walk, they finally arrived at a waterside pavilion by a pond.

TWANG—

Before he even got close, Xie Yuan heard the melodious sound of a zither drifting from the pavilion.

Like ripples spreading across a calm lake, the music filled the entire pond-side area. It was like a Spiritual Spring bubbling forth, like heavenly dew descending—flowing ceaselessly, nourishing Xie Yuan’s body and soul and washing away all his fatigue.

Xie Yuan stood quietly at the steps of the pavilion until the music ended. He felt completely revitalized, more refreshed than if he had slept through the entire night.

He walked into the pavilion and saw a peerlessly beautiful young woman sitting gracefully by the waterside railing. With the water behind her and the zither before her, her long skirt pooled on the floor, her expression serene.