Xue Mo navigated the familiar paths of the Azure Sky Sect, sunlight filtering through the canopy above and casting dappled patterns on the moss-covered ground.
The warm glow of morning shimmered on dew-kissed leaves, and the scent of fresh earth mingled with the faint traces of incense wafting from distant meditation halls. The soft rustling of foliage and distant chants filled the air, creating a serene backdrop that would lull most into a state of calm.
Yet his mind was anything but peaceful.
Li Mumin.
An inner sect disciple with enough connections and resources to influence promotions, missions, and even training slots.
He held sway not just through brute strength or overt displays of authority, but through whispered words and exchanged favors—the type of man who always had something brewing behind the scenes.
He was also the type of person Xue Mo had manipulated countless times in his past life as a demonic faction leader, a man driven by ambition, veiled by politeness, and always calculating behind the mask of a smile.
People like him always think they're in control… but they're easiest to lead by the leash if you feed their ego just right, Xue Mo thought coldly, his expression unreadable as he continued his measured stride.
After a purposeful walk along the winding path—each step intentionally slow to keep him centered—Xue Mo arrived at Cave Number 17, the designated meeting place nestled between two ancient stone outcroppings covered in ivy. The air around the cave was still, unnaturally so. No chirping birds, no passing disciples. Just silence and the weight of tension lingering like a prelude to a storm.
The area was unusually quiet. A calculated choice.
Li Mumin didn't want others knowing who he met.
Good, Xue Mo noted, eyes narrowing slightly. He's cautious. That makes him predictable.
He knocked firmly on the dark wooden door reinforced with blackened iron bands, the sound echoing with dull finality through the stone corridor.
"Senior Brother Li, it's Lin Feng," he called, voice calm, deliberate. Using his alias ensured no links to his previous deeds or intentions.
There was a pause. Then, the door creaked open with a slow groan of old hinges, revealing Li Mumin, a tall man with sharp features, narrow eyes, and an air of unspoken superiority.
His green robes shimmered faintly, the silken threads enchanted with minor formation patterns, clearly a custom-made piece that subtly displayed his elevated status.
"Ah, right on time," Li said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. The corners of his lips lifted, but the cold scrutiny behind his gaze remained.
Fake smile. Forced warmth. He's gauging how desperate I am, Xue Mo noted, his years of experience instantly decoding the performance.
Xue Mo bowed slightly, respectfully but not subservient. "Thank you for receiving me, Senior Brother."
Inside, the cave was clean and meticulously organized, its interior walls were lined with high-grade jade shelves stacked with different artifacts, manuals, and rare tomes.
A calming incense burned from a dragon-carved censer at the center, its smoke coiling like serpents into the air. Everything about the place exuded calculated intention—clearly meant to impress visitors and assert quiet dominance.
It was a subtle power play, one Xue Mo had used on countless occasions in his former life.
"Please, make yourself comfortable," Li Mumin gestured smoothly, his tone gracious yet rehearsed.
Xue Mo settled into the offered chair, posture relaxed, hands resting lightly on his knees. His gaze wandered over the room as if in appreciation, but in truth, he was mentally cataloguing everything: the positioning of exits, the types of manuals displayed, even the direction of the smoke—every detail was potential leverage.
But every word he spoke next was measured and intentional.
"The assessment went well, as expected," he began, tone modest but confident.
"But passing alone isn't enough to rise in the sect."
Li's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. There it is. He wants something, Xue Mo thought, catching the flicker of calculation in his gaze like a glint off a hidden blade.
"You're right," Li said slowly. "Ambition alone won't take you far. What do you propose to secure your advancement?"
"I need access to resources and knowledge," Xue Mo said plainly, pausing for a breath before adding, "In exchange, I can provide information about internal movements within the sect."
There. He offered bait without seeming too eager.
Li leaned back slightly, intrigued. "Information, you say? How specific?"
"I have methods," Xue Mo said with casual confidence. "I can listen to conversations, observe training patterns, and predict emerging alliances. Knowing your competition is half the battle, after all."
His heartbeat just picked up. He's hooked, Xue Mo noted inwardly, observing Li's subtle intake of breath—the tiniest tell that he was interested.
Li Mumin folded his arms across his chest, the gesture both guarded and contemplative. "That could be valuable. Are you confident in your ability to gather reliable intel on specific individuals?"
"Absolutely." Xue Mo gave him a look, eyes clear and unwavering. "Everyone has blind spots. I know how to exploit them."
Especially yours, he added silently. Your pride will blind you before anything else does.
Li Mumin's eyes narrowed further, but he nodded, satisfied for now. "Good. If you can deliver actionable insights, I'll help you in return. But be cautious. One mistake could ripple across our ranks."
