Zhang Xiao Challenges an Inner Disciple

After finishing everything, Ye Lin looked around before returning to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Upon arriving at his living quarters, Ye Lin took out the demon core and three middle-grade spirit stones.

Carefully opening the box, a fragrance immediately wafted into his nostrils; upon closer inspection, it smelled like the scent of a young girl, leaving him feeling invigorated.

Without hesitation, Ye Lin swallowed the demon core in one gulp and immediately began circulating the Star Art with all his might.

In an instant, a violent pain assaulted his internal organs. When cultivators absorb spiritual energy, it is incredibly docile, flowing obediently along the paths dictated by their cultivation techniques once it enters the body.

However, the demon core contained the essence of the entire demon beast, and this berserk power was completely uncontrollable, rampaging through his body like a wild beast.

"Stop!"

Ye Lin's face turned crimson as he began to suppress the demon core with all his strength.

He knew that absorbing a demon core would yield infinite benefits, but he had no idea that it would be so incredibly violent.

No, if this continues, I will be destroyed by this power.

At this moment, Ye Lin's expression shifted. How could he possibly suppress the power contained within a Foundation Establishment Realm demon beast's core? It was far beyond his capabilities.

Watching the spiritual energy he was using to suppress the core's power gradually dwindle, Ye Lin grew frantic.

"Damn it, I'll risk it."

Gritting his teeth, Ye Lin began to absorb the spirit stones in his hands without regard for the consequences, and two distinct forces began to surge through his body.

Three full hours passed before Ye Lin ceased his cultivation, drenched in sweat.

Ye Lin felt a lingering fear; it had taken three full hours to finally refine the demon core, and now the power of the core flowed through his meridians.

He then focused on absorbing the spirit stones, and both forces were rapidly refined and assimilated.

Cultivation knows no passage of time, and in the blink of an eye, a month passed.

"As expected of middle-grade spirit stones; I've been absorbing them for a whole month and have only consumed half of the spiritual energy within."

Looking at the middle-grade spirit stone in his hand, Ye Lin was full of admiration.

Middle-grade spirit stones not only contained purer spiritual energy but also possessed a much greater quantity.

"My current strength has increased significantly compared to before. If I were to use the Seven Kill Fist, I could finish my former self in three moves."

Sensing the power within, Ye Lin muttered to himself. In the Qi Refining realm, every level is a different world; even a small gap of one level is something countless people can only dream of crossing.

Zhang Xiao should have finished his seclusion by now, right?

Ye Lin muttered to himself; he had been cultivating for a month, and by now, Zhang Xiao should have long since emerged.

"It's time to see what my fate holds."

Suppressing his brief joy, Ye Lin opened his Life Panel.

Name: Ye Lin Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 7 Fate Grade: Black (Calamitous) Life Logic: [Cursed with Bad Luck] [Divine Comprehension] Destiny: After Zhang Xiao emerges from seclusion, he will forcefully defeat an Inner Sect disciple today and become a new Inner Sect disciple. Upon learning that you have become an Outer Sect disciple, he will ambush you at the foot of the mountain in three days. Under the ambush, you will suffer heavy injuries, but at the critical moment, you will produce a talisman to counter-kill him. Recent Opportunity: None

[Cursed with Bad Luck]: Poor luck; for example, you will inevitably trip while walking, and if you marry, you will inevitably be cheated on. [Divine Comprehension]: Exceptional comprehension; you learn various techniques at an extremely fast speed. For the same technique, while others need three months, you only need a few days.

Looking at his recent opportunity, Ye Lin fell into deep thought.

This Zhang Xiao really is a treacherous snake. I've only revealed my strength to be at the fourth level of Qi Refining, yet he still intends to use an ambush.

"Three days from now, is it? Perfect. Only by killing you can I cultivate in peace and prepare everything for becoming an Inner Sect disciple."

After thinking it through, Ye Lin stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and walked out. Having cultivated for a month, he needed to walk around and stretch his limbs.

Just as he stepped out, he saw several Chore Disciples whispering to one another.

Although he was an Outer Sect disciple, he still lived in the chore area, making him quite the anomaly.

"Did you hear? Senior Brother Zhang Xiao has officially declared war on the Inner Sect disciple Niu Bo. The battle is taking place at the Outer Sect Plaza. Let's go take a look!"

