Three weeks had passed since Gabriel taught Serana the Frozen Star Sword Art. During this time, Gabriel managed to afford the 100% completion walkthrough for his body refinement technique, the Yin-Yang Harmony Ascension Technique, allowing him to cultivate it properly.
Despite learning the complete technique, Gabriel's progress was meager due to his damaged potential. He managed to earn more than 420 MP points while retaining 80 GMP points. Before spending any more points, he decided to consume the three-part pills and stabilize himself before attracting the heaven tribulation to establish his element affinity.
Sitting on the cold floor of the hall, Gabriel and Serana faced each other. Serana's growing beauty was evident. Over the past four weeks, she had been able to eat properly, refine her body, and exercise. Her appearance had drastically improved compared to when she first arrived at the sect.
Gabriel particularly enjoyed her soft, tofu-like cheeks and often found himself pinching them. Serana allowed this indulgence, seemingly enjoying it despite her stoic demeanor.
"How's your progress in cultivation?" Gabriel asked.
"Master, I'm still at the 5th rank middle stage. However, I've made some minor progress towards completing the requirements for the 3rd rank. Given some time, I'll be able to complete the 4th rank as well," Serana reported. "As for my sword techniques, I can execute the core techniques at a master level, though I'm still far from perfection like Master Gabrielle."
"Mn, that's good enough. Your progress is already fast. Remember, now that you've mastered the sword technique, I can be reassured that you'll be able to protect yourself," Gabriel said, nodding with a faint smile that distracted Serana internally.
"Serana," he said.
Startled, Serana sat up straight. "Yes!"
"Anyway, I will be entering closed-door cultivation later," Gabriel informed her, shocking her. She nodded in understanding and bowed her head. "I wish Master a good luck," she said.
"Thanks. However, I have a task for you," Gabriel said seriously. "While I'm in closed-door cultivation, I will be sending you to take on sect missions so you can gather real-life experiences."
Shocked by the sudden task, Serana felt a bit nervous but soon calmed down. This time, she would be coming down the mountain as a cultivator with the strength of the 5th rank. Her initial fear was just a reaction to her bad memories from past experiences.
Now, she was different from the previous Serana who had gone up the mountain to train in the sect; she now had the strength to protect herself.
Serana couldn't help but wonder what her first adventure would be like, but one thing was certain: she was very excited. After all, she would finally be able to test the skills she had been practicing so hard over the past few weeks.
"I'll do my best, Master!"
"I know you will. Here, take this," Gabriel nodded as he handed her a pouch of healing pills. "These pills are for emergency situations. They heal wounds and restore 20% of your qi when exhausted." The pouch contained ten pills, enough to ensure Serana's survival in two near-death experiences.
Receiving the pills with both hands, Serana felt as if she were holding gold bars. The weight of the pills felt significant, and she was grateful to her master. He truly cared for her wellbeing.
There was always a reason why Serana's feelings towards her master were soft and warm.
After reminding her of the details, Serana left the hall, leaving Gabriel sitting in his chair deep in thought. "I guess it's time to start," he muttered as he stood up and headed to the basement. Using his elder token, he inserted it into the gate.
The gate opened, revealing a dark and musty cave. This was where peak masters should cultivate for long durations, as the world qi within the cave was rich and purer than the qi outside.
His footsteps echoed softly against the rocky walls as he entered, the air thick with the scent of earth and qi. The cavern stretched into darkness, lit only by the flickering glow of torches that lined the uneven walls.
Reaching the end of the cave, Gabriel sat on a platform and crossed his legs in the lotus position. With a solemn look on his face, he retrieved the first of the three-part pills. This pill, focused on improving his body, bones, and organs, promised to revitalize his physical form from within. He swallowed it with reverence, feeling its energies surge through him like a revitalizing river, knitting together fractures and strengthening weaknesses that had hindered his advancement.
Withstanding the painful transformation inside his body, Gabriel's knees trembled, blood dripping from his mouth as he bit his lips hard.
Next came the second pill, intended to enhance his meridians and dantian—the core of his spiritual essence. As he ingested it, a wave of warmth spread outward, suffusing his meridians with renewed vigor and expanding his dantian with potential. The pill's effects harmonized with the first, creating a foundation sturdy enough to support the challenges ahead.
Finally, Gabriel approached the third and final pill, the culmination of his journey toward remaking himself. This pill, once completed, would synergize the improvements of body, meridians, and dantian into a unified whole.
With each pill, Gabriel felt the weight of past mistakes begin to lift. As he prepared to consume the last pill, he closed his eyes, focusing ahead. Immersing himself in the transformative process of the third and final pill, the cavern reverberated with the subtle hum of qi and the faint flicker of torchlight. The passage of time became fluid, marked only by the steady progression of cultivation energies weaving through his being.