"I understand," Xue Mo replied, voice steady. "I won't disappoint."
"Then let's set a timeline," Li Mumin said, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair. "A fortnight. That should be enough for fresh, relevant intelligence."
"Agreed."
Li stood and turned toward a shelf behind him, lined with carefully arranged jade bottles and spirit containers. His hand hovered for a moment before selecting a vial of shimmering essence glowing faintly with internal Qi threads. He turned back with a smile that was now more genuine but only just.
"This is a Minor Essence of Qi. It will help stabilize your foundation for the sixth level."
Xue Mo accepted the vial with a nod, the glass cool in his palm, but his mind remained elsewhere. A reward now, to solidify loyalty. He's trying to frame this as a partnership, but he still sees me as a pawn.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I will use it wisely."
Li's expression turned serious again, the glint of amusement fading. "Remember, trust is nuanced. Misplaced trust leads to setbacks. Keep your dealings quiet."
Xue Mo bowed his head. "Of course. Discretion is second nature to me."
As soon as he was out of earshot, walking down the slope from Cave Number 17, Xue Mo's expression shifted. The polite mask he had worn moments ago dissolved, replaced by a look of cold clarity and sharp focus.
I only came because you're useful… for now. When the time comes, I'll decide how long you remain so.
He tucked the vial away within his robes with a smooth motion. The weight of it was insignificant, but the meaning behind it—the transaction it represented—was a reminder of the game they were playing.
There were more pressing tasks to handle now.
"I'll go to the beast cavern to complete today's missions," he muttered under his breath, steps quickening as he moved down the corridor. "Then, I'll visit the Technique Exchange Pavilion."
---
Five hours later, he arrived at the Technique Exchange Pavilion.
This structure had four levels and was overseen by a Foundation Establishment realm elder.
The first level contained Qi Cultivation techniques.
The second, Foundation Establishment techniques.
The third, Golden Core techniques.
The fourth, Nascent Soul techniques.
The pavilion itself was built from reinforced spirit wood and stone, etched with defensive runes and maintained by the sect's array masters. Wide stairs connected each level, and the place buzzed with quiet energy as disciples browsed the scrolls and manuals available to them.
It was said even the Sect only had three Nascent Soul techniques, and anything higher was likely not something disciples would know about.
These techniques weren't free—they required contribution points. Most disciples didn't visit the pavilion unless they had reached the seventh level of Qi Cultivation or were preparing for the Inner Sect Competition.
After all, learning techniques required time—something few were willing to invest unless they were certain of their talent or confident of advancing.
"Senior Brother, I would like to choose a technique," Xue Mo said, handing over his identity token.
After verification, the disciple handed him a catalog containing descriptions of available spirit-rank spells.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Xue Mo flipped through the book, carefully evaluating his options. The pages were neatly organized, and each entry was accompanied by diagrams illustrating technique stances or formations.
Piercing Leaf Swordplay]
Type: Spirit Awakening Technique
Tier: Mid-Grade
Cost: 110 Contribution Points
Description:
A swift and graceful sword technique developed for outer sect disciples to defend against Spirit Awakening beasts and rogue cultivators. Emphasizes speed, accuracy, and control, making it ideal for quick eliminations and counterattacks.
Restrictions: Outer Sect Access Only
---
[Fire Condensation Art]
Type: Spirit Awakening Technique
Tier: High-Grade
Cost: 150 Contribution Points
Description:
A destructive fire-based technique that gathers and compresses elemental fire into a concentrated sphere. Upon release, it detonates with explosive force, capable of inflicting severe burns and disrupting enemy formations. Best used by cultivators with high fire affinity.
Restrictions: Requires Fire Affinity. Minimum Qi Cultivation Level: 7th Layer
---
[Light Body Technique]
Type: Movement Technique
Tier: Mid-Grade
Cost: 120 Contribution Points
Description:
A movement-based technique that lightens the user's body using Qi control, greatly enhancing speed and agility. Enables short bursts of aerial movement, increased evasion, and rapid redirection mid-battle.
Restrictions: Requires a minimum of 6th-level Qi Cultivation and strong Qi circulation control.
In addition to these specific techniques of the Azure Sky Sect, there were also a lot of other techniques for outer sect disciples.
For example, Beast Control Technique, Iron Body Technique, Wind Mastery Technique, Golden Shield, and so on.
Xue Mo was not actually interested in any of these techniques but he needed something to use while he stayed in the sect.
Using techniques from his past life in the open would be unrealistic as it would attract too much attention and those were just techniques that he got from the righteous faction members he had killed in his past life.
After thinking it over, Xue Mo decided to choose two techniques since he didn't have much contribution points.