Chapter 4: The Conclusion of the Three-Year Period

Bai Lian always approached task options with caution. The system seemed almost intent on trying to kill her! She had to be careful!

Nevertheless, Bai Lian was genuinely interested in the task rewards. The rewards were truly enticing.

For instance, the reward for Task 1, the "Five Spirits Immortal Book," was said to be created by the ancient Five Spirits Immortal. The story goes that the Five Spirits Immortal was engaged in a battle with an adversary. Despite being unable to kill the immortal, the foe managed to suppress him beneath a holy mountain. Unfortunately for the Five Spirits Immortal, only his rear end protruded from under the mountain, leaving him immobilized and forced to focus on cultivation.

After a century had passed, the Five Spirits Immortal finally created the Five Spirits Immortal Book, enabling him to break free from his confines and ascend to the Immortal World.

Upon reading this character introduction, Bai Lian was left stunned and amused.

"Wow, that's quite a story."

Shaking her head, she realized that the Five Spirits Immortal Book was a reward beyond her reach.

It seemed that the evil cultivator who obstructed her future second martial sister was either immensely powerful himself or hailed from a formidable sect. Even if Bai Lian managed to defeat him, he would undoubtedly call for reinforcements from his sect.

Bai Lian's attention shifted to the other tasks.

Task 3 was immediately discarded as an option. Join the group that was bullying her future second martial sister? Absolutely not. Bai Lian didn't want to bring trouble back to Qiongming Peak.

Bai Lian's gaze lingered on Task 2 for a while.

A top-grade magic tool…

The sword she wielded was only a middle-grade magic tool. If she could acquire a top-grade one, Bai Lian believed she might be able to hold her own against a Golden Core Stage cultivator. Yet, the risk was undoubtedly too great.

Eventually, Bai Lian chose Task 4—

To play the role of an innocent bystander.

[Task completed, Soft Skill +1]

A sense of relaxation spread through Bai Lian's body.

As she looked up, the situation had shifted dramatically.

A dark purple beam surged like an arrow toward the evil cultivator. The beam moved so swiftly that it resulted in a deafening explosion in the square, toppling many individuals to the ground.

Before Bai Lian could fully comprehend the situation, the evil cultivator found himself locked in combat with a newcomer who had suddenly intervened.

"?"

Bai Lian was taken aback. If she had chosen either Task 1 or Task 2, she would now be embroiled in this battle.

Both these individuals appeared to be as strong as, if not stronger than, her.

This led Bai Lian to question—

If she was destined to engage in the battle regardless, then why were the rewards for Task 1 and Task 2 so disproportionately large?

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Lian's eyes lit up as she deduced the reason.

Of course!

It was a warning signal from the system. Task 1 was a red warning, Task 2 a yellow warning… and Task 3, the safest option, especially for someone like her.

Had she chosen Task 3, she might not have gained substantial rewards, but at least she wouldn't be facing imminent death.

...

The battle ignited frustration among the cultivators present who had come to recruit new disciples. Castle Peak City was, after all, their territory. Stirring up trouble here was akin to a slap in the face.

Cultivators do not take kindly to insults!

"Cease!"

An elderly man stepped forward, brandishing a golden bell. His body radiated a golden light, resembling that of a deity.

His voice thundered, "I am an elder of the Xudong Gate. How dare you—"

"What!"

Before the elder could even finish his sentence, he was overwhelmed by a barrage of punches and sent crashing to the ground.

The remaining cultivators fell into an awed silence.

Indeed, these newcomers were exceptionally powerful.

Fine, fine. We won't interfere. You may continue.

The two combatants engaged fiercely at the square's center, causing collateral damage to bystanders.

Finally, they seemed to reach a truce and turned their attention to Xiao Jinse, who had been trying to slip away.

The evil cultivator cast an impatient glance at Xiao Jinse, who clenched her fists. He spoke with a touch of irritation, "Little girl, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to restore your Obsolete Spiritual Root. Are you going to let this opportunity slip through your fingers?"

Another figure chimed in, "I too can help you mend your Obsolete Spiritual Root. The choice is yours."

Xiao Jinse's teeth ground together.

The square fell into an expectant hush.

Members of the Xiao Family held their breath, dreading that Xiao Jinse's decision could provoke the ire of these two cultivators.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "What are you waiting for? In the name of the Xiao Family's elder, I demand you heed the words of these two immortal masters! Waste no time!"

Another individual added, "This is a chance to honor our ancestors. Younger Sister Jinse, do not hesitate!"

Xiao Jinse's gaze dimmed, hope extinguished within her.

Her heart was a battlefield of anguish.

While she lived amidst the bustling façade of her extensive family, her existence bore a striking resemblance to walking alone in the shadows.

