Not Worth Deepening the Relationship

"Suppression missions are too dangerous. It's better to play it safe and wait a while."

Li Gan recalled that his master, Zhou Buping, had previously advised him to avoid suppression missions whenever possible, which showed just how high the risks involved were.

If there was no other way, he could simply forgo these inner disciple missions.

Besides, he didn't rely on the cultivation resources distributed by the sect anyway.

Since he could steadily improve his strength and even attain immortality just by ringing the bell, why would he want to take such a huge risk?

With that, he turned and walked out of the mission hall.

The young inner disciple watched Li Gan's retreating figure and rubbed his chin. "This junior brother looks a bit familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?"

But for the life of him, he couldn't recall.

Just then, someone walked over from the side and called out to Li Gan, "Junior Brother Li Gan?"

"Oh, it's Senior Brother Pang."

Li Gan turned around and recognized him immediately by his conspicuous bald head.

Back when he participated in the true disciple selection, this man had been talking the entire time—a real chatterbox.

Combined with that shiny bald head, he was particularly memorable.

"It seems Junior Brother Li still remembers me."

The bald Pang Bai said, looking very pleased.

"Senior Brother Pang Bai from Wuqu Peak?"

The young inner disciple was stunned when he saw this scene.

Pang Bai was a prominent figure in the inner sect. He had participated in the true disciple selection last time; although he failed, he had the potential to reach the Xiantian realm, and becoming an elder in the future would be no problem at all.

Compared to an ordinary inner disciple like himself, the difference between them was like heaven and earth.

How could a senior brother he looked up to be chatting with that junior brother? What was going on?

Wait, true disciple selection?

A flash of inspiration struck his mind, and he suddenly remembered.

That's right. This junior brother who had called him "senior brother" was definitely one of the nineteen people who had participated in the true disciple selection.

It was just that Li Gan rarely walked about the inner sect, so no one recognized him.

Even after the true disciple selection, the vast majority of inner disciples still had no idea who Li Gan was.

"A true disciple seed like that actually just called me Junior Brother?"

The young inner disciple felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

It was a sense of respect he had never experienced before.

"Junior Brother Li, are you planning to take on a mission?"

Pang Bai, the bald man, asked.

"Yes."

Li Gan nodded.

"Those suppression missions are too mundane; Junior Brother Li surely wouldn't look twice at them. How about teaming up with us to pull off something big?"

Pang Bai chuckled.

"Uh..."

Li Gan didn't even want to do a suppression mission, so how could he possibly be interested in something big?

"Junior Brother Li, I've already gathered a few people for this mission, including two who participated in the true disciple selection. If you and I join, that makes four. The chances of success would be very high."

Pang Bai began to lobby him.

Although he didn't know the extent of Li Gan's background, anyone qualified to participate in the true disciple selection was undoubtedly a standout among the inner disciples, and their strength certainly wouldn't be lacking.

"I can't compare to you, Senior Brother Pang. I don't have the ability to take on high-risk missions."

Li Gan refused directly.

"That's a real pity."

Pang Bai didn't press the issue.

The two weren't close, and he had only been trying his luck anyway.

Just then, an empty plaque on the mission wall suddenly flipped over, and a new mission appeared on it.

It was an escort mission.

As soon as this escort mission appeared, the many inner disciples waiting nearby erupted, rushing forward in a swarm to snatch it up.

This kind of scramble for missions had been going on in the mission hall for some time now.

Every time a non-suppression mission appeared, it would be snatched up immediately.

Just as the crowd of inner disciples swarmed forward, a figure suddenly flashed, and the plaque on the mission wall was already gone.

"Where are the missions?"

"What the hell, who snatched them?"

"That speed is way too fast, isn't it?"

"Damn it, that was my mission."

Just as the many inner disciples stood there looking bewildered, Li Gan had already taken a mission plaque and was walking toward the window on the other side.

Pang Bai watched this scene, also feeling a bit stunned.

This junior brother Li Gan was actually competing with those ordinary inner disciples for non-suppression missions.

