I’ll Take That Opportunity Chapter 15 - Slaying The Serpent

Ye Lin sat cross-legged, a Spirit Stone in hand, his eyes closed, and began to cultivate.

Strands of pure spirit qi surged into his body, nourishing and strengthening every nook and cranny.

Cultivation was a long, tedious process. In the blink of an eye, fifteen days passed.

“Phew... The further I go, the harder it gets.” He opened his eyes, gazing at the fine powder in his palm, “Half a month, five low-grade Spirit Stones... and I still can’t break through to the 7th layer Qi Refinement stage?”

He let the powder slip through his fingers, a sigh escaping his lips. Despite relentless effort, the 7th layer Qi Refinement stage still remained out of reach.

No wonder some outer disciples spent years, even a decade, in the outer sect without progress. No spirit root, no resources, a low-tier cultivation method—three factors that sealed their fate.

“Fortunately, I have the life panel. If I don’t have resources...” A faint grin tugged at his lips, “I’ll just take them from others.”

Ye Lin rose and brushed the dust from his attire, “It’s time to seize Huang Xiong’s opportunity. According to the panel, he was supposed to accept the task to slay the demon serpent in half a month.”

“Perfect timing. I've just finished a fourteen-day seclusion. Since that's the case, then I'll head to the Task Pavilion to accept that task today—to slay the demon beast on one hand and complete the outer sect assessment on the other.”

Decision made, he headed for the Task Pavilion. Inside, a lone counter stood at the center, manned by a young cultivator.

“Senior Disciple Brother, what tasks are available today?” Ye Lin asked as he approached.

Tasks were updated daily—some posted by disciples or elders, others by the sect itself. The former usually paid in Spirit Stones; the latter offered points, but were more structured and less risky.

The young cultivator, Huang Xiao, looked up, surprised, “Oh? You’re the newly promoted outer disciple from half a month ago?”

Ye Lin nodded, “That’s me. So, Senior Disciple Brother, what new tasks are available today?”

“There’s an interesting one today.” Huang Xiao said, eyes gleaming, “A 5th layer Qi Refinement demon serpent appeared near Wang Family Village. Slay it, and you’ll earn 300 points. Think you’re up for it?”

Huang Xiao sneered inwardly. The task had just been posted—he’d intended to save it for his older brother, Huang Xiong. But the person in front of him... well, he was the current rising star of the outer sect.

As far as Huang Xiao knew, Ye Lin was only at the 5th layer Qi Refinement stage. He had even refused his brother’s invitation recently—an act of sheer arrogance, in his eyes.

“Oh? In that case, I’ll take it.” Ye Lin’s eyes lit up, seizing the opportunity without hesitation.

“Very well.” Huang Xiao replied coolly, “You have three days. Bring back the demon serpent’s head as proof.”

Though his words were measured, an unmistakable edge crept into his tone.

“Got it.” Ye Lin turned and left the Task Pavilion.

Meanwhile, a translucent panel appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Huang Xiao]

[Cultivation base: 6th layer Qi Refinement]

[Fate grade: white]

[Fate trait: lone star of misfortune]

[Fate prediction: in four months, during a devil subjugation mission, you will be drained of lifeblood by a deviant devil and perish.]

[Upcoming opportunity: feeling bored, you will visit Tianfeng City the day after tomorrow. At the entrance of Windblossom Manor, you’ll meet a beggar and give him a steamed bun. In gratitude, the beggar will give you a Foundation Establishment demon core. You will absorb it and break through to the 7th Layer Qi Refinement stage in one go.]

[Lone star of misfortune: the closer you get to others, the more misfortune befalls them. Those with this fate are destined for loneliness.]

Ye Lin’s eyes widened, “A Foundation Establishment demon core?”

He was stunned. A demon core was the crystallized essence of a demon beast. If a demon beast was about to die at the hands of a human cultivator, it would typically detonate its demon core.

