Sixth Layer

Early the next morning, Lin Ye found Deacon Li, who was responsible for housing assignments.

"Changing your quarters?" Deacon Li glanced at Lin Ye. "To move from Grade D to Grade C, you must meet two conditions: first, your cultivation must reach the fourth level of Body Tempering. Second, you must have two hundred contribution points. Have you met both?"

"I have." Lin Ye handed over his identity token.

Deacon Li took it, swiped it across a jade plate, and his face showed surprise. "Fifth level of Body Tempering? Three hundred and twenty-seven contribution points? You kid, not bad."

"Just lucky," Lin Ye said modestly.

"Alright, you meet the requirements. There are still vacant courtyards in the Grade C area. Which one do you want?" Deacon Li took out a map.

On the map, there were dozens of small courtyards in the Grade C area.

Lin Ye scanned it and chose the most remote one—Number 37, Grade C.

This courtyard was located in a secluded corner of the Grade C area, backed against a mountain wall, accessible only by a narrow path, with no other courtyards nearby.

"C-37? That place is quite remote, and the spiritual energy is thin," Deacon Li reminded him.

"This disciple prefers peace and quiet," Lin Ye said.

"Then this one it is. The monthly rent is ten contribution points, which will be deducted from your token. You can move in now."

"Many thanks, Deacon."

Lin Ye took the new door key and returned to the Grade D area to pack his things.

"Lin Ye, you're moving out?" Zhou Ming was stunned.

"Yes, I've changed to Grade C housing."

"Grade C..." Zhou Ming's expression was complex. "Do you have enough contribution points?"

"I do."

"Right, you made the top hundred in the minor competition, so you have three hundred points." Zhou Ming sighed. "Lin Ye, once you're settled, I'll come find you."

"Alright," Lin Ye replied, then looked at Chen Feng. "Senior Brother Chen, farewell."

Chen Feng opened his eyes and nodded. "Take care."

Carrying his simple luggage, Lin Ye left Number 73, Grade D.

Even after walking a long distance, he could still feel two gazes on his back.

Lin Ye quickened his pace and arrived at the Grade C area.

The Grade C area was much better than the Grade D area; it consisted of independent courtyards. Although simple, they at least had courtyard walls.

Number 37 was in the corner, and it was indeed very remote.

Lin Ye pushed the door open and entered.

The courtyard was small, with three rooms: a bedroom, a training room, and a storage room. In the courtyard stood an old tree, with a stone table and stools beneath it.

Although crude, it was far better than the communal dormitory.

"Time to check things out."

Lin Ye carefully inspected the entire courtyard, confirming there were no surveillance formations, recording stones, or similar items.

Then, he set up simple warning formations around the courtyard walls, doors, and windows.

He also dug a hidden compartment under his bed in the bedroom to store important items.

Only after finishing all this did he let out a sigh of relief.

"Now, I can cultivate in peace."

Lin Ye walked into the training room and sat cross-legged.

He silently calculated his future path. His cultivation technique, the Azure Origin Technique, was sufficient for now, but his martial arts were too thin. The most urgent task was to save up one thousand contribution points to exchange for a Mortal-grade high-tier technique as soon as possible.

He also needed to pay attention to his connections. Beyond that, he had to quietly prepare trump cards and life-saving measures like talismans, poisons, and hidden weapons—it was better to be safe than sorry.

For the next month, he stayed almost entirely indoors. During the day, he pretended to cultivate peacefully in the courtyard, occasionally visiting the Chuangong Hall to borrow miscellaneous books to keep up appearances. When night fell and everything was quiet, he would quietly go out to hunt, silently accumulating contribution points.

He was extremely measured in his hunting, going out once every three days and killing only one mid-tier level-one demonic beast each time. His harvest was stable at thirty to fifty contribution points—not too much, not too little—just enough for daily expenses without attracting attention due to excessive gains.

Occasionally, he would intentionally return with minor injuries and close his doors to "recuperate" for a few days; his actions were entirely reasonable.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Lin Ye's contribution points had quietly accumulated to five hundred, and his cultivation, under the guise of stabilizing his realm, had "successfully broken through" to the sixth level of Body Tempering, which he displayed to the public.

He immediately went to the Deacon Hall to report his cultivation and exchange for a new identity token. From then on, as a disciple at the sixth level of Body Tempering, he could accept more difficult tasks and receive more generous sect resources.

