They chose to stay at the village inn for the night. Though he already took the pack leader's core, Su Ming arranged for the wolves to be cleaned, keeping only the hides for mission confirmation, while leaving the rest to the villagers.
That evening, the villagers celebrated with food and laughter, and by morning, the entire village gathered at the gates to bid them farewell.
Su Ming did not forget to discreetly inspect the villagers, curious to see if any had potential for cultivation. Sadly, there was none.
***
Su Ming and Lin Yao descended from their flying sword at the outskirts of Yellow Forest City, the settlement closest to the next mission grounds. Compared to the bustling of the Clearwind city, this was quieter but still busy.
Stone-paved streets stretched ahead, lined with stalls selling herbs, trinkets, steaming buns, and skewers of sizzling meat.
The scent of spices, herbs, and sweetness lingered in the air, blending with the haggling of sellers and buyers alike.
Lin Yao's eyes widened in curiosity as she took in every detail. This was her first time leaving the sect since becoming Su Ming's disciple.
Life had never been easy for her, and she had long accepted that hardship as if the heavens had laid chains upon her. Yet, deep inside, a flame of defiance had always burned. It was that stubborn fire which had kept her walking forward, step by step.
Then came Su Ming—her Master, the Peak Master of White Lotus Peak. To her, he was not an "acting" master, but truly the Peak Master of the White Lotus Peak deserved.
She had never met anyone like him.
When all others rejected her for her lack of talent, he extended his hand.
When every elder dismissed her, he stood tall, even daring to speak openly against the Sect Master himself.
To Lin Yao, that alone was enough to etch him forever in her heart as someone great. But beyond that, he taught her the inheritance of the White Lotus Peak, explained every doubt clearly, and guided her in cultivation without reservation.
She liked that. She admired that. She greatly respected him for that.
Meeting Su Ming had changed her life. For that, she was grateful—not just to him, but to the heavens themselves.
As if she could feel subtle changes within herself since then, as if life had become a little smoother, and the world a little brighter.
Yet, a lifetime of hardship has taught her its lessons. She reminded herself constantly: nothing should be taken lightly.
That flicker of seriousness crossed her face once more.
This sudden change in the expression of his disciple did not go unnoticed by Su Ming.
He knew well enough that cultivation was not everything, even in the world of cultivation. It was also about enjoying small, fleeting moments of daily life.
As they walked past the stalls, Su Ming paused at one where someone was selling glistening sugar-coated fruits on bamboo skewers.
A faint smile touched his lips as he bought two.
"Try this," he said, handing one to Lin Yao. "It's important to experience the world—not only through cultivation, but through its flavors too."
Lin Yao's expression softened, and a genuine smile appeared on her face as she accepted it.
***
Mission: Collect the Moon-Bloom Petals
Difficulty: Low Foundation Establishment
Reward: 180 Low-Grade Spirit Stones + Additional spoils can be exchanged within the sect.
Details: Within the Hollow Caves, outskirts of the Yellow Forest City, a patch of Moon-Bloom herbs has been spotted. These rare Yin-type herbs that bloom once every ten years and are prized by the Alchemy Hall for refining Frost Essence Pills. The flowers grow near pools of condensed Yin qi, which can chill meridians and hinder cultivation if touched unprotected.
Reports confirm that a Frost Lizard (Mid Grade) has claimed the area, attacking disciples sent earlier.
Objective: Collect at least 30 Moon-Bloom Petals. Neutralizing the Frost Lizard is recommended but not mandatory.
***
Su Ming read the mission description, then glanced at Lin Yao.
"Like the previous mission, this will be your trial. You've grown stronger, but cultivation is not meditation alone. You must fight, adapt, and temper yourself in danger."
Lin Yao's grip on her sword tightened. "Yes, Master."
Extending his divine sense, Su Ming moved through the deep jungle as they searched for the Hollow Caves. Before long, a chill seeped into his senses. His eyes narrowed.
This is it. The Cold. The chill of the Yin element.
Inside, frost coated the walls, glittering with tiny shards of ice.