This person really is a coward. He doesn't even dare to take a suppression mission. A martial artist like this, no matter how high his cultivation is, won't amount to much.

Pang Bai shook his head.

He had already concluded that this was not someone worth befriending.

Fortunately, Li Gan hadn't agreed to join them; otherwise, their mission squad would likely have been dragged down.

The thing a team fears most is a slacker who doesn't pull their weight.

Li Gan didn't care what others thought. After taking the mission token, he left the mission hall, feeling quite pleased with himself.

This mission was relatively simple.

Three days later, he was to escort a mother and daughter from Linjian City back to their hometown to visit relatives.

Because the Moon Worship Cult was rampant in that region, they had hired an inner disciple from the Divine Sword Sect to provide protection.

The requirement was the fifth layer of the postnatal realm or higher.

With his cultivation at the ninth layer of the postnatal realm, the risk should be quite low.

After all, the targets of the escort didn't have any special status.

However, being able to hire an inner disciple at the fifth layer of the postnatal realm or higher, and offering five hundred contribution points, meant they likely had some connection to someone in the middle or upper echelons of the Divine Sword Sect.

Three days passed in a flash.

After Li Gan struck the Chen bell, he headed down the mountain.

Having stayed on the mountain for so long, going out for a walk to clear his mind was actually quite nice.

He could explore the cultural landscape of this world.

Therefore, he actually quite enjoyed doing the once-a-year mission, provided he didn't have to worry about the risks.

Following the address, Li Gan arrived at Biyun Town in the northern part of Linjian City.

Exquisite mansions were situated around a lake, the scenery beautiful and picturesque.

Yun Manor.

Li Gan stood outside one of the residences. With its towering gates and expansive courtyard, owning such a manor in Linjian City was no simple feat.

I heard that an elder at Zidian Peak carries the surname Yun. I wonder if there is any connection to this Yun Manor?

Li Gan thought to himself.

As soon as he reached the entrance of Yun Manor, a servant stepped forward to greet him. "May I ask if you are the young hero Li Gan from the Divine Sword Sect?"

"I am."

Li Gan nodded.

"Please, follow me, young hero Li."

The servant said respectfully.

Upon entering Yun Manor, the layout was quite tasteful, featuring rockeries, flowing water, flowers, and trees. Li Gan soon met the mistress of the manor, a young woman in her twenties accompanied by a seven or eight-year-old girl.

"I am Lin Yun. I will have to trouble you to escort my daughter and me over the next few days, young hero Li."

The young woman bowed slightly as she spoke.

"Please rest assured, Madam Lin. Since I have accepted this mission, it is my duty."

Li Gan replied.

Everything was already prepared at Yun Manor.

Once Madam Lin and her daughter boarded the carriage, they set off immediately.

A coachman and a maidservant were also accompanying them.

Li Gan observed them for a moment. This Madam Lin had likely practiced martial arts; despite appearing delicate, her aura was not weak, and she might have already entered the ranks.

The coachman had clearly practiced martial arts as well.

Only the maidservant was an ordinary person.

After leaving Linjian City, they made good time due to the wide, flat roads.

"Big brother, what is your cultivation level?"

The curtain was lifted, revealing a young, delicate face. She looked at Li Gan with curiosity and asked.

"Xiaowen, don't go asking people about their private business."

Madam Lin's voice came from inside the carriage.

The little girl stuck out her tongue, then asked again, "Big brother, my dad is also an inner disciple of the Divine Sword Sect. Do you know him?"

"I really don't. What's your dad's name?"

Li Gan couldn't help but chuckle as he asked.

Such a cute little girl, not shy at all; if anything, she was a bit of a social butterfly.

"My dad's name is Yun Xi. He's very strong!"

The little girl's eyes crinkled into crescents, her chubby face full of pride.

Yun Xi?

Li Gan had never even heard of him.

He rarely interacted with inner disciples.

Even among the dozen or so people who participated in the last true disciple selection, he couldn't even name them all yet.