Lu Yi smiled and said, “Then we’ll trouble you, Senior Brother. We’re looking for tasks suitable for the tenth level of Qi Refining.”


    Although Lu Yi believed his strength was decent, he didn’t plan to take on Foundation Establishment tasks. After all, he could cultivate steadily without lacking resources, so why take unnecessary risks?


    Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan were both polishing their skills at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Based on Lu Yi’s perception, Jiang Fan was close to breaking through, and Bai Yulong was slightly behind but not too far off.


    They were all still young, not yet twenty years old.


    Reaching the Foundation Establishment stage at this age meant their talent ranked in the upper tier within the White Cloud Sect.


    For three disciples at the tenth level of Qi Refining, taking on a task of the same level posed no major issues.


    “Any specific requirements for the task?” The middle-aged cultivator flipped through the task book.


    Lu Yi exchanged glances with Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong. They had already discussed this matter on their way here.


    Lu Yi smiled and said, “Preferably not too far from the White Cloud Sect and no resource-collecting tasks.”


    As Qi Refining cultivators, they couldn’t fly on swords and weren’t fast. Traveling too far would waste too much time.


    As for collection tasks, while not dangerous, they were troublesome. Some materials required searching various locations, relying heavily on luck, and consumed considerable time.


    For these three at the tenth level of Qi Refining, time was as valuable as money.


    The middle-aged cultivator nodded slightly and continued flipping through the book. Soon, he smiled and said, “There is a task that might suit you. The Mohe Kingdom has requested assistance. Recently, a tenth-level Qi Refining evil cultivator has appeared in their capital, and they need sect disciples to handle it. Junior Brother Lu, how does this task sound?”


    “An evil cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refining?”


    Lu Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong.


    Jiang Fan asked, “Senior Brother, what do we know about this evil cultivator?”


    Lu Yi also wanted to ask this question. He didn’t want to encounter any hidden threats later.


    The middle-aged cultivator flipped through the records and replied, “No significant background. The Mohe Kingdom’s Grand Advisor, also at the tenth level of Qi Refining, fought the evil cultivator before requesting help. Both sides were seriously injured, and the evil cultivator fled. Recently, the evil cultivator resurfaced, but the Grand Advisor hasn’t recovered and can’t suppress him. That’s why the Mohