Heavy Reward for Chu Yunxiao

All tasks within the sect are divided into six levels, and each level is further divided into one to five stars based on difficulty.

The reason for such detailed divisions is to allow disciples to carefully assess their own strength.

This prevents them from accepting tasks that are far beyond their capabilities. While failure is one thing, losing their lives over it would be a terrible loss.

Generally speaking, disciples in the Early True Qi Realm are suited for Level 1 and 2 tasks, those in the Mid Stage for tasks within Level 3, and Late Stage disciples for Level 4. Level 5 tasks usually require multiple people or are taken by core disciples.

Of course, this is just a general guideline. Prodigies with exceptional strength cannot be judged by common standards.

Take Feng Chao, ranked eleventh in the Inner Sect, for example.

However, the consequences of failure must be borne by oneself.

As for Level 6 tasks, they rarely appear and are not posted here. Those are directly assigned to Elders in the Gangqi Realm.

Lu Ming felt it would be better to start with a lower-level task to warm up, so he first looked at the Level 1 task area.

Scanning through, the first one was a Level 1, 1-star task: eliminate an Early Stage Level 2 Demonic Beast, an Ink Leopard, lurking in the back mountains of Xiaxi Village.

Completion reward: 90 contribution points, 3,000 silver, and the demonic beast materials would belong to the completer.

Next was a string of Level 1, 1-star tasks, until he saw a Level 1, 2-star task.

Content: Slay the notorious bandit Yu Yuan.

Below was a brief description of the individual: Peak Early True Qi Realm. He relies on brute force, commits evil deeds, and has a long history of wrongdoing...

Last known location: Recently appeared near Hele Town.

Completion reward: All seized items belong to the individual, plus 100 contribution points, 50,000 silver, and 10 low-grade Origin Stones.

The reward was exceptionally generous, especially the 10 low-grade Origin Stones that could aid in cultivation, which were extremely rare.

By rights, a Level 1, 2-star task shouldn't have such a high reward. But who wouldn't be motivated when the target is a notorious bandit, whose victims' families and friends have offered many bounties?

Hence, the reward was substantial, and it also made such tasks extremely popular.

Lu Ming, with quick hands and eyes, immediately took down this task, much to the chagrin of a disciple who was a step too slow.

"Brother, that Yu Yuan is not easy to deal with. Many have died by his hand, including people from other sects. You can't handle it, let me do it."

Since both were in the Early True Qi Realm, they couldn't tell if they were fellow disciples, so the other person addressed him as "brother."

Lu Ming, hearing the somewhat amusing words, suppressed a smile and shook his head, "Sorry, I can handle it. No need to trouble you."

"Do you want to reconsider?"

The man still didn't want to give up.

"I've considered it very clearly." With that, Lu Ming went directly to the counter to register.

"Sigh..."

The man wanted to say more, but seeing Lu Ming walk away, he could only reluctantly look for other tasks.

Ignoring the man, Lu Ming registered and then went straight to the Beast Garden to rent a fine horse. He didn't want to waste too much time on the journey.

With everything prepared, he left the sect, galloping away like a shooting star.

"That little fellow has left."

On a peak beside the sect's mountain gate, two people stood with their hands behind their backs. One of them was Gongsun He, an Inner Sect Elder.

The other was a middle-aged man with a refined demeanor.

Judging by their positions, the latter was clearly the leader.

He was also the one who had just spoken.

"He's already taking on tasks after only four months. It's faster than we expected," Gongsun He replied.

"Didn't you say he's been cultivating four martial arts simultaneously this time? To master four martial arts in just four months, his comprehension and physical aptitude are extremely rare."

"Back when you were his age, how much time would it have taken you to fully learn two Human-grade High Stage martial arts and two Human-grade Peak Stage martial arts?"

Gongsun He smiled and shook his head. "I can't compare to him. It would probably take me over a year. But according to the purchase records from the Spiritual Medicine Pavilion, he's likely only practiced the first stage of his Iron Elephant Art."

"That's still incredible."

The middle-aged man was very satisfied. "I have a feeling that in the next Ten Nations Competition, he will bring great glory to our Wuji Sect."

"Yes, with his talent, if he maintains this pace, he certainly will."

Gongsun He agreed and then asked, "Sect Master, how should we arrange for Zhu Ningyun? She's asked to go on missions for experience more than once."