Outside the cave, Serana stood before the mission pavilion on the first mountain peak. The hall was big and spacious, filled with noise as disciples from different peaks gathered to submit or take missions for the sect in exchange for points. These points could then be exchanged for pills, items, and armaments in different halls on this peak.
Serana entered the hall and saw the massive mission board where scrolls were attached, each bearing the weight of tasks ranging from routine patrols to expeditions. She stood amidst the bustling hall, her gaze fixed on the array of scrolls laid out before her.
Each mission was ranked by difficulty from S to A,B, and C. As she read the content of each mission, her cold features were noticed by some disciples, making her stand out among the sea of disciples there. Due to her rebirth after gaining a divine body, she had gained a growing reputation as the most beautiful core disciple in the sect, ever since she began frequenting the library on the first peak.
Despite her good reputation, many people did not dare to approach Serana due to the cold aura she radiated, both emotionally and physically. Even the pill master in the sect was more approachable than this lady. Her cold qi made anyone not used to her move away, and even the courageous ones found themselves with cold feet when trying to strike up a conversation.
Thus, those infatuated with her could only keep their feelings to themselves. Meanwhile, Serana remained oblivious to the reputation she had gained among the disciples in the sect.
However, what these disciples didn't know was that this beautiful lady was the disciple of an elder with a terrible reputation throughout the entire sect!
Among the scrolls, one caught Serana's attention—the request from the Alchemy Peak, marked with an insignia of intertwined herbs and vials. Elder Luna, the head of Alchemy Peak, had requested disciples to gather rare herbs essential for pill-making.
Approaching the board where the scrolls were pinned, Serana carefully read it, her eyes scanning the detailed description of the task. The mission was ranked B.
Gathering herbs in the wild often involved navigating treacherous terrain and facing natural obstacles. Serana's eyes shined with determination as she saw this as the perfect opportunity to test herself.
As she read through the scroll, Elder Luna's instructions resonated with clarity. The herbs required—Snowflake Lotus, Frost Lotus, and Starfall Blossom—were known for their resilience to extreme cold and potent alchemical properties. The success of the mission would not only contribute to the sect's resources but also earn approval from the prestigious peak master.
Serana was about to pick the scroll from the board when a startled voice echoed behind her.
"Ah! That's mine."
Serana turned around and looked at the person who had spoken. It was a young lady about as old as her master, though not as stunning in appearance as Serana herself, she's still a considerable beauty. Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, and despite her pouting expression, she exuded lively features. She wore a white robe, indicating her affiliation with the Sword Peak. Female sword cultivators in the sect hailed from the 4th peak, under Peak Master Elder Skyler.
She had her sword tucked onto her slim waist.
If Gabriel were present, he would immediately recognize her as the one who had tried to block his entry into the mountain peak. Had it not been for Skyler's timely arrival, Gabriel would have faced significant challenges on getting the incomplete sword art he took from the Sword Pavillion.
This person was Jessica Lee, Skyler's youngest main disciple.
Serana looked at Jessica, who wore a pouting expression as she approached. "I was just looking for a partner for this mission because the mission states that a partner or more is required, since the forest is known to be dangerous to venture alone," she reasoned.
Serana indeed noticed at the bottom of the mission scroll that a partner or more was required due to the high danger level.
Since Jessica's reasoning seemed valid, Serana handed over the scroll without saying a word. As she turned to leave, Jessica called out to her.
Jessica was taken aback by Serana's quiet response. Realizing that Serana was interested in taking the mission, she saw an opportunity to recruit her.
"Um, wait! Since you're also interested in this mission, why don't we do it together? My seniors didn't want to take it because they find it a little boring, hehe," Jessica suggested with a smile.
Serana hesitated for a moment, considering Jessica's offer. Both were disciples of the sect, and it seemed Jessica also had trouble finding a partner for this mission. Besides, she was interested in testing her skills in the forest. So, Serana nodded and approached Jessica.
Seeing Serana's agreement, Jessica beamed a smile. She stepped forward and grabbed both of Serana's hands, shaking them happily. "I'm glad!"
Despite finding Serana somewhat cold and emotionless, Jessica didn't mind. Her own master had a similar personality but took good care of his disciples. While it was naive to assume that the cold personality of a person applies to others as well, Jessica felt a kinship with Serana as fellow core disciples.
"I'm Jessica Lee from the Sword Peak! I'm already at rank 4 in the mid stages. What about you?" Jessica asked eagerly, trying to break the ice between them.
Serana remained composed, contemplating how to respond to Jessica's friendliness.
…