Shadows on the Path of Ascension

Chapter 43: Shadows on the Path of Ascension

 After his daring escape from the elders' hall, Han Feng spent the following days hiding in his quarters, analyzing every detail of the conversation he had overheard. The collision of the realms... What exactly did that mean? If his sect and the Sect of the Shadow River were involved, then this event must have unimaginable proportions. His heart was resolute: he needed to grow stronger and uncover the truth without exposing himself. The Perfection of the Celestial Veil Art Knowing that his concealment would be tested to the limit, Han Feng dedicated himself to perfecting his Celestial Veil Art. During the silent nights, he refined every aspect of the technique, dissolving his presence even to the most acute senses. At first, he could only hide his Qi aura, but over several attempts, he began to manipulate his physical presence, making it difficult for even high-level cultivators to perceive him. To test his progress, he began infiltrating the various courtyards of the sect, going unnoticed by the guards and even the elders. His mastery of the technique grew with each attempt. Discovery in the Forbidden Hall One night, Han Feng ventured near the Forbidden Hall, an ancient building where only elders and high-level disciples were permitted to enter. He hid among the shadows, feeling the pressure of the dense Qi that enveloped the area. The walls of the hall were marked with ancient seals, but one of them seemed to be damaged. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Feng activated his concealment technique and slipped through the cracks in the barrier. The air inside the hall was suffocating, laden with residual energy from countless rituals and research. In the center of the room, there was a black jade altar. Above it, an ancient scroll floated, pulsating with a faint golden glow. Han Feng approached cautiously, his gaze fixed on the object. The Celestial Diagram Scroll As he extended his hand, he felt an overwhelming power emanating from the scroll. When his fingers touched the surface, a torrent of information flooded his mind. Complex symbols and enigmatic patterns swirled in his consciousness. It was as if he were standing before a vast ocean of knowledge. Suddenly, an ancient voice echoed within his mind. — Those who contemplate the Celestial Diagram must be prepared for the weight of destiny. Han Feng felt an intense pain in his head, as if something were trying to devour him. But instead of retreating, he gritted his teeth and forced his mind to absorb the information. His cultivation began to stir, resonating with the power of the scroll. His Dual Chaos Larva also reacted, emitting a faint glow in his dantian. What he didn't know was that his intrusion hadn't gone unnoticed. Deadly Pursuit The moment Han Feng absorbed part of the knowledge from the scroll, an alarm echoed through the Forbidden Hall. The barriers strengthened, and a powerful pressure descended upon him. — Who dares to profane the Forbidden Hall?! — A voice roared from outside. Han Feng knew he had no time to lose. He grabbed the scroll and activated all his speed, shooting towards the exit. However, before he could escape, a figure dressed in golden robes appeared before him. It was the Grand Elder of the Sect. — Do you really believe you can enter here and leave unscathed? — The old cultivator raised his hand, forming a seal that violently compressed the space around Han Feng. Han Feng felt the air being ripped from his lungs. Even at Rank 3, he knew he was no match for a specialist of this level. But he had no choice. Activating his Dance of Eternal Shadows, he created multiple illusions of himself, scattering them throughout the hall. The elder destroyed some with a single strike, but Han Feng had already found a gap and launched himself outside. The entire hall began to tremble as he shot outside. Sect cultivators were already waiting for him, surrounding him from all sides. But Han Feng had already anticipated this. With a swift movement, he activated his Celestial Veil Art to the fullest, completely erasing his presence. To the eyes of everyone there, he simply disappeared. The Great Elder roared in fury, releasing waves of Qi that devastated the surrounding terrain. — Find him! No one can escape the Sect of the Rising Shadows! — He shouted. Han Feng, already far from the commotion, hid in an isolated cave in the mountains. His body was covered in sweat, and his heart was still racing. But he did it. He had the scroll. And with it, perhaps he could unravel the secrets of the Celestial Diagram. Continues...