Sect Missions

Having finished weighing her options in her heart, Ye Ling raised her eyes and cupped her hands toward the Peak Masters of the Second and Fifth Sword Peaks, speaking softly.

“This junior has made up her mind. In the future, I will frequently visit the Second and Fifth Sword Peaks to practice the heritage sword techniques of both peaks.”

Upon hearing this, the other four Peak Masters sighed helplessly. Though their hearts were filled with regret, they could not force her.

The sword Dao emphasized the compatibility of temperament and alignment of paths; everyone had their own unique way. If their own peak's heritage did not suit Ye Ling's temperament, no amount of regret would change that. They could only suppress their disappointment and stop trying to persuade her.

Seeing that the matters regarding the six major sword peaks had been settled, Wen Ningshuang, the Peak Master of the Spirit Medicine Peak who had been sitting quietly on the side, immediately stood up and looked at Ye Ling with eager eyes.

“Ye Ling, I wonder if you have any interest in the art of refining medicine? If you are interested, you can come to my Spirit Medicine Peak to study at any time. I will definitely pass down all my lifelong refining experience without holding anything back.”

Ye Ling calmly cupped her hands and used the same excuse she had previously used to decline Peak Master Ji.

“Thank you for your love and favor, Peak Master. Right now, this junior only wants to focus on studying the sword Dao, and I have no plans to study other auxiliary arts for the time being.”

Hearing this, Wen Ningshuang did not force the issue and smiled gently.

“No matter, no matter. Everyone has their own aspirations. If you ever want to try refining medicine in the future, feel free to come find me at the Spirit Medicine Peak.”

With that, she reached into the storage bag at her waist, took out three bottles of extremely high-quality pills, and pushed them toward Ye Ling.

“These three bottles of pills are all Profound-grade low-tier pills. Their pill toxins are negligible, and they are perfectly suited for your current Xiantian Realm cultivation.

“The first type is the Qi-Gathering Mist Pill. Swallowing it during daily meditation can accelerate the absorption of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, speeding up the accumulation of spiritual energy.

“The second type is the Dragon Marrow Foundation-Solidifying Pill, which specifically nourishes the flesh, bones, and meridians, strengthening the physical foundation.

“The third type is the Clear Healing Flesh-Growing Pill. Should your flesh or meridians be damaged, taking it will quickly stop the bleeding, heal the wound, and repair the injury.”

Each pill was round and full, with clear pill patterns flowing with soft light. One could tell at a glance that they were top-grade items refined from many rare spiritual herbs.

Wen Ningshuang added with a smile, “These were originally your monthly pill allowances, but I might as well give you the entire year's share in advance.”

With that, she reached out again, took out several large jars of pills, and handed them all to Ye Ling, saying generously, “Actually, there's no need for you to remember to collect your monthly allowance pills. In the future, if you run out of pills, just come directly to the Spirit Medicine Peak to get them from me. No need to be formal.”

Ye Ling's heart was filled with warmth and gratitude, and she solemnly cupped her hands to express her thanks.

“Thank you for your generous reward, Peak Master. If this disciple wishes to study the art of refining medicine in the future, I will definitely come to seek your guidance first.”

Wen Ningshuang waved her hand gently, her eyes curved in a smile.

“There is no need for thanks. You are the future hope of our Qinglan Sword Sect. If you truly wish to thank me, just come to my Spirit Medicine Peak when you are free in the future and learn the art of refining medicine from me.”

Ye Ling nodded in agreement.

Just as everyone in the hall had calmed down, Leng Zhiwei, who sat in the main seat, lightly tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention back to the business at hand.

She looked at Ye Ling and spoke slowly, “By the way, Ling'er, when you went to the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak to collect your monthly allowance earlier, the manager should have mentioned to you that you still have an unused opportunity to enter a secret realm, right?”

Ye Ling cupped her hands slightly and replied, “To answer the Sect Master, the manager did indeed inform me. I have already temporarily registered and reserved this qualification and did not use it rashly.”

Leng Zhiwei nodded in satisfaction. “You handled this very prudently. Today, I will explain the three secret realms of our Qinglan Sword Sect to you in detail.

“Our sect has a total of three secret realms: one mid-tier secret realm and two low-tier secret realms.

“The two low-tier secret realms have low entry thresholds and are suitable for Houtian and Xiantian Realm disciples to enter for training. However, after hundreds of years of repeated exploration by disciples, the resources inside are no longer as abundant as they were in the early years. Even so, compared to the wild lands outside the sect, they are still considered rich in resources.

