Chapter Thirty-Two: Sect Assignment

Daosansheng sat in the sedan chair, and a few men hoisted it up again, carrying him toward the council hall. Dong Fei watched Daosansheng’s departing figure, feeling a pang for the little savings he had. He had scrimped and saved for so long, only to have that fellow take it all at once—it stung a bit. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder how that guy had managed to climb so high so quickly. What was given was given, and there was no taking it back now. Shaking his head, Dong Fei turned and went inside.

It wasn’t long before Daosansheng, borne by several men, arrived at the doors of the council hall. He stepped down from the sedan chair, glanced at the wide-open entrance—this was surely the finest house in the outer sect—but had no time to admire it, and walked straight in.

Upon entering the hall, Daosansheng saw two elders seated at the head, both strangers to him. To his left and right below, two rows of elders sat, among whom were two familiar faces: Elder Tong, who had once apprehended him, and Elder Yang, the one who had delivered him to Icefire Peak.

It could only be these two who had summoned him; the others were unfamiliar. Daosansheng’s gaze darted restlessly as he lifted his head. The old man seated at the highest place was studying him, and Daosansheng immediately bowed in greeting.

“Junior Daosansheng pays respects to the esteemed elders,” he said, bowing low and keeping his eyes on the ground, waiting for a reply.

“Very good, very good. I just saw those incompetent fellows from the enforcement squad carrying you over. That suggests you’re quite capable. Although you’re only at the third level of Qi Refinement—a bit low in cultivation—if you’re willing, there are ample rewards to be gained from completing sect missions. It’s up to you whether you accept.”

The head elder stroked his beard, eyes fixed on Daosansheng. At first he’d doubted the tale, but seeing the group from the enforcement squad carrying Daosansheng in person changed his mind—facts spoke for themselves. This fellow, neither servile nor overbearing, seemed a promising candidate.

Daosansheng turned the matter over in his mind; something about it felt off. Why go to such trouble for a single mission, summoning him as if he were someone of great importance? He needed to clarify things, lest he unwittingly fall into a trap and come to a miserable end.

His eyes flickered with calculation, but Elder Liu—who missed little—noticed at once and began to boast.

“Daosansheng, do you know what a rare opportunity this is? So many in the sect have vied for it, yet none have been chosen. Seize this chance, or you may regret it later. The rewards are exceptional: a cup of Foundation Establishment Pill, and the right to enter the inner sect. Consider it well.”

“Elder Yang, best not say too much; let the disciple decide for himself,” Elder Tong interjected, unable to bear pressuring Daosansheng, and argued with Elder Liu.

So this was Elder Liu, Daosansheng realized. No wonder—he was new to the sect and knew few people. It must have been this man stirring things up with the grand elder to assign him this task, likely because of the harsh lesson he’d given Liu’s son last time.

At this thought, Daosansheng made up his mind: first, he’d find out what the mission actually was. If it was too dangerous, he’d refuse; if not, perhaps he’d consider it.

“May I ask what the mission entails?” Daosansheng inquired of the grand elder, voicing the question that preoccupied him. “It would help me prepare.”

“If the sect is sending you, it will certainly tell you,” the grand elder replied. “It’s a zombie—an ice corpse, to be precise—at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment. It was discovered at Nansui Ridge in Kunling County near our sect. These zombies are known to hoard treasures; if you can destroy it, you’ll not only earn the sect’s reward but may also strike it rich.”

Daosansheng was startled at the mention of an ice corpse at the ninth level, but in his sea of consciousness, the skull became lively.

Emerald smoke curled from the skull as it bounced with excitement, sending out a surge of spiritual sense to initiate communication with Daosansheng. Absorbed in the conversation, Daosansheng was irked by the interruption and charged directly into his sea of consciousness.

“Are you tired of living, you wretched skull?” In his mind’s eye, a flame ignited in the hand of his mental avatar. The skull, seeing the fire, shrank in terror, hurriedly drawing in the green smoke that had been emanating from it.

A tremulous voice issued from within the skull. “Don’t burn me, don’t burn me. I called you here to say that I know how to kill that zombie. You can take this mission. And beside that zombie, there’s sure to be a ghostly firefly—if you capture one, I can help you tame it.”

The skull’s words were all for Daosansheng’s benefit, making it hard for him to refuse. Yet Daosansheng suspected ulterior motives: if he raised a ghostly firefly, it would be harder to destroy the skull at will.

Now he knew he could defeat the ice corpse, but he wasn’t about to agree too hastily—he needed to bargain for some benefits. Otherwise, risking his life like this would hardly be worth it.

Feigning hesitation, Daosansheng wore an anxious expression as he looked at the grand elder. He scratched his head, paced about the hall, acting as if the elders were beneath his notice, stopping now and then to sigh deeply.

The grand elder grew anxious at Daosansheng’s display. Why wouldn’t the boy answer right away? Was he unwilling, or was something else amiss?

Every eye in the hall was fixed on Daosansheng as his thin figure paced about. Wherever he moved, their gazes followed.

Finally, Daosansheng stopped, fixed his eyes on the grand elder, and prepared to speak. Hearts skipped a beat as he finally said, “I suppose I’ll accept, but…” He trailed off, pretending to ponder.

That “but” sent everyone’s nerves jangling again. No one in the hall was a fool; they all knew what Daosansheng was driving at—he simply wanted more from the bargain. As long as he didn’t ask for the moon, the grand elder was prepared to agree.

“If you have any difficulties, speak them plainly,” the grand elder said.

At last, Daosansheng relaxed his furrowed brow and said pitifully, “I’ve been locked up for half a year and don’t even know where to claim my medicinal pills.” As he spoke, he dabbed at his eyes as if to wipe away a tear.

“I’ll instruct the alchemy hall to check and have your share delivered,” the grand elder declared with a wave of his hand.

“I’d also like a set of good armor,” Daosansheng continued. “Look at me—without even a thread to my name. How am I to fight a zombie like this? They say a traveler should be well-provisioned, and I’ve little money left.”

Listening to his litany of complaints, the grand elder could only agree—these were minor matters, after all. It would be hard to find another suitable candidate if he refused.

“If you have no further requirements, I’ll grant all you’ve requested,” the grand elder said, “but let me make this clear: if you shrink back at the last moment, the sect will not go easy on you.”

“I understand,” Daosansheng replied. “But when can I receive these things? I need to prepare before setting out for Kunling County. I won’t feel at ease until they’re in my hands—I’m afraid of being left high and dry.”