When Bai Qingxue emerged from Liu Ningshuang’s side hall, she had an extra mission token in her hand.
“There have been unusual monster movements in the Luoyun Mountain Range recently. Go and investigate the source of the disturbance,” Liu Ningshuang had said as she sat behind her desk. Her tone was flat, as if she were giving instructions for a most ordinary task. “Although your cultivation progress is fast, you lack combat experience. This mission will be a good opportunity to temper yourself.”
“Am I going alone?” Bai Qingxue asked.
“I have arranged for a senior sister to accompany you.” Liu Ningshuang paused. “Lu Xueqing, she is at the seventh level of Qi Refining. You should have met her before. She will lead the team; you need only follow her.”
Bai Qingxue nodded in response. “Yes.”
Liu Ningshuang glanced at her and added, “Do not try to be a hero during the mission. Focus on the investigation. If you encounter danger, prioritize your life. Lu Xueqing knows the limits.”
“I understand.”
Bai Qingxue exited the side hall and walked down the stone steps. The mountain wind of late spring still carried a chill, but fresh green buds had already sprouted on the withered branches along the steps, looking exceptionally bright against the lingering snow.
She did not return directly to her courtyard. Instead, she took a detour to Lu Xueqing’s residence next door and handed over the mission token.
Lu Xueqing was sitting in her courtyard wiping a longsword. Seeing Bai Qingxue enter, she put down the sword and smiled. “Elder Liu already told me. Go get ready. Shall we set out in half an hour?”
“Alright.”
Returning to her own courtyard, Bai Qingxue packed a few changes of clothes, hung the Frost Condensation Sword at her waist, and secured the Moonfrost Silk close to her body. After checking the pills and dry rations in her storage bag and confirming everything was in order, she pushed open the door and stepped out.
Lu Xueqing was already waiting outside the courtyard gate. She wore a frost-white daoist robe with a longsword at her waist and a small pack on her back, looking clean and efficient. Her features carried a hint of heroism, with slightly upturned brows, but her eyes were not large; when she smiled, they curved into two crescents, softening her sharp features and exuding a warm sense of approachability. She felt like a gentle spring breeze, making one relax instinctively.
“Let’s go,” Lu Xueqing said.
The two walked along the mountain path toward the mountain gate.
The mission posting area was located in the Affairs Hall at the foot of Xuantian Sect’s main peak. It was a three-story stone hall, its front notice board covered in mission orders. Disciples were coming and going in a constant stream, most of them in the Qi Refining stage, discussing mission details and rewards in small groups.
When Bai Qingxue and Lu Xueqing entered the Affairs Hall, several people were already lined up at the registration desk. The two stood at the end of the line, and Lu Xueqing leaned over to whisper the mission details to Bai Qingxue.
“I’ve been to that mountain range north of Tianshu City once before. The terrain isn’t too complex, mostly dense forests and low hills. Common Tier 1 high-grade monsters include ironback bears and red flame pythons. Each monster has different habits and weaknesses; we’ll see what the specific situation is when we get there.”
Bai Qingxue nodded.
“Elder Liu said the mission is to investigate the source of the disturbance. It could be the territory expansion of a high-level monster or a herd migration. We’ll find the affected area first—don't be in a hurry to act.”
“Understood.”
The line moved forward slowly. After several disciples ahead of them finished registering, it was Bai Qingxue’s turn. The deacon in charge of registration took the mission token and their two identity tokens, flipping through them.
“Investigating monster disturbances?” The deacon looked up at Bai Qingxue, then at her cultivation token. “This junior sister is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining? The mission requirement is level five or higher.”
“She’s in a group with me,” Lu Xueqing stepped forward. “I’m at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Taking her along is within the rules.”
The deacon still hesitated, and several disciples waiting to accept missions looked over.
“Taking on a Tier 1 high-grade investigation mission at only the fourth level of Qi Refining? How bold,” a male disciple at the fifth level of Qi Refining said in a low voice, his tone dismissive.
“She has a senior sister leading her, after all,” another disciple chimed in. “But then again, these missions are usually for veteran disciples at the fifth or sixth level. New disciples should just stay in the sect and cultivate properly.”
The other disciples agreed. “Exactly. If something goes wrong, who’s going to take responsibility?”
Their voices weren't loud, but the Affairs Hall was quiet enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Bai Qingxue’s expression remained unchanged. She didn't look at them, simply standing quietly before the registration desk, waiting for the deacon’s decision.
