Chapter 60: Mimic The Eclipse Veil Codex

As Jiang Feng made his way toward the exit, the murmurs of the bustling auction hall faded into the background. Just as he reached the edge of the booth-lined corridor, a calm yet firm voice called out behind him.

"Young man, wait a moment."

Jiang Feng paused mid-step, his brows furrowing beneath his mask as his heart sped up with a thousand thoughts going through his mind. Slowly, he turned to see the middle-aged man, his ledger now closed, gesturing for him to return. Intrigued but wary, Jiang Feng retraced his steps.

"What is it?" Jiang Feng asked, his tone measured, masking his curiosity and rapidly beating heart.

The man leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to ensure no eavesdroppers. "The Silent Reaper," he began, his gaze sharp and deliberate, "was excavated from a ruin discovered deep within the Obsidian Woodlands. Our appraisal team has not dared to unseal its contents because we want to ensure trust and privacy is given to the winner of this cultivation technique, but its aura was enough for them to deduce a connection to a notorious cultivation method—The Eclipse Veil Codex."

Jiang Feng's eyes narrowed beneath his mask. He had never heard of the Eclipse Veil Codex before. The man continued "This is a cultivation technique tied to the infamous Celestial Shadow Church. The church, long hunted by the major factions, was notorious for its mastery of darkness and shadow techniques, which often bordered on forbidden practices."

The man frowned but continued again after pausing to let the information soaked in, his voice laced with caution. "If your master intends to utilize the Silent Reaper, I would advise great care. Its connection to the Codex may draw unwanted attention. In the wrong hands, it could mark one as an enemy of the righteous sects—or worse, a member of the Shadow Church."

Jiang Feng gave a slow nod, his mind racing. "I'll pass the message along to my master," he replied coolly, hiding his apprehension.

The man leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Good. Make sure he understands. Items like these are as dangerous as they are valuable."

Jiang Feng turned and left the booth, the weight of the man's warning settling heavily in his mind. The Obsidian Woodland was infamous for its dangers, and the mention of the Eclipse Veil Codex only deepened the mystery of the Silent Reaper. 'What exactly is sealed within this thing? Could it be that others had figured something out that's why no one truly started a bidding war for it? No wonder I got it for so little!"

As he approached the exit of the Golden Exchange Pavilion, he suddenly felt an unsettling chill. His instincts, honed through countless dangerous encounters after leaving the Lin Village, screamed at him to be cautious. Slipping into the shadows of a nearby pillar, he carefully observed the pavilion's entrance.

There, leaning casually against a wall, was Zhao Tian, his arms crossed and his gaze scanning the crowd. Though his posture appeared relaxed, the tension in his shoulders betrayed his intent. Lan Xue stood beside him, her silver veil fluttering in the faint breeze, her expression calm yet watchful.

Jiang Feng's lips curled into a faint smirk beneath his mask. Still holding a grudge over the Silent Reaper? You're too impatient, Zhao Tian.

Remaining hidden, Jiang Feng adjusted his robe and slipped through the side alleys that lined the pavilion. His movements were air tight, ensuring he avoided any chance encounters with Zhao Tian. The winding paths of the city provided ample cover, and soon, he found himself blending into the bustling streets of the Northern Moon capital.

After ensuring he wasn't being followed, Jiang Feng finally made his way back to the modest courtyard that he now called home. The moment he stepped inside, he let out a breath of relief, locking the door behind him. Removing his mask, he set the scrolls on a small wooden table and poured himself a cup of tea.

But his mind refused to rest. The middle-aged man's warning replayed in his thoughts. The Silent Reaper, its connection to the Eclipse Veil Codex, and the potential dangers it posed all swirled in his head. After enjoying his fill, he made his way into his room with his access card.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Feng opened the door to the training room. The faint creak of the hinges echoed in the stillness, followed by the soft thud of the door closing behind him. The room's dark, obsidian-like walls absorbed the flickering light from the small lanterns on the walls.

In the center of the room rested a worn prayer mat, its fabric frayed but still serviceable. He walked over and lowered himself onto it, crossing his legs in a meditative posture. The air inside was heavy with the faint scent ash and heat mixed with incense from his last session, a subtle reminder of the countless hours he had spent here honing himself, body and soul.

It had been days—almost a week even—since he last stepped into this sacred space of self-discipline. Running his fingers across the mat's textured surface, Jiang Feng let out a slow, deliberate exhale. His gaze wandered to the dark walls, where faint scuff marks and scratches from previous training sessions told silent stories of his efforts.

The weight of his recent undertakings pressed on him, unspoken but palpable. His mind buzzed as he reflected, 'I'm beginning to have a lot on my plate. Forging has taken more out of me than I expected. Practicing Draconic Resilience feels like an endless climb up a mountain, and now this... the Silent Reaper'. He cast a sidelong glance at the rolled up scrolls he had placed beside the mat. Its ominous aura seemed to pulse faintly, as though aware of his thoughts.

He sighed, shaking his head. 'I wonder how things will turn out in the future?' The question lingered in his mind, unanswered, as he closed his eyes and began to focus inward.

With a practiced motion, Jiang Feng steadied his breathing, pulling heated air into his lungs and through the Skyforge flame which then spreads it around his body via Infernal Breaking.

His mind cleared, and his focus turned to the cultivation method that had become his cornerstone: Draconic Resilience. The technique demanded unwavering willpower, strengthening his body and inner essence like a smith tempering steel in relentless flames. As he entered the first state of meditation, a faint shimmer of golden light began to ripple around him, flickering like the scales of a mythical dragon awakening from slumber.

Though the doubts and uncertainties gnawed at the edges of his mind, Jiang Feng knew one thing for certain: no matter how turbulent the days ahead became, the only path forward was through relentless growth. No retreat. No surrender.

The Silent Reaper's scroll seemed to hum softly in the dim light, as though taunting him with the mysteries it held. After four hours of infernal breathing, Jiang Feng turned to the two scrolls. He unrolled the first scroll, its contents written in an elegant, ancient script. The aura it emitted was faint yet undeniably sinister.

It seemed to pulse with a dark energy, as if whispering secrets long forgotten. Jiang Feng's brow furrowed as he scanned the text. 'So, this is what Zhao Tian was so desperate to obtain but stopped. But why would the Celestial Shadow Church leave something like this behind? Or is that it was created by someone else solely to mimic their inheritance?'

He leaned back, his gaze flickering to the second scroll. Whatever lay within the Silent Reaper, it wasn't something to be taken lightly. As the evening deepened, Jiang Feng knew one thing for certain: the path ahead was about to grow far more treacherous.