Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1072: Life Gate

The Silverleaf Trade Hall possessed absolute ownership over multiple market streets within Iron Claw City, along with significant real estate holdings inside its walls.

However, their auction house was situated within the expansive grounds of their main headquarters, located in the Eastern Outskirts, an area where they held considerable, albeit unofficial, sway.

Contrary to most establishments in the outskirts that leveraged the natural undulations of mountain ridges, the Silverleaf Trade Hall erected a colossal, level foundation for its headquarters. This deliberate elevation transformed the complex into a formidable fortress, particularly when viewed from below, where the foundation's height resembled a colossal, towering wall.

Curiously, encircling this 'fortress' was a meticulously constructed and maintained small market district, also under the complete ownership and operation of the Silverleaf Trade Hall. The inclusion of sophisticated drainage channels effectively mitigated flooding, even during the heaviest rainy seasons, indicating that the elevation of the main headquarters was not primarily for managing rainwater runoff from higher ground.

While the Western Outskirts, home to the Crow King’s Nest, buzzed with activity well into the night, the Eastern Outskirts presented a stark contrast. Their operations predominantly took place during daylight and late evening hours, quieting down into a tranquil slumber after dark.

This nocturnal stillness made any sign of activity beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of the Silverleaf Trade Hall exceptionally conspicuous.

Yet, despite the apparent peace and serenity, four individuals moved with unseen purpose through the Eastern Outskirts, their presence discreetly masked.

[Hehe, it's amusing how I never even considered this...], Hong Ye chuckled silently, her gaze fixed on a ring adorning her finger.

[Nor I, though it makes perfect sense], Hong Yue concurred, gliding beside her. [How else would individuals employing disparate stealth techniques be aware of each other's locations to coordinate and transmit concealed sound communication? Without these rings, I would have no clue where Daoist Qian currently resides.]

She shifted her attention to what appeared to be an empty space, yet through the spiritual treasure ring, she could discern Qian Ying's presence.

[That simply underscores the uniqueness of the Bahshi Assassination Group’s methods], Wu Long remarked, his smile hidden beneath his mask. [You have exclusively cooperated with fellow Bahshi Assassins throughout your career, so it's hardly surprising you've never questioned how those without such affiliations manage coordination.]

He then elaborated for Qian Ying's benefit: [Bahshi Assassins share fundamental cultivation techniques that enable every practitioner not only to sense each other's location—unless deliberately suppressed—but also to perceive through each other's stealth as if no concealment whatsoever were employed.]

[Such extraordinary capabilities... it's no wonder they are revered as one of the ultimate legacies of concealed arts], Qian Ying marveled, contemplating the immense potential such techniques offered for organized groups of spies, thieves, or assassins. He then let out a self-deprecating chuckle, [However, what further proof is truly needed? Even with my cultivation at the Essence Ignition Realm, I cannot pierce your stealth techniques at all and can only vaguely sense the presence of the two young ladies.]

[Do not be so disheartened. Your movement technique is exceptional in its own right and quite distinctive], Wu Long noted, casting a sideways glance at the figure of the old man that only he could perceive clearly.

[Coming from someone who wields the legendary Bahshi Ghost Step, that is indeed high praise], Qian Ying responded with a wry smile beneath his low-brimmed bamboo hat. [It is supposedly a generational technique passed down in my family, though my knowledge of it is limited, originating solely from tales told by my grandfather, who has long since departed.]

[Lightning is typically associated with swiftness and destructive power; I must admit I've never witnessed its application for stealth], Wu Long added sincerely, his curiosity piqued.

Although it sounded like a compliment directed at Qian Ying, he could not grasp the significance of Wu Long's statement 'I've never witnessed,' unaware of the speaker's true identity. However, the twins widened their eyes at this remark.

Qian Ying offered a slightly strained chuckle, [Lightning can exist unseen; or rather, that is its more natural state, permeating our surroundings. This particular application involves harnessing that invisible flow of lightning... or at least, that's how it was described in the brief introductory section of the technique manual. I'm not entirely certain about the precise mechanics myself...]

Hong Ye and Hong Yue exchanged knowing glances, instinctively expecting Qian Ying to possess the answers, only to realize they had grown too accustomed to Wu Long's ability to explain such matters.

The reality, however, was that not everyone possessed the capacity to comprehend and meticulously analyze the workings of their techniques as Wu Long did. In truth, the majority of practitioners had a limited understanding of the techniques they learned and employed. They simply followed the prescribed steps for manipulating Qi, the codified process, and—voilà—the technique mysteriously functioned as intended.

