The morning sun rose over Holy Saint Sect, but Ash's cultivation was interrupted by a knock at his door.
He opened it to find a robed messenger holding a jade slip.
> "Direct order from Elder Huo. You're to report at the Southern Pavilion."
---
Ash arrived at the mission court to find two girls already waiting beneath the marble steps.
Both wore the inner disciple robes, silver-trimmed, proud in posture.
One stood tall and aloof, her long dark hair braided tightly with an obsidian pin—a noble mark. The other had a relaxed demeanor, but sharp eyes that assessed Ash like a suspicious ledger entry.
Ash bowed slightly.
> "Ash, reporting in."
The tall girl raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
> "You're the one who became Elder Huo's disciple after the outer trials?" she said flatly.
"Direct disciple from a slum orphanage. How efficient."
The other girl chuckled softly. "I heard you tamed some spirit rat in a furnace."
Ash offered no defense.
Shen Mu's voice whispered internally.
> "You'll find this kind of scorn often, boy. Nobles don't believe in merit—only lineage."
---
An elder arrived shortly after.
He addressed them all with a firm, authoritative tone.
> "You three are to be dispatched to Redhollow City—a border settlement under our sect's protection. The city shares its eastern boundary with the Beastwood. There's been a surge of forest-type spirit beasts in the area. Your orders: defend, neutralize threats, and report activity."
He handed each of them a jade ring.
> "Each spirit beast kill will earn 200 contribution points. Large beasts over Tier 3 may grant bonuses. The mission will last no less than one month."
> "Do not disgrace your sect."
---
Departure
As they rode spirit cranes toward the city, Ash looked down at the forests stretching out like endless green waves.
The girl with sharp eyes finally spoke. "I'm Lian Rou. Mid-tier Inner Disciple. Fifth-stage Root Forging."
The taller girl didn't bother turning. "Yan Qing. I'm not here to babysit."
Ash gave a small nod. "Ash."
Lian Rou gave him a sideways glance.
> "We'll see if you can hold your own."
---
Arrival at Redhollow
Redhollow was unlike the structured discipline of the sect. Here, streets were lined with fortified trenches. Market stalls sold both weapons and medicines. The air stank of beast blood and alchemical smoke.
At the city wall, a squad of cultivators briefed them.
> "Attacks are constant. No full-scale siege yet, but the forest is swelling. Beasts are getting braver. You three will patrol the western barricades for the first week."
Yan Qing sighed. "Patrol duty. Figures."
Ash remained quiet, but his gaze drifted toward the edge of the forest.
Shen Mu murmured again.
> "This place... the forest is teeming with low-intelligence spirit beasts. No qi awareness. Perfect for binding. If you act at night... discreetly... you may grow your spirit army without alerting the girls."
Ash's hand unconsciously touched the small seal Vulcan had etched into his belt buckle.
---
First Patrol
That evening, the trio walked the barricades, facing the forest line. Occasional growls echoed from the trees.
Ash stared into the woods and felt a strange sense of hunger.
Not fear—opportunity.
Yan Qing spotted him lingering.
> "If you freeze in real battle, you'll be nothing but weight."
Ash simply nodded.
> "Let's hope I get a chance to prove you wrong."