An intact demon core is of immeasurable value.

"A Foundation Establishment stage demon core..." Ye Lin murmured to himself, eyes gleaming, "If I refine it, breaking through to the 7th layer Qi Refinement stage might be within reach."

Only demon beasts at the Foundation Establishment stage or higher could condense a demon core. Such treasures were exceedingly rare—far beyond what outer disciples could normally hope to obtain.

His heart surged for a moment, but he quickly reined it in. Steeling his resolve, Ye Lin turned and made his way toward Wang Family Village. Once the demon serpent was dealt with, he would head straight for Tianfeng City—he wasn’t about to let that beggar slip through his fingers.

Back at the pavilion, Huang Xiao watched Ye Lin’s departing figure with a cold smile, “Hmph. Overestimating himself.”

A 5th layer Qi Refinement demon beast was no small threat. For a newly promoted outer disciple like Ye Lin to face it alone? Foolish.

What Huang Xiao failed to realize, however, was that this “simple task” was actually a pivotal turning point for his brother, Huang Xiong.

When Ye Lin reached Wang Family Village, a crowd had gathered near the entrance. Fear clouded their faces, and nervous whispers filled the air.

“Look! Someone’s coming! He’s in white robes—is he an Immortal Master from the Azure Cloud Sect?!”

A villager pointed excitedly, drawing everyone’s gaze to Ye Lin as he approached. In their eyes, even a 1st layer Qi Refinement cultivator was a being beyond reach—a figure of awe and reverence.

An elderly man, clearly the village head, stepped forward and bowed, “Immortal Master, may I ask... are you from the Azure Cloud Sect?”

“I am.” Ye Lin replied with a nod, “I’ve come to slay the demon serpent. Please, tell me where it’s hiding.”

“Thank the heavens! That serpent’s been occupying the back mountain. We beg you, Immortal Master, rid our village of this scourge!”

He was about to kneel, but Ye Lin stopped him with a swift gesture.

“There’s no need. Slaying demon beasts is the duty of cultivators like me.”

With that, he turned and dashed toward the back mountain without another word.

The moment he arrived at the back mountain, Ye Lin froze in place, “Whoa... it’s actually this big?”

Before him lay a massive serpent—over ten meters long and nearly two meters thick—coiled like a mountain of scales. Its sheer size struck Ye Lin with a wave of instinctive dread.

“Not good... it’s affecting my mind!”

Snapping back to his senses, Ye Lin quickly regained his composure. He had felt fear—toward a mere 5th layer Qi Refinement demon beast. To hesitate before the battle even began was a grave mistake.

Hiss—hiss—hiss—

At that moment, the slumbering demon serpent stirred, as if sensing Ye Lin’s presence. Its eyes snapped open, vertical pupils locking onto him, while its scarlet tongue flicked in and out with a chilling rhythm.

Ye Lin acted instantly, “Life Sword!”

Without hesitation, Ye Lin drew the sword from his sleeve and struck. A streak of sword qi flashed through the air, carving a bloody gash atop the head of the massive demon serpent.

Hiss—hiss—hiss—

Enraged by the blow, the giant serpent writhed and lunged, its tail lashing toward Ye Lin

“It didn’t die?”

"Ye Lin's face showed surprise. His sword had felled demon tigers, also at the 5th layer Qi Refinement strange, in a single strike, yet the serpent before him had withstood the blow, suffering only a minor wound."

“Fine then... I’ll pound you into a pulp.”

His blood surged, boiling with fighting spirit. He planted the sword into the ground, sidestepping the oncoming tail.

“Seven Kill Fist!”

With a roar, Ye Lin gathered his spirit qi, and crimson blood qi erupted from his right fist. He had cultivated the Seven Kill Fist to the third level—this blow was twice as powerful as Life Sword.

Boom!

His fist crashed down on the serpent’s skull with explosive force, and the beast’s head was smashed into the dirt.