Lei Xiaojun's expression grew increasingly bitter. "I understand..."
Just a day ago, he had been a highly regarded inner sect disciple and the most outstanding young member of the Lei family, with a promising future.
Liu Yuefeng and Gao Peng, who had limited potential, were always his followers.
However, within just one day, the situation had reversed.
"Strength and status!"
"If I still had these, how would they dare treat me like this? How would they dare demand payment from me?"
It felt as if a fierce beast was roaring in Lei Xiaojun's heart.
"I need to get home quickly and tell my father everything. No matter what, I must capture Shen Mo alive!"
"I want to see him kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy!"
"I must get the mysterious pill from Shen Jiuding!"
Lei Xiaojun took several deep breaths, gradually calming himself.
The three continued onward.
After walking a few more miles, Liu Yuefeng suddenly said, "Do you hear something? It sounds like a demonic beast is following us."
Gao Peng's expression grew serious. "I hear it too. Agile and light—it might be wolves."
A wolf's howl suddenly rang out.
Several pairs of green eyes appeared in the dark forest.
Hungry wild wolves were closing in on the three of them.
Liu Yuefeng sneered, "If it were a pack of wolves, I'd be a bit cautious. But you, just six first-level demonic beasts, dare attack Qi Condensation Stage cultivators?"
The two of them immediately took their stances, wielding iron swords and blades to confront the wolves.
Lei Xiaojun felt somewhat reassured.
Starving first-level demonic beasts.
He had thought it was a human ambush.
Just as this thought arose, Lei Xiaojun suddenly felt a fierce wind behind him.
Instinctively, he turned around.
He saw a flash of lightning-like shadow rushing towards him.
Swish!
The sword struck swiftly and decisively, piercing Lei Xiaojun's heart directly.
His life force was instantly destroyed by the powerful might of the profound-grade martial skill.
The dark figure grabbed Lei Xiaojun's body and disappeared into the dark forest with a few swift leaps.
Liu Yuefeng and Gao Peng only realized something was wrong when they heard the sound of the sword slicing through the air. They turned to look at Lei Xiaojun.
But all they saw was a pool of still-warm blood on the ground—nothing else.
The two exchanged glances, seeing the fear in each other's eyes.
Gao Peng said, "He's gone? Who did this?"
Liu Yuefeng replied, "Even though Lei Xiaojun's dantian was damaged, he still had the reflexes of a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator. Yet, he disappeared without making a sound..."
Gao Peng's face darkened. "This means the person who acted is stronger than us."
"You don't think it could be... him?" He thought of Shen Mo.
Liu Yuefeng quickly covered Gao Peng's mouth and gave him a meaningful look. "Lei Xiaojun was taken by passing bandits."
Gao Peng quickly understood, "Ah, yes, he was taken by bandits! We couldn't keep up and have to return to the sect."
The two of them hurriedly left, not daring to stay any longer.
In the shadows, a figure watched them leave and sneered.
"Those two are smart, adept at seeking advantages and avoiding dangers."
"I left no evidence behind. Even if they return to the sect, they cannot accuse me of killing Lei Xiaojun."
Beneath him lay Lei Xiaojun's lifeless body.
The shadow, of course, was Shen Mo!
He had followed the three all the way, waiting for the wild wolves to appear before making his move.
"Young Master Lei, I couldn't possibly let you return home to rally reinforcements."
Shen Mo looked at the body with a calm expression.
The Lei family would certainly react in the future.
But at the speed Shen Mo was growing, by the time the Lei family discovered Lei Xiaojun's disappearance and suspected him, he would be powerful enough to confront the Lei family.
Shen Mo searched Lei Xiaojun's body and found several valuable items.
The first was a finely crafted silk pouch containing three clear spirit stones and several dozen less pure ones.
"Mid-grade spirit stones!"
Shen Mo smiled.
Lei Xiaojun had indeed accumulated quite a few resources over the years. When escaping from the sect, he must have exchanged his low-grade spirit stones for mid-grade ones for easier carrying.
