"Brother, how could it have been stolen!?" Mo Qing's tone grew urgent, flames rising in his eyes.
The Jade Spirit Fruit was far superior to Qi Gathering Powder. Not only did it guarantee a 100% breakthrough to Dou Practitioner, it also strengthened the meridians.
The stronger the meridians, the higher-level cultivation techniques one could practice early on, and the faster one could convert heaven and earth energy into Dou Qi to enhance their strength.
"How should I know?" Mo Yu's eyes darkened as numerous thoughts flashed through his mind: "That place isn't even known to Father—only Grandfather and I know about it. Over the past decade, Grandfather only entered to inspect it three years ago, and everything was fine then. After that, he only took me to the entrance once a month to check."
"This is definitely no accident. Someone has been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to snatch it."
"Who!?" Mo Qing was so angry his chest heaved: "Brother, go to the Grand Elder and have the Punishment Hall investigate thoroughly. This is a major theft—I want that thief torn to pieces!"
"Calm down." Mo Yu frowned slightly and said in a low voice: "That Aura Gathering Ground was discovered by Grandfather by accident fifteen years ago. He secretly transplanted the Jade Spirit Fruit tree and cultivated it without reporting it, or else it should have been considered sect property."
"Even if we report to Master, we can only pretend to have discovered an Aura Gathering Ground and a Jade Spirit Fruit tree to exchange for merit points. We can't confess the truth—that would only get Grandfather punished, and we'd end up with nothing."
"So we just swallow this!?" Mo Qing was going crazy inside.
On the path of cultivation, being one step faster meant being faster every step after. One Jade Spirit Fruit could make his future much brighter—this was a grudge that blocked his path.
"Of course we won't just swallow it." A flash of killing intent appeared in Mo Yu's eyes.
Besides one Jade Spirit Fruit for Mo Qing and two to bring back to the family, the remaining two were meant for him to request Pill King Gu He to refine a Fifth-Grade Pill that could enhance his cultivation speed.
That petty thief had taken all five Jade Spirit Fruits, also obstructing his path to becoming stronger.
"For now, we shouldn't make this matter public. The Jade Spirit Fruit tree is there, and it's more valuable than the fruits themselves. I don't believe that scoundrel won't be tempted—I'll arrange for people to keep a secret watch."
"Additionally, I'll have the family monitor the situation regarding Jade Spirit Fruits within the Jia Ma Empire and ask my teacher to collect them for me under the pretext of needing them for alchemy."
"Such rare treasures will always cause a stir whenever they appear. When that happens, we can follow the clues..."
Mo Yu didn't finish his sentence, but Mo Qing understood—that would be when they could take revenge.
Whoever secretly picked the Jade Spirit Fruits must have ordinary strength and background, something the Mo Family could definitely handle.
"But what about my breakthrough to Dou Practitioner?" Mo Qing's expression turned ugly: "If I rely on myself, won't I be slower than Gu Han?"
"If he can become a Dou Practitioner before age fifteen, he'd be almost as good as you, brother."
Hearing this, Mo Yu sneered: "You're my brother—can't you have some vision? His talent isn't inferior to mine, but when it comes to background and resources, can he compare to me?"
"Besides, Mo Feng is targeting him too. Talent can be destroyed, you know."
"Remember how Zhang Chuchen, who once overshadowed Father, ended up... heh."
"Without the Jade Spirit Fruit, the family will prepare Qi Gathering Powder for you."
Thinking about Gu Han's eventual fate, Mo Qing's mood instantly improved considerably. Besides, he still had Qi Gathering Powder as a backup option.
Just then, a voice came from outside: "Mo Feng requests an audience with the Young Master."
"Enter," Mo Yu said.
A tall, slender young man with delicate features entered, clasping his fists and bowing. "Mo Feng pays his respects to the First Young Master and Second Young Master."
