Ye Feng's Rising Reputation

Before the scroll racks in the High-Difficulty Mission Area, Ye Feng ran his fingers over one mission scroll after another, his gaze finally settling on the category labeled "Bandit Suppression Missions."

He had previously heard Inner Sect disciples chatting about how missions involving the extermination of mountain bandits and the clearing of bandit strongholds were the most lucrative.

The sect only required the bandit-suppression objective to be completed. Any gold, silver, spirit stones, or even captured weapons accumulated in the bandits' lairs could be kept for oneself, with not a single bit needing to be handed over.

Of course, high rewards meant high risks.

Bandit Suppression Missions ranked among the more difficult tasks even within the High-Difficulty Mission Area. The mountain bandits were mostly a motley crew; there could be as few as several dozen or as many as over a hundred. Even if any individual bandit was not particularly strong, once they swarmed together, even cultivators at the Fifth or Sixth Level of the Qi Gathering Realm could easily capsize in a gutter.

"The greater the danger, the greater the harvest. This is just right for me." The corners of Ye Feng's lips lifted slightly as he picked up a scroll marked with a failed case.

It recorded the experience of a Feiyun Sect disciple at the Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Level. Believing himself capable of fighting across two levels against someone at the Qi Gathering Realm Sixth Level, the disciple had confidently accepted the mission to "Exterminate the Qingshi Mountain Bandits."

Yet upon reaching the stronghold, he discovered that the enemy not only had three Qi Gathering Realm Fifth Level leaders, but also a hidden Qi Gathering Realm Sixth Level chief. In the end, his two fists could not defeat four hands, and he was worn to death in the bandit stronghold.

Other disciples might have balked upon seeing such an example, but Ye Feng only grew more interested after reading it.

"Three at the Fifth Level and one at the Sixth? This stronghold's coffers must be quite substantial." Rather than shrinking back, Ye Feng became even more determined to choose a Bandit Suppression Mission.

His fingers continued searching through the scrolls before finally stopping on the mission slip titled "Exterminate the Black Forest Mountain Bandits."

Ye Feng unfolded the scroll and quickly scanned its key details.

[Commission Background: Qingmu Town has recently suffered frequent harassment from the Black Forest Mountain Bandits. The townspeople have had their property plundered and their able-bodied men abducted, leaving them unable to live in peace. The commission was initiated by the Zhang Family, Qingmu Town's richest family, which is willing to provide material support to the Feiyun Sect;]

[Sect Reward: Successfully exterminate the Black Forest Mountain Bandits and receive 1,000 Sect Contribution Points (according to the sect's exchange rate, 100 Contribution Points can be exchanged for 1 Low-grade Spirit Stone; 1,000 points equals 10 Low-grade Spirit Stones);]

[Additional Notes: During the mission, disciples may dispose of the bandits' property as they see fit. The sect will not interfere.]

"Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones' worth of Contribution Points, plus extra loot on the side—this is the one!" Ye Feng picked up the mission slip without hesitation and headed toward the Registration Desk.

Seated there was a middle-aged cultivator with a goatee. He was Steward Li of the Inner Sect, responsible for registering high-difficulty missions.

Steward Li took the mission slip Ye Feng handed over. After glancing at the mission's name, he looked Ye Feng over, and his brow immediately furrowed. "Disciple, are you sure you want to accept the mission to 'Exterminate the Black Forest Mountain Bandits'?"

Ye Feng nodded. "I'm sure."

"No, no." Steward Li waved his hand and pushed the mission slip back. "This mission has a clear cultivation threshold. You must be at least at the Seventh Level of the Qi Gathering Realm to accept it. You're only at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm Second Level, aren't you? With that little cultivation, you'll probably be hacked to pieces before you even lay eyes on the bandits in Black Forest Mountain. I can't register you for it."

Ye Feng frowned slightly.

He had not expected the mission to have such a clear cultivation threshold. The Seventh Level of the Qi Gathering Realm was indeed still rather far off for him, but he truly did not want to give up the mission's rewards, leaving him briefly caught in a bind.

Just then, Steward Li suddenly stared at Ye Feng's face, his eyes growing somewhat doubtful. He leaned closer and scrutinized him for a moment. Then his eyes widened, and his tone changed instantly. "You... are you Ye Feng, the one who defeated Ding Hao with a single punch in the Gambling Arena some time ago?"

Ye Feng paused, then nodded. "That would be me."

"Ah! So it's young friend Ye Feng!" Steward Li's expression changed in an instant. His formerly stern face became incomparably warm as he hurriedly took back the mission slip. "I didn't recognize you just now. Please forgive my offense—don't take it to heart!"

As he spoke, he picked up his pen and rapidly entered the details into the registry. Even the scratch of the pen tip across the paper sounded especially urgent.

After all, Ye Feng was now a rising genius of great renown in the Inner Sect.

At the Qi Gathering Realm First Level, he had defeated Ding Hao, who possessed Nascent Blade Intent, and had even comprehended the stronger Nascent Fist Intent. A disciple like that was a key target for the sect's cultivation.

Stewards like them would do their best to befriend such people if they could. Even if they could not, they absolutely could not offend them. Otherwise, when the other party one day soared to great heights, there would be no good fruit for them to eat.

In no time, Steward Li finished the registration. He handed the mission slip to Ye Feng while reminding him, "Young friend Ye Feng, I hear the leader of the Black Forest Mountain Bandits has cultivation at the Seventh Level of the Qi Gathering Realm. You must be extra careful when you go. If you truly can't win, remember to withdraw first. Safety comes first!"

Ye Feng accepted the mission slip, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.

If he had not defeated Ding Hao in the Gambling Arena before and spread his name, Steward Li certainly would not have made an exception to let him accept a mission so far beyond the cultivation threshold.

That was the benefit of being famous—it could break through many conventional restrictions.

But he did not grow arrogant because of it. Instead, he silently reminded himself: fame could only solve an immediate problem. If he truly possessed only the strength of the Qi Gathering Realm Second Level, then even if he accepted the mission, he might not be able to complete it.

He still had to raise his cultivation as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he encountered another good mission next time, he could not keep relying on his reputation to slip in through the back door.

After leaving the Registration Desk, Ye Feng found a quiet corner and carefully studied the details about the Black Forest Mountain Bandits on the mission slip.

[Black Forest Mountain lies thirty li west of Qingmu Town. There are approximately over eighty bandits, including three leaders (two at the Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Level and one at the Qi Gathering Realm Fifth Level). Their chief, "Old Monster Black Forest," is at the Seventh Level of the Qi Gathering Realm. He specializes in wielding a Mountain-Splitting Axe and possesses immense strength.]

"The Seventh Level of the Qi Gathering Realm..." Ye Feng touched the wooden sword at his waist, a flash of Fighting Spirit passing through his eyes. "Just right for testing my current strength. There shouldn't be a problem."

Upon returning to his small courtyard, he made some simple preparations.

He packed enough dry rations and water for three days, folded the mission slip and tucked it into his clothes, then checked the spirit stones in his storage bag once more.

All thirty-two fully restored Low-grade Spirit Stones were there—more than enough for emergencies.

With everything prepared, Ye Feng slung his wooden sword over his back, walked out through the Feiyun Sect's mountain gate, and headed in the direction of Qingmu Town.

When he passed through Black Forest Town, he found an inn to rest briefly and replenish his water. Then, without lingering any longer, he set straight off toward Black Forest Mountain.