Bitter Winter

"I can't stand that overbearing guy anymore!"

Outside the Spirit Moon Lake Warning Array.

When Wang Jue and Su Bai had patrolled to this spot, they took the chance to avoid Bai Daoyuan's gaze and chat here.

Wang Jue spoke bluntly, and the target was obviously Bai Daoyuan.

It had been a month since Zhao Shanhe left and Bai Daoyuan arrived at Spirit Moon Lake.

Time had entered winter, reaching December.

Over this past month, Bai Daoyuan, the disciple chiefly responsible for Spirit Moon Lake, had changed the daily routine Zhao Shanhe had previously established.

They now had to patrol around the lake once each in the morning, noon, and evening. Su Bai and Wang Jue had suffered greatly because of it.

"Senior Brother Bai is indeed a little too set in his ways." Su Bai was somewhat worried as well.

A good Outer Court Mission depended not only on the mission itself, but also on the other disciples one had to get along with during it.

And now, Bai Daoyuan's arrival had clearly lowered the quality of the Spirit Moon Lake Mission by a whole level.

What worried Su Bai was whether Bai Daoyuan would agree when he requested leave in a few days to return to the Outer Court and participate in the Outer Court Grand Competition.

Over the past month, Su Bai had used up every Yellow Dragon Pill he had received in cultivation.

His cultivation had steadily advanced toward Qi Refining Layer Six.

With his grasp of Sword Qi as well, Su Bai was quite confident that he could achieve a good ranking in this Outer Court Grand Competition and obtain medicinal pill rewards.

If Bai Daoyuan refused, it would be a pity to miss out on those pill rewards.

Judging from Bai Daoyuan's current behavior, although he was only at Qi Refining Layer Eight, he had thoroughly learned the mannerisms of those Inner Sect old Elders who had lived for over a hundred years and loved to act old and experienced.

Wang Jue had learned through special channels that Bai Daoyuan had an elder in his family who was an Inner Sect Foundation Establishment Elder, one who particularly loved talking about seniority and acting old and experienced.

He had grown up following that elder, so he had picked up some bad habits.

That was not to say his character was bad. Having been influenced from an early age, and with a Foundation Establishment elder behind him, such behavior was understandable.

"How is he merely set in his ways? He acts like some old-timer! He has Three Spirit Root Talent too. Without the resources given by that Foundation Establishment elder, he might not even cultivate faster than you, Junior Brother Su..."

"Junior Brother Su, I've already decided that when this mission term expires, I won't renew it."

"I can't stomach that guy Bai Daoyuan!"

Bai Daoyuan ate the Monster Beast Meat Wang Jue cooked and his Roasted Spirit Fish as well, yet he also forbade Wang Jue from going out to the Cultivation Market.

His reason was that Sect Rule could not be violated.

That made staying at Spirit Moon Lake largely meaningless to Wang Jue.

His extra benefits came from taking the opportunity to visit the Cultivation Market and earn money while stationed at Spirit Moon Lake.

Hearing this, Su Bai said, "That really is a pity. I won't be able to eat the delicacies you make anymore, Senior Brother Wang."

"You kid, all you know is eating... If you find any ingredients that taste good in the future, contact me through a Jade Talisman."

Wang Jue was serious.

In mid-December, one Early Morning.

He found Bai Daoyuan and explained that he would be leaving that day.

The news had already been sent back to the sect through a telepathic message via Jade Talisman.

Bai Daoyuan merely gave a slight, noncommittal nod.

Spirit Moon Lake was too close to the sect. Cases like Su Bai's, where someone insisted on waiting seven days before coming, were rare. Wang Jue's message had only just reached the mountain gate.

Two hours later, the sect sent another Outer Court Disciple from Su Bai's cohort to take over.

Just as Su Bai had done back then, this Outer Court Disciple cautiously triggered the Warning Array and waited by the shore.

Just as when they had received Su Bai, Su Bai and Wang Jue used Water Escape Technique to reach the shore and welcome this Outer Court Disciple.

"Senior Brothers, this disciple is Yang Sheng. I have come today to take over the Spirit Moon Lake Mission!"

Seeing Su Bai and Wang Jue come ashore, this Outer Court Disciple recognized them as Jade Mist Sect Disciples and immediately cupped his hands in introduction.

