On top of the giant stone, Chen Mo's figure moved swiftly through the air, leaving behind ripples that formed a series of afterimages, resembling a thunder dragon.
"First level of Body Like a Soaring Dragon: 'Pen Walks as the Dragon'."
…
"That's the Xuan-rank intermediate movement technique, Body Like a Soaring Dragon."
"It's only been a few days, and he's already mastered it?"
The crowd looked on in shock, murmuring among themselves.
"Is it really that easy to comprehend a Xuan-rank intermediate technique?" Yun Yun was astonished.
Back when she had cultivated Wind Flutter, which is slightly easier than Body Like a Soaring Dragon, it had taken her over twenty days to reach the first level of entry.
As for Nalan Yanran, it had taken her more than a month to achieve the same with Wind Flutter.
"Chen Mo's cultivation talent is truly rare, perhaps unseen in a thousand years. Even the founder of Yunlan Sect had lesser talent," Gu He commented.
There was one thing Gu He didn't mention: Chen Mo's alchemy talent was also exceptional, potentially allowing him to become a master alchemist, on par with Gu He himself.
The murmurs of the crowd reached Liu Ling's ears, causing him to tense up.
As the youngest Tier 3 alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire, such praise should have been directed at him. He had worn his brand-new alchemist robes today, hoping for some recognition, but instead, he hadn't even received the courtesy he expected.
Boom! Another bolt of lightning struck.
This lightning was much weaker than the previous purple ones, but it was far more shocking.
This bolt carried a trace of purple flame.
"Is that... the Thousand Thunder Art?" one of the white-robed elders hesitantly asked.
"Sixth Elder, what do you think?"
The Sixth Elder, who had cultivated lightning-based techniques for years, especially the Thousand Thunder Art, stepped forward.
Among the Yunlan Sect, no one understood the Thousand Thunder Art better than the Sixth Elder.
"This is indeed the Thousand Thunder Art. Judging by its power, it seems to have reached the first level of minor success."
In cultivation, both techniques and methods are classified into levels: entry, minor success, major success, and perfection.
In just a few days, Chen Mo had successfully cultivated two Xuan-rank intermediate techniques.
Such a person could no longer be described as a genius but as a monster.
A monster capable of leading Yunlan Sect to greater heights.
Yun Yun and the other elders were now somewhat numb to the continuous shocks brought by Chen Mo.
"Right now, if I were to fight Mo Li again, I could probably defeat him in one move. Even if I were to face Senior Sister Nalan, I'm confident I could end the fight within ten moves," Chen Mo thought as he looked at the purple flame, now fully integrated with the lightning in his palm. He decided on a simple name for it.
"From now on, you'll be called Thunderfire."
Chen Mo opened the system menu.
[Name: Chen Mo
Race: Human
Cultivation: Three-Star Dou Master
Luck Points: 40
Techniques: Divine Elephant Suppression Strength
Battle Techniques: Spear of the Underworld, Body Like a Soaring Dragon, Thousand Thunder Art.
Items: Healing Talisman x1, Concealment Technique, Lust Pill, Advancement Pill, Dou Sect Experience Card.
Functions: Treasure Chest Lottery, Shop, Seize.
Faction: Lingyan Pavilion]
After using a Healing Talisman, a green light flashed over Chen Mo's body, healing all the injuries caused by the lightning strikes.
With the last of his three Healing Talismans used up, Chen Mo returned from the back mountain to the palace.
Chen Mo paused.
In front of the palace, a large group had gathered.
"Teacher, elders, and..." Chen Mo's gaze swept over the group and landed on a man standing close to Nalan Yanran, wearing alchemist robes with a slightly delicate demeanor. He asked, "And who might he be?"
[Ding! Dou Fighter detected...]
The man was standing too close to Nalan Yanran for Chen Mo's liking.
Frowning slightly, Chen Mo felt a faint surge of anger for some reason.
Nalan Yanran seemed to sense that they were standing too close, so she stepped back a little and quickly introduced the man, not wanting Chen Mo to misunderstand. "Junior Brother, this is Elder Gu He's senior disciple, and your senior brother."
"Hello, Junior Brother Chen Mo. I've heard a lot about you. When I was taking the Tier 3 Alchemist exam in the imperial capital, I heard your name mentioned," Liu Ling said, extending his hand with a seemingly sincere smile.
"Hello, Senior Brother," Chen Mo replied, extending his hand as well. He glanced at the three silver stripes on Liu Ling's robe. Though Liu Ling hid it well, Chen Mo could still detect a hint of arrogance in his tone, especially in the latter part of his sentence.
It was the pride of a Tier 3 Alchemist.
"Congratulations on becoming a Tier 3 Alchemist, Senior Brother," Chen Mo thought to himself, "This guy plays a minor but significant role early in the story."
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Mo asked, "What's this gathering for?"
"We saw your cultivation in the back mountain," Yun Leng said, getting straight to the point.
"Oh, I apologize if I disturbed you, Teacher, elders," Chen Mo said, thinking his training had disturbed their rest.
"Disturbed us? Yes, you did. Now, tell us," an elder said.
"Tell you what?"
"Don't play dumb."
"I'm not playing dumb. I really don't know what you want me to say," Chen Mo replied, feeling wronged.
"We don't want to pry into your secrets. We just want to know how you managed to master two Xuan-rank intermediate techniques in such a short time. If this method can be shared, it would greatly benefit our sect," Yun Leng said calmly.
"Method? Does getting struck by lightning count?" Chen Mo thought.
"It... counts. Anything else?"
"No, that's all," Chen Mo wasn't trying to hide anything. Since binding to the system, he had an exceptional ability to comprehend any technique or method.
Or perhaps he was just a natural genius.
The cultivation speed of a genius is beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Yun Leng didn't expect to learn much and, after politely offering assistance with any future cultivation questions, left with the dozen or so white-robed elders.
"Keep up the hard work," he advised.
"It's time to depart," Gu He said before leaving as well.
The first part of Gu He's words was understandable to Chen Mo, but the latter part...
[Ding! Mission Released: Abduct the Queen Medusa. Success will grant 100-3000 Luck Points and one Royal Treasure Chest draw.]
As the system's prompt sounded, Chen Mo finally understood who Gu He's latter words were directed at.
So this is where the plot to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame begins?
And what's with this mission description?
Doesn't this count as cultivation work?
"You two, come with me," Yun Yun said, frowning slightly as she entered the palace.
Inside the main hall,
The place where Yun Yun resided was much simpler and less decorated than the typical female quarters.
"Tomorrow, I will be going out with Elder Gu He on a long trip. During my absence, you two must train diligently. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, feel free to seek advice from the Grand Elder," Yun Yun instructed.
"Teacher, where are you going?" Nalan Yanran asked. "Can we come?"
"No," Yun Yun replied sternly.
She was going to the Snake-People Tribe to seize a Heavenly Flame, a task fraught with danger, and she couldn't allow Nalan Yanran to come along.