Chapter 4: The First Level of the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, Lei Yong's Death

On the other side.

Shen Mo left the Scripture Pavilion and hurried back to the outer sect disciples' courtyard at the foot of the mountain, returning to his residence.

As soon as he got back, he tightly closed the door and took out the two pages from his chest, beginning to study them earnestly.

He spent two hours reading through them.

After finishing, Shen Mo sighed, "This person's modifications to the Thunder Shadow Sword are quite peculiar. On one hand, it enhances the power and speed, but on the other hand, it also increases the difficulty of cultivation."

"However, I can continuously seize others' opportunities, so I'll surely find a way to speed up my cultivation."

"Let's start practicing now!"

Shen Mo put away the sword technique, picked up an iron sword, and began practicing diligently.

With such serious cultivation, half a month quickly passed.

In a bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain.

At this moment, the sound of slicing through the air echoed continuously.

From a distance, one could see a young man wielding an iron sword like a wild snake!

Swift as lightning!

Deadly as a serpent!

A moment later, the young man sheathed his sword.

The ground was littered with dozens of halved bamboo leaves.

The young man, drenched in sweat, laughed with satisfaction, "The first level of the Thunder Shadow Sword technique is indeed formidable, each strike is lethal, but it consumes a lot of stamina."

"Luckily, I have reached the major achievement of the Body Tempering Realm, otherwise, a single strike would have left me exhausted."

The young man was none other than Shen Mo.

The Thunder Shadow Sword technique had only three levels.

Many inner sect disciples and elders had also practiced the Thunder Shadow Sword technique, but they only managed to comprehend the second level and got stuck there.

Few could comprehend the third level.

Shen Mo's rapid improvement in half a month and his ability to comprehend the second level of the Thunder Shadow Sword technique was due to fortuitous opportunities.

Previously, he had intercepted the deacon's opportunity, using bait to catch the Treasure Seeking Rat, obtaining more than twenty lower-grade spirit stones.

He used these spirit stones to buy two Body Tempering Pills from the Treasure Pavilion.

Subsequently, during this half month, he intercepted two more opportunities from Lei Yong.

One was a nighttime walk, where he inadvertently had an epiphany at Sword Cliff, improving his swordsmanship.

The other was slipping and falling into water, where he unexpectedly found a piece of Emerald Pond Algae underwater.

This algae is a high-grade Yellow-grade medicinal herb. Without needing to be refined into a pill, consuming it directly can enhance one's cultivation.

One piece of Emerald Pond Algae is equivalent to two Body Tempering Pills, very valuable.

Shen Mo seized both of these opportunities before Lei Yong.

In total, he had the equivalent of consuming four Body Tempering Pills, restoring his cultivation to the major achievement of the Body Tempering Realm!

"If I remember correctly, today is the day for distributing medicinal liquid to the outer sect disciples." Shen Mo suddenly recalled and headed toward the outer sect disciples' courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

Every month, outer sect disciples receive two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid.

This medicinal liquid is far inferior to Body Tempering Pills, ten bottles barely equaling one Body Tempering Pill.

But still, having it is better than not having it.

Moreover, the Hundred Herb Liquid is distributed for free, with everyone receiving two bottles.

Sure enough, when he returned to the outer sect disciples' courtyard, many disciples had already gathered there.

At the center was a makeshift platform.

On the platform stood a deacon with a composed demeanor.

Deacons, unlike elders, were generally also inner sect disciples.

Some deacons were assigned to towns governed by the sect, responsible for managing inns, merchant associations, or recruiting new disciples.

Within the territory of the Qingxuan Sect, there were three towns including Qingshan City, over a dozen villages, and hundreds of hamlets.

The outer sect disciples lined up, one by one receiving their two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid from the deacon.

When receiving the medicinal liquid, they had to verify their outer sect disciple token and appearance to ensure no one received extra.

Shen Mo also received his two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid.

Though this liquid was mediocre, it was better than nothing.

After distributing the Hundred Herb Liquid, the deacon quickly left without interacting with the outer sect disciples at all.

Shen Mo also planned to wander around, looking for any valuable opportunities.

