38 First Mission Formation Set Up
Fang Hao left his cave and glanced to the side, noticing that his neighbor surprisingly didn't make any comments this time.
With light steps, he headed towards the plaza. However, his progress was interrupted by a voice calling out, "Young Master Fang."
Turning his head, he had a surprised expression. The individuals before him were not unfamiliar; they were five cultivators from the Cloudsoar Sect.
"Young Master" the male leading the group exclaimed excitedly again as he arrived next to him, causing Fang Hao's brows to furrow slightly.
The attention and raised eyebrows from his surroundings made him feel uneasy.
"Just call me Fang Hao," he replied to them, hoping to alleviate the situation. "In here, we have the same status." His response brought a hint of embarrassment to the faces of the cultivators.
''Sorry... Fang Hao, we got worried when we didn't see you. Are you well?'' With a concerned expression, one of them asked.
"I'm fine. Certain circumstances made me arrive a bit earlier. When did you arrive, um, Zhang, right?" Fang Hao wasn't entirely sure about the name, recalling it from a conversation he had overheard while flying on the dragon.
"It's Zhing," the man corrected him but didn't seem to mind much.
"Excuse me, Zhing. Have you been to the library already?" Fang Hao corrected himself and looked forward to seeing their choice.
''Yes, we went on the first day. After finding a manual that suited me, I started cultivating it. It will take me around 4 months to break through to the Muscle Realm,'' Zhing stated with a hint of pride.
"4 months? I see. And what about the rest of them ?" Fang Hao inquired, a slightly perplexed expression on his face.
"Those with high talents should break through around the same time as me, while the rest will take a little longer," Zhing replied, carrying a touch of arrogance and disdain for those with lower talents, leaving Fang Hao momentarily speechless.
"I see. Cultivate well. If you need my help, my cave is 4050. I have to go to the library to gather some information. We will catch up soon," Fang Hao stated, then began walking away without giving them a chance to respond, leaving them momentarily silenced.
As Fang Hao's figure faded from their view, Zhing wore a wistful expression. He had intended to invite Fang Hao for tea, but witnessing Fang Hao's dedication to cultivation, he could only mutter, "The young lord is truly diligent."
"We should also strive to cultivate harder. Let's take the young lord as an example. He's the most talented among us and will probably break through in just 2 months," one of Zhing's companions declared with determination, and they all headed back to their respective caves, motivated by Fang Hao's example.
Continuing on his path, Fang Hao encountered some of the new sect members and nodded in acknowledgment to them, earning surprised reactions and their respectful greetings in return. These interactions made him ponder Zhing's earlier words. Needing four months to achieve a breakthrough? Fang Hao was already at the Muscle Realm himself.
Shaking his head in response to the attitude he had sensed among the more talented members, Fang Hao found it difficult to comprehend their behavior. He even considered them idiots for not fully grasping the situation.
He understood that those with a lower background and talents were likely desperate and were stronger in a life-and-death situation. Fang Hao had no desire to engage with them, particularly thinking of the blue-talented female cultivator.
He knew that confronting her would likely lead to a disastrous outcome for him—he would end up dead if their realms were the same. Who knew how many battles they had already experienced?
Upon reaching the plaza, Fang Hao leisurely strolled around, imitating the behavior of the others by placing his hands behind his back and blending into the crowd. As he moved, he overheard a casual conversation that piqued his interest.
"Senior, can you sell me some pills?" one of the new sect members asked, catching Fang Hao's attention. He subtly shifted closer, pretending to be engrossed in examining a sword being sold by another cultivator.
The senior cultivator shook his head in response. "That's impossible. You can purchase lower-quality pills, but those from the sect are not for sale. The punishment we face if caught will end us. There's a reason we can only acquire them using merit points," he explained. The new sect member mentioned that he had more spirit stones, but it seemed they weren't an acceptable form of payment for such pills.
