From Derek's anatomy and Lundy's answers, Sunny had a better understanding of everything.
He wasn't a doctor or an expert, but from what little he knew and saw, he realized a cultivator's body isn't actually any different from those of humans back on earth.
Every major organ was the same, sharing similar functions and showing little to no changes despite Qi mutation.
"Or maybe it's cause that idiot is too low level. After all, what changes can the Qi refinement ranker achieve anyway." Sunny thought, not fixating on his result so soon.
"When I'm strong, I'll carve up a few more people and see then. Maybe I missed something."
He also learned how even the outer sect was divided in two parts, one for 'elites' and other for 'runts'.
He in the past was one of the elites, someone who had reached Qi refinement late stage, and had hopes to achieve foundation stage one day and enter inner court. But after turning into a cripple, he fell back in ranks of runts'.
That's also the reason why he was unfamiliar with everyone, and why 'people' hated him even more.
"This world really is…." Sunny thought and couldn't help but smile heartily.
…
The disappearance of Tommy's two minions didn't really cause any storms in the outer sect, unlike what Sunny had expected.
Maybe because the elders knew the duo had too many enemies, making their job harder, or maybe cause they didn't have a father who slipped silver to bribe and begin an investigation.
Anyway, whatever the reason, Sunny welcomed it with open arms.
His uncle always had a saying, that if you want to hide something or lay low, either go to the most dangerous place, or to the most disgusting one.
And that's exactly where Sunny buried those bodies.
A dump far behind the sect's kitchen—a place so rank with rot and spoiled waste, that even rats thought twice.
If anyone is dedicated enough to bear the disgust of that dumpster, and dig through mountains of 'dirt', just to find two lowlifes – Sunny could only salute his determination.
…
Two more days passed by, and Sunny didn't do anything abnormal. His days were routine, repetitive, and mainly boring.
Many novels write that their mc's can sit in meditation for days, or even weeks _ but Sunny wasn't like that.
Not now anyway.
He's used to living it in high, and this low level hustle left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. Which is why he wanted to improve his status as soon as possible.
As the only way to do that was by improving his strength, he needed the Dark Lotus. For which he needed murders.
In these two days he had once sneaked into the sect farm, slaughtering a few pigs and chickens, hoping to swallow their souls, but it seems just like him, his Lotus too had high requirements for food.
He even visited the graveyard where the sect buried disciples who died on missions or in accidents. Trying to meditate there, dig up corpses, and touch 'grass' - but even that was useless.
"With an attitude like this I doubt if I'll be able to swallow souls if I don't kill people myself." Sunny muttered with some thought and a smile couldn't help but come to his face.
Was he disappointed?
Of course. Who wouldn't want a shortcut.
But the more this was the case - the more he looked forward to the Lotus's awakening.
"Something that can pull me here from earth, can surely send me back too." Sunny whispered as a cold glint flashed through his eyes.
Just because he didn't cry or obsess over his death, didn't mean he forgot everything. He will go back one day, and he will wipe out everyone who dared to harm him and his 'empire'.
The Dragon may forget his favors, but he'll never forget vengeance.
…
"Tonight's the night." Sunny muttered, chewing on a piece of bone in his hand, while glancing at the full moon outside.
Without even turning around, he could feel the piercing gaze from the girl who's been gawking him for God knows why.
She was the only one who probably knew who was behind the recent 'murders', and if she dared to reveal the truth, Sunny was sure he wouldn't even get a trial or a hearing.
A girl's confession is called 'proof' back on earth, and same was the case here too. The public perception wouldn't even care to listen to the other side of the story.
(It's strange, he thought, what a little hole between your legs can buy you in life.)
For some reason this girl, whose even name, he didn't know fully, had been keeping his secret - but Sunny wasn't someone who liked to bet his life on other's behaviour.
Which is why tonight - she had to go.
…
Just like her, he's been 'following' her too, watching her movements, stalking her 'strength', trying to get an idea about her strength - and after two days of observation, he roughly deduced everything.
The girl wasn't famous in this sect, so her strength and influence obviously couldn't be outstanding. It was also made clear when he asked some questions about her, and poor Lundy had a hard time answering.
She always carried a sword around her waist, but the way she slashed at those training 'dummies' _ Sunny could guess she wasn't much familiar with it.
Her advantage however came from having a higher stamina than many of the others training here - visible from how her breath would often be steady while others would start heaving and panting like horses every time a session ended.
Sunny wasn't a great swordsman himself, but he had dabbled in it over the years. After all, what kind of men wouldn't have this hobby growing up.
So he guessed that even if his sneak attack failed, he could still stab the girl a few times before she made much noise or ran very far.
"But just to be safe, let's first get a mask." Sunny thought as he walked alone outside, with his hands in his pockets.
The girl, as always, followed a couple steps behind him, like a shadow.
…
Sunny wasn't impatient, he just walked towards his room like always, and closed himself in.
"Just like me, she has her own secret training time, it's better to kill her then." He thought and chose not to train tonight, but rather rest until then.
…
A couple of hours passed instantly, and Sunny suddenly opened his eyes. The outer sect had become eerily quiet at this time.
Obviously with how much those elders and trainers rail the disciples every day, it's only reasonable people will fall asleep like donkeys.
"There's only one hour before dawn, when that damned bell wakes everyone up. I need to wrap it up fast." Sunny thought while taking stock of things one last time, before sneaking out from his room.
..
His steps were hushed but hurried, figure perfectly blending into the darkness. The exposed skin marred with mud, and tree sap to hide any scent.
To perfect this kill, he didn't leave any stone unturned, and even risked sneaking into the kitchen, and 'borrowing' a new sharp knife.
…
Soon Sunny reached the training grounds, and saw the girl circling the running track.
He stayed hidden behind the bushes, making sure there were no observers or anomalies present before making his move.
Silently waiting for the girl to come closer. The path she took would bring her within five feet of his hiding spot. And that's when he'll hit.
A hunter waiting for his prey to fall into his trap.
…
Sophia finished another lap, her body dripping with sweat. She had just finished her routine sword training earlier, and was reflecting on the mistakes she might've made.
Her mood, obviously not good, as she seemed to have hit a wall in her mastery, and couldn't break through.
"It's been nearly a month, and I still can't perfect the Serpent's strike. If only I had someone I can actually practice with, instead of slashing at lifeless statues." She complained in her heart, thinking how she needed a sparring partner.
Someone unpredictable, and dangerous. Someone who can push her beyond her limits, without bringing risks to the exposure of her existence.
As she thought this, the image of a certain boy couldn't help but flash through her mind.
"If it's him, maybe I can …" She was muttering something under her breath, when suddenly a sense of crisis enveloped her heart.
Move — a voice echoed in her mind.
And without thinking anything, she sidestepped on her toes, and rolled backward at an angle.
A glint of silver reflected the moonlight at the corner of her eyes, as a shallow cut appeared on her cheek. Sending a few drops of blood and strings of hair in the air.
She landed on one knee, drawing her sword in one smooth motion, and looked up—into the eyes of her attacker.
Someone, who was clearly unhappy with his failed strike.
..
Sunny steadied his footsteps, halting his inertia, before turning around. His gaze locked onto the kneeling girl, staring back at him.
With just one attack, he already realized something amiss.
The girl _ she really hid deep enough.
Those aren't the instincts of a loser, nor the reflexes she showed everyday on the training ground.
That's something you get only after living on the edge of death for years.
'Just what I need, a tough opponent.' Sunny muttered in his head, before shaking his head and pdodging the sword aimed at his heart.