After the announcements, most inner disciples dispersed.
Deputy Hall Master Zhang left too, but not before giving Ling Xiao an expectant pat on the shoulder. “Kid, Old Yang has high hopes for you. Joint training’s only a month, but I hope you stir things up. The inner sect’s been stagnant lately—needs some fresh air.”
Laughing heartily, he left without caring if Ling Xiao understood.
Ling Xiao stood stunned, realizing Zhang was essentially encouraging him to cause a ruckus during the training.
“Ling Xiao, you’re only here temporarily, so make the most of it. Take on sect missions exclusive to inner disciples,” Lan Yu’er advised, lingering. Though keen on the core disciple ranking battle and the Young Sect Master contest, she wanted to ensure Ling Xiao was clear on things.
Sect missions were posted daily on the inner sect hall’s bulletin board.
Any inner disciple could take them. Completing missions earned rewards, resources, and inner sect points.
These points were key to exchanging for martial arts, divine weapons, elixirs, and more.
Similar to the military merits in Hidden Dragon Camp.
With enough points, one could even enter the Yuehua Tower to select martial arts, from precious-grade to top-tier gold-grade.
While inner disciples didn’t need a token to enter the Yuehua Tower, accessing martial art manuals required points—sect rules.
“Thanks for the guidance, Senior Sister Lan. I’ll start taking missions soon.”
Ling Xiao knew the value of points. With this opportunity, he wouldn’t pass it up.
Back in Hidden Dragon Camp, military merits had secured him better martial arts, paving his path to today.
Rather than waiting for handouts, he’d seize what he needed—his way.
“No need for thanks,” Lan Yu’er said, waving her hand. “Be careful. Sect missions require leaving the sect, giving those with ill intentions a chance to target you. Stay vigilant.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Senior Sister.”
Ling Xiao was well aware of the risks. He couldn’t hide in the sect forever.
With his current strength, even a Mortal Realm third heaven cultivator would struggle to harm him, so he wasn’t overly worried.
If he couldn’t win, he’d escape.
That’s why he was eager to advance <Cloud Dragon Divine Movement> and <Nine Demons Divine Art>.
The former was for fleeing.
The latter boosted defense and strength, a powerful auxiliary technique.
…
After parting with Lan Yu’er, Ling Xiao, guided by Zhao Zhi and Dai Yuling, joined Xiao Yan and Lin Feng to locate their cave dwellings.
Xiao Yan and Lin Feng shared one.
Ling Xiao had his own.
Zhao Ci had left earlier.
The Northern Han princess always found Ling Xiao too bloodthirsty, especially after seeing Jian Renwang’s severe injuries, deepening her aversion. She was too ashamed to associate with him.
“Junior Brother Ling, I’m off too. If you need anything, just say the word. I consider you a good friend,” Zhao Zhi said, smiling at Ling Xiao’s cave entrance.
“If you see me as a friend, I’ll do the same.”
Initially, Ling Xiao hadn’t thought much of Zhao Zhi, but now, aside from his penchant for power plays, he seemed worth befriending.
“Ling Xiao, need any herbs, just tell me. I can’t help with much, but growing herbs? No problem,” Dai Yuling offered, smiling.
“Haha, I’m lucky then. Nothing for now, but I’ll definitely need some later.”
As an alchemist, Ling Xiao relied on herbs and would surely need Dai Yuling’s help.
“We’ll take our leave!”
After Zhao Zhi and Dai Yuling left, Ling Xiao didn’t dive into training. Instead, he made a plan—
First, use the wooden token to select a powerful soul cultivation method from the Yuehua Tower.
Then, take on a few sect missions.
Leaving the sect would spare him constant sparring requests.
He didn’t rush to the tower.
This visit, he had ulterior motives.
Having studied the tower’s ancient grand array, he aimed for the best soul cultivation method.
Before going, he needed to master the array’s intricacies, hoping to “steal” his target under the tower master’s watch.
In his Mountains and Rivers Martial Soul, Ling Xiao rehearsed multiple times.
All attempts failed.
Cracking the array would alert the tower master, spelling trouble.
Cracking was out.
But through repeated tries, he’d gained a deeper understanding of the array’s flaws and weak points.
A new idea formed.
Why bother cracking the array?
He could exploit its vulnerabilities to pilfer the desired manual. It’d be tough without alerting the tower master, but not impossible.
He was confident.
To ensure success, Ling Xiao spent half an hour refining his approach, achieving near-perfect odds before heading to the Yuehua Tower.
Though not his first visit, he was thrilled.
This time’s goal was different.
The tower’s guards remained aloof, barely acknowledging him.
But that didn’t dampen his mood. Flashing his wooden token, he entered, using it to unlock the wooden door.
He began selecting martial arts.
The process was under surveillance, but outwardly, he appeared no different from other disciples.
In a hidden space, the Yuehua Tower’s master watched Ling Xiao with interest, curious about what this youth, who’d chosen the Celestial Phenomenon of Thunder, would pick next.
He was eager to find out.
He believed a disciple who took such an unorthodox path would choose something equally bold.
