Looking at the notice board, Xue Ri saw three papers with the heading "Rank D".

'This first one requires me to hunt five Mountain Boars, ten contribution points. Although they were easy to kill, finding them would be troublesome.'

'Guide the new batch of disciples for one day, five contribution points... Hmm, I could do this, but one day is too long, I want to get back to training as soon as possible.' Xue Ri furrowed her brows, dissatisfied with the choices.

'Ah! Head to the Eastern Forest to collect five wild blade grass, eight contribution points. The Eastern forest is merely two miles away and wild blade grasses should be in abundance on the outer hills. The only trouble would be encountering demon beasts on the path.'

'But with my cultivation level of Peak Qi Condesantion they would not differ from pesky flies, this shouldn't take long. I'll take this one!' Xue Ri smiled as she decided.

She reached out to take the notice of the wind blade grass and proceeded back to the counter.

Elder Chou, who was dozing off at the counter stretched his back upright to exhibit an image of an imposing elder, as he saw the previous girl making her way back.

"Mm. You're back, have you decided?" he asked when she reached the counter.

"Yes Elder, I will take this one," Xue Ri replied while handing Elder Chou the notice.

"Eastern Forest... Wild blade grass..." he murmured to himself while reading the notice.

Elder Chou prepared a brush to write the details on a book.

"Xue... Ri..." He murmured as he wrote her name, the wooden counter made from cedar creaked as he wrote.

"Done, you can set out any time." He said while storing the brush.

"Thank you, Elder Chou, this disciple will take her leave now."

Taking back the notice from Elder Chou, Xue Ri bowed and left the hall.

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Walking upon the cobblestone path, Xue Ri was thinking to herself about the items she might need for the upcoming mission.

'Although the mission should be easy considering my cultivation realm, proper precautions never hurts. Who knows whether a fearsome demon beast that lives deep in the Eastern Forest might come out further to feed.'

Deciding that she ought to purchase certain items before setting out, she followed the path to the marketplace.

Compared to the makeshift stalls at the Sect Hall, which were primarily run by disciples, the official marketplace was many times larger and reputable. The only downside was that the price could never compare to the makeshift stalls.

The reason for the increase in price was because, to operate a stall inside the Sect's official marketplace, a rental and protection fee had to be paid. Unlike the personal stalls that could be opened at the Sect Hall, the stalls in the marketplace were many times more professional.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Majority of those stalls were opened by wealthy merchants that hired experienced salesman that could rope in customers and swiftly complete transactions. Those salesmen had ample knowledge of the products they were selling, thus any questions would have gotten a satisfactory answer.

Makeshift stalls were predominantly used by disciples to sell their leftover pills, unwanted cultivation manuals, and used weapons. No one could vouch for the condition of those mentioned items, however, newer and poorer disciples still frequented those stalls.

After walking for five minutes, the marketplace came in sight.

Dozens of stalls lined the circumference of the circular stone path with a diameter that spanned eight hundred meters. At the center of the circle was a huge three stories building with an awe-inspiring sign with "Crescent Moon Treasury" written upon it.

The Crescent Moon Treasury, a part of the three giants as people called them. With the power that could trample a mid-tier nation and wealth that could entice even the noblest of souls, they were an entity that few dared to offend.

Other members of the three giants were Dawnstar Company and the Thousand Alp Union. Each of them had similar levels of wealth and influence and each was trying to overthrow the other.

"Beautiful young lady, why don't you take a gander?" the salesperson of a clothing stall called out.

Since she had no desire for new clothes, Xue Ri returned with a smile and kept walking onwards.

'The first order of business should be a talisman! Whether to protect me or to escape a talisman will be essential. Hmm, I could use some restoration pills too, it seems that I am running low on those.'

Passing by stalls that did not have what she needed, she did some window shopping.

'Ah!'

In the corner of a food stall sat familiar faces.

"Rougang, Yuhan! This was where you guys were hiding!" Xue Ri yelled while stomping towards them.

The girl in question had her brownish hair in a ponytail, big hazel eyes that were staring at a bowl of steaming hot wanton noodle.

Beside her was a boy with a lean frame, similar to Ren Rougang, he was eyeing his plate of fried rice with desire.

Just as they were about to begin chowing down on their dishes, a shout came from behind them. Both were startled as they turned and saw a girl with fury in her eyes moving towards them.

"Oh no, here she comes." Huang Yuhan whispered to Ruogang.

"What should we say?"

"What do you mean "we"?" Rougang replied before casually taking her first bite of food.

"Huh?" Yuhan was taken aback by her reply.

After a sudden flash of enlightenment, he understood the meaning behind her words.

"Ren Rougang! Don't you try to push all the blame on me!" he said, trying to keep his voice down.

"Ooh, enjoying your meals huh?" Xue Ri asked while she stood right behind them, her face with a "gentle" smile.

"Ahahaha! Sister Ri, what a coincidence!"

"What coincidence?! Why didn't you guys meet me after I finished my secluded cultivation?!" Xue Ri yelled as she stood elbows out and both hands on her hips.

"Because you guys weren't there, I had to deal with Luo Hongyi alone!"

"*Sighs*... Sister Ri, situations like that happen thrice a week to you. You can't expect us to always be there. Look, we haven't even eaten breakfast yet!" He pointed to the dish.

"Thrice every week?? Tell me under which rock did you pull that number out from!" she said while glaring at Yuhan.

"Hmpf. Whatever, finish your food before I get back, you two are coming to help me complete my sect mission."

"WHAT!" hearing what Xue Ri said, the previously silent Ruogang exclaimed.

"Xue Ri, I have something to do later!"

"What do you have that could more important than your dear friend?" Xue Ri said, turning her head towards Rougang and showed her "gentle smile" again.

"Ah... Fine... You're so unreasonable!"

"Hehe, it's good that you know." Xue Ri gave them a triumphant grin before turning and leave.

The two people with dejected sighs ate their food.

'Now the mission will definitely take no time at all!'

Feeling satisfied with herself, she headed towards a stall that sold talisman and restoration pills.

The stall was lined with six glass counters, under the glass displayed numerous talisman with a variety of colors and words written on top.

At the back of the store, the shopkeeper looking like he was in his thirties was tidying up some shelf when he spotted a girl walking in his stall.

Noticing her white robes that only inner disciples could don, he perked up and walked towards her.

"Welcome young lady, how may I help you?" he said a line that he had trained on for many years as a salesman. Reaching near-perfect mastery in his tone and gestures.

"Hello, do you still have any restoration pill and short-range sound talisman available?" inquired Xue Ri.

"Most definitely! The each of the talisman costs two spirit stone and the price for the pills is five for three spirit stones, how many of each would you like?"

Spirit stone was the main currency of cultivators, only obtainable from spirit stone mines, it contains pure spirit essence that helped tremendously with cultivation.

It was also one of the resources that disciples got every month from the Sect. Outer, Inner and Core disciples get a different amount of spirit stones each. Outer disciples got five, Inner disciples got twenty and Core disciples got thirty.

"Please take five pills and two talismans for me."

"Right away." the shopkeeper replied before walking to behind a counter to take out two talismans.

"Here they are, do check them."

Xue Ri walked up to the counter and saw a bottle of pills, and two talismans placed upon the glass.

Both of it had the characters of "Sound" calligraphed in the middle.

She picked up both talisman and sent some of her internal energy into them.

"They are working, here are the spirit stones. Thank you."

"Ah, it was my pleasure. Make sure to return should you need more!"

Storing away the pills and talismans, she prepared to meet up with Rougang and Yuhan.

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