The news that the sect had decided to form hunting squads to conduct precise strikes against the Shadow Snake Pavilion's peripheral strongholds had not been publicly announced. However, the tense atmosphere following the high-level resolution and the personnel mobilization could not be concealed from attentive observers, let alone Tang Xiaoqi, who stood at the heart of the matter.
When he learned of this specific plan from his master, Xuanlin Zhenren, Xiaoqi felt no surprise. Instead, he felt a sense of relief, as if to say: "It has finally come." He silently listened to his master's recount, as well as the sect's cautious attitude toward this operation and its risk assessments.
Xuanlin Zhenren looked at him, his tone carrying admonishment: "This operation carries no small risk. The Shadow Snake Pavilion is treacherous; there must be powerful experts stationed within their strongholds, and traps may have been laid. Your cultivation is shallow, and you are their primary target. Remaining within the sect is the safest course."
However, Xiaoqi slowly raised his head. His gaze was calm, but carried an unshakable determination. He bowed deeply to Xuanlin Zhenren.
"Master," his voice was clear and steady, echoing within the quiet chamber, "your disciple requests to participate in this hunting operation."
Xuanlin Zhenren was momentarily taken aback, his brow furrowing: "Xiaoqi, do you understand the dangers within? This is not a sparring match within the sect, but true life-and-death combat! In such battles, weapons strike without eyes; demonic cultivators employ treacherous methods. A single misstep spells eternal damnation!"
"Your disciple understands." Xiaoqi's response held no hesitation whatsoever. "Precisely because it is dangerous, your disciple must all the more go forth."
He straightened his body, meeting his master's gaze—filled with worry and incomprehension—and slowly stated his reasons:
"First, cultivation in seclusion, detached from the world, can hardly forge greatness. Your disciple, sheltered by the sect, has been able to cultivate in peace until now; the foundation has been preliminarily solidified, and techniques have achieved some success. Yet a flower raised in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and rain. True growth requires the tempering of blood and fire, the honing of life-and-death combat, to fuse what has been learned into a seamless whole and transcend oneself. Hiding forever under the sect's protection, your disciple will never be able to stand independently."
He paused, his tone growing weightier: "Second, and even more important: the Shadow Snake Pavilion has a blood feud with me and my clan—one that admits no coexistence. The fellow disciples who fell at the Jade Mine and Herb Garden were implicated because of me. Such a blood debt—if I cannot avenge it with my own hands, my heart for the Dao will never be at peace, my thoughts never smooth!"
In his eyes, it was as if flames burned—a resentment and resolve that had been suppressed for too long: "The enmity between the Shadow Snake Pavilion and myself must be personally ended by your disciple! Hiding behind, watching fellow disciples fight and bleed while I enjoy protection in safety—this, your disciple... cannot do!"
"Please, Master, please, Temple Master—give your disciple a chance! Let me personally sever this karmic bond! Even if it means destroying only one tiny stronghold of theirs, even if I can only kill a few of their enemy minions, to your disciple, it will still be an important baptism and affirmation of the Dao-heart!"
Xiaoqi's voice was not loud, yet each word rang with power, carrying a force like a hammer striking iron, impacting Xuanlin Zhenren's mind and spirit.
Xuanlin Zhenren looked at this disciple of his, seeing the steadfastness and resolve beyond his years in those eyes, seeing the aura—sharp as a sword—that was now taking shape within him; for a moment, he did not know how to rebut.
He knew well that Xiaoqi's words were not empty. The path of cultivation is like sailing against the current: advance or be swept back. Excessive protection could indeed strangle a cultivator's true potential. Especially for Xiaoqi, who bore a sea of blood feud and was destined to contend with powerful enemies, experiencing actual combat early and facing enemies directly was crucial to tempering his will.
Moreover, that obsession with personally severing karma—if forcibly suppressed, might instead become an inner demon on his future cultivation path.
Yet... the risk was truly too great.
