BLOODLINE TEMPERING: Transforming From Worm To Dragon

Chapter 14: Sun And Moon Condensation Art

"Tu, as in rabbit?" the elder curiously asked.

"Yes, elder. It was as you said." Qin Lei nodded in response. His attitude towards the elder is full of reverence and respect. After all, all his achievement today in cultivation was thanks to the elder's care.

Without the elder interest in him, it was questionable if he could get into the top 1000 disciples. Of course, his attitude and effort were likable to start with. Or else, it would be pointless even if his Qin Family tried their best to obtain this elder's guidance.

"After completing his task, give him an additional token as a reward. While you're at it, ask if he's happy to return again tomorrow." the elder said. It seems that the elder has quite a positive opinion of Chen Tu.

While an additional token given out wasn't much in the eyes of an elder, to a disciple like Chen Tu and Qin Lei, it was a lot!

Nobody would complain about having too many tokens.

"Disciple understands." Qin Lei nodded at the elder. After saying what he had to, the elder left the Spiritual Garden quietly.

Two hours later, Chen Tu was finally done with the removal. His performance today was considered acceptable for using merely two and a half hours to clear three plots worth of weeds. Regular people usually take more than three hours, while slower ones take over four hours.

"Chen Tu, correct?" Qin Lei immediately asked after coming to his side. This gives Chen Tu some face, considering Qin Lei's status as a member of the top hundred. Furthermore, it doesn't hurt to make sure he remembered a person correctly, especially someone who caught the elder's eye.

"Yes, senior brother. That would be this junior here." Chen Tu nodded and stood up straight while facing Qin Lei. The weed he collected was left aside.

"I am here for two reasons. The first one is from Elder Wei Xuan, the supervisor of this Spiritual Garden. Your enthusiasm in your work caught the elder's eyes, and he decided to reward you with an additional Contribution Token for your work today." Qin Lei said and took four badges out from his pouch.

The token looks no different from the minted Spiritual Coins, with a "blood" word stamped on both sides. But they're worthless to a cultivator and only usable as a form of currency inside this Blood Refining Grotto.

"Additionally, the elder asked if you would consider helping out again for tomorrow. You can go back and think about it. Just come over again in the morning if you decide to continue." Qin Lei added.

Eavesdropping from somewhere secluded from public eyes, the elder nodded and looked proud of his good eyes over talents. He was satisfied with the two and the manner they displayed publicly.

"This junior is honored for the elder's attention. Would the senior brother please relay the word to the elder that this junior will definitely turn up tomorrow?" Chen Tu revealed a smile after listening to the good news. He immediately agreed to the request without delay and promised to show up tomorrow.

He had nothing much to think about.

After all, it was a go-through process for all the disciples during their stay in the Outer Grotto. Unless the disciple had a method to earn Contribution Token without accepting the assignments, everyone would definitely complete a few tasks over the week.

Without anything else to say, Qin Lei passed the four Contribution Tokens to Chen Tu. But the latter only kept three in his pocket while offering the fourth token to Qin Lei.

"Senior brother, please allow this junior to express his gratitude by treating you to a simple meal with this." Chen Tu said. He was imitating what Chen Zigang once did. From what he was told, showing the other party a refined attitude made this world goes around.

"Hmm... In that case, this senior brother won't be pretentious with it." Qin Lei said while accepting the token. The two had no idea that this token was how they weaved a string of friendship between them.

"If there's nothing else, this junior will excuse himself and return to his accommodation. Thank you for your care today!" Chen Tu politely excused himself by speaking firmly. In addition, he cupped his fist with a slight bow after the sentence, revealing a hint of mannerism.

Something like this was trivial to most people, but it was a gesture of proper education. He could be illiterate, but that doesn't mean Chen Tu had no class. And before leaving, he didn't forget to bring the weed along and handle them properly.

Although they're inedible, this only applies to humans, not animals. The weed sneakily grown beside the Spiritual Herb is often treated as a superfood for pigs, chickens, cows, and even horses.

"Hmm... No wonder he caught the elder's attention." Qin Lei smiled and made his way over to the elder.

Although what Chen Tu did wasn't necessary, it won't be good for Qin Lei to interfere with what he was doing. Furthermore, the grotto doesn't prohibit a disciple from rearing their own animals or planting their own vegetables and herbs.

Or else, it definitely hurt the Blood Refining Grotto's pocket from covering everything and paying over a hundred thousand Spiritual Coins on food alone.

"Elder." Qin Lei returned to the elder's side with the Contribution Token. Instead of pocketing it, he gave the badge back to the elder.

"Keep it. Since it's the brat's method of expressing gratitude, then you have ownership over this token by all rights." the elder said and gestured through his fingers. It means he could pocket the token without guilt.

"Disciple will follow the elder's decision." Qin Lei nodded and kept it in his pocket. Naturally, his face was full of smiles as the additional token meant he could have something good for dinner tonight.

...

...

Meanwhile, Chen Tu used the opportunity when the sun was still up to absorb the Spiritual Energy in his surrounding. The repeated usage also activated part of the memory fragment, allowing him to understand more about this Cultivation Method.

"Sun and Moon Condensation Art..."

"What an amazing name it had." Chen Tu smiled.