Time flowed, and six months passed.
Rin Family's Miscellaneous Hall.
A five-story pavilion, built from massive boulders and standing more than ten zhang tall, served as the place where many family members accepted clan tasks.
Rin Tianhai stood among them.
On the first floor, a giant golden screen displayed rows of clan tasks in bold red characters. Every so often, one or several tasks disappeared, taken up by other Rin family members.
Looking closely, the screen listed hundreds of densely packed tasks.
"Find two Golden Yuan Grass within six months. Reward: 130 Merit Points. Requirement: Sixth Level of Qi Refinement."
"Guard the Clan Spiritual Herb Garden for one year. Reward: 15 Merit Points. No cultivation requirement."
"Assist the Enforcement Hall in clearing Demonic Beasts from the Luoyun Mountain Range. Duration: one year. Reward: 80 Merit Points. Requirement: Seventh Level of Qi Refinement."
"Defend Qingfeng Town for three years. Reward: 450 Merit Points. Requirement: Fifth Level of Qi Refinement."
After half an hour of careful reading, Rin Tianhai had looked through all of them.
He could attempt most tasks, but either they took too much time or were far too risky.
In his years of cultivation, he had mastered the Five Elements Spell and Technique Secret Arts and sparred often with his peers. But he had never faced a true battle.
The beast-clearing mission in the Luoyun Mountain Range tempted him. It would let him hone his spells and gain combat experience. But his cultivation did not yet meet the requirement.
The Qingfeng Town defense task also drew his attention. Though three years was long, it would allow him to practice alchemy and even return home for half a month each year.
Determined, Rin Tianhai chose Qingfeng Town. The additional income would also ease his empty pockets.
He approached the front desk, exchanged a few words with the Executive Officer, and smoothly accepted the assignment.
For long-term but relatively safe tasks like guarding towns or clan assets, one could even receive a portion of the reward in advance. This allowed cultivators to purchase resources before relocating.
With the advance reward in hand, Rin Tianhai planned to buy cultivation resources for both alchemy and training.
Currently, he had only two Spirit Essence Pills, twenty Spirit Stones, materials for twenty Fasting Pills, and materials for ten Spirit Essence Pills—far from enough for a full year.
The task reward gave him 150 Merit Points, and combined with his earlier savings, he now held 170 Merit Points. With this, he intended to buy more alchemy materials and try refining additional Spirit Essence Pills.
At the Hall of Merit, he found Grandpa Shi, Rin Shixin, and successfully exchanged ten sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials for 100 Merit Points. He also purchased two First Order Superior Attack Talismans for 30 points, leaving him with 40 Merit Points.
After converting those into Spirit Stones, he replenished everything and left the hall.
Now his possessions included: 40 sets of Fasting Pill materials, 20 sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials, 2 First Order Superior Attack Talismans, 4 Spirit Essence Pills, 20 Spirit Stones. And no Merit Points left. By cultivator standards, he was utterly impoverished.
The task required him to reach Qingfeng Town within ten days to replace the stationed clan member. With time to spare, he decided to refine his spells and secret techniques further.
Summoning his Green Bamboo Sword, he soared toward a secluded valley on Green Bamboo Mountain.
Half an hour later, Rin Tianhai arrived at a quiet ravine filled with dense jungle, towering trees, wild animals, and a narrow river three zhang wide.
This was his long-time training ground. He often came here to practice the Five Elements Spell, testing his arts on beasts—and roasting their meat afterward.
Sitting on a massive boulder, he adjusted his state with a full circulation of the Fire Origin Decision.
Then, with focus, he invoked its secret technique:
"Huoyuan Slash!"
A massive flaming sword materialized above his head. The heat scorched the surrounding vegetation within several zhang, reducing it to ash.
"Go!"
The fiery blade vanished in a flash, reappearing a hundred zhang away, where it cleaved a tree as thick as a bucket in two. The stump was left charred and lifeless.
"Hiss…"
Even after repeated practice, Rin Tianhai was awed by its destructive might. But the technique consumed enormous spiritual power. He could only unleash it a few times before exhausting himself, so he reserved it as a trump card.
Over the next several days, he practiced relentlessly, exhausting his power each time. His casting speed improved until he could execute Huoyuan Slash in half a breath. His Five Elements Spells could now be released instantly as well.
Several trees fell victim to his training—either burned to cinders or bound by spiritual tendrils.
During this time, he also indulged in hearty meals, savoring the food he knew he would soon miss.
With more than half the allotted days gone, he prepared to bid farewell to his grandfather and mother before leaving.
For the first time, Rin Tianhai would be leaving the clan alone. Though he had twice gone with his father to Luoyun Market, he had never once left his father's side. The thought stirred anticipation for the outside world.
Mounting his sword, he took off toward home.
Back at the Rin family courtyard…
Grandfather Rin Shigong, who managed the Alchemy Hall, rarely returned home due to heavy responsibilities. Upon hearing that Rin Tianhai had accepted the Qingfeng Town task, he came back to see him.
Rin Jian, Tianhai's father, had also just returned from Luoyun Market for a short rest.
Under a maple tree, the three generations sat together, drinking tea, while Tianhai's mother and sister prepared dinner nearby.
Rin Shigong wore a worried expression.
He had raised Tianhai since childhood. With dual spiritual roots and outstanding alchemy talent, he did not wish for him to venture out so soon.
Though Qingfeng Town was not far—barely six hundred li, or two days on a flying sword—the Cultivation World was dangerous not only because of demonic beasts but also because of greedy humans and treacherous evil cultivators.
Looking at his grandson, Rin Shigong said solemnly:
"Tianhai, I have refined elixirs for the clan for sixty years. Most of the clan's pills come from my hands. I can speak to your twelfth uncle and arrange a safer task for you."
Rin Jian, his father, flushed with embarrassment.
"Father, if everyone relied on favors, how could the Clan Leader manage the family? You've contributed greatly, but we cannot bend rules for personal gain. Others would criticize us."
Rin Tianhai also spoke firmly:
"Grandfather, a flower raised in a greenhouse cannot grow tall. You cannot always stand behind me."
(Though he admitted inwardly: My alchemy barely sustains itself. Without more resources, both my cultivation and alchemy progress like snail.)
Rin Jian added gravely:
"The cultivation world is vast, with thousands of clans. The Rin Family is but a small one. Without facing true trials, how can one ever stand strong?"
Seeing his grandfather's expression soften, Tianhai quickly pressed further:
"Qingfeng Town is close to home and safe inland. I've prepared two First Order Superior Attack Talismans. As long as I don't seek trouble, I will be fine. Please don't worry."
His clear eyes met Rin Shigong's gaze.
At last, the old man relented. Too much protection indeed stifled growth. His face eased, and he finally said:
"Take these—two First Order Superior Defense Talismans, two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills, three Essence Replenishing Pills, one Jade Detoxification Pill, and twenty sets of Spirit Origin Pill ingredients."
He handed them over with careful instructions:
"Do not neglect either cultivation or alchemy. After one year, return home, and I will test your alchemy progress."
"Yes, Grandfather!" Rin Tianhai replied firmly, deeply moved.
His grandfather's support only strengthened his resolve: to cultivate diligently, to excel in alchemy, and to bring honor to the family.
Taking the items, he added softly:
"Grandfather, please take care of your health as well. Don't overwork."
Rin Jian, experienced in worldly matters, offered a different kind of gift—a map of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
"Remember—stay calm and composed, humble but not servile. Think thrice before acting."
"Thank you, Father…"
That night, the family gathered together. Rin Shigong even brought out his treasured Spiritual Wine, sharing it with Rin Jian.
They enjoyed a rare and joyous family meal to send Rin Tianhai off on his journey.