"Proficient level of Heavenly Drift movement technique. Is it so easy to practice?"
Inside a spacious courtyard of a newly assigned outer sect dorm, Zhiran slowly lowered his body to the ground while mumbling in wonder.
After returning from the Martial Pavilion and accepting his new dorm, he first put aside everything and immediately practiced the technique he remembered before.
Then, to his surprise, he actually mastered Heavenly Drift in just a few hours.
Or rather than mastering it, he felt as if he were remembering some forgotten skill he had practiced his whole life, only taking time to adjust his body.
It was just like retrieving the Divine Core technique from the system, only this time, there was no vision, and it took a little longer.
'Unfortunately, it only lets me levitate and move through the air; nothing more. The speed is also quite slow.'
Zhiran thought, feeling confused. Since in his previous life he was crippled by Wu Zhen after a month and never really explored this sect, he didn't know much about the techniques placed in the outer sect.
But from how the sect operated, he knew that every technique placed in the Martial Pavilion had some significance, or perhaps even a better version of it.
It was just that he would need to enter the Inner Sect to access them.
'Forget it. Let's focus on the present. Since it is already dark, it is now time to go to the Cemetery.'
Zhiran thought as he gazed at the pitch-black sky outside. Previously, he hadn't entered the graveyard because of the ruckus caused by Chu Liang.
But now, with the night as his cover, he could test his system as much as he wanted. Besides, since he had the Heavenly Drift method to levitate, he wouldn't even leave a footprint along the way.
"Perfect!"
***
Near the northern boundary of the outer courtyard of the Divine Cauldron Sect, a middle-aged man leaned back in his tilting chair, smoking a large Spiritleaf Pipe contentedly.
With each puff of smoke, his expression grew more delighted, for the herb he was smoking was a rare Spiritleaf, known to refine both mind and spirit, enhancing clarity and focus.
"Sir, should we patrol the graveyard all night?"
Just when he was enjoying his time, a scruffy young man came near and asked, bowing respectfully.
"Hmm? Patrol?"
The middle-aged man was a little annoyed at being disturbed, but seeing the young man was respectful, he didn't say anything.
Rather, he puffed on another draw of the Spiritleaf Pipe before replying lightly,
"No need. This is a graveyard, not a treasure house. Why will it need a patrol in the first place?"
Besides, the Graveyard was inside the Divine Cauldron Sect. There was really no need to worry about it.
"But, Sir, what if that guy Chu Liang returned?"
The young man was relieved to hear that he didn't have to stay guard all night. But he still asked with worry.
After all, Chu Liang was too abominable and had no fear at all.
"Chu Liang? Heh…don't worry about him."
The middle-aged man's anger flared up at hearing that name, but he still scoffed.
"After what happened today, he won't return again. Besides, there is nothing to loot in this grave; why will he waste time?"
He said with a smirk. After all, if there was anything valuable, he had already pocketed it before burying those bodies.
Chu Liang probably realized this already, too. So, there was no need for him to return.
"Okay, don't worry, and go to sleep. Just make sure to wake up early and make me some good tea."
The middle-aged man waved his hand while asking the young man to leave. He didn't want anyone to disturb his alone time.
"Yes, Sir. Don't worry."
The young man was also relieved, smiled, and immediately bowed, leaving the premises.
He wanted to go and practice the cultivation technique immediately without a delay. There was no time to waste.
"Tch…why cultivate when there is no sight of building the foundation? Why not enjoy life while you still can?"
The middle-aged man scoffed at the young man's leaving figure, not remembering he wasn't quite enjoying his life by being the captain of the Graveyard.
But he didn't care, puffing aimlessly once more. He really didn't think anyone would come this late at night to the graveyard.
***
'Such a thick Yin Energy. I have to be careful.'
While the middle-aged man was sure that no one would disturb the dead, unbeknownst to him, there was someone already inside the Graveyard.
The figure was shrouded in a black robe, concealing both body and face. He hovered just above the ground, his feet never touching the mud below.
'Let's see, hmm…it seems there is no one patrolling this place. Perfect, let's start with this tomb.'
Zhiran scanned the area and finally relaxed, seeing no guards inside. Apart from those at the gate and around the mansion, the place was empty, waiting for him to explore.
So, he immediately lowered himself, ready to dig the tomb in front.
Well, although he said tomb, there wasn't even a gravestone where he was. Only a small stone was placed as a marker, and nothing else.
This was the outer sect's graveyard, after all. Unless someone had been prestigious or well-known in life, no one would pay them any attention.
"Swish!"
As Zhiran pulled a shovel from his mana ring and began digging, it didn't take long before he uncovered a corpse buried deep beneath the soil.
Judging by how the bones were starting to show, it seemed the body had been buried a long time ago.
'Perfect, at least, his head is still there. I don't know if the skeleton also counts.'
Zhiran grinned with anticipation and quickly unearthed the skeleton's skull.
Then, without hesitation, he placed his hand on the muddy head, waiting for the system's prompt. Since he practiced a demonic technique in his previous life, he didn't have much aversion towards corpses.
—
[A heavily damaged brain has been detected. Extraction is impossible.]
—
Sure enough, as soon as Zhiran placed his hand atop the muddy head of the corpse, he heard a crisp voice in his mind, followed by a screen filled with text.
Only, the result wasn't what he expected.
'So it is indeed possible to extract the brain.'
But regardless, Zhiran was thrilled as this meant he could extract the brain of the dead without having to kill them himself. At least he thought so.