Now, all of these belonged to Shen Mo.
"One mid-grade spirit stone is equivalent to one hundred low-grade spirit stones."
"These amount to three hundred thirty low-grade spirit stones in total, enough to exchange for a profound-grade martial skill!"
(the exchange price can vary between 100-120 lower spirit stones for one middle grade spirit stones, depending on quality of spirit stones)
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
Of course, since he already had the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, there was no need to use all the spirit stones to exchange for another profound-grade martial skill.
Besides the spirit stones, Shen Mo also found four bottles of pills on Lei Xiaojun.
One bottle contained Thunder Spirit Pills.
One bottle contained Earth Spirit Pills.
The other two bottles contained Qi Condensation Pills.
Shen Mo put them all away.
Before leaving, he employed his usual method, cutting numerous wounds on Lei Xiaojun's corpse.
The scent of blood quickly spread through the forest, carried by the mountain wind.
Soon, many demonic beasts would swarm in.
They would clean up the body for Shen Mo.
Shen Mo watched from a distance as the beasts cleaned up the remains, then left satisfied.
Even if someone wanted to investigate, they wouldn't be able to determine the cause of Lei Xiaojun's death.
Even if Liu Yuefeng and Gao Peng reported it, without evidence, the sect wouldn't convict Shen Mo based on their words alone.
"With Lei Yong and Lei Xiaojun dead, the heavy burden on my shoulders is finally lifted."
Walking along the dark forest path, Shen Mo felt much lighter.
...
The next day.
Shen Mo had a rare good night's sleep. After getting dressed and washing up, he headed to the dining hall.
Along the way, all the outer sect disciples he encountered respectfully saluted him.
Their expressions were full of respect.
Shen Mo merely acknowledged them with a nod.
After he passed by, these outer sect disciples gathered in groups, discussing the astounding achievements of their newly promoted inner sect senior brother from the previous day.
When Shen Mo ate breakfast in the dining hall, the eyes watching him were full of reverence and admiration.
He sighed inwardly.
Status and strength are the unchanging truths.
Before yesterday, he was an outer sect disciple who was bullied and ignored.
In just one day, he had leapt to become a newly promoted inner sect disciple.
Now, outer sect disciples saluted him with utmost respect.
Even some inner sect disciples, upon seeing him, respectfully cupped their hands.
Because those inner sect disciples were all weaker than the former Lei Xiaojun.
Having defeated Lei Xiaojun, Shen Mo could naturally defeat them as well.
After finishing breakfast, Shen Mo headed straight to the Treasure Pavilion.
The deacon from the previous day had informed him.
After becoming an inner sect disciple, there were many benefits.
One of which was the ability to receive a weapon and two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills for free from the Treasure Pavilion with his inner sect disciple token.
Shen Mo's iron sword was a crude item bought for just one low-grade spirit stone, not worth mentioning.
After using the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique a few times, cracks had already appeared on its surface.
He definitely needed to get a better sword.
There was also a deacon on the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion.
Upon seeing Shen Mo's inner sect disciple token, the deacon greeted him respectfully and enthusiastically, ushering him inside.
At that moment, a curious female voice came from behind.
"Brother Xiao Fan, if you want a good weapon, just tell me. There's no need to come to the Treasure Pavilion. I can ask my father to give you one!"
Following that was Xiao Fan's voice, "No, if I get everything from you, wouldn't that make me a freeloader? Everything I, Xiao Fan, have should be earned by myself!"
"Besides, as a new inner sect disciple, I have a chance to receive a free weapon. Who knows, I might find a spiritual sword in the Treasure Pavilion!"
Liu Fei looked at him admiringly, "Brother Xiao Fan, I really admire your self-reliant character. It's so attractive!"
The two of them, inseparable, also entered the Treasure Pavilion.
Shen Mo's eyes flickered.
He came too?
Xiao Fan was known to have the fate of a child of fortune. If he came to the Treasure Pavilion, there must be a great opportunity waiting for him!