Chapter 204
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Chapter 204: Ninth-level Task
Ninth-level task: Heavenly Convergence Herb!
Ye Yun’s gaze lingered on that line of golden text, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Brother Ye, are you planning to take the ninth-level task directly?” Yin Haotian asked anxiously.
Ye Yun glanced at him. “Why not? The manual states new inner disciples must complete a task for Contribution Points. Higher-level tasks grant more points, which are crucial for future cultivation. Besides, the first task’s completion affects the higher-ups’ evaluation of new disciples.”
Yin Haotian nodded. “True, but those evaluations are mostly symbolic. Contribution Points matter more. Still, ninth-level tasks are nearly impossible.”
“Has anyone succeeded?” Ye Yun tilted his head.
Yin Haotian hesitated. “Well… in recent years, only Murong Wuqing completed one as a new disciple.”
Murong Wuqing?
Ye Yun recalled their encounter. He’d imagined this cultivation-obsessed prodigy as domineering, but the reality was a cold, detached figure far from his expectations.
“Brother Yin forgot another,” Nie Yuanping chimed in. “Five years ago, Chen Tianyun finished a ninth-level task at the Qi refining stage.”
“Chen Tianyun?” Yin Haotian frowned. “The name sounds familiar.”
“Brother Chen from Tian Shen Peak,” Nie Yuanping clarified.
“Him? I met him once years ago before he disappeared. He’s back now?”
Nie Yuanping sighed. “Where have you been? Chen Tianyun’s reputation rivals Murong Wuqing’s. Remember the Death Desert incident three months ago? When Four Peak Masters’ trial disciples faced certain death, he appeared and annihilated all monsters with One Sword. His sword arc lit the desert for miles.”
“Ah, that was him? Didn’t expect he’d attempt a ninth-level task first.”
Ye Yun stored this information. Shui Qingxuan had mentioned Chen Tianyun’s achievements and Elder Shi’s backing, hinting he might challenge the Four Peak Masters.
“Where does he usually stay?” Ye Yun asked gently.
“Tian Shen Peak,” Yin Haotian answered quickly.
Nie Yuanping shook his head. “He roams between peaks, guiding stuck disciples. Very popular.”
“So flashy?” Yin Haotian scoffed. “If I weren’t training, I’d steal his spotlight.”
Nie Yuanping and Ye Yun exchanged amused glances.
“Brother Yin, you couldn’t take one punch from Brother Ye. Comparing yourself to Chen Tianyun?” Nie Yuanping laughed, then backtracked. “Not that Brother Ye’s weaker! You’re both Heavenly Sword Sect’s best!”
Ye Yun waved dismissively. “Chen Tianyun’s at late Foundation Establishment stage. I’m just fireflies to his moon. No comparison.”
Nie Yuanping froze, speechless.
“Modesty!” Yin Haotian interjected. “Chen’s over twenty. You’re sixteen and already at Qi refining’s pinnacle. Three years and you’ll conquer the great tribulation, reach Sixth-layer Foundation Establishment celestial realm!”
Ye Yun ignored him, reaching to erase the golden text.
“A first-level Qi refining ant dares claim a ninth-level task? Foolish.”
A cold voice rang out. A white-robed youth with a golden scarf entered the Task Hall, eight disciples trailing meekly behind.
Yin Haotian and Nie Yuanping froze, then their faces paled as they hastily turned around.
"We greet Brother Long."
Their bodies trembled visibly, overcome with fear.
The youth paid them no mind, striding directly toward Ye Yun. "So you’re Ye Yun? The Peak Master’s Registered Disciple?"
Ye Yun glanced at him briefly before reaching for the Ninth-level Task.
"How audacious!"
Multiple voices erupted simultaneously, dripping with murderous intent.
"Ninth-level tasks are beyond your cultivation level," Brother Long stated calmly. "One mistake means death and disappearance of the spirit."
Ye Yun turned with a slight frown. "Do Shadowless Peak’s inner disciples have nothing better to do than meddle?"
"How dare you address Brother Long this way!" shouted an inner sect member.
"Yin Haotian," Ye Yun continued as if hearing nothing, "does the sect forbid new inner disciples from taking Ninth-level tasks?"
The previously arrogant Yin Haotian now hung his head low, shaking it slightly after a pause.
"Yuanping?" Ye Yun turned to the other.
Nie Yuanping’s face twisted uncomfortably. "The manual doesn’t forbid it… but Ninth-level tasks risk death and disappearance of the spirit. Please reconsider, Brother Ye."
Ye Yun nodded, then addressed the golden-scarfed youth. "You want this task?"
Brother Long shook his head reflexively.
"Then stop wasting time." Ye Yun swiped his hand. Crimson light flared from the Ninth-level Task’s golden text as he inserted his identity token. New characters materialized:
Ninth-level Task: Obtain Heavenly Convergence Herb
Location: Fire Dragon Cave / Dusk Serpent Valley
Time Limit: Three days
Reward: 100 Contribution Points
"The youth these days fear neither heaven nor earth!" Brother Long exclaimed, astonished by Ye Yun’s boldness.
Ye Yun turned to leave without another word.
"Wait." At Brother Long’s gesture, eight youths blocked the exit.
"What now?" Ye Yun’s voice turned icy.
"Word says you scorn Junzi Hall."
"What if I do?"
The older disciple chuckled. "No offense meant. I’m Long Yinsheng, Dragon Hall’s deputy leader. We share your disdain for Junzi Hall. Survive this task, and you’ll qualify as one of Dragon Hall’s eight leaders."
Ye Yun shrugged, pushing past the blockers.
"Consider it," Long Yinsheng called after him, signaling clearance.
"Not interested in any Dragon Hall," Ye Yun tossed over his shoulder, striding from the Task Hall.
Long Yinsheng watched the retreating figure with amusement.
Ye Yun’s haste stemmed not from the task itself, but its location. The Heavenly Convergence Herb grew in two places – unfamiliar Dusk Serpent Valley, and…
Fire Dragon Cave.
The same trial ground where Su Ling had been forced to enter. Though Shui Qingxuan’s protective charm guarded her, accidents happened. This mission granted him legitimate access to check on her.
Fire Dragon Cave – Shadowless Peak’s forbidden trial site. Only sufficiently cultivated disciples braved the True Fire Dragon’s flames to purge bodily impurities, easing future cultivation. Deadly yet coveted, it remained many disciples’ ultimate aspiration.
