"True, it really does look that way. After projecting your Blood Qi, practicing Falling Cloud Palm must give Martial Techniques a huge boost! It's practically become a technique capable of unleashing power far beyond its normal limits."
The four of them clasped their hands toward Yun Shu in a slight salute before leaving.
Yun Shu had heard what they said.
He couldn't help feeling amused. He'd only been practicing a Martial Technique.
Falling Cloud Palm really did receive a tremendous boost when combined with Blood Qi Projection. But for someone capable of projecting Blood Qi, wouldn't any Martial Technique be like a tiger with wings?
However, Yun Shu didn't know what the Outer Sect Disciple Ranking they'd mentioned was. He was interested in learning more; it sounded like something that might offer rewards.
After all, who would bother climbing the rankings if there weren't any rewards? He was in desperate need of resources.
There was no rush. He could ask Lin Yang about it next time.
Lin Yang wasn't very strong, but he'd been getting by in the Outer Sect for a long time, so he still knew a thing or two.
The sun finally set.
Only then did Yun Shu decide to head back. It wasn't that he didn't want to keep practicing; there was simply no need to for now.
Falling Cloud Palm had reached Great Accomplishment. Yun Shu had also tested its effects: combined with projected Blood Qi, it was enough to kill a Body Refining Fifth Level Demonic Tiger from ten meters away with a single strike.
The closer the distance, the greater the force. In close combat, Yun Shu felt that someone at the same level might not be able to withstand even one of his palms, especially since the force of the palm wind came in unending waves.
He wasn't even at Body Refining Stage Seven yet, so he was quite satisfied with this result. As for a real fight, no one could say what moves or fighting styles might come into play; that could only be tested in actual combat.
Yun Shu glanced at his Attribute Points. The number hadn't dropped much; he'd only spent a little to train Falling Cloud Palm to Great Accomplishment. It truly was the simplest Martial Technique.
If he used it to grind Sword Intent, then he'd really be spending one Energy Point for every point of proficiency.
Yun Shu now felt that anyone short on money shouldn't try to practice the sword.
All the resources he spent went into it, and they only let him make a little progress. It hardly seemed worth the cost.
The next day.
Yun Shu still made his way to the Scripture Pavilion under cover of night. Three hours of rest was enough; spending any more time sleeping would be a waste.
There were better things to do with his time.
The Fat Steward at the Scripture Pavilion was sound asleep, sprawled over the counter without the slightest concern for his appearance.
"Hello," Yun Shu said.
The Fat Steward woke up and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, it's you. Did you come here to take another mission?"
Yun Shu nodded.
The Fat Steward glanced at him and handed over the bamboo slip. "Take a look for yourself."
Then he slumped back onto the counter and fell asleep again, as though Yun Shu's presence—or absence—made no difference to the pleasure of his nap.
Yun Shu set down the bamboo slip and carefully examined the various requirements and missions listed on it.
The missions were divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D.
A-grade Missions were mostly suited to disciples at the Foundation Establishment Realm.
However, within a power like Myriad Sword Pavilion, Foundation Establishment Realm experts were already at the very top.
Most of the nine Inner Sect peak masters and head seats were probably only at Peak Foundation Establishment.
There weren't many such missions, but every one of them was enough to make a person's heart skip a beat.
Yun Shu said nothing and skipped that section.
It wasn't something he could learn about at his current level. The more he knew, the less good it would do him. Cultivation had to be done one step at a time.
Next came the B-grade Missions.
A small number of these were for Foundation Establishment experts, while most were for those in the Qi Condensation Stage.
Those in the Qi Condensation Stage could draw on the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth; it was the beginning of cultivation. As for the Body Refining Stage, it merely strengthened the body so it could contain more Spiritual Energy.
It was only a foundation-building period, without any real methods of cultivating immortality.
The Immortal Path was elusive and unfathomable, while the Martial Path was merely a lesser way, a subordinate to the Immortal Path. At least, that was the generally accepted view among people nowadays.
The Qi Condensation missions varied widely, but their rewards were captivating. Only when he reached the very bottom did Yun Shu see any mention of Qi Nurturing Pills, and when they appeared, they numbered in the hundreds or even thousands.
For example, this one.
The mission was to suppress bandits on White Birch Mountain, and the reward was one hundred Qi Nurturing Pills. What did that amount to? Three hundred Energy Points—enough for Yun Shu to cultivate to the peak of the ninth Body Refining level, perhaps even push beyond it, and more than enough to advance Sword Intent to the Second Tier.
