Beneath the pale moonlight, Jiang Chen studied [Forest Stealth].

Among the several high-level techniques he had obtained, this was the only high-level movement technique he hadn’t yet mastered.

Feeling a slight sluggishness in his thoughts, he immediately pulled out the prepared Masterwork-grade Golden Wine and took a quick sip.

Instantly, a spicy yet sweet flavor lingered on his palate. As it slid down into his stomach, it transformed into a warm current that surged throughout his entire body. His mind became active again, and he re-entered a state of focused learning.

Time flowed quietly by. When the moon hung directly above the wooden hut, Jiang Chen suddenly felt a stir in his heart and instinctively looked at his status panel.

Effect One: Movement speed increased by 6%. Effect Two: Reaction speed increased by 6%. Special Effect One: In areas with plants, presence is reduced by 10%.

Jiang Chen was surprised. “A special effect at the first level?”

This [Forest Stealth] truly lived up to being a high-level movement technique. Having three effects at just the first level was impressive; reaching the top level would be extraordinary.

[center][b][color=#0066cc] ☾ Consume 13,267 days of Lifespan to repair the incomplete Forest Stealth manual? ☽ [/color][/b][/center]

“Thirty-six years?” Jiang Chen found this acceptable and decisively agreed.

In an instant, the content of [Forest Stealth] became much richer. Utilizing his current knowledge, experience, and skills, Jiang Chen spent thirty-six years repairing this incomplete manual to its complete form.

Effect Two: Reaction speed increased by 10%. Special Effect One: In areas with plants, presence is reduced by 10%, and faint footsteps are masked by plants.

Indeed, after the manual was fully repaired, the effects presented were completely different. Compared to before, both the regular and special effects had improved.

[center][b][color=#0066cc] ☾ Consume 1,389 days of Lifespan to raise Forest Stealth to the second level? ☽ [/color][/b][/center]

“Yes.” Having already spent over ten thousand days, Jiang Chen certainly wouldn’t begrudge this amount.

Because it had already been repaired once, the improvement happened very quickly. In just a dazed moment, it was all done.

Effect One: Movement speed increased by 20%. Effect Two: Reaction speed increased by 20%. Special Effect One: In areas with plants, presence is reduced by 20%. When motionless, one becomes indistinguishable from the plants.

“Not bad.” Jiang Chen felt quite satisfied after reading the effects. There was neither unexpected delight nor particular disappointment.

The improvement of techniques and spells themselves was different from a breakthrough in cultivation realm. Therefore, there wouldn’t be any particularly obvious changes; at most, it was just an enhancement on the existing foundation.

Jiang Chen next went “all-in,” directly raising [Forest Stealth] to its top level.

[center][b][color=#0066cc] ☾ Successfully consumed 10,629 days of Lifespan. Forest Stealth raised to the sixth level. ☽ [/color][/b][/center]

Effect One: Movement speed increased by 60%. Effect Two: Reaction speed increased by 60%. Effect Three: Evasion speed increased by 50%. Special Effect One: In areas with plants, presence is minimized to the point of being completely silent. Only extremely powerful perception abilities (such as spiritual sense or divine sense) can detect it. Special Effect Two: When hiding near living plants, there is no distinction; the probability of being discovered is minimized. When hiding near dead plants, the probability of being discovered increases.

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up. He immediately got out of bed, opened the door, and went outside.

Da Huang was always on night watch duty, although he occasionally slacked off. Fortunately this time, or rather tonight, he was very dutiful and responsible.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen’s figure flickered like a ghost as he darted into the darkness. In no time at all, he was hidden behind a poplar tree.

Suddenly, the sound of his master’s call rang out.

Da Huang, who had been lying near his doghouse, immediately raised his head upon hearing it and pricked up his ears.

Soon, a second call sounded out.

Hearing it was his master calling him, Da Huang began searching around in confusion.

Strangely enough, even though the voice seemed to be right nearby, he simply couldn’t find its source; it was as if the speaker were invisible.

This drove Da Huang into a frenzy. Thinking his master might be in danger, he searched everywhere frantically.

The Spirit Farm, the ridges between fields, even the rocky hill… He explored every corner he had ever been to before. He panted heavily from exhaustion, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. Yet even so, he didn’t give up and kept searching.

Through relentless effort, the dog finally arrived near the poplar tree.

“Da Huang!” Jiang Chen continued calling from behind the tree.

The dog circled around and around but just couldn’t find him. It was agonizing to watch. His eyes were filled with anxiety, unease, impatience, even fear.

Seeing they were this close now, Jiang Chen simply stopped calling.

After all, spirit beasts were exceptionally outstanding in terms of vision, hearing, and even smell.

One circle, two circles…

After who knows how many circles, Da Huang still hadn’t found him.

Disappointed, he turned and left. He began searching through the fields, even going inside the house to look. But no matter how hard he tried, he still gained not even a sliver of success.

It was as if Jiang Chen had completely vanished from this world. Sound, aura, scent, even presence… all had disappeared without a trace.

“Nighttime plus plants makes me as undetectable as a ghost.” Jiang Chen was thrilled.

Watching Da Huang dart around like a headless fly, he walked out from behind the poplar tree with a grin.

Catching his master’s scent again, Da Huang’s eyes lit up. He turned his head, instantly locking onto the target.

Even though his body was utterly exhausted, and prolonged movement had left his four legs weak and powerless, he still charged towards his master without hesitation.

The look in his eyes shifted from anxiety, unease, impatience, fear… until finally, only happiness remained.

“Silly dog!” Moved, Jiang Chen crouched down and vigorously rubbed Da Huang’s head.

Whimper, whimper~

Da Huang made coquettish sounds. He even used his two front paws to cling tightly to Jiang Chen, afraid he might disappear again.

A pet might only be a part of its owner’s life. But for a pet, its owner is its entire world.

The next day.

Jiang Chen had just finished his morning routine when vibrations from a communication talisman came from within his small storage pouch.

“Old Jiang, you know about the news that Rank One and Rank Two are having a duel, right?”

“Then why aren’t you hurrying out? Let’s go watch together!”

“No rush. I’m definitely going, but I need to prepare first.”

“Prepare what? Don’t tell me you want to get on that stage and fight too?”

“Think about it carefully. When Rank One and Rank Two fight, there are bound to be tons of people at the scene then. It just so happens I have loads of premium watermelons, premium sweet potatoes, and top-grade Spirit Wine here! This is our chance to make a fortune!”

“Wow! You’re so clever, Old Jiang! I can sell some grilled meat too!”

“You’d better call Old Mo along as well.”

“He can chill my watermelons and Spirit Wine for me!”

After Jin Fugui excitedly cut off communication, the corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth lifted slightly into a rather smug smile.

While everyone else was focused on watching Rank One and Rank Two fight, what he cared more about was how to get those Spirit Stones out of these spectators’ storage pouches!!!