Without realizing it, Ye Tian had already finished mentally practicing the final form of the Flowing Cloud Step. As soon as the sun rose, he would be ready to formally begin his cultivation. He was confident it wouldn't take more than a few days to master this final form and reach the Perfect Realm.
At this moment, the moon quietly hid behind the clouds, plunging the surroundings into darkness. Only the irritating chirping of insects and the whistling of the mountain wind filled the air.
Now that he had broken through to the Fifth Layer, Ye Tian prepared to cultivate the technique the Divine Dragon had taught him for concealing his power. 'If anyone finds out I've had so many breakthroughs in such a short time,' he thought, 'it's going to cause a lot of trouble.'
Recalling the cultivation principles of the Vajra Divine Dragon Body, he gradually entered a state of meditation once more.
This technique for hiding his strength was essentially about controlling the flow of Dragon Spiritual Power within his body and managing his aura. It sounded simple, but it was anything but.
It was nearly noon when Ye Tian opened his eyes again, a hint of disappointment on his face. By now, he felt as if he had only just reached the threshold of this Cultivation Technique.
'I can't believe the Cultivation Technique the Divine Dragon called the simplest is this difficult. Doesn't that mean the powerful Body Technique and Sword Technique will be even harder?'
At that moment, Ye Tian didn't realize how fortunate he was. To have grasped the basics in just half a day was an incredible feat; it would have been utterly impossible for anyone else.
Not even the scions of the Royal Family from the Celestial Dragon Academy that Ye Feifei had mentioned could necessarily comprehend things as quickly as he could!
Ye Tian understood the principle of "more haste, less speed." He now decided to first cultivate the Flowing Cloud Step to Perfection, then work on the power-concealing Cultivation Technique, and finally, focus on the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.
Although there wasn't much time, he was confident he could do it. His success with the first two forms of the Flowing Cloud Step had given him a great deal of motivation, not to mention he had now broken through to the Fifth Layer.
He was feeling a bit hungry, but Ye Tian decided to wait until evening to return to the estate. The next day, he would bring some rations with him. That way, he would have more time for his cultivation without being disturbed.
The mental rehearsals were perfect, but the actual execution was strenuous. It required precise control over the input and circulation of Dragon Spiritual Power in his body.
It wasn't until the afternoon, as the sun was about to set, that Ye Tian managed to perform the Third Form of the Flowing Cloud Step in its entirety. However, his execution was slow, and many parts were not yet fluid, making his movements seem a bit clumsy.
Covered in sweat, Ye Tian stopped practicing. These past two days on the mountain had been truly exhausting. He needed a good night's sleep to recover his energy so he could refine his Martial Skill the next day.
Afterward, Ye Tian returned to the estate. In truth, while Ye Tian had been cultivating on the mountain, Ye Feifei had come to see him. But seeing how desperately he was training, she didn't disturb him, merely standing there quietly for a while before leaving.
After returning to his quarters, Ye Tian quickly washed himself. He still had a good amount of wolf blood on him from the fight with the Gale Wolf, and combined with all the sweat, he stank.
After washing up, Ye Tian collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep. He didn't wake up until dawn the next day. It was the first time he had ever woken up so late, and for a moment, he found the reality hard to accept.
Ye Tian then left his room, planning to go to the market to buy some rations. To leave the estate, he had to pass through the Martial Arts Training Ground. At this hour, many of the family's disciples were already there, all desperately cultivating and doing their morning exercises in preparation for next month's tournament.
"Isn't that Ye Tian? Haven't seen him for a few days, how'd he show up again? I thought Ye Feng beat him so badly he couldn't get out of bed!" one of the disciples training in the morning said loudly upon seeing Ye Tian.
Ye Tian had no desire to become the center of attention right now. He still couldn't hide his strength, and anyone with a higher Power Level could easily see his current Power Realm. He needed to keep it concealed.
Thus, he turned a deaf ear to the person who spoke and quickly left the Martial Arts Training Ground. This puzzled many of the disciples, who couldn't understand why he was in such a hurry to leave the estate.
"Should we follow him and see what he's up to?" one of the disciples suggested.
"Spy on a piece of trash? I say we forget it! We don't need to waste our time on him. The family tournament is just around the corner; it's more important to work hard and become an Inner Sect Disciple," another disciple said.
Gradually, quiet returned to the Martial Arts Training Ground. Of course, this "quiet" just meant that everyone had resumed their morning cultivation.
After leaving the estate, Ye Tian headed to the market. He remembered there was still a very important matter he hadn't taken care of there: drawing the sloppy old man's Black Glaze Sword.
However, he had no intention of trying to draw the sword today. It wasn't that he lacked confidence in himself; rather, he planned to master the Flowing Cloud Step and Flowing Cloud Sword Technique before coming back for it. As long as he drew the Black Glaze Sword before the family tournament, it would be fine.
After buying some rations at the market, Ye Tian hurried back toward the rear mountain. The food he bought this time was enough to last him seven days. He believed that in these seven days, he could definitely bring the Flowing Cloud Step to complete Perfection and even learn to hide his Power Level.
And so, Ye Tian cultivated relentlessly on the rear mountain. When he was hungry, he ate his rations. When he was thirsty, he went to the deep pool to drink some of its water.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. Ye Tian had successfully practiced the Flowing Cloud Step to the Perfect Realm. From his first day of cultivation to achieving Perfection, it had only taken him ten days.
Although the Flowing Cloud Step was a Low Tier Body Technique Martial Skill, being able to cultivate it to the Perfect Realm in such a short time would surely astonish many people if word got out.
In those seven days, Ye Tian also succeeded in hiding his Power Level, making it appear as if he were at the Fourth Layer. Only he knew the hardship involved; forcing the Dragon Spiritual Power from his bloodline into his Dantian had nearly caused it to burst.
Ye Feifei, however, had not come to see Ye Tian during these past few days. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she had gone out with the Patriarch on business. It was said they had gone to congratulate a certain Sect Leader on his birthday.
After finishing his rations, Ye Tian went down the mountain once more. This time, he returned to the estate during the morning, with some time to spare before lunch. On the Martial Arts Training Ground, there were still many disciples cultivating.
"The trash is back. He really treats this place like his own home, coming and going as he pleases!" a family disciple couldn't help but say.
Ye Tian's hearing had always been exceptional, so he naturally heard this remark crystal clear. The speaker was a One Vein Fourth Layer disciple who occasionally followed Ye Feng around, flattering him—basically, one of Ye Feng's lackeys.
Ye Tian had engraved Ye Feng's insults into his heart. Now that Ye Feng wasn't around, taking his anger out on this lackey would be a pleasant diversion. It would also be a good way to shut up some of the others who looked down on him.
Ye Tian walked over to the disciple and deliberately stopped in front of him. He turned, looked the other boy up and down, and said, "Even if I'm trash, it's better than being someone's lackey! We're both at the Fourth Layer, so what gives you the right to judge others?"
"Kid, are you talking to me? You dare to speak to me like that? I'm not hearing things, am I?" the disciple said, staring at Ye Tian with a look of utter astonishment.
"You heard me right," Ye Tian said, a slight smile playing on his lips. "And let me tell you something else: I want to beat you up!"