96: Candidate Task: Buddhist Disciple of Longxiang Temple

Two days later, Chilian Mountain's West Path Canyon.

This was the territory of Chilian Mountain, one of the three major Sects, and the mandatory path for its Disciples and Elders to leave the Sect.

His Assassination target this time was an Elder surnamed Jian at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Yan concealed his aura, hiding within a patch of low bushes.

"Rustle..."

As the breeze brushed through the bushes, Jiang Yan's perception spread out like a spider web. Three miles away, the flutter of a sparrow's wings, the ripples of a stream flowing around stones, and even the crawling tracks of earthworms underground were all clearly reflected in his Sea of Consciousness.

Suddenly, rhythmic vibrations came from the southeast. Several people were talking and laughing, mixed with the sound of footsteps on bluestone slabs. More importantly, that spiritual power fluctuation unique to Foundation Establishment Cultivators was slowly approaching him.

'They're here!'

Jiang Yan didn't even lift his eyelids, but his right hand was already pressed against the sword hilt at his waist. He didn't act rashly, nor did he reveal any killing intent, like a praying mantis waiting for its prey.

Among the four, Elder Jian was discussing matters of Alchemy. Just as he was getting into it, his brow suddenly twitched. Before he could react—

"Swoosh!"

A streak of golden light instantly flashed over the heads of the three people. Elder Jian instinctively tried to tilt his head to dodge, only to see the golden light make a bizarre turn in mid-air and pierce through the back of his head!

"Ugh..."

His eyes widened as he realized his Divine Soul and spiritual power were rapidly draining away. Even more terrifying, the gold needle that had pierced his brain was splitting into hundreds of fine Niu Mao Gold Needles, swiftly traveling along his Sea of Consciousness toward his Meridians until they reached his Dantian!

[Killed fifth-level Foundation Establishment Cultivator Jian Tong. Gained Experience: 25,000. Gained life span: 1,502 years. Gained life span: 3,401 years.]

[Current Experience: 23.49%]

[Plundered 0.5 essence from Jian Tong.]

[Plundered Jian Tong's Talent: Medicinal Pill Growth.]

[Plundered Jian Tong's Medicinal Pill Concept: Pill Envoy.]

[Plundered Jian Tong's Intermediate Spell: Pill Condensation Art.]

[Plundered Jian Tong's Intermediate Spell: Earth Fire Technique.]

[Plundered Jian Tong's Intermediate Martial Skill: Scarlet Flame Slash.]

[Assassination LV3 (105/5000)]

"Not good, an assassin!" an Elder who was close to Elder Jian cried out in alarm.

But in the low bushes thirty zhang away, Jiang Yan had long since disappeared, leaving only a patch of flattened grass and disturbed soil.

Five days later, Lingxian Workshop of the Dragon Elephant Temple.

Jiang Yan lay in an inn, never imagining that he would now have such a deep understanding of Medicinal Pills—to the point where he even felt some disdain for the pills in his hand.

'Sigh, I really didn't expect that plundering this Alchemy talent would have its benefits, but also its drawbacks.'

The benefit was that he learned the methods of Alchemy; the drawback was that his pickiness regarding Medicinal Pills had increased significantly.

Alchemist Ranks were divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. Heaven-Grade was the highest, and Yellow-Grade was the lowest. Each Rank was further divided into three qualities: high, medium, and low.

Medicinal Pills were divided into ten grades, from Grade One to Grade Nine, and then the Emperor Grade. Grade Nine pills were extremely precious and possessed powerful medicinal effects.

As for the comprehension levels of Medicinal Pills, they were also divided into many layers: Pill Disciple, Pill Envoy, Pill General, Pill Commander, Pill Master, Pill God, Pill Saint... Pill Disciple was the lowest. Jiang Yan wasn't sure about the highest, as that old geezer surnamed Jian had only heard of Pill God and Pill Saint in legends.

'What a hassle. From now on, will I have to carry a Pill Furnace whenever I go out?'

Thinking of the Pill Furnace, he suddenly had a great idea for a disguise—he could pretend to be a Pill Sect Disciple in the future!

One should know that the status of Pill Sect Disciples was extremely high. Any Sect would have dealings with the Pill Sect, and even his own Blood Cloud Sect was no exception.

'When I have time, I'll visit the Pill Sect and secure an identity as a Pill Sect Disciple.'

Based on Jiang Yan's understanding of the Pill Sect, the entrance trial was very difficult. Not only did one need to know how to perform Alchemy, but they also had to be able to comprehend various fragmented Pill Formulas.

The upside, however, was that Pill Sect Disciples were very free. He had never heard of them causing trouble, and even the Blood Cloud Sect had never accepted an Assassination mission targeting the Pill Sect.

'As expected, no matter where you are, interests always come first!'

After finishing his internal rant, Jiang Yan turned his gaze outside.

His second mission was to kill a Family Clan Chief at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

And that Clan Chief surnamed Lei was currently staying in the restaurant across from him.

'This grandson is really good at playing it safe. I've been watching him for three days, and he hasn't come out yet...'

