After slaughtering the villagers, the blood from the spirit beasts splashed onto their bodies. Upon returning to the **Chiyan Cave**, the blood dripped into the soil, which is why both human and spirit beast blood were found in the dirt. Additionally, the ground was filled with back-and-forth footprints.

Moreover, I discovered pieces of skin from the spirit beasts in the soil. These pieces of skin were present all the way to the entrance of the cave. Regular spirit beasts wouldn’t dare enter the **Chiyan Cave**.

Therefore, I used the footprints to determine the direction, the presence of human and spirit beast blood to confirm the slaughter, and the skin fragments to identify the path the spirit beasts took. After this process of elimination, I am confident that my deductions are nearly correct. With our sect brothers trapped inside, we cannot afford to waste time. The longer we delay, the harder it will be to rescue them. Saving lives is as urgent as putting out a fire, so I made bold assumptions and deductions," Renault explained carefully.

After hearing Renault’s detailed account, Yu Zhenzi's expression brightened with delight. He had clearly underestimated his disciple. Though only seventeen, Renault's experience and insight were far beyond what Yu Zhenzi had expected. "Well said, 'saving lives is like putting out a fire.' I’m very pleased with your performance on this task. Consider it complete."

"Player Renault, mission accomplished," the system prompt announced. "Player Renault has completed the second spiritual training task. Due to the outstanding success, the player has been promoted to the **Kai Ling Peak Stage**."

Watching Renault smile with satisfaction, Yu Zhenzi knew the tests were far from over. "Don’t celebrate too soon. I have another task for you, but be warned, this one could very well cost you your life."

"Please grant me the task, Master!" Renault responded, his heart full of excitement. He was eager for another mission so soon after the last one. Completing spiritual tasks continuously would allow him to rapidly progress in cultivation.

"Why are you so eager to take on my tasks?" Yu Zhenzi asked, curious.

"I’m honored to serve the sect, Master. Even if it means sacrificing my life, I would gladly do it a thousand times over," Renault declared with pride. If the sect stopped giving him tasks, he knew he would struggle to survive. Even if he were to die, he wanted it to be while completing a mission—that way, it would be a death in service to the sect.

The game had always been about being controlled by the system, no matter how frustrating it was, though at least in the game, there were infinite lives. Now, Renault felt like he was still playing a game, but with only one life. If he died, it would be for real this time!

Yu Zhenzi, seeing the sincerity in Renault’s response, felt quite satisfied. It didn’t seem like his disciple was putting on an act.

What Yu Zhenzi didn’t know was that Renault had come from another world and had been fused with a game system upon his arrival. The complexities behind Renault’s actions and thoughts were beyond Yu Zhenzi’s understanding.

"This time," Yu Zhenzi continued, "I’m sending you into the **Chiyan Cave** to investigate if any sect disciples are still alive. If you find any survivors, bring them back."

"Master, does this count as one task or two?" Renault asked, subtly testing the system’s response.

Yu Zhenzi found the question odd. What difference did it make if it was one or two tasks? But after thinking for a moment, he realized that his disciple was quite sharp—there was some underlying meaning to his words. "This is naturally two tasks. After completing the first one, if it’s within your capability, proceed to the second. If not, return immediately and report back to me with the details of what you find inside the cave."

Hearing this, Renault understood that his master had misunderstood his intent. He played along, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Master," while putting on a look of gratitude.

Yu Zhenzi, seeing his disciple’s expression, felt proud. "Go now, and return quickly."

"Player Renault has accepted Spiritual Training Tasks 3 and 4. Once the first task is completed, the second will automatically commence." Hearing the system prompt, Renault was shocked. He hadn’t expected to trigger a chain quest.

"Why haven’t you left yet?" Yu Zhenzi asked, then, noticing something, looked at Renault as if he were a strange creature. "You’ve broken through again?"

Renault nodded.

Yu Zhenzi sighed in amazement. This disciple was truly an unprecedented genius! Previously, his cultivation had stagnated, but after a short period of training, he had already ascended two levels in rapid succession. The speed of his progress was almost terrifying.

"Master, your disciple would like to learn another skill before entering the cave. The dangers ahead are great, and having one more skill would be beneficial," Renault requested, now qualified to learn another technique after his recent breakthrough. How could he miss this opportunity?

Yu Zhenzi had indeed planned to teach Renault another skill for self-defense. However, since Renault had only recently learned **Lingjian Break**, and the skill had barely reached the initial mastery stage, Yu Zhenzi doubted Renault was ready to comprehend the next skill, **Lingjian Cross Slash**.

Still, this disciple was no ordinary person. A little guidance wouldn’t hurt, even if Renault couldn’t master the technique. It would at least teach him the valuable lesson that rushing progress can lead to setbacks.

To Yu Zhenzi’s astonishment, Renault grasped the key points after only a brief explanation and demonstration. He had already mastered the **Lingjian Cross Slash** skill. His ability to comprehend and execute techniques immediately was nothing short of extraordinary, almost unbelievable.

Renault checked his status, finding that this new skill added 200 points to his magical damage—double the bonus of **Lingjian Break**, which had only added 100 points.

Now, Renault had a support skill, **Qianji Phantom Hand**, and two attack skills. At level 10 and the peak of the **Kai Ling** stage, his combat potential was becoming formidable. His combined physical and magical attacks made him a force to be reckoned with.

With everything prepared, Renault set out once again from the **Tianji Stone Mansion**. This time, although there wasn’t a strict time limit, rescuing the trapped disciples was a matter of urgency, so he wasted no time.

This time, Yu Zhenzi didn’t just observe from afar. He followed Renault in person.

He knew that the **Chiyan Cave** was full of deadly threats, and he feared that Renault was walking into certain death. Despite Renault’s rapid cultivation progress, his foundation was still shaky, and his combat experience was limited compared to the monsters inside the cave.

Many of the sect’s outer elders and elite inner disciples had already become trapped within. The **Tianji Sect** was divided into inner and outer sects, with the outer sect consisting of regular disciples and outer elders, and the inner sect composed of elite disciples and elders.

In the inner sect, elders typically stayed out of the sect’s daily affairs, leaving most decisions to the sect master. However, when a disciple of exceptional talent was discovered, the elders would take them in as personal disciples. During times of great crisis, the elders were also required to protect the sect with their lives.

This time, because of the issues with the **Chiyan Cave**, Yu Zhenzi had taken so long to reveal himself to Renault. Though he had initially sent Renault to test his loyalty and abilities, Yu Zhenzi had always intended to go to the cave personally.