Outside the dense forest.
Five people ran swiftly toward the outskirts of the "Yunyuan Mountain Range," looking as if they wished to leave this place as soon as possible.
As soon as they ran out of the forest, Chen Yu paused, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
Just in that instant, the invisible aura of fierce evil he felt earlier abruptly stopped.
If he guessed correctly, that aura should belong to a fierce beast as powerful as the Iron Brown Bear King.
"Everyone, don't stop. If that powerful beast from behind is a speed-type, it might catch up with us," Le Feng reminded.
The group reached the edge of the Yunyuan Mountain Range, finding the place where their horses had been stationed earlier.
Ding Jiuhui exhaled a sigh of relief, unable to help but glance back in the direction of the forest bear cave.
The danger of this mission was certainly not small, originally having a team of six, with one losing their life to the Bear King's Claw.
However, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the death of the "slender girl."
Chen Yu recalled the details of the slender girl's death, always feeling something was amiss: was she just foolish, or did Le Feng truly overlook her safety at the time?
None of this mattered anymore.
An Outer Disciple was just the lowest member of the sect's pyramid; losing one or two in a mission was common.
Generally, in incidents like these, the sect would only symbolically inquire briefly.
Often, only when an Inner Sect Disciple died would the upper echelons of the Yunyue Sect send personnel to investigate.
"Before returning to the sect, should we distribute our rewards?" Chen Yu suggested.
At the mention of rewards, the people present felt a hint of excitement and anticipation.
"That's necessary," Le Feng nodded.
The bear gallbladders and bear claws each had were placed in front of them.
After tallying, there were over forty bear gallbladders and one hundred sixty or seventy bear claws, which could be exchanged for at least five thousand contribution points; of course, this did not include the Bear King's Gallbladder and Bear King's Claw.
Chen Yu estimated that the value of the Bear King's Gallbladder and Bear King's Claw was not inferior to the sheer quantity of the former.
The benefits from the ordinary bear gallbladders and bear claws were divided into ten shares.
Chen Yu made the greatest contribution, having killed the most ordinary Iron Brown Bears among those in the Body Refining Stage, even more than Ding Jiuhui.
Thus, he received seventy percent of the share alone.
Feng De and the pockmarked-faced youth had limited contributions, each receiving fifteen percent of the share, without any objections.
Getting seventy percent of the share already surpassed Chen Yu's expectations.
According to his initial expectations, receiving around sixty percent would have been sufficient.
Soon, he understood the reason.
Le Feng and another had split the share belonging to the slender girl among the three of them.
With everyone receiving more, there was naturally no further questioning about the slender girl's death.
Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui also reached an agreement.
"For this mission, I deployed a treasure and even provided the 'Cloud Stepping Technique.' I should at least get two-thirds of the Bear King's Gallbladder," Le Feng stated calmly.
"For being able to slay the Bear King, Brother Yue was instrumental; as your junior brother, how could I object?" Ding Jiuhui chuckled.
Indeed, Le Feng was the main force in this mission, bearing a huge cost.
"But I didn't expect Brother Yue was willing to give the 'Cloud Stepping Technique' to that kid," Ding Jiuhui remarked in surprise.
The "Cloud Stepping Technique," a light-body martial art, was top-notch among its peers, perhaps as valuable as the Bear King's Gallbladder.
Even Ding Jiuhui was quite tempted by this light-body martial art.
"As long as one can enter the Inner Sect, offering up a mid-level martial art is nothing," Le Feng remarked lightly.
In truth, he was somewhat frustrated and pained inside.
According to his estimation, for Chen Yu, at the Body Refining Stage, to hold off the Bear King for 15 minutes seemed an almost impossible task.
"Oh? I understand now, Junior Brother Yue aims for the 'Outer Betournament' three months later."
Ding Jiuhui suddenly realized.
In the Yunyue Sect, the Outer Section held an annual "Outer Betournament."
According to sect rules: anyone who secures the "first place" can unconditionally enter the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect Disciple!
Moreover, during the Outer Betournament, certain Sect Elders would spectate.
Typically, the top ten performers in the Betournament had a chance to be noticed by an elder and enter the Inner Sect.
Based on past experiences, besides the first place, the top three generally had a solid chance to enter the Inner Sect.
Le Feng did not deny it, and a surge of confidence was evident in his words: "I'm determined to secure a victory in the Outer Betournament."
In terms of martial aptitude, he was considered among the geniuses in the Outer Sect.
But his only weakness was his relatively short tenure compared to Chen Yu, joining six months later. Consequently, his cultivation was still not on par with the top disciples in the Outer Sect.
This time, however, he acquired the Bear King's Gallbladder, which exceeded expectations in quality; advancing to the Late-stage Meridian Passage should be smooth sailing.
"Then I offer my congratulations in advance," Ding Jiuhui smiled in congratulation, his words more courteous and complimentary.
Once Le Feng advanced to the Late-stage Meridian Passage, his strength would greatly increase. Plus, he possessed a treasure, making him a formidable contender in the "Outer Betournament."
"Outer Betournament?"
Chen Yu's hearing far surpassed ordinary people; although the two intentionally lowered their voices, he still picked up on some key words.
He had heard of the Outer Betournament.
