Proficiency Grinding to the Max, Grinding My Way into Becoming the Sword Immortal of the Mortal World - Part 40

Yun Shu's feelings were complicated. Though this was only natural, he still felt a little helpless.

But then he chuckled at himself. He really was greedy.

If he wanted to increase his strength without using up any resources, where in the world would he find such a good deal?

Besides, rumors said that beyond Tier 3 Sword Intent lay an entirely different realm, and it might consume even more Energy Points.

After thinking it over, Yun Shu decided he might have to rely on Tier 3 Sword Intent for a while.

According to the Transmission Elder, Sword Intent didn't just have stages and levels. There were even Sword Intents with attributes.

For example, Fire Attribute Sword Intent and Metal Attribute Sword Intent.

Understanding those required more than just grasping Sword Intent; one also needed to understand the attributes themselves.

That wasn't something an ordinary person could accomplish.

Still, Yun Shu kept it in mind. He was quite interested in comprehending these new concepts, and with the system's help, perhaps the process could be shortened countless times over.

Then Yun Shu left the place.

He headed for the next location.

Lin Yang was already waiting there. When he didn't see Yun Shu, he had started practicing the Body Refining Technique in the mountain range.

Yun Shu walked over, curious.

"Junior Brother Yun."

Lin Yang saw Yun Shu approaching and stopped his movements. "Didn't you go inside to complete the mission? I thought you'd come out from somewhere in these mountains."

"No, I just got here. I'm about to go in," Yun Shu said without batting an eye.

Yun Shu entered the forest.

Before long, he came back carrying a whole litter of golden tiger cubs.

"Are these Golden Python Tigers?" Lin Yang exclaimed.

The Golden Python Tigers had intricate markings.

Their patterns resembled a python, with scales covering their bodies.

Yun Shu held the three cubs in his hands. They didn't seem all that remarkable.

He tossed the three cubs toward Lin Yang. "Take them. I still have to go to the next location, so come along. These little tigers aren't going anywhere."

Lin Yang nodded slightly. That was true. The cubs curiously looked around, and one bared its teeth, glaring fiercely. It had a fierce yet adorable look.

These were Golden Python Tiger cubs worth hundreds of Qi Nurturing Pills. Yun Shu had gotten lucky, finding three in one go and completing the mission beyond expectations.

"Turn one in, then sell the other two at the Marketplace," Yun Shu said. "They should fetch a good price there."

"That's true. I guarantee they'll sell for several times the sect mission reward at the Marketplace," Lin Yang replied.

Then he looked at the cubs with a trace of regret. "If we had an adult Golden Python Tiger, its skin would be worth a fortune."

Yun Shu narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

He did have an adult Golden Python Tiger, and it was in his bag.

Once he absorbed its energy, he could skin it. If he took the hide to the Marketplace afterward, it might really fetch an exorbitant price.

Of course, it wouldn't sell for much at the Marketplace. To sell something so precious, he'd have to go to one of the major trade associations.

In any case, for Yun Shu, missions weren't just training. They were also a great opportunity to gather resources and wealth.

He completed this mission astonishingly quickly.

The next mission.

He had to gather medicinal herbs.

The herb grew on a mound of bones. By the time Yun Shu arrived, it had just ripened.

He picked it along the way.

As a crowd of Demonic Beasts howled at him, Yun Shu fled at once. The beasts gave chase but failed to catch him, then each went their separate way.

At last, after completing several missions, Yun Shu pointed to the second B-grade Mission.

He studied the map and the information provided by the sect for a while.

Then he glanced at Lin Yang. "Senior Brother Lin, head back to the sect first. Let's meet here tomorrow afternoon."

Yun Shu's finger came to rest on a place marked on the map.

It wasn't far from the marked location, but this time Yun Shu didn't intend to bring Lin Yang along.

Missions were risky by nature. Sometimes he could keep himself safe on his own, but bringing someone along would only weigh him down.

That was especially true when the difference in strength between the two people was too great.

With the mission already dangerous and other factors uncertain, the chances of failure only grew.

Yun Shu wasn't afraid of failing, but judging from last time, Lin Yang might not be of much use on a mission.

Still, if Lin Yang hadn't gone missing, Yun Shu might not have gone looking for that Old Man, and he wouldn't have gained what came afterward. That was the great truth of gains and losses.

Yun Shu had no reason to blame or despise Lin Yang.

"Alright. Be careful, Junior Brother." Lin Yang had also read the mission description. It was enough to make anyone's heart pound, and he couldn't understand why Yun Shu had chosen such a mission.

"Thank you." Yun Shu cupped his hands slightly, then rode away.

Lin Yang looked at the things around him.

He couldn't help laughing wryly. By now, he must count as quite wealthy.

He'd better keep it hidden, lest he attract the greed of others.

It would be a lie to say no one would covet it. Even Lin Yang himself was tempted by any one of the things he had.

He still had Yun Shu to thank for trusting him.

Lin Yang said nothing more and headed toward the sect.

Half a day later.

That night, Yun Shu arrived at a Mountain Villa.

This was his destination.

"Three at Body Refining Peak, and one who's just entered Qi Refining." Yun Shu narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Mountain Villa's top figures were likely the ones Yun Shu had to deal with.

They were also the greatest threat.

Yun Shu had no intention of doing anything fair and square. As long as he killed them, he could take a few drops of their blood to claim the reward.

The sect had a secret art that could determine the strength of the person whose blood had been collected, as well as the state of its coagulation—in other words, how long that person had been dead.

Beyond that, they couldn't learn any specific information, and the method had its drawbacks.

But the sect's authority was formidable, so no one would dare falsify anything.

Yun Shu slipped in from outside.

With Ghost Shadow Steps at Great Accomplishment, even if he passed close by people of lower cultivation, they would think he was only a passing breeze.

The Mountain Villa was bustling. Lanterns and decorations adorned the place, and the scent of wine wafted everywhere.

Yun Shu leaped down from a wall ten meters high.

Sure enough, the grounds were crowded, lively and noisy.

He could even see a grand banquet underway, with crowds of people bustling about.

Yun Shu rubbed his chin. If he killed them, could he really escape with so many people around?

The answer was obviously no, so he could only wait patiently for an opportunity.

Even if these guests weren't on the same side as the Mountain Villa, they were all connected by family ties. If they swarmed him, they certainly wouldn't stand by and do nothing.

Plan before acting—that was something Yun Shu understood.

The lavish banquet was being held because the Old Master had broken through to the Qi Condensation Stage, adding a Qi Condensation expert to the Mountain Villa.

In fact, the outside world strictly controlled cultivation manuals. Even Qi Condensation techniques were exceedingly rare, which left large numbers of Martial World experts stuck at Body Refining Peak.

It took formidable methods and strength to bring forth a Qi Condensation cultivator.

Just like that Old Man last time. He had failed to break through to Qi Condensation even as he lay dying, and had even become obsessed with it. In the end, he had died because of that obsession.

This Mountain Villa was called Dust Avoiding Villa. It had three swordsmen, all at Body Refining Peak and immensely powerful.

The mission had once again been issued by the Gufeng Dynasty. Yun Shu didn't know whether the dynasty had gotten a taste for it after what happened last time, or what. In any case, this Mountain Villa posed a far greater threat to them than the bandits from before.

This time, Yun Shu hadn't gone to the Dynasty to report the mission. With his status as an Inner Sect Disciple, there was no need for him to communicate with the Dynasty anymore.

When necessary, the Dynasty itself would become Yun Shu's tool.