Through the spiritual sense radiating from him, Mr. Yao could clearly see what was written in the book.
The relaxed expression on his face quickly vanished, replaced by a seriousness visible to the naked eye.
Was this truly a technique given by a mere patriarch at the Innate Realm?
As someone who had once stood at the peak of the Sky Realm, Mr. Yao could easily perceive the profound depth of the Chaos Art. Although it was classified as a high Earth-level technique, its potential when fully cultivated was terrifying—comparable even to low Sky-level techniques!
Even after thoroughly examining the movement patterns and spiritual circulation recorded within, he couldn't find a single flaw. The only word that came to his mind was: perfect.
He had never seen such a flawless Earth-level technique. In the lands he once traveled, a technique of this caliber would have sparked bloodshed among ancient sacred clans.
So how had such a peerless skill ended up in this remote and barren region?
Confusion gripped Mr. Yao, and he cast a probing look at his disciple, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Are you absolutely sure your patriarch is merely in the Innate Realm?" he asked, voice low. "Could it be… that the strongest one in your clan is someone else? Or is there another hidden expert, perhaps an ancestor?"
Long Yan, although confused by the line of questioning, answered honestly, "The strongest person in the Long family is indeed the patriarch. It's said that the Lord of Star City is also in the Innate Realm, and the strongest sect in the county is the Cloud Sect, ruled by Spiritual Expansion Realm cultivators…"
As Long Yan spoke, Mr. Yao's brows furrowed deeper.
There was something off.
How could someone like him—a former powerhouse of the Sky Realm—not see through the true background of a family led by an Innate Realm cultivator?
Eventually, he shook his head and sighed. Perhaps the Long family had simply gotten lucky.
"This technique is so well-crafted that even I, your teacher, cannot find any faults in it," Mr. Yao admitted. "You can practice it without worry. In fact, it's more valuable than you realize. That your patriarch would grant you such a treasure means he has high hopes for your future. Don't disappoint him."
Long Yan felt a heat rise in his chest.
He had never even touched a high-level Human technique before, let alone Earth-level skills. But hearing such praise from a Sky Realm master gave him a whole new understanding of how precious the Chaos Art truly was.
He silently swore to himself: I will not fail the clan. I must live up to the patriarch's expectations!
Mr. Yao, lost in thought, quickly realized that Long Yan already had the most suitable cultivation method. There was no need to provide another one for now.
Still, it would be unreasonable not to offer a gift to his newly accepted disciple.
After pondering for a moment, he finally took out one of his treasured techniques and handed it to Long Yan.
"Cloud Body Formation Technique," he declared.
"This is a mid-tier Earth-level body refining method. Once cultivated to a high level, it grants strength far beyond what others at your level can achieve. You could even use your physical body to withstand magic weapons ranked above the Human level!"
Long Yan skimmed through it and frowned slightly.
This time, he didn't hold back and spoke plainly: "Master… the patriarch already gave me a body refining technique a while ago."
Thunder seemed to strike Mr. Yao's heart.
What?! Not only had the Long family given Long Yan the Chaos Art, but also a body refining technique?
And judging by Long Yan's tone, it was likely superior to the Cloud Body Formation Technique!
How could this be?
Body refining methods were far rarer than spiritual techniques. Even he, a cultivator who had once reached the peak of the Sky Realm, had obtained this technique only through great effort.
Yet the Long family patriarch had simply handed one over?
Who was the real powerhouse here?!
Mr. Yao's expression stiffened, especially when he noticed the flicker of doubt on Long Yan's face.
Even so, he held on to a sliver of hope.
Surely, the technique given by the patriarch couldn't be better than the Cloud Body Formation Technique… right?
"My good disciple," he said, forcing a calm smile, "why don't you let me take a look at that body refining technique?"
Without hesitation, Long Yan took out a manual titled Celestial Body Refining Technique and began flipping through its pages.
This time, Mr. Yao made sure not to let his expression slip. He focused with utmost seriousness, analyzing every stroke and diagram.
But as the pages turned, his heart sank.
There were no flaws. None.
Just like the Chaos Art, this body refining technique was utterly perfect.
But that wasn't even the most shocking part.
As a former Sky Realm expert, his insight was incredibly sharp. And so he noticed something no ordinary cultivator could.
The Celestial Body Refining Technique and the Chaos Art shared deep compatibility. Practiced together, they could amplify each other's effects to an astonishing degree—achieving twice the result with half the effort.
Such a perfectly matched pair of techniques shouldn't even exist in a place like this!
How had they both ended up in the hands of an Innate Realm clan leader?
Mr. Yao's hands trembled slightly as the truth slowly dawned on him.
The Long family… was no ordinary clan.
He looked again at Long Yan, no longer with mild curiosity, but with deep wariness.
From now on, he would never underestimate the depth of this so-called "small family."
Eventually, Mr. Yao exhaled and composed himself.
"This technique," he said slowly, "is equally flawless. If word of it were to spread, even Sky Realm cultivators would lose their composure. The patriarch of your clan… he is no simple man."
He didn't know what else to say.
To hand over two techniques of such rarity and power was almost unthinkable.
Mr. Yao could only hope that Long Yan never let this secret slip—because if he did, the Long family would undoubtedly be devoured by the greedy forces of the world.