But just how did they operate, what were the fundamental concepts and mechanisms that enabled them to yield specific outcomes, and what natural laws permitted such occurrences? These were details that most cultivators did not bother to learn, as they were not essential for utilizing the techniques.

In fact, many who had mastered specific techniques only bothered to delve into the aspects of knowledge that could offer better control or warn them about potential threats from opponents – a pursuit that could consume entire lifetimes.

[It is indeed a distinctive application of the Lightning Attribute, though it inherently reduces the technique's efficiency by nearly half if one is not naturally endowed with the requisite Elemental Attribute, which is among the rarest], Wu Long, conversely, having spent an immeasurable duration in his previous existence meticulously studying every technique down to its minutiae, was able to comprehend the underlying principles of Qian Ying’s technique merely by observing the flow of Qi with his Chaos Origin Eyes.

Qian Ying expressed a slight surprise that Wu Long had recognized this fact, adding with a smile, [Haha, that’s precisely why I couldn’t pass the technique down to my son – it would have been, at best, a mediocre technique in his hands simply because he wasn’t born with the Lightning Attribute. However, as you might have observed, both I and, fortunately, my grandson are Lightning Cultivators. It’s supposedly relatively more common in my family, though not to the extent of having two individuals born with it in the same hundred thousand years. I suppose this is either a stroke of luck or a consequence of the early onset of the Generational Wave].

[I was under the impression that talent for Elemental Attributes was not linked to bloodlines?], Hong Yue inquired, raising an eyebrow.

[It can be, in the case of specific bloodlines], Wu Long responded, [The notion that they are unrelated is more to emphasize that the connection between bloodlines and talent for Elemental Attributes is not absolute. Those without particular bloodlines can spontaneously be born with talents for Elemental Attributes, and individuals with specific bloodlines might sometimes exhibit talent for a different Elemental Attribute than others of the same bloodline. Furthermore, such talent can manifest strongly in someone possessing a weaker bloodline, and so forth].

Qian Ying, who was leading the way, halted his steps, causing Wu Long and the twins to stop as well. They all alighted upon the roof of a structure, the imposing outline of the massive, fortress-like headquarters of the Silverleaf Trade Hall still a considerable distance away.

[From this point onward, there exists an outer perimeter patrolled by detective formations], Qian Ying announced.

[Already?], Hong Ye’s eyes widened. Employing her eye technique, she indeed perceived the presence of formations invisible to the naked eye, resembling layers upon layers of colossal, ethereal spheres encircling the distant headquarters.

[But do not fret, for as long as we adhere to the fundamental principles of operation that govern every formation, we should be able to pass through without incident], Qian Ying added with a tone of reassurance, which instead amplified the worry in Hong Ye’s eyes.

[Formations emulate and draw upon the principles of natural order, subtly distorting them to achieve their intended effects. Thus, there are certain rules they invariably follow. The principle utilized by all who wish to traverse formations is that there exists what is termed a ’Life Gate’ within each formation], Qian Ying elaborated on his explanation, as he had been tasked by Wu Long to guide the twins through this particular segment of their journey.

[It is a somewhat simplified concept, but you can conceptualize it as a blind spot where the formation’s effects are rendered inert], Wu Long interjected.

[Why would Symbol Arts Masters deliberately leave such an obvious vulnerability?], Hong Yue inquired, her brow furrowed slightly in bewilderment.

[Um~, can we just accept that they do?], Hong Ye expressed a complete willingness to embrace the straightforward answer.

[Hahah, I shall provide an in-depth explanation later, Fairy Hong Yue], Wu Long chuckled. [For the present moment, you may consider that every existing formation, including ancient ones, possesses a Life Gate; without it, the formation would simply cease to function].

[Understood], Hong Yue nodded, much to her younger sister’s relief, agreeing to defer the more intricate subject for the time being.

[However, what you do need to comprehend is that all Symbol Arts Masters are aware of this conspicuous vulnerability. Therefore, the extent to which they safeguard it from exploitation is contingent upon the proficiency of the formation’s designer], Wu Long then added. [Although, most simply reposition it, attempting to conceal it amidst the inherent complexity].

[Indeed, but since the Manor Master has supplied the formation diagrams, we are privy to the precise method for safely navigating each formation], Qian Ying chuckled. [Kindly follow my exact path, trajectory, pattern of movement, and speed].