When Chen Mo woke up from his coma, a faint morning sunbeam shone through the window, landing on his face.
Slowly opening his eyes and wiggling his fingers, he realized the expected severe pain didn't come. Instead, he felt a surge of powerful energy flowing through his body.
This comfortable, full feeling made him stretch lazily into a "T" shape. As the blanket fell off his body and a faint fragrance lingered, Chen Mo suddenly sat up, slapping his forehead.
"What happened last night?"
His memory returned, and he remembered that two bottles of Accompanying Amethyst Source weren't enough to awaken a single particle, so he drank a third bottle. But three bottles were too much.
The third bottle was only half refined, and the remaining energy rampaged inside his body. His battle energy was completely exhausted, causing him to faint.
What happened next was a complete mystery.
Yet, his subconscious told him that whatever happened afterward was worth savoring.
"Was it her?" A graceful figure suddenly appeared in Chen Mo's mind.
"Sigh, if only the system had a recording function. If it did, I could replay last night and know exactly what happened." A sense of loneliness slowly climbed up Chen Mo's face.
"Never mind, let's find a place to test my current strength first."
Meanwhile.
"Sect Master, there's no need to discuss further. The top five is the Elders' Council's biggest concession. Moreover, you agreed to this condition yesterday afternoon," Yun Leng said, looking at Yun Yun who had reconvened the Elders' Council at the top of the steps.
Several white-robed elders beside Yun Leng nodded in agreement.
"Great Elder, you must understand, I am not discussing with you, I am informing you," Yun Yun said firmly.
"Sect Master, you mustn't act on your own. The Elders' Council was established by the old Sect Master, and it has the right to decide on all major matters related to the Yun Lan Sect."
"Besides," Yun Leng said coldly, "didn't the Sect Master say that Chen Mo, at the age of sixteen, had reached the level of a one-star Dou Shi?"
"In that case, with such high talent, even compared to the young Sect Master, he is not much inferior. Why worry? Is your statement untrue?"
"Of course, it's true. However, Yiran has already reached seven-star Dou Shi, and many inner disciples in the younger generation are four or five-star. Chen Mo has just arrived, and to compete for the top five among the younger inner disciples is too hasty, isn't it?"
"So, what does the Sect Master mean?"
"Outer Sect."
"Impossible. Sect Master, you must understand, this decision concerns your direct disciple. Once chosen, he will represent the Yun Lan Sect and even have the right to compete for the Sect Master's position in the future."
This was the first time Yun Leng felt the Sect Master's strong stance, and he was surprised by Chen Mo's background.
Other elders also tried to persuade her earnestly.
However, after last night's events, Yun Yun had made up her mind. This meeting would settle the matter.
...
Yun Lan Sect's Rear Mountain.
In fantasy novels, no matter the family or sect, even top holy lands always have a rear mountain.
The Yun Lan Sect was no exception.
Chen Mo asked Yun Yun's maid for a quiet place to cultivate, and she gave him directions.
Everything went smoothly without any mishap, unlike other novels where one would get lost or face trouble.
Except for the frequent glances from female disciples due to his handsome appearance, Chen Mo reached the rear mountain without issues.
The so-called rear mountain was actually a side peak of Yun Lan Mountain. There were many such peaks connected to Yun Lan Mountain, collectively known as the rear mountain.
On an unnamed peak.
Surrounded by mist, it was quiet and serene, giving a sense of a fairyland.
Standing on a large rock, Chen Mo began practicing.
"Use energy to guide the spirit..."
Using his abundant battle energy, Chen Mo recited the technique's mantra, practicing each move. His body turned into a shadow, appearing in all directions, with the whirlpool inside him spinning faster and faster.
"Spear of the Underworld God."
Chen Mo's right hand reached out, and a spear about ten feet long, condensed from the power of the Underworld God, appeared before him.
He could clearly see the spear changing, turning from semi-illusory to more solid.
Most importantly, the spearhead surrounded by a weak purple flame.
"This must be the Purple Fire of the Amethyst Winged Lion King. So, I must have the fire seed within me."
Staring at the purple flame, Chen Mo's heart stirred. He clenched his left hand slightly, then softly uttered, "Come out."
As he spoke, a tiny purple flame slowly emerged from his palm.
"So beautiful. Now, let's test its power."
Chen Mo tossed the left-hand flame onto the right-hand spear.
With a bang, the spear was enveloped in purple flames. Wielding it with both hands, he swung it, and with the burst of two giant elephant powers within him, a stream of energy gathered on the spear, vaguely forming the shadow of a giant elephant.
"Roar!"
With the giant elephant's roar, the spear slashed at a distant boulder, which exploded instantly, scattering debris everywhere.
The contact point with the spearhead turned to powder.
The wind howled, and the surrounding leaves rustled.
Even the insects' chirping stopped as if sensing the threat of death when Chen Mo's Divine Elephant Suppression Strength awakened.
"Not bad, but not enough."
Chen Mo looked around at the mess he caused, frowning slightly. Although it had some of the Divine Elephant Suppression Strength's power, it was far from the described prison-suppressing might.
Still missing something.
"Again!"
"Boom!"
"No, again!"
"Boom!"
"Still not enough, again!"
"Again!"
"..."
After an unknown amount of practice, with all his battle energy exhausted and the sun gone, Chen Mo collapsed from exhaustion.
"Why is it always a bit off? Do I really need to get struck by lightning?"
"No way, I'm not that desperate."
"Maybe I'll ask Sister Yun Yun when it will thunder."
"Yeah, just casually ask."
...
In the palace.
"Rain?"
"Yes, and if it could be windy and lightning, that would be even better."
"What do you want to do?"
"Nothing, just asking."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"It won't rain anytime soon."
"Really?" Chen Mo's face changed. What now?
Yun Yun didn't notice Chen Mo's expression but looked excited, "I have good news for you."
"What?"
"This time in the sect competition, you only need to rank in the top ten among the younger inner disciples."
"Σ(д;)"