The little one, his companion, had been growing steadily, currently at the early stage of Primal Surge (rank 2). Its rapid growth was fueled by the rank 1 beast meat Hope fed it multiple times a day, and he couldn't help but marvel at the pace at which it was developing. It seemed impossible for a cub to grow so strong so quickly, but Hope shrugged it off. He wasn't an expert, after all.
As he continued his training, Hope felt a sense of restlessness. He had been confined to his room for a week, immersed in practice. While progress was important, he yearned for action. He needed contribution points—points he intended to use to acquire a Heaven rank sword technique. More than that, he wanted to ensure that he never grew complacent. His thoughts drifted to Ren, who had access to numerous resources: herbs, pills, artifacts, and techniques. Hope didn’t fear being weaker than others, but the thought of someone who he could once easily handle becoming stronger than him was unsettling. That would mean he had become lazy.
Hope glanced down at the little one, who was watching him with wide eyes. It seemed to understand his gaze, nodding its head before it wandered closer and licked Hope's boots affectionately.
With a soft chuckle, Hope shook his head. "We’re going out to fight" he muttered, "You need to train too."
The little one responded by nodding again, its body inching closer to Hope, its claws gripping his boots as it readied itself for the upcoming adventure.
Hope couldn't help but shake his head at the little one's antics. He knelt down and gently scooped it up, cradling the little one in his hands before pressing it close to his chest. The little one clung to his uniform with its sharp claws, as if it were trying to anchor itself in place.
As Hope held the little one, he suddenly remembered that his own uniform was in tatters. It had been weeks since it was first torn, and the bloodstains from various encounters had left it barely recognizable. He had been so focused on training that he hadn't bothered to get a new one. Fortunately, no one seemed to care about such things in the sect—disciples here were accustomed to bloodied uniforms and the rough lifestyle that came with it.
Deciding it was time to change, Hope exited his room and made his way to the reception area. The familiar scent of incense and faint sounds of murmured conversations filled the air as he approached the counter. He stepped up to the counter and asked, "I need a new uniform. How do I get one?"
A woman behind the counter looked up at him. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes that quickly assessed Hope from head to toe. After a brief moment of silence, she nodded and said, "Let me take your measurements, and then I'll bring you a new one."
Hope stood still as she took his measurements, her hands moving with practiced precision. It didn't take long before a fresh, unblemished uniform was laid out in front of him. But just as he was about to take it, a conversation from a nearby group of disciples caught his attention, and his thoughts shifted.
"Did you hear?" a voice whispered urgently.
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"No, what are you talking about?" the second voice responded, curiosity piqued.
"People from the Ember Phoenix Sect are here, investigating the disappearance of three of their Inner disciples" the first man said in a hushed tone.
"What? Someone killed our ally disciples?" the second man asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Yeah. No one knows who did it, but they're searching everywhere for any clues. It's been two weeks since those disciples left their sect, and they were supposed to return a week ago, but they've never shown up" the first man replied, his voice tinged with concern.
Hope's attention was already waning as the conversation unfolded around him. The mention of the Ember Phoenix Sect didn’t faze him; it was likely they were just trying to cover their tracks. No one would ever trace the deaths back to him. And even if they did, Hope wasn’t concerned. At most, he would have to leave, find a new place to train, and keep moving forward.
He couldn’t afford to get caught up in petty matters like this. The sect’s politics were none of his concern, and the less attention he drew to himself, the better. He stripped off his tattered uniform without hesitation, leaving the bloody remnants behind. The woman behind the counter didn’t bat an eye as he changed into his new one.
With the fresh uniform now on, Hope took a deep breath and moved with renewed purpose. He walked straight out of the reception area and headed toward the mission hall, hoping to find a worthy challenge to occupy his time and earn some contribution points.
Hope entered the mission hall with his mind focused. The air inside was thick with the scent of parchment and ink, and the walls were lined with scrolls detailing missions for cultivators. He walked straight toward the mission board, his gaze scanning the tasks on offer. Each mission presented its own challenges, but Hope was seeking one that would either help him grow stronger or provide him with a substantial amount of contribution points.
‘I need something that will either allow me to improve or give me a high quantity of contribution points’ Hope thought, his fingers lightly brushing over the paper as he skimmed through the posted missions.
After a moment, his eyes landed on a particular mission. It stood out, both because of its reward and its danger. His pulse quickened as he read the details.
Mission Title: Hunt the Flame Wyvern
Danger Level: Very High
Description:
The Shadowflame Wyvern, a Rank 5 (Primal Transformation) beast, has been terrorizing the northern borders of the Crimson Phoenix Empire. With its control over fire, it devastates villages and eludes most who attempt to hunt it. The Wyrm's lair is located in the treacherous Firedragon Mountain, on the northern border.
The mission is to track, confront, and slay the wyvern, then retrieve its Flame Core for the Crimson Phoenix Empire.
Objective: Retrieve its Shadowflame Core as proof of success.
Reward:
- 50,000 contribution points
- Essence Amplifier Pill
- Every part of the beast’s corpse except the beast core
Recommended Cultivation Level: mid stage Heart of Harmony or higher. A group of peak Will Refinement cultivators is advised.
Hope stared at the mission for several moments, his heart thumping in his chest. The reward was enticing, especially the contribution points and the Essence Amplifier Pill. But the danger level was labeled as “Very High” and the recommended cultivation level was above his current abilities. He was still in the early stage of Soul Resonance, and taking on a Rank 5 beast was suicide.
But the more Hope thought about it, the more appealing it became. If he could somehow complete this mission, it would solve so many of his problems. The contribution points alone would give him access to valuable resources, and the Essence Amplifier Pill would undoubtedly enhance his cultivation speed. Plus, the materials from the wyvern’s corpse—if he could retrieve them—would be worth a fortune.
Despite the risk, Hope’s resolve hardened.
‘If I succeed, I can improve faster than I could ever imagine. There’s nothing more important than growing stronger. Besides… I want to test my current strength without holding back’ he thought, his determination flaring up.
With no more hesitation, Hope accepted the mission.
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