The morning mist clung to the temple's stone paths like a veil, softening the edges of the world. Zhen Ruhan stood outside the Mission Hall, watching disciples come and go with scrolls in hand, their robes fluttering with purpose. The air buzzed with ambition—young cultivators eager to earn merit, prove their worth, and climb the sect's ranks.
Inside, the hall was lined with glowing jade tablets, each inscribed with a mission. Some were simple: herb collection, beast patrol, formation maintenance. Others pulsed with danger: escorting caravans through bandit territory, investigating spiritual anomalies, hunting rogue cultivators.
Ruhan stepped forward.
System Notification
— New Feature Unlocked: Mission Interface
— Access Level: Outer Disciple
— Available Missions: 12
— Recommendation: Select combat or resource-based mission for optimal SP gain
He scanned the tablets until one caught his eye.
*Mission: Mistwood Forest Vein Disturbance*
Type: Combat / Resource Collection
Objective: Investigate corrupted spiritual vein, collect 3 beast cores, 2 rare herbs
Team Size: 4
Reward: 60 SP, 15 Sect Merit Points, chance for rare item drop
Status: One slot remaining
He tapped the tablet.
System Notification
— Mission Accepted
— Team Members: Yu Fei (Fire Qi), Jiang Ren (Array Master), Mei Rong (Beast Tamer)
— Departure: One hour from South Gate
Ruhan turned and left the hall, his mind already shifting into preparation mode.
---
At the South Gate, the team assembled.
Yu Fei was the first to arrive—tall, broad-shouldered, and grinning like he'd already won a fight. His aura flared with fire qi, and he carried twin blades strapped to his back.
"Zhen Ruhan, right? Heard you passed the Trial of Moonlight. That's rare. Don't worry, I'll cover you if things get hot."
Jiang Ren arrived next—quiet, sharp-eyed, with a scroll tucked under one arm and formation flags strapped to his belt. He nodded politely but said nothing.
Mei Rong came last—elegant, proud, and riding a spirit beast that resembled a silver-furred panther. Her gaze lingered on Ruhan with mild disdain.
"Another mystery cultivator. Let's hope you're not dead weight."
Ruhan bowed slightly. "I'll pull my weight."
Yu Fei clapped his hands. "Good. Let's move. Mistwood's not far, but it's never quiet."
The team set off, their footsteps light but purposeful. The forest awaited and with it, Ruhan's first true test
Mistwood Forest was quiet—but not peaceful.
The trees were tall and twisted, their bark veined with faint spiritual energy. The deeper the team ventured, the thicker the mist became, clinging to their robes and muffling sound. The spiritual vein they were sent to investigate pulsed faintly beneath the earth, but something was wrong. The qi here was unstable, sour.
Yu Fei drew his twin blades, fire qi flickering along the edges.
"Smells like rot. Beast corruption, probably."
Jiang Ren knelt beside a moss-covered stone, placing a formation flag and whispering a command. A faint ripple spread outward, revealing a hidden trail of disturbed qi.
"Three signatures. One large, two small. They're circling."
Mei Rong mounted her spirit panther, eyes narrowing.
"Let's flush them out."
Ruhan stayed silent, observing. His system pulsed softly in the background, tracking movement, scanning terrain, and calculating threat levels.
System Notification
— Beast Signature Detected: Corrupted Ironhide Boar (Mid-Tier)
— Recommended Strategy: Distraction + Precision Strike
— SP Bonus Available: First Kill (Unassisted)
The ground trembled.
The boar burst from the underbrush, tusks glowing with dark qi, eyes bloodshot. Two smaller beasts followed—fang-backed wolves, their fur matted and steaming.
Yu Fei charged first, blades dancing with flame. Jiang Ren activated a trap formation, slowing the wolves. Mei Rong summoned a spirit net from her beast, ensnaring one.
Ruhan moved with precision.
He activated his footwork technique, dodging the boar's charge, then struck with a palm infused with neutral qi. The impact staggered the beast, exposing its core.
He didn't hesitate.
A second strike shattered the core.
The boar collapsed.
System Notification
— Beast Core Acquired: Ironhide Boar
— SP Awarded: +20
— Achievement Unlocked: First Kill
— Combat Efficiency Rating: 92%
— Skill Merger Feature: Progress 15% (Unlocked at 100%)
Yu Fei whistled. "Not bad, mystery man."
Jiang Ren raised an eyebrow. "Efficient."
Mei Rong said nothing, but her gaze lingered.
The team finished off the remaining beasts, collected two cores, and located a patch of rare herbs growing near a cracked stone altar. Ruhan identified one immediately— *Moonshade Root*, known for enhancing qi absorption.
System Notification
— Resource Acquired: Moonshade Root
— Passive Trait Progress: Qi Absorption Efficiency (Locked)
— SP Awarded: +10
By sunset, the mission was complete.
The team returned to Moonflow Temple with full packs and quiet satisfaction. Ruhan had proven himself—not with flash, but with focus.
Upon return, Ruhan was summoned to the *Outer Disciple Pavilion*.
Elder Yun, a stern but fair cultivator known for training rogue talents, stood waiting beneath a plum tree in full bloom.
"You handled yourself well," he said. "Not flashy. Not foolish. That's rare."
Ruhan bowed.
"You'll be assigned to *Silver Mist Peak*. It's quiet. Remote. Suits your temperament."
System Notification
— Sect Assignment: Silver Mist Peak
— Supervising Elder: Yun Feiyan
— Access Granted: Outer Disciple Training Grounds, Resource Hall Tier I
— Sect Merit Points: 15
— Status: Recognized
Elder Yun handed him a jade token etched with a silver mist pattern.
"Don't waste your time chasing attention. Build quietly. Cultivate deeply. And when the time comes—strike like thunder."
Ruhan accepted the token.
Silver Mist Peak awaited.