Once Fang Hao accepted the mission, an update indicated that someone had already claimed it, causing it to disappear from the transparent spiritual screen. However, this was just the beginning; as he prepared himself, another series of events began to unfold.
--
While Sect Leader Zhang was engrossed in his cultivation, he received word that 4050 had accepted a mission. He frowned, recognizing the circumstances, and rose from his cultivation spot. With a mixture of comprehension and irritation, he made his way to a spacious hall, summoning an inner elder with an evident annoyance in his expression.
"Apologies for the interruption, Sect Leader. Per your instructions, if 4050—Fang Hao—chose to undertake a mission, you wished to be informed," conveyed one of the vice heads from the mission pavilion.
He approached Sect Leader Zhang, bearing a jade tablet that contained the identical information visible to Fang Hao. However, this intelligence was more in-depth, gathered from their network of skilled spies.
Zhang Wei quickly examined the information, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "It's a formation setup mission, you say?" He expressed his uncertainty, finding it somewhat difficult to believe that a new disciple would willingly take on such a task.
"Wait a moment. This mission requires a minimum of early muscle realm cultivation. Has he truly advanced to that level so quickly?" Zhang Wei's initial confusion morphed into surprise, followed by a return to bewilderment.
"Moreover, did you make him aware of the penalty if he failed?" he inquired, fixing his gaze upon the vice head of the mission hall.
"We did, I double-checked, personally rewatching the interaction," the vice head affirmed with a hurried nod, leaving no room for doubt.
"Interesting," Zhang Wei muttered, his thoughts churning as he delved into the matter. After pausing for a moment, he addressed the core reason for his summons.
"Have you thoroughly verified the mission? There won't be any encounters with Vein cultivators, right?" This concern was the crux of the matter; he had been summoned precisely to prevent any mistakes akin to those involving his sister.
The last thing he desired was Fang Xiong's return with a swinging sword anytime soon.
"Sect leader, the clan head is only at the mid-stage of the muscle realm. However, within that mortal kingdom, there are stronger cultivators present..." the vice head began, listing off various potential complications, which started giving Zhang Wei a headache.
"Stop. I don't care about those details. What I'm asking is whether Fang Hao will encounter a cultivator of Vein Realm during this mission because of our fault."
"Impossible. Those missions are not of rank 0; it would be suicidal," the head quickly asserted.
"That's all I care about. Fang Xiong also doesn't want us to babysit his son. Just ensure he doesn't face an opponent from a higher realm; stages are acceptable, as that's up to fate," Zhang Wei waved his hand dismissively. In response, the vice head made a respectful bow before departing.
"Formations? Really? What are you up to, Fang Hao?" Zhang Wei mused for a moment before turning to head back. However, he came to a sudden halt, his gaze narrowing as if lost in deep contemplation.
"Whatever the case, just this once," he muttered, retrieving a voice talisman from his storage. "Blood Shadow 203, meet me at the main hall," he conveyed through the talisman's magic, before stowing it away and patiently waiting.
A cultivator cloaked in a mask arrived, a member of the sect's hidden powers, frequently tasked with assignments of 'dirty work' somewhat frowned upon by others. Their existence was known to only a select few among the upper echelons.
"I have a task for you," Zhang Wei's voice resonated, a tone of unwavering determination in his words.
"I want you to shadow a sect disciple by the name of 'Fang Hao.' Your intervention is permissible solely in the event he confronts a cultivator of Vein realm or higher. Otherwise, your role is to observe without any interference, regardless of the outcome. Do you comprehend this directive?"
"Yes, Sect Leader," a metallic voice responded, and Zhang Wei let out a sigh of relief. "Go, he should be departing soon," he instructed, waving his sleeve. The cloaked cultivator disappeared, leaving Zhang Wei alone.
''Up to you now, surname Fang," he murmured to himself before turning back to his chambers to continue his cultivation. He had done his part; not many received such special treatment.
---
Fang Hao straightened his robes after a day of meditation and left his cave, making his way toward the entrance of the sect. As per the rules he had read, members were required to seek permission before leaving the mountain, whether for personal reasons or missions; it was not a loose sect.
Upon arriving at a hall situated at the base of the outer sect area, he found a line of fellow members engaged in casual conversations. Fang Hao was unfamiliar with all of them; they appeared older than him. Some gave him inspecting glances due to his youthful appearance, but overall, the atmosphere seemed orderly.
Eventually, it was his turn, and he entered a small room where an outer elder sat with a bored expression. The elder cast a cursory glance at Fang Hao. "Reason for leaving?" he inquired, his tone rather disinterested.
"I accepted a mission," Fang Hao replied, handing the elder his token. The elder placed the token onto a formation on the table. Fang Hao's gaze remained fixed on the process, attempting to discern how the mechanism operated.
However, the elder merely returned the token to him once the formation glowed green, indicating approval.
The outer elder stood up, walking to a storeroom and retrieving an item before handing it to Fang Hao. "This is a rank 8 consumable talisman designed for travel," the elder explained.
"Attach it to your person and activate it with your spiritual energy. You'll sense a lightness in your body; it should provide enough energy for you to reach your destination and return. However, it's a limited-use item, so don't abuse it." The elder motioned with a shooing gesture, indicating that Fang Hao could leave.
With a nod of gratitude, Fang Hao rose from his seat and thanked the elder before departing.
Walking alongside other sect members who were contemplating their respective tasks, Fang Hao arrived at an alternate exit from the one he had used to enter the sect. An activated barrier enveloped the mountain, and he gently placed his hand on it, prompting it to open as he had obtained approval to exit.
"How does it recognize me?" he mused aloud, his perplexity audible as he couldn't fathom the reason. The query lingered in the back of his mind.
Placing the talisman on his chest, he experienced a sensation of becoming as light as a feather, which left him somewhat uncomfortable due to the floating sensation.
"Let's go! My first adventure outside," Fang Hao exclaimed with excitement, setting off in a sprint, nearly colliding with a tree due to his speed.
As the wind tousled his hair and he grew accustomed to the sensation, he gradually increased his pace, finding the balance between speed and conserving his spiritual energy.
With his Early Muscle realm cultivation and the aid of the talisman, he traveled at an astonishing pace. The descent from the outer mountain, which would normally require a week to traverse, could now be completed in just 12 hours.
"The day will come when I'll soar through the skies," Fang Hao's eyes glimmered with light as he raced down the time-worn mountain paths.