Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 26: Burning In Her Lower Body.

"Success!" he exclaimed moments later, his voice trembling with excitement. He had done it at last. Rather than the anticipated three high-grade pills, he ended up with four middle-grade ones—but he was more than satisfied with the outcome.

Anyone witnessing this would have been speechless: a young cultivator who, in fewer than twenty attempts, successfully concocted four middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills, all without a master's guidance.

Analyzing the pill they barely made to the mid-grade, but they still were genuine middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills

"Well then," Xue San said, beaming at the freshly forged pills in his hand, "I might as well give it another go."

Xue San's next concoction went noticeably better. Once again, four pills formed in the cauldron, but they boasted richer color, hinting at higher quality than his previous batch, but still at the middle-grade quality.

"Hahaha!" A broad grin lit his face. He felt happier now than at any point since he'd begun cultivating—he had actually succeeded in refining pills. Though he wasn't yet a true alchemist, he had undeniably taken a major step forward.

"I've been holed up here concocting pills for over a week," he muttered. "What should I do next?"

Before he could plan his next move, an odd fluctuation pulsed from his storage ring. Alarmed, he peered inside and saw the mask given to him by the Blood Moon Guild glowing with a soft light.

Taking the mask out, he felt a rush of information flood his mind:

"Find out what caused the phenomenon above the Soaring Sword Sect. Investigate the internal strife within the Fang clan. Uncover Grandmaster Chu Feng's latest concoction. Discover why the kingdom's third prince visited the Soaring Sword Sect. Rewards will be given according to the information you provide, but if the Guild already knows what you report, there will be no reward."

"So these are the Blood Moon Guild's requests," Xue San muttered. "How am I supposed to find out any of this? I can't even live in the freaking house they assigned me. How do they expect me to dig up intel on such big matters?"

Fortunately, as a surface member of the Guild, he wasn't obliged to do anything unless a direct order came from the guild leader. Determined to ignore the mask's summons for now, he tucked everything back into the storage ring. Then he decided to take a mission near Dragon Fort City—he could earn more contribution points, visit his family, and discreetly sell the pills he had successfully concocted.

Weighing his options, Xue San figured it would be safer to sell his pills far from the sect. He couldn't be completely certain someone inside the Soaring Sword Sect wouldn't discover his secret. Far better to offload them somewhere less conspicuous.

And so he decided to choose a mission near Dragon Fort City.

"Little one, wait for me here. I'll be back soon, and this time I promise to take you along," Xue San said, patting the wolf cub on the head.

The little creature let out a soft bark, as if to say it understood.

On his way to the Minor Dragon Pavilion, Xue San overheard disciples gossiping about the arrival of the third prince at the sect. He paid them no mind, assuming the Blood Moon Guild already possessed far more detailed information than any idle chatter he could find from asking around the sect.

Inside the Minor Dragon Hall.

"How can I help you?" asked the female disciple behind the counter. She gave Xue San a warm smile when she noticed his handsome features.

"I'd like to see the One-Star and Two-Star missions," he said.

"Junior Brother, you must be joking. There are thousands of missions in those categories."

"Oh right, then could you just show me the ones near Dragon Fort City?"

She glanced at him curiously. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Even if the rumors are true, a mere Qi Condensation disciple like you stands no chance of obtaining a True Flame. Even Grandmaster Chu Feng rushed to Dragon Fort City as soon as he caught wind of the rumor." She gave him a knowing smile.

Stunned, Xue San stared back. "A True Flame? Rumors? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."

It was the disciple's turn to look surprised. "Oh? Aren't you just taking a mission so you can sneak off in search of this legendary True Flame that supposedly appeared near Dragon Fort City, like many others? It's practically all anyone talked about before the third prince arrived yesterday." Her eyes sparkled when she mentioned the prince. "You'd have to be living under a rock—or in a forest—not to have heard," she added pointedly.

Xue San's mouth twitched at her mention of living in a forest—because he had, in fact, been living there. But he kept his irritation in check. "I truly have no clue about this True Flame. My family lives in Dragon Fort City, so I thought this would be a good chance to visit them."

"I see," she replied doubtfully.

Xue San's patience began to fray. Why can't she just do her job? he thought.

"Very well," she said at last, scanning the missions. "There are twelve Two-Star missions and nine One-Star missions."

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"Any involving the gathering of medicinal plants?" he asked.

"No. But if you're just looking for a simple errand as an excuse to visit your family, here's one: bring five jugs of Dragon Breath Wine from Dragon Fort City."

"Bring wine? Isn't that a bit—"

She cut him off. "Yes, it sounds trivial, but it's a request from an outer sect elder who loves wine. He regularly posts missions like this for different varieties. The pay isn't bad for such an easy job, either—thirty contribution points."

"Fine. I'll take it."

After registering, Xue San left the Minor Dragon Hall to collect Fluffy.

"Listen here, little fellow," he whispered as he slipped the cub into a bag, "you must be quiet, okay?"

With that, he left the sect once more.

Walking through the gates, Xue San couldn't help smirking at this so-called 'great sect.' He had gained far more by running missions outside than by spending time training here. It's more like a mercenary guild than a sect, he thought scornfully. Perhaps things were better in the inner sect, but based on his own experience, the Soaring Sword Sect was…a huge disappointment. He wondered if the other two great sects operated the same way.

Meanwhile, in Grandmaster Chu Feng's study, a young man in his twenties—remarkable only for his striking silver eyes—sat calmly sipping tea. Next to him stood another youth, far less ordinary. He possessed a prominent chin, a sharp nose, and golden eyes that radiated a sense of sacredness, there seemed to be a royal aura around him.

"As the sect leader already explained, Your Highness," said the silver-eyed man, "my master left just before you arrived. I've tried to summon him back, but he insists on verifying the rumors about the True Flame. If Your Majesty truly requires his assistance right away, he suggests you meet him in Dragon Fort City."

"I was convinced your sect leader was simply hiding Grandmaster Chu Feng," replied the prince, "but if you say he's not here, then I believe you. Very well. There's no other choice—I'll go to Dragon Fort City."

"If it pleases you, might I accompany you on your journey?" Yan Yi asked abruptly.

The third prince hadn't expected Yan Yi's offer. Initially, he considered refusing but then seemed to have a change of heart. "The pleasure would be mine," he said. "I'd be glad for your company."

"Shall we take the teleportation formation?" Yan Yi suggested. "That way, we can reach Dragon Fort City in just three days." After all, the higher-ranking members of the sect never bothered with carriages or other common means of travel, unlike their lower-ranking counterparts.

Meanwhile, in the core area, Long Huo sat in the main seat while several disciples stood before her. Had Xue San been present, he would have recognized at least four of them: the Long trio who had bullied him, and the beautiful Lan Shui.

"My grandfather sent me word not to concern myself with these rumors and to focus on my breakthrough. He's sent me the Foundation Establishment Pill. None of these rumors have anything to do with us. Besides, with Grandmaster Chu Feng staying at our clan, no one will dare cause us trouble for the clan."

"But, Young Miss," Long Shang ventured hesitantly, "shouldn't we go back and offer our help?"

Long Huo snorted with disdain. "What help can you possibly offer, you useless fool? I told you to get rid of that mortal quietly, yet I hear he's still alive and kicking." She didn't bother hiding the scorn in her voice.

Long Shang's face reddened at her scolding, but he remained silent. What could I say? he thought. That brat hasn't set foot in the house lately. I tried using Meng Xi to kill him, and she wouldn't act when I invoked her name. Just what kind of dogshit luck does that bastard have?

She didn't care much about Xue San, but the vulgar rumors still bothered her slightly

"You may all leave," Long Huo commanded. "Lan Shui, stay."

When everyone had gone, Long Huo dropped her frosty façade. "Damn it—how did those rumors get out? My grandfather's been planning this for ages, and the True Flame's location was something our Long clan acquired through blood and sweat."

Lan Shui stood quietly, waiting for Long Huo to finish venting. After a time, Long Huo's temper cooled.

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"Haaa…" Long Huo exhaled. "How is the progress on your end?"

"It's going quite well. The disciples from the outer sect are already fed up with this system—both the older ones and the newcomers. If they see a chance for real change, I'm sure they'll support you."

"Good. No wonder Grandfather chose the Soaring Sword Sect." Long Huo's tone dripped with disdain. "This place is but a shell of its former glory. If not for the royal family's backing, the other two great sects would have destroyed it long ago."

"Young Miss," Lan Shui began carefully, "why do you even need the support of the outer faction? Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, you can invoke the trial by combat rule, become the sect's young leader, and eventually take over once you reach Core Formation. It's true there are many disciples in the outer faction, but their cultivation bases…" She trailed off, though Long Huo understood the implication. "I just mean that, if the clans who control the sect feel threatened, they'll certainly unite to crush any resistance from the outer faction."

"Lan Shui, don't you find the sect's teaching system appallingly inefficient? And the Minor Dragon Hall? It's basically functioning like a mercenary guild," Long Huo replied.

"I noticed that the moment we arrived," Lan Shui admitted. "It's strange, to say the least."

"That's not the only problem," Long Huo continued. "Isn't it laughable that cultivation clans can simply buy spots for their members if they donate enough to the sect? It's essentially selling disciple positions. That alone puts this sect behind the other two. Grandfather has been quietly supporting several elders from the outer faction for years, and they're already on our side."

"I see, Young Miss," Lan Shui said softly.

"There are many talented individuals in the outer faction," Long Huo went on, "but they're constantly stifled by the clans in control. If we nurture them properly, they'll become a powerful force. Take the current sect master of the War God Sect—imagine if we had someone of his caliber from the very beginning. Grandfather once told me that to rule, you need more than just personal power; you need capable people around you."

"The Patriarch is indeed a wise man," Lan Shui agreed.

"But if he's made so many preparations already," she asked, "why do you need me to keep stirring up the outer sect disciples?" Lan Shui sounded genuinely puzzled. She was starting to suspect the Long Patriarch had laid more groundwork than she had realized.

"Didn't I tell you already?" Long Huo said, locking eyes with Lan Shui, her eyes, embodying otherworldly beauty, one a deep emerald green reminiscent of a lush forest and the other a striking blue mirroring the limitless sky. "To rule effectively, you need capable people around. This is your opportunity to show me how capable you really are, Lan Shui."

Few people knew that the Lan Clan was in fact a distant branch of the Long Clan, cultivated in secret over many years. Lan Shui herself had no inkling of this truth, but Long Huo did—and it only deepened her admiration for her grandfather's genius. His ambitions reached far beyond the Soaring Sword Sect.

Lan Shui's heart fluttered under Long Huo's steady gaze, but she quickly composed herself. "Yes, Young Miss—anything for you!"

"Oh? For me, not for the Long Clan?" Long Huo teased, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Yes! For you, Young Miss!" Lan Shui replied, unwavering.

Long Huo's eyes shone with satisfaction after hearing Land Shui unhesitating response. Leaning closer, she caught Lan Shui's chin and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. After a few moments, she released her.

Lan Shui was panting heavily, her cheeks aflame.

"How about you spend the night here?" Long Huo asked.

"Yes, Young Miss," Lan Shui answered, her heart pounding and a familiar heat burning in her lower body.