The middle-aged man frowned upon hearing this and pondered for a moment before replying:

"She's being watched very closely. If she leaves the sect, she'll likely be ambushed. It's better to send her to a secret sect location for training."

"That's the only way."

Gongsun He sighed and added, "I heard that the Nine Heavens Sect has also suddenly produced a sword genius named Yang Xuan recently. Speaking of which, like Lu Ming, he's also from Shuofeng City."

"Oh? Is the information accurate?"

The middle-aged man was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected such a small place as Shuofeng City to produce two geniuses in succession.

It seemed almost unbelievable.

"Absolutely true. If it weren't for the Inner Sect disciple Chu Yunxiao bringing Lu Ming back, he originally intended to go to the Nine Heavens Sect."

Gongsun He added another sentence.

"Reward Chu Yunxiao handsomely."

"He's already been rewarded."

"Reward him again."

Adjacent to Hele Town, there is a smaller town called Rouyun Town, which is formed by the combination of three villages, so its population is not very large.

Naturally, there are no Martial Artists with very high strength there.

One day, in a courtyard within the town, which was larger than the surrounding buildings, a series of cracking sounds suddenly erupted.

Then, a hearty laugh followed: "Haha, your Miss's appearance is quite pleasing. Yu Yuan shall take her!"

Along with the laughter, a man with a scar on his face, holding a woman in a goose-yellow dress, flew out.

The people on the street couldn't help but be drawn by the commotion.

"It's the notorious bandit Yu Yuan. I didn't expect him to come to our Rouyun Town."

"Oh no, with his strength, I'm afraid only the owner of Fuyun Restaurant in our town can match him."

"He's a ruthless killer. Hurry and hide."

In the blink of an eye, the street became completely deserted.

At this moment, the notorious bandit Yu Yuan, holding the woman, appeared on the street. Seeing the terrified people fleeing, he was quite satisfied with his fearsome reputation.

Then, three more figures leaped out of the courtyard, surrounding Yu Yuan.

"Yu Yuan, release my daughter!"

The speaker was an old man in the Early True Qi Realm. The other two were a man and a woman, only in their thirties or forties. They didn't speak but held long swords, ready for battle.

"Haha, old man, it's not difficult for me to release your daughter. Defeat me first, then take this!"

Facing the three surrounding him, Yu Yuan was not flustered at all. He remained wild and domineering, extending his palm and striking towards the old man.

Crack!

The grayish-white Palm Force tore through the air, emitting an explosive sound. The old man's expression changed, and he quickly circulated his energy to resist. However, he was instantly sent flying back.

Swish swish!

At this moment, the man and woman attacked with their swords. "Yu Yuan, you're unlucky today. Let us show you the might of the Meiling Twin Swords."

Hearing this, Yu Yuan sneered dismissively. "What kind of bullshit Meiling Twin Swords? I've never even heard of them. Take this move, Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg!"

Facing the attacking twin swords, Yu Yuan, while still holding the woman, suddenly spun around and unleashed over a dozen leg shadows.

Bang bang bang!

The energies clashed. Under the leg shadows, the sword energy of the Meiling Twin Swords instantly shattered. This caused the expressions of the two to change drastically.

"Get lost!"

Another leg shadow attacked, and the Meiling Twin Swords immediately spat blood and were sent flying back again.

"Hahahaha, a bunch of weaklings. I'm in a hurry today and can't be bothered to kill you."

Having dealt with three opponents in quick succession, Yu Yuan was clearly in a good mood. "Old fellow, I'll return your daughter tonight."

"Father, save me."

The woman being held, seeing her family's three people defeated in an instant and hearing the other's words, couldn't help but cry out in terror.

"You... daughter..."

The old man lying on the ground was furious and powerless to stop him. He could only watch as the other party walked away.

However, at this moment, from somewhere, a figure suddenly appeared standing on the previously empty street.

The figure was dressed in a black robe and wore a bamboo hat covered with black gauze. They were likely holding a sword or saber. Their back was to them, so their appearance couldn't be seen.

Only the black gauze on the hat fluttered in the wind.

"Who are you?"

Yu Yuan couldn't help but stop. Although he appeared rough, he was actually a meticulous person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived so many years of villainy.

His years of vigilance told him that this person was not simple.

"Wuji Sect, Inner Sect disciple Lu Ming, here to take your life."