Seeing his master silent, his expression complex, Xiaoqi bowed once more, his tone earnest: "Your disciple knows the sect's and Master's concerns. I am not acting on reckless courage. I will obey the orders of the team-leading elder and will never act without authorization. I carry the power of purification and possess keen perception toward demonic qi; in the operation I may provide advance warning and restrain the enemy. I also possess the ability to protect myself. Please, Master, please, Temple Master—trust your disciple!"
He raised his head, his gaze clear and firm: "If, out of fear of risk, I never dare take the first step, how in the future will I face that even more powerful demonic entity's true body? How will I complete that nearly impossible revenge?"
These words finally moved Xuanlin Zhenren. He let out a long sigh, his expression complex as he looked at Xiaoqi—there was worry, there was gratification, and also a sigh as if watching a fledgling eagle finally trying to spread its wings.
"Enough..." Xuanlin Zhenren waved his hand. "I understand your reasons. This matter is of great consequence, something I alone cannot decide. Come with me to see the Temple Master and state your case personally."
"Yes! Thank you, Master!" A great weight fell from Xiaoqi's heart, and he hastened to respond.
Main peak, outside the secluded chamber where Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren was in closed cultivation.
Xuanlin Zhenren led Xiaoqi, requesting an audience through a special method. Moments later, the stone door of the secluded chamber opened without a sound.
Xuanxuan Zhenren still sat cross-legged on a rush cushion, his gaze settling upon Xiaoqi, as if he had long foreseen their purpose.
Xiaoqi stepped forward and clearly and firmly restated what he had said to his master; at the end, he bowed deeply: "Your disciple, Tang Xiaoqi, earnestly beseeches the Temple Master to grant permission for your disciple to participate in the hunting operation, to personally kill enemies and console the spirits of fallen fellow disciples, and to strengthen your disciple's heart for the Dao!"
Inside the secluded chamber, all was silent.
Xuanxuan Zhenren's deep gaze fixed upon Xiaoqi, as if weighing his resolve, assessing his ability, and even divining the fortune of this journey.
A long time passed. Just when Xiaoqi felt his heart pounding like a drum and was about to lose patience, Xuanxuan Zhenren finally spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of etherealness and resolve:
"Your request to battle—is granted."
Xiaoqi suddenly raised his head, and a look of wild joy erupted in his eyes.
"However," Xuanxuan Zhenren's tone shifted, becoming incomparably solemn, "you must remember three points."
"First, you will be assigned to the squad led by Elder Lei Zhen. In all actions, you must absolutely obey Elder Lei's command. No disobedience, no acting without authorization!"
"Second, your primary task is to preserve yourself; killing the enemy comes only after that. If matters become impossible, you must withdraw at the very first moment—do not become entangled in battle!"
"Third, unless you reach a truly life-or-death juncture, you must not lightly use the Purification Origin or the Crimson Flame Sword Intent, lest you reveal your roots and invite even stronger pursuit."
"Your disciple respectfully obeys the Temple Master's decree! I will surely not let down the trust of the sect and the Temple Master!" Xiaoqi forcibly suppressed the surging excitement in his heart and solemnly pledged.
"Go." Xuanxuan Zhenren waved his hand. "Three days from now, at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), gather at the main peak plaza."
"Yes!"
Upon withdrawing from the secluded chamber, Xiaoqi felt as if all the blood in his body were boiling. It was not fear, but anticipation—a resolve and will to finally face his enemies in person, to avenge blood debts with his own hands.
Xuanlin Zhenren looked at him and finally simply patted his shoulder; a thousand words condensed into one sentence: "Come back alive."
"Your disciple definitely will!" Xiaoqi nodded heavily, his eyes as sharp as a blade about to leave its sheath.
Three days from now, he would set out with the squad, heading toward that crisis-ridden border to execute Qingxu Temple's first active counterstrike against the Shadow Snake Pavilion. This was not only the sect's operation but also the true beginning of Tang Xiaoqi's path of revenge!