The village chief's residence stood at the center of the settlement.
Far larger than the surrounding homes—
Its stone walls rose high above the village streets.
Lantern light flickered along the outer gates.
Two carved pillars stood at the entrance,
aged yet imposing.
For a small village—
It was unexpectedly grand.
Li Xuan slowed as he approached.
His gaze swept over the residence.
Then—
He stepped through the open gates.
Inside—
A wide courtyard opened before him.
Stone-paved ground stretched beneath torchlight.
Several groups had already gathered.
Cultivators.
Some stood with arms folded in silence.
Some spoke in low voices.
Others sat cross-legged near the walls, conserving strength.
Auras overlapped faintly in the air.
Strong.
Sharp.
Unfamiliar.
Li Xuan's eyes moved quietly across the crowd.
Most were at Foundation Establishment.
A few had reached Core Formation.
For a village mission—
That was unusual.
(So many…)
(It seems this hidden pill has drawn serious interest.)
His arrival did not go unnoticed.
Several gazes turned toward him.
Some merely glanced—
Then looked away.
But others lingered.
Assessing.
Measuring.
A young man in dark robes gave a faint scoff.
"Another one?"
His eyes swept over Li Xuan's plain clothes.
"And injured too."
Low laughter came from beside him.
Li Xuan showed no reaction.
He simply continued walking.
Calm.
Unhurried.
At the far end of the courtyard stood a raised platform.
Several elders in gray robes stood there,
speaking quietly among themselves.
At the center—
A broad-shouldered middle-aged man sat in a carved wooden chair.
His presence alone carried authority.
Though he concealed much of his aura—
The pressure around him suggested Core Formation… perhaps higher.
Li Xuan recognized at once—
This was the village chief.
Just then—
A bell sounded.
Clear.
Heavy.
The scattered conversations in the courtyard fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the platform.
And the atmosphere shifted.
Something was about to begin.
The village chief slowly rose from his seat.
His gaze swept across the gathered cultivators.
Then he spoke.
"I am grateful you have all come here."
His voice was steady,
carrying across the courtyard with quiet authority.
"As you all know—
a mission has been issued."
"My daughter suffered severe damage to her dantian."
"Only the hidden medicinal pill within that cave may restore her."
A faint stir passed through the crowd.
The chief continued,
"Whoever succeeds in retrieving it…"
"Will be rewarded generously."
Silence held.
Then—
A voice came from the crowd.
Cold.
Mocking.
"I thought only cultivators were invited."
Murmurs rose instantly.
Several heads turned.
The speaker stepped forward.
A young man in dark robes.
The same one who had mocked earlier.
His gaze shifted—
Toward Li Xuan.
"I can see even useless people have come to join this mission."
Several cultivators laughed quietly.
"He doesn't even have a cultivation aura…"
"What could a cripple do inside that cave?"
The ridicule spread.
Yet—
Li Xuan stood unmoving.
Calm.
As if those words were spoken to someone else.
The young man sneered.
"If trash like him can join…"
"Then this mission has become a joke."
Li Xuan was about to speak—
When a voice rang out.
Clear.
Cold.
"There is nothing wrong with a non-cultivator participating."
The courtyard fell still.
From the inner hall—
A figure stepped forward.
A young woman.
Her robes were light green, flowing softly as she walked.
Her features were delicate yet refined.
Beautiful—
But not fragile.
Her eyes were sharp,
bright as autumn stars.
Her bearing held both grace and authority.
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed faintly.
(So this is the chief's daughter…)
She stopped near the platform,
her gaze settling on the dark-robed young man.
"If he wishes to join the mission,
he may join."
"No one here has the right to deny it."
The young man's expression stiffened.
Before he could respond—
She continued.
"As for useless people…"
Her sharp eyes rested on him.
"Those who only know how to speak,
but take no action—
are the truly useless ones."
Silence.
Then laughter erupted through the courtyard.
Even a few elders smiled.
The meaning was obvious.
She was speaking about him.
The young man's face darkened.
Anger flashed in his eyes—
But he endured it.
Saying nothing.
Only swallowing the humiliation.
The laughter slowly faded.
Li Xuan looked toward the young woman.
Then cupped his hands slightly.
"Thank you… Miss."
His voice was calm.
Sincere.
Her sharp eyes softened just slightly.
Li Xuan continued,
"If I enter the mission…"
"I will do my best."
Not a boast.
Just quiet conviction.
She gave a small nod.
"Then I wish you fortune."
Silence lingered briefly.
Then—
The village chief stepped forward once more.
"That is enough."
His voice carried authority.
"This matter ends here."
No one dared object.
He continued,
"At dawn tomorrow—
all participants will head toward the cave."
"We will provide every information gathered so far,
including the route,
known dangers,
and what lies within."
His gaze moved across the gathered cultivators.
"Until then—
you may remain within my residence and rest."
Servants at the edge of the courtyard stepped forward,
ready to guide guests to their quarters.
A faint stir passed through the crowd.
Excitement.
Expectation.
Hidden ambition.
One by one—
The gathered cultivators cupped their fists and bowed.
"As Village Chief commands."
Li Xuan bowed as well.
Then straightened,
his gaze lifting briefly toward the night sky beyond the courtyard walls.
Somewhere in the darkness—
A new trial waited.
And perhaps—
A new fate.
The torches flickered in the night wind.
The courtyard slowly emptied.
And silence returned.
Tomorrow—
They would enter the cave.