I Can Transfer the Side Effects of Evil Skills

Chapter 444 - 280: Dual-Ranking Hidden Dragon? (2)

Xue Cang took a closer look, only to see that the token was now displaying the Outer Sect Potential List.

He was about to ask He Wenxuan why he was making him look at this useless list. But in the next moment, he spotted a name that had just been mentioned—one that was now quite familiar.

Zou Feng, Outer Sect Potential List, Ranked 291st!?

Seeing that Xue Cang had spotted Zou Feng’s name, He Wenxuan didn’t retract the token. Instead, he kept it raised and silently switched the display.

Another interface appeared on the token.

Zou Feng, Monthly Exam Venue: Endless Forest Sea, Points List Ranking: 9th!

An immediate silence fell.

There was no need for further proof. An entry on the Potential List, certified by the Celestial Dao Cauldron, was an indisputable fact.

Thus, it went without saying that Zou Feng had not only survived the monthly exam but had also achieved an utterly incredible result.

This was Zou Feng’s very first monthly exam since joining the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect.

And yet, in this first attempt, he had accomplished what many so-called prodigies from the Outer Realm might not achieve even after years of effort.

He had achieved an excellent ranking on both the Potential List and the Points List.

A true hidden dragon of two lists.

The silence stretched on for a long moment before Xue Cang finally spoke again. "Wenxuan, you said before that this boy hasn’t even formed a Spirit Body yet?"

He Wenxuan retracted the token and nodded gravely. "That is correct. I met with him the day before the monthly exam. Zou Feng had not yet reached the Spirit Body Realm."

"Interesting... While our Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect has no shortage of prodigies, it’s not every day you see one show this much promise so quickly."

’He really does have the right to be arrogant...’

"However, the higher-ups in the sect won’t be paying special attention to a mere Outer Disciple just yet. After all, it’s not uncommon for prodigies from the Outer Sect to fade into obscurity after joining the Inner Sect."

This last remark was clearly spoken out of spite.

After all, if Zou Feng hadn’t rejected his offer, he, Xue Cang, would have just gained a fine disciple with a very promising future.

"Elder Xue, in that case..." He Wenxuan began, then trailed off.

Xue Cang shook his head with a slight chuckle. "He’s a true talent. How could we possibly slight him? As for the Head Chef position, if he wishes to continue, then of course he may."

"Also, send over a pot of Mind-Refreshing Herb in my name as a congratulatory gift."

’His attitude changed faster than one could flip a page. One moment he was being petty, and the next, he’d transformed into a magnanimous senior who cherished and nurtured talent.’ He Wenxuan couldn’t help but roast him internally.

Of course, as a senior Inner Sect Elder, Xue Cang couldn’t possibly be afraid of Zou Feng.

But according to his personal philosophy, why turn an opportunity to build goodwill with a hidden dragon into a source of conflict?

The decision to strip Zou Feng of his Head Chef position hadn’t been finalized, and Zou Feng himself was completely unaware of it.

On the surface, the narrative would be this: Xue Cang had first tried to take Zou Feng as his disciple. After being rejected, he remained magnanimous, continued to show his appreciation for Zou Feng, and immediately sent a valuable gift to congratulate him for making it onto the Potential List.

As long as Zou Feng wasn’t a complete, ungrateful bastard, he would have no choice but to remember this favor from such a kind and amiable senior.

"Your magnanimity is inspiring, Elder Xue. I will go make the arrangements at once!" He Wenxuan’s attitude toward Xue Cang grew even more respectful.

「Taian Mountain, Courtyard Nine.」

Zou Feng, who had just used the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill to help treat Gongsun Jinghong’s injuries, had no idea that his position as Head Chef had just been on the line and then saved in quick succession.

Right now, all he cared about was when the rewards for the Points List would finally be distributed.

Of course, Zou Feng also hadn’t realized that Xue Cang wouldn’t be the only one rushing to send him a congratulatory gift for his achievements on the two lists.

At that very moment, a figure stood dazedly outside his door. She had prepared a gift in record time but was now hesitating, unsure if she should knock.

This person was, of course, Qiu Lan.

The fact that Zou Feng had achieved such an outstanding result despite being targeted by the Purple Cloud Association had completely upended Qiu Lan’s perception of him.

She had also seen him helping the injured Gongsun Jinghong back to his room earlier.

Unable to afford an extravagant gift, Qiu Lan had seen an opportunity. She’d purchased a Healing Elixir specifically for this situation, hoping to leave a thoughtful and favorable impression on Zou Feng.

