The scorching sun blazed overhead, waves of heat rolling through the air. On a small mountain path, two girls walked side by side under a shared green oil-paper umbrella. The girl holding the umbrella on the left had snow-white skin and jet-black hair, her tall and graceful figure swaying gently.
The girl on the right, who occasionally let out soft giggles, had a face like a silver plate, eyes like watery apricots, lips naturally red without rouge, and brows dark as if painted. Such a stunning sight made even the young disciples hurrying to their training pause to steal a few extra glances.
"Zijin-jie, didn’t Senior Brother Kong promise to accompany us on our trial mission down the mountain? Why must we come all the way to the Blue Heart Hall to find an escort? Won’t people laugh at our Water Mirror Hall for having no capable members?"
The purple-robed girl called Zijin-jie shook her head gently.
"This is our first trial mission outside the sect. We must ensure everything goes perfectly. Senior Brother Kong is indeed very skilled, but he spends most of his time cultivating within the sect and rarely ventures down the mountain. He’s only acted as an escort a handful of times. But once we leave the mountain, many things can’t be resolved by strength alone."
"Oh~" The green-robed girl nodded in understanding.
"Then, is the escort we’re looking for in the Blue Heart Hall very experienced?"
"Don’t ask too much. Just trust me on this."
"Alright, I believe Zijin-jie knows best."
"That’s more like it~ Let’s hurry." ...
"Achoo!"
Sigh, who’s talking about my handsome looks behind my back again? On a pebbled path, Jiang Beiran rubbed his nose and continued walking. As he reached a fork in the road, he suddenly heard a commotion up ahead.
"Hey, you think you can just walk away after bumping into me?"
"Senior Brother, I’m truly sorry. I was distracted thinking about the Heart Technique Master tested me on this morning and didn’t notice."
"I think you did it on purpose! So, how are you going to make it up to me?"
"Ah? But I..."
Jiang Beiran glanced over and saw a tall, burly Qi Refining disciple bullying a clearly new junior brother, shoving him aggressively. At the same time, four options appeared before Jiang Beiran.
[Option 1: Step forward and reprimand the bully, teaching him the importance of caring for juniors. Reward: Primordial Chaos Body (Mysterious-Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 2: Pull the junior brother behind you and say, “How much do you want? I’ll pay for him.” Reward: Thunder Throwing Dart (Yellow-Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 3: Shout, “Law Enforcer Lin is coming!” Reward: Purple Mist Sword (Yellow-Grade, Low Tier)] [Option 4: Walk past without interfering. Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1] Not bad.
Just scolding a newly ascended Qi Refining bully earns me a Mysterious-Grade body technique. The rewards are insane. Option three is great too—just hiding in the crowd and shouting “Law Enforcer Lin is coming” nets me a Yellow-Grade treasure.
The value here… amazing! Hmm… two isn’t bad either. Thunder Throwing Darts—Uncle Xu mentioned they can kill from eight hundred miles away.
A true lethal weapon! Nice, all great choices. So I’ll pick… four.
Having made his choice, Jiang Beiran walked past without a second glance. A familiar voice rang in his ears.
[Option task completed. Reward: Strength +1] Strength again?
That’s six times in a row now. Feels like I’m on steroids… Grumbling internally, Jiang Beiran continued up the stone steps until he reached a small lake.
Ah~ So comfortable. Enjoying the breeze carrying the faint scent of lake water, he sat on the stone steps by the shore and closed his eyes in contentment. Just as he was basking in the gentle wind, he suddenly heard intermittent sobbing nearby.
Opening his eyes, he saw a clearly new junior sister hugging her knees by the lake, tears streaming down her delicate, aggrieved face. Three options appeared before him.
[Option 1: Take out the walnut cake from your pocket and offer it to the junior sister. Reward: Eight Treasures Exquisite Ruler (Mysterious-Grade, High Tier)] [Option 2: Gently ask the junior sister what’s wrong. Reward: Sixth-grade Clear Heart Pill] [Option 3: Turn and leave. Reward: Random Skill Point +1] What the—!?
What kind of demoness is this!? Just handing her a piece of pastry rewards me with a Mysterious-Grade weapon!? Startled, Jiang Beiran immediately chose three, then stood up and walked away—picking up his pace until he was well clear of the lake.
Only then did he finally relax.
[Option task completed. Reward: Painting Skill +1] "Phew..."
With the crisis averted, Jiang Beiran continued his usual route around the mountain. In total, he triggered seven options today, gaining: - Strength +2 - Constitution +1 - Zither Skill +1 - Alchemy +1 - Formation +1 - Gu Refining +1 Another peaceful day in the Heart Returning Sect.
Feeling accomplished, Jiang Beiran strolled into the dining hall, ordered his favorite Jadeite & White Jade set meal, and sat down at a random table. Taking bites of steamed buns and cabbage, occasionally drizzled with sesame oil, he ate with great relish.
"Hey, did you hear? Luo Bei from the True Martial Hall was severely injured yesterday. Hall Master Song even called for Master Bu from the Clear Heart Hall in the middle of the night."
"Luo Bei!? I heard his Wind-Cleaving Blade Technique had reached mastery! How could he be so badly hurt? Did he run into some powerful demonic cultivators?"
"No, I heard he was injured inside the True Martial Hall."
"What!? Inside!? Then it must’ve been a fellow disciple who—" "Shh! Keep your voice down!" ...
Listening to the hushed conversation at the next table, Jiang Beiran shook his head and sighed inwardly. Talent always invites envy~ Tossing the last bite of bun into his mouth, he wiped his lips, cleared his dishes, and left the dining hall. Where should I go this afternoon?
Little Hero Peak is getting a bit stale. As he stood at the entrance pondering, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Beiran?"
Jiang Beiran looked up in delight.
"Senior Brother Lu!?"
"What a coincidence. I just got back and ran into you."
Lu Bogui smiled and waved.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, just finished."
Jiang Beiran jogged over.
"Care to join me for another round?"
"Of course."
Returning to the dining hall, Lu Bogui ordered a pot of Cold Spring Wine and a large plate of beef, settling at a table by the window with Jiang Beiran.
"Senior Brother, you’ve been away on your mission for so long. Did you run into trouble?"
Jiang Beiran asked curiously, accepting the cup of wine Lu Bogui poured for him.
"Mm, a bit. The Northern River Region is at war again."
"Another war?"
Jiang Beiran’s hand paused mid-sip.
"I wonder how many factions will be dragged into it this time."
Pouring himself a cup, Lu Bogui looked at Jiang Beiran with a smile.
"Don’t worry about the common folk just yet. What about you? Found a master yet?"
(End of Chapter)