On the tenth day after Zhou Yuan arrived at the Thousand Technique Hall, the statue-like figure before the stone pillar suddenly shook, and his tightly shut eyes slowly opened.

His eyes were filled with amazement and ecstasy.

After ten days, he had finally imprinted the Yin Yang Lightning Rune Genesis technique mark onto his Divine Dwelling. Although the process had been difficult, it had gone smoothly.

With a thought, Zhou Yuan submerged his mind into his Divine Dwelling where he found a flickering black-and-white lightning mark. The mark was complex and gave off a profound aura. Even after ten days, Zhou Yuan was still unable to fully decipher its essence.

Fortunately, once the mark was formed, he only needed to continuously polish it with his Genesis Qi and Spirit to gradually bring out its power.

Of course, fully bringing out a little Saint techniques power was not something a Divine Dwelling stage expert, or even a Heavenly Sun stage practitioner, could achieve. Only a Nascent Source stage or Law Domain stage expert would be able to display its true might.

However, even without its full power, a little Saint technique was incomparable to a Heaven Genesis technique.

Countless Genesis Qi stars twinkled in Zhou Yuan’s Divine Dwelling. Starlight sprinkled down, landing on the black-and-white lightning mark. The mark welcomed everything, like a black hole that endlessly devoured the boundless Genesis Qi.

Likewise, the Spirit between Zhou Yuan’s brows also infused and swiftly gushed Spirit power into the mark in his Divine Dwelling.

This was unique to the Yin Yang Lightning Rune. Other little Saint techniques only required the nourishment of Genesis Qi, but the Yin Yang Lightning Rune needed both Genesis Qi and Spirit energy.

Genesis Qi was its Yang, while Spirit was its Yin.

This was the understanding Zhou Yuan had gained over the past ten days. In other words, one needed to fuse Genesis Qi and Spirit power to create this Genesis technique mark. Alone, neither could form the mark.

This technique was basically based on the ideas behind the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method.

“As expected of something my master created. It's so friendly towards his disciples.” Zhou Yuan was deeply moved. He withdrew from his Divine Dwelling in satisfaction and respectfully bowed towards the mottled stone pillar.

The surrounding space began to ripple violently, indicating that he was leaving the hall. He maintained his calm and did not panic.

Space warped as the surroundings changed. A split second later, Zhou Yuan appeared once more in the study smelling of sandalwood.

When he appeared, the two figures in the room cast their gazes towards him.

Zhou Yuan was somewhat bewildered. He could see some helplessness in Chi Jing’s gaze, whereas grand elder Mu Ni wore a baffling smile.

“Zhou Yuan, congratulations on obtaining an excellent little Saint technique.” Mu Ni displayed a wide grin.

Under Mu Ni’s strange gaze, Zhou Yuan hastily said, “Many thanks to grand elder Mu Ni for your guidance.”

Mu Ni smiled. “What’s there to thank? You should be thanking that master of yours instead.”

Zhou Yuan’s heart shook, but his face remained unchanged as he replied, “My master? My master isn’t in the Tianyuan Region.”

“Then where is he?” Mu Ni smiled faintly.

Zhou Yuan froze for a moment before he forced a smile. “Why is grand elder Mu Ni so concerned about an unknown person like my master?”

“If someone like him is unknown, who in Hunyuan Heaven can claim to be famous?” Mu Ni softly snorted.

Zhou Yuan could only look towards Chi Jing. She displayed an awkward smile and said, “Aunt Ni knows.”

The corners of Zhou Yuan’s mouth twitched. He had been exposed?!

Chi Jing watched Zhou Yuan inwardly crumble as she helplessly said, “She wasn’t certain before, but how can she not be when you obtained the Yin Yang Lightning Rune right before her eyes?”

Zhou Yuan was depressed, realizing that the Yin Yang Lightning Rune was a bait grand elder Mu Ni had set to uncover his identity.

He smiled bitterly inside as he glanced at the kindly looking lady. None of these Law Domain experts were easy to deal with after all.

However, although his identity had been exposed, Zhou Yuan did not lose himself to panic. After all, though Chi Jing’s expression was somewhat helpless, there was no worry in her eyes. She clearly did not feel that being found out by Mu Ni would bring trouble.

“Little one, can you tell us where that old bastard is now?” Mu Ni elegantly picked up another tea leaf as she smiled.

Embarrassed, Zhou Yuan said, “My master is fine but cannot return to Hunyuan Heaven due to certain reasons.”