This day, while Lin Ye was cultivating in the courtyard, he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Lin Ye frowned.

He had lived in C-37 for a month, and no one had ever come to visit.

"Who is it?"

"Junior Brother Lin, it's me, Chen Feng."

Chen Feng?

Lin Ye stood up and walked to the courtyard gate, but he did not open it immediately.

"Is there something you need, Senior Brother Chen?"

"I have something to discuss. May I come in and talk?" Chen Feng's voice was calm.

Lin Ye hesitated for a moment, but he opened the door nonetheless.

Outside the door, Chen Feng was dressed in green robes with a long sword at his waist, his expression as cold and indifferent as ever.

However, he was carrying a food box in his hand.

"Forgive the intrusion, I brought some wine and food," Chen Feng said.

"Please, come in." Lin Ye stepped aside.

The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Chen Feng opened the food box, which contained a few simple side dishes, a pot of wine, and two cups.

He poured two cups of wine and pushed one toward Lin Ye.

"Junior Brother Lin, you've been keeping to yourself this past month. Have you been cultivating?" Chen Feng asked.

"Yes, I just broke through to the sixth level of Body Tempering and needed to stabilize my foundation." Lin Ye picked up the wine cup but did not drink.

"Sixth level of Body Tempering..." Chen Feng glanced at him and suddenly said, "I saw you in the back mountains three days ago."

Lin Ye's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. "Oh? Where?"

"The pine forest on the west side, where you hunted the Shadow Wolf," Chen Feng said flatly. "That punch was very clean. An ordinary sixth-level Body Tempering cultivator couldn't throw a punch like that."

Lin Ye remained silent.

"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm." Chen Feng took a sip of wine. "I'm just curious, since you clearly have the strength, why hide it?"

"Aren't you hiding your strength as well, Senior Brother Chen?" Lin Ye countered.

Chen Feng was taken aback by these words, then a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. This was the first time Lin Ye had seen him smile, and it looked remarkably genuine.

"You're right." Chen Feng nodded. "I am hiding, too. This world is dangerous. Those who show their edge too early die quickly."

"Then why did you come to find me today, Senior Brother Chen?" Lin Ye asked.

"Cooperation." Chen Feng set down his wine cup. "I accepted a mission that I cannot complete alone. I need a partner."

"What mission?"

"Hunting the Green-Scaled Python," Chen Feng said slowly.

Lin Ye's pupils constricted.

The Green-Scaled Python was a Tier 2 early-stage demonic beast, equivalent to the first or second level of the True Qi Realm.

It guarded the Purple Ginseng.

"Senior Brother Chen, I am only at the sixth level of Body Tempering." Lin Ye shook his head.

"I know." Chen Feng looked at him. "I've been observing you for half a month. Your true combat strength is no lower than the seventh level of Body Tempering. With me, we should have a chance."

"Why choose me?"

"Because you also hide your strength, so you won't go around talking," Chen Feng said. "Besides, you need contribution points. The demonic core of the Green-Scaled Python is worth two hundred contribution points. The snake skin, gall, and bones are worth another hundred combined. As for the Purple Ginseng, each stalk is worth twenty points, and there are at least five of them there."

"Five stalks of Purple Ginseng..." Lin Ye was tempted.

One hundred points of contribution.

"How will we split it?" Lin Ye asked.

"The demonic core goes to me, and we split the other materials fifty-fifty. Whoever picks the Purple Ginseng gets to keep it," Chen Feng said.

"What do you need the demonic core for?" Lin Ye asked, puzzled.

Although the Green-Scaled Python's core was Tier 2, its properties were cold and yin-aligned, making it unsuitable for Body Tempering cultivation.

"I have my uses." Chen Feng did not explain further.

Lin Ye was silent for a moment before saying, "I need to prepare."

"Three days from now, at the hour of the rat, meet me under the cliff on the east side of the back mountains." Chen Feng stood up. "Remember, don't tell anyone, including Zhou Ming."

"Understood."

After Chen Feng left, Lin Ye sat by the stone table, staring at the wine pot for a long time.

The Green-Scaled Python was incredibly dangerous, but he simply could not easily give up the temptation of four hundred contribution points.

It was just that this Chen Feng, who had suddenly sought him out, remained someone he could not see through.