“As for that mid-tier secret realm, the required cultivation level starts at the Xiantian Realm, with the upper limit being the Tongxuan Realm.”

“The demon beasts inhabiting the secret realm are at least of the Xiantian level, and the number of Tongxuan Realm demon beasts is scarce. Every year, the sect specially dispatches people to enter and clear out the Tongxuan Realm demon beasts that have bred in the secret realm, preventing them from multiplying extensively and harming the disciples who enter.”

She spoke in a gentle tone, giving some sound advice.

“You have only recently broken through to the Xiantian Realm, so your foundation still needs to be polished and settled. In my opinion, you might as well quiet your mind and cultivate for a while longer. Once your strength is more stable, you can then set off to train in the mid-tier secret realm.

“Perhaps you might even stumble upon an unexpected great opportunity. Although that secret realm has been developed by the sect for hundreds of years, every few decades, some lucky disciples always obtain miraculous encounters within. Whether it be high-grade spiritual herbs or top-tier weapons and spiritual artifacts, opportunities are unpredictable.”

Ye Ling listened intently, nodded gently, and engraved the Sect Master's words into her heart.

Seeing this, Leng Zhiwei spoke again to supplement the sect rules.

“Since entering the sect, you have focused solely on closed-door cultivation and have not left the sect for years. I imagine you are not aware of our sect's disciple regulations.

“All disciples of our sect have mandatory annual training missions. Outer sect disciples must complete them five times a year, inner sect disciples three times a year, personal disciples twice a year, and True Disciples like you only need to do so once a year.

“If you encounter special circumstances such as closed-door cultivation or sudden emergencies, the missions can be accumulated and postponed without being forced to complete them.”

“It has been nearly a year since you entered the sect, and you still have one uncompleted annual mandatory mission under your name as a True Disciple.”

Her gaze was gentle, carrying a subtle hint of guidance.

“I suggest that after you finish handling all matters today, you head to the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak to accept a mission. You can prioritize choosing a training mission near Heishui Commandery. This way, you can successfully complete your sect mission, and it will also be on the way, allowing you to return home and visit your family.”

Ye Ling understood instantly, reading the Sect Master's thoughtful intentions. This was an opportunity to return home that the other party had specially created for her.

Warmth surged in her heart, and she quickly cupped her hands to solemnly express her gratitude.

“This disciple understands. Thank you for your consideration, Sect Master.”

Once the Sect Master had properly explained all matters, the tense atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly.

Zhao Lin, the Peak Master of the Second Sword Peak, immediately stepped forward and spoke to Ye Ling in a warm and eager tone.

“Ye Ling, whenever you wish to practice my peak's Flowing Cloud Wind-Chasing Sword Technique and its matching Wind-Chasing Movement Technique, just come directly to the Second Sword Peak at any time. This old man will personally guide you and will never hold anything back.”

Jiang Zhufeng, the Peak Master of the Fifth Sword Peak on the side, also quickly chimed in.

“You can also come to my Fifth Sword Peak first. The Blue Billows Returning to One Sword is most suitable for polishing your sword Dao foundation. I will be waiting for you to come cultivate at any time.”

Ye Ling bowed slightly and cupped her hands, her etiquette impeccable.

“Thank you for your love and favor, Peak Masters. This junior will visit you tomorrow to seek your guidance.”

Having received her reply, Zhao Lin and Jiang Zhufeng were overjoyed. They quietly exchanged a glance, unable to hide their smugness.

They also cast subtle glances at the other four sword Peak Masters, showing quite a bit of boasting over their victory.

Seeing the two of them showing off after getting such a good deal, the remaining four Peak Masters felt a sudden surge of anger welling up in their chests.

However, they were still in the discussion hall, and the Sect Master was sitting in the main seat, so it was inconvenient to argue or flare up on the spot. They only made up their minds secretly that once the meeting adjourned, they would definitely drag those two into a spar to take them down a peg or two.

Zhao Lin and Jiang Zhufeng also keenly sensed several unfriendly gazes. Their hearts tightened, and they immediately retracted their expressions, sitting up straight and pretending as if their earlier showing off had never happened.

Liu Qinghan cast a faint, sidelong glance at the two of them, silently conveying a message with her eyes.

“Don't you dare leave after the meeting.”