After submitting the blood storage bottle, Xue Mo went straight back to his cave to prepare for some of his other plans.
"Haha… I remembered that." As he approached his cave, he could hear laughter and chatter drifting in his direction.
He felt a twinge of fear that surprised him, especially since he didn't fully understand what was happening.
In the shadows just outside his cave, he spotted several figures lounging against the stone wall, their twisted grins glinting in the dim light.
Now he understood the source of his fear; the original host, Lin Feng, had always been bullied by them. However, because he was largely unremarkable, they had eventually grown bored and stopped.
"Look who's here, our best friend Lin Feng!" One of the taunting voices belonged to Zhao Jie, a known troublemaker.
"I heard you took the beast care mission," said Lin Quinyu, a tall disciple, stepping forward and looking down at Xue Mo while the others clustered behind him like hungry wolves.
Xue Mo hung his head, wrapping his arms around himself in a defensive posture. "Yes, I was foolish and overestimated myself," he said, his voice low.
He recalled the vulnerability Lin Feng had shown and aimed to reflect that fear now, all while assessing the situation in his mind.
Lin Quinyu stepped closer, casting a large shadow over him. "You're pathetic. Time to show you what happens to weaklings like you."
"Alright, boys, let's not waste time with him," Lin Quinyu called, condescension dripping from his words. "Let's see if he has anything worth taking."
Xue Mo pretended to flinch at the threat. "No! Please, I swear I don't have anything. Just… leave me alone…"
As they surrounded him, he feigned a mix of fear and compliance—an utterly helpless puppet in their hands. Lin Quinyu rifled through his belongings, seizing his token and opening the cave door.
Clatter! Clink! Thump-thump-thump!
The cave echoed with the chaotic sounds of destruction—books flew through the air, tumbling off shelves and spilling their contents, while storage boxes were upended.
Shff-shff-shff!
Robes rustled as the group moved like a pack of wild dogs.
Crash!
A jade vase shattered against the stone wall.
Clang! Scrape!
A sword was yanked from its rack, its metal screeching against the others.
They rifled through the meager contents of his cave, but all they found were a handful of supplies, a carved knife, and the empty blood storage bottle.
"Useless!" Lin Quinyu grunted, tossing the bottle aside with disdain. "What's this? Your only treasure is a broken knife?"
"We're wasting our time here," Zhao Jie added, rolling his eyes. "Let's go find some real prey to hunt."
"Agreed. We'll give you some time to work on that pathetic excuse for cultivation," Zhao Jie sneered, turning to leave with his companions. "Just remember, Lin Feng, if you try to pull anything, you could end up in certain places."
Once they were gone, Xue Mo's fearful expression vanished as if it had never been there. A smile formed on his lips. They may have scorned him, but their arrogance was right in line with his plans. He had no intention of confronting them directly; instead, he would let the forest and its beasts do the work for him.
"Not now," Xue Mo thought as he glanced in the direction they left. "I still have things to settle."
The following days passed uneventfully, and the day of the sect assessment drew closer. The Azure Sky Sect was slowly filling with a tense atmosphere.
Disciples who had not broken through were busy cultivating, rarely leaving their caves except to gather Qi gathering pills or hunt beasts.
Xue Mo had broken through to the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation realm the day before after hunting beasts in the forest and using blood extracted from an Iron Hide Wolf.
On this day, as usual, he descended from the beast cavern, submitting his formation token and blood storage bottle. Just as he was about to leave, a man in a deep green robe approached the beast garden.
"I finally met an Inner Sect Disciple!" Xue Mo thought, ready to strike up a conversation.
In the Azure Sky Sect, outer sect disciples wore white robes while inner sect disciples donned deep green, symbolizing their hierarchy.
"Senior Brother Li, you're here!" A guard disciple at the beast garden cupped his fists respectfully.
With a composed nod, Senior Brother Li took out a cloth bag and handed it over. "There are
two awakening beasts at the sixth level in this beast-taming pouch. One is for the sect's contribution records."
He paused, his tone steady. "The other is for personal cultivation. Keep it well-fed and calm. I'll send over spirit herbs later to ensure its temperament remains gentle."
"Understood, Senior Brother. I'll make sure they are well taken care of," the guard replied, accepting the pouch with both hands and bowing slightly.
Senior Brother Li gave a brief nod and turned to leave.
I can't let this chance slip by! Xue Mo had already considered his options when he saw the inner sect disciple.
He stepped forward. "Senior Brother Li, please wait a moment!"
Senior Brother Li turned back, his brows raised in faint surprise. "What is it?"
Xue Mo bowed slightly, his tone respectful. "Senior Brother, I wish to assist you with your affairs in the beast garden or elsewhere. I'm familiar with spirit beast behavior and will soon pass the assessment test. If you need help maintaining or preparing offerings, I'd be honored to take on the task."
Senior Brother Li narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Xue Mo. "You just advanced to the fifth level of Qi Cultivation?"
