Lin Tian entered the bustling mission hall, scanning the surroundings with a quiet intensity. Conversations hummed around him, excitement rippling through the crowd as disciples discussed the upcoming outer ranking competition. Only a month away, the event was an opportunity for every outer disciple to prove themselves, and Lin Tian was no exception.
He knew he needed to be at his peak if he wanted to make an impact. His mind drifted to the rows of resources displayed in the hall, tools that could enhance his cultivation or fortify his body. The Body Tempering Elixirs particularly caught his eye—renowned for enhancing a cultivator's physical endurance and power. With the competition drawing near and looming threats all around, these elixirs could be his edge.
His excitement, however, was quickly dampened when he checked the price: 100 contribution points per pill.
Lin Tian's fists clenched. The stakes were too high for him to simply walk away. With recent skirmishes, brewing threats, and the competition itself, he needed every advantage he could secure. Yet these elixirs seemed almost deliberately out of reach, like a mocking taunt.
He took a deep breath, resolving to find a solution. Determined, he began scanning the mission board for tasks that offered significant rewards. His gaze moved from mission to mission, each more mundane than the last, until one listing seized his attention.
Wanted: Group of Bandits, 2-Star Difficulty Reward: 500 Contribution Points
The mission details described a bandit group that had been terrorizing nearby villages. It promised a substantial reward for their elimination, enough points for several elixirs. Lin Tian's heart raced as he continued reading. The leader of the group was rumored to be at the Qi Refining stage, an unusually high level for bandits. It was a daunting prospect, especially for someone like him who had yet to reach that realm.
Just then, the mission hall receptionist caught sight of Lin Tian eyeing the mission. A look of concern crossed her face as she approached him.
"Young master Lin," she began cautiously, "are you certain about this mission? This bandit gang is no ordinary group. The leader has been rumored to have reached the Qi Refining stage. Even a veteran Body Refining cultivator would think twice before accepting."
Lin Tian met her gaze, his eyes resolute. "I understand the risks," he replied, his voice steady. "But I need these points. My training demands it."
The receptionist hesitated, clearly torn. She wasn't the only one who noticed his choice—nearby disciples turned, some muttering under their breath. Skeptical glances were cast his way, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
"Isn't he just at the Body Refining stage? Taking on a two-star mission like that... it's madness."
"Does he think he can actually handle it?"
"Maybe he's desperate for attention. Or he's just reckless."
Lin Tian ignored their words, maintaining his composure. He'd learned to silence such voices long ago. Gathering his supplies, he collected a few healing pills, a ration pack, and an extra blade, all essentials for a mission that could drag on in unknown territory. Once he'd gathered everything, he turned to leave, aware of the questioning gazes that followed him out of the hall.
Unbeknownst to him, among the crowd were informants of Qiu Wei, one of the sect's more notorious disciples and Lin Tian's bitter rival. They quickly slipped away, intent on passing this information to Qiu Wei, who had been waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Back in his quarters, Lin Tian meticulously prepared. He carefully packed his supplies, his hands moving with practiced efficiency as he checked and rechecked every item. This mission was a high-stakes gamble, but he was prepared to give it his all. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the looming threats, both within and outside the sect. He could feel a storm brewing around him, and every step he took felt like one closer to a critical point.
With his preparations complete, Lin Tian set out, his resolve as unshakable as the blade he carried. The path to the bandits' hideout led him through a dense forest, known to be perilous even for skilled cultivators. The foliage thickened as he ventured further, the trees standing tall and silent, their leaves casting shifting shadows over the narrow path.
He moved swiftly but cautiously, alert to every sound and flicker in the underbrush. Birds called overhead, their cries echoing in the quiet forest, while the occasional rustle hinted at unseen creatures lurking just out of sight.
Hours passed in near silence, save for the rhythmic crunch of his steps on the forest floor. His mind was attuned to the task at hand, but there was an underlying tension that gnawed at him. He knew this mission wouldn't be straightforward, and his nerves were on edge as he pressed on.
A sudden rustling behind him broke his focus.
Lin Tian halted, his senses flaring. The sound had been faint, barely discernible, yet unmistakable in the stillness of the forest. He turned, scanning the trees and shadows, every muscle tensed.
Silence settled once more, but his instincts screamed a warning. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as though it, too, waited to see what he would do next.
He remained perfectly still, listening. Perhaps it was just an animal, he reasoned, or the wind stirring the branches. But a cold sensation prickled at the back of his neck, a warning that he wasn't alone.
He tightened his grip on his weapon, every sense heightened. His eyes darted from shadow to shadow, straining to detect any movement. The silence grew heavier, more oppressive, as if the forest itself had turned hostile.
Lin Tian took a steadying breath, forcing himself to remain calm. This wasn't the time to lose his composure. If someone—or something—was following him, he needed to be ready.
Another faint rustle, closer this time.
Without a second thought, Lin Tian shifted into a defensive stance, his gaze locked on the shadows beyond. His mind raced through possibilities: a scouting bandit, a wild beast, or something more sinister?
His heart pounded, the silence stretching as he waited, every fiber of his being alert. Whatever awaited him, he would face it head-on. He could feel the tension in the air, a moment stretched thin, like a bowstring drawn to its limit.
Then, a subtle but distinct shift in the shadows sent a shiver down his spine.
And as he prepared to confront whatever lurked there, he knew this was only the beginning. The true danger lay ahead, waiting, watching.
And Lin Tian, alone in the depths of the forest, would soon be forced to face it.