51: Keep a low profile, leave your ancestral home, and show weakness.

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, five days had gone by.

During these five days, besides gathering some information, Jiang Yan spent his time inquiring about Cultivation Techniques.

He had collected most of the information regarding the various peaks. The only thing that frustrated him was that one could only view the full version of the Blood Condensation Qi Refining Introductory Chapter after successfully reaching the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

He had originally thought about using his actual Qi Refining Realm level to fake it, but after seeing several Disciples demonstrate their cultivation methods and realizing they were different from those of the Qingyun Sect, he instantly abandoned that suicidal idea.

'It seems I can only take this step.'

Jiang Yan sat in the small courtyard, watching the Disciples come and go, a wicked smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

Just as he stood up to leave Blood Heavy Peak, Qin Tai suddenly called out to him.

"Is something the matter?" Jiang Yan turned back and asked.

"Can you let me join Elder Fang's tutelage as well?" Qin Tai pleaded.

Jiang Yan looked at the other man's beaten appearance; he didn't need to guess to know what had happened. But why should he help a... Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed Jiang Yan's mind. He quickly helped Qin Tai up and said, "Fine, I'll try. However, you have to go with me to take on a Sect mission."

"But I haven't entered the Qi Refining Realm yet," Qin Tai said hurriedly.

"Don't worry, we're just going to tag along for the mission. I've looked into it these past few days; Bright Moon Mountain needs Disciple support, so we'll go there," Jiang Yan said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Qin Tai's eyes widened. He felt as if Su Chen was dragging him to his death.

Noticing the strange expression on Qin Tai's face, Jiang Yan could only pretend to be helpless: "Since you don't want to go, then forget it."

Qin Tai grit his teeth, clenched his fists, and shouted: "I'll go! But you must help me."

"No problem. As for whether Revered Master accepts you or not, that has nothing to do with me," Jiang Yan said with a smile.

"Alright," Qin Tai agreed.

The two then walked toward the Spiritual Object Hall.

After accepting the mission and walking out of the Spiritual Object Hall, Qin Tai was filled with fear, while Jiang Yan had a smile on his face.

"When do we set out?" Qin Tai asked.

"Let's leave now. After all, it's a two-day journey by horse," Jiang Yan said.

Qin Tai didn't hesitate. He had no Revered Master anyway; even if he died, no one would care. He might as well accompany Su Chen this once.

The two did a simple registration and then walked out of the Blood Cloud Sect.

Once they had finished buying horses at the market, they galloped toward Bright Moon Mountain.

The Bright Moon Mountain mission they had accepted was a support-type mission, mainly targeting Yao Beasts that had crossed the boundary.

The Blood Cloud Sect didn't have time to raise Spirit Beasts, so to Cultivate the Disciples' abilities or obtain Artifact Refining Materials, they could only rely on Yao Beasts that came across the boundary.

Of course, Yao Beasts were much more ferocious than Spirit Beasts, but the Materials on their bodies were of higher value than those of Spirit Beasts.

Materials from high-level Spirit Beasts could at most create an ordinary Magical Artifact, whereas Materials from Second Realm and above Yao Beasts could create a standard Magical Artifact.

If it were a Great Yao of the third realm or above, making one or two excellent Magical Artifacts would be no problem.

As for Magic Treasures, one would need to hunt Fourth Realm Demonic Beasts or higher. Therefore, many Disciples of the Blood Cloud Sect would fight there to hunt for Yao Beast Materials.

Bright Moon Mountain had a passage connecting to the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range. That mountain range was sealed by the Formations and Restrictions of various major Sects. Only Yao Beasts below the Fourth Realm could pass through the Bright Moon Mountain passage, so many Sect Disciples would appear near Bright Moon Mountain.

Of course, there were also Foundation Establishment Realm experts in that place; they were also the main combat force for hunting Fourth Realm Yao Beast Materials.

As for Core Formation Realm experts, they were stationed there on rotation by the major Sects. They basically wouldn't take action, as they were not interested in Yao Beasts below the Magic Treasure level.

Two days later in the evening, Jiang Yan and Qin Tai finally arrived at Bright Moon Mountain.

After showing their identity tokens, they quickly found the Blood Cloud Sect's encampment.

Upon hearing that Jiang Yan and Qin Tai were there for the support mission, a Foundation Establishment Realm Elder pointed to the dilapidated tents in the back:

"That's your residence. Help transport Yao Beasts every morning, and learn to dissect Yao Beasts in the afternoon. Once the Sixth Squad returns to the Sect, you'll have completed your mission."

Jiang Yan and Qin Tai bowed with cupped hands and then walked toward the tent area at the very back.

"Su Chen, what are you doing this for?" Qin Tai asked, not quite understanding.

"To learn," Jiang Yan responded simply.

Qin Tai's expression was one of bewilderment, and he asked in shock: "You're not practicing your Sect cultivation properly, and instead you ran here to learn?"

"We Cultivate the Blood Condensation Qi Refining. Haven't you noticed anything special about it?" Jiang Yan reminded him intentionally.