Lu Xueqing’s brow furrowed. Just as she was about to speak, a cold voice came from behind them.
“I assigned this mission.”
The voice wasn't loud, but the Affairs Hall instantly fell silent. Liu Ningshuang had appeared at the entrance at some point. Dressed in her cultivation robe, her face was cold as she swept her gaze over the disciples who had been speaking. Her expression didn't change, but their faces turned pale, and they lowered their heads, not daring to look again.
Liu Ningshuang didn't say another word. She walked to the registration desk and told the deacon, “Register them.”
The deacon nodded hurriedly, wrote Bai Qingxue and Lu Xueqing’s names in the register, and handed back two mission tokens.
Liu Ningshuang turned to Bai Qingxue. “Do you remember what I told you earlier?”
“I remember, Elder,” Bai Qingxue bowed her head.
Liu Ningshuang glanced at Lu Xueqing, gave a slight nod, and then turned to leave without saying anything else.
The Affairs Hall remained silent for several breaths before the previous noise gradually returned. The disciples who had been gossiping earlier silently retreated to the back of the line, no longer daring to push forward.
Lu Xueqing smiled and said to Bai Qingxue, “Let’s go, Junior Sister.”
The two walked out of the Affairs Hall and headed toward the mountain gate along the stone steps.
Ancient trees towered on both sides of the path, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Lu Xueqing walked half a step ahead, her pace steady, occasionally looking back at Bai Qingxue.
“Junior Sister, did you hunt that snow-maned wolf on your own?”
“Yes.”
“Killing a level five at the third level of Qi Refining... I’ve been on Xueji Peak for three years and haven't seen many new disciples who could do that.” Lu Xueqing’s tone held a hint of sincere praise.
“But this mission is different. Tier 1 high-grade monsters start at at least the sixth level of Qi Refining. They might be in packs, or it could be a single high-level individual. Our main goal is to find the cause; we should try to avoid direct confrontation.”
Bai Qingxue nodded.
Lu Xueqing added a few more points about the mission arrangements and precautions, such as how to judge the type and cultivation of a monster by its tracks, how to maintain a sense of direction in the dense forest, and how to approach the target area without alerting the monsters.
Bai Qingxue listened intently; after all, these were things she had never heard of before.
As the mountain wind blew, Lu Xueqing glanced at Bai Qingxue’s profile. That face was as cold as ever, showing no emotion, and those few strands of white hair at her temples shimmered with a faint silver light in the sun.
She suddenly recalled the figure she had seen in the mist of the cold pond. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the path.
“Junior Sister, are you afraid?” Lu Xueqing suddenly asked.
Bai Qingxue looked at her, her pale eyes showing no ripples. “Of what?”
“Monsters, getting hurt, or...” Lu Xueqing paused and chuckled, “dying.”
Bai Qingxue thought for a moment and said, “Yes.”
Lu Xueqing was stunned for a second, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
“You really are...” She shook her head, not finishing her sentence.
Lu Xueqing found she couldn't find the right word to describe Bai Qingxue. “Transparent” wasn't quite right, and “sincere” wasn't enough either. She just felt that this junior sister had a strange kind of directness.
The mountain wind ruffled the white hair at Bai Qingxue’s temples. Lu Xueqing’s gaze instinctively followed those few strands until they fell back onto her shoulder. Realizing she had been staring for a bit too long, her ears warmed slightly, and she quickly looked away.
“Junior Sister, if there’s anything you don’t understand about cultivation, you can come and ask me,” Lu Xueqing said, her tone deliberately more natural. “I live in the courtyard right next to yours. You can come find me anytime.”
“Alright.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re fellow disciples; it’s only right to help each other.”
Bai Qingxue glanced at her but didn't respond.
Lu Xueqing didn't mind and continued forward.
One after the other, they walked along the mountain path toward the gate. The sun was bright, the wind was light, and Bai Qingxue’s robes fluttered slightly in the breeze, revealing the Frost Condensation Sword at her waist.
On the withered branches along the path, fresh green buds trembled gently in the wind. Occasionally, early spring birds flew through the woods, leaving behind a string of crisp chirps.
Lu Xueqing walked in front, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
Going on a mission with this junior sister didn't seem so bad after all.
The mountain gate was in sight, and the two quickened their pace. In the distance, toward Tianshu City, clouds and mist swirled, making the view unclear.
Bai Qingxue withdrew her gaze from the mist and pulled her thoughts back to the mission.
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