Chapter 21: A Perilous Mission

Hearing the elder's words, Bai Feiyu only smiled, replied that he had his own plans, and then left. Watching Bai Feiyu's stubbornness, the elder could only shake his head helplessly.

Among the new disciples, most were arrogant, convinced that they could become inner sect disciples and would one day be the chosen ones. Yet, he had never seen anyone as brazen as this boy. To the point of disregarding an elder’s advice entirely. Truly, the elder was curious—what kind of task would this boy choose?

Inside the solemn main hall, inner sect disciples gathered in small groups, discussing in hushed tones which missions to take. Most came with companions; only a few, confident in their own strength, dared to act alone.

Bai Feiyu walked among them, his gaze scanning the tasks listed above.

After careful inspection, his eyes landed on one particular mission—a high-risk task with a reward of five hundred spirit stones upon completion.

Mission Details:
Travel to the Traitor’s Mountain Range, seek out the villages nearby, find the demonic cultivator Li Zikun, and kill him.
Li Zikun was a formidable practitioner at the ninth level of the Howling Qi Realm, cultivating a bloodthirsty method, constantly devouring human blood to strengthen his power.

Seeing the reward of five hundred spirit stones, Bai Feiyu's eyes sparkled. That amount equaled nearly ten months’ stipend for an inner disciple. If he could refine these stones, he might truly break into the Howling Qi Realm.

For most disciples, advancing from the seventh level of Qi Refinement into the Howling Qi Realm took at least two years. The gap between these realms was vast and not easily crossed.

But Bai Feiyu thought nothing of it.

After a moment of deliberation, he stepped up to an elder in charge of registration, presented his mission token, and said, “Elder, I am interested in the mission to slay Li Zikun. Please assign it to me!”

His words instantly caused a stir in the great hall.

The mission to eliminate Li Zikun was known as one of the most dangerous tasks currently available. Most strong disciples were already engaged in other missions or in closed-door cultivation, so this mission had remained untaken for a long time.

Now, someone had come to claim it—no wonder it caused an uproar.

“Whoa, someone’s actually taking Li Zikun’s mission! Is this a top-ranking disciple?”

“This senior brother looks unfamiliar, not someone of established fame.”

“I have to admit, just having the courage to accept the Li Zikun mission is impressive.”

...

All eyes in the hall turned to Bai Feiyu.

The elder in charge of registration was visibly excited; after all, this mission had been gathering dust for far too long. As an elder in the Mission Hall, it had been a source of headache for him.

The villages near Traitor’s Mountain Range had repeatedly petitioned the Gui Xu Sect to send someone to eliminate Li Zikun, but as no one took up the mission, the villagers grew anxious and began to apply pressure.

Sects like Gui Xu did not merely nurture disciples—they also bore the responsibility of protecting the region. If the matter dragged on with no results, those above in the sect would eventually come looking for trouble with the Mission Hall, adding to the elders’ burdens.

“Disciple, please present your mission token,” the elder requested, his excitement evident. Though Bai Feiyu seemed unfamiliar, the hall saw many new faces daily; he thought little of it.

Bai Feiyu politely handed over his token.

“Hmm, not bad—wait, seventh level of Qi Refinement?” The elder suddenly exclaimed, his face darkening.

A seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator wishing to take on Li Zikun? Was this some sort of joke?

The information showed that this boy had not been an inner disciple for long. With such a low cultivation, was he just here for laughs?

The elder’s gaze turned unkind, convinced Bai Feiyu was either seeking attention or had become arrogant after entering the inner sect.

Ordinary disciples would never attempt a Howling Qi Realm mission at the Qi Refinement stage—let alone one at the ninth level!

“Disciple, please do not make a spectacle of yourself. With your cultivation, how do you intend to slay Li Zikun? Moreover, Li Zikun has established his own sect with followers; you might not even make it past his underlings!” The elder’s voice was sharp and unyielding.

“What? Seventh level of Qi Refinement? No wonder his name isn’t on the ranking board!”

“These days, you see all sorts—coming to the Mission Hall just to show off. Doesn’t anyone manage this place?”

“Is he actually planning to get himself killed? How can someone be so reckless?”

“Who knows, perhaps his cultivation has addled his mind.”

...

Many disciples jeered openly at Bai Feiyu’s audacity, seeing him as nothing more than a clown, a laughingstock.

Worse, this incident would make him infamous—how could he stand among the inner sect after this?

Bai Feiyu frowned but soon relaxed. Such reaction was only natural; no one would believe a mere Qi Refinement disciple could slay someone at the Howling Qi Realm.

But Bai Feiyu couldn’t be bothered to explain. He looked at the elder and said, “Elder, just issue the mission. I have no interest in further explanation. The mission is listed here—surely you won’t forbid others from claiming it?”

The elder’s expression grew odd; he was convinced there was something wrong with Bai Feiyu.

Otherwise, who would willingly seek death? If you accepted a mission and failed to attempt it, you lost a month’s worth of spirit stones. Most disciples were very cautious in their choices.

Yet this one was so intent on a perilous task—did he truly wish to die?

“Disciple, if you’re troubled, or someone is bullying you, you may report to the Discipline Elder. Please do not make a scene in the Mission Hall. If you continue, I’ll have you removed.”

The elder's words were blunt and merciless.

“Is he still pretending at a time like this? Does he really want to die?”

“Who knows? These days, you see all sorts. Let's just enjoy the show.”

“Hey, junior brother, are you afraid now?”

Many disciples egged him on, trying to persuade Bai Feiyu to accept the mission.

...