But just as Qiu Lan raised her hand to knock, a Healing Elixir in her other, she was startled by the sounds coming from within the room again.

’What the hell? Gongsun Jinghong is that seriously injured, yet they get right back to it the moment they return...’

’Just how... insatiable is he?’

This incomprehensible behavior genuinely frightened Qiu Lan. She was afraid that if she knocked now, a worked-up Zou Feng might just pull her into the room as well...

’Uh, wait a minute. Wouldn’t that be even better?!’

’Qiu Lan cursed herself for being so stupid and overreacting. She’d almost missed a golden opportunity.’

She immediately stopped standing there like an idiot. Tugging her collar down to reveal more, she knocked on the door.

"Brother Zou..."

A moment later, a perfectly-dressed Zou Feng opened the door.

His expression showed no signs of haste or passion.

This, contrary to her hopes, disappointed Qiu Lan.

’He finished way too quickly...’ she grumbled to herself.

"What is it?"

"Brother Zou, I believe Senior Sister Gongsun has likely sustained damage to her meridians. This Vitality Pill is the perfect remedy for such an injury..." Qiu Lan said with great sincerity, as if she and Gongsun Jinghong were the dearest of sisters and she was deeply concerned for her well-being.

"You know healing arts?" Zou Feng asked, curious.

After all, he only knew that Gongsun Jinghong had an internal injury; he wasn’t yet clear on the specifics.

But nourishing her with the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill couldn’t be a bad thing, regardless.

"I have indeed studied the healing arts a little..."

After speaking, Qiu Lan suddenly looked up, her gaze fervent. "Brother Zou, congratulations on your excellent performance on both lists. I was too narrow-minded before, always judging others by my own limitations. I assumed that because I couldn’t do something, no one else could either..."

Zou Feng gave Qiu Lan another surprised look. "It’s no matter. Besides, I’m still just an Outer Disciple. Don’t think that one good monthly exam means I’m set for success."

Hearing this, Qiu Lan said, "It seems Brother Zou is not yet aware of the benefits that your performance on these two lists will bring..."

Zou Feng shook his head slightly. "The Purple Cloud Association won’t necessarily give up targeting me over a single monthly exam. People who are used to looking down on others don’t admit their mistakes as easily as you do."

"But thank you."

With that, Zou Feng accepted the Vitality Pill from her.

’If he refused, she would probably make a scene at his door. It was less trouble to just accept it and put her at ease.’

’As for repaying this favor, as the Head Chef of the Dining Hall, all he had to do was let his hand ’slip’ an extra time or two when dishing out her meals, and she would benefit immensely.’

"Was there something else?" Zou Feng asked, a flicker of confusion on his face when he saw she wasn’t leaving.

Qiu Lan jolted as if snapping out of a daze. "Ah, no, nothing else! Brother Zou, please get some rest. I’ll take my leave..."

’Not even an invitation to come inside.’ Qiu Lan couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

’After all, given how lecherous Zou Feng usually seemed, he shouldn’t have been so indifferent to her charms.’

’And that wasn’t even mentioning that she practiced a dual cultivation technique that could benefit her partner. Plus, she possessed a special Spirit Body that enhanced the effects of dual cultivation.’

’In truth, *that* was the real congratulatory gift she had wanted to offer.’

Unfortunately, Zou Feng didn’t seem interested. With Teng County and Gongsun Jinghong also in the room, Qiu Lan had no choice but to reluctantly take her leave for now.

But she knew she had to act fast.

With his results from this monthly exam, and if he managed to form a powerful Spirit Body in the future, there would absolutely be more Female Cultivators who used their dual cultivation techniques as capital...

...swarming to ’invest’ in Zou Feng like a pack of wolves that had scented blood.

After Qiu Lan left, Zou Feng’s Token vibrated several times in a row.

Some were congratulatory messages from old acquaintances from Great Yan, like Leng Jing and Su Qingyu. More importantly, the reward for his rank on the Points List had arrived.

He ignored the congratulatory messages for the moment. The first thing he had to do, naturally, was check his reward.

It was true he had achieved a great result in the monthly exam, but that also meant he had put himself in the spotlight.

And what’s more, the Purple Cloud Association was unlikely to just let their conflict with him go...

It was inevitable that he would attract unwanted attention.

So, if the reward wasn’t as generous as he hoped, this would all have been a major loss.

Fortunately, when he saw the amount of Immortal Fate Points awarded for ninth place on the Points List, Zou Feng nodded with satisfaction.

A full four thousand Immortal Fate Points.

In the Outer Sect of the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, this was an absolute fortune!