C5 Two Hundred Merit Points!!

Hsu Qingqing couldn't sway Lin Xiao. No matter how she tried to convince him that avoiding Sinner's Valley wouldn't bring any misfortune upon him, her words fell on deaf ears.

Upon reaching Sinner's Valley, they were greeted by swamps everywhere, the stench of decay so foul it was nearly suffocating.

Deeper in, an eerie atmosphere prevailed, punctuated by the thunderous roars of beasts that echoed like the cries of tormented spirits.

They cautiously stuck to the fringes, aware that even there, Foundation Stage spirit beasts could emerge at any moment.

"Nice spot," Lin Xiao remarked, taking in the scent of the mire.

A place like this was perfect for murder—no one would ever find out.

Armed with his newfound low-grade fire spiritual root, Lin Xiao was confident he could easily best Hsu Qingqing.

"Keeping you around just means you'll join forces with Qin Hao. Time to hit the road."

Lin Xiao was all set to act, but a terrifying tremor nearly knocked him off his feet.

Suddenly, a massive spirit beast, with the head of a snake and the body of a wolf, towering as high as a small building, lunged at him.

Lin Xiao nimbly sidestepped the beast. Thankfully, his Foundation Stage abilities meant he wasn't completely defenseless.

He dove into a nearby thicket, narrowly escaping, but now Hsu Qingqing was in the creature's sights.

The Nether Wolf Python, a formidable opponent in the Middle Period of the Foundation Stage.

Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Better to let the spirit beast do the dirty work and spare him the hassle.

With that thought, he bolted, not once looking back.

Meanwhile, Hsu Qingqing's brow furrowed as she watched Lin Xiao flee, her gaze steady, betraying no fear of the spirit beast. She let out a soft sigh, "You're still too cowardly. Lin Xiao, you disobey me to offer protection, yet with such timidity, how can you ever win anyone over?"

"You're kind-hearted but as skittish as a mouse, and that's what I despise the most."

With a flick of her wrist, Hsu Qingqing summoned two swift gusts of wind.

A female cultivator at the Late Period of the Foundation Stage stepped forward and with a single stroke of her sword, the spirit beast was slain.

"Miss," the female cultivator said, bowing to Hsu Qingqing, "Lin Xiao has abandoned you and fled. I shall go and take his life."

Hsu Qingqing shook her head, her gaze not only reflecting a woman's delicate beauty but also exuding a touch of valor. "No need. His actions actually put me at ease, and the guilt I felt has vanished. I don't like being in someone's debt. Sigh, Lin Xiao, oh Lin Xiao, what is my status? How could I dare come here without ensuring my protection?"

For someone of her stature, owing a debt to a minor figure like Lin Xiao felt like the world was crumbling—a single instance was enough to plunge her into deep depression and discontent.

Lin Xiao pressed on, the ominous rumbling sound returning.

Not far from him, malicious triangular eyes glared at him hungrily, as if he were a delectable meal.

"It seems there's a price to pay for committing such evil deeds. But I accept it. After all, with Hsu Qingqing dead, I've come out ahead."

Lin Xiao clenched his teeth, defiant. "You're after my life! Let's see who's tougher!"

The Nether Wolf Python, sensing the challenge, grew agitated.

It was larger and more powerful than the previous one, its cultivation having reached the late Foundation Stage.

But something was clearly amiss. Its aura was erratic, and a flying sword was deeply embedded in its back.

"If you were at your prime, I might be done for. But now, there's a chance."

Lin Xiao's feet pounded the ground, sending mud flying.

As an Outer Sect disciple, he lacked the privileges of the Inner Sect, where disciples were taken under the wing of Elders and gifted divine weapons. His only possession was a short dagger hidden up his sleeve.

Lin Xiao targeted the Nether Wolf Python's weak spot, leaping high and twisting mid-air to evade its snapping jaws. Rising even higher, he landed atop the spirit beast's head and plunged his dagger down with ferocity.

