Despite the awkward situation when Xie Qing was taken by the hand while attempting to accept a dubious task, Elder Lian decided not to mention it. She reviewed two tasks that were not particularly dangerous and simply required obtaining some resource, whether monster cores or spiritual plants.
"These two tasks require a cultivator at the Foundation Building level. Are you sure you can handle them?" Elder Lian asked with concern – it was evident that she was more worried about Xie Qing's safety.
"Yes. I am fully prepared," said Xie Qing with a smile, then released his Qi.
"Second stage of Foundation Building!" Elder Lian exclaimed in astonishment with clear surprise on her face. Nervously, she asked, "Did you break through the barrier? Moreover... your Qi is so pure! It's comparable to the intermediate stage of Foundation Building!"
Lian Xin experienced a strong shock along with joy. Xie Qing had shown no signs of advancing to a new level in four years, and now he miraculously broke through to Foundation Building, which could be a small but solid step toward his future.
Moreover, as Elder Lian had already mentioned, the purity of Xie Qing's Qi reached the intermediate stage of the Foundation Building, which was incredible and unheard of.
"Okay, with your level at the second stage of Foundation Building, these missions won't be as challenging... these tasks were created and sent from the city of Xinjiang, under the control of the Huanglun Dynasty," Lian Xin informed, adding, "The road is slightly dangerous as it is mostly infested with petty bandits. By the way, if you kill them, you'll receive a reward from the chief of the Xinjiang city."
"Bandits..." Xie Qing thought, recalling those small gangs.
The bandit problem was not new – it spread across all continents like worms, and only lands occupied by sects and major cities could exist without these worms.
In the vicinity, within 10,000 Li, there was not a single bandit because here, in the mountains, was the Sect of Heavenly Sword, which with its presence scared off bandits. And those who were bolder were simply killed by the inner disciples for the sect's tasks.
And the road to Xinjiang City was also somewhat dangerous because of the bandits. But this was for mortals... for cultivators at the peak of Foundation Building, these bandits were like infants.
"If I encounter them, I should capture a few alive... it will be more profitable for me since the reward for a live bandit is higher," Xie Qing thought and smiled, saying aloud, "Then I must set out on the task. Thank you for your help, Elder Lian."
"Always welcome, Disciple Xie Qing," Lian Xin said with a smile, her cheeks blushing. After a brief pause, she suddenly reached into her cleavage and pulled out a small pouch, handing it to Xie Qing with a red face. "Um... this... take it! It will help you on your journey!"
"Huh? Uh, thanks..."
Xie Qing thanked Lian Xin, looking puzzled and raising an eyebrow.
"Woman, do you have a spatial pocket in your cleavage?"
***
Xie Qing had to write a short letter and leave it in his room before embarking on the task. He would have liked to personally notify his Master of his departure, but he couldn't find her anywhere.
Then one of the workers said that Xu Mei and the Sect Master had gone to some meeting, so he could only shrug and leave, leaving the letter. Standing at the exit, in front of the massive gates, Xie Qing became a little nervous. The last time he saw these gates was when he entered the sect, and it brought back not the best memories.
"I came to this place with fear and depression, but I'm leaving with new hopes and determination," Xie Qing thought, and reflecting on the past helped him calm down a bit. He thought, "Anyway, if I want to become strong, I need stimulation... and what can stimulate me more than the red-light district?... Uh, I mean, battles, yes!"
Xie Qing blushed a bit at his thoughts and interrupted his imagination, which was working at full power. After a while, he gathered courage and headed towards the gates.
Two elders guarded the gates – they were men who looked to be 40-45 years old, but in reality, they were old farts.
"Elders," Xie Qing greeted them, folding his hands in front of him. Then he straightened his back and presented the permission he obtained at the Task Pavilion: "I would like to leave the sect to complete missions. Here's the permission."
"Hm."
One of the elders, named Zhang Wei, had short black hair and gray eyes, with a mustached face. After glancing at the permission, which looked like a disciple's token but rhombus-shaped, he infused his Qi into it, obtaining the details.
"Hm? You're Disciple Xie Qing, right? According to the latest records, your cultivation level is at Enlightenment, which is an extremely low indicator, and usually, such disciples cannot get permission to undertake most missions. Moreover, there are strict requirements for a cultivator at the Foundation Building level, not less than the second stage."
Elder Zhang looked at Xie Qing with obvious disdain on his face. He thought Xie Qing was one of those disciples who overestimated their abilities and tried to take on missions beyond their level.
"What were the Task Pavilion elders even thinking?" the elder muttered dissatisfiedly, then turned to Xie Qing and said sternly, "Outer court disciple, we can give you permission to leave, but you'll have to first hand over the token and ask to be relieved of these missions to avoid penalties for missing the deadline."
"Elder Yu is right, Disciple Xie Qing. The outside world is dangerous for those who haven't reached the Foundation Building level. We wouldn't want our sect disciple to die so pitifully," Elder Zhang said with a cold face, then handed the token to Xie Qing, who had been silent, listening to them. "Here's your mission token."
"..."
However, Xie Qing did not take the token and continued to stare at the two elders, who were already getting annoyed. In their opinion, this outer court disciple was too arrogant and seemed to not value the advice of his seniors, and even more, did not value his own life!
And just as Elder Zhang was ready to reprimand Xie Qing, the young man suddenly spoke.
"So, if I reach the Foundation Building level, I can leave and undertake this mission?" Xie Qing asked with an impassive face – his facial muscles were relaxed, and his eyes showed no emotions. It was impossible to understand what he was feeling.
"...Hm? Uh, yes, you're right," Elder Zhang replied, his anger disappearing because of Xie Qing's words. He hastily added, "But I doubt you can reach that level so quickly... according to the information on your token, you have Mortal-grade talent."
Discrimination based on talents was even more reinforced in the four main sects, as each disciple was strictly evaluated in the entrance exams. Xie Qing could only pass because he was supported by the Xie family, which funded some sect tasks. They had the right to admit someone from their family into the sect, and it was legal, though one shouldn't expect any special treatment.
Despite being handsome and undoubtedly attracting a lot of attention, Xie Qing's talent was very poor. Therefore, he was not as interesting, and many disciples felt contempt for him, including the elders, mostly out of envy.
"So, you need to..." Elder Zhang was talking, trying to lecture Xie Qing, until he froze in shock.
His breath caught, and Elder Zhang stared at Xie Qing with an open mouth. The young man, with an indifferent expression, released his aura, which had a pale golden color.
"Ugh..."
For a fraction of a second, just for a fraction of a second, Elder Zhang felt danger, but before he could react, that feeling vanished.
"W-what was that?"