C17 Beautiful Elder

[Host Attributes:

Cultivation Level: 250 (At the Peak of Early Foundation Establishment)

Spiritual Roots: Six Spiritual Roots

Foundation Quality: Medium-Grade Foundation

Cultivation Technique: Azure Clouds Spell, Yellow Rank Lower-Grade

Genius Points: 295]

Lee Qingyun scrutinized his status panel and inquired, "Is it possible to elevate the Azure Clouds Spell to a Yellow Rank Mid-Grade?"

"Upgrading requires 800 Genius Points. You do not have sufficient points, Host."

"Got it," Lee Qingyun acknowledged. Enhancing the cultivation technique was his top priority, as the legacy of such techniques was a sect's most valuable asset. Elevating the Azure Clouds Spell to a Mid-Grade or even a High-Grade Yellow Rank could draw in promising talents to the Twin Rage Sect.

Should it reach an even higher level, like the Low-Grade Profound Rank, it might attract cultivators in the Nascent Infant Stage. Yet, the risk of being slain for his treasures would also rise significantly.

Unable to improve the cultivation technique, he decided to focus on his Dao Foundation.

"How about upgrading the Medium-Grade Dao Foundation to High-Grade?" Lee Qingyun proposed.

"The procedure will consume 250 Genius Points. Would you like to proceed?"

250... That's quite steep...

"Would you like to proceed?"

"Let's go ahead!" Lee Qingyun asserted.

He then realized that "let's go ahead" was quickly becoming his catchphrase, as he was constantly pushed into agreeing by the system...

He'd try to avoid using it from now on...

"Preparation underway..."

[Notice: Upgrading the Dao Foundation will also enhance your cultivation level. There is a significant chance of advancing to the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage. Do you wish to continue?]

"Let's go ahead!" Lee Qingyun repeated.

The System: "..."

Lee Qingyun: "..."

"Beginning upgrade..."

Lee Qingyun settled into a cross-legged position, aligning himself with the imminent breakthrough.

An hour later.

Lee Qingyun lay on the ground, ashen-faced but wearing a grin of contentment.

[Host Attributes:

Cultivation Level: 300 (At the Peak of Mid Foundation Establishment)

Spiritual Roots: Six Spiritual Roots

Foundation Quality: High-Grade Dao Foundation

Cultivation Technique: Azure Clouds Spell, Yellow Rank Lower-Grade]

Genius Points: 45

Though the System pushed him to his limits each time, the payoff was clear and undoubtedly worth it.

Xun Liang stood at the doorway, lunchbox in hand. Noticing Lee Qingyun's state, he hurried over to assist him, "Master, are you alright?"

Lee Qingyun was helped into a chair to slowly regain his cultivation, while Xun Liang opened the lunchbox to serve him a meal.

Inside were three vegetarian dishes: stir-fried carrot strips, vinegar-dressed cabbage, and chilled cucumber salad—all simple but appetizing.

"Have the eight hours of today's cultivation concluded?" Lee Qingyun inquired, catching the scent.

"Yes, Master," Xun Liang confirmed.

"Hmm... Why not prepare some meat dishes?" Lee Qingyun posed the question he'd been pondering. Despite the tastiness of Xun Liang's vegetarian cooking, he had been on a meatless diet since returning from Wang Ruhai's birthday feast, and eating vegetarian day in, day out was more than one could bear.

"Uh..." Xun Liang paused, then admitted, "I don't know how to kill wild beasts."

Lee Qingyun responded, "Is a meatless diet sustainable? Both your junior brother and you are in your growing phase, plus you have cultivation to consider. You can't subsist on vegetables alone."

"You speak the truth, Master," Xun Liang acknowledged his oversight with respect.

Lee Qingyun instructed, "Here's what you'll do... After your daily cultivation in the cave dwelling area, head to the mountain behind us and hunt wild beasts. Ensure you take down at least one each day."

"Yes, Master," Xun Liang agreed.

Lee Qingyun continued, "Focus on honing your spiritual energy control. Understood?"

"Understood, Master."

"Ding! First mission assigned to a disciple: Genius Points +25. An additional reward of 50 points will be granted upon completion."

"Cough, cough..." Lee Qingyun cleared his throat, adding, "Make sure to complete it. Failure will result in punishment."

"Yes, Master."

"Good."

After a brief hesitation, Xun Liang spoke up, "Master, I spotted someone at the gate earlier."

"They've come to our doorstep? Such audacity!" Lee Qingyun's elation from his recent breakthrough vanished in an instant.

Over the past few days, low-ranking disciples from the Soul Capturing Sect have been stealthily making their way up Green Mountain, engaging in mysterious activities.

Lee Qingyun was aware of their movements. Yet, as the leader of the Twin Rage Sect, he found himself unable to confront these minor disciples. Besides, their snooping efforts were unlikely to uncover anything significant. The constant nuisance was a source of irritation, but he chose to overlook their presence, dismissing them from his mind.

