Chapter 51: Foreboding Shadows

After finishing his meal, Reon stood up, a renewed focus in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, he activated his spatial ring, drawing in the numerous Demonic Beast corpses surrounding the area. Nearly a hundred Demonic Beasts vanished into the ring, stored away like mere trinkets.

Initially, Reon had planned to focus on the Bladesong of the Silver Moon Technique. Using the Technique Insight Ticket he had earned, he intended to elevate his mastery of it to the Intermediate Stage, confident that with this skill and Cloudia's assistance, he'd be able to take down an Ironclaw Direwolf in a surprise attack.

Once defeated, the Direwolf's Primal Core would be the perfect resource for Cloudia's next advancement, pushing her to advance to the Demonic Soldier Rank.

However, fate had been unexpectedly kind; through a separate system reward, he had unlocked Sword Aura—not the mere Awakening or Refinement Stages, but a significantly higher level of control.

This wasn't just progress; it was a rare leap forward that placed him in a class few disciples could reach so soon. 

To his satisfaction, Cloudia had already reached the Demonic Soldier Rank with the Primal Core of the Shadow Claw Bear.

Now, armed with her enhanced abilities and his newly solidified Sword Aura, they could easily take on Ironclaw Direwolf.

Now, he decided, was the time to press on and complete his mission here. Training in the forest any longer would be a risky indulgence.

Niu Ling, the inner disciple with a known grudge, might seize any opportunity to ambush him while he remained within the forest.

Although Mystic Evergreen Forest lay within the sect's domain, its dense woods were perfect for eliminating someone with no questions asked.

Many disciples met their end here—some from beasts, others from rival disciples exploiting in the forest's isolated depths.

If Niu Ling decided to strike, the sect would likely dismiss Reon's death as just another casualty of the wild—a beast attack, easily brushed aside.

Within the sect's walls, such brazen actions were met with swift punishment. But out here, beyond the sect's watchful eye, the dangers were countless, and life was often fleeting. Out here, death was an accepted risk.

Those without the power to protect themselves had no business venturing into the Mystic Evergreen Forest to begin with.

Reon couldn't be sure just how many disciples Niu Ling would send. However, with his recent confrontations and his success in fending off several of Niu Ling's lackeys, it was certain that this time they'd come prepared, likely sending stronger disciples or more of them.

It was precisely for this reason that Reon wanted to complete his mission quickly and return to the safety of the sect. There, he could train his Sword Aura and techniques in the peace of his abode, away from the constant threat of ambush.

With a final glance at the clearing, Reon steeled himself. It was time to put his newfound skills to the test and move toward his goal with resolve, leaving behind this brutal forest and the schemes that lurked within it.

Suddenly Reon heard the familiar chime of the System echoing in his mind.

[Ding! The Host has been given four options to choose from. Please select one option carefully.]

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[Option 1: Return to the sect without completing the mission.

Reward: Strength+1]

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[Option 2: Finish the mission and return to the sect.

Reward: Cultivation Stage+1]

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[Option 3: Advance to the Intermediate Stage of the Bladesong of the Silver Moon Technique while in the forest.

Reward: Qi Enhancement Pill (Uncommon Grade).]

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[Option 4: Venture into the Mysterious Cave ahead and defeat the powerful boss lurking within.

Reward: Celestial Heart Breathing Technique (??) .]

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Reon scanned the list of options thoughtfully. The first choice, returning to the sect without completing his mission, was immediately ruled out.

Losing 5,000 Sect Points for a failed mission, all for a meager reward of a single strength increase, was simply not worth it.

His gaze moved to the second option: completing the mission and returning to the sect. While this aligned with his original plan, the reward of a one-stage cultivation boost felt underwhelming, barely enticing.

Then, he considered the third option: advancing to the Intermediate Stage in his sword technique here in the forest.

Although he hadn't planned to focus on it now, the reward for this choice was certainly more tempting.

Finally, his attention settled on the fourth option: venturing into the mysterious cave ahead and defeating the powerful boss within.

Initially, Reon had no intention of exploring the cave—its unknown dangers seemed like unnecessary risks. Yet, the reward for this choice was hard to ignore.

A rare breathing technique was precisely what he needed to advance his cultivation without always relying on the system.

What intrigued him even further was the reward's ranking—it showed only question marks, something he'd never seen before.

Even the Eclipse Orb had a rank, albeit one shrouded in mystery with its question mark, which only heightened the allure of this unknown reward.

Reon's curiosity ignited, and he could feel the thrill of possibility coursing through him. With a newfound sense of determination, he recognized that the potential benefits outweighed the risks, and he confidently selected this option.