Boom!

The Nether Wolf Python writhed in pain, crashing to the ground and splattering mud.

Lin Xiao deftly extracted the beast crystal with his dagger.

A Late Period Foundation Stage beast crystal could fetch quite a haul at the Points Pavilion, a bounty he had never dared dream of before—yet today, it had come to him with surprising ease.

"Fellow Daoist, you may go, but the beast crystal stays."

A young man in a blue robe approached.

"Trying to steal from me?" Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow.

The youth extended his hand and said, "Check out the sword on that Nether Wolf Python. It's a sacred weapon from the Heavenly Sword Sect. I'm Xiao Fann, an Inner Sect disciple there. Hand over the beast crystal."

Xiao Fann assumed that Lin Xiao, upon hearing his credentials, would obediently surrender the beast crystal. He didn't expect Lin Xiao to simply turn and walk away.

"I said give it to me!"

Xiao Fann's anger flared.

He was about to act when Lin Xiao beat him to the punch.

Lin Xiao moved with the swiftness of the wind.

He closed the distance to Xiao Fann in an instant and ran his dagger across Xiao Fann's throat.

"You..."

Xiao Fann had never imagined he'd meet such a pathetic end.

He had just playfully told his senior brother to stay back, wanting to handle this himself, especially since the spirit beast had already been wounded by his senior.

As the son of an elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect, he was no ordinary Inner Sect disciple. He was used to getting whatever he wanted, but today he had met his match.

He encountered a ruthless man who wouldn't even let him get a word in.

Lin Xiao swiftly pulled out his knife, cleaned off the blood, and stowed it away.

The Heavenly Sword Sect?

What did it matter if it was on par with the Green Hill Sect?

Acting tough in this godforsaken place was a death wish!

Killing him was like killing a nobody; no one would ever know.

"Lin Xiao!"

Hsu Qingqing came over, her discomfort evident at the sight of the massive spirit beast's corpse.

"I can't believe..."

She smacked her forehead and lamented, "How could I forget that Nether Wolf Pythons come in pairs? This one had the power of the late Foundation Stage. Lin Xiao, did you run off to intercept this more formidable one for me?"

Lin Xiao turned and was surprised to see Hsu Qingqing alive. But then he noticed the icy female cultivator by her side and it all made sense.

She was from Moon Worshipping Peak, someone who had bullied him in the past.

She was a formidable expert in the late Foundation Stage.

Indeed, she was at the peak of the Foundation Stage, unscathed and highly ranked among the Inner Sect disciples at Moon Worshipping Peak—a person of considerable repute. Rumor had it she possessed a spiritual root. Lin Xiao stood no chance against her.

"Ding!"

"The host has slain a mightier spirit beast, ensuring Hsu Qingqing's safety. A reward of Merit Points is granted. However, since the beast was wounded and Hsu Qingqing had a master by her side, her safety was not solely reliant on the host's intervention. The initial reward of 100 Merit Points is thus discounted by 20%, resulting in 80 points."

"Is that even allowed?"

Lin Xiao was flabbergasted.

But what good were 80 points to him?

They weren't enough to boost his cultivation, and what about trading for a cultivation method?

He checked the options. Cultivation methods started at 100 Merit Points, and the other miscellaneous, inexpensive healing pills were of no immediate use.

He had previously exchanged for a low-grade fire spiritual root pill, but he was 90 points short for a nonsuch—still not enough!

What to do?

His Merit Points would reset after the time it took an incense stick to burn.

He could opt for a medium-grade spiritual root pill for 50 points, and a top-grade one cost exactly 80 points, but Lin Xiao was barred from making the exchange.

The system alert stated that upgrading the spiritual root was a one-time opportunity. If he upgraded his low-grade fire spiritual root to top-grade now, he'd forfeit any chance of reaching the nonsuch grade for life.

Lin Xiao frantically reviewed his inventory.

What to do?

