Sorry, I'm Slightly Better Below

Chapter 2: Invitation

In a courtyard on Rising Cloud Peak of the Azure Sun Sect, Chen Ze took out a specially made whetstone to grind away the rust on the damaged spiritual sword.

He was a transmigrator, born into a small cultivation family in this world.

The family had invested a lot of resources in cultivating him, finally allowing him to reach the Qi Refining Stage and meet the requirements to join the Azure Sun Sect before the age of eighteen.

Joining the Azure Sun Sect was equivalent to getting into the top university in his previous life for his family, so it was not an exaggeration to say that he was the pride of the entire family.

Of course, these were all superficial.

In fact, he had exceptional talent. He successfully reached the Qi Refining Stage at the age of sixteen, reached the first level of Qi Refining at seventeen, and was already at the third level of Qi Refining when he joined the Azure Sun Sect...

Even if the family didn't provide him with so many resources, he would still have barely met the requirements to join the Azure Sun Sect at the age of eighteen.

The main reason for hiding his cultivation level was twofold.

On one hand, this world was too dangerous. Not only were there countless demons and monsters, but the competition among cultivators was also particularly fierce.

As the saying goes, "A tall tree catches the wind."

Not to mention other places, just within the Azure Sun Sect, it was said that a peerless genius had emerged five years ago, but he was assassinated by a powerful practitioner from the Demon Dao before even reaching the Foundation Building Stage.

As a transmigrator with cheat-like abilities, there was no need for him to be too high-profile.

On the other hand, the practice of hiding one's cultivation level and treasures was prevalent in this world.

There were too many cunning and treacherous people, so he had to hide as well.

Of course, it was possible that the Immortal Cultivation World was always like this. The reason he saw so much treachery was because of his eyes that could see through everything. If it weren't for those eyes, perhaps this Immortal Cultivation World would just be a normal one.

...

Swoosh, swoosh...

Chen Ze continued to grind away the rust on the damaged spiritual sword, gradually releasing the sharp aura unique to Xuanjin Iron.

At this moment, a somewhat familiar voice sounded outside the courtyard.

"Junior Brother Chen, are you there?"

"It's Senior Brother Wu."

Hearing the movement, Chen Ze instinctively hid the damaged spiritual sword and replied, "I'm here! Senior Brother Wu, please wait a moment!"

After saying that, he quickly wiped off the rust on his hands and walked towards the courtyard gate.

Senior Brother Wu's name was Wu Liang, and he was a disciple who joined the Azure Sun Sect at the same time as Chen Ze.

On weekdays, Senior Brother Wu would take care of him in some insignificant ways. Although their relationship seemed good, it was actually just superficial.

When he arrived outside the courtyard gate, Chen Ze immediately saw Wu Liang, who had a smile on his face.

"What's the matter, Senior Brother Wu? Do you need something?"

Wu Liang looked Chen Ze up and down and replied, "Junior Brother Chen, two months from now, our group of disciples will be participating in a demon-slaying trial, right? Although the risk of this trial is not great, there are still disciples who die every year.

To be on the safe side, I plan to earn more contribution points recently and use them to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining with a Qi Gathering Pill. Doing menial tasks like farming to earn contribution points is too slow, so I want to take on some simple demon-slaying tasks."

"Are you suggesting that...?" Chen Ze asked in confusion.

"That's right. I just went to the mission hall and saw a task to eliminate a low-level tiger demon. After completing it, we can earn forty contribution points.

That tiger demon's strength is roughly at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and I can't handle it alone. If Junior Brother Chen is willing to join forces with me, our chances of success will be much greater."

Wu Liang quickly explained.

"Well..." Chen Ze looked at Wu Liang, feeling somewhat hesitant.

Wu Liang's true cultivation level is actually at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Compared to ordinary new disciples, Wu Liang is quite wealthy. In his storage bag, he not only has eighty spiritual stones, but also a High Grade spiritual weapon and two Middle Grade spiritual weapons.

Dealing with a fourth level Qi Refining, low-intelligence demon tiger with this foundation is not particularly difficult, although it is not effortless either.

Since it's not difficult, what is the meaning behind this kid wanting to cooperate with me?

Chen Ze smelled danger.

Could it be that this kid wants to take advantage of the opportunity to plot against me?

Although the Azure Sun Sect prohibits disciples from harming each other, the fact is that there are always some disciples who die under mysterious circumstances within the sect...

Thinking of this, he asked, "When is Senior Wu planning to go? I'll see if I have any free time."

"Three days later. After all, it's the first time doing this kind of mission, so some preparation is needed. After killing that demon tiger, we'll each receive twenty contribution points, which is equivalent to cultivating in the herb garden for a month!"

Wu Liang's eyes were filled with excitement, as if the contribution points were already within his grasp.

Hmm?

Three days later?

Chen Ze's heart skipped a beat.

Two days later is when the sect distributes cultivation resources. This kid wants me to go on a relatively easy mission three days later. Isn't he clearly planning to plot against me?

Feeling the scent of danger, Chen Ze immediately recalled his true cultivation level!

Fifth level of Qi Refining!

Due to the sect's hierarchy based on cultivation level, higher-level cultivators are called senior brothers and lower-level cultivators are called junior brothers. In order to prevent any slip of the tongue in this regard, Chen Ze usually self-hypnotizes himself into believing that he is at the third level of Qi Refining.

Only when danger arises does he subconsciously remember his true cultivation level, just like now.

Fifth level of Qi Refining, plus two High Grade spiritual weapons, it should be easy to deal with this Senior Wu.

Thinking of this, Chen Ze couldn't help but take another look at Senior Wu.

Compared to last time, Senior Wu's cultivation level, the techniques he cultivates, and the changes in his wealth in the storage bag are not significant...

Wait, something's not right.

There is actually something special in Senior Wu's storage bag.

"Yin Wind Cone, a High Grade demonic weapon made from the leg bone of a dead person, a weapon for sneak attacks."

A High Grade demonic weapon?

And it specializes in sneak attacks?

Where did this kid get it from?

Could it be that he wants to plot against me and then pin it on a demonic cultivator?

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through Chen Ze's mind.

To be honest, although his cultivation level is at the fifth level of Qi Refining, if he were to be ambushed by a High Grade demonic weapon, there is still a possibility of capsizing in a gutter.

Seeing that Chen Ze was hesitating, Wu Liang pretended to be disappointed and said, "This demon-slaying mission does indeed have some risks. It's normal for Junior Chen to have concerns...

Unfortunately, among all the senior brothers and junior brothers in this sect, the only one I truly trust is Junior Chen. I once thought that two months later, you and I, as brothers, could fight side by side in the demonic trial and overcome difficulties together...

Sigh... Since Junior Chen is truly worried, then I won't take on this mission."

After saying this, Wu Liang showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he looked at Chen Ze with a complex gaze, a gaze filled with desolation, disappointment, encouragement, anticipation, and a hint of resentment.

"With acting skills like this, it's such a waste for you not to be an actor."

Chen Ze looked at Wu Liang's gaze and couldn't help but sneer in his heart, but his face turned red as if he had been moved by him.

"A true gentleman would sacrifice himself for his friends! Since Senior Wu values me so much, how can I refuse? I'll take on this mission!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Liang's eyes instantly flashed with excitement. He heavily patted Chen Ze's shoulder and said, "Good! You truly live up to my expectations! After completing this mission, let's both strive to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining together, as brothers!"

(End of this chapter)