And this was the lowest-ranked mission. In other words, someone in the Middle Stage of Qi Condensation could take it.
The simplest Qi Condensation missions didn't offer much in the way of rewards, but even those were enough to make Yun Shu envious.
He could only set the bamboo slip down in silence. These missions were beyond his reach for now.
Finally, Yun Shu examined the C-grade Missions. They could only be taken by those in the Late Body Refining Stage or at the peak of the stage, and they were extremely dangerous.
Yun Shu bit his lip.
The Female Protagonist had already entered the sect. It probably wouldn't be long before she made a spectacular name for herself there. If he wanted to avoid being forced into the role of her cannon fodder, he might really have to leave his comfort zone. In other words—
He'd have to risk his life!
He'd already taken D-grade Missions before. At his current level, completing them alone wouldn't offer much of a challenge. C-grade Missions, on the other hand, were the kind that would require him to risk his life.
By the time the Fat Steward woke up, an hour had passed.
"I've made my choice."
The Fat Steward sat up at once. Yun Shu couldn't help laughing at the sight.
At least the Fat Steward was a light sleeper. If he'd been the sort who couldn't be woken up, Yun Shu would have come all this way for nothing.
The Fat Steward lifted his head a little and looked at Yun Shu. "All right. Which ones do you want? I'll register them for you."
"D-thirty-two, D-sixteen, D-one, and C-twenty-seven," Yun Shu said.
The Fat Steward jumped, then said, "Think it over carefully. Missions have deadlines, and if you miss one, some of your resources will be deducted. D-grade Missions give you three days, C-grade Missions five days. They're meant for people who are already quite capable, and even they wouldn't take on this many at once."
He continued, trying to dissuade him, "You've only just joined the Outer Sect. You don't understand the rules and all the ins and outs yet, so I won't hold it against you. I'll pretend you never said this, but don't do it again."
Yun Shu answered earnestly, "I've read the Outer Sect Disciple handbook. I know the rules of the Scripture Pavilion. I want to take these four missions."
The Fat Steward studied Yun Shu, realizing that he didn't seem to be messing with him. "All right, then. Hand over your Jade Token. Good luck. Of course, if you fail any mission, you'll have to pay double compensation."
"Don't force yourself to finish a mission if you can't handle it. None of these missions looks easy. If things get too difficult, staying alive is what matters."
"Hand over your Jade Token."
Yun Shu obediently passed it over.
The Fat Steward glanced at Yun Shu's identity and sect records on it, then shook his head slightly.
It had taken him more than two years in the Outer Sect to advance. He didn't look like some peerless genius. The last time the two of them had worked together to kill a Demonic Tiger, it had been a decent achievement.
That had been a mission suited to someone at Body Refining Fifth Level. And now, only two days later—
He was taking this many missions all at once.
The Fat Steward knew better than anyone that biting off more than you could chew was a bad idea. Plenty of people had once taken several missions at once, just like this.
In the end, unable to afford the compensation, they'd been sent to the Law Enforcement Hall. They'd spent two years guarding the Outer Sect gates before they were finally let off.
Could Yun Shu's strength have suddenly skyrocketed over the past two days? Was that even possible?
Not a chance.
Still, he'd given all the warnings he could.
All he had to do now was carry out his duties fairly. If he hadn't warned Yun Shu in advance, his own job would have been much harder.
He took down several plaques and handed them to Yun Shu.
Yun Shu took the plaques and turned to leave.
The Fat Steward was a decent person, but Yun Shu felt he worried too much about what might go wrong. Still, he had his good points—at least he slept soundly.
Yun Shu had chosen these missions only after careful consideration. Their rewards were high, and the dangers were within a reasonable range.
This was also his first attempt at a C-grade Mission.
Afterward, Yun Shu went to look for Lin Yang.
Lin Yang had given him an address earlier, but this was Yun Shu's first time going over to see him on his own.
Usually, Lin Yang was the one who invited him over or sent someone to fetch him.
There was no helping it. Yun Shu didn't necessarily need anyone else's assistance to complete a mission, but Lin Yang was an indispensable helper. Besides, someone had to haul the Demonic Beasts' carcasses back, and Lin Yang had plenty of experience.
Following the address, Yun Shu soon arrived outside a lodging area for Outer Sect disciples.
"Lin Yang! Senior Brother Lin! Senior Brother Lin!"
Yun Shu pounded on the door.
"Who is it?"
A groggy voice came from inside.
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