In her sky, there was no sun—only darkness.

Become a "cauldron"?

Such a fate was out of the question. She would sooner choose death.

Bai Lian tightened her grip on her sword's hilt, her scabbard quivering with tension.

No more. She couldn't stand by any longer!

The two combatants had already been fighting for some time, and they were both wounded. Bai Lian was confident she could spirit Xiao Jinse away safely.

Xiao Jinse truly had the makings of a protagonist—always attracting trouble.

Previously, An Lan had torn her "golden finger" to shreds, but not to worry. This time, her elder martial sister had arrived!

Bai Lian took a step forward, poised to act, when suddenly three new options appeared before her.

[Task 1: Slay the two evil cultivators to avenge Xiao Jinse (Reward: The Five Spirits Immortal Book)]

[Task 2: Drive away the two evil cultivators (Reward: A top-grade magic tool, Green Feather Umbrella)]

[Task 3: Hurl An Lan's wooden tablet and cry out, "Stop!" (Reward: Focus +1)]

"Again?"

Bai Lian briefly pondered if the Five Spirits Immortal Book was meant for her alone.

Oh no.

Her frustration welled.

Are these two cultivators hiding their true strength? Why else would the rewards for facing them be so generous?

As before, Bai Lian dismissed the first two tasks.

Ultimately, she concluded that Task 3 was the simplest—where she wouldn't have to do much at all.

With determination, she stepped forward and hurled the wooden tablet that An Lan had given her, exclaiming in a frosty tone, "Stop!"

Her voice was as cold and crisp as winter's first frost.

Her presence emanated a sense of unapproachable frigidity.

The evil cultivator who had initially accosted Xiao Jinse caught the wooden tablet. Upon a casual glance at its inscription, his countenance abruptly shifted upon reading the words [Duxian Sect, Qiongming Peak].

"How can this be?"

He lifted his gaze to Bai Lian, his trembling body betraying his unease.

"Why are you suddenly acting so recklessly?"

The other evil cultivator's brow furrowed.

"Enough with the idle chatter!"

The first evil cultivator seized his companion, falling to his knees. In a tremulous voice, he stammered, "I, I, I... I wasn't aware that Fairy Bai Lian of the Duxian Sect was present. I'm at fault, I apologize!"

Bai Lian distinctly observed beads of sweat on their foreheads.

Moist and repugnant.

Xiao Jinse stared, astounded, at the scene unfolding before her.

Likewise, the onlookers in the square were dumbfounded. Who was this fairy-like girl commanding such attention?

"Bai Lian?"

"The Duxian Sect?"

"Aha, I understand now!"

A youth suddenly exclaimed, prompting curious gazes from the surrounding crowd.

The youth whispered, "Three years ago, I had the privilege of witnessing the Immortality Promotion Ceremony of the Duxian Sect. At that time, An Lan, the leader of Qiongming Peak, introduced a new disciple named Bai Lian!"

"Is she really powerful?"

"Powerful doesn't even begin to describe her! Rumor has it that Bai Lian's talent is so exceptional she's hailed as a Natural Saint. Even the sect leader of Duxian Sect was astonished! Have you heard of Yaochi Holy Mountain? It's one of the top immortal sects in the Eastern Divine Land. They were willing to exchange their former and current Saints just to have her!"

"Unbelievable—"

The square collectively gasped.

Bai Lian's ★ insignia on her forehead twitched faintly. Why hadn't she been aware of any of this?

"That's not even the most absurd part," the youth continued. "Word has it that Bai Lian achieved the Golden Core Stage within just a year. She advanced from a mortal to the Golden Core Stage in a mere two years. It's possible she's already reached the Nascent Soul Stage!"

While many in the crowd failed to fully grasp the youth's words, the general astonishment in the air was palpable.

Hisses of disbelief rippled through the crowd like whispers among serpents.

This isn't right. No, not at all.

Bai Lian felt an urge to protest loudly in front of these people.

Don't believe baseless rumors, and don't propagate them either. Do you hear me?!

Yet, upon seeing the two evil cultivators kneel before her, Bai Lian held back her impulse.

Even if she were to speak out, no one would believe her. It might even lead to further complications.

Several cultivators approached Bai Lian.

"Welcome, Fairy Bai Lian."

"I wonder what brings Fairy Bai Lian to our city?"

"How dare you question Fairy Bai Lian, you scoundrel?"

Bai Lian waved dismissively. "It's no trouble."

Hurrying to Xiao Jinse, whose expression was a mixture of astonishment and bewilderment, Bai Lian announced, "Younger martial sister, the three-year period has concluded. My master has tasked me with bringing you back to Qiongming Peak!"

Huh?

Her words prompted stunned silence from all in attendance.