Elder's Opportunity

But the next instant, a spray of blood flashed. Dong Feng clutched his throat in disbelief, his eyes wide as he fell to the ground.

"I have always believed that the dead keep secrets better."

Looking at Dong Feng's corpse, Ye Lin wiped his Long Sword.

After two months in the sect, the only truth he had learned was this: when killing someone, one must never show mercy. The moment one did, the one who died would be oneself.

Looking at the three corpses before him, Ye Lin took out the Bone-Melting Powder he had seized from Zhang Liang earlier and sprinkled it over the bodies.

In an instant, the corpses that had been lying there intact turned into pools of blood the moment they came into contact with the Bone-Melting Powder, soaking into the ground and vanishing without a trace.

After erasing the signs of battle around him, Ye Lin turned and headed back to his residence.

"Destiny should have changed somewhat now, right?"

He believed that the silent disappearance of Zhao Hu and the other two would surely stir up a hurricane in the Outer Sect. But those who knew the truth would definitely think of him first.

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 6

Fate Rank: Black (Calamitous)

Fate Traits: [Cursed with Bad Luck] [Divine Comprehension]

Destiny: The disappearance of Zhao Hu and the other two stirred up towering waves in the Outer Sect. Those planning to attack you held themselves back and did not strike again. A month and a half later, Zhang Xiao emerged from seclusion. After learning that you had killed Zhang Liang, he did not choose to attack you immediately. Instead, he challenged an Inner Sect disciple. Zhang Xiao then defeated the Inner Sect disciple and successfully became a new Inner Sect disciple, after which he attacked you and forcefully killed you.

Recent Opportunity: None

[Cursed with Bad Luck]: Your luck is poor. For example, you will trip whenever you walk and get cheated on whenever you marry.

[Divine Comprehension]: Your comprehension is Transcendental Comprehension. You grasp all kinds of cultivation techniques at extraordinary speed. With the same technique, others need three months, while you need only a few days.

Looking at his Destiny, Ye Lin stroked his chin. Zhang Xiao had not chosen to kill him the moment he emerged from seclusion. Instead, he would first challenge an Inner Sect disciple.

After becoming an Inner Sect disciple, he would receive the sect's protection. The sect would not punish an Inner Sect disciple over a dead Chore Overseer.

If a Chore Overseer died, they could simply replace him. But every Inner Sect disciple was a future pillar of the sect.

It had to be said that Zhang Xiao's method was the wisest one.

"Even in the Outer Sect, my current cultivation can be considered among the top tier. If I become an Outer Sect disciple, I can obtain three Spirit Conversion Pills, which will greatly help raise my cultivation."

"And I will also receive the sect's protection."

"In three days, I will become an Outer Sect disciple."

Ye Lin muttered to himself. Azure Cloud Sect was filled with competition. Once one possessed sufficient strength, even a Chore Disciple could advance to the Inner Sect.

But for higher positions, combat strength alone was not enough; it depended on one's Spirit Root.

Chore Disciples, including Chore Overseers, were merely errand workers to Azure Cloud Sect. They would never amount to anything in their entire lives.

Outer Sect disciples, however, were different. Not only did they receive Spirit Stones and pills every month, but they also enjoyed the sect's protection to a certain extent.

Time quickly passed. The next day, the entire Outer Sect erupted into commotion as countless Outer Sect disciples headed toward the Back Mountain.

"Isn't the Back Mountain too terrifying? I remember taking a piss there yesterday. Who would have thought that three Outer Sect disciples would die there last night?"

"Damn it, I'm never going there again. It's too scary."

Listening to the Chore Disciples discussing matters outside, Ye Lin's heart tightened.

Azure Cloud Sect truly could not be underestimated. He had killed Zhao Hu and the others in the Back Mountain, and he had cleaned everything up thoroughly. Yet after only one night, Azure Cloud Sect already knew that the three had died in the Back Mountain.

"Did you hear any noises in the Back Mountain last night?"

At that moment, a white-bearded old man approached Ye Lin and asked slowly.

"Elder, I was cultivating all night and did not notice any sounds."

Ye Lin bowed to the old man before him. This old man was the Outer Sect Elder of Azure Cloud Sect, a terrifying expert at Qi Refining Level 9.

"Three Outer Sect disciples died in the Back Mountain last night. As the Chore Overseer, the Back Mountain falls under your jurisdiction. Do you truly know nothing?"

A cold gleam flashed in the elder's eyes, and an imposing aura pressed down upon Ye Lin.

"Elder, I cultivated quietly last night. I do not know."

Ye Lin gritted his teeth against the pressure and spoke each word distinctly.

"Hmph. As the Chore Overseer, this matter is somewhat related to you as well. Your contribution points for the next three years will be deducted."

With that, the elder snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and headed toward the Back Mountain. Looking at the elder's departing figure, Ye Lin cursed inwardly.

Chore Overseers received fixed contribution point rewards every month, issued by the Outer Sect Elder Hall. Rather than a punishment, it would be more accurate to say that the old bastard had swallowed them all.

"Old bastard, let's see how long you can keep this up."

At that moment, a panel appeared before Ye Lin.

Name: Zhang San

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 9

Fate Rank: White (Unremarkable)

Fate Traits: [Cuckold Expert]

Destiny: Knowing that he had no hope of advancing in cultivation and that his lifespan was nearing its end, he would descend the mountain in half a year to seek an opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. On the way, he would encounter an Evil Demon and be drained of all his blood essence, dying as a result.

Recent Opportunity: Tomorrow, he would purchase a Life-Prolonging Pill in West Wind City at the foot of the mountain. At the city gate, he would encounter a young servant setting up a stall. Inside one blue box, he would discover a talisman that could unleash a full-power strike of Qi Refining Level 9 when activated with all his strength. From then on, he would regard it as his trump card kept at the bottom of the chest.

[Cuckold Expert]: He loved taking wives, but his equipment did not work. Either he was being cuckolded, or he was on the road to being cuckolded.

"I can actually see an elder's opportunity."

Looking at the panel before him, Ye Lin was delighted. He had been unable to see it last time, yet he could view it now.

It seemed that what the panel displayed was closely tied to his own strength. If the gap in strength was too great, he could not view it.

"Will Azure Cloud Sect be invaded by Evil Demons in half a year? Or will something happen?"

Ye Lin muttered. He had looked at the panels of many disciples, and all of them had their blood essence drained by Evil Demons half a year later. This made him wary.

Something major would happen in half a year.

Only sufficient strength would allow him to survive the calamity.

"West Wind City? A talisman capable of a full-power strike from Qi Refining Level 9? If I obtain it, I will have another layer of protection after Zhang Xiao emerges from seclusion."

Talismans were made by talisman masters, blessed by the craftsmanship of heaven and earth. Specific runes were inscribed upon them, and once activated, they could unleash a Heaven-Shaking strike.

After thinking it over, Ye Lin immediately headed down the mountain. West Wind City was a small city closest to Azure Cloud Sect and one of the cities protected by Azure Cloud Sect.

Azure Cloud Sect extended its influence across ten thousand li. It was a colossus within those ten thousand li, governing no fewer than eighty cities, if not a hundred.

Along the way, Ye Lin cautiously avoided all kinds of Demon Beasts. Demon Beasts were plentiful around Azure Cloud Sect, and a single misstep could cost him his life.

Disciples descending the mountain on missions would generally be escorted by elders to ensure they descended safely. If one went down the mountain alone, one had to be exceedingly careful.

After a perilous but uneventful journey and half a day of travel, Ye Lin finally left the mountains and headed toward West Wind City.

"What are you here for?"

Just as Ye Lin was about to enter the city, a city gate guard stopped him.

"I came into the city to handle some matters."

After Ye Lin spoke, the guarding soldier eyed him suspiciously.

"Where did you come from? Recently, bandits have been appearing frequently around here. What proof do you have that you are not one of them?"

Hearing the man's words, Ye Lin was rather speechless. He then took out his Chore Overseer Identity Token.

"I am a Chore Overseer of Azure Cloud Sect. I came down the mountain to handle some matters in the city. Is there a problem?"

"No problem, no problem. Please, go ahead."

Upon seeing the Identity Token in Ye Lin's hand, the city guard's attitude took a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, and he spoke with great respect.