Newbie Missions

Fang Chen immediately sorted through the information in his mind. Only after reading it all did he realize these were tasks assigned to him by Qingyun Mountain's Outer Sect Merit Hall.

The Merit Hall was responsible for distributing rewards, assessing achievements, and issuing and assigning tasks within the sect. Both the inner and outer sects had one.

This time, the Merit Hall had assigned Fang Chen three tasks.

The first was to mine at Cold Iron Ridge. He had to extract a total of one hundred thousand jin of High-grade Cold Iron Ore within a month.

The second was to dig for Golden Cicadas at Ox Horn Mountain. These were cicada nymphs that had yet to shed their shells, their bodies gleaming gold from head to toe. He had to dig up one hundred within a month.

The third task was to cut Fire Origin Spirit Sword Bamboo in Spirit Flame Valley. He had to cut down one thousand stalks within a month.

If he failed to complete any of the three tasks on time, he would not receive his stipend from the sect.

Li Yanshan looked at Fang Chen and asked, "What's going on?"

Fang Chen immediately told him what he had seen.

Li Yanshan frowned slightly. "You've only been at Dog Head Ridge for two days, and the higher-ups have already assigned you tasks. That's not normal!"

Elder Yun spoke up too. "Exactly. Newly promoted Outer Sect Disciples usually aren't assigned any tasks in their first month. It gives them time to settle in!"

Li Yanshan continued, "And all three of your tasks are difficult for a newly promoted Outer Sect Disciple. Even disciples who were promoted a year ago would struggle to complete them!"

Fang Chen's face darkened. "Uncle Li, is someone out to get me?"

Li Yanshan nodded slightly. "Aside from Zhang Tielin, have you offended anyone else in the Glazed Sword Sect?"

Fang Chen shook his head at once. "No!"

Li Yanshan's expression turned grave. "Then Zhang Tielin is probably behind this!"

Li Yanshan's guess was right. Zhang Tielin was indeed behind it. He had approached someone in the Merit Hall and promised him a few benefits in exchange for assigning Fang Chen tasks ahead of schedule.

In the Glazed Sword Sect, both Inner Disciples and Outer Sect Disciples had to complete their assigned tasks every month or face punishment.

Zhang Tielin wanted to make a move against Fang Chen, so he had arranged for the Merit Hall to assign him tasks. That way, Fang Chen could no longer hide at Dog Head Ridge.

Once Fang Chen left Dog Head Ridge, dealing with him would be simple for Zhang Tielin.

All three places the Merit Hall had assigned Fang Chen—Cold Iron Ridge, Ox Horn Mountain, and Spirit Flame Valley—were far from Qingyun Mountain's outer sect. Cold Iron Ridge was the farthest, over two thousand li away. Spirit Flame Valley was next at fifteen hundred li, while Ox Horn Mountain was also a thousand li away.

Zhang Tielin had chosen such distant locations because all three were remote and close to the Misty Sect's territory. The Misty Sect was a first-rate power in the Southern Wastes, far stronger overall than the Glazed Sword Sect was now, and the two sects were not on good terms. Even if Fang Chen was killed in a place like that, the Enforcement Hall would have a hard time finding proof.

"Damn that Zhang Tielin!"

Fang Chen gritted his teeth. He had never expected Zhang Tielin to be so despicable. To kill him, the man would stop at nothing.

After obtaining the Floating Immortal Sword, Fang Chen had only wanted to keep his head down, quietly chop bamboo and trees, and grow stronger bit by bit. But Zhang Tieniu had appeared and tried to seize his sword. That had crossed a line, forcing Fang Chen to fight back. In the end, he had killed both Zhang Tieniu and Tian Hu.

Now that Fang Chen had reached the outer sect, Zhang Tielin was seeking revenge and wanted him dead.

I just want to cultivate in peace. Why is that so hard?

Fang Chen roared inwardly. Holding back his anger, he looked at Li Yanshan and Elder Yun. "Uncle Li, Elder Yun, what should I do now?"

Li Yanshan and Elder Yun were both longtime Outer Sect Disciples with plenty of experience. Fang Chen hoped they could give him some guidance.

Li Yanshan looked at Fang Chen and frowned slightly. "Once a task is assigned, you have to report for it tomorrow, or you'll be punished. You're still carrying a debt, so if you break the rules, the punishment could be severe!"

Elder Yun looked at Fang Chen. "You don't need to be too afraid. You've learned both the Misty Turtle Step and the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. Many Cultivators at the Second Layer of Qi Refining are no match for you, and even those at the Third Layer would have trouble dealing with you. You only just broke through, so Zhang Tielin certainly won't expect you to be this strong. If he comes after you, you can catch him off guard! I have a piece of Spirit Jade here. Take it. It should still be able to withstand one full-force strike from a Cultivator at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining!"

Elder Yun took a Jade Pendant from his robe. Cracks covered its surface.

"Thank you, Elder Yun!"

Fang Chen accepted it without hesitation. This was something that could save his life, and he knew the Jade Pendant had to be precious. He was deeply grateful to Elder Yun and committed the kindness to memory. One day, he would repay it many times over.

Seeing Elder Yun give Fang Chen the Spirit Jade, Li Yanshan smiled faintly. "With Elder Yun's Spirit Jade and your own strength, you're in a decent position. Your talent is so good—if only we had a few more days, Elder Yun and I could teach you more ways to protect yourself. Unfortunately, there's no time! Which of the three tasks do you want to take?"

As he finished speaking, Li Yanshan shook his head and sighed. Fang Chen had been at Dog Head Ridge for only two days, yet he had learned the Misty Turtle Step and the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. His strength had soared.

Given a few more days, Li Yanshan was sure Fang Chen could learn even more.

"I'll go cut bamboo in Spirit Flame Valley!"

Fang Chen answered without hesitation. Cutting things was his specialty, after all. The bamboo growing in Spirit Flame Valley was all spirit bamboo. He suspected that cutting it with the Floating Immortal Sword would let him absorb even more Spiritual Power from the sword.

Li Yanshan frowned when he heard Fang Chen's choice.

Seeing that, Fang Chen immediately asked, "Uncle Li, is there a problem?"

Li Yanshan said, "Spirit Flame Valley is fifteen hundred li from Dog Head Ridge. There's a Fire Origin Element Spirit Vein beneath it, so the climate is scorching and well suited to disciples with a Fire Origin Spiritual Root. That Fire Origin Spirit Sword Bamboo also contains Sword Intent and is extremely tough. It won't be easy to cut. But the other two tasks aren't simple either! The Golden Cicadas at Ox Horn Mountain are still buried deep, deep underground. Someone with an Earth Spiritual Root might have an easier time completing that task!"

Fang Chen said, "Uncle Li, I'd still rather cut bamboo. I'm better at that!"

Li Yanshan nodded. "All right. Since you've decided, use your Identity Token to send a reply to the Merit Pavilion!"

"Mm!"

Fang Chen nodded. Then, with Li Yanshan guiding him, he selected the third task from the message sent by the Merit Hall.

Li Yanshan said to Fang Chen, "This task is urgent. Go pack a few things, and bring some Spirit Stones too. If you run into trouble, you may be able to solve it with them. I'll take you to the Merit Hall. Someone there will escort you to Spirit Flame Valley!"

"All right!"

Fang Chen nodded, then turned and left.