Xue Mo, sensing the opportunity, let his aura reveal the fifth level of Qi cultivation. His mind was clear; he didn't merely want to earn points, but sought to form a connection with an Inner Sect disciple. An ally could provide him with resources and information that would be invaluable.
He stepped forward, his demeanor humble yet purposeful. "Yes, Senior Brother. I'm committed to contributing to the sect as much as I can. This assessment is crucial, and I aim to seize the chance to learn from those more experienced."
After a moment's silence, Senior Brother Li's lips twisted into a subtle smile. "Ambitious. I appreciate that. Come find me in cave 17 in the inner sect after your assessment."
"Hehe, I'll be waiting for you," Li Mumin said, laughing as he patted Xue Mo's shoulder before turning to leave.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li," Xue Mo replied, maintaining a fake smile as he bid Li Mumin farewell. This connection was a significant stepping stone in his plans.
As he walked away, Xue Mo reflected on his shifting position. Aligning himself with Senior Brother Li could open doors to greater resources, a chance to execute his plans, and insider information about the inner sect.
After Li Mumin departed, Xue Mo stood taller, still maintaining his smile and exuding the demeanor of someone who had just secured an excellent opportunity.
"Congratulations on making friends with Senior Brother Li. I hope that Junior Brother will take good care of me in the future." The guard disciple beside him stepped forward, eager to ingratiate himself.
"Of course, of course." While he had just gotten closer to the inner sect disciple, Xue Mo took the opportunity to inquire more.
"I wonder how much you know about Senior Brother Li Mumin?"
The guard disciple enthusiastically replied, "I don't know Senior Brother Li very well either, but I heard that he has a high-grade spiritual root and is currently at the ninth level of Qi cultivation. He's one of the candidates most likely to reach the Foundation Establishment realm and become a core disciple."
To become an inner sect disciple, one had to reach the seventh level of Qi cultivation before participating in the inner sect competition, aiming for a ranking within the top 100.
The sect was careful in selecting inner sect disciples; they needed to be strong and talented to avoid wasting resources on the less capable.
To become a core disciple, one needed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage or be specially chosen by an elder to become their disciple.
Having gathered the information he wanted, Xue Mo continued exchanging pleasantries before making an excuse to leave.
In his cave, he retrieved a bucket-sized bottle he had purchased after accruing enough contribution points.
It was intended to store a considerable amount of beast blood, as he needed something larger for his hunting endeavors.
"I have to get my hands on that blood storage bottle," Xue Mo murmured.
He proceeded to pour out the blood from the smaller bottle and immediately began cultivating.
For a moment, the cave was shrouded in mist, obscuring his figure.
Golden rays of morning sunlight filtered through the small entrance crack of his cave, warming his face.
His bones ached slightly from an all-night cultivation session, but the warmth reminded him it was already morning.
"Phew~" Xue Mo exhaled deeply, finally opening his eyes. "I lost track of time."
Standing up, he gathered his belongings and headed toward the beast garden.
He hadn't gone far when he heard an argument behind him.
"I don't know you well. Why should I lend you my contribution points?"
"You're not lending it to me? As a senior brother, I have an obligation to guide you in your cultivation!"
Although fighting within the Azure Sky Sect was forbidden, lightly injuring someone wasn't a big deal.
Xue Mo shook his head and continued on his path. As the date of the sect's assessment approached, disciples who struggled to meet the requirements resorted to all means possible to improve their cultivation and avoid expulsion.
Hence, the usually bustling paths were eerily quiet; most disciples were focused on their cultivation. Xue Mo was confident he would pass and decided to keep a low profile, especially now that he had the attention of an inner sect disciple.
When he arrived at the beast garden, he didn't immediately seek out blood. Instead, he engaged in conversation with one of the guard disciples stationed there.
"Senior Brother, where can I obtain a blood storage bottle?"
"You want a blood storage bottle?" The guard disciple appeared surprised but soon realized the context. "Right, as Senior Brother Li's representative, you'll need one to store beast blood and prevent the spiritual energy from dissipating."
Zhang Chen nodded. "Senior Brother, do you have a way to get a blood storage bottle?"
The guard disciple hatched an idea. He was responsible for distributing the bottles, and with proper arrangements, no one would notice if one went missing. So, he spoke softly, "How about you give me 20 contribution points, and I'll provide you with a blood storage bottle?"
Xue Mo feigned hesitation. "Senior Brother, could you lower the amount? 20 contribution points is too much!"
The guard disciple considered the request. "For Senior Brother Li's sake, I'll cut you a deal. 16 contribution points—no less."
Xue Mo put on an act of reluctance before finally agreeing, "Alright, I'll take your offer. I'll arrange for the points tomorrow, and you can prepare the blood storage bottle."
"Don't worry, Junior Brother," the guard disciple replied, enthusiasm dripping from his words. He was benefiting himself with little cost. Those 16 contribution points were a sheer windfall.
With the blood storage bottle, Xue Mo wouldn't have to worry and could freely consume beast blood to enhance his cultivation.
The sect assessment was just days away. It wasn't merely a test; it was an opportunity to prove his worth to both the sect and Li Mumin, potentially elevating his status within its ranks.