Wang Jue smiled. "You came quite quickly!"

"Come with us. We'll take you to meet the disciple currently in charge of Spirit Moon Lake."

Su Bai and Wang Jue brought him onto Lake Heart Isle.

As Yang Sheng curiously looked around, Bai Daoyuan emerged from the Thatched Hut.

"You are the Outer Court Disciple here to take over?"

Su Bai quietly sent Yang Sheng a telepathic message, introducing Bai Daoyuan's identity.

Yang Sheng then cupped his hands in salute. "This disciple is Yang Sheng, and I am indeed here to take over the mission. Greetings, Senior Brother Bai."

"Mm. Show me the three Tier 1 Mid-grade Spells you have mastered." Bai Daoyuan spoke with a smiling face.

Yang Sheng nodded and directly demonstrated Fireball Technique and Water Shield Technique.

Together with the Water Escape Technique he had displayed while crossing the lake, that made exactly three Tier 1 Mid-grade Spells.

Only then did Bai Daoyuan have Yang Sheng hand over his Jade Talisman. "You may leave now, Wang Jue."

"Alright! See you in the Outer Court, Junior Brother Su! Junior Brother Yang, you'll have to work hard from here on out!"

Wang Jue was about to leave, so he could not even be bothered to keep up appearances. Ignoring Bai Daoyuan, he activated Water Escape Technique and departed Spirit Moon Lake.

He quickly vanished from the sight of the three of them.

Bai Daoyuan's expression darkened slightly, but he soon returned to normal. "Su Bai, over the next few days, lead Yang Sheng around and familiarize him with the daily routine."

Su Bai nodded in agreement.

Taking this opportunity, he asked, "Senior Brother Bai, in a few days, the Outer Court will hold the Outer Sect Competition. I wish to return to the mountain gate to register and participate. Could I take two days of leave?"

After hearing him out, Bai Daoyuan decisively shook his head. "During the execution of a long-term sect mission, you cannot let your guard down. You should stay properly at Spirit Moon Lake. For this Outer Sect Competition, do not participate for now."

Su Bai gave a faintly bitter smile and cupped his hands. Knowing there was no use in saying more, he did not speak again.

Bai Daoyuan returned to the Thatched Hut for Secluded Cultivation, fully satisfied.

"Junior Brother Yang, come with me. I'll show you around and help you get familiar with things."

Yang Sheng seemed to have noticed by then that Bai Daoyuan was difficult to get along with, and he had fallen into thought.

Hearing Su Bai call him, he took the opportunity to follow.

After the two spoke for a while, Su Bai learned the truth.

Yang Sheng's background was far from ordinary. He possessed Four Spirit Root Talent and had cultivation at Qi Refining Stage Four.

His ability to reach Qi Refining Stage Four so quickly was entirely due to the resources provided by the cultivation lineage behind him.

The Yang Family behind him was a cultivation clan with a Foundation Establishment Ancestor in the family, considerably stronger than Su Duanqiu's Su Family had been.

As the direct eldest grandson of a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, Yang Sheng had been sent by the Yang Family to develop within the Jade Mist Sect.

Thus, aside from the sect benefits, Yang Sheng also regularly received Cultivation Resources from his lineage.

Besides advancing his own cultivation, Yang Sheng had come to the Jade Mist Sect to make friends and draw more connections to the Yang Family.

His plan to participate in the Outer Court Grand Competition had fallen through.

To be honest, Su Bai's mood was not very good.

Still, he patiently taught Yang Sheng the daily routines of Spirit Moon Lake.

As winter deepened, white snow fell from the sky, draping the surroundings of Spirit Moon Lake in silver.

That day, after Su Bai led Yang Sheng on a patrol of the lakebed, they came ashore.

In the depths of winter, after making a circuit through the lakebed, even cultivators felt somewhat chilled. Su Bai intended to rest for a while before diving back into the water and returning to Lake Heart Isle.

Just then, two figures approached from afar across the snow.

They wore Purple Robes and Black Gauze Veil Hats that concealed their heads. Tiny Wind Chimes hung from the brims of their hats, trembling and clinking in the Cold Wind, producing crisp chimes.