I have a composite mirror

Chapter 71 Hidden

As I stepped out of Tingtao Pavilion, the autumn wind rushed towards me.

Han Sushuang walked the fastest, her light blue skirt fluttering in the wind.

She left without even saying goodbye, and the maid waiting at the door hurriedly ran after her.

Jia Shouren watched her retreating figure, shook his head, and smiled bitterly:

"This junior sister Han certainly has quite the airs."

He turned his head:

"Senior Brother Gu, you did very well in today's assessment!"

"I can't think of a way to complete the broken talisman."

"Start anew and correct the original deviation..."

"This insight is truly admirable."

Gu Shenyan smiled:

"Brother Jia, you flatter me. It was just a fluke."

"If that incomplete talisman were a wealth-gathering talisman, I'm afraid I'd be completely stumped."

Upon hearing this, Jia Shouren's face showed a hint of embarrassment:

"Brother Gu is joking. My wealth-gathering talisman is a complete mess. Sixty-six points is only because the teacher is being too kind."

"I will need your guidance in the future."

The two smiled at each other.

Interestingly, both of them addressed each other as "senior brother," which perfectly demonstrated their understanding of human relationships.

Jia Shouren addressed Gu Shenyan in this way in an attempt to get closer to him;

Gu Shenyan's response was an attempt to avoid appearing too distant.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two went their separate ways.

Jia Shouren headed east of the city, where the Jia family shop was located.

Gu Shenyan headed west of the city, where the Crane Martial Arts School was located.

On the other side, Han Sushuang and her maid had already left the archway.

A carriage was parked at the entrance. The carriage was painted ebony and had copper nails inlaid in the corners, showing excellent workmanship.

A guard, about forty years old, with broad shoulders and a burly build, sat in front of the carriage; he was clearly a trained martial artist.

Upon seeing Han Sushuang emerge, the guard quickly jumped out of the carriage and lifted the curtain:

"Miss, how did the assessment go?"

"good."

The guard thought for a moment, then asked:

"Where is that young master Gu? I heard he was introduced by Princess Bai?"

"Um."

Han Sushuang's tone was indifferent, clearly indicating that she did not want to talk more.

The guard wisely shut his mouth, climbed onto the carriage shaft, and slowly started the carriage moving.

The girl leaned against the soft cushion in the car and closed her eyes to rest, but Gu Shenyan's face kept appearing in her mind.

She recalled the expression on the other person's face after they finished drawing the incomplete talisman.

Calm and confident, despite coming from a poor family and using a miscellaneous technique like the Four Elements Breathing Method, whose foundation is far inferior to mine...

But he showed no sign of feeling ashamed or inferior.

That composure was rather unexpected.

"That idea of ​​completing the incomplete talisman... does have some merit."

Pity.

He came from a poor background, had low cultivation level, and was using the Four Elements Breathing Method, a basic technique.

Even if someone has some cleverness, they won't amount to much.

She gently shook her head.

The carriage rumbled away and disappeared into the alleyway.

………………

When Gu Shenyan returned to the martial arts school, it was already close to dusk.

The setting sun hung obliquely on the eaves, turning the blue bricks and gray tiles into a warm orange hue.

He walked briskly through the corridor and headed straight for his sister's courtyard in the backyard.

I passed the apprenticeship assessment successfully today. Although it's just stepping into the door, it's a crucial step.

Such a joyous occasion should naturally be shared with my younger sister.

As he approached the courtyard gate, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Laughter could be faintly heard coming from the courtyard.

One was a soft, clear, and gentle voice, tinged with a hint of joy.

Another one... Gu Shenyan frowned slightly.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, yet it was as if it were veiled, making it difficult to hear clearly.

He subconsciously activated his spiritual sense, wanting to investigate the situation in the courtyard.

However, when the spiritual sense was released, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response whatsoever.

This made his heart skip a beat.

Since condensing his spiritual core, his spiritual sense has been able to perceive all movements within a small radius.

Even through the door and wall, one can clearly "see" what's inside.

But at this moment...

His spiritual sense seemed to be blocked by something, unable to penetrate even a fraction of it.

Gu Shenyan took a half step back, his hand involuntarily reaching for the talisman in his sleeve.

Who exactly is in the courtyard?

The one who can shield him from spiritual perception is no ordinary person.

"Who's inside?"

He asked in a deep voice, his tone already carrying a hint of wariness.

The talking in the courtyard stopped abruptly.

A moment later, a laughing voice came from inside the door:

"Shenyan, you're back?"

The voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain stream; it was Bai Cailing.

Gu Shenyan was stunned for a moment, and then his tense body gradually relaxed.

"Senior?"

He asked, somewhat puzzled, "What are you doing here?"

The door creaked open.

Bai Cailing stood at the door, dressed in a pale yellow dress that accentuated her flawless skin and radiant smile.

"What? Do I need to inform you beforehand just to see Weiwei?"

She looked at him with a half-smile:

"Look at you, all wary and suspicious. Do you think I'm some kind of villain?"

Gu Shenyan shook his head, withdrew his hand from his sleeve, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Please forgive me, senior. I couldn't probe the courtyard with my spiritual sense just now. I thought..."

"Of course you can't get in."

Bai Cailing interrupted him, a smug look on her lips:

"This is the core ability of my 'Hidden Mist'."

"Hidden Mist?"

Gu Shenyan recalled the life fire she had mentioned before.

"good."

Bai Cailing raised her hand, her fingertips twitching slightly.

In an instant, a faint mist rose around her, making her figure appear hazy, as if shrouded in a thin veil.

The mist was colorless and odorless, and could not be detected unless one looked closely.

But this faint layer of mist was enough to completely conceal her presence.

"The fog allows me to blend into my surroundings, and it works best in humid or aquatic environments."

She withdrew her spell, and the mist vanished without a trace.

"Ordinary alchemists of the same level would find it difficult to detect my presence unless they possess a life-fire of insight."

"You have only condensed the first life flame. Although your spiritual sense can be projected outward, it is far from being able to perceive things in detail. It is perfectly normal that you cannot detect me."

"But your reaction..." the girl chuckled softly, "Your alertness is quite good."

Gu Shenyan nodded in agreement, but secretly made a mental note of this incident.

He originally thought that having condensed a spiritual core, releasing his spiritual consciousness would be enough to handle most situations.

Looking back now, it seems I was the one who was narrow-minded and ignorant.

There are many other methods in this world that can block spiritual consciousness besides "Mist Concealment".

If someone is intent on harming you, they will approach silently...

He probably didn't even know what the other person looked like before he was beheaded. Wasn't that a wrongful death?

"It seems we need to find a way to make up for our shortcomings in perception."

He made a mental note of this.

"Alright, stop standing there at the door."

Bai Cailing stepped aside:

"Weiwei has been talking about you for a while now, come in quickly."