The fragrance of tea curled spiraling within the bamboo hut, yet it could not entirely mask the faint, lingering awkwardness in the air. Shen Qingxuan sat upright before the desk, toying with a folding fan in his hand, though his gaze wandered somewhat absentmindedly. Ever since that bout of high fever had subsided, the Sect Leader had become a frequent visitor to the bamboo hut, inquiring after his health with such solicitous care that it was simply overwhelming.
Yue Lingyuan set down the white porcelain teacup in his hand, his gaze as gentle as water, exuding a warmth befitting a harmonious brotherly bond: "Junior Brother has been convalescing for these many days; is your health fully restored?"
Shen Qingxuan gently waved his folding fan, the corners of his mouth curving into a perfectly measured arc, masking his momentary unease seamlessly: "Many thanks to Senior Brother for your concern. Qingqiu is long since recovered."
Yue Lingyuan nodded slightly, shifting the topic: "Since your health is restored, regarding the matter in Shuangxi City, Junior Brother should make preparations to depart. I wonder when you intend to set off?"
Shen Qingxuan's fingers paused imperceptibly mid-fan, though his expression remained unruffled: "Shuangxi City?"
Yue Lingyuan seemed somewhat surprised: "Has Junior Brother confused his mind from illness? This task was one you personally agreed to undertake, stating you wished to bring the disciples under your tutelage for some practical experience."
So it was a mess left behind by the original goods. Shen Qingxuan sighed inwardly. His current spiritual power was still crude; he could barely protect himself, so where did he find the leisure to lead disciples on a training excursion? Just as he was about to find an excuse to decline, a cold mechanical voice rang out without warning beside his ear:
【Primary Stage Mission Issued. Location: Shuangxi City. Mission: Complete the training excursion. Please click to accept.】
Shen Qingxuan's vision blurred as a semi-transparent light screen materialized out of thin air. The mission briefing was emblazoned across it, with two options beneath—"Accept" and "Reject"—quietly blinking. Before he could even react, his gaze inadvertently swept over the word "Accept." The option instantly glowed green, accompanied by a crisp chime:
【Mission accepted successfully. Please read the dossier in detail and make preparations. Wishing you immediate success.】
Helpless in his heart, Shen Qingxuan's smile on his face only grew more composed: "Naturally I remember. It is simply that these days of rest have made my bones lazy, and I nearly forgot the matter. I shall depart in a few days."
Yue Lingyuan spoke warmly: "If your body is not yet fully recovered, there is no need to rush. Regarding the elimination of this evil, Junior Brother need not exert himself personally."
Shen Qingxuan smiled in agreement, yet inwardly he could not help but retort: Senior Brother, your tone and demeanor are exactly like that NPC who issues quests!
The original novel mentioned that Shen Qingxuan had a capable confidant named Mingyuan. As long as it did not involve the protagonist, this youth was highly efficient. Sure enough, in but a single day, the arrangements for descending the mountain were settled perfectly.
Before departure, Shen Qingxuan specifically took a moment to groom himself before a bronze mirror. A pristine white robe, loose belt, a sword hanging at his left waist, and a fan held in his right hand—he truly looked the part of an elegant, unrestrained, and otherworldly immortal. Such an image would surely stabilize his "High and Cold Shizun" persona.
However, when he arrived at the mountain gate and saw the prepared carriage and the mounts for the accompanying disciples, his brows could not help but furrow slightly.
"System, are you mocking me? This is a cultivation world, after all. Why don't we fly on swords when going out?"
The system responded coldly: 【Even in a Western fantasy magic world, not every wizard rides a broomstick when they go out. It is too conspicuous.】
Shen Qingxuan raised a brow: "You know quite a bit, don't you? Did you hang out in Western fantasy worlds before?"
The system only replied with a long string of 【......】.
Having operated for so many years, someone like Shen Qingxuan who had the leisure to banter with the system was likely a unique specimen. But on second thought, this trip down the mountain was for training, and the accompanying disciples were mostly young and of low seniority; they likely had not yet found their own destined Spirit Swords.
