Chapter Seven: Pursuit of Azure Points

Chapter Seven: Pursuit of Azure Points

His heart sank as he thought about it. Now he just have 100 Azure points left and in order to register for the inner sect competition, he needed one thousand Azure points. The situation was grim; he had to find a way to earn more points and quickly.

His mind raced with possibilities, and he decided to make his way to the "Missions Hall," the place where sect missions were issued. Here, disciples undertake tasks assigned by the sect to earn valuable Azure points.

...

As he entered the hall, he saw a disciple at the desk who was recording the missions taken by fellow disciples and distributing rewards upon task completion.

As Jiang Lei perused the mission board, his eyes scanned through a variety of tasks, each offering different levels of difficulty and corresponding Azure point rewards. Some missions appeared relatively simple, promising minimal rewards like capturing low-level demonic beasts or gathering specific herbs.

But he also noticed the truly daunting tasks—eliminating powerful bandits or evil practitioners whose strength far exceeded his own.

He read through many diffrent-diffrent tasks, noting their levels of difficulty and the Azure points they offered:

1. Capture ten low-level demonic beasts for 300 Azure points.

2. Gather a specific type of spiritual herb from the nearby forest for 100 Azure points.

3. Escort a merchant's caravan to a nearby town, guarding against potential threats, for 200 Azure points.

4. Hunt down and defeat a group of bandits terrorizing nearby villages, all at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, for 3,000 Azure points.

5. Infiltrate a cave rumored to be inhabited by powerful evil practitioners at eighth level of qi condensation and eliminate them for 3500 Azure points.

6. Apprehend a group of rogue cultivators causing havoc in the region, each at third level of qi condensation, for 1500 Azure points.

As his eyes landed on the last mission, a spark of interest ignited within Jiang Lei.

"May be ,I'll be able to do this". His eyes shined as he came across a particular task that caught his attention. The mission involved confronting and eliminating a monstrous beast, one that was rumored to possess power on par with a practitioner at the first level of qi condensation.

The reward for this task was one thousand Azure points—a sum that can allow him to participate in the inner sect competition.

His mind raced as he considered the possibilities. Jiang Lei understood that he wasn't yet powerful enough to confront such a formidable opponent directly.

Nevertheless, the goal was within his reach; perhaps he could increase his strength while on the way to confront the beast and even unlock new abilities along.

"I need these Azure points". With a determined glint in his eyes, Jiang Lei made his decision. He headed to the desk where the recording disciple sat and registered for the mission to confront the monstrous beast. The disciple acknowledged his choice and gave him a brief description of the creature's likely whereabouts, deep within a nearby forested area.

Jiang Lei knew he needed to gather more information about the monstrous beast before setting out on this dangerous mission.He sought insights from the disciple.

The creature was said to be a formidable opponent, known to emerge from the mysterious and eerie Mistwood Forest at night. Its attacks on nearby villages were ruthless and deadly, leaving villagers terrified and defenseless.

"This monster is really scarry and bloody". As he learned more, he realized that the creature's pattern of behavior was to attack and kill during the night, only to retreat back into the depths of the Mistwood Forest before daybreak.

The beast's attacks were swift and merciless, targeting vulnerable villagers who lived on the outskirts of the forest.

"It's not going to be very easy". Jiang Lei's heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He understood the danger he was walking into, but he also recognized the potential rewards. If he managed to confront and defeat this monstrous beast, he would not only save innocent lives but also earn a significant amount of Azure points that could help him in becoming stronger.

....

Jiang Lei returned to his room, his thoughts firmly set on strengthening himself before venturing into the Mistwood Forest. He held the two common grade spirit stones in his palm and sat down cross-legged. Closing his eyes, he began channeling the energy within the spirit stones, focusing on refining it into his body.

Hours passed as Jiang Lei maintained his deep concentration, guiding the refined energy through his meridians. Gradually, he felt the energy blend with his own qi, resonating harmoniously. The process was slow but steady, and he could sense his cultivation realm pushing against the threshold.

As the morning sun began to illuminate the room, Jiang Lei's eyes snapped open. He felt it—the breakthrough. His cultivation had ascended to the seventh level of the Mortal realm. A sense of accomplishment and strength surged through him.

But he knew there was more work to be done. This strength alone is far from being the opponent of monster .Jiang Lei focused his attention on the Fire Burst Technique and Ember Steps. He has already practiced these two techniques to initial stage.

Now he wants to practice both these skill and try to reach the Elementary stage.

He practiced the techniques meticulously, feeling the flames within him respond to his commands.

With each repetition, his control over the fire energy refined.

The hours melted away as Jiang Lei honed his skills. His movements grew more fluid, and the fire energy danced around him. He could sense that he was on the brink of a breakthrough in both techniques, but he also recognized that forcing it would be counterproductive.

Finally, with the sun beginning to rise,

Jiang Lei was practicing for whole night his practice reached a natural conclusion. His efforts had not gone in vain—he could feel the energy of the Fire Burst Technique and the Ember Steps resonate with his own qi more profoundly. Although he hadn't reached the Elementary stage but he has reached the peak of the intial stage, he was confident that the breakthrough was imminent.

With his breakthrough to the seventh level of the Mortal realm, Jiang Lei felt a surge of vitality coursing through his body.

Surprisingly, the exhaustion that typically accompanied after an intense training was absent. He stood in his room, the energy within him running in his body.

"This time I didn't feel any fatigue, is it because now my body is stronger than before". Jiang Lei marveled at the change within him. It was as if his body had tapped into an endless wellspring of energy.

The fatigue that had threatened to weigh him down earlier was now a distant memory. He flexed his muscles and performed a few practice moves, his body responding with an ease and agility he had never experienced before.

"No I have some strength to survive in this world". Jiang Lei contemplated his progress. The breakthrough had not only elevated his cultivation realm but also granted him a boundless reservoir of energy. With this strength, he felt assured and ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.

"It's time to go". With a determined smile, he glanced at the clock. The time was right—the Mistwood Forest awaited him.