Today, however, they had brazenly approached the sect's entrance, pushing him to his limit. Resolved to take action, he was prepared to face any criticism for using his status as sect master to deal with these underlings.

Thus, upon hearing Xun Liang's report, he promptly headed outside.

Xun Liang hadn't anticipated Lee Qingyun's swift departure. With a bashful, reddened face, he awkwardly murmured, "It's a... scantily clad woman."

"Hmm? Where's the master?"

...

Aoxue sized up the man claiming to be the sect master of Twin Rage. His demeanor was decent; he didn't leer like a lecher, nor did he feign indifference. Instead, his gaze carried a subtle note of admiration. His eyebrows were sharp like swords, his eyes sparkled, and despite slightly unkempt hair, he exuded a sense of style. Clad in a Taoist robe, he presented a clean and handsome figure.

Not bad at all; he wasn't someone she found disagreeable.

A glance that appreciates without lusting is not harassment; it's the difference between admiration and lechery. Lee Qingyun had grasped this concept in his past life, striking the right balance and earning Aoxue's goodwill.

He was taken aback for a moment, having expected a mere henchman from the Soul Capturing Sect. Instead, he was greeted by a stunningly curvaceous beauty upon stepping outside.

As Lee Qingyun pondered his approach, a flash of light burst from Aoxue's hand, and she tossed a person forth.

"I spotted someone skulking about on my way up the mountain," she explained. "After confronting them, it turned out they were a spy from the Soul Capturing Sect. I took the liberty of dealing with them for you."

Lee Qingyun nodded in acknowledgment and approached the man, reaching out to search him.

"Hmm? Found it."

The item in question was a token, emblazoned with the emblem of the Soul Capturing Sect, along with the holder's rank.

It signified the bearer was an Inner Sect disciple of the Soul Capturing Sect, typically ranging from the tenth to the twelfth level of Qi Refinement. This level of strength was ideal for reconnaissance missions—too weak would be useless, too strong, wasteful.

"I wish to join the Twin Rage Sect," she stated, her voice carrying a cool edge as she addressed Lee Qingyun.

"Hmm?" Lee Qingyun gasped, taken aback. He had been preoccupied with examining the Soul Capturing Sect's spy and, ahem, appreciating the beauty before him, that he had neglected to inquire about her intentions.

"I wish to join the Twin Rage Sect," she repeated, prompting him once more.

"Is this based on the information from the Nature's Mystery Stone?"

"Yes, my name is Aoxue Yang. You're Lee Qingyun, I presume?" Aoxue introduced herself.

"Consider this spy as my letter of intent to join your Twin Rage Sect."

Lee Qingyun listened attentively to Aoxue Yang, simultaneously accessing the system to assess her qualifications.

"Name: Aoxue Yang

Age: 20

Potential: 12 spiritual veins (Earth Spiritual Vein), bone structure 8, comprehension 8, predestined blessing 7, temperament 5, total score 28

Cultivation: Peak of Foundation Establishment (paramount Dao Foundation)

Star Rank: Six-Star Genius"

At twenty years old and at the peak of Foundation Establishment, her Earth Spiritual Vein might not compare to the superior Heaven Spiritual Vein, but her level of cultivation elevated her to a Six-Star Genius, on par with those of the peaceful Heaven Spiritual Vein.

Yet, why would such a prodigy opt for a declining sect like Twin Rage?

Aoxue explained, "I noticed your sect possesses a low-grade Yellow Rank spirit gathering formation. I need to advance to the Golden Core soon, and the formation's capabilities are precisely what I require. Larger sects might have them, but I prefer not to join such places. Hence, I've chosen to join Twin Rage Sect—albeit temporarily."

"And you, aren't you in need of an assistant at the moment? I can be of assistance."

Lee Qingyun asked, "Does that mean you could leave at any moment?"

Aoxue replied, "I won't leave for a year."

"It's a deal!" Lee Qingyun said with a smile, extending his hand.

Aoxue gave Lee Qingyun a playful glare but nevertheless reached out her delicate hand and they shook hands.

Just then, a sudden uproar erupted from the base of the mountain.

"Elder Liu, I witnessed Junior Brother Sun being taken up the mountain!"

"That woman is here, atop this peak."

"We need to compel Lee Qingyun to surrender the individual! And that woman too! Hmph!"

"Lee Qingyun has been laying low for too long. Now that he's acted, it's time to show him what we're made of!"

"..."

With a sense of resignation, Lee Qingyun turned to Aoxue and said, "As the sect leader, I appoint you the Great Elder and assign you your first task: to dispel these ruffians causing a disturbance."

It appeared that the Soul Capturing Sect's spies were emboldened by an elder's backing. Knowing that the Twin Rage Sect was short-handed, they had been eager to provoke Lee Qingyun into action.