Above The Sky
Chapter 447 - 447 417 Concealment Technique 23

447: Chapter 417: Concealment Technique (2/3) 447: Chapter 417: Concealment Technique (2/3) The members of the Dragon Worship Cult understood that their very existence could potentially harm others, so it was only natural for them to be called a cult, and they harbored no aversion to it.

But just as there are people in this world who would pray to demons for power and wealth,

there were also those who joined the Dragon Worship Cult in pursuit of formidable strength.

And the holders of Dragon Blood would never halt their advance because of such ‘evil’.

They would press onward.

“Forgive my laughter, but one tends to become sentimental in old age,”

Standing alongside Ian on the cliff, looking out over the distant lake, Elder Mantle stroked his beard, his gaze still tinged with worry.

Considering that the old man himself bore Dragon Blood, it was very possible that the Dragon Worship Cult member who created the lake was one of his ancestors.

He turned his head, sighing as he intended to continue instructing Ian on the intricacies of the Concealment Technique.

But when Elder Mantle observed Ian, he found no trace of Dragon Blood on the other, and was stunned for several seconds.

“Wait…”

When realization dawned, the old man inhaled sharply, unable to contain his shock, “You’ve learned it?”

Ian, bewildered, lifted his head, “Eh?”

Just now, by analyzing the principle of the Concealment Technique as described by Elder Mantle, he realized it was an enhanced and specialized form of an independent Primordial Seed.

It operated semi-automatically by harnessing the power of Dragon Blood, continuously condensing gathered Origin Quality of Dragon Blood into a substantial “Dragon Crystal” or “Dragon Bone”.

He was familiar with this process; he had mastered the technique of disengaging and re-condensing multiple Primordial Seeds at the age of eight.

His Ancient Dragon Heart Core and Aether Crystal were indeed genuine “Dragon Blood organs,” both related to dragons, and perfectly compatible with this technique.

Therefore, he tried twice and succeeded twice, successfully forming an indiscernible Crystal within his body.

But the Crystal would grow over time, which was a troublesome matter.

Therefore, Ian relayed his concern about managing the Crystal to the elder of the Mountain People, as he wasn’t quite sure how to handle it.

“Let’s put the Crystal aside for now, you actually learned it so quickly?!

You dared to practice a secret technique taught to you by a cult member whom you’ve known for mere minutes?!”

Elder Mantle was still somewhat in disbelief as he seized Ian’s arm, examining it carefully.

The young man smiled, “Elder, don’t forget I’m a Spirit Energy User, I can sense your emotions…

As for the effectiveness of this Concealment Technique, I could tell at a glance.”

“Even so, it’s too risky.”

The elder scrutinized Ian’s expression and found him genuinely perplexed, oblivious to why he was surprised, “Genius…

No wonder Master Gossay said you were a genius.

I thought it was Little Grant’s flattery, but now it seems that it was a rare justified remark from him.”

Suppressing the shock within his heart, Elder Mantle exhaled, gestured for Ian to sit on a boulder, then reached out and removed a Crystal from a spot on his forehead concealed by his hair.

“This is the Dragon Crystal.

Plainly speaking, it’s a kind of Elemental Crystal that we condense ourselves.

Taken directly, it can provide a rapid supply of previously suppressed Origin Quality for battle.”

The elder showed Ian the silver-white gem-like Crystal, explaining in detail, “It causes great harm to the body and accelerates the increase in conversion rates, but it’s a rare method of risking one’s life in crisis.

Since we share the same origin, it can even temporarily enhance the abilities of our dragonized body parts.”

“After all, we are Dragonblood, and our bodies can handle the damage.

All things considered, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits, but it has its value.”

At this point, Elder Mantle paused, leaning on his Bone Staff, “You’re an Alchemist, you can just use it as an Elemental Crystal.

It saves on energy costs in normal times, like being self-sufficient.”

“This is indeed an unexpected boon,” Ian remarked.

Although such functionality might be somewhat superfluous for ordinary Dragon Blood holders, Ian sharply realized that with his Aether Crystal, capable of continuously condensing excess Origin Quality, he could use these ‘Dragon Crystals’ more efficiently!

Not to mention, he could genuinely achieve the self-sufficient use of Alchemy Elemental Crystals—a feat that only an Alchemist from a great noble family like Yisen Gard could accomplish!

