"Anyways, we should probably hand in our spoils from the frostfang spiders. They've been sitting in my storage bag since you got injured,"
Kellan said, patting the small, spatial bag hanging at his side.
"Oh, right! I completely forgot about that," Big Bone said with a sheepish grin.
"If we're going to the missions office, you'll also hand in the tusks of that red-tipped boar, right?"
"Yeah," Kellan replied, adjusting his bag.
"Hopefully, they give us something useful this time. Not just Qi Gathering Pills again."
Big Bone chuckled as he stood up, stretching his arms.
"Let's hope. Qi Gathering Pills are nice and all, but we've earned better."
The two began walking toward the center of the Shi Clan village, where the missions office was located.
On their way, they passed by Big Bone's father, Shi Peng, who was repairing a wooden crate near their home.
"Hey, Dad," Big Bone called out. "Me and Kellan are heading to the missions office.
We're gonna hand over some stuff to trade for cultivation materials."
Shi Peng looked up from his work, his face stern but warm.
"Alright. I know you're cultivators now, but you still need to be careful.
Keep your heads down and don't draw unnecessary attention."
"Sure, Dad. Don't worry," Big Bone said, nodding.
"Thank you for the food, Uncle Shi Peng. It was really delicious," Kellan added, bowing slightly.
"No problem, kiddo," Shi Peng replied, a faint smile softening his features.
"If you ever need someone to cook those demonic beasts you and my son hunt, just bring them to me. I'll make something tasty out of 'em."
Kellan smiled and nodded. "We'll keep that in mind. Alright, Uncle, we're off."
Shi Peng waved them off with a final reminder to be cautious.
The two friends walked along the dirt path that led to the missions office, passing other clan members who were busy with their daily routines.
Children ran about, pretending to fight with wooden swords, while elders sat together teaching the kids how to cultivate.
As they approached the missions office, a large building constructed from sturdy stone and wood, they noticed a small crowd gathered outside.
A few Shi Clan cultivators were chatting animatedly, showing off their latest catches—giant beetle carapaces, large lizard tails, and vials of venom from some unknown creature.
Inside, the missions office was bustling. The air smelled faintly of ink and parchment, mixed with the earthy scent of beast hides.
A large task board stood in the middle of the room, filled with scrolls detailing various missions, rewards, and requests.
At the front desk, a clerk sat behind a sturdy wooden counter, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he recorded transactions.
Kellan and Big Bone walked up to the counter, and the clerk glanced up from his work.
He was an older man with a thin mustache and a no-nonsense demeanor: Shi Quan, the person in charge of the Missions Office.
"What do you have to hand in?" Shi Quan asked, his voice curt but efficient.
Kellan reached into his storage bag, pulling out the Clear Frost Grass they had found.
He also retrieved the frostfang spider fangs, carefully wrapped in a protective cloth.
"Frostfang spider fangs. We took them down in the Mystfall Forest.
Also, the tusks from a red-tipped boar I hunted after your suggestion, Elder Quan."
Big Bone added, "The spider was tough. We were hoping for something decent in return—better than the usual Qi Gathering Pills."
Shi Quan raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
He took the items and began inspecting them carefully.
After a moment, he nodded. "These are in good condition. Frostfang spiders are no small feat for cultivators at your level, and red-tipped boars are known for their toughness."
He disappeared into a back room for a few moments before returning with a small wooden box and a pouch.
"Here's your reward: two Blood Solidification Elixirs and a pouch filled with 100 spirit stones. These should aid your cultivation. Use them wisely."
Kellan and Big Bone exchanged surprised glances.
Blood Solidification Elixirs were far more valuable than Qi Gathering Pills, known for significantly speeding up cultivation at the Blood Solidification Realm, though they were taxing on the body.
And a hundred spirit stones were an exceptional reward for low-level missions.
"Thank you," Kellan said, bowing politely as he accepted the items.
Big Bone did the same, a wide grin spreading across his face.
As they stepped out of the missions office, Big Bone couldn't contain his excitement.
"Blood Solidification Elixirs! That's way better than I expected."
Kellan nodded, then handed the pouch of spirit stones and one of the elixirs to Big Bone.
Big Bone's eyes widened. Before he could protest, Kellan said,
"Take them. You should keep the spirit stones, Big Bone.
I don't have to worry about spirit stones for a while—I've still got plenty from those Nightshade Clan bastards."
Big Bone paused, his expression serious. After a moment of consideration, he nodded.
"Alright, Kellan. I'll take this, but I owe you one," he said, his tone firm.
Kellan laughed. "Hey, don't worry about it. We're friends, aren't we?"
Just as they were about to leave the missions office, a commotion caught their attention.
Turning toward the noise, they saw a familiar figure entering the building.
Tall and lean with a sharp, serious expression, it was Shi Lin, the son of the leader of the hunting party—and their old friend.
Behind him were his ever-present lackey, Shi Dao, and Shi Jun, whose father was head of the Administrations Office.
Kellan's face darkened slightly as he noticed Shi Dao whispering something into Shi Lin's ear.
Whatever it was, Shi Lin frowned, his gaze flicking toward Kellan and Big Bone.
"Sigh. Looks like we're in for a bit of trouble," Kellan muttered, running a hand over his face.
"Yeah," Big Bone agreed, his tone tinged with annoyance. "That bastard Shi Dao must still hold a grudge because you beat up his friends.
Serves them right for trying to bully Shi Yan. How can Shi Lin be so heartless?"
Kellan shook his head.
"I doubt Shi Lin even knows what happened to Shi Yan. If he did, I don't think he'd let Shi Dao do whatever he wanted."
"Maybe," Big Bone said, his fists tightening.
"But it doesn't change the fact that Shi Dao's always looking for ways to stir trouble."