Finally, he noticed a spiritual root pill radiating light. It was available for just 80 points and was of the nonsuch grade, yet unlike other nonsuch grade pills, this one emanated a sinister aura.

"System-friendly notification to the host: This is a defective water spiritual root pill offered at a discount. Its efficacy matches that of a standard nonsuch grade pill, but it contains a deadly poison, the most lethal in the world. Consumption guarantees death."

Lin Xiao was drenched in a cold sweat.

It was lethally toxic!

If he traded for it and consumed it, his spiritual root would be extraordinarily powerful, but he'd be dead shortly after.

"I'll make the exchange."

After much deliberation, Lin Xiao decided to trade for the deadly pill.

"The system offers a friendly reminder once more: the Qilin poison is certain death!"

"Exchange it!"

Lin Xiao was after certain death!

He had no use for something that wouldn't kill.

After all, it was worthless to him if he didn't part with it. He didn't have to ingest it himself; he could give it to Hsu Qingqing. A rarity like Qilin poison was not something you came across every day. Why should Lin Xiao possess it?

Without a second thought, Lin Xiao handed the pill over to Hsu Qingqing.

Today was the day!

He was determined to end the life of this woman, who would later collude with Qin Hao!

"For me?"

Hsu Qingqing, already burdened with guilt and having misunderstood Lin Xiao once more, was taken aback by his unexpected gift. "I don't need it. Your pill was hard to come by. You're merely at the Qi Training Third Layer, not even part of the Inner Sect. The sect doesn't distribute pills to the likes of us.

Now that I think about it, I'm curious. How did you come by this pill? Was it a reward from Qin Hao for your hard work? No, that can't be. He hasn't joined the Inner Sect either, and neither have I."

"I acquired it on my own. It's for you to eat. It'll be beneficial and could awaken your spiritual root," Lin Xiao tempted.

"Utter nonsense!"

The female cultivator standing by Hsu Qingqing's side rebuked him sharply: "You're well aware the lady lacks a spiritual root, and you're spouting such nonsense!"

"Lin Xiao, I don't appreciate this behavior. A man can lack skills, but he shouldn't boast without merit," Hsu Qingqing said, her brow furrowed in mild disapproval. What had come over the usually reserved Lin Xiao?

She had never even heard of a pill capable of stimulating a spiritual root.

"I'm not lying. You could give it a try," Lin Xiao persisted.

"Miss, don't consume it. It could be a deceit," warned the female cultivator, her face etched with caution.

"No harm done. My days are numbered as it is. If it truly kills me, then it's simply my destiny. Moreover, Lin Xiao is inherently good-hearted. He wouldn't dare, nor would he wish to harm me, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to ensure my safety."

Hsu Qingqing waved dismissively and said, "Xiaodie, you're here with me. If I were in trouble, do you really think Lin Xiao could escape?"

"Absolutely not," Xiaodie, the female cultivator, replied with conviction, though her eyes remained anxiously fixed on Lin Xiao.

Hsu Qingqing gave Lin Xiao a quick look, saw nothing revealing on his face, and allowed herself a small smile before taking the pill.

"How do you feel?" Lin Xiao was already planning his escape, in case Xiaodie decided to take him down.

"What's there to feel?"

Hsu Qingqing grimaced and said, "Lin Xiao, you've really gone to great lengths. But honestly, you could just report back to Qin Hao that I'm not worth the effort. I'm afflicted with a cold poison that shortens my life considerably. My only hope is the rare Qilin Poison, which might offer me a chance at survival."

She paused, biting her red lips in frustration, "But your concern is for naught. No pill in this world can help me. The Qilin Poison is nearly impossible to find; it's said to be the venom of a mythical ancient beast. My family has been searching for years without a single lead."

Lin Xiao was dumbfounded!

Utterly dumbfounded!

"Quick, spit it out!" he cried out in desperation.

But it was too late.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for saving Hsu Qingqing's life. Your deed of great merit has earned you two hundred merit points!"