The days proceeded without much incident, a week passed since they had taken residence in the twilight flame sect. They were left to their own devices aside from the mandatory lesson which was pretty useless and better suited to utter beginners.
Jiang Tao couldn't help feeling unsatisfied, his cultivation was stagnant when it was supposed to have increased even slightly from being in a proper sect than the forest. That's why he was in the grand hall looking for tasks to do.
Contribution points could get him access to better lessons. His friends had all done the same doing minor tasks around the sect but he wanted something meatier.
His eyes scanned the posted requests looking for something that would be interesting to do. There were tons of alchemy related tasks that he wasn't really interested in doing, some gardening and scribe tasks.
It's so mundane… He thought looking at what was offered. He expected something more fantastical like beast hunting or treasure finding.
After a minute of looking, he found one that suited his tastes. ‘Elder Ji requests disciples for an expedition to the outer wilds. Reward: 500 CONTRIBUTION POINTS.’
500?
All the previous ones he had checked out had ranged from 20-40 points. 500 was pretty sweet. He pulled a strip from the request and walked to where the elder in charge of logging the tasks sat.
A pretty unremarkable-looking man with a long dark beard. “Elder Ji’s expedition mhmm. Most outer disciples tend to avoid this. Are you sure?” he asked.
Tao nodded “Yes elder,” He wasn't an outer disciple of this sect, so he didn't know why they avoided that particular task but it couldn't be that bad.
The elder's beard twitched but he logged the task without further comment. “Elder Ji is in the northern alchemy lab,” he said.
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Getting to the alchemy lab was pretty easy, this particular alchemy lab was easily the most ostentatious building in the outer sect grounds.
He knocked on the heavy wooden door, which echoed with a dull thud. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a wiry man in plain robes. Elder Ji’s sharp eyes immediately appraised him, sizing up the young disciple at his doorstep.
“Come in,” the man said curtly, without even asking why Tao was there. His tone was brisk, and his demeanor exuded an aura of impatience as if every second wasted was a personal affront.
Jiang Tao stepped into the lab, momentarily overwhelmed by the sharp scent of herbs, oils, and various unknown concoctions brewing within. Shelves lined with countless jars and vials filled the room, each containing substances that Tao couldn’t begin to identify. It was a strange mix of order and chaos, with some areas meticulously organized while others seemed to be in a constant state of flux.
Elder Ji didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “You’re here for the expedition?” His voice was as sharp as the instruments scattered across the tables.
“Yes, Elder Ji,” Tao replied, maintaining a calm expression despite the intensity radiating from the elder. “I saw your request and would like to join.”
“You imperial sect disciples must be either bold or foolish. Which are you?"
Tao met the elder’s gaze steadily. “Elder, I am here to earn contribution points and improve my cultivation. I don’t mind taking risks.”
“The outer wilds are not the same as the valley, will be going beyond into the truly uninhabited parts. You may die,”
He nodded undeterred. The elder snorted.
“What are you, Late foundation stage?”
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Jiang Tao nodded. "Late Foundation Stage."
“The disciples who go on this expedition tend to be mid-core formation at the very least,”
Jiang Tao didn’t waver. “I understand the risks, Elder Ji.”
Elder Ji's eyes narrowed as if assessing whether Jiang Tao's resolve was genuine or merely youthful arrogance. “Foolish it is then.”
After a moment, he gave a dismissive wave. “Very well, if you are determined, then you may join the expedition. Prepare yourself. We leave at dawn tomorrow.”
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“Brother Tao, are you sure about doing this?” Yixing asked skeptically. “You know we aren't staying here that long,”
Tao nodded unwilling to be swayed. He wasn't sure if he had picked up the restlessness from Master Yao or what but doing nothing didn't appeal to him. “Of course, it's a simple expedition. Don't worry too much,”
“Last time you said that I lost a priceless artifact,” he replied with a sardonic smile.
