The Waves Begin to Show

Wang Meng's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring ripples in Chen Yuan's heart.

Secluded arduous cultivation could solidify one's foundation, but on the path of martial arts, one ultimately needed the tempering of real combat to turn what was learned into one's own, even unleashing power beyond limits.

After a few more days of focused training, refining the force circulation of "Cold River Reflecting Moon" to greater fluency and improving his control over the "Mist Manipulation" ability slightly, Chen Yuan decided to follow his fifth senior disciple brother's advice and take a look at the "Task Wall" in the front hall.

Not to rush into accepting a task, but as Wang Meng had said, to first understand the lay of the land and broaden his horizons.

One morning, after finishing his daily practice, Chen Yuan changed into a clean set of martial hall disciple attire, strapped the Cold Ripple Blade to his waist, and left the Listening Tide Courtyard, heading toward the martial hall's front hall.

Blackwater Martial Arts School covered a vast area. The front hall was where miscellaneous affairs were handled, visitors were received, and disciples gathered and socialized daily—far livelier than the quiet back courtyard.

Back when he was in the Qi and Blood Realm, he hadn't been qualified to come here and independently take on tasks for rewards. Now, things were different.

Passing through several courtyards, the noise of voices gradually swelled. Disciples in various outfits were everywhere—some hurrying along, others gathered in small groups chatting. The air carried a vibrant energy mixed with a faint scent of sweat.

Many disciples who saw Chen Yuan, especially noticing the eye-catching Cold Ripple Blade at his waist and his composed demeanor, cast curious, awed, or friendly glances, whispering among themselves.

"Look, Senior Disciple Brother Chen Yuan is here."

"I heard he only just entered Skin Grinding, and the Martial Hall Master took him as a personal disciple!"

"Look at that blade—it gives off a chilling aura. I heard the Martial Hall Master gave it to him. Definitely no ordinary weapon."

"His aura is so condensed. Doesn't feel like someone who just entered Skin Grinding..."

Chen Yuan's expression remained calm, as if oblivious to the surrounding chatter, and he walked straight into the front hall.

The hall was extremely spacious. Though it wasn't peak traffic, quite a few disciples had gathered.

The most eye-catching feature was the entire eastern wall, built from black basalt—the martial hall's Task Wall.

In front of the Task Wall, disciples either looked up to study it closely, discussed in low voices, or took out paper and pen to make notes.

Chen Yuan approached slowly and looked up. The massive black stone wall was densely covered with dozens of papers of varying sizes.

The tasks were diverse and all-encompassing:

Common ones included: "Escort the Zhang's Cloth Shop merchant caravan to the neighboring town of Maple Leaf Town, round trip about five days. Requires three Skin Grinding Realm disciples. Minor bandit groups may be encountered. Reward: ten taels of silver per person, or equivalent merit points."

"Clear out the 'Iron Claw Mountain Imps' causing trouble at Black Wind Ravine, thirty li north of the city. Estimated strength: Skin Grinding Realm - Minor Accomplishment to Major Accomplishment. Requires a team. Reward: thirty merit points. Imp materials belong to the killer."

Some looked quite tricky, such as: "Bounty: Hunt down the notorious bandit 'Ghost Hand' Liu Yang. He is at the early Tendon Changing Realm, skilled in stealth and hidden weapons, ruthless. Recently spotted near this county."

"Providing accurate leads: fifty merit points. Capturing or killing him: two hundred merit points, plus five hundred taels of silver! (This task is dangerous. Recommended to be taken by a team led by a Tendon Changing Realm cultivator.)"

There were also special ones: "Hundred Refinements Iron Shop long-term purchase of various rare metal ores, demonic beast bones, and claws. Price negotiable."

"Sihai Shipping Company recruits temporary guards familiar with water and above Skin Grinding Realm to escort a batch of valuable goods to the prefectural capital. Generous compensation. Details discussed in person."

Chen Yuan's gaze slowly swept over the task information, silently assessing. One merit point was roughly equal to two taels of silver. The rewards for these tasks were fairly generous.

Then again, those who came here were mostly at Skin Grinding. If the pay was too low, they'd rather train quietly at the martial hall.

These basic escort and demonic beast clearing tasks were just right for Skin Grinding Realm disciples to gain experience and earn resources.

As for the tasks involving hunting down wanted criminals or exploring dangerous places, the rewards were tempting but the risks were high—only those with real strength dared touch them.

His gaze eventually settled on a few tasks related to "water":

"Investigate the recent mass die-off of fish in the lake west of the city. Suspected to be related to water quality or foreign objects underwater. Requires those proficient in swimming. Reward: based on investigation results, minimum twenty merit points." (Issuer: County Yamen Agriculture and Fisheries Department)

"Recruit those skilled in swimming, bold and meticulous, to assist in mapping the newly added hidden reefs at 'Ghost Cry Bay' east of the city on the night of the full moon. Compensation negotiable, generous reward guaranteed." (Issuer: Anonymous. Contact: Third Manager of Sihai Shipping Company)

"Collect ten stalks of 'Cold Pond Waterweed,' each over ten years old. Collection location: waters near Cold Dragon Pond, a hundred li north of the county. Warning: Cold Dragon Pond is deep and unpredictable, with occasional water beasts. Reward: ten merit points per stalk, or equivalent pills." (Issuer: Hundred Herbs Hall)

These tasks piqued his interest. He bore the Tidal Stele, giving him a natural affinity and perception for water. Coupled with his swimming skills, his Mist Manipulation ability would also be more effective near water. Completing such tasks might give him an edge.

Just as he was pondering, the chatter of a few nearby disciples reached his ears.

"Tsk, this 'Ghost Cry Bay' mapping task again. It's been up for a month and no one's taken it?"

"Who'd dare? That place is cursed. I heard there are often ghostly wailing sounds at night, chaotic currents, dense hidden reefs, countless shipwrecks. On full moon nights, it's especially eerie. Last time, Sihai Shipping sent their own boat to survey, and they barely made it back!"

"No matter how thick the reward, you've got to live to spend it, right? If no one takes it in ten days, it gets posted at the other two martial halls. It's been this long with no takers—I think it'll stay up..."

"And this Cold Dragon Pond herb gathering... Where are you going to find ten-year-old Cold Pond Waterweed so easily? That pond water is bone-chilling. Stay too long and your qi and blood will freeze. And they say something big lives down there."

"This fish die-off investigation task might be worth a look, but running all the way to the west lake for a minimum of twenty points..."

Chen Yuan listened quietly, but a plan was forming in his mind.

"Ghost Cry Bay" sounded truly eerie—he'd set that aside for now. The Cold Dragon Pond herb gathering was quite difficult, but with better preparation, it might be worth a try.

As for the fish die-off investigation, it sounded easier, and it was just west of the city. He might as well look into it.

He was about to note down the task numbers and find a duty disciple to ask for details when a newly posted notice at the very top of the Task Wall caught his eye. It bore the vermilion seal of the County Yamen.

The paper was fresh, the ink seemingly not yet dry.

"Conscription Order: Lin Hai County Yamen now conscripts martial artists at Skin Grinding Realm or above, proficient in swimming, bold and meticulous, to participate in an exploration mission."

"Mission location: Eastern waters of the county. Mission duration: approximately three to five days. Mission details discussed in person. Reward: base compensation of one hundred merit points, or two hundred taels of silver."

"Additional heavy rewards based on mission completion! Note: This mission may involve certain dangers. A life-and-death waiver must be signed." (Issuer: Lin Hai County Yamen)

A secret exploration mission issued by the County Yamen? The location was the eastern sea?

Chen Yuan's heart stirred sharply.

The East Sea region... that direction made him involuntarily think of the heavenly secret message—the Chishui River, where the Chishui Bandits were entrenched, emptied into the sea east of the county!

The appearance of this task was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Chen Yuan faintly sensed that this might not be just a simple task, but perhaps an opportunity—a chance to approach or even intervene in that conspiracy ahead of time.

Risks were certainly present, but the opportunities were equally immense.

He stood before the Task Wall, his gaze fixed tightly on the newly posted Conscription Order, his mind racing. The investigation task about the dead fish he'd been eyeing moments ago suddenly seemed utterly dull.

The surrounding disciples also noticed this new notice and immediately buzzed with discussion, speculating about what the County yamen wanted to investigate—so mysterious, yet offering such a high reward.

Chen Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil within.

He decided to first seek out Second Senior Disciple Brother Zhang Zhenshan, or Fifth Senior Disciple Brother Wang Meng, to ask if there was any word behind the County yamen suddenly issuing such a task.