Mission Hall stood tall in the very heart of the sect's core territory. The building rose high with pitch-black pillars, adorned with carvings of dragons and phoenixes that seemed alive beneath the shimmering rainbow light. Around it, dozens of disciples bustled about, most of them gathering in front of a massive stone board that displayed the latest missions.
Bai Tian stepped inside calmly, his white robe fluttering gently in the morning breeze. His eyes swept toward the stone board. The glowing inscriptions, formed from a special formation, shifted continuously to reveal missions ranging from hunting demonic beasts, gathering rare herbs, to guarding various territories.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was loud and restless.
"Quick! The mission to hunt the Fire Wolf has already been taken!"
"Ahh, too late again. Looks like I'll only get a herb-gathering task."
"Don't underestimate herb gathering. Sometimes it's even more dangerous than hunting demonic beasts!"
The disciples' voices overlapped into a chaotic chorus. Some faces shone with excitement, while others were filled with disappointment as the missions they desired vanished from the board.
Bai Tian stood still for a moment, observing. Most of the lower-level missions had already been snatched away. What remained were tasks of medium to high difficulty.
His gaze fell upon a glowing line on the mission board.
Special Mission – Collect the Cloud Spirit Leaf in the Night Fog Forest.
Reward: 1,500 sect contribution points.
Warning: This area is inhabited by a Tier-3 Mist Demon Beast, equivalent to the Spiritual Sea Realm.
Bai Tian frowned slightly. At first glance, the mission looked simple, but he knew the hidden danger within. The Cloud Spirit Leaf was not just an ordinary herb—it was a crucial ingredient for refining tier-three pills. Each leaf could become a prize fought over by alchemists, especially since its quality was exceedingly rare.
The true difficulty lay in the presence of the Mist Demon Beast. Not only was it powerful, but also cunning, its body seemingly merging with the fog, making it nearly impossible to track.
Yet it was precisely this kind of challenge that could temper him.
"If I succeed, not only will the mission be complete, but with additional Cloud Spirit Leaves, I can sell them or exchange them for even more contribution points," Bai Tian thought, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Just as he was about to step forward, his gaze stopped at another striking line.
Tier-3 Mission – Slay the Ghost Deer and bring back its antlers.
Reward: 600 sect contribution points.
Location: Night Fog Forest, around two kilometers near the river stream.
Bai Tian paused. The Ghost Deer, though merely a peak Tier-2 demonic beast, was notoriously swift and elusive. Its antlers contained spiritual essence, a precious material for forging weapons or formations, making the mission equally sought after.
Two missions. Two choices.
The first carried immense risk but promised great rewards.The second was lighter, yet still challenging—a suitable test of his combat strength.
Bai Tian stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"If I enter the Night Fog Forest, perhaps I could complete both at once… but that would mean double the danger."
His gaze sharpened, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Very well… opportunities like this don't come twice. I'll take them both."
He strode confidently toward the mission elder's desk, calmly handing over his disciple token.
"I will accept these two missions," he declared firmly.
The silver-haired elder looked at him deeply, as though measuring the resolve hidden behind Bai Tian's words.
"Two missions in the Night Fog Forest at once? You do realize even inner disciples rarely dare attempt both."
Bai Tian returned the gaze with clear eyes."Precisely because of that—I must do it."
Silence lingered briefly before the elder nodded. With a bony finger, he imprinted a red seal onto Bai Tian's token, its faint glow seeping into it.
"Very well. You have ten days. Remember—do not act recklessly. The Night Fog Forest is no friendly place for low-ranked disciples."
"Thank you for the warning, Elder." Bai Tian bowed respectfully before turning to leave.
Back at his residence, Bai Tian immediately began preparations. He opened a wooden box filled with bottles of refined pills. Along with them, he carried a simple handmade compass to help him mark paths and avoid losing his way.
Once everything was ready, Bai Tian sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to circulate his cultivation technique. The gentle flow of spiritual qi echoed through his body, ensuring his condition reached its peak before departure.
Hours later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Bai Tian stood up. His white robe had been exchanged for a darker gray one, more suited for travel in the forest. A slender black sword hung across his back, while a storage pouch at his waist carried his pills and equipment.
He stepped out of his residence. The evening breeze brushed against his face, carrying a faint chill. From afar, the Night Fog Forest loomed like a vast sea of white mist, devouring all light, its swirling haze resembling a living creature lying in wait.
Bai Tian stopped briefly, gazing from a distance. Then, with resolute steps, he set out toward the sect's outer gate and vanished along the path leading to the forest.
The eastern region of the Cloud Continent was ruled by five great sects and one empire. Each held vast lands with influence and power not to be underestimated.
Among them, the Rainbow Cloud Sect stood at the easternmost edge, bordering the endless sea. Its existence was unique—the imperfect mist rising from the ocean bent the sunlight and reflected it into dazzling seven-colored brilliance. From afar, the sect appeared as though it rested beneath an eternal rainbow, a sight that made countless cultivators gaze upon it with awe.
Yet despite its prosperity, a place of grim mystery remained within the east—the Night Fog Forest.
The reason few dared to venture there was simple—even sunlight could not pierce its core. Eternal mist shrouded every tree and stone, the air so cold it could freeze the organs of ordinary men.
Still, the Rainbow Cloud Sect did not wholly neglect it. With the elders' strength, they conquered nearly a third of its outer region, establishing guard posts and formation towers to monitor its state. But the deeper one went, the greater the lurking dangers—and to this day, the innermost core of the Night Fog Forest remained an untouched secret.
After traveling the entire day, Bai Tian finally arrived at one of the Rainbow Cloud Sect's guard posts on the forest's border. The structure, a stone pavilion reinforced by formations, stood firm with protective light flickering faintly around it.
At the gate, several disciples were stationed, checking the identities of those entering. Bai Tian stepped forward and presented his token. Behind a table, a stern-faced elder scrutinized every disciple with sharp eyes.
"Name?" the elder asked."Bai Tian," he replied simply.
The disciple token was placed atop a small circular formation. Instantly, red light flared before the elder nodded slightly. A scroll of agreement was unfurled before Bai Tian.
"If you wish to enter the Night Fog Forest, sign this contract."
Bai Tian swiftly read through it. Only a few lines, yet sharp as blades:
'The sect holds no responsibility over the life or death of disciples who enter the Night Fog Forest. All risks must be borne personally. Except in rare cases concerning threats to the sect itself, no intervention shall be given.'
Bai Tian exhaled softly, then pricked his finger, leaving a drop of blood upon the scroll. The moment his blood sank into it, the contract burned into ash and vanished into the air.
The elder nodded.
"You may enter. Remember—beyond the protective formation, every step is a trial of life and death. Do not expect rescue should misfortune strike."
Bai Tian bowed respectfully before stepping past the gate. The protective formation's light quivered as his body crossed through, and in the next instant, he stood at the edge of the forest's abyssal darkness.
Thick fog greeted him, its chilling cold seeping into his bones. Towering trees intertwined their branches like massive barriers, sealing off the sky. Strange sounds echoed faintly, whether from the wind or from creatures lurking within the shadows.
With unwavering steps, Bai Tian finally set foot inside the forest.