Accepting the Mission

Noon.

The sky was a sheet of gray haze, pure white snowflakes drifting down and wrapping the entire earth in a silvery cloak.

Treading across the white snow, Zhao Huaian made his way from the Residential Area toward the Mission Hall.

"Another year has passed. A year ago, I was still an ordinary mortal, at most having mastered a bit of Medical Skill."

"And today, one year later, I have already stepped onto the path of immortality. With the Attribute Heavenly Book's help, I have even raised my cultivation to Qi Refining Layer Five."

"With this level of strength, I can finally head out and carry out some missions without worry."

He reached out and caught a snowflake, letting it melt in his palm as Zhao Huaian quickened his pace.

Soon, as the view before him suddenly opened up and a wave of bustling noise reached his ears, Zhao Huaian arrived at the Mission Hall.

"Zhao Huaian? You've come to accept a mission?"

Inside the Mission Hall, Lei Yangwen, who had been lounging in a chair, was visibly startled when he spotted Zhao Huaian.

"Junior Brother has already been in the Greenwood Sect for a year. Now I'm required to complete one mission every month, so I came to the Mission Hall to take a look."

Recognizing Lei Yangwen, Zhao Huaian forced a smile and walked over.

He was somewhat surprised as well. He had not run into Lei Yangwen for over a year, yet the man still remembered him.

Hearing Zhao Huaian's words, Lei Yangwen seemed to recall something and nodded in realization. "That's right. Time truly flies—before one knows it, an entire year has passed. According to the Greenwood Sect's rules, it is indeed time for you to go out and carry out missions."

As he spoke, Lei Yangwen gave Zhao Huaian's cultivation another look.

"Junior Brother truly has not disappointed my expectations. I never thought that in just over a year, you would already reach Qi Refining Layer Four."

Seeing the Qi Refining Layer Four cultivation Zhao Huaian displayed, Lei Yangwen's eyes lit up at once, and his smile deepened.

"A while ago, I grit my teeth and bought several bottles of Qi Boosting Pills. I only barely broke through yesterday. I cannot compare with Senior Brother."

Zhao Huaian gave a modest laugh, then reached into his robes and took out two Low-grade Spirit Stones, respectfully handing them over. "Besides, if not for Senior Brother's guidance back then, Junior Brother would still be nothing more than an ordinary mortal. Please accept these few Spirit Stones, Senior Brother."

Before coming to the Mission Hall, Zhao Huaian had secretly tucked his Storage Bag into his robes rather than displaying it, lest he run into an acquaintance and invite speculation.

Giving Lei Yangwen two Low-grade Spirit Stones had also been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

From his observations so far, Lei Yangwen's status in the Mission Hall was not particularly low. Building a good relationship with him might allow Zhao Huaian to obtain some easy and safe missions.

Of course, although two Low-grade Spirit Stones were already a very small amount, Zhao Huaian had his own calculations.

The cultivation realm he currently displayed was Qi Refining Layer Four, and he was also a newcomer who had only entered the sect a year ago.

Under such circumstances, setting aside all other factors, being able to squeeze out two Low-grade Spirit Stones specifically as a gift already made him seem quite generous.

Any more would have been inappropriate instead.

"Hahaha, Junior Brother is too polite. I have always remembered your kindness. If not for that stalk of Ice Grass you gave me back then, which helped suppress my fire toxin, whether I could have broken through to Qi Refining Layer Nine would still be another matter."

Looking at the two Low-grade Spirit Stones Zhao Huaian offered, Lei Yangwen laughed heartily and, greatly satisfied, put them into his Storage Bag.

Though these two Low-grade Spirit Stones were nothing to him at all.

Still, no matter how small a mosquito was, it was flesh. Naturally, he would not refuse.

Moreover, this was also an expression of Zhao Huaian's goodwill and stance.

Judging by Zhao Huaian's cultivation and the amount of time he had spent in the Greenwood Sect, these two Low-grade Spirit Stones might be nothing to Lei Yangwen, but to Zhao Huaian, they counted as a considerable sum.

With that thought, Lei Yangwen felt even more pleased, and his smile toward Zhao Huaian grew warmer.

After a round of laughter, Lei Yangwen patted Zhao Huaian on the shoulder, took several Jade Slips from beneath the counter, and spread them out. "Junior Brother remembers his senior brother, so naturally I cannot let Junior Brother suffer. I have several missions specially held back for disciples with low cultivation. Take your pick. For someone at your cultivation, both their safety and rewards are quite good."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Seeing the several Jade Slips spread across the table, Zhao Huaian's eyes instantly lit up. He hurriedly began examining them carefully.

There were roughly twenty missions within these Jade Slips. Since Lei Yangwen had set these missions aside separately, their safety was beyond question.

The most dangerous among them involved no more than a zombie equivalent to Qi Refining Layer Three.

Such strength was naturally beneath Zhao Huaian's notice.

As he looked over the missions, Zhao Huaian considered for a moment, then forced a flattering smile onto his face. "Senior Brother Lei, could I accept one or two more? If I complete them in advance, I can finish the missions for the next few months and cultivate with peace of mind."

"This... you can accept at most three. No more than that. After all, it is not as though such easy missions simply appear whenever one wants them. I have other uses for them as well. Of course, if you accept other missions, there is naturally no limit."

Hearing Zhao Huaian's ingratiating request, Lei Yangwen hesitated for a while before ultimately granting him three mission slots from the Jade Slips.

Lei Yangwen was already being quite generous by doing this out of consideration for their past connection.

If it had been any other Qi Refining Layer Four disciple, they would have had to offer at least a dozen or so Low-grade Spirit Stones in tribute just to receive one or two easy, high-profit missions from these Jade Slips.

"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother. Once Junior Brother returns from these missions, I will certainly come pay Senior Brother another proper visit."

Hearing that he could accept three missions from them, Zhao Huaian nodded happily and hurriedly gave Lei Yangwen another assurance.

The implied meaning in his words was naturally easy to understand.

Once he completed the missions and received the rewards, he would certainly offer Lei Yangwen more Spirit Stones in tribute.

"Hahaha, I am naturally pleased that you have such consideration. If you perform well, then whenever you accept missions in the future, feel free to come find me."

Seeing Zhao Huaian being so sensible, Lei Yangwen nodded in satisfaction.

"Of course. Sorry to trouble you, Senior Brother!"

A smile curled at Zhao Huaian's lips as he quickly selected three of the more profitable missions from among the twenty-odd available.

Having chosen his missions, Zhao Huaian did not disturb Lei Yangwen any further. After respectfully taking his leave, he silently departed the Mission Hall.

The moment he stepped out of the Mission Hall, just as Zhao Huaian was preparing to head to Greenwood Market to gather the supplies needed for his missions, a tall figure suddenly blocked his path.

"Zhao Huaian? You're still alive? No, I mean, you already paid back Senior Chen's two hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones?"

A voice filled with surprise and disbelief rang out.

The person was none other than Lin Zihao, who was just about to enter the Mission Hall to collect a mission.

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