After Zhao Chen's visit, Li Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that time was slipping through his fingers. The Ninefold Ascension Technique had already brought him to the seventh level of Qi Refining, but he knew that his rapid progress had drawn unwanted attention. He needed a way to protect himself, to conceal his true strength until he was ready to reveal it.
As night fell, Li Xuan sat in meditation, focusing on the Eternal Codex within his mind. The Codex was a mysterious artifact, its origins shrouded in the mists of time. It was more than just a tool for cultivation; it was a guide, a protector, and perhaps even a guardian of secrets that went beyond mortal understanding.
"Codex," Li Xuan whispered, his voice barely audible in the quiet of his room. "I need a way to hide my cultivation. The sect is beginning to notice my progress, and I can't afford to reveal my strength yet."
The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the paper-thin windows. Outside, the sounds of the sect's night watchmen echoed through the corridors, their footsteps a reminder that even in the dead of night, he was not alone. Li Xuan's thoughts were heavy with the weight of the knowledge he now possessed. The Eternal Codex was a gift, but also a burden. It granted him power, but at what cost?
As if responding to his plea, the Codex stirred within his mind. Pages that had been previously blank began to fill with intricate symbols and ancient scripts. The language was old, older than anything Li Xuan had encountered in the sect's libraries. It spoke of times when the heavens and earth were one, and cultivators wielded powers that could reshape the world itself. Li Xuan's heart quickened as he sensed the Codex unveiling another technique—a technique that could cloak his cultivation level from prying eyes.
"Cloak of Shadows," the words echoed in his mind as the knowledge of the technique poured into him. The Cloak of Shadows was an ancient and forbidden technique, once used by assassins and spies in a long-forgotten era. It allowed its user to conceal their true cultivation level, projecting a false aura that could deceive even those at higher stages of cultivation.
Li Xuan marveled at the brilliance of the technique. It was subtle yet powerful, perfect for someone in his position. The technique required precise control over one's Qi, distributing it in such a way that it would appear as though the user was at a lower cultivation level than they actually were.
But as Li Xuan delved deeper into the technique's intricacies, he realized that it was not without its risks. The Cloak of Shadows demanded absolute precision. A single misstep could result in the collapse of his cultivation foundation, leaving him vulnerable to attack. Moreover, the technique was inherently deceitful, manipulating the natural flow of Qi in a way that went against the principles of most orthodox cultivation methods. It was no wonder it had been classified as forbidden.
Yet, the more Li Xuan learned about the technique, the more he felt its importance. In a sect where power was everything, where strength determined one's fate, hiding his true capabilities was not just a strategy—it was a necessity. The sect was a place of intrigue and ambition, where the strong preyed on the weak, and alliances were as fickle as the wind. Revealing his rapid advancement would only paint a target on his back.
Without hesitation, Li Xuan began practicing the technique. He sat cross-legged on the floor, his focus absolute as he guided his Qi through the pathways outlined by the Codex. The process was delicate, requiring him to mask his true strength without disrupting the natural flow of his energy. The Codex, ever watchful, provided guidance, ensuring that each step was executed with the utmost precision.
As he continued, a faint, almost imperceptible aura began to form around him. This aura was different from his own—it was weaker, more subdued. It was exactly what he needed. With the Cloak of Shadows, anyone who tried to sense his cultivation would believe him to be at a much lower level, just as he intended.
Hours passed, and by the time Li Xuan finally opened his eyes, he could feel the difference. The technique had worked. His true cultivation was hidden, shrouded in an illusion that would keep him safe from unwanted attention.
He tested the technique several times, ensuring that it was flawless. Each time, the aura projected by the Cloak of Shadows was consistent—weak, unassuming, and perfectly suited for someone of his supposed standing within the sect. But even as he perfected the technique, doubts lingered in his mind.
Why had the Codex revealed this technique to him now? What did it foresee in the path ahead? The Codex had a will of its own, and while it had never led him astray, Li Xuan couldn't help but feel that he was being guided toward something—something far greater than himself.
"Thank you, Codex," Li Xuan murmured, a hint of relief in his voice. This was exactly what he needed to buy himself time—to grow stronger in the shadows while the sect's gaze was elsewhere.
But even as he mastered the technique, Li Xuan knew that this was only the beginning. The Codex had revealed the Cloak of Shadows for a reason, and that reason was becoming increasingly clear. There were forces within the sect that sought to control him, to use him for their own ends. But with the Codex by his side, he would not be so easily manipulated.
As dawn approached, Li Xuan rose from his meditation, feeling more prepared than ever. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but with the Codex's guidance, he would navigate it with cunning and strength.
He walked to the small window of his room, gazing out at the sect's sprawling grounds. The morning mist clung to the earth, veiling the landscape in a shroud of mystery. Somewhere out there, Elders and other powerful figures were likely discussing their plans, oblivious to the storm that was brewing in the form of a single, determined disciple.
"No one will see my true strength until I'm ready," Li Xuan vowed quietly. "And when the time comes, they will all regret underestimating me."
His mind drifted back to the vision the Codex had shown him the night before—the vision of a dark future where the sect was in ruins, and he stood alone amidst the wreckage. The memory of it sent a shiver down his spine. Was it a warning, or a glimpse of what was to come? And if it was the latter, what role would he play in that future?
With the Cloak of Shadows protecting him, Li Xuan set out for the day, his heart steeled for the challenges that lay ahead. He knew that the path he had chosen was not an easy one. The sect was a place of hidden dangers, where enemies lurked in the shadows, and allies could turn traitor in the blink of an eye. But he was determined to rise above them, one step at a time.
As he left his quarters, the familiar weight of the Codex settled in his mind, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded. He had always been the underdog, the one everyone underestimated. But that was about to change. With the Codex's guidance, he would turn the tables on those who sought to control him.
"This is just the beginning," Li Xuan thought as he made his way through the sect's corridors. He could feel the eyes of other disciples on him, some filled with disdain, others with curiosity. They had no idea what he was capable of, and that was exactly how he wanted it.
The morning light broke through the clouds, casting long shadows across the sect's grounds. Li Xuan paused for a moment, taking in the scene. He knew that this moment of calm wouldn't last. The storm was coming, and when it did, he would be ready.
"Let them plot and scheme," Li Xuan thought, a fierce determination burning in his chest. "I'll be the one to emerge victorious."
With that thought, he continued on his way, his steps confident and his resolve unshakable. The Eternal Codex had chosen him, and with its power, he would carve out his own destiny—no matter who stood in his way.