Mu Ni pursed her lips. Zhou Yuan could tell that her body had relaxed a little, likely due to finally ascertaining that Cang Yuan was alive.

“I know that he is plotting something big and that we can’t interfere.” Mu Ni sighed softly. How could she not know that only forces beyond her understanding could make someone as powerful as Cang Yuan unable to return to Hunyuan Heaven? She did not know what level of power struggle it was, but she understood that she could not interfere until she stepped into the Saint stage.

Zhou Yuan nodded. “Grand elder Mu Ni…”

Mu Ni gently said, “Since you’re Cang Yuan’s disciple, call me Aunt Ni like Chi Jing.”

Zhou Yuan glanced at Chi Jing. Upon seeing the latter nod, he said, “Aunt Ni.”

Meanwhile, he wondered in his heart, Clan elder Mu Ni seems to have some kind of relationship with master Cang Yuan...could she be his companion?

“Aunt Ni, my identity needs to be kept secret, or it will bring unnecessary trouble,” cautioned Zhou Yuan.

Aunt Ni gave a faint nod, indicating that she understood.

“Since Aunt Ni realized my identity, do you think sect master Xuan Kun and the others have also sensed something?” Zhou Yuan could not help but ask. It was no matter if Aunt Ni knew his identity, but if sect master Xuan Kun and the others found out, it would be hard for him to relax.

Mu Ni softly chuckled and said, “It is unlikely for them to know. The reason why I suspected it is because I’ve studied the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method before and am quite familiar with it. What’s more, Chi Jing’s unexplainable concern about you made me want to confirm my suspicions.

“And the outcome...seems to have exceeded my expectations in a good way.” At this point, she could not help but chuckle.

Zhou Yuan felt his face burn. His earlier caution and mannerisms had to have seemed very foolish.

Mu Ni glanced at Zhou Yuan before retrieving a green stone pendant from her sleeve. Extremely concentrated life energy pulsed from the green stone.

“I can tell that you’ve cultivated a Genesis technique that requires life energy. This just so happens to be my specialty. This is a special life stone I crafted, and it contains boundless life energy. You may use this in place of ancient wood essence in the future.

“Hmm, take it is a small meeting gift.”

Zhou Yuan could not help but swallow as he stared at the green stone pendant. The life energy Genesis technique Aunt Ni referred to should be the Taiyi Green Wood Mark. Although it did not improve his combat power, it gave him an amazing regenerative ability.

Without this technique, Zhou Yuan would not dare to be so ferocious in battle.

However, life energy from ancient wood essence was needed to continuously replenish the technique's green wood mark, making it rather troublesome. With Mu Ni’s life stone, he wouldn’t need to worry about gathering ancient wood essence for some time.

Hence, it was impossible for him to reject!

Zhou Yuan respectfully received the life stone and wore it around his neck. He earnestly said, “Aunt Ni, having a close companion like you is truly my master’s blessing.”

Mu Ni covered her mouth, but her brows betrayed her attempt to conceal her smile. She was evidently very pleased by Zhou Yuan’s honeyed words.

By the side, Chi Jing shot a glare at Zhou Yuan. This guy is way too good at flattery.

Bzz!

A streak of light suddenly broke through the air and burrowed into Chi Jing’s head.

Chi Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly as her eyes glowed dangerously.

“What is it?” asked Mu Ni.

Chi Jing frowned and said, “The elder circle informed me that the Tri-Mountain Alliance is up to something. But we don’t know what.”

Mu Ni’s brows creased. “The Tri-Mountain Alliance has been growing increasingly bossy over the years. When Cang Yuan was around, they did not dare to even jump without his permission.”

Chi Jing said, “They can’t cause any splashes. I will resolve this as quickly as I can.”

She stood up and looked towards Zhou Yuan. “Since you’ve obtained the Yin Yang Lightning Rune, use the time you have to properly study it. You can’t slack off on your cultivation either. Since discussion with regards to the nine regions tournament is already underway, it won’t be long before the details are decided.

“Your opponent in the nine regions tournament are existences that Lu Xiao can’t even compare to. You cannot underestimate them.”

Zhou Yuan nodded as his expression turned solemn. It seemed he needed to go into secluded cultivation soon.

The mountain spirit rune, the forest spirit rune, the polishing of his Divine Dwelling, and the newly obtained Yin Yang Lightning Rune all required him to invest his time and energy.