Moreover, even Yisen Gard couldn’t acquire high-purity Elemental Crystals in the wilderness.

But for Ian, it was simple—as if he could just break them off his own body.

The Elder took Ian back to the vicinity of the Sacrificial Chamber, where Anfa and Sio were waiting for them.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

Ian sincerely thanked the two familiar figures with kind hearts; without their act of ‘seeing justice and acting bravely,’ he couldn’t think of any smooth and unsuspectable way to infiltrate the Dragon Worship Cult.

Moreover, Ian indeed had obtained quite important intelligence and skills from the Dragon Worship Cult.

The Concealment Technique could not only hide things like Ancient Dragon Heart Cores and Aether Crystals which were dragon blood organs, but it could also conceal his strength, better allowing Ian to hide his Second Energy Level Fairy Bloodline.

Therefore, his gratitude was heartfelt and sincere.

Even Sio, a being whose true form was a dragon, couldn’t detect the slightest insincerity.

“Actually, you don’t need to thank me…” Hearing Ian’s sincere gratitude made Sio slightly uncomfortable: “I really should have dealt with that tracker following you…

Well, to tell the truth, I actually wanted to wait until you were injured before helping you, which might have seemed more impactful…”

“Ah, I must say I’m sorry…”

Saying this, he actually apologized to Ian, causing the young man to even feel a tiny bit of guilt for deceiving a pure and good-hearted person.

Having categorized Sio as ‘a kind-hearted soul bordering on naively so,’ Ian turned his gaze toward ‘the interesting and suspicious Elves Scholar.’

“We’re all companions here, and since you’re a Dragonblood of the Southern Ridge as well, we’re naturally allies.

It is only right and proper for us to help each other, so there’s no need for such thanks.”

Anfa spoke with decorum, saying the perfect, noble lines.

Ian nodded inwardly; this was the behavior of a proper, society Elf, with not a flaw in sight.

Since he had already met Anfa and Sio, there was no need for lengthy pleasantries.

Elder Mantle soon took Ian to change his clothes.

“Your original armored clothing is shattered, and most of the clothing is damaged, but fortunately, the items inside were not harmed.”

The Abode Tribe, a Mountain Tribe that often traded with merchant associations, was not lacking in clothing.

Elder Mantle took out a set of Alchemist’s attire from the storeroom for Ian to change into.

When the youth emerged from the quiet room in his new attire, he smiled in approval: “This suits you much better; robes are more fitting for you than armored clothing.”

At this point, Ian was draped in a rock-grey hooded robe on the outside.

His alchemy belt and waist pack were tied around the middle, the hanging part just barely covering his knees.

The parts below the knees consisted of military boots and pants that matched the original suit of armored clothing.

The combination wasn’t exactly matching, but because of who was wearing it, it indeed looked like a young Alchemist.

“Indeed, it’s quite nice.” Ian also felt an unusual sense of comfort—the Alchemist’s Armor was relatively light, but it was still armored clothing after all.

Even though his physical constitution could easily bear the burden, it was still significantly different from wearing robes and cloth clothing.

While Ian was enjoying this sense of comfort, Elder Mantle reached out a hand and placed it on the young man’s shoulder.

Ian looked up at him and saw a pair of silver-grey dragon eyes.

“Ian.”

The old man spoke with a grave tone: “Although I believe that with your cleverness, you might guess what I am about to say…

I still need to officially ask.”

“Would you like to join the Dragon Worship Cult?”

Ian was somewhat surprised, but he smiled gently and bowed respectfully to Elder Mantle: “Of course.”

“That is indeed my wish.”

“Welcome, another companion of the Dragon Blood.”

The old man also showed a heartfelt smile.

Not sensing the slightest reluctance in Ian, he was also pleased: “If that’s the case, then come with me.”

“Although it might not be suitable emotionally or logically, as a man of the Southern Ridge, this is a secret that you must know.”

Having said this, Elder Mantle turned and walked outside.

Following him, Ian asked with some curiosity and confusion: “What secret?”

“Do I need to say it?”

The old man spoke indifferently: “It’s naturally about that very thing which has caused Ling Nauman City to enforce martial law, sending Anfa and Sio running back and forth, and even making The King extend his wings and soar.”

“It’s the secret about the ‘Essential Object’ that the Canaan Moore division is supposed to transport here!”