In fact, he had witnessed one or two before, although he hadn't qualified to participate.
To participate in the Outer Betournament, one needed at least to reach the Meridian Passage Stage.
Back then, while observing the Betournament, he marveled at the intense and thrilling duels among the powerful disciples.
"With three months until this year's Betournament, I wonder if I'll be able to participate," Chen Yu thought silently.
It was, after all, a major event held once a year by the entire sect, significantly meaningful to Outer Disciples.
However, he couldn't help but smile wryly, not having even broken through to the Meridian Passage Stage yet.
He reaped considerable profits from this mission, securing seventy percent of the share, translating to over 3,500 contribution points.
Such a wealth of contribution points should suffice for acquiring a mid-level or better martial art.
Once back, his goal was to break through to the Meridian Passage Stage!
The group of five rode horses back to the sect, heading straight to the Sect Affairs Hall.
Within a grand hall at the Sect Affairs Hall.
"Hmm? Your haul this time isn't bad. These bear gallbladders and bear claws are of superior quality."
An elder in a gray robe, a keen glint in his eyes, stared at the spoils before him.
He noticed the Bear King's Gallbladder and Bear King's Claw that Le Feng and his companion produced.
The elderly man's eyes lit up, a look of approval on his face: "With your abilities, to have slain the Iron Brown Bear King? Normally, without the cooperation of two disciples at the Late-stage Meridian Passage and several at the Meridian Passage Stage, success would be improbable."
"Senior, we lost one disciple during this mission," Chen Yu reminded.
"What? Only one Outer Disciple lost? You returning alive is already commendable."
The elder waved it off, not even blinking.
Chen Yu and the others were at a loss.
How could he say "only" one Outer Disciple was lost? From the elder's words, it seemed this was within his expectations.
"Ahem! Was the deceased a disciple at the Late-stage Meridian Passage?"
The elder seemed to realize his misstep.
He reviewed a mission list and realized the deceased was a female disciple at the Body Refining Stage, dismissing it: "Very well, I'll report this to the sect's high-ranking members."
Even the slowest could detect his perfunctory attitude.
The death of an Outer Disciple at the Body Refining Stage, an unofficial member, likely wouldn't even prompt an inquiry from the sect.
Chen Yu felt a chill, acutely aware of an Outer Disciple's low status within the sect.
Only by becoming an Inner Sect Disciple could one begin to receive the sect's earnest attention and even some cultivation.
The spoils in the hands of a few were exchanged for contribution points and Primordial Stones.
Among them, bear gallbladders could be exchanged for contribution points and a small amount of Primordial Stones.
"Contribution points, totaling three thousand seven hundred sixty; substandard Primordial Stones, one hundred sixty-five pieces. Not bad, young fellow..."
The elder, somewhat surprised, glanced at Chen Yu.
Thus was Chen Yu's harvest.
As a steward of the Sect Affairs Hall, the elder naturally understood that typical mission teams allocated profits according to contribution.
Chen Yu beamed, especially when holding the substandard Primordial Stones.
These Primordial Stones acted as currency in the sect world, applicable not only in the Yunyue Sect but still useful when taken outside.
Contribution points, however, were restricted to internal use within the sect.
"Alright, everyone, disperse. We'll reconnect for the next mission."
In front of the Sect Affairs Hall, Ding Jiuhui laughed heartily.
The group, bearing tired bodies, returned to their respective residences.
Chen Yu planned to rest well for the night and visit the "Heavenly Martial Pavilion" tomorrow to select a primary cultivation technique.
Returning to his residence.
Chen Yu remained quite excited, contemplating the uses of the fortune in Primordial Stones and contribution points he held.
Firstly, with over 3,700 contribution points, he more than had enough to exchange for a mid-level martial art; apart from a primary cultivation technique, he could choose another mid-level martial art.
As for the Primordial Stones, their uses were even greater.
They could be used to purchase rare materials and spiritual medicines, assisting in cultivation breakthroughs, and could even be used outside to acquire powerful weapons and armor to equip himself.
Chen Yu envied Le Feng's treasure.
A treasure significantly enhanced one's attack power, an impressive feat. In this mission, had they not had that treasure, slaying the Bear King would have been nearly impossible.
However, Chen Yu's current quantity of Primordial Stones was far from enough to purchase a treasure, even a damaged one.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Chen Yu's thoughts.
Opening the door, Chen Yu was surprised to find two black-robed Law Enforcers, causing his heart to skip a beat.
The last time these enforcers came, Chen Yu handed over two pieces of meteoric iron fragments; he still felt a bit resentful about it, especially after witnessing the power of a treasure.
"Chen Yu. We're here today under orders from the sect to provide additional compensation to those who handed over the meteoric iron," one slightly portly Law Enforcer said with a smile.
"Compensation?" Chen Yu was taken aback, totally unexpected.
Compensation after turning over meteoric iron?
"Yes, quite a generous compensation. You turned in two pieces of meteoric iron fragments, and the sect is compensating you with six thousand contribution points."
The other youthful Law Enforcer was one who had come before.
Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat, leaving him momentarily speechless.
(Two updates down, as the new week approaches, the first push for the leaderboard in "Eternal Heart" begins. Fast Food will add another Chapter at midnight. Please help with recommendations and collections to boost the popularity!!)