At this moment, the Blood River Patriarch said, "My Blood God Sect doesn't raise trash. If you don't work hard to cultivate, then the corpses on the ground will be your fate."
Although it sounded more like a threat than a reminder, everyone still bowed gratefully and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder."
The Blood River Patriarch ignored everyone and turned into a blood light before disappearing.
"Farewell, Elder!" Everyone bowed again.
Although the Blood River Patriarch had left, the seven direct disciples were still present. Everyone remained standing in their original positions, afraid to even breathe loudly.
The seven direct disciples ignored everyone and began to talk amongst themselves.
"How are we going to distribute those who are hiding and didn't participate in the sect assessment?"
"How about we each choose a direction and rely on luck?"
"Okay, I choose east."
"Then I'll go southeast."
"I'll choose west."
After the seven direct disciples had made their choices, they turned into blood lights and flew in all directions.
"It's finally over!" Only then did everyone dare to straighten their backs and talk to each other.
The inner sect disciples returned to their haughty demeanor and looked down upon the outer sect disciples.
Zhang Chen had no intention of chatting and turned to walk towards his cave dwelling.
Back in his cave dwelling, Zhang Chen began to ponder about how to proceed in the future.
First, he had to complete the sect's mission, then use the Lifespan Burning Technique to improve his aptitude.
By improving his aptitude, his cultivation speed would increase. Coupled with Li Mumin providing him with demon blood, he should be able to break through to the seventh level of Qi cultivation within six months and qualify to compete with the inner sect disciples.
However, advancing too quickly could easily arouse suspicion.
Originally a disciple with low aptitude and barely meeting the standard in cultivation, suddenly making rapid progress would make it hard for people not to get suspicious.
The spear hit the bird that stuck out, so it was still better to keep a low profile.
Perhaps, I can try practicing a few more techniques…
"Is Junior Brother Zhang here?"
A question from outside the cave interrupted Zhang Chen's thoughts.
Hearing the voice, Zhang Chen knew that Chen Kongming had come. Previously, he had exchanged for the Lifespan Burning Technique and owed 10 bowls of blood essence, promising to give it back after the sect assessment.
The last thing he lacked now was blood essence, so he responded and walked out. "Yes."
Upon hearing his reply, Chen Kongming knew that Zhang Chen had no intention of delaying and reneging on his debt. A smile appeared on his face.
Outside the cave dwelling, Zhang Chen cupped his hands and bowed. "Senior Brother Chen, you're here for the blood essence, right? I was just planning to go to your cave dwelling in a while, but I didn't expect you to come personally."
"I happened to pass by your cave, so I came to visit. If it's convenient for you now, please give me the blood essence." Chen Kongming didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"Alright, please wait a moment, Senior Brother."
Zhang Chen turned around and entered the cave abode. He found a pot and started to draw blood.
Although he had stored a lot of blood essence in the blood storage bottle, he still chose to use his own blood because it was more suitable for his situation.
How could a disciple who had only broken through half a month before the assessment save up 10 bowls of blood essence?
One bowl of blood essence was equivalent to a month of cultivation.
After losing 10 bowls of blood essence, Zhang Chen looked weak, and his cultivation level dropped to the fourth level of Qi cultivation.
"Senior Brother Chen, this is the blood essence." Zhang Chen handed over the wooden pot containing the blood essence.
Chen Kongming received the pot with a smile on his face, "Junior Brother is indeed trustworthy. If you need demon blood in the future, just come to me, and I'll give you more."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Zhang Chen did not mention that he had already become the spokesperson for the inner sect.
"Junior Brother, rest well. I won't disturb you anymore."
"Take care, Senior Brother."
After sending Chen Kongming off, Zhang Chen returned to the cave abode. He took out a blood storage bottle containing blood essence and prepared to return to the fifth level of Qi cultivation.
The feeling of lowered cultivation and weakened body was too uncomfortable.
Other people were unaware of his deal with Chen Kongming, so returning to the fifth level of Qi cultivation was not an issue.
One bucket of demon blood could increase cultivation for half a year, and Zhang Chen could now refine three buckets of demon blood in one day.
After being appointed as the spokesperson for 10 days, he had gained a total of 15 years of cultivation.
After deducting the three bowls of blood essence that he gave Li Mumin every day, he exchanged them for 10 bowls of blood essence from the blood storage bottle and the 10 bowls of blood essence that he had just given Chen Kongming.
He still had enough blood essence to last him another 10 years!
If he were to absorb all of it, he could immediately break through to the sixth level of Qi cultivation.
To others, this was simply unimaginable.
While others were trying their best to increase their cultivation, Zhang Chen was trying to hide his cultivation because of his unique bloodline.
Thanks to his special bloodline and the fact that it was his own blood essence, he was able to absorb 10 bowls of blood essence in the time it took for half an incense stick to burn and return to the fifth level of Qi cultivation.
"I'll go to the beast garden to complete today's tasks first. Then I'll go to the Technique Exchange Pavilion to see if there are any spells suitable for me."
After making up his mind, Zhang Chen stood up and walked out.
Two hours later, Zhang Chen arrived at the Technique Exchange Pavilion.
The Technique Exchange Pavilion had four levels and was presided over by a Foundation Establishment elder.
The first level contained Qi cultivation techniques, the second level contained Foundation Establishment techniques, the third level contained Golden Core techniques, and the fourth level contained Nascent Soul techniques.
It was said that even the sect leader only had Nascent Soul cultivation, and Zhang Chen didn't know if there were any spells beyond that in the Blood God Sect.
Perhaps there were, but they weren't kept in the Technique Exchange Pavilion.
However, for Zhang Chen, that was still too far away.
These techniques were not obtained for free but required the exchange of blood essence, so there weren't many people who came to exchange techniques.
Most people only came to learn techniques when they reached the seventh level of Qi cultivation and were preparing to participate in the inner sect competition.
After all, the Blood God Sect had a time rule. Everyone was trying their best to improve their cultivation. Who had the time to practice techniques?
"Senior Brother, I want to choose a technique." Zhang Chen handed his identity token to the disciple in charge of imparting techniques.
After showing his identity token to the transmission hall disciple in charge, Zhang Chen was given a book containing a catalog and introduction of Qi cultivation spells to choose from.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Zhang Chen picked up the book and flipped through it. One technique after another came into view.
The Blood Light Technique could emit a blood light that blinded people. It required three bowls of blood essence in exchange.
The Blood Absorption Technique could remotely absorb the blood of others from afar. Its success depended on the strengths of both parties. It required 10 bowls of blood essence in exchange.
The Blood Arrow Technique could condense blood arrows that could penetrate through gold and stone within a thousand feet. It required 15 bowls of blood essence in exchange.
…
In addition to these exclusive techniques of the Blood God Sect, there were also other demonic techniques and ordinary techniques.
For example, Ghost Control Technique, Corpse Control Technique, Fire Condensation Technique, Wind Mastery Technique, Light Body Technique, and so on.
Zhang Chen was dazzled. If possible, he wanted to copy all the techniques.
However, that was unrealistic. Not to mention the blood essence required, even if he trained hard, he wouldn't be able to master them all.
After thinking it over, Zhang Chen decided to choose five techniques.
One melee technique, one long-range technique, one defensive technique, one escape technique, and one explosive technique.
He wanted to cover all areas of attack, defense, and escape.