C16

Qiao Mao was perplexed. He employed his Divine Sense to examine Zhen Gui's body but detected no anomalies. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Mother, could you recite the incantation of the Essence Sun Spell you've been practicing?"

Upon hearing Qiao Mao's request for the Essence Sun Spell incantation, Zhen Gui assumed he intended to learn the technique himself. She shook her head and replied, "This technique is a Yellow Rank High Grade and incredibly rare, but it's also notoriously difficult to master. I haven't made any progress in ten years."

In Martial Sun City, a Yellow Rank High Grade technique was exceedingly valuable, and the Qiao family possessed only this one. Zhen Gui feared that if Qiao Mao practiced the Essence Sun Spell, his cultivation might hit an insurmountable plateau.

Qiao Mao couldn't help but chuckle, quickly clarifying, "I'm not looking to practice the Essence Sun Spell. My master once spoke of this technique, and I want to confirm something about it."

"Your master is familiar with the Essence Sun Spell?" Zhen Gui exclaimed, taken aback. The Essence Sun Spell was a Secret Technique brought to the Qiao family of Martial Sun City by an ancestor from their clan. It was a closely guarded secret, not to be shared with outsiders.

Qiao Mao couldn't very well reveal that he had once come across this technique in a clan in his past life. He offered a reassuring smile and said, "While the Essence Sun Spell is our Qiao family's Secret Technique, martial arts across the world share similarities. It's possible that the Essence Sun Spell my master referred to is the same as ours."

"Very well. I'll recite the incantation for you to check against," Zhen Gui conceded. She then recited the entire incantation of the Essence Sun Spell.

After listening, Qiao Mao had an epiphany, "Mother, it's not a lack of talent on your part; the incantation of the Essence Sun Spell is incomplete. That's the reason for your stagnation."

"Incomplete?" Zhen Gui questioned with a hint of confusion. "I've been practicing it for many years without ever sensing any incompleteness."

Qiao Mao inwardly sighed. His mother's talents were indeed exceptional, but her insight into the Martial Dao was sorely limited. She was unable to perceive the incompleteness of the Essence Sun Spell.

"Mother, the Essence Sun Spell is indeed incomplete; it's missing the latter half. That's why you hit a wall when you reached the critical point in your cultivation—you didn't have the complete incantation," Qiao Mao said with a gentle smile.

He promptly recited the full incantation of the Essence Sun Spell. Zhen Gui, in turn, chanted the latter half while practicing her cultivation. Before long, a terrifying aura emanated from her.

"This is the presence of a Martial Dao Great Master," Qiao Mao exclaimed in astonishment.

He hadn't anticipated that his mother would show signs of a breakthrough so soon after he shared the latter half of the Essence Sun Spell with her. The indications were incredibly strong.

Without hesitation, Qiao Mao deployed his Divine Sense to monitor their surroundings, safeguarding Zhen Gui as she focused on her cultivation.

Protected by Qiao Mao, Zhen Gui had nothing to fear. She channeled the Essence Sun Spell with all her might, and within half an hour, she ascended to Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven.

Following her breakthrough, Zhen Gui's momentum didn't wane in the slightest. She soared to the pinnacle of Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Peak before pausing. Opening her eyes, she exclaimed with excitement, "Mao, I've truly made it through."

"Congratulations, Mother," Qiao Mao said with a warm smile.

Zhen Gui was overwhelmed with joy, tears streaming down her face. She had been stalled at Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven for a decade, persisting in her daily cultivation with no signs of progress. She could hardly believe that she had now advanced to the peak of Martial Dao Level Seven Heaven.

Qiao Mao understood that Zhen Gui's rapid advancement was a result of her relentless cultivation over the past ten years. Moreover, his mother was now on the cusp of reaching Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven and would likely achieve another breakthrough in a matter of days.

However, Zhen Gui's elation soon gave way to concern. She whispered, "Mao, you've secretly passed on the complete Essence Sun Spell to me. Won't your master hold you accountable?"

"I've already discussed this with my master. He's not only unbothered by it, but he also commended me for my filial devotion. He even encouraged me to teach you a Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill, the Falling Flower Palm." Without waiting for Zhen Gui to interject, Qiao Mao quickly recited the cultivation incantation for the Falling Flower Palm.

"Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill?" Zhen Gui exclaimed in surprise.

Such a skill was exceedingly rare and highly valued within Martial Sun City. Its emergence would surely lead to bloodshed and chaos.

Yet now, Qiao Mao was offering to teach it to her.

Qiao Mao nodded with gravity and recited the incantation once more to ensure Zhen Gui had committed it to memory.

Given Zhen Gui's capabilities, she was fully equipped to master the Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill and harness its entire might. What Qiao Mao hadn't disclosed was that once the Falling Flower Palm was cultivated to Great Completion, it would rival even the Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill.

"Did your master specify any sort of compensation he desires?" Zhen Gui inquired cautiously after memorizing the entire incantation. Considering Qiao Mao's master was willing to impart such a skill to Qiao Mao, he had to be an Unparalleled Expert. A person of his caliber could effortlessly annihilate Martial Sun City.

To him, the three major families would be as insignificant as ants, so she dared not cross him.

Qiao Mao paused, taken aback that his mother's thoughts had ventured there. He dismissed the idea with a gesture, "While this Martial Skill is considered elite in Martial Sun City, to my master, it's as worthless as trash. He wouldn't dream of asking for any compensation from me."

However, Qiao Mao hadn't anticipated that his words would leave Zhen Gui even more astonished. His master regarded the Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill as mere refuse. Just how powerful was he?

She absolutely must not offend Qiao Mao's master.

"Mother, there's no need for concern. Focus on perfecting the Falling Flower Palm as swiftly as possible. A tumultuous time is approaching for Martial Sun City," Qiao Mao advised.

Zhen Gui, ever perceptive, clearly understood Qiao Mao's implication. She nodded earnestly, "Within five days, I will have mastered the Falling Flower Palm to Great Completion."

"Five days?" Qiao Mao was astounded. His mother could master a Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill to Great Completion in merely five days? Her talent was extraordinary.

Then again, without such innate ability, she wouldn't have married a prodigy like his father.

As Zhen Gui finished speaking, her brow furrowed.

A sense of foreboding washed over Qiao Mao. With a slight frown, he asked, "Mother, what's troubling you? Has there been an unforeseen issue with my uncle?"

She let out a sigh and said, "Your uncle is beyond help now. He's going to pass away soon."