"Look at what? Damn it, the new Chore Overseer is like a dog; he does nothing all day but squeeze us dry and exhaust our last bit of strength."

"Exactly, my body still aches from earlier."

Listening to the disciples' whispers, Ye Lin's lips curled upward as he headed toward the Outer Sect Plaza.

This was his first chance to see an Inner Sect disciple up close; he couldn't miss this opportunity.

Upon arriving at the Outer Sect Plaza, it was already surrounded by countless Outer Sect disciples.

This was the first time in ten years that an Outer Sect disciple had challenged an Inner Sect disciple, prompting them all to emerge from their seclusion to watch the battle.

The resources available to Inner Sect disciples were on an entirely different level than those of the Outer Sect; an Inner Sect disciple's daily resource allowance was ten times that of an Outer Sect disciple.

Not only that, but becoming an Inner Sect disciple granted one the opportunity for a medicinal bath and a free Yellow-grade high-tier martial art. If one performed exceptionally well, they could even obtain the Azure Cloud Sect's Sect-Suppressing Technique.

If outer sect disciples were likened to adopted children, then inner sect disciples were the biological ones; the gap between the two was as vast as heaven and earth.

On the arena, a man clad in black stared fixedly at the man before him who carried two long swords on his back. The two stood upon the stage, the air thick with intense killing intent.

"Junior Brother, who are you betting on to win?"

At this moment, an outer sect disciple leaned in toward Ye Lin and asked with a cheeky grin.

"The fight hasn't started yet; the outcome is unknown."

Although he already knew the result, Ye Lin shook his head and replied.

"If you kneel and kowtow three times right now and then roll off this stage, I will forgive your act of insolence this time."

The man carrying the long swords spoke; he was the inner sect disciple being challenged, Niu Bo.

When an outer sect disciple challenged an inner sect disciple, if the inner sect disciple lost, they would not only be stripped of their status but also have their resources confiscated, with none issued for five years.

In other words, once an inner sect disciple failed, they would be knocked off their pedestal, which filled him with murderous intent toward the person before him. Regardless of the outcome of this battle, he would become a laughingstock.

The first inner sect disciple to be challenged in ten years, heh...

"Of course. I have prepared for this day for eight years. Do you know how I spent those eight years? Enough talk, let's begin."

Zhang Xiao had no desire to waste words with the man before him. For the sake of the Inner Sect Secret Realm, he had put in eight full years of effort, all to enter the secret realm and obtain the Sect-Suppressing Technique.

Over those eight years, he had made countless preparations. The disciple before him was the weakest among the inner sect disciples, with a cultivation base of only the eighth level of Qi Refining.

In the past, outer sect disciples at the eighth level of Qi Refining had emerged, but they had never dared to challenge this man. However, while others dared not, he dared.

"It seems you've lived long enough."

After Niu Bo finished speaking, he drew the twin swords from his back and slashed toward Zhang Xiao. He opened with a lethal strike; even if he killed Zhang Xiao now, the sect would not hold him accountable.

You want to become an inner sect disciple? Fine, but you must bear the consequences.

Let me first see what Zhang Xiao's panel looks like.

Standing in the crowd, Ye Lin thought to himself, then cast his gaze upon Zhang Xiao. Instantly, a transparent panel appeared.

Name: Zhang Xiao
Cultivation: Qi Refining, 8th Level
Fate Grade: White (Has some potential)
Destiny: [Hidden Spiritual Root]
Fate: Logically becomes an inner sect disciple, but after only a few days of glory, he is killed by Ye Lin using a talisman three days later.
Recent Opportunity: After becoming an inner sect disciple, he enters the "Inner" Mission Pavilion for the first time. While accepting a mission there, he will head down the mountain to Tianfeng City tomorrow. At a famous blacksmith shop in Sun-Moon City, he will discover a piece of Mystic Gold being used to prop up a table under the workbench.

[Hidden Spiritual Root]: Appears to be a low-grade spiritual root on the surface, but is actually a mid-grade spiritual root. Due to various reasons, the spiritual root is suppressed and remains hidden.

Looking at Zhang Xiao's panel, Ye Lin sneered inwardly.

However, he had no idea what this "Mystic Gold" was.

Ye Lin then turned his head to look at the outer sect disciple beside him.

"Senior Brother, what exactly is Mystic Gold?"

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