23: Chapter 23: Accepting Quests Like Crazy

He was still wearing fine robes, standing with his hands behind his back, his brow carrying the usual arrogance, followed by two other Disciples also wearing Houtu Peak attire.

Chen Yufei's gaze swept over Lin Xuan, seeing his slightly disheveled clothes and panting appearance, the corners of his mouth curved up: "It's been almost a year since you entered the sect, right? Still entangled with this kind of lowest-level Yao Beast?"

Lin Xuan did not stop moving his hands, forcing back the pouncing Iron-Bone Ape with another Lightning Strike Technique, his tone calm: "Senior Brother Chen."

In the Sanyang Sect, those who entered the sect at the same time addressed each other as Senior Brother or Junior Brother based on their cultivation level.

Lin Xuan was not swayed by Chen Yufei's words.

These two months of actual combat training had made him realize that everyone has their own way of walking the path of immortality, and comparing oneself to others is useless.

Seeing him unmoved, Chen Yufei raised an eyebrow and suddenly jumped down.

His landing was steady, showing a solid Foundation in earth-element Cultivation Techniques.

He did not attack directly, but walked to the edge of the battle circle, watching the battle with interest.

After another moment, Lin Xuan seized the opportunity.

Taking advantage of an Iron-Bone Ape landing off balance after missing a pounce, thunderous light flared brightly on his qingyun sword, and he thrust with all his might at its neck joint—that was one of the few weak points in the Iron-Bone Ape's defense.

"Pfft!"

The sword tip penetrated half an inch, and the Thunder Spiritual Energy erupted.

The Iron-Bone Ape screamed and stumbled backward.

The other one, seeing this, went into a frenzy and pounced regardless of everything.

At this moment, Chen Yufei moved.

He did not use any flashy Spells, just took a step forward, his right fist glowing with a yellowish-brown light, and threw a punch in a casual manner.

"Bang!"

In the muffled sound of impact, the pouncing Iron-Bone Ape was like hitting a mountain, flying backward, crashing into the rock wall and sliding down, struggling twice before becoming still.

Lin Xuan took the opportunity to finish off the injured one with a sword strike.

The battle ended.

Lin Xuan steadied his breathing and looked at Chen Yufei: "Many thanks for your help, Senior Brother Chen."

Chen Yufei withdrew his fist, patted off non-existent dust, his tone still carrying that condescending casualness: "Just a casual effort.

But Junior Brother Lin, fighting like this is too exhausting.

The weak points of the Iron-Bone Ape are in its joints and eyes.

What's the use of just hitting its back?"

He said this, pointing to the Iron-Bone Ape on the ground that had been killed by his punch: "See? Three inches below the center of the chest is where their heart is, where the skeletal gap is largest.

If you use the shock force of an earth-element Spell to penetrate it, one strike is enough."

This counted as combat guidance, although the tone was not very pleasant.

Lin Xuan looked at that spot carefully and nodded: "I have learned."

Chen Yufei seemed a bit surprised by his reaction.

According to reason, an Outer Sect Disciple being "guided" like this would either be embarrassed or unconvinced, but Lin Xuan just accepted it calmly, as if listening to the most ordinary thing.

"You..." Chen Yufei paused, but in the end, he didn't continue, turning to his two companions and saying, "Let's go, our task is to the north."

After walking a few steps, he turned back to look at Lin Xuan: "Cloud Mist Valley is about to open.

Be careful with this fighting style of yours when you go in."

After speaking, he didn't wait for a response and left with his people.

Lin Xuan watched the backs of the three disappear into the cliff wall and shook his head.

He squatted down to deal with the corpses of the two Iron-Bone Apes—the ape bones were low-level Artifact Refining Materials that could be exchanged for a few contribution points, so they could not be wasted.

By the time he finished cleaning up, the sun was nearing noon.

Lin Xuan counted the spoils: two Iron-Bone Apes, still ten short of the task quota.

Although he didn't use any Talismans in this battle, he had consumed most of his Spiritual Qi and added several abrasions to his body.

"Practical combat experience is still insufficient."

He reflected on the battle just now.

Chen Yufei was right; his understanding of the Iron-Bone Ape's weaknesses was not thorough enough, and his attack efficiency was too low.

However, there were gains from this exchange: he became more proficient in the coordination of the "Wind Control Technique" and "Lightning Strike Technique," and his control over Spiritual Qi under pressure had improved.

"Take it slow."

Lin Xuan took a Medicinal Pill for recovering Qi, adjusted his breathing for a moment, and continued to search up the cliff.

In the following days, he successively completed the Black Wind Cliff task and took another task to collect "Cold Iron Ore" from the depths of the "Yin Wind Cave."

The difficulty of these tasks gradually increased, and contribution points were also gradually earned.

By mid-July, the contribution points in Lin Xuan's jade token had accumulated to 237 points.

There was still some distance to the target of 400 points, but there were still more than two months left.

He ran between the medicinal garden, the pill room, and the task locations every day, and his time for Cultivating the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art" was compressed to late at night.

This evening, Lin Xuan returned from the Yin Wind Cave, with a faint chill on his body.

The place where the Cold Iron Ore was located was bone-chillingly cold, and even with the protection of Spiritual Qi, one would feel uncomfortable after staying there for a long time.

When he returned to the small courtyard, the lights in Chen Hao's courtyard next door were on.

Pushing the door open, Chen Hao was practicing Spells in the courtyard, a crimson fireball rolling in his palm, controlled with increasing proficiency.

"Back?"

Chen Hao put away the fireball and wiped his sweat, "I heard you've taken on quite a few dangerous tasks recently?"

"Saving up some contribution points."

Lin Xuan said simply, sitting down on a stone stool.

Chen Hao leaned over and lowered his voice: "I heard that fellow Chen Yufei mentioned you when chatting with others a few days ago."

Lin Xuan raised his eyes.

"He said that your way of fighting the Iron-Bone Ape at Black Wind Cliff was a bit stupid, but your patience was good."

Chen Hao imitated Chen Yufei's tone and couldn't help laughing himself, "Is that considered a compliment?

It's really not easy coming from his mouth."

Lin Xuan smiled and didn't say anything.

Other people's evaluations, good or bad, were just things to listen to and move on from; there was no need to take them too much to heart.

"By the way, how many contribution points have you saved? Is there any hope for the Puppet rental?"

Chen Hao asked with concern.

"Two hundred thirty-seven, still a bit short."

"Oh my..."

Chen Hao clicked his tongue, "Your speed of saving money is fast enough.

However, the deposit for a Puppet alone is two hundred, and the daily rent is thirty; it really burns money.

How about... I lend you some?

I have saved over a hundred now and don't need it for the time being."

Lin Xuan shook his head: "No need, I can solve it myself.

Keep your contribution points to buy Medicinal Pills to rush to Qi Refining Level 2; you need more strength in Cloud Mist Valley."

"You are just too distant."

Chen Hao muttered, but knowing Lin Xuan's character, he didn't force it.

The two chatted for a while about cultivation insights.

Chen Hao talked about a "Flame Shield" Spell recently taught at Flame Peak, which had good defensive effects;

Lin Xuan shared some of the key points encountered in the Cultivation of the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art"—of course, omitting the parts about the spirit control tower and the thunder-attracting vine.

Late at night, Chen Hao returned to his room to Cultivate.

Lin Xuan also returned to the Quiet Room and sat cross-legged.

He first looked inside the Spirit-Taming Tower Space.

Over the past two months, the space had expanded slightly, and the concentration of Thunder Spiritual Energy in the central area had stabilized at about three times that of the outside world.

The thunder-attracting vine had grown to two feet tall, the number of leaves had increased to nine, and the purple light in the leaf veins flowed incessantly.

The Herb-Seeking Mouse's fur had now turned grayish-purple, its size was that of a house cat, and its affinity for Thunder Spiritual Energy had significantly improved.

Lin Xuan had tried it; now it could perceive the existence of lightning-struck stone fragments from ten feet away.

"If I can find thunder-attribute Spiritual Materials or Yao Beasts in Cloud Mist Valley, perhaps I can make the space and the thunder-attracting vine go further."

Lin Xuan pondered in his heart.

After exiting the space, he began his daily Cultivation of the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art."

As the Cultivation Technique operated, the pain of thunder tempering the body was still there, but every time he endured it, he could feel the improvement in the toughness of his Meridians and the purity of his Spiritual Qi.

Cultivating the fourth-grade Cultivation Technique "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art," Lin Xuan's cultivation speed had increased.

He had now stabilized his cultivation at the Middle Stage of Level 1 Qi Refining, and there was still some distance to the Late Stage.

At this speed, he should be able to reach the Peak of Level 1 Qi Refining before entering the valley, but there was little hope of a Breakthrough to Level 2.

"Strength is still not enough."

When Lin Xuan finished his Cultivation, the moon was already in the middle of the sky outside the window.

He took out the purple Jade Slip recording the "Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art" and carefully contemplated the contents of the Qi Refining chapter again.

This Cultivation Technique was indeed difficult, but the improvement brought by every Breakthrough was solid.

If he could Cultivate to Qi Refining Level 2, relying on the characteristics of thunder magic, his combat power would not be weaker than an ordinary Level 3 Qi Refining Cultivator.

"Three more months."

Lin Xuan put away the Jade Slip and blew out the oil lamp.

In the darkness, his eyes were clear.

The goal of 400 contribution points, the tempering of dangerous tasks, the plan for Puppet rental, the preparations for the valley exploration... everything was proceeding step by step.

Chen Yufei's teasing, other people's perspectives, none of them were important.

What was important was the path under his own feet, walking step by step steadily.

The sound of cicadas rose outside the window, and midsummer had arrived.

Emerald Bamboo Peak stood silently in the night, as if waiting for something.

Lin Xuan closed his eyes and sank into dreams.

Tomorrow, there were new tasks waiting for him.