"Are you saying we use the blood of Yao Beasts to Cultivate?" Qin Tai asked.

"I've been to Revered Master's Daoist arena, and there were various blood pools around it, so I inferred that blood might be used for cultivation," Jiang Yan explained, then added, "However, this also confirms my inference because we have to learn dissection every afternoon. It's likely for the Yao Beast blood and Materials."

Qin Tai looked at him with admiration: "No wonder Elder Fang took you as a Disciple. It seems you truly are extraordinary."

Jiang Yan smiled and didn't explain further. In truth, some things couldn't be explained. Of course, he didn't explain to Qin Tai simply because he couldn't be bothered to.

At night, Jiang Yan stood at the entrance of the dilapidated tent, observing the surroundings.

The Blood Cloud Sect's encampment was on Bright Moon Mountain, in a place slightly to the south at the foot of the mountain, very close to the Moon Sea Sect and the Autumn Dao Sect.

Compared to those two Sects, the Blood Cloud Sect's encampment looked a bit like a slaughterhouse.

But this was also quite normal. After all, those two Sects cultivated Spiritual Qi normally, unlike the Blood Cloud Sect, which cultivated blood qi together.

Just as he was paying attention to the return times of each team, Qin Tai poked his head out of the tent:

"Su Chen, what are you looking at?"

"Can't sleep, just looking around aimlessly," Jiang Yan replied.

"I can't sleep either; I just feel very uncomfortable," Qin Tai said helplessly.

"Then come out and practice your cultivation. The blood qi is a bit denser at this time anyway," Jiang Yan said casually.

Hearing this, Qin Tai nodded and crawled out: "Alright, I'll listen to you."

As Qin Tai entered his cultivation, Jiang Yan finally memorized all the teams.

He discovered that teams one through three were each led by a Qi Refining Level Eight Disciple. Teams four through seven were led by those only at the Qi Refining Fifth or Sixth Layer.

Having chosen his target, Jiang Yan slipped back into the tent.

In the early morning, the roars of Yao Beasts echoed throughout Bright Moon Mountain, and groups of Disciples looked up toward the depths of the mountain.

Although they couldn't see exactly what was happening over there, upon hearing those roars, some Disciples knew that a Sect had hunted a Third Realm Yao Beast.

"Morning," Qin Tai greeted with a smile.

Seeing Qin Tai's good state, Jiang Yan knew that the other man must have made progress last night.

"Morning. After eating some dry rations, let's go report in," Jiang Yan said.

"Alright," Qin Tai responded, picking up dry rations and asking while eating, "Which team are we reporting to?"

"Fifth Squad," Jiang Yan said directly.

"Alright, I'll follow you," Qin Tai nodded and said.

"No need. You follow the Second Squad; you need a large amount of blood qi," Jiang Yan said.

Although Qin Tai didn't quite understand, he trusted Su Chen, so he simply followed the arrangement.

After the two finished their dry rations, they soon arrived at the squad assignment area.

Upon learning that Jiang Yan wanted to move with the Fifth Squad, the Fifth Squad's captain, Hou Guang, was somewhat surprised when he received the news.

"Greetings, Senior Brother. My name is Su Chen," Jiang Yan said, bowing respectfully with cupped hands.

Hou Guang nodded, his tone indifferent: "We're going to the Corrosive Forest area in a bit. You'd better keep up. If you're attacked by a Yao Beast, we won't save you."

"Please rest assured, Senior Brother," Jiang Yan replied.

Hou Guang snorted, glanced at the squad, and decisively chose to set out.

Hou Guang's squad consisted of nine people including Jiang Yan: two at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, three at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and four at the Qi Refining Level Two. Jiang Yan was the only ordinary person.

On the way to the Corrosive Forest, the only girl in the team, Tian Lan, was the first to speak: "Senior Brother Hou, why didn't you refuse? Carrying this dead weight is such a hassle."

"What do you know? Our Senior Brother Hou has good connections," said a Disciple whom everyone called Barbarian Bull.

"Everyone be careful. In a moment, we'll be entering the territory of the Marsh Crocodiles," the vice-captain, Liao Yuan, reminded them.

"It's not like it's our first time here. What's there to be afraid of? It's not like they'd dare come out and bite me," Tian Lan said dismissively.

Tian Lan was a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Disciple. In her eyes, as long as they worked together, they didn't need to fear the Marsh Crocodiles.

Liao Yuan ignored Tian Lan. He held a long saber and began making marks on a rotting, stunted tree.

Seeing that the marking was done, Hou Guang turned and walked toward Jiang Yan: "Junior Brother Su, our squad doesn't keep useless people. Since you're here to carry corpses, then I'll have to trouble you, Junior Brother."

As Hou Guang spoke, he reached out to pull Jiang Yan forward.

But in the next moment, Hou Guang's expression was one of shock, because he couldn't budge Jiang Yan.

Noticing the shock in Hou Guang's eyes, Jiang Yan had no choice but to play along.

"Senior Brother, what are you doing?" Jiang Yan asked, feigning cowardice.