CHAPTER 509: CHAPTER 463: CONCEALING BREATH SKILL, FAMILY MATTERS

After sending Ji Zhen away, Yang Zhenshan submerged himself in secluded cultivation within the mansion for two days.

Exchanging ideas with Ji Zhen, he gained quite a bit.

Although it did not directly enhance his cultivation, it enriched his understanding and perception of Martial Arts in several different ways.

In the courtyard of the main house at Marquis Mansion, Yang Zhenshan stood still like a statue, with snowflakes swirling from the sky, landing softly, thick and fast, on his shoulders and head.

However, Yang Zhenshan kept his eyes closed and did not move, disregarding the snow that accumulated more and more on his head and shoulders.

Inside the hall, Qingyi was sitting by the stove making a cotton-padded coat for Ming Zhao, occasionally looking up at Yang Zhenshan outside the door.

Qingxia and Red Cloud looked on with curiosity, not understanding what Yang Zhenshan was doing.

Time ticked away by the second, and icicles even started to form on the snow atop Yang Zhenshan’s head, but he remained unmoving.

"Madam, should we call Marquis inside?" Qingxia couldn’t bear it anymore.

It’s freezing outside to be standing so long without moving!

Qingyi gently shook her head, "The Marquis is cultivating, do not disturb him!"

"What is he cultivating?" Qingxia asked with a confused face.

Cultivating!

What kind of cultivation involves standing still like that?

Qingyi didn’t know what exactly Yang Zhenshan was cultivating, but she knew he was sensible and had his reasons for doing whatever he was doing.

Indeed, Yang Zhenshan was cultivating; he was practicing the Concealing Breath Skill.

Despite the Concealing Breath Skill not being a profound Cultivation Technique taught by Ji Zhen, it was extremely useful, especially for Innate Martial Artists, as it represented a practical cultivation method.

The so-called Concealing Breath Skill involves concealing one’s own aura and controlling its fluctuations.

At the Body Refining Realm, this technique primarily focuses on controlling breathing, at the Postnatal Realm, it can be used to control Jin Qi, and in the Innate Realm, it helps in controlling Innate True Qi.

Besides breathing, Jin Qi, and Innate True Qi, the Concealing Breath Skill also helps in controlling internal blood energy, killing intent, and aura.

Simply put, the Concealing Breath Skill involves techniques that enhance control over one’s own aura and mental focus.

It had multiple uses for Yang Zhenshan. It could enhance his control over Innate True Qi and help in concealing his own aura, providing benefits in hiding, and if perfected, it could even affect the mind.

Acting upon the mind could be associated with Entering Tao. Both Yang Zhenshan and Ji Zhen had a limited understanding of this realm, but they both felt the Concealing Breath Skill could be useful in reaching it.

Now, Yang Zhenshan was practicing the Concealing Breath Skill. Though outwardly still, he was actively controlling the concealment of Innate True Qi within his body.

After somewhat more than one hour, Yang Zhenshan slowly opened his eyes and let out a deep breath.

Joy filled his eyes.

The effect of the Concealing Breath Skill was even better than he expected.

Whether the Concealing Breath Skill could aid in Entering Tao was still uncertain, but he felt confident that it helped in reaching Ruwei.

Even with a brief attempt, he felt much more adept at controlling his Innate True Qi.

If he kept cultivating this, perhaps he might reach the realm of Ruwei through this technique.

In the hall, seeing Yang Zhenshan opening his eyes, Qingxia and Red Cloud hurriedly came forward to brush the snow off his body.

After the snow was cleared, Yang Zhenshan then entered the hall and sat beside Qingyi.

"Marquis," a young maid brought Yang Zhenshan some tea.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and took a sip.

Qingyi, putting down the coat in her hands, asked, "What are you cultivating?"

"The Concealing Breath Skill given by Mr. Ji, I’ll document the technique later, you should also practice it!" said Yang Zhenshan casually.

The Concealing Breath Skill wasn’t a rare technique; one could acquire it if willing to spend some Silver.

However, the version given by Ji Zhen differed from those passed around in the worldly society, likely including insights by some Innate Martial Artists and some of Ji Zhen’s own cultivation experiences.

It was essentially a collector’s edition of the Concealing Breath Skill.

"Oh!" Qingyi was just inquiring casually, her interest in the Concealing Breath Skill wasn’t strong.

She was currently a Half-step Innate and finding a breakthrough moment, hardly focusing on cultivating anything else.

"By the way, Yunxue sent a letter, would you like to read it?" Qingyi changed the subject.

"What did she say?" asked Yang Zhenshan.

"Just about those issues at Marquis Haichang’s Mansion!" whispered Qingyi.

Yang Zhenshan looked up at her, "What? Is there a problem with Marquis Haichang’s Mansion?"

If there wasn’t any problem, Qingyi’s tone wouldn’t be like that.

Qingyi hesitated before saying, "Not exactly a problem, Marquis Haichang is quite decent, and his household has always been stable, but Marquis Haichang once arranged a marriage for Miss Sun from the Xue family!"

"Are they calling off the marriage?"

"Not calling it off, she passed away prematurely."

Yang Zhenshan realized, in Da Rong, arranging child betrothals is a common practice, especially among noble and influential families, to form an alliance even from a young age.

As for premature death, that’s an unavoidable tragedy if a child falls ill or faces misfortune.

If it were about calling off the marriage, that might suggest Marquis Haichang’s dishonesty.

But if it’s about prematurity, then it’s not something to blame on Marquis Haichang’s Mansion.

"Then it’s fine, as long as the person is virtuous, our family doesn’t hold such prejudices!" Yang Zhenshan said nonchalantly.