"No need for such formalities within the Cloud Mist Sect," Mo Yu replied, his expression shifting to a gentle smile as he gestured lightly. "How did the task I assigned you go?"
"Reporting, Young Master, I came precisely to update you on this matter," Mo Feng lowered his head further. "I waited near the Technique Transmission Hall, but no one showed up for a long time. After investigating Gu Han's residence, I learned he had gone to the Outer Sect Training Hall early in the morning."
"What is he doing at the training hall!?" Mo Qing frowned instinctively. "After obtaining the Black Iron Token, shouldn't his first priority be to exchange it for a new Dou Skill or even select a cultivation method to prepare for a breakthrough?"
"There's only one explanation," Mo Yu's eyes darkened slightly. "He's preparing to break through to Dou Practitioner."
"What!?" Mo Qing stood up agitated. "How could he? If he succeeds, wouldn't he become a Dou Practitioner even faster than you, brother?"
Mo Yu: "..."
Gu Han had been brought to the sect for cultivation after his bone structure was examined at age six, while Mo Yu himself had begun training under family supervision at age four.
If Gu Han succeeded, his talent alone would surpass Mo Yu's by no small margin.
"Go keep watch at the training hall," Mo Yu unconsciously rubbed his hands together. "If Gu Han fails his breakthrough, find an opportunity to make your move."
"If he succeeds, don't do anything—just report back to me immediately."
"Yes," Mo Feng acknowledged and withdrew.
"Brother, if he succeeds, the threat would be too great," Mo Qing spoke urgently, his eyes filled with undisguised envy. "We can't let him get ahead."
"Look at you, always so impatient," Mo Yu glared at Mo Qing. "Ultimately, your current conflict stems from you warning him not to win before the Provisional Disciple competition, and him ignoring you. You're the one who holds a grudge—he has little actual conflict with you or the Mo family."
"If he successfully breaks through, he'll certainly catch the attention of many stewards and elders. Why should we exhaust ourselves dealing with him?"
"We should befriend him, become his friends."
"What if he doesn't know what's good for him?" Mo Qing asked reflexively, still wanting to suppress Gu Han.
"I've said it before—we can't do anything that undermines unity within the sect," Mo Yu picked up his teacup and took a sip. "But outside the sect is different."
Time flew like a white steed flashing past a crevice, and ten hours passed in the blink of an eye.
In Outer Sect Training Hall, Room A-1, Gu Han spent all his time cultivating, except for meals delivered by sect attendants at designated times.
"Phew."
Exhaling a turbid breath, Gu Han slowly opened his eyes.
After a full day and night of cultivation, aided by the effects of the Jade Spirit Fruit, his realm had completely stabilized and even showed some improvement.
The urgent task now was to cultivate a Dou Qi method to increase his cultivation speed, potentially allowing him to continue breaking through quickly while the medicinal effects lasted.
"The Black Iron Token allows entry to the first two floors to select one cultivation method or Dou Skill."
"I hope I can find a suitable ice-attribute method."
On the Dou Qi Continent, a person's elemental attribute depends on their soul. Generally, one soul possesses only a single attribute, with no others mixed in.
However, alchemists are an exception—they must have a fire attribute inherently mixed with a trace of wood energy. This requirement alone makes the profession exceedingly rare.
Gu Han had no chance of becoming an alchemist; his Dou Qi attribute, like Hai Bodong's, was ice.
"To select a good cultivation method, you either need great luck or a master to guide you."
"With my talent, finding an elder to take me as a disciple wouldn't be difficult, but the Cloud Mist Sect has no ice-attribute elders, so it's not suitable for me. I'd rather seek out Hai Bodong to become his disciple."
"But it's fine, I have my own advantages."
Gu Han sank his divine sense deep into the Black Tortoise shell within his consciousness, preparing to obtain an opportunity.
After breaking through to the Dou Practitioner level, he could obtain two opportunities every day.
But the next moment, he frowned.
"Huh? This is..."