The pair flared their Crimson Flame Mantra faintly, pushing back the chilling cold as they advanced deeper.
At the end of the cave, silver moonlight shone through cracks above, bathing a wide chamber in pale blue. Patches of yin water gathered on the ground, blue and glassy like mirrors. From within them, the Moon Bloom Flowers bloomed, their petals curling like frozen flames, glowing faintly with ethereal light.
But then, suddenly, a low hiss rolled across the chamber.
From the shadows, a creature the size of a small horse emerged, scales gleaming with icy blue radiance. Its cold breath fogged the air.
There it was. The Frost Lizard.
It fixed its predatory gaze upon the intruders, ready to defend its treasured flowers.
Lin Yao instinctively raised her sword, but Su Ming caught her arm.
"Wait."
He probed the beast with essence sight. All of the information flooded in. Its strength was almost at the level of the third - perhaps even fourth grade of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Dangerous for Lin Yao, but not even a challenge for him.
No other creatures lurked nearby. That's good.
"This will be difficult," he instructed her, and continued, "But remember its nature. Cold qi nourishes it. Fire restrains it. Don't fight recklessly."
Lin Yao's eyes burned with resolve. "Understood, Master. But… I have one request."
Su Ming's brow furrowed slightly.
"I want to handle this. Please don't intervene. Unless it's truly beyond me."
He did not want to be reckless here and endanger her life, but when he saw the determination in her eyes, he gave up.
"…Very well."
Stepping back into the shadows, he spread his divine sense across the cavern. Every movement of the beast and his disciple fell under his watch. His fingers were ready to unleash his Flame Sword Manifestation at a moment's notice.
Lin Yao launched forward like an arrow. Her Cloud Chasing Sword Technique came into life as her blade blazed with a faint crimson flame.
The Frost Lizard met her strike with a heavy sweep of its tail. Steel clashed against icy scales as sparks of steam hissed into the air. The impact staggered her, almost knocking her to the ground. But she gritted her teeth, pouring qi into her stance, and steadied.
Good, Su Ming thought.
The beast roared, exhaling a breath of freezing mist. Lin Yao responded instantly. Third form, Cloud Veil Spiral, whirling her blade, she weaved a barrier that held back the frost. Without hesitation, she countered, thrusting through the mist with Drifting Cloud Thrust, her flame carving a path.
The cavern shook as the flame and the frost clashed, dissipating into steam.
Yet the lizard's scales were unaffected. Each cut just grazed its armored hide. Sweat trickled down her temples. Her arms ached. But still, she pressed on.
Su Ming's gaze sharpened. Her every motion was under his scrutiny. She had a low-grade defensive artifact, and he had healing pills at the ready.
But for now, both of them stood uninjured, so he let her continue.
But she can truly fight.
And that mattered. Because while he could end this battle with a thought, Su Ming himself had yet to test his strength against enemies beyond his realm. Watching her, he felt admiration, even pride.
Lin Yao's Crimson Flame Mantra surged brighter, feeding her strikes. She shifted into Cloud Step Slash, the first move Su Ming had drilled into her countless times.
Her blade no longer wasted energy on the hard scales, but instead targeted the joints, the softer overlaps.
One strike, then another, followed by another. She continued the flurry of attacks relentlessly.
The Frost Lizard countered with sweeping tail strikes and waves of frost breath. Each attack rattled the cavern, but Lin Yao endured, dodging through steam and ice.
Finally, the lizard gave an opening.
Her sword slashed across its left eye. The beast shrieked, thrashing. But the counterattack came fast.
Its tail hammered her into the cavern wall. She cried out, breath knocked from her chest.
Su Ming's fingers twitched as qi emerged. His Flame Sword Manifestation was ready.
"Master, don't!" Lin Yao's voice cut through the lizard's cry. "I can endure. I can still fight!"
Her body trembled, legs nearly giving way. But then her eyes hardened. With a roar of her own, she pushed off the wall, her cultivation surging at its peak. She lunged at the blinded side of the beast.
The lizard sensed danger, tried to turn, but it was a second too late.