Su Ming did not waver. "It's fine. I'll be overseeing her. I trust her. And if something unexpected does happen, I'll be right beside her. As a young disciple of the sect, she should always aim high, challenge greater trials, and strive for more difficult paths."
Hearing this, Lin Yao's mood brightened. Gratitude had always been there. Ever since the day her master chose her, gave her shelter, and taught her the path of cultivation. She had thought that thankfulness and respect were enough. But in that instant, something inside her stirred.
Gratitude alone was no longer enough. She made a promise to herself. One day, she would make him proud. She would sharpen herself until no one dared speak condescendingly of her master. She would never become his weakness.
At that moment, something unseen shifted. As if an invisible thread of fate had been nudged, shifting onto a path different from what it was supposed to be.
The deacon was stunned for a moment, then finally stamped the slips. "Very well."
As the duo turned to leave, whispers rippled through the hall.
"Did you see? He took the Bone Serpent mission!"
"And even the Elder missions!"
"He must be mad—or trying to dodge the tournament."
"Hah, what can a handyman disciple teach anyone? He's just bluffing."
Hearing the murmurs, Lin Yao's fist tightened, but Su Ming walked on, unaffected.
High above, on a balcony where the golden light cut through the jade curtains, an elder stroked his beard as he watched. His eyes narrowed slightly, following Su Ming's steady figure.
"Interesting…" the elder murmured. "His aura is steady—far too steady for a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator. Just what is our little acting peak master hiding?"
***
The next morning, the mystic-grade flying sword hummed beneath Su Ming's feet, flying low and steady. The cool wind rushed past, making him feel alive, yet he kept his speed in check. He had no desire to flaunt himself before every passing gaze.
Beside him, Lin Yao stood stiffly, her balance unsteady at first. Only when Su Ming extended a thin layer of qi to shield her from the rushing wind did her posture relax.
This speed is enough, Su Ming thought.
Lin Yao, for once, allowed herself a rare display of joy as she enjoyed the flight.
At the base of the mountain, a massive stone gate pulsed faintly with runes, marking the boundary of the Heavenly Cloud Sect. Passing through it felt like pushing through an invisible curtain, the final layer of the sect's grand protective formation.
Beyond the gate sprawled the trade road, alive with caravans, peddlers, and hired guards. To the mortal world, even the shadow of the Heavenly Cloud Sect meant prosperity.
Their destination was Clearwind City, the closest major settlement under sect influence. It served as a hub where sect disciples, wandering cultivators, and mortal merchants mingled freely.
The master-disciple duo landed near the city gate without attracting unnecessary attention. Rows of spirit-beast-drawn carriages waited nearby. Su Ming chose one without hesitation. A carriage pulled by a thick-scaled creature, its four limbs short but powerful.
An Earth-Lizard Carriage, Su Ming nodded.
The carriage driver bowed low. With a flick of his finger, Su Ming tossed two low-grade spirit stones. Their destination was half a day away.
By the time the sun hung high overhead, they reached Cloudstep Village.
Su Ming reviewed the mission details:
Mission: Cull the Red-Furred Wolves
Difficulty: Low Foundation Establishment
Reward: 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones + Any spoils, such as the wolf cores and hides, can be exchanged within the sect for Spirit Stones.
Details: A pack of red-furred wolves has ravaged the Crimson Herb Fields near Cloudstep Village. Individually weak, Low Grade (Qi Condensation 4th–5th stage), they are dangerous due to their leader. Reports indicate the pack leader has recently advanced into the Middle Grade (Early Foundation Establishment realm), hence the surge in aggression.
Objective: Eliminate the wolves, particularly the pack leader. Retrieve wolf cores and hides for confirmation.
Lin Yao pulled out a copy of the mission scroll as well. The one Su Ming had made her copy by hand yesterday.
Su Ming also had all the necessary supplies prepared, so he was assured. The village itself, however, seemed on edge. Fear clung to the air, and when the duo appeared, the villagers' voices buzzed with relief.
The village head came forward to receive them, bowing deeply. "Thank you, respected cultivators. You have saved us!"
After a brief exchange of details, Su Ming wasted no time. Carrying Lin Yao with him, he flew toward the Crimson Herb Fields.
The signs of wolf attacks were everywhere—ravaged plants, torn fences, and bloodstains. Several casualties had already been claimed. It was sad, but it did not shake Su Ming.
The wolves themselves were nowhere in sight, which meant they had to search the nearby forest.
"This time, you'll take the lead," Su Ming said calmly.
Lin Yao nodded. She had hunted beasts before. Her tragic past had given her no shortage of such experience. Her movements carried that familiarity, and Su Ming silently noted it with approval.
As they travelled through the forest, the first wolf soon spotted them and let out a sharp howl.
That's not good… tch, Su Ming thought.
Before the howl could summon more, Lin Yao surged forward, closing the distance with practiced speed, and her blade sliced clean through the beast.
But the howl had already spread. Three more wolves appeared soon after.
Su Ming intercepted the fiercest one, while Lin Yao took on the other two. Though she needed occasional help, she fought with courage and intensity. Su Ming quietly helped her when it was needed.
Soon, the three wolves were defeated.
But that was only the warm-up.
From the depths of the forest came the real threat: the pack leader, larger and sharper-eyed than the rest. Four more wolves followed him.
This one was no ordinary beast. Cultivation had granted it a spark of intelligence. Its eyes glowed with a predatory wisdom.
Extending his divine sense, Su Ming gauged their strength. The leader was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, while the others hovered around the middle stages of Qi Condensation.
Without hesitation, the alpha lunged at Su Ming as the rest moved towards Lin Yao.
He was concerned for her, but not overly so, as she carried the sect master's protective talisman.
Lin Yao met the charge head-on. Beneath her composed, quiet exterior, a ferocious fighter awakened. Su Ming was surprised.
Even during their sparring, she had never fought with such ferocity.
The Cloud Chasing Sword Technique flowed from her hands, each movement sharper, faster, more precise than the last. One by one, the wolves fell.
Su Ming, meanwhile, handled the alpha with ease. Its speed and power were real, but not nearly enough to trouble Su Ming. He deflected its attacks effortlessly, his stance calm and assured.
Soon, Lin Yao stood victorious over the rest of the wolves.
She beamed with strength rather than exhaustion. At his signal, she moved to join him. Without hesitation, she leapt forward and engaged the pack leader.
It was stronger and faster than the others, but Lin Yao had momentum. The Crimson Flame Mantra surged within her, resonating with her sword technique. Both were on the verge of a breakthrough.
Su Ming extended his divine sense, even activating his Essence Sight. Every detail mattered—the flow of her qi, the strain of her muscles, the changes in her dantian. He studied it all. He even studied the wolf leader.
The alpha wolf fought desperately, but as fatigue set in, it made a mistake. A small opening appeared.
Lin Yao's blade did not miss this opportunity. With a swift movement, she sliced through the beast, concluding the battle.
"Well done." Su Ming's praise was brief, but genuine.
He flicked two spirit-replenishing pills toward her. "That was impressive. Now take some rest and go through your insights. You have gained something valuable; digest it well."
Lin Yao accepted them gratefully, happiness shining in her eyes.
As she meditated to absorb her gains, Su Ming set about collecting the spoils. He ignored the weaker wolves, focusing only on the remains of the pack leader.
There should certainly be a core within its body.
Demonic beasts were divided into three tiers: low-grade, which were equivalent to the Qi Condensation realm; mid-grade, which were equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm; and high-grade, which were equivalent to the Core Formation realm in human terms. Beyond them existed the legendary Demon Lords.
Satisfied, he sensed the area for any other lingering threats. Finding none, he returned to Lin Yao's side.
Almost an hour later, she opened her eyes to see him waiting patiently.
With his Essence Sight, Su Ming noted her changes. "Congratulations on your breakthroughs."
She had advanced both in cultivation and in the Cloud Chasing Sword Technique, now at the greater mastery.
By afternoon, the duo returned to Cloudstep Village. This time, more villagers had gathered. When Su Ming nodded, confirming the mission's success, cheers erupted.