He actually really wanted to enter the restaurant for the Assassination, but he was afraid of exposing his tracks. After all, this was Dragon Elephant Temple territory, and every building in Lingxian Workshop was equipped with defensive Formations. If he dared to make a move, he would be exposed immediately. Thus, the best way was to wait for the one surnamed Lei to leave the restaurant.

As Jiang Yan waited, another two days passed. Just as he was considering whether to switch missions, the Family Clan Chief surnamed Lei finally stepped out of the restaurant.

'Old geezer, finally willing to come out?'

A cold light flashed in Jiang Yan's eyes as his figure vanished into the shadows of the street corner like a ghost.

That Clan Chief surnamed Lei waddled toward the market exit with his round belly protruding, followed by two guards in the Qi Refining Realm.

"Heh, bringing so few people? Do you think you're not dying fast enough?"

Jiang Yan flipped his fingers, sticking a "Shadow Concealment Talisman" onto himself. His aura instantly merged with the surrounding environment.

He followed silently behind, his gaze locked onto the jade pendant glowing with spiritual light at Clan Chief Lei's waist.

'Damn, he's even carrying a protective Magical Artifact!'

Seeing the design of the artifact, Jiang Yan knew it was a protective Magical Artifact specially bestowed by the Dragon Elephant Temple, capable of blocking a full-strength strike from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

'It seems I'll have to disable this thing first.'

As they turned into a quiet alley, a "Silver Spirit-Breaking Nail" slid from Jiang Yan's sleeve. With a flick of his finger... *Ding!*

The nail accurately struck the jade pendant, and spider-web-like cracks immediately appeared on its surface. Clan Chief Lei was still completely unaware, humming a little tune.

'That should do it.'

Jiang Yan's figure suddenly accelerated, sweeping past like a gust of dark wind. A golden flash emitted from the several Niu Mao Gold Needles in his hand... *Puchi!*

Clan Chief Lei's plump body suddenly stiffened, and a small bead of blood appeared at his throat. He stared with wide, terrified eyes, wanting to scream but unable to make a sound because the needle had already pierced through his throat bone while simultaneously sealing his spiritual power circulation.

Only then did the two guards react, but before they could draw their blades, they felt a chill on their necks and fainted.

Clan Chief Lei slumped to his knees, desperately trying to crush the communication talisman in his sleeve, but his fingers wouldn't obey.

Immediately after, he felt extreme difficulty breathing, and even his Meridians and Dantian were becoming blocked.

[Killed fifth-level Foundation Establishment Cultivator Lei Peng. Gained Experience: 25,000. Gained life span: 1,482 years. Gained life span: 3,392 years.]

[Current Experience: 25.35%]

[Plundered 0.5 essence from Lei Peng.]

[Assassination LV3 (206/5000)]

Seeing that he hadn't plundered a single thing, Jiang Yan showed an expression of disdain.

He could now mask those ordinary Spells and techniques, but Legacies and ancient texts would still be displayed.

"Amitabha..."

A Buddhist chant suddenly rang out from ahead, followed by a young monk dressed in moon-white robes stepping out.

Upon seeing the young monk's appearance, Jiang Yan was somewhat shocked because this monk was simply too good-looking—it was almost unfair... The young monk stood with his hands folded. Under the moonlight, his face was as perfect as a jade carving, his brows like distant mountains, his eyes like an ancient well reflecting the moon, and a cinnabar mole on his lip added a touch of enchantment. Most bizarre was the golden Buddha Seal on his forehead, which was actually flowing slowly as if it were alive!

'Damn it, he almost made me swing the other way!'

"Benefactor has such heavy Evil Qi." The monk chuckled, his voice as clear as a spring hitting bluestone. "Why not follow This humble monk back to the temple to recite a passage of the 'Rebirth Sutra'?"

Jiang Yan sneered, "Little monk, are you trying to perform a rite of passage for me, or for the one who just died?"

He could feel that the monk before him was very strong—stronger than any enemy he had ever faced. Even the aura he leaked was more terrifying than that of the four Peak Masters.

'A monk in the Core Formation Realm? Could he be the Buddhist Son of the Dragon Elephant Temple?'

Thinking it might be the legendary Buddhist Son, Jiang Yan's expression turned serious, and he slowly shifted his steps toward an empty alley on the left.

"Amitabha." The young monk smiled, his tone ethereal. "Is the benefactor leaving? Do you not wish to return to the temple with This humble monk for a rite of passage?"

Jiang Yan's smile didn't fade: "I'll perform a rite for your grandfather!"

Before his voice fell, countless gold needles shot out from his sleeve. Their golden light was particularly piercing under the moonlight, seemingly about to strike the monk's forehead.

But in the next moment, there was a dinging hum.

The Buddha Seal blazed with golden light, and the gold needles actually stopped three inches in front of the monk, unable to advance even a fraction!

Even more terrifyingly, the gold needles actually made crisp snapping sounds as they broke under the Buddhist light.

Jiang Yan seized the opportunity and moved his feet rapidly, sprinting toward the dark alley.

"Amitabha, benefactor..."

Before the young monk could finish his sentence, Jiang Yan had already vanished from before his eyes.

"An Escape Talisman?!" The young monk was surprised, then let out a helpless smile. "Little benefactor, I believe we will surely meet again in the future."