Jiang Tao smiled wryly. “That was a different situation. This is just an expedition. I’ll be fine, there be core formation seniors in the group.”
Yixing still didn't look convinced, but he relented sighing in exasperation. A talisman appeared in his hand, summoned from his storage ring.
“Since you're so insistent here. This is a protective talisman, I’d rather you not need it, but it’s better to be safe.”
Tao accepted the talisman with a grateful nod. He was about to offer his thanks when his friend summoned his saber.
“Since you can't use your treasure around the Twilight Flame Sect members,” Zhou Yixing said, handing over the gleaming weapon with a knowing look.
Jiang Tao took the saber, its hilt cold and smooth in his hand. “Thank you, Yixing. I appreciate it. I’ll be careful.”
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At dawn the next day, Jiang Tao assembled at the northern gate of the sect grounds, where Elder Ji awaited with a small group of disciples. A couple 4 people wearing inner sect robes and a few he recognized were Li Hua, Ning Yiren, and surprisingly Yu Hongyi.
He couldn't help but scowl at the last one. Yu Hongyi stood slightly apart from the group, his expression indifferent, though his eyes flickered with a hint of something as they met Tao's.
And suddenly I do not want to go anymore. He thought in annoyance.
“It's the backwater dog,” Yu Hongyi’s voice cut through the early morning air, dripping with disdain.
Jiang Tao’s scowl deepened, but he forced himself to maintain composure. He ignored the inflammatory remark and went straight to where the inner sect disciples stood bowing slightly.
“Seems like we’ll be traveling together I’m Jiang Tao.”
They returned his greeting with small nods of acknowledgment. Then he turned to Li Hua and Ning Yiren, simple pleasantries with them.
He pointedly ignored Yu Hongyi not even gracing his insult with a reaction, the other boy was toothless without his sister or Zhang Xiaohui with him. Evident in the way he avoided him back in the dormitories.
Now that Jiang Tao was away from Yixing and Yuhan, it looked like had grown a spine. It was pointless cause Tao wasn't keen on taking his shit.
As the group assembled and prepared for departure, Elder Ji's sharp eyes moved over them, ensuring that everyone was present and accounted for. The early morning air was crisp, and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
“Remember, the outer wilds are unforgiving. Stick close to the group and follow orders. I won’t repeat myself.”
As the group set off, the outer sect grounds slowly receded into the distance, giving way to rugged terrain and dense forests.
“Asking elder,” Ning Yiren’s voice called out “What are we looking for?”
“A true yin Phantom orchid,” a person that was not the elder, an inner sect disciple who had introduced himself as Ma De answered.
As they walked, Ma De explained more about the True Yin Phantom Orchid. “This rare herb is quite a potent source of pure untainted Yin qi which makes it perfect for high-grade pills and a particular potent elixir that Elder Ji plans to brew,”
He nodded taking in the information. Beside him, Li Hua kept pace with him occasionally making conversation. Her presence seemed to ward Yu Hongyi away.
Who had tried to shoulder-check him once he noticed his barbs were not getting the desired reaction.
The forest on the other side of the mountain was different from the forest of the valley. The trees were taller and more ancient, their canopies forming an almost impenetrable ceiling of green.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the underbrush seemed to writhe with hidden life. Every step seemed to sink into the soft, spongy ground.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting fleeting light beams through the dense canopy. The group pressed on, the occasional break in the forest revealing glimpses of towering peaks in the distance. As they continued, Elder Ji finally stopped and gestured for the group to gather around. After hours of walking Elder Ji gestured for them to stop.
“We’ll be setting up camp here for the night,” Elder Ji announced. “We need to be prepared for any potential dangers that may arise. Ma De, make sure the perimeter is secured.”
Ma De nodded and quickly moved away, his expression serious and the other Twilight Flame Sect inner disciples promptly began to set up a simple defensive formation.
Finally some rest. Tao thought relieved as he sat against a tree.