12: The reputation of the outer sect was first revealed, and the brothers changed their attitude

Lin Gou had returned.

Moreover, his cultivation had leaped from Qi Refining third level to Qi Refining fifth level Middle Stage.

This news exploded throughout the entire Qingyun Sect Outer Sect.

Shocking?

No, it was terrifying.

For these Disciples struggling in the Outer Sect, crossing these two minor Realms required a year and a half of painstaking effort, countless Medicinal Pills, and contribution points accumulated from numerous missions.

Yet, Lin Gou had done it in less than a month.

The Outer Sect completely erupted.

Some said his ancestral grave was emitting green smoke, implying he had unearthed the The Forbidden Mansion of an ancient powerful being in Blackwind Valley.

Others rumored he had been noticed by an Inner Sect Elder playing in the Mortal World and was accepted as a Disciple exceptionally.

Even more, they forcibly interpreted his past timid and fearful demeanor as "great wisdom appearing foolish, hiding his true abilities."

Lin Gou's name became scorching hot overnight.

The first to be "scalded" was Fatty Zhang.

Zhang Dahai, a guy who entered the Sect at the same time as Lin Gou and was most skilled at adapting to circumstances.

In the past, he couldn't even bother to focus his gaze when looking at Lin Gou.

A mediocre coward with average Aptitude wasn't worth wasting any of his expressions on.

Now, it was completely different.

As soon as Lin Gou pushed open the creaking wooden door, a corpulent figure like a ghost blocked the doorway.

"Oh my! Senior Brother Lin!"

Fatty Zhang's chubby face creased into a chrysanthemum-like smile, so enthusiastic it seemed oil could drip from him.

This "Senior Brother Lin" was called out with many twists and turns, full of genuine emotion.

Lin Gou didn't even lift his eyelids.

He remembered clearly that just yesterday, this fatty's address for him was still "Hey."

"Junior Brother Zhang, is there something?"

Lin Gou's face immediately showed a standard awkwardness, with a hint of just-right panic in his eyes.

Acting was a fundamental skill of the Dao of Gou, it had to be perfect.

"Senior Brother, what are you saying!"

Fatty Zhang squeezed forward a step, lowering his voice, his spittle almost splashing onto Lin Gou's chin.

"Senior Brother, ah, your performance in Blackwind Valley this time truly makes us look up to you! Qi Refining fifth level! My heavens, you are now the only one among our batch of new Disciples!"

"Just luck, pure luck."

Lin Gou quickly waved his hand, looking like an honest, simple person saying, "It wasn't me, I didn't do it, don't spread rumors."

"Hey! Senior Brother, you're just too modest!"

Fatty Zhang slapped his thigh, his face full of fawning, saying, "I understand, I understand everything."

"How is this luck? This is clearly Senior Brother's diligent cultivation and accumulation of power! Unlike us, who only know how to waste time all day. Compared to Senior Brother, I'm ashamed, truly ashamed!"

Lin Gou sneered inwardly.

This fatty's thick skin could probably be used as a Magical Artifact.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you flatter me."

He still maintained that harmless appearance.

"By the way, Senior Brother," Fatty Zhang rubbed his hands, finally revealing his true intentions, "You must have gained quite a bit from your return this time, right? Do you have any... uh, leftover Materials you don't need? I, your Junior Brother, am willing to pay a high price for them! I absolutely won't let Senior Brother suffer a loss!"

Here it comes.

Lin Gou understood in his heart, but his face instantly fell, his eyes filled with lingering fear and difficulty.

"Alas... don't even mention it. Blackwind Valley was too dangerous. It's a miracle I even managed to roll out alive. All the things I carried were thrown out to smash Yao Beasts to escape. Now my home is bare, cleaner than my face."

The eagerness in Fatty Zhang's eyes instantly froze, a flicker of disappointment passing through.

But the next second, that enthusiastic smile stubbornly crept back onto his chubby face.

"It's fine, it's fine! It's good that you're back! Safety first! If Senior Brother ever needs anything in the future, just say the word, and I, your Junior Brother, will go through fire and water without a moment's hesitation!"

"Thank you, Junior Brother."

Lin Gou nodded politely, but in his mind, he was tagging this Fatty Zhang as "usable."

The two exchanged a few more insincere pleasantries before Fatty Zhang, taking three steps and looking back once, "reluctantly" departed.

Watching his corpulent back, the curve of Lin Gou's lips turned cold.

Dogs that fawn over power are always most sensitive to the smell of bones.

But this, precisely proved one thing.

Strength was the only hard currency in this world.

And his strength was "died" for.

This feeling, wasn't bad at all.

In the following days, "visitors" like Fatty Zhang came in an endless stream.

Lin Gou dealt with everyone using the "good luck" script while locking himself in his small room.

He used the Spirit Stones he obtained to reinforce three more layers of warning Formations around his house.

The first principle of the Dao of Gou: absolute safety.

Then, he immersed his entire mind in the <Corpse Refinement Insights> Secret Manual rewarded by the System.

This Secret Manual, which had dropped from a Centennial Corpse Fiend, completely captivated him.

"To refine Corpse Puppets, 'Materials' are paramount..."

Lin Gou stroked his chin, a dangerous and excited glint in his eyes.

With peace and quiet within the Sect, finding a suitable corpse as Materials was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Unless... he thought of the upcoming Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Such places were most prone to "mishaps" and "accidents."

It was simply a perfect "Materials" procurement market.

Moreover, it was also an excellent stage for a "high-level" death experience and to obtain Advanced rewards.

Just as a "plan-achieved" smile was about to curve on Lin Gou's lips.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

A heavy and urgent knocking on the door rudely interrupted his thoughts.

There was no respect in the sound.

It was an order.