However, just as he had this thought, he saw Lei Yong already leading his two lackeys, knocking on doors to seize the Hundred Herb Liquid from each disciple.

One bottle was taken for every one bottle kept.

They probably know that if they take everything, these outer sect disciples will have no choice but to fight them desperately.

Those unwilling to hand over their share were immediately beaten up by Lei Yong and his gang.

Soon, they arrived at Shen Mo's place.

Lei Yong sneered, "Yo, Senior Brother Shen, haven't seen you in a few days. Every time I see you, I think of the once mighty number one outer sect disciple!"

His two lackeys laughed loudly, "Indeed! So glorious back then!"

"Too bad, now you've become a loser!" Lei Yong sneered, "Hand it over, or do you want a beating too?"

Shen Mo narrowed his eyes.

At this distance, Lei Yong was wide open, while his sword hung at his waist.

If he struck with the Thunder Shadow Sword technique, he could hit Lei Yong's throat in one move, killing him instantly.

Lei Yong's two lackeys, only at the minor achievement of the Body Tempering Realm, would be no match for him.

But Qingxuan Sect had strict rules forbidding killing within the sect.

Killing Lei Yong would feel great, but it would also result in punishment and death by sect rules.

Instead, it would be better to find an opportunity to quietly eliminate Lei Yong outside the sect.

Understanding this, Shen Mo handed over one bottle of Hundred Herb Liquid without resistance.

Lei Yong smirked, "No, one bottle is not enough."

Shen Mo's gaze sharpened.

Lei Yong's sneer deepened, "Your foundation is damaged. Drinking more Hundred Herb Liquid is useless. Better give it to me; I'll make better use of it."

His two lackeys laughed even louder, "Yeah, it's pointless for a cripple to drink Hundred Herb Liquid!"

After a moment of silence, Shen Mo handed over the second bottle as well.

Lei Yong sneered, "Smart move..."

Then suddenly, he kicked Shen Mo in the chest, sending him flying.

"But who said that just being smart would save you from a beating? Hahaha!" Lei Yong laughed heartily, holding the two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid, and walked out with his two lackeys to the next house.

Shen Mo calmly got up, holding his chest, a cold gleam in his eyes.

Today, Lei Yong would die.

Just now, he saw a new opportunity appearing for Lei Yong.

[Name: Lei Yong.]

[Realm: Major achievement of the Body Tempering Realm.]

[Fate: Family Disciple, Weapon Mastery, Minor Luck.]

[Destiny: Ultimately stops at the entry level of the Qi Condensation Realm, becomes a deacon of Qingxuan Sect, five years later, while on a mission, gets betrayed and killed by teammates.]

[Recent Opportunity: This afternoon, leaves Qingxuan Sect, meets a female disciple for a rendezvous at Bull Dragon Mountain. The female disciple has found a stronger man and stands him up. In his rage, Lei Yong vents his anger on the surrounding trees and accidentally discovers a century-old Blood Lingzhi. Consuming it helps him surpass the perfection of the Body Tempering Realm and reach the peak of the Body Tempering Realm.]

Blood Lingzhi is an extremely rare medicinal herb, classified as a supreme Yellow-grade herb.

A century-old Blood Lingzhi is even a mid-tier Profound-grade herb!

Although it could be used to refine pills for better results, consuming it directly was also beneficial.

Shen Mo's eyes deepened.

He immediately began making preparations.

...

Bull Dragon Mountain.

This place was about thirty miles from Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate.

Under a giant tree, Lei Yong had arrived early, waiting for the female disciple.

Just thinking about her fiery figure made Lei Yong feel hot.

"Today, I'll make sure she experiences the prowess of my silver spear!" He chuckled, lost in his fantasies.

However, after waiting a long time, the beautiful figure still hadn't appeared.

Lei Yong frowned deeply.

He realized he had been stood up.

Could it be that the woman had found another man?

The thought made Lei Yong furious.

Blinded by anger, he started venting his rage on the surrounding trees.

At that moment, he wished someone would appear so he could beat them like a sandbag.

Just then, a surprised voice came from behind him, "Senior Brother Lei, you're here too, great!"