Kellan and Big Bone exchanged wary glances as Shi Lin and his group approached.
The air in the missions office grew heavy, the cheerful hum of activity giving way to a tense silence.
It was clear the other cultivators present had picked up on the brewing conflict and were eager to watch how it unfolded.
Shi Lin stopped a few steps away from Kellan and Big Bone, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
He nodded at them, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Kellan. Big Bone. I heard you've been busy lately. Red-Tipped Boars, was it?"
Kellan kept his face neutral but nodded.
"That's right. I figured I had to find some way to get stronger before the clan tournament starts."
Shi Dao sneered, stepping forward.
"Must be nice, strolling in and collecting rewards like that. Some of us have real work to do, keeping the clan safe, going out to hunt demonic beasts, and making sure no one messes with the Shi Clan."
Big Bone's face darkened, but Kellan put a calming hand on his shoulder.
"We all contribute in our own way, Shi Dao," Kellan replied, his tone measured.
"But if you're talking about keeping the clan safe, well, I don't think the hunting party has been doing a very good job at it these days."
Shi Lin's frown deepened, and he held up a hand, silencing Shi Dao before the situation escalated.
"Enough, Shi Dao. We don't need to start petty fights in the middle of the missions office." He turned his attention back to Kellan, his voice low but firm.
"Still, I know what you're talking about, Kellan. The Nightshade Clan... The incident in the Mystfall Forest... It's got people talking.
People are starting to question the authority of the hunting party, whether or not they are able to do their job of keeping the clan safe.
Well, I assure you, nothing like what happened to you and Big Bone will happen again."
Kellan's eyes sharpened, but he kept his tone calm. "I hope so, Shi Lin. Things have been pretty iffy around the clan lately."
Shi Lin's eyes showed anger. "I know. The Nightshade Clan has been awfully aggressive these days.
They seem to not put the Shi Clan in their eyes. I've heard rumors that there's been some involvement from the Frey Clan."
Kellan narrowed his eyes trying to probe what Shi Lin knew about the situation.
"Oh? Why would the Frey Clan of the Eastern Dominance interfere with the affairs of the Mystfall Region? Are they not afraid of the wrath of the Imperial Yan Clan?"
Shi Lin shook his head. "I don't know what they're thinking regardless, you also hold some responsibility in this matter.
If you come face to face with members of the Nightshade Clan, at your strength, it's better to run away, I think."
Before Kellan could respond, Shi Jun stepped forward, his smirk razor-sharp.
"Hey Kellan, don't you know your unnecessary disputes also affect Shi Clan members who travel to the Mystfall Forest?
Your conflicts with the Nightshade Clan put them in danger, so your actions are everyone's concern. Don't think your little skirmishes go unnoticed."
Big Bone stepped up, unable to contain his anger any longer.
"If you're so concerned about the clan, maybe you should focus on stopping people like Shi Dao from bullying others.
Or is that too much to ask?"
Shi Dao opened his mouth to retort, but Shi Lin's sharp glare silenced him.
"Enough. This isn't the time or place. I know what you did. Petty fights are okay, but direct conflicts between clan members are not allowed."
Kellan took a small step forward, meeting Shi Lin's gaze directly.
"I respect the clan, Shi Lin, and I always act in its best interests. If anyone thinks otherwise, they're welcome to prove it. I don't want to get into conflict with you, Shi Lin.
I also know how much you respect the clan, so it's best we keep out of each other's way."
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension so thick it was almost tangible.
Then Shi Lin nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "We'll see."
He turned sharply, motioning for Shi Dao and Shi Jun to follow him.
The three of them exited the missions office, leaving behind a room buzzing with curiosity and speculation.
Big Bone let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"That guy is such a pain. Why can't he see that Shi Dao's just trying to stir up trouble?"
Kellan shook his head.
"Shi Lin's not the problem right now. But Shi Dao… He's going to make things difficult. We'll need to watch our backs."
Big Bone nodded, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"Agreed. But what now?"
Kellan looked toward the task board, his mind racing.
"Now? We keep moving forward. Let them talk. Let them plot. We've got a tournament coming up, and that's where we'll prove ourselves.
In the face of absolute strength, petty matters like this don't mean much."
As they left the missions office, the unease lingered, but Kellan and Big Bone tried to put it out of their minds.
"Why don't we go to the Clan Library, catch up with Shi Yan, see if he's found something for us?" Big Bone said.
"Yeah, maybe he's found a way for us to get stronger. To be honest, I would prefer a way to better utilize my spiritual energy," Kellan said.
"I'd like something that can improve my strength. That boar meat made me feel all warm, like I ate a really good tonic.
I'm pretty sure if I cultivate for a little while longer, I can break through to the third level," Big Bone added.
Kellan looked a bit heartbroken remembering the Awakening Ceremony when Big Bone's talent was shown "This is probably what it means when someone is a Genius"
Big Bone looked at Kellan's expression and looked a bit confused "What?"
"Nothing" Kellan sighed. "Let's just go the the library, I hope we find something there, the tournament is just around the corner"
"Right" Big Bone replied