According to the rules of the Lingxiao Mountain Sect, when a disciple's cultivation reached a certain stage, they could go to the Myriad Swords Peak to choose a suitable weapon. It was said that the person chooses the sword, but in reality, the sword also chooses the person. If a mediocre talent were to forcibly seize a high-grade sword forged from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it would be like fresh flowers stuck in cow dung, or fine jade paired with rubble; the Spirit Sword would not consent to it.
And Luo Hanchuan's golden finger was activated precisely when he found that "Soul-Devouring Demon Sword."
Shen Qingxuan boarded the carriage. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a small, exquisite censer quietly burning calming incense. Once settled, he felt something was amiss. Suddenly, he used his folding fan to lift the carriage curtain and look out.
At this one look, Shen Qingxuan's expression instantly turned somewhat peculiar.
For the figure bustling around the carriage, being ordered here and there by everyone, was none other than Luo Hanchuan!
At this moment, Luo Hanchuan was moving the last item—a cloud-patterned chessboard essential for Shen Qingxuan's travels—onto the carriage. Looking up and seeing Shen Qingxuan staring at him with a complex gaze, he paused slightly, then bowed his head and called out respectfully: "Shizun."
The injuries left from Shen Qingxuan's previous discipline had mostly healed, and the bruising on his face had faded. Though still somewhat youthful, the elegance and handsomeness in his features were already discernible. Even while doing such menial labor, his back remained straight, his movements meticulous. That air of focus and earnestness made it truly hard to dislike him.
Shen Qingxuan stared at him for a moment, let out a light "Mm," and lowered the curtain.
He had to admit, the protagonist was indeed the protagonist. No wonder this kid, though destitute in the early stages, always had various beauties throwing themselves at him. Good looks were indeed a hard truth! Of course, this also explained why fellow disciples always seemed to have a problem with him, determined to beat him into a pig's head.
Just as he was thinking, Shen Qingxuan suddenly detected something wrong. Including himself, there were ten people on this trip, yet he had only seen nine horses earlier. One was missing?
He didn't need to guess who was playing tricks. Sure enough, amidst a bout of snickering, Mingyuan's smug voice drifted over from a distance: "Horses are truly in short supply, so Junior Brother will have to suffer this once. Besides, Junior Brother's foundation is poor; this is a good opportunity to exercise more."
Short supply, my ass! The Lingxiao Mountain Sect was the wealthiest in the cultivation world, practically dripping with oil; how could it lack one horse for him?
Mingyuan was well-versed in the art of cannon fodder suicide. Seeing Luo Hanchuan silent, he added fuel to the fire: "What? What is that expression? Are you dissatisfied?"
Luo Hanchuan's expression was calm as he uttered two words: "I dare not."
Just then, a bell-like girlish laughter rang out; it seemed Ning Ling'er had arrived: "Senior Brothers, what are you talking about?"
The girl really knew how to pick her moments! Shen Qingxuan rubbed his forehead. Ning Ling'er was the catalyst for the animosity between Mingyuan and Luo Hanchuan; whenever she was around, Luo Hanchuan was sure to have a bad time.
Sure enough, Ning Ling'er waved excitedly: "Ah Chuan, Ah Chuan, not enough horses? Come share a ride with me!"
...Truly expert-level hate-pulling for Luo Hanchuan. Shen Qingxuan could almost visualize Mingyuan's jaw dropping to the floor. This trope of a down-and-out protagonist winning the favor of a beauty was a satisfying plot point, but also the root of jealousy. If Luo Hanchuan agreed now, this journey would likely be anything but peaceful.
Seated inside the carriage, Shen Qingxuan spoke in a deep voice: "Yin'er, stop messing around. There are boundaries between men and women; even among fellow disciples, there must be propriety. Mingyuan, why the delay? Why have we not departed?"
Mingyuan was overjoyed, thinking: Shizun is truly on my side! He immediately urged the group to set off.
The little farce was temporarily put aside. Shen Qingxuan withdrew his attention and opened the dossier beside him to reconfirm the itinerary. This was not only his first time descending the mountain to follow the plot, but it was also a primary mission crucial to unfreezing the "Character Collapse" function, so he had to be cautious.
According to the dossier, a small city dozens of miles from the Lingxiao Mountain Sect had recently witnessed several brutal murders, with nine victims already. All the dead had been completely skinned, the method so exquisitely precise it was hair-raising