In the First Saint Sect, Servant Disciples who wanted to defy heaven and change their fate had only one option.
One path alone.
Take the Sect Examination and become an Inner Sect Disciple.
Yet throughout the history of the First Saint Sect since its founding, the number of Servant Disciples who had become Inner Sect Disciples could be counted on one hand.
The First Saint Sect's Servant Disciples had been dumped here precisely because their aptitude for cultivation was too low.
How could defying heaven and changing their fate be easy?
"Hmm... it's not that this old man hasn't considered it, but whether I can take the Sect Examination and become an Inner Sect Disciple still depends on the Sect Leader's wishes."
Lin Mo nodded, considering the matter.
Within the First Saint Sect, the status of a Servant Disciple came with far too many restrictions.
Lin Mo did want to become an Inner Sect Disciple.
The question now was where Liu Ziyan stood on the matter.
"I think it should be fine."
Shangguan Wuqing said, "If the Sect Leader agrees, you can take the Enforcement Hall's Inner Sect Disciple examination. I'll pull some strings with my master then and have you assigned to our Vermilion Bird Squad."
"That way, dual cultivation will be much more convenient for us."
"Heh, thank you for your kindness, Captain Wuqing, but that's still a long way off. Who knows when the Sect Leader will return?"
Lin Mo gave an evasive answer.
He did not want Shangguan Wuqing to tie him down too tightly.
For all the kindness Shangguan Wuqing showed him now, Lin Mo knew the truth.
It was all thanks to his pure yang sacred body.
Without his pure yang sacred body, he and Shangguan Wuqing would never have become particularly close.
After more than a century in the First Saint Sect, Lin Mo knew full well that he could not completely trust anyone here!
"What, you don't want to join the Enforcement Hall?" Shangguan Wuqing clearly was not so easily fooled.
"That's not it. This old man simply thinks the Sect Leader probably won't let me become an Inner Sect Disciple."
"You shouldn't be so certain."
Shangguan Wuqing disagreed. "One more servant in the Maidservant Department makes no difference, and neither does one fewer. Why must the Sect Leader specifically make you the Purple Heaven Palace's Exclusive Servant?"
"Ah, it's a long story." Lin Mo sighed. "If the Sect Leader agrees, this old man will definitely join the Enforcement Hall."
"Mm, that's more like it."
Having received the answer she wanted, Shangguan Wuqing finally smiled in satisfaction. "All right, I need to check on the office. If you feel it's unsafe outside, just stay here."
"If anything comes up, you can find me directly at the Vermilion Bird Office."
After putting on her clothes and tidying her appearance, Shangguan Wuqing left.
Lin Mo sat cross-legged and began circulating the Yin-Yang Evil Demon Art within his body.
Powerful spiritual power flowed through every meridian in his body, and Lin Mo could distinctly feel it.
His cultivation had grown considerably stronger again.
"This feeling of my cultivation improving so noticeably really is satisfying!" The corners of Lin Mo's mouth lifted as he spoke excitedly.
After settling his emotions, Lin Mo began attempting to break through to the foundation establishment middle stage.
He still had around twenty-two thousand spirit stones on him, so his reserves were plentiful.
Besides, it was unsafe for him outside.
Other than cultivating, Lin Mo had nothing else to do.
Tap!
Before long, a faint footstep sounded from the living room.
Since Shangguan Wuqing had not closed the bedroom door when she left, Lin Mo heard the footsteps in the living room clearly.
At the same time, a dangerous aura drifted through the air and into Lin Mo's perception.
Lin Mo narrowed his eyes dangerously and immediately stopped cultivating.
With a clench of his hand, the Black Blade flashed into existence.
Soon, a figure appeared in the doorway.
Judging by his attire, he was clearly an Enforcement Hall disciple!
"I knew I wasn't mistaken. You really are here!" The man grinned, making no attempt to conceal his icy killing intent.
"Foundation establishment middle stage?"
Judging by his aura, this Enforcement Hall disciple should indeed have been at the foundation establishment middle stage.
Although his cultivation was higher than Lin Mo's, Lin Mo did not believe he stood no chance of winning!
"Fellow Daoist of the Enforcement Hall, this old man doesn't seem to know you. Why do you want to kill me?" Lin Mo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Hmph, you're just a servant. If I kill you, I kill you. Do I need a reason?"
A mocking smile curled the Enforcement Hall disciple's lips. "But I've always had a merciful heart, so I'll at least let you understand why you're dying."
"If you must blame someone, blame yourself for provoking someone you shouldn't have."
"Besides, I don't want to go to the Tower of Self-Cultivation and Self-Immolation, so I'll have to ask you to die instead!"
Although the man had not given a name, Lin Mo could more or less guess.
Barring any surprises, the person he had supposedly provoked...
Was none other than the Enforcement Hall's Azure Dragon Squad Captain, Zhuiming!
"Heh, unfortunately, this old man doesn't want to die either."
Lin Mo chuckled, remaining calm and composed.
"That's not up to you!"
Humm!
The moment the Enforcement Hall disciple finished speaking, a fierce blade intent glinting with cold light hurtled straight at him.
Lin Mo had struck first.
"Instead of obediently accepting your death, you actually dare fight back? Interesting."
"In that case, let this old servant learn what the foundation establishment middle stage truly means!"
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"Junior Sister."
Just as Shangguan Wuqing reached the entrance of the Vermilion Bird Office, Zhuiming's voice came from behind her.
"Did you need something, Senior Brother?" Shangguan Wuqing's expression remained unruffled, her tone flat.
For some reason, the more she looked at Zhuiming, the more disagreeable she found him.
Perhaps it was because of Lin Mo.
"Junior Sister, have you... reached middle golden core? Congratulations!" Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Shangguan Wuqing, almost on par with his own, Zhuiming spoke with some surprise.
Shangguan Wuqing merely nodded, her attitude toward Zhuiming utterly indifferent.
A pang twisted through Zhuiming's heart.
Before this, Shangguan Wuqing had never treated him as coldly as she did now.
Shangguan Wuqing stood right before his eyes, yet he felt it.
This junior sister of his was drifting farther and farther away from him.
"Junior Sister, to celebrate your breakthrough, why don't we exchange a few moves? We'll stop short of hurting each other." Zhuiming still wore a smile, acting as though nothing was wrong.
Shangguan Wuqing was considering whether to accept Zhuiming's request to spar.
But suddenly, she realized something!
Why did Zhuiming's words sound so much like what she had said when she kept him occupied two days ago?
In that instant.
Shangguan Wuqing's sixth sense warned her that something was wrong.
"Lin Mo!"
After shooting Zhuiming an icy glare, Shangguan Wuqing immediately sprang into motion, rushing home as fast as she could.
"Junior Sister?"
Zhuiming frowned and immediately chased after her, blocking her path. "Junior Sister, even if you don't want to spar with me, you should at least give me a clear answer, shouldn't you?"
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Senior Brother Zhuiming, I'll give you a clear answer right now!"
Shangguan Wuqing glared at Zhuiming, cold as frost, and declared sternly, "If your people have broken into my home, just wait for my master to punish you!"
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