Late at night, Zhang Ze was studying his system panel.
After days of experiments, Zhang Ze found that not everyone could unlock achievements or side quests.
Only those with an exceptionally resilient destiny can shake the immortal cultivation world and are worthy of achievements.
Take Elder Wang as an example. Although their relationship is very close, no achievements have been updated, just some occasional errands.
As for those senior brothers and sisters whose names Zhang Ze hasn't remembered yet, they don't even have tasks.
However, Lin Feng and Chen Qin, those two jokers, just a little chat, and the achievement and favorability system opened, followed by a bunch of hidden side quests.
On the panel, their names had dimmed titles next to them.
Lin Feng. Sword Evil Lone Star.
Chen Qin. Demon Sword Drunken Moon.
In some ways, Elder Li was right; they are truly two mischievous souls.
As for Elder Li...
His cultivation is similar to Elder Wang's, but he has hidden tasks.
However, the fact that no achievements refresh from him suggests Elder Li's hidden task serves as a prerequisite for another task.
And it probably won't be long; perhaps after taking a step or two, you'll get the final reward.
Maybe a new map might even be unlocked.
Regarding Lin Feng and Chen Qin's task line...
Zhang Ze thought for a while and decided to temporarily set it aside: let things happen naturally with Lin Feng, and keep Chen Qin's favorability up for now.
Maintaining Chen Qin's favorability is, of course, for the Sword Sect's Main Pavilion side quest and unlocking the Sword Sect Main Pavilion map early.
Definitely not because of Immortal Demon Companions or some Big Thunder Loli.
Pushing Big Thunder Loli out of his mind, Zhang Ze rubbed his hands eagerly, finally reaching his favorite unboxing segment.
[Cultivation Points x3]
[Cultivation Points x4]
[Exchange Points 300]
...
Sadly, it's all scraps, no Golden Dragon Slayer exploded.
All the cultivation rewards from these half-month small side quests combined were equivalent to double the cultivation progress.
Zhang Ze wasn't overly delighted, the progress seemed fast, but that's only because the tasks generated were quite easy.
Mostly finding lost cats and dogs type errands.
Estimates suggest when he eventually ascends, integrates divinity, the side quests would likely be.
Kill that Demon Venerable, within three days.
Not dwelling on future matters, Zhang Ze decided to focus on the present.
Opening the system's exchange panel.
It's not diverse, but definitely designed to annoy.
Exchange list defaults to displaying expensive items upfront.
Zhang Ze gazed at the top ten techniques' secret manuals, each radiating golden light.
The necessary conditions for exchange similarly glowing gold.
If you can't afford it, don't touch it.
Experiencing the system's malice, Zhang Ze immediately scrolled the panel to the very end.
Now this felt much more pleasant.
The exchange list not only included Sword Sect's own cultivation techniques but also other Immortal Taoist Techniques.
Even Demon Sect's techniques were listed separately, if Zhang Ze wanted to switch to the Demon Path, it could be seamlessly done on the spot.
Though currently Zhang Ze only had 1500 exchange points, barely enough to swap for four low-tier cultivation techniques.
But the system allows trial usage of any technique below high-tier before actual payment.
This means anything below high-tier that's affordable can be tried risk-free, a bug exploit opportunity.
As everyone knows, immortal sects aren't really into open-source spirit, all sect techniques from low to high tier are treasures.
They'd rather hide them away developing maggots than teach outsiders.
There's no passion for intellectual exchange, how can progress be made this way?
Zhang Ze casually selected two low-tier techniques.
[Demon Sect Technique, Blood Killing Technique]
[Dragon Tiger Mountain Talisman Art, Five Ghost Transport]
The advantage of the Blood Killing Technique is simplicity to learn and fast results, just bleed to harm enemies.
Its drawback is also quick results: bleed too fast, soon you'll be dead; this move is typically used for self-destruction.
In the Demon Sect, it's a technique even dogs avoid, too ominous.
Five Ghost Transport may be slightly better than Blood Killing Technique, but only marginally.