The senior cultivator's response was laced with a mix of arrogance and disdain. "You think your status means anything here? So what if your Lee clan is strong? Go home and swallow those trash pills. Here, the pills are crafted with superior materials and by high-tier alchemists. Don't you dare approach me again for such matters," he dismissed brusquely, sweeping his sleeve and departing, leaving the other individual bewildered and perplexed.
Fang Hao comprehended the reasons behind the absence of the desired pills in the marketplace. He couldn't bring himself to believe that there wasn't some form of underground market, albeit likely on a small scale.
"It's too early," he concluded within his thoughts. "Once I have a better understanding of the situation and become acquainted with some individuals, I can inquire about it."
His contemplation led him to the arena, where a wagered duel was unfolding between two late-stage muscle realm cultivators. The female combatant appeared to be gaining the upper hand, drawing his attention to the match.
Fang Hao observed the ongoing duel with a keen eye, although he struggled to comprehend the use of their skills. Their realms surpassed his own, and the techniques they employed were unfamiliar to him.
One of the cultivators brandished a sword that emitted a faint aura, its sharpness sending shivers down Fang Hao's spine. The other one relied on their fists, which seemed as solid as metal and capable of withstanding the sword strikes.
Watching until the female emerged victorious and the crowd erupted into cheers, chanting "Jin Qiaolian," Fang Hao marveled at her beauty. Despite the signs of fatigue and sweat from the battle, she possessed an exquisite appearance with obsidian black hair and fair, jade-like skin.
"Compared to Earth, they're really quite stunning," he murmured to himself as he observed the young woman's departure from the arena.
Sensing that he had spent enough time observing, Fang Hao redirected his steps towards the mission hall. Upon entering, he spotted the same woman in green robes at an unoccupied desk.
Handing her the token, Fang Hao made his request for the mission to be changed to account for a absence of up to 5 months. After paying an additional 2 spirit stones, he received a smile from her as she updated the details.
Turning his attention to the mission screen, he perused the available options. One mission caught his eye, though it also raised some concerns:
[Difficulty Rank: 0]
Mission: Kill/Capture Liu Xianyu
Location: Kingdom of Everglen
Description: Liu Xianyu is a killer and thief who brazenly breaks into homes, wreaking havoc as he pleases. The target's cultivation is lower than the Mid Muscle realm, and he is currently wounded.
Reward: 30 Contribution Points
Fang Hao scrutinized the details of the mission concerning Liu Xianyu. While the location was relatively close, his apprehension grew when he noted the target's cultivation level. It was a risky venture, and he wasn't sure if he should undertake it.
However, his hesitation didn't last long as his gaze landed on another mission that seemed tailor-made for his abilities:
[Difficulty Rank: 0]
Mission: Set Up Defensive Formation
Location: Kingdom of Everglen
Description: Establish a defensive formation capable of withstanding attacks from cultivators at the Mid Muscle realm stage.
Reward: 35 Contribution Points
Fang Hao's excitement grew as he realized that the defensive formation mission was not only suitable for him but also paid even more than the previous one.
He quickly approached the woman at the desk and presented the token once again, this time asking for additional information. She seemed surprised to see him return so soon to choose a mission, but she didn't question him.
"This additional information wasn't listed before," she explained as she handed him a scroll containing more details. Fang Hao quickly scanned through the contents, absorbing the information.
The mission involved setting up a defensive formation for the Oakroot Clan, a recently established cultivation clan in the vicinity. He had a two-month timeframe to complete the task, and they assured him that the necessary materials would be provided.
"I'm accepting this mission," Fang Hao declared with enthusiasm, urging her to process it swiftly.
She went on, her tone serious, "Should you fail to complete the mission and it's due to your negligence, you'll be required to pay a fee of 10 spirit stones. Do you agree?"
"I agree," Fang Hao confirmed firmly, fully aware of the consequences.
She used his token to seal the agreement on the scroll, marking it with his identification '4050', and then handed back the token along with a map. "Here's your token and the map to the location. Have a safe journey," she bid him with a smile before returning to her duties.
Filled with excitement, Fang Hao left the mission hall. He knew that tomorrow would mark the beginning of his first real mission beyond the sect and his first time seeing the world.
