Mission Companion Qing Liyin

"Is your number 453 too?" A young woman's soft voice came toward him. He heard it even amidst the loud noises. He looked in the direction and found a light-skin, black-haired girl with light-red eyes staring at him.

"Yes, my number is 453 too." He said with a smile. "What's your name?"

She relieved a sigh of relief and said with a faint smile, "I am Qing Liyin, Upper Layer 5th Stage. You are?" She gazed at his sharp, pale face.

"Quhiyn. Same strength as yours." Quhiyn said, moving toward a less crowded area with her beside him.

"Perfect. I will be in your care." Liyin lightly bowed. She was glad to find a person of equal strength and a gentle personality. He also looked clean. Overall, she was satisfied.

"Same here." Quhiyn said with a slight bow and suggested, "Since we will be hunting beasts together, we should get a little familiar with each other and discuss the Arcane Land."

"You are right." Liyin nodded and took out a thin book. "Look. This book has some details on the beasts in the Arcane Land."

Quhiyn's eyes grew a little big seeing that and asked, "Can I see it?"

"Why else would I take it out? Here." Liyin handed it to him. She did not worry about him not returning it even though it was common. As far she knew, less than 100 people had this book out of the thousands present.

Quhiyn poured his attention into it, etching all the details in his mind. This book would sell for quite a lot here right now, it could be considered a rare book on this spot. The reason? It could just be the difference between life and death.

Liyin's faint smile got a little bigger seeing him focus so intently. It meant he took this trip seriously. She hummed a tune and whispered after a minute.

"Don't you want to know where I got it from? Do you not want one?" Quhiyn continued reading. She was about to think he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings when he responded.

"I did wonder but it doesn't concern me where you got it from. I didn't hear about this sort of book being available anywhere so it means you got it from some unknown place or a strong power." He realized he said a little too much and gazed at her.

"How are you this sure? Do you have ears all around?" Liyin still had her faint smile, now curious about his confidence.

"Did someone pay you to spy on me?" Quhiyn chuckled.

"I didn't know you were such an important person. So there are people paying to get information on you," Liyin raised her eyebrows.

"No, that's not the case. But will you treat me differently if that was the case?" Quhiyn played along, at the same time, read the book.

"No, why would I? I would just be a little curious." Liyin resumed humming a tune and let him read for another minute.

"Let's stop here." She said. They were under the shadow of a large tree. Its green leaves flying with the gentle winds.

"Move your ear closer." She softly said, facing his arm. Quhiyn lowered his head to his left. She made a cover around his ears with her hands and whispered. Her warm breath caressed his ear. He kept his calm and focused on what she said.

"Keep this a secret." She stepped back. Quhiyn nodded at her and return to reading. Liyin was a little surprised by seeing how much he had read by now.

"Do you know about Beast Tamers?" He looked at her.

"Aren't those people who capture beasts and try to tame? It's really dangerous." Liyin tilted her head.

"It's dangerous but it can be worth it. Did you ever think about catching one? I saw some that are said to be easier to tame than others in this book?" Quhiyn showed a part of the book to her. The page described a four-legged creature with thick furs, the Black-horned Beast.

"Who didn't? I did before reading this and after reading this too, it made me want to get one even more. But it reeks of danger and I would rather not risk it to get a beast." Liyin said. She didn't think it was worth risking right now.

"Mm. If an opportunity comes, let's try capturing one," Quhiyn said with a smile. She nodded back at him with a bigger smile. He returned to reading and she looked at the rushing disciples and hummed a new tune.

Three minutes later, Quhiyn released a deep sigh and stretched his arms.

"Reading it was fun and I learned a lot. Thanks a lot, Sister Liyin. I will return the favor soon." Quhiyn smiled and pushed the book toward her. She looked at him with surprise and took the book. He was already done.

"You don't have to worry about any favor or you will be disregarding my goodwill and having this information will benefit both of us." She said in a serious tone.

Quhiyn's eyes got bigger with surprise and he nodded. He would still keep this in mind. It wasn't common for disciples to hand out rare info such as this.

"And you can call me Liyin." She emphasized and was a little embarrassed too since it signified closeness. Was she rushing? But he seemed like a pleasant person and they would be together for a long time.

"Okay. You can call me Quhiyn too."

Liyin smiled a little and turned her head in front while he gazed at the stronger cultivators struggling to find their team member. He noticed Niu heading toward them with a smile.

"Liyin, I will be back in a moment." Quhiyn looked at her nodding face and walked toward Niu.

"Quhiyn, you are so quick, you already have a lady by your side," Niu chuckled, patting his shoulder.

"Who did you get?" Quhiyn said, not bothering with empty talks.

"She is one layer higher than me," Niu sighed. At least it was a female disciple.

"Use this time to learn from her. Don't slack." Quhiyn said. Niu would be under her command which would make it difficult to form any close relationship.

"I don't need to hear that from you. Good luck, I will take my leave now or else I will be glared to death." Niu sighed and looked back to his companion. Her glare sent shivers down his sweaty body.

"Be careful. I will see you later." Quhiyn waved with a smile. He walked back to Liyin who had been watching them the whole time. She didn't hear what they said.

"Welcome back," Liyin said, already relaxed around him.

"Mm. Liyin, do you think we are underprepared?" Quhiyn whispered.

"Why do you think so?" Liyin raised her eyebrows.

"Look at the Elders. They are nervous." He whispered into her ear. She listened to what he said and focused her eyes on the Outer Court Elders. It wasn't clear but she noticed some had wrinkled faces and knitted eyebrows. It was faint but smoke flowed out of their faces.

Liyin looked back at Quihyn's smile and narrowed her eyes with a nod. If he hadn't told her, she wouldn't have noticed this subtle change. Generally, Outer Court Elders were filled with overbearing confidence and sternness.

"Can you explain it to me?" She asked, thinking it was serious. Why did he point it out? And why were they nervous? Or were they overthinking? She had questions racing in her mind.