After leaving the courtyard, Lin Daofeng did not rush.
His father's words still lingered in his mind.
Consolidate first. Do not act hastily.
So his purpose today was simple—not to take a task, but to understand.
The Task Hall.
—
The path was familiar. As he walked, the surroundings gradually became livelier. Disciples of different ages moved about, some alone, some in small groups, their conversations low but purposeful.
Before long, a familiar figure entered his sight.
"Daofeng."
Lin Daohao approached with a relaxed smile.
—
"Daohao-ge," Daofeng greeted.
Daohao looked him up and down, his eyes pausing slightly before a hint of surprise appeared.
"You broke through?"
—
Daofeng nodded. "Third layer."
—
Daohao let out a short laugh.
"Not bad. You were still at the second layer not long ago."
He stepped closer and lightly patted Daofeng's shoulder.
"Seems like you've been working hard."
—
"Just steady progress," Daofeng replied.
—
Daohao shook his head. "Steady is good. Rushing too fast isn't always a good thing."
He paused, then added with a faint grin,
"But reaching the third layer already means you can start taking tasks."
—
Daofeng gave a small nod. "That's why I'm heading to the Task Hall. Just to take a look for now."
—
Daohao raised a brow slightly. "Not taking one immediately?"
—
"Father advised me to consolidate first."
—
"Uncle Yunming?" Daohao chuckled. "That does sound like him."
He folded his arms loosely.
"He's right. Stabilizing your realm is more important than rushing out."
—
For a moment, the two walked side by side.
—
"I'm taking a task today," Daohao said after a pause.
"Escort mission."
—
Daofeng glanced at him. "Caravan?"
—
Daohao nodded. "Mm. Not a big one. Just a routine escort."
He shrugged slightly.
"Still, it pays better than most low-level tasks."
—
Daofeng did not respond immediately.
His understanding of such missions was already clear.
—
In the cultivation world, caravans were never simple.
Storage pouches existed, allowing valuable goods to be carried discreetly. For truly important items, clans would assign elders—at least late-stage Qi Refining, sometimes even Foundation Establishment cultivators.
—
Visible caravans, on the other hand—
Were different.
—
Too strong an escort could attract attention.
Too many people could do the same.
A smaller group, appearing ordinary, was less noticeable.
—
But also more vulnerable.
—
Loose cultivators, desperate for resources, would not hesitate to attack.
In this world, strength dictated everything.
—
Daohao glanced at him and smiled faintly. "Thinking about the risks?"
—
"A little," Daofeng admitted.
—
Daohao laughed softly. "Good. At least you're not blindly confident."
He stretched slightly, his tone turning more casual.
"Honestly, most escort tasks are fine. The clan doesn't send us to die."
He paused, then added,
"But… accidents do happen."
—
Daofeng nodded.
That much was obvious.
—
"Anyway," Daohao continued, "with your current level, you'll probably start with something simpler."
"Resource gathering, maybe. Or assisting in the herb fields."
—
"That's what I thought as well."
—
Daohao gave him another look, then smiled.
"Take your time. No need to rush into dangerous tasks."
—
The two stopped as the Task Hall came into view.
—
A large, sturdy building stood ahead, simple in design yet carrying a quiet authority. Disciples moved in and out steadily, each focused on their own matters.
—
Daohao stretched his shoulders slightly.
"Well, I'll head in first. My task is already assigned."
—
Daofeng nodded. "Stay safe."
—
Daohao grinned. "You too—future task-taker."
—
With that, he turned and walked inside.
—
Daofeng followed shortly after.
—
Inside, the hall was spacious.
Wooden boards lined the walls, filled with different tasks.
—
Daofeng's gaze moved across them.
Alchemy.
Talisman crafting.
Weapon forging.
Formations.
Spiritual plant cultivation.
—
Auxiliary professions.
Important.
Valuable.
—
The clan encouraged its members to learn at least one.
But in reality—
Very few succeeded.
—
If it were easy…
—
Daofeng's lips curved slightly.
These professions would be as common as cabbages.
—
But they were not.
Each required talent, patience, and resources.
—
Still—
Those who succeeded rarely needed to risk their lives.
They could earn resources steadily through their skills alone.
—
A second-order auxiliary master could even be more valuable than an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
—
Daofeng's gaze lingered for a moment before shifting deeper into the hall.
—
Near the center, an old man reclined in a wooden chair, eyes half-closed as if nothing in the world concerned him.
At first glance, he seemed ordinary.
But no one approached casually.
—
Lin Chenrui.
The Ninth Elder.
—
Eighty-four years old.
Qi Refining Perfection.
—
In the absence of Foundation Establishment experts, he was among the strongest in the clan.
If not for the lack of a Foundation Establishment Pill—
He might have already stepped into the next realm.
—
But time was not on his side.
After sixty, qi and blood began to decline.
Breaking through became far more difficult.
—
Still—
If he obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill…
There was a chance.
—
Such pills were controlled by larger sects—forces that possessed Golden Core cultivators.
Every few decades, a small number would appear in auctions.
—
Not generosity.
But control.
—
By limiting supply, they maintained balance and prevented smaller forces from rising too quickly.
—
"You brat, why are you staring at me?"
A lazy voice suddenly broke his thoughts.
—
Daofeng blinked slightly.
The Ninth Elder had not even opened his eyes.
—
"I wasn't staring at you, Elder," Daofeng said calmly. "I came to look for a suitable task."
—
One eye slowly opened.
—
"Third layer," the old man muttered. "Not bad… not bad."
—
His gaze lingered slightly.
—
"So," Lin Chenrui said lazily, "you've come for tasks."
—
Daofeng stood straight.
—
"I came to understand first."
—
For a brief moment—
The old man's expression changed.
—
A faint smile appeared.
—
"Oh?"
Daofeng's gaze shifted once more, passing over a section related to spiritual plant tasks.
Harvesting.
Nurturing.
Assisting in herb gardens.
—
For a brief moment—
He paused.
—
Something felt… different.
—
It was faint.
So faint that it almost didn't exist.
—
A subtle ripple passed through his body, deep within his meridians, as if something had stirred quietly from a long slumber.
—
Daofeng's brows furrowed slightly.
—
He lowered his gaze, focusing inward.
—
But the sensation vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
—
Gone without a trace.
—
For a moment, he remained still.
—
"…Did I imagine it?"
—
His expression remained calm, but a trace of doubt surfaced in his mind.
—
It was too subtle.
Too fleeting.
—
Yet—
Something about it felt… real.
—
Not understanding, he did not dwell on it further.
—
Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the task boards.
—
But deep within—
Unnoticed by anyone—
A faint, invisible vine trembled softly.
—
As if it had just begun to awaken.