Chapter 26: The First Assignment

"The reward points for a three-star mission range from three hundred to five hundred. Completing three of them would guarantee a place on the leaderboard, but..." Staring at one of the three-star missions, Qingxi couldn't help but frown in distress.

"Collect the complete set of spiritual materials from a high-grade human-tier demon beast. Reward: three hundred and fifty points... This is just too difficult, isn't it?"

A high-grade human-tier demon beast was equivalent to the thirty-first level of Qi Refinement and, when fighting alone, had a clear advantage over human cultivators at the same stage. Usually, such a mission required a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refinement to complete it solo.

"The easier missions take too long, while the harder ones have no time limit, but their difficulty is outrageous. Can I really make it onto the leaderboard within a month?" Qingxi felt like he had been set up by Ouyang Changfeng.

Given his current cultivation at the fifteenth level of Qi Refinement, completing a two-star mission alone would be a struggle, let alone a three-star one.

"Hey, Junior Brother Qingxi, what brings you here too?" came a familiar voice from behind, catching Qingxi’s attention.

He turned and saw Nie Yu, the alchemist, dressed in a crimson robe.

Qingxi remembered their discussion in the library about going out together to complete sect missions... Could it be that Nie Yu was here to take on a mission? He wondered.

Nie Yu looked surprised to see Qingxi as well.

"Senior Brother, are you here for a mission?"

"Junior Brother, are you here for a mission?"

The next moment, they both voiced their doubts at the same time.

Then, realizing each other's intentions, they both laughed.

“Since we’re both here for missions, why not team up? Although I’m only at the twenty-first level of Qi Refinement, I know the terrain of the Tiger Roar Mountain Forest well. With me, you’ll be able to gather plenty of high-year spiritual herbs,” Nie Yu whispered to Qingxi.

"High-year spiritual herbs... Can they be exchanged for points?" Qingxi’s main concern now was how to quickly amass a large number of points.

Other matters could wait until after three months.

Nie Yu pointed in a certain direction, smiling. "Of course. Isn’t it written on the mission board?"

Qingxi followed Nie Yu’s finger and saw a much smaller supplementary list posted to the right of the main mission board.

“Spiritual Herb Gathering Mission: No time limit, no fixed level.”

“For herbs under one hundred years of age, each year's growth equals one point per plant. For every additional year, one more point.”

“A single herb over one hundred years old will be assessed by age: one hundred and fifty years is worth two hundred points; two hundred years, five hundred points.”

...

“Currently known locations for spiritual herbs: Tiger Roar Mountain Forest, Ancient Luo Domain, Sunlit Lake, Silent Ridge...”

“All disciples, take note: wherever spiritual herbs are born, formidable guardian demon beasts will be present. Assess your own strength and act within your limits.”

Reading these words, Qingxi’s eyes lit up.

Besides the herb gathering task, there was also a spirit ore collection mission, with rewards detailed by the ore’s grade and quantity.

Seeing this, Qingxi realized he had found a way to collect enough points within a month.

He would exploit his system’s scanning ability and follow Nie Yu to the Tiger Roar Mountain Forest to gather herbs. If he could harvest a few two-hundred-year-old herbs, he could easily complete the first phase of the second trial.

“Senior Brother, I’ve decided—I'll go with you to gather herbs in the Tiger Roar Mountain Forest,” Qingxi suddenly turned and said to Nie Yu, his gaze resolute.

Nie Yu was surprised by Qingxi’s immediate agreement but pleased nonetheless.

They arranged a meeting time, accepted the herb-gathering mission, and then each went home to prepare.

Afternoon.

Qingxi arrived at the appointed place and met up with Nie Yu.

However, Nie Yu was not alone. Behind him stood two impressive young men, each carrying a low-grade Frostlight Sword on their backs.

[Race: Human]
[Name: Tang Hai]
[Spiritual Root: Inferior]
[Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Level 22]
[Note: This man is a newly promoted inner disciple of the Lingyuan Sect, affiliated with the Pill Peak, and serves as a guardian disciple responsible for the safety of alchemists.]

After reviewing the first, Qingxi looked at the second.

[Race: Human]
[Name: Tang Jiang]
[Spiritual Root: Inferior]
[Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Level 22]
[Note: This man is Tang Hai’s younger brother, likewise a newly promoted inner disciple of the Lingyuan Sect, affiliated with the Pill Peak, and serves as a guardian disciple responsible for the safety of alchemists.]

After reading their details, Qingxi felt a twinge of envy toward Nie Yu. As expected of a fifth-grade alchemist—he even had two inner disciples escorting him.

Tang Hai and Tang Jiang were also sizing up Qingxi.

Seeing how young he was, they frowned slightly. Tang Jiang spoke, his tone rather stiff, “Alchemist Nie, why bring an outer disciple along?”

Qingxi could clearly hear the implication: they thought his cultivation was too low and he’d only drag them down.

Nie Yu raised an eyebrow and replied sternly, “What’s wrong with outer disciples? Junior Brother Qingxi is honest and exceptionally talented. More importantly, he’s a close friend of Linfeng.”

Tang Hai and Tang Jiang were both surprised. They hadn’t expected this seemingly ordinary youth to be the friend of a chief disciple.

With that, even if they were dissatisfied, they could not object further.

“Tiger Roar Mountain Forest is extremely dangerous. Junior Brother Qingxi, please take care to protect yourself,” the older Tang Hai cupped his fists to Qingxi, the meaning clear.

Their main task was to protect the alchemist. As for Qingxi, they would help if possible, but no promises.

Qingxi took no offense at this. They were not obliged to protect him, and any help they offered was a kindness.

Soon, the four mounted swift horses and sped away in a cloud of dust.

At dusk.

In front of the library.

A graceful figure, draped in a black robe, appeared at the entrance, her shadow stretching endlessly in the setting sun.

Elder Lei Yao was lying on a bamboo chair by the door, ready for a nap.

Sensing someone approach, he suddenly opened his eyes, surprise flickering in their murky depths.

“What brings you here?”

Lei Yao’s voice trembled slightly, betraying a hint of nervousness.

“I heard someone mastered over a hundred martial arts techniques in just two days. I, Yingying, have come to inquire. Please, Elder, tell me who they are.” The woman’s voice was melodious, clear and sweet as an oriole in spring.

Elder Lei Yao’s gaze sharpened, as if he had guessed her intent. He said gravely, “You still haven’t given up on that task?”

“I have not,” she replied softly.

“That lad may have astonishing memory to learn so many techniques in two days, but it doesn’t mean he can solve the problem that even the sect leader himself cannot.” Lei Yao’s tone grew serious. “What’s more, that place is perilous in the extreme. You are strong—if you go alone, you might escape if things go wrong. But if you bring that boy, you may not have any chance to get out alive. The danger is immense!”