Chapter Twenty-Four: Sect Missions

Han Yuanzheng asked how Zhou Qi had performed at the social gathering. At this, Han Qiaoman's anger flared. “I went to invite him, but he refused to give me any face. He claimed he was gravely injured, and even when I offered him a Reviving Immortal Pill, he declined. Only after I invoked my father's name did he agree. Yet he was late to the gathering, and when he finally arrived, while everyone else was dressed in their finest, he showed up still in his personal disciple’s robes.”

“When it came time to showcase his cultivation achievements, he recited something called a poem, and let Long Feiyu praise him to the skies. In my eyes, Zhou Qi knows nothing of rank or propriety, his strength is lacking, and I truly don’t understand what Elder Liu or Long Feiyu see in him.”

“I, on the other hand, think Zhou Qi is a talent worth cultivating. Even my daughter’s charm couldn’t move him—only the sect master’s command could make him act. That shows he’s a man of principle, not someone who can be easily swayed. Even at the gathering, he didn’t forget to display his identity as a personal disciple of Life and Death Sect. Considering what he did to the Zhengyi Sect before, if there’s anyone truly loyal left on the Celestial Profound Continent, it’s only Zhou Qi.” After hearing Han Qiaoman’s tirade, Han Yuanzheng voiced a completely different opinion.

Han Qiaoman hadn’t complained about Zhou Qi just to be contradicted by her father, but what he said was undeniably true. If one were to look for the most loyal among the personal disciples, apart from Zhou Qi, there was no one.

“But his strength is too low. He’s only at the seventh level of Qi training. Exploring an Immortal’s Cave won’t mean much for someone like that.” Han Qiaoman could see her father’s intent, but she persisted.

“Not so. Those above the Foundation Establishment stage can’t enter, which means the Immortal’s Cave doesn’t judge by cultivation but by fate. Moreover, the cave contains a Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill—how could he not fight for it? Perhaps Zhou Qi will yet surprise us,” Han Yuanzheng grew more confident the more he thought about it.

“Go and fetch Zhou Qi. I wish to see him,” Han Yuanzheng instructed Han Qiaoman.

Left with no choice, Han Qiaoman went to comply, still unable to fathom why her father valued this boy so highly. What she didn’t know was that loyalty was the rarest quality on the Celestial Profound Continent. In a great sect, there was no shortage of powerful cultivators, but those who would turn in treasures instead of keeping them for themselves were few indeed.

Outside Elder Liu Ruitai’s cave in the Life and Death Sect—

“Junior Brother Zhou, are you inside?” Han Qiaoman called into the formation, trying her best to sound gentle.

Zhou Qi, who was in seclusion, immediately awakened from his meditation. Why is she looking for me? Could Long Feiyu have sent her? No, I can’t face him yet. I’d best pretend I’m not here.

“Junior Brother Zhou… Junior Brother Zhou…” Han Qiaoman’s calls grew louder, but still there was no response. Maybe he really isn’t here. Remembering what happened last time, she decided to try once more. “My father, Sect Master Han Yuanzheng, wishes to see you.”

So it’s not Long Feiyu. If the sect master wants to see me, I can’t refuse.

No sooner had Han Qiaoman finished her last message than Zhou Qi emerged from the formation. She was instantly infuriated—he ignored her calls, but the moment the sect master was mentioned, he appeared. Han Qiaoman felt her young heart had suffered a blow. In a fury, she struck out, her jade-white palm landing squarely on Zhou Qi and sending him tumbling to the ground. Though she was angry, Han Qiaoman did not lose her head; the blow was only meant as a lesson.

“Senior Sister, what’s the meaning of this?” Zhou Qi, having just left his cave, was struck out of nowhere. Sensing no killing intent, and curious to test his body’s toughness after the Heavenly Selection Tempering, he hadn’t bothered to dodge. He picked himself up, dust-covered and aggrieved.

“Oh? It’s you, Junior Brother Zhou. I called you so many times with no answer. Suddenly someone appeared—I thought it was an intruder. My apologies, I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.” Though her words were apologetic, her face was full of smug satisfaction, and she felt much better.

“Is that so? Senior Sister, do be more careful next time. We wouldn’t want to hurt one of our own by mistake.” Zhou Qi could see perfectly well that she’d done it on purpose, though he had no idea how he’d offended her.

“Of course, of course. Let’s go, Junior Brother!” With that, Han Qiaoman summoned her sword and brought Zhou Qi along—if she waited for him to make his own way, who knew how long it would take.

When Han Yuanzheng saw Zhou Qi covered in dust, he was astonished and quickly asked what had happened. Zhou Qi claimed he’d simply tripped, but catching Han Qiaoman snickering on the side, Han Yuanzheng immediately understood—his favoring Zhou Qi must have made her jealous.

“Are you settling in well at the Life and Death Sect? Do you have enough spirit stones?” Han Yuanzheng started with a sweet gesture, hoping that the sect master’s personal concern would inspire gratitude.

“Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. To be honest, I’m still adjusting. Mainly it’s that the spiritual tools and techniques require contribution points to exchange for, and since my strength is low, I haven’t been able to earn any. I’ve already run out of spirit stones as well.” Zhou Qi saluted respectfully, his face full of innocence and sincerity. From the very first question, he understood that the sect master was about to make a request of him—otherwise, why lay it on so thick? If he didn’t ask for a favor now, when else could he?

Han Yuanzheng hadn’t expected Zhou Qi to play so directly, but fortunately he had a backup plan.

“As it happens, I have an opportunity for you to earn contribution points. Would you be interested?” Han Yuanzheng asked.

“Sect Master, please enlighten me. My strength is low—I fear I may not be able to fulfill the duties of a personal disciple,” Zhou Qi replied, looking both eager and apprehensive.

“You won’t need great strength. It’s perfectly safe. All you need to do is collect items from the Immortal’s Cave—fighting and breaking formations will be handled by Qiaoman and the other disciples. If there’s a Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill, you may keep one for yourself; if there is only one, it’s yours. Any other immortal medicines, tools, or essence stones will be allocated by the sect, and you will certainly not miss out. Should you succeed, you’ll receive five thousand contribution points. What do you say?” Han Yuanzheng offered.

Han Qiaoman was shocked—her father would entrust the most lucrative task to an outsider, not to her.

But Han Yuanzheng did not doubt Han Qiaoman’s loyalty. With her at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, she’d surely be the focus of attention. Assigning the task to Zhou Qi served two purposes: first, his loyalty was beyond question; second, his low cultivation would not attract notice. The same could not be said for the other disciples. If they found something valuable and defected to the Way of Heaven Sect, what could he do then?

“Thank you for your trust, Sect Master. However, exploring the Immortal’s Cave will surely be fraught with danger. With my limited cultivation, I truly dare not take on such a heavy responsibility,” Zhou Qi declined with a shake of his head. Of course he wanted to go, but he had no wish to shoulder an official task. Dealing with Long Feiyu alone was headache enough—if he failed in this mission, Han Yuanzheng would hold him accountable, and that wouldn’t end well. That the sect master would assign such an important task to an outsider instead of his own daughter was, no matter how he looked at it, unreasonable.