Though it lacks side effects, it also lacks positive effects; the summoned Five Ghosts disperse when kicked by someone at the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Mostly useful for probing mines or entertaining children, or maybe stealing underwear.
Demon Sect techniques possess great power but also significant side effects. Righteous Sect techniques lack side effects but limited power.
Combining these two...
Zhang Ze smiled faintly, closing his eyes as he entered the trial mode.
Half a two-hour later, Zhang Ze satisfactorily exited the trial mode.
Opening the exchange category, scrolling to the bottom, he selected three cultivation techniques.
[Blood Killing Technique] [Five Ghost Transport] and an unknown small sect's [Spirit Recognition Technique]
Points weren't exhausted; initially planned to get a Sword Sect technique.
But Zhang Ze recalled he's actually a Sword Sect disciple and could exploit the Library Pavilion, so he let it be, saving the points for now.
Exiting the system, Zhang Ze closed his eyes, began comprehending and learning to integrate these various Taoist techniques, striving for mastery.
The next morning, his snoring was interrupted by the system prompt sound.
[Final stage of the hidden task, Li's training, begins, forced acceptance.]
Um, training?
Zhang Ze was suddenly jolted awake, instinctively wanting to reject this bizarre task name.
However, the sound of Elder Li dragging an iron rod had already echoed behind him.
Damn it, what's the point of a sword cultivator carrying an iron rod every day!
Zhang Ze quickly wiped the drool from his mouth, tried to be nonchalant, pretending he had meditated all night in a contemplative state.
"Stop pretending, your snoring reached me outside the hall, get up and follow me." Elder Li's voice sounded from behind Zhang Ze.
Truthfully, Zhang Ze really didn't want to go because that task name was indeed unsettling.
But he dared not refuse, fearing Elder Li might publicly train him right there.
Following behind Elder Li, he saw a huge crowd had already gathered outside the Martial Arts Hall to watch the event.
Junior disciples whispered among themselves, while Elder Wang, holding a teacup, nodded and smiled at him.
Lin Feng furrowed his brow slightly, wanting to say something but stepped on the heel of the person in front, and they started fighting.
The individual had cultivation several levels higher than Lin Feng and was currently chasing him in combat.
Lin Feng loudly shouted things like "Don't bully a young man for being poor," or "You've already chosen the path to death," while running as he fought.
No one tried to stop them, everyone was accustomed to this.
A few senior brothers who had been held back for various reasons grinned maliciously; Old Li's strictness was well-known, and these repeating students were profoundly aware of it.
Zhang Ze flashed them a middle finger.
After a while, he reached a cave entrance.
"Go in.
Don't you love exploring hidden maps? Have a look inside.
This was where Elder Wang and I advanced in the Sword Sect back when we entered.
After our generation of disciples, it was abandoned.
However, it suits you well now."
Elder Li said, holding the rod with his hands behind his back.
Zhang Ze actually wanted to mention he had been inside, but found nothing at the time and knew a rear exit.
He held back, not daring to speak, as he couldn't beat Old Li.
"Why was it abandoned?", Zhang Ze asked.
"You'll find out once you go in."
Then Zhang Ze was kicked in by Elder Li.
Outside the cave, Elder Li shouted anew, "If you pass the Heart Inquiry Trial, I'll accept you as a direct disciple."
"If you don't wish to pass this trial, you may leave freely, and thereafter I won't bother you again."
Supporting his sore back, Zhang Ze thought Old Ascender was actually a bit sentimental.
Seems he must display a bit of skill now.
[Li's training, task underway.]
[Sword Pavilion Outer Sect map exploration rate reaches 50%, fulfilling hidden conditions.]
[Outer Sect exclusive hidden task, Spirit of Confusion starts],
[Branch hidden task, Revisiting History starts]
[Sword Sect Seventh Sword Pavilion, map overall completion rate, 5%]
Prompt sounds echoed, Zhang Ze closed the popup window but was pondering another matter.
That being why Old Li had just said outside the cave, "If you don't wish."
Instead of "If you cannot."
This place is peculiar.