Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Elder’s Astonishment

When they reached the counter, Yuanqing clasped his hands in farewell and departed, leaving Ye Wushuang standing there awkwardly with a scroll in hand, a wry smile on his face.

Beside him, the Guardian Elder saw Ye Wushuang emerge, stood up, and asked, "Have you chosen, kid?"

Ye Wushuang’s wry smile only grew. He didn’t know if this could be considered a good choice. According to Yuanqing, this Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp was nothing but a trap.

’Forget it. Who cares if it’s a trap? I’ve already come this far, I’m not just going to put it back,’ Ye Wushuang thought, shaking his head. Since there were no other Combat Skills inside that suited him, he might as well pick this Spirit-Level Combat Skill. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Elder, I’ve made my choice."

His mind made up, Ye Wushuang handed over the scrolls for *Floating Light and Shadow* and *Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp*.

The Guardian Elder took the two scrolls and first buried his head in *Floating Light and Shadow*. He seemed to understand the subtleties of this Body Technique, and he nodded with a smile, as if to say, ’The kid’s got a good eye.’

However, when he picked up the *Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp*, the smile vanished from his face. He jerked his head up, stared intently at Ye Wushuang, and asked in astonishment, "Kid, are you sure you want to choose this one?"

"I’ll choose this one," Ye Wushuang said with a nod.

"Kid, do you have any idea about the origins of this Combat Skill? Although it’s a Spirit-Level Combat Skill, it’s extremely difficult to practice. In fact, almost no one has ever managed to master it. Quickly, put it back. I’ll allow you to choose another one," the Guardian Elder advised.

"Elder, I think I’ll pass. There weren’t any other Combat Skills in there suitable for me to practice, so I’ll just stick with this one." Ye Wushuang gave a faint smile, politely declining the Guardian Elder’s kind offer.

"Hah! What an arrogant kid. You’re in for a world of hurt." Seeing that Ye Wushuang’s mind was made up, the Guardian Elder shook his head and dropped the matter. He recorded the two Combat Skills and then asked, "Do you want me to make an imprint for you to take, or will you comprehend it here?"

Ye Wushuang considered for a moment before saying, "I will comprehend it here."

"Very well, then I won’t make an imprint. Just bring them back after you’ve finished comprehending them," the Guardian Elder said, handing the two Combat Skills to Ye Wushuang.

Taking the Combat Skills, Ye Wushuang headed toward a Cultivation Chamber in the east corner.

The Cultivation Chamber was similar to his own immortal cave, but the Spiritual Qi here was even denser. Sitting cross-legged inside, Ye Wushuang immediately took out the two Combat Skill scrolls.

He first glanced at the *Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp*, then set it aside and picked up *Floating Light and Shadow*.

"*Floating Light and Shadow*: Use the mind to command qi, and qi to command the body. A flash of floating light, a hundred meters in an instant..."

Line after line of text appeared before Ye Wushuang’s eyes. At first, the writing was obscure and difficult to understand, but as he pondered it, he began to grasp the general meaning. To practice *Floating Light and Shadow*, one had to use Divine Sense to guide True Qi, and True Qi to guide one’s steps, moving at the speed of light and creating overlapping illusory phantoms.

Therefore, it was divided into two levels: ’Floating Light Flash’ and ’Illusory Shadows’.

Once he had thought it through, it was as if a great door had opened before him. He found comprehending and practicing the skill to be remarkably easy. Within the narrow confines of the Cultivation Chamber, he began to move, his steps like a gentle breeze stirring the air.

Seeing that it was effective, Ye Wushuang was overjoyed and began practicing it over and over. His speed grew faster and faster, like a streak of light flashing by, leaving a trail of overlapping phantoms in his wake.

He practiced until the next day, only stopping when he had reached the Minor Achievement stage of *Floating Light and Shadow*. To reach Great Success would require continuous, diligent practice and real-world application in the future.

Only then did Ye Wushuang pick up the *Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp* again. He opened it with a sense of curiosity and began to read. After he had finished looking through all the Spells, he let out a heavy breath, his expression turning grave.

At that moment, he finally understood why everyone said this Spirit-Level Combat Skill was so difficult to practice.

According to the records, the Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp was originally adapted from the ultimate technique of a Flood Dragon Emperor. It naturally possessed the domineering characteristics of the Dragon Race. Although it had been modified by a predecessor of the Ancient Spirit Sect, its fundamental nature hadn’t changed much. One of the prerequisites was the need for an incredibly powerful physique.

The scroll also mentioned that besides this requirement, there was another, even more important and mysterious requirement. As for what it was, the scroll offered no detailed explanation.

’It’s like a juicy piece of meat you can see but can’t eat!’

After studying it for a long time, Ye Wushuang’s heart burned with desire, but he had no idea where to begin. A mysterious requirement? If he didn’t know what it was, how could he possibly know how to practice it?

No wonder even Yuanqing could only shake his head and sigh over it.

’I have to at least try!’

Ye Wushuang knew it wouldn’t be simple, but since he had already chosen it, he felt he had to give it a try to be at peace with his decision.

Immediately, he followed the Seal Technique recorded on the scroll, forming a series of stiff hand gestures in the air. Instantly, he felt a tearing pain rip through his meridians, and the hand gestures quickly dissipated.

’I refuse to accept this!’

Seeing his failure, a stubborn streak flared up in Ye Wushuang. He channeled a sliver of Dragon Spirit True Qi and attempted the Sealing Technique again.

BUZZ!

Suddenly, the very air in the room vibrated slightly. As Ye Wushuang’s Divine Sense swept out to investigate, he discovered faint ripples forming in the void, from which a faint Dragon Power emanated.

Success!

’This... This is...!!’

’Could it be that the mysterious requirement is the need for Dragon Spirit True Qi?’

After his initial shock, Ye Wushuang was overcome with ecstasy. He had somehow stumbled into success! To verify if the Dragon Spirit True Qi was indeed the reason, he channeled even more of it. Instantly, more terrifying ripples spread through the air, and an even stronger, heart-oppressing Dragon Power quietly emerged.

’It really is!’

’The Flood Dragon Emperor had the blood of the Dragon Race, so the True Qi it cultivated must have been Dragon Spirit True Qi. I cultivate the exact same thing, which is why I’m able to practice this technique. That has to be the reason.’

Having figured out the secret of the Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp, Ye Wushuang decided to press his advantage and continued practicing without pause.

Time gradually passed. In the blink of an eye, five days had gone by.

BOOM!

In the air of the Cultivation Chamber, streams of dragon-shaped True Qi converged like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, rushing into the sky to form a single Dragon Seal. It looked like an indestructible Immortal Dragon Mountain, capable of suppressing everything.

Another success!

Ye Wushuang’s eyes snapped open. As he gazed at the terrifying Dragon Seal before him, a brilliant light erupted from his pupils.

’This Combat Skill truly is extraordinary!’

"To think it took me this long just to reach the introductory stage. If I were to reach Great Success, its power could probably suppress mountains and rivers." Ye Wushuang sighed faintly, slightly dissatisfied with his own progress. However, he wasn’t one to rush for quick results. After all, cultivation was a step-by-step process; there was no such thing as ascending to the heavens in a single leap.

After consolidating his new skills for a while, he finally walked out of the Cultivation Chamber, headed to the counter, and returned both Combat Skill scrolls to the Guardian Elder.

Seeing Ye Wushuang walk out with a slightly regretful expression, the Guardian Elder assumed he had failed. He immediately asked with a smile, "So? Is the Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp as hard to practice as they say?"

"Mhm, it is indeed a bit difficult," Ye Wushuang said with a nod.

"I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me and just had to try it for yourself. Took quite a blow to your confidence, didn’t it?" The Guardian Elder wore an ’I-knew-it’ expression and shook his head helplessly. "But this is good, too. You learn from your mistakes. Suffer a little setback now, and you’ll remember not to be so reckless in the future. Go on, pick another one."

The Elder lectured him while taking back the two Combat Skill scrolls. He gestured for Ye Wushuang to go choose another, showing that he was still quite fond of the boy.

"Thank you for your preferential treatment, Elder! However, I have yet to comprehend the *Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp* to the level of Great Success, so I won’t be choosing any other Martial Skills for now," Ye Wushuang said calmly.

What! What did you say?

Suddenly, as if he had misheard, the Guardian Elder jerked his head up, his sharp gaze fixed on Ye Wushuang. "You said... what do you mean you haven’t comprehended it to Great Success? Are you saying you can actually practice the Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp?"

"Mhm. I practiced for five days and have only just barely reached the introductory stage," Ye Wushuang replied with a nod, not hiding anything.

Five days of practice, and only just barely reached the introductory stage!

Although Ye Wushuang said it with a tone of regret, every word landed like a thousand-pound weight in the Guardian Elder’s ears, leaving him utterly shocked. He hadn’t told Ye Wushuang the truth: that besides the senior who first created it, no one in the sect had ever successfully practiced the Dragon Emperor Mountain Sealing Stamp.

"Kid, perform it for me. Let me see," the Guardian Elder demanded, clearly not believing him.

Hearing this, Ye Wushuang didn’t think twice. He immediately began the demonstration, causing the Guardian Elder’s eyes to widen in stunned disbelief.