Practical Assessment

Over the next few days, aside from her meditative cultivation, Bai Qingxue spent every day at the training ground practicing her swordplay.

The three forms—Frost, Ice Seal, and Shatter Ice—were honed through repeated practice until she could perform them with effortless ease.

The Frost Condensation Sword felt more and more natural in her hand, as if it had become an extension of her own body.

The branches of the old plum tree were now in full bloom, their cold fragrance lingering in the air. Occasionally, Bai Qingxue would sit beneath the tree for a moment, clearing her mind of all thoughts and simply watching the silver-white petals tremble in the snowy wind.

On another day of instruction, while Bai Qingxue was practicing at the training ground, Liu Ningshuang arrived as scheduled.

“Your mastery of the sword techniques is nearly complete.” Liu Ningshuang stood at the edge of the field, nodding slightly as she watched Bai Qingxue leave a deep gash in a wooden stake with a single strike.

“Today, I have arranged for you to go down the mountain to hunt a monster beast. Consider it a practical assessment.”

Bai Qingxue sheathed her sword and asked, “What kind of monster beast?”

“There are first-rank snow-maned wolves in the Luoyun Mountain Range, which possess combat power roughly equivalent to the third level of Qi Refining. Go hunt one and bring back its monster core.” Liu Ningshuang handed her a command token and a green jade talisman.

“You are only permitted to use the three sword forms you have learned. If you encounter danger, crush the jade talisman, and I will come to retrieve you.”

Bai Qingxue took the token and the talisman, tucked them into her sleeve, and replied, “I understand.”

Afterward, she returned to her courtyard to change into clothes suitable for travel. She hung the Frost Condensation Sword at her waist and checked her storage bag for pills and rations. Once everything was confirmed, she headed toward the mountain gate.

As she passed the old plum tree, the silver-white petals rustled down in the wind, one landing on her shoulder.

Bai Qingxue did not brush it away, heading straight out of the courtyard gate.

...

At the same time, on Qingyun Peak.

A crowd had gathered at the entrance of the Mission Hall.

“First-rank low-grade azure wind wolf, third level Qi Refining combat power, high speed. Suitable for Qi Refining disciples to hunt in groups. Three or more people, eighty contribution points to be split equally.” The Mission Hall deacon posted the notice, and several Qi Refining disciples immediately swarmed forward.

Ye Qingyao was among them. She had just broken through to the second level of Qi Refining a few days ago and was looking for a suitable opportunity for practical combat.

A first-rank low-grade azure wind wolf was at the third level, one minor realm higher than her, but if she joined a team, they should be able to handle it.

“Count me in,” she said, stepping forward.

The deacon glanced at her. “Second level of Qi Refining? An azure wind wolf is at the third level. Are you sure?”

“I know sword techniques; I can help pin it down,” Ye Qingyao said seriously.

A round-faced youth at the third level of Qi Refining beside her looked her over, appearing somewhat hesitant. “Junior Sister, it’s not that we don’t want to take you, but you’re only at the second level. If something happens...”

“Let her come,” another female disciple said, tugging at his sleeve. “One more person means more strength. Besides, an azure wind wolf is only slightly stronger than the second level; it’s not like we can’t fight it. We just have to be careful.”

The round-faced youth thought for a moment before finally nodding. “Fine, but you must follow orders. No rushing forward. Stay in the back and use spells to interfere. If things look bad, run immediately.”

“Okay,” Ye Qingyao nodded vigorously.

The female disciple smiled and patted her shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. With the three of us at the third level taking you along, there won’t be any problems.”

Ye Qingyao signed her name in the mission register and walked back clutching her token, her heart racing slightly.

This was her first time leaving the mountain to hunt a monster beast; it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.

But more than that, she felt a sense of eagerness. If she could complete this successfully, she could save enough contribution points to exchange for better pills and strive to break through to the third level before the end of the year.

By then, she should be able to make that person notice her, right?

...

The Luoyun Mountain Range was located three hundred miles north of the Xuantian Sect, serving as an outer region designated by the sect for disciple trials.

Liu Ningshuang brought Bai Qingxue to the entrance of a valley on the outskirts of the mountain range.

“Snow-maned wolves prefer the cold and often frequent the shaded slopes. Go in on your own. I will wait for you here before nightfall.” After saying this, Liu Ningshuang leaned against a pine tree and closed her eyes to rest, appearing as though she didn't intend to interfere further.

Bai Qingxue nodded and entered the valley alone without saying much.

The valley was densely forested. Bai Qingxue lightened her footsteps and spread her spiritual sense to cover a few yards around her.

After walking for about an hour, she found tracks by a stream.

They were a series of wolf paw prints, larger than an adult man's palm, deeply embedded in the mud. There were even frost-white hairs at the edges of the prints that felt cold to the touch.

This should be the snow-maned wolf.

Bai Qingxue crouched down and used her fingers to measure the size of the print, her brow twitching slightly.

This print was nearly twice as large as the snow-maned wolf she had seen in the jade slip. It didn't seem like an ordinary first-rank low-grade monster beast. Was the information wrong...?

Bai Qingxue followed the tracks through a dense forest and arrived at a shaded hillside.

The slope was covered in jagged rocks and low shrubs. Behind a cluster of bushes, she spotted her target.

The wolf was significantly larger than she had expected.

According to the jade slip, an ordinary snow-maned wolf was no more than five feet long, but the one before her was a full seven feet long and waist-high at the shoulder. Its frost-white mane was like steel needles, glinting coldly in the dim forest.

At the moment, the snow-maned wolf was lying on a boulder, dozing. The white air it exhaled condensed into frost mist in the air.

Bai Qingxue held her breath and carefully extended her spiritual sense toward it.

She discovered that the aura of this snow-maned wolf had actually reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Bai Qingxue immediately made a judgment; a mid-stage Qi Refining beast was clearly not something she could handle right now.

The task Liu Ningshuang had given her was to hunt an ordinary third-level snow-maned wolf. There was no need to take such a risk here.

Bai Qingxue slowly backed away, her steps as light as a cat's, keeping even her breathing to a minimum.

Indeed, she intended to return the way she came and look for the tracks of an ordinary snow-maned wolf instead.

However, the snow-maned wolf’s ears suddenly twitched toward the direction where she was hiding.

It had heard her!

Its eerie green eyes slowly opened, locking straight onto the bushes where Bai Qingxue was located.

Seeing this, Bai Qingxue knew she could no longer hide. As for running—since she hadn't even learned movement techniques yet—how could she possibly outrun a snow-maned wolf?

Bai Qingxue stood up, her right hand gripping her sword hilt, as she calmly met the wolf's gaze.

The snow-maned wolf rose from the boulder, crouching low with a deep, threatening growl emanating from its throat.

The wind blew down from the hillside, swirling a few withered leaves.

One person and one wolf stood in a standoff deep within the Luoyun Mountain Range.