Mortal: I can unlock the card pool by becoming an apprentice to him.

On the mountainside, Lin Mo looked at the quiet and elegant courtyards before him and couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.

"As expected, the cultivators who can sit in this position are all shrewd and capable."

The person he was referring to was naturally the middle-aged cultivator from before.

I originally thought this person would hold a grudge and continue to make things difficult for me.

Unexpectedly, the other party quickly recognized reality and, without any regard for the seniority or dignity of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, took the initiative to lower himself and show goodwill.

To persuade Lin Mo to forgive and forget, the middle-aged cultivator even offered to arrange for him to stay in this superior villa.

Lin Mo, of course, did not refuse; in fact, he readily accepted it.

"Courtyard No. 4"

Lin Mo murmured softly as he slowly stopped in front of a small courtyard near the mountainside.

Then, he took out a token from his storage bag, and after injecting spiritual power into it, the restrictions surrounding the courtyard immediately began to shimmer with spiritual light. The outermost layer, the thin light curtain surrounding the entire courtyard, slowly dissolved like water.

The interior furnishings weren't particularly elaborate, since cultivators only sought to cultivate in peace. What truly pleased Lin Mo was the flat and spacious spirit field on the side of the hut.

The soil in the spirit field is warm, moist, and fertile, making it ideal for planting various kinds of spirit herbs.

This solved his worries about using the Palm Heaven Bottle to accelerate the growth of herbs in the future.

Sitting in the chair, Lin Mo couldn't help but recall what the middle-aged cultivator had said earlier.

After the quota for the disciples of the Bureau of Quotations is submitted, it still needs to be approved by the elders before it is finally presented to the sect leader.

Right now, it's better to focus on honing your cultivation and quickly switch to the correct technique.

If possible, it would be good to promote the growth of more herbs, just in case.

Lin Mo hadn't forgotten that he had unintentionally gotten involved with the demonic path, which was how he obtained everything he had now...

Since the other party was able to place him in such an important position, the person who infiltrated the Hidden Moon Sect must have a very high status, and might even be a Golden Core cultivator.

My current level of cultivation is far too insignificant compared to these two powerful forces. The slightest flaw would lead to utter destruction.

Now, only by improving our strength as soon as possible may we have a glimmer of hope.

......

Several days later, Lin Mo put down the jade slip in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

This "Dark Yuan Technique" truly lives up to its reputation as a basic technique tailored for cultivators with dark spiritual roots. If one cycle of this technique is performed, one major circulation is almost equivalent to three cycles of the "Fire-Inducing Technique"!

Thinking of this, he silently walked to the entrance of the courtyard.

The light curtain surrounding the courtyard remained gentle and restrained. Seeing that no communication talismans or anything like that appeared, Lin Mo breathed a slight sigh of relief.

What he lacks most right now is time. Although he doesn't know how long this gap will last, changing his cultivation method is an inevitable matter that cannot be delayed in the slightest.

The process of dissipating one's power is naturally extremely dangerous.

Fortunately, it was completed successfully without any major incidents.

To his surprise, the pure Yang Qi within his body, which had remained stagnant since its refinement, began to circulate on its own during the dissipation of his energy, firmly protecting his mind.

Afterwards, Lin Mo took out the pills he had prepared earlier and began cultivating the Dark Yuan Technique again...

This day.

Looking at the small courtyard completely enveloped by the light screen, the young man surnamed He on the mountain road couldn't help but show a hint of surprise and envy.

"My junior brother really has a powerful background. No wonder he is the first disciple in a hundred years to enter the sect with an Ascension Token."

He had previously guessed that Lin Mo must come from a large cultivation family, and seeing him today confirmed his guess.

As he approached the light screen, the young man surnamed He couldn't help but take a closer look.

This item doesn't possess much defensive capability; at best, it can only withstand a certain degree of divine sense detection and provide some concealment.

But all of this is much better than the medicinal herb garden where he lives now.

"Although this Junior Brother Lin's cultivation level is still shallow, there will inevitably be times when he needs the other party in the future, so we must not be impolite."

Thinking this, he took out a communication talisman from his storage bag and muttered a few words in a low voice.

After doing all this, he stood straight outside the courtyard and waited quietly.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the light screen rippled like water, eventually revealing its true form.

"Greetings, Senior Brother He."

Lin Mo's face was slightly paler than when the young man surnamed He had last seen him, but his eyes were brighter than before, indicating that his skills had improved considerably.

The young man surnamed He glanced at him subconsciously, only to find that Lin Mo was as if he were in a fog, his aura obscure and mysterious, so much so that even he, a cultivator who was only one step away from Foundation Establishment, could not discern his true realm.

Congratulations, junior brother, on this triple celebration!

A smile immediately spread across his face.

"Three happy events at once? What do you mean by that, Senior Brother?"

Lin Mo smiled, as if he couldn't understand what the other person was saying.

"Junior brother, are you perhaps unaware?" The young man surnamed He feigned surprise, then explained with a smile, "Firstly, the Foundation Establishment Pills that the sect owed you last time have been produced, and you can collect them yourself tomorrow. As for the second, your status as a disciple of Si Que has been confirmed, and someone will notify you later."

At this point, even the young man surnamed He, who was usually indifferent, couldn't help but feel envious, and his expression became even more respectful.

Si Que was a disciple... He had been in the sect for many years and never dared to dream of such a thing. But unexpectedly, this new junior brother had risen to prominence in one step right after entering the sect.

"And what about the third piece of good news?"

"The third piece of good news is naturally congratulations to Junior Brother for reaching a new level in cultivation. Your future path is limitless."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo calmly cupped his hands and said with a gentle expression, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the young man surnamed He turned and took his leave.

Watching the other person's retreating figure, Lin Mo calmly returned to the house.

It seems that this "Sneak Breath Technique" is indeed as described, with an excellent concealment effect.

Given that the other party is at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, they probably can't see through my true abilities yet.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.

The last few pages of "Dark Element Technique" record several secret techniques exclusive to those with dark spiritual roots.

The Shadow Breath Technique is one such example. According to the description, casting this technique not only conceals one's aura but also obscures the caster's cultivation level, making it impossible for others to determine their true strength.

Now that his status as a disciple of Si Que has been confirmed, he will soon be going to complete the task assigned to him by Li Zhiya.

Thinking of this, Lin Mo's face darkened.

After practicing the Dark Yuan Technique these days, he discovered that the pure Yang Qi in his body was indeed as Li Zhiya had said, firmly protecting his mind from being disturbed by inner demons, which allowed his cultivation level to advance by leaps and bounds.

Since the dissipation of his cultivation, he has recovered to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

However, Lin Mo also noticed that during his recent cultivation, he often experienced burning and swelling sensations in his limbs, bones, and even meridians. He figured this must be the result of the yin-yang imbalance that Li Zhiya had mentioned.

In any case, for now we can only follow their arrangements and find another opportunity to completely break free from their control.

Day two.

When Lin Mo came out of the main hall of the main peak, there was already a small jade box in his storage bag.

Inside the box, a bright blue Foundation Establishment Pill, enough to drive low-level cultivators mad, lay quietly.