355: Chapter 355 Let's Get to Know Each Other Again!

"Strength... in the end, it's still a lack of strength. If I myself were strong enough, why would I need to worry about others spying?"

A resolute light flashed in Qin Yan's eyes.

Turning this vigilance and pressure into motivation was the proper path.

He stood up and walked to the open space in the center of the side hall.

With a thought, the long spear appeared in his hand.

Setting aside all distracting thoughts, he began his usual, monotonous yet crucial foundational Spear Technique training.

Time quietly slipped away amidst the repetitive practice. Outside the window, the sky shifted from bright to dark, eventually shrouded in deep night.

Only when the moon was high in the sky did Qin Yan slowly withdraw his spear, releasing a long, turbid breath.

The clamor of the day, the hidden dangers, the generous rewards, the ambitions for the future...

All his thoughts seemed to be expelled with that one breath, his body and mind returning to tranquility and clarity.

After regulating his breath for a moment, waiting for his blood and qi to settle and his mind to calm, he sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. With a slight stir of his will, he summoned his panel.

[Level: Third Grade Limit]

[Blood Qi: 400 Cal]

[spirit: 81 Hz]

[Body Tempering Cultivation Method: Indestructible Blood Demon Scripture (First Layer Perfection)]

[Spear Technique: fifth stage (18%)

Spear Qi: Destructions End Spear Qi (first grade)]

[Alchemy: First-Grade Alchemist (34%)]

[Constitution: Indestructible Blood Demon Body (Initial Formation)]

[Blood Puppet Creation]

[Origin Divine Ability: Blood Curse, Demonic Utterance Heavenly Edict (Demonic Path·Blood Curse Advancement·Sealed)]

[Skill Points: 54 points]

"54 Skill Points..."

These past few days, he had lived in seclusion, rarely venturing out.

Without intense battles or the pressure of perilous situations, the vast majority of his time had been devoted to monotonous yet solid foundational training.

Thus, he had accumulated a 'fortune' of 54 Skill Points.

"The first layer of the 'Indestructible Blood Demon Scripture' has long been perfected. I should be able to use points to break through to the next layer now..."

His gaze lingered on the characters for 'Indestructible Blood Demon Scripture (First Layer Perfection)' for a moment, thoughts swirling in his mind.

Using points for a breakthrough was undoubtedly a shortcut to rapidly increase strength.

However, Qin Yan's finger paused in mid-air for a moment before finally slowly withdrawing.

"Can't be hasty."

A cultivation method breakthrough, especially for a top-tier inheritance like the 'Indestructible Blood Demon Scripture' originating from ancient demonic blood, was inevitably accompanied by intense energy fluctuations.

At that time, blood qi soaring into the sky and demonic energy surging were almost certain occurrences.

If in a safe place during normal times, there would naturally be no need for concern.

But now, he was within the ancestral lands of the Elf Clan, surrounded by powerful beings, with many eyes and ears.

Just the unfathomable Envoy An Miao alone might be able to detect it, and who could guarantee there weren't spies from other forces lurking in the shadows?

If demonic energy leaked during the breakthrough and was captured by a powerful individual with ill intentions, the consequences would be unthinkable.

He was currently at the center of the storm.

The halo of being 'Number One at the Hidden Dragon Assembly' had brought him immense attention, making him the focus of many gazes, among which were no shortage of envy, scrutiny, and even malice.

At this sensitive moment, any additional abnormal energy fluctuation could become the spark that ignited a crisis.

"I'm still on the edge of the storm's eye. Must be extremely cautious."

Qin Yan warned himself.

Improving strength was important, but safety was always the foremost prerequisite.

Before having absolute confidence in completely controlling the breakthrough phenomena, or lacking a sufficiently safe environment, temporarily suppressing the impulse to break through was the wise course of action.

The next day, July 16th.

As the first light of dawn appeared, an Elf Clan guard clad in shining silver light armor and exuding a steady aura arrived outside Qin Yan's side hall, respectfully delivering a message.

"Lord Qin Yan, by the order of Her Highness Anya, the 'starlight cleansing pool' will be opened today. Please follow me."

The guard's voice was stiff yet polite.

Qin Yan was already prepared. Hearing this, he nodded and followed the guard, leaving the side hall.

Along the way, the guard led the way ahead, traversing the elegant and tranquil architecture and gardens of the Elf Clan's ancestral lands.

The path was not a straight line; it passed through several checkpoints, both overt and covert. Each checkpoint had Elf Clan guards of considerable strength stationed, verifying tokens, checking identities, and even once requiring a gentle but extremely penetrating spiritual scan.

Clearly, the path to the 'starlight cleansing pool' was heavily guarded. Without Anya's warrant and a designated guide, it would be extremely difficult for outsiders to approach.

Twisting and turning, delving deeper layer by layer.

Finally, the guard led Qin Yan to the entrance of a secluded valley surrounded by towering ancient trees and glowing vines.

A powerful natural barrier protected the valley entrance. The guard produced a special token, and the barrier rippled like water, opening an entrance.

Stepping into the valley, the view suddenly opened up.

Spiritual energy misted within the valley, with exotic flowers and rare herbs covering the ground. The air was filled with a fragrance that calmed the heart and mind.

In the center of the valley was a circular pool dozens of zhang in diameter, its edges constructed from warm, smooth white jade.

The pool water was not ordinary clear water, but a liquid of deep, dark blue, as if a piece of the night sky had been captured.

Countless tiny silver specks of light floated, rotated, and drifted slowly on the surface of the water.

These specks emitted soft, pure spiritual fluctuations. Merely standing by the poolside, one could feel a refreshing coolness in the mind, and thoughts seemed to become a bit clearer.

This was one of the Elf Clan's treasured grounds for tempering spiritual power—the starlight cleansing pool!

At this moment, several figures had already gathered by the poolside.

Qin Yan's gaze swept over them, understanding dawning in his heart.

Besides him, there were several others by the pool.

Among them, three were prodigies from the Elf Clan itself—two males and one female.

The other two were familiar faces.

One was Liu Ruyan, dressed in an elegant long skirt, cool and serene as the moon, quietly gazing at the pool water.

The other was Xue Liuli, clad in a dark red gown, her figure graceful, currently smiling charmingly as she spoke with one of the Elf prodigies.

"It seems this opportunity at the 'starlight cleansing pool' is a reward specially prepared by the Elf Clan for the core prodigies who made significant contributions and performed exceptionally at the Hidden Dragon Assembly."

Qin Yan recognized a few of them; they were precisely the Elf Clan prodigies who had ranked within the top hundred on the Hidden Dragon Assembly's points leaderboard.

Just then, Xue Liuli seemed to sense Qin Yan's arrival.

After nodding politely to the Elf prodigy she was speaking with, she turned and walked with elegant steps directly towards Qin Yan's location.

Xue Liuli stopped about three steps away from Qin Yan, a faint, inscrutable smile on her face.

Her blood-red eyes looked directly at Qin Yan as she actively extended her fair, slender right hand, as exquisite as a work of art.

"Qin Yan, let's get formally reacquainted."

Her voice now held a touch of the restraint and mystery befitting a noblewoman of the Blood Clan. "Blood Realm, Scarlet Moon Empire—Xue Liuli."