124. Re-joining Crescent Moon Sect
During a scorching sunny day on a mountain five kilometers away from Crescent Moon Sect, a young man on his late teens is sitting on a branch of a tree while holding a token.
The young man is Clay who is in deep thought wondering if he should rejoin the sect again. On his way to Gentris Kingdom, he decided to pass by the sect and this morning when he arrived, he had been pondering if this is the right option.
Since he decided to reveal his a bit of his Dao Power, he can be guaranteed entrance to any human sect to his liking but he will have to start over. The problem is that, unlike the elders of Crescent Moon Sect who already have an idea of his abilities, if he joins a human sect then he will have to establish another identity.
*Exhale
Clay took a deep breath. The truth is, he is not yet ready to give up on the Barnachea Legacy and he wanted to be able to read all 7 parts of the book the sect has in its archive.
Clay summoned a gold coin from his spatial ring.
*Cling
“Heads and I will join this sect.”
As soon as the coin landed on the ground, Clay felt a familiar aura flew out from the sect and it is headed to him.
In the meantime, Clay jumped down to the ground and picked up the coin as he waited for the cultivator.
After a few seconds, an old Elven wearing white robes landed with his domineering aura.
“I greet Grand Elder Numar.” Clay slightly bowed and saluted with his fist.
“Have you made a decision yet?” Elder Numar inquired with his hands on his back. He was expecting that Clay would return or visit them again after ten years yet Clay showed up earlier than expected.
“This coin says I should head north.” Clay tossed the coin again and while it is rolling in the air, he said, “Tails and I will stay.”
When the coin was about to fall, Numar grabbed it mid-air and opened his palm showing Tail.
Clay force and a smile and said, “I originally just wanted to re-grow my arms back by either consuming a Rebeclum Flower or learning the Barnachean Blood Art so I could refine a healing pill myself but the sect was very generous. As for why I wanted to join the sect again, well, I don’t really have any intentions but just recently I was disappointed in my journey as I have learned that the scattered descendants of Barnachean Tribes did not have an ounce of their legacy. I am hoping to be able to read the complete book and any other books about this…”
“Those books is not something even the head of Alchemy Hall can easily get their hands off. It is true your flawless pills are precious but your limit is Tier II pills. If you can concoct Tier III pills with the same quality, then we might be able to make an exemption.”
“It is for that reason I need those books to give my Alchemy abilities a chance to advance. If not, I will consider other options.”
“If you are thinking about replacing or evolving your Essence Flame, then I’m telling you now to not waste your future. There are many ways to get stronger but if you choose to gamble on those routes, then know that of the thousands humans who were blinded with their foolishness, only a handful had found their way back. Stay and I can promise to help you obtain resources you needed to breakthrough.”
Clay was taken aback with what Elder Numar has said. He has yet to research about upgrading his flame yet he is already being warned of its dangers. He was hoping his ability to concoct flawless pills would get the sect to beg on their knees but it turns out they don’t even need him in the first place. He is now beginning to wonder if he will receive the same treatment if he enlists to a human sect.
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Clay was calm as he faced his previous Master. If this was five years ago, he would kneel down in respect but with his elevated Dao Powers, he has nothing to fear anymore. If possible, he would reveal his might and overpower everyone and steal the book, or maybe conquer and command the sect to his bidding but he knows that this option will plunge the sect and the entire kingdom in chaos. And if that happens, who knows what kind of cultivators will come after him. He might not even able to eat or drink anything satisfactory as he would constantly worried about being poisoned.
Seeing that Clay is undecided, Elder Numar spoke again. “If it’s that book you really wanted, I will speak to Patriarch however my condition is you earn the points needed to open them and I mean actual sect missions.”
If it were possible, Clay would like to travel to Gentris Kingdom and ask other sect what can they offer in exchange for his abilities but from the looks of it, he has a feeling that he will have to fight Elder Numar once he declines.
“Will I retain my status as a personal disciple?”
“I have nothing to teach you.” Elder Numar took out a token from his spatial ring then continued, “This will be your new token as an inner disciple.”
When Clay was handed back his original token, Elder Numar levitated.
“There is a disciple named Liom Chen. Have you heard of him?”
“He went missing a few days after you left.” Elder Numar turned around and before disappearing he said, “Ask the guards for directions.”
*Sigh
If it were indeed possible to run amuck and lay waste to the sect and steal their entire repository without any consequences, then he will gut their so-called Grand Elders.
Looking at the new token in his hands, he smiled and allowed his blood and Qi to register.
“Wait. Did I just deactivate my aura and hid my cultivation?”
Clay wanted to curse himself. He was planning on revealing his a portion of his strength to get a better impression but he did not realized he unknowingly hid it again the moment he saw Elder Numar’s figure.
“I’ll show him when an opportunity arises again.”
Clay started walking towards the sect. As a Peak Foundation level practitioner, his life is extended to 300 years and after breaking through to Core Formation, he will be able to live for up to 500 years. Since he is bound to live a long life, he may as well live like a cultivator. He had already acquired the power which majority of cultivators would struggle to obtain or spend their lives not having touched the realm of this mysterious power.
His only worry now is to breakthrough. The problem is that his affinity to Spiritual Elemental Affinity requires that he must consume ten times more resources than a normal cultivator. Breaking the barrier of Foundation Establishment alone had required him almost nine flawless pills and he estimates he needs at least fifteen Core Formation Breakthrough Pills of the same quality to overcome this barrier and to produce those pills, only he can concoct them.
Prior to coming to the sect, he had multiple plans in mind but now that he had decided to rejoin Crescent Moon Sect, spending less than 100 years here should not be a bad idea especially that his previous Master promised he will help him with resources.
Clay still memorized the general map of the sect so he went straight to the Mission Hall of inner disciples. Since he refining pills will no longer earn him contribution points, he went to the section of the most rewarding mission.
The level of missions had already been sorted according to its danger and most of them include extermination.
(Kill King Earth Salamanders – Reward 1500 points 3-6 months)
(Kill Core of Rep Alpha Spiders – Reward 1200 points 3- 6 months)
(Lystica Vine Removal – Reward 1400 points 3-5 months)
(Gabalin Investigation – Reward 1700 points 7-9 months)
Clay ignored the other disciples and moved towards the next board.
(Addition Vanguards- Reward 2500 points – 4 years)
(Battlefield Scout – Reward 3500 points – 3 years)
(Cheaneya Village Protector – Reward 10,500 points – 6 years)
Clay’s eyes were attracted by the mission in the middle with 10,500 points. Many of the missions are required to be accomplished in groups but this mission only requires one Peak Foundation.
(There had been an increase in bandit activity that four midsized village need the assistance of a Peak Foundation Establishment to boost their fighting powers and defense. The mortality rate is 35 percent. Must be knowledgeable about humans.)
Clay looked at the other missions and while most of them can let him earn 10,000 in five years, it requires him to always be in a party and that he has to constantly return back to the sect to renew it. Since he has not plans on making friends yet, he took out the one-man mission and went to the counter for registration.
“I’d like this senior to register me for this mission.” Clay handed the scroll together with his token. And to avoid any unnecessary questions, he revealed his aura.
“Are you sure you don’t like someone to accompany you? It’s very rewarding but you might return with one of your limbs missing.”
Clay forced a smile and said, “I thank this senior for his concern but I promise to return with ten fingers.”
“You all say the same thing and give up early. Get your ass out of here.” The elder at the counter handed a scroll towards Clay then entertained the disciple behind Clay.