The crisp morning air carried the scent of dew-kissed grass as Ji Wuye's long white hair danced behind him, stirred by his hurried steps.

The large sack of herbs slung across his back strained against the rigid fabric with every purposeful stride. His crimson eyes, gleaming with quiet determination, scanned the path ahead - the grand staircase leading up to the imposing Hall of Order and Discipline.

But as he ascended, the echoing footfalls of many other disciples pursuing the same goal reached his ears. Ji Wuye's lips pressed into a taut line, a faint crease forming between his brows as he realized the crowd could delay his plans.

'Sigh.' A soft, dismayed sigh escaped him. Of all the potential obstacles, a simple queue had not factored into his meticulous preparations.

...

The golden rays of the rising sun gradually bathed the hall in a warm, radiant glow. One by one, the line of disciples shuffled forward.

At the front, Ji Wuye finally approached the counter, carefully depositing the oversized sack of herbs with a dull thud. His calloused fingers slowly unfurled the tightly rolled parchment, presenting it to the same Official Disciple.

The man's wan face, lined by stress and fatigue, seemed to pull into a faint grimace as dark-circled eyes blinked owlishly. "Oh, it's Junior Brother Ji," he rasped, voice strained. This was the very disciple who had handed Ji Wuye the mission a few days ago.

Ji Wuye clasped his hands. "Greetings, Senior Brother."

The parchment crinkled as the Official Disciple scanned its contents. "Your mission to collect herbs in Baiyun village..." He trailed off, gesturing to the hefty sack as another Official Disciple hurried over to inspect its contents.

With practiced efficiency, the first Official Disciple's brush danced across a new scroll, documenting Ji Wuye's submittal. "The due time was two weeks, but you've finished today. Quite fast. Good work."

Yet under Ji Wuye's observation, the First Official Disciple's tone seemed strained, awkward - a bead of sweat materialized on his furrowed brow as his mouth twitched ever so slightly.

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Then, Ji Wuye noticed the two Official Disciples exchanging furtive glances and hushed whispers, their eyes flicking towards him periodically.

"Your task has been verified and completed, but..." The first Official Disciple's gaze dropped, guilt creasing the weary lines of his face as he rubbed his hands together anxiously. "I'm sorry, Junior Brother. It looks like Elder Mu has assigned another task to you."

He glanced between the newly inscribed parchment containing Ji Wuye's next mission and the disciple before him, transparent in his discomfort over delivering such news.

A muscle jumped in Ji Wuye's jaw as his eyebrows knitted together, crimson eyes narrowing in displeasure. His lips tugged downward into a profound frown. "I refuse, Senior. I'm not an Official Disciple. The first time was okay, but this time I have other matters to attend to."

He knew all too well the underlying motives - Elder Mu and the others sought to keep him away from the upcoming gathering, hiding him as Kunlun's uglier underbelly.

While the first task had conveniently aligned with Ji Wuye's own interests, this deliberate reassignment could not be as easily accepted, not when more pivotal events loomed on the horizon demanding his undivided attention.

"It's not possible." An icy baritone sliced through the tension, emanating from the side. "Even though you are an Outer Disciple, the privilege you have to access the 2nd floor of the Kunlun Thousand Pavilion makes you no different from an Official Disciple."

Ji Wuye turned to face the newcomer - an imposing figure clad in a white martial robe with dark blue stripes, sharp cheekbones casting severe angles across a pug nose.

Chen Huang, clearly displeased, stepped forward from behind the hapless first Official Disciple, cold eyes locking with Ji Wuye's as he crossed his bulkier arms over his broad chest.

"Ah, it's Senior Chen!" The first Official Disciple stammered, cupping his hands in a hasty gesture of respect towards the intimidating arrival.

Ji Wuye gazed calmly at Chen Huang. Though the man's bulkier frame and furrowed brow exuded an air of hostility, Ji Wuye's expression remained indifferently impassive. "Is that so?" he replied evenly, before turning his attention back towards the first flustered Official Disciple.

"Senior, my task is already deemed complete, right?" There was no accusation in Ji Wuye's tone, merely a pointed reminder laced with quiet confidence.

The first Official Disciple faltered, eyes flicking nervously between them as the tension thickened. "Y-yes, good work, Junior Brother," he finally managed.

A ghost of a smile played across Ji Wuye's lips as his eyes narrowed fractionally. With a slight dip of his head, he turned on his heel, ready to take his leave now that his business here had concluded.

"Such disrespect. Your strength, your attitude—you have no quality as a man."

Chen Huang's sneered condemnation rang out, freezing Ji Wuye mid-stride. Hushed murmurs rippled through the hall as all eyes turned towards the unfolding confrontation.

But then...

"You are the one with no manners at all. Since when do an Elder and a Senior of Kunlun use their mouths to bully a greenhorn, a future seed of Kunlun?" The taut silence was shattered by a new, commanding voice.

Like the calm before the storm, a regal figure materialized amongst the fray, white robes with dark red stripes billowing elegantly behind her.

It was none other than Li Rong. Her cold, reproachful stare bored into the now stunned Chen Huang before sweeping over Ji Wuye with measured appraisal.

"You, Junior Brother Ji, follow me. Elder Qiao has a task for you."

Li Rong's authoritative command left no room for negotiation.

"But Senior Sister—" The first Official Disciple handling Ji Wuye's task hesitated, his voice faltering, only to meet Li Rong's cold and indifferent gaze, which made him shudder.

"Tell Elder Mu that if he has a problem, he should talk to Elder Qiao," Li Rong said, glancing at the passive Chen Huang, who had already lowered his head and cupped his hands toward her. His expression remained hidden as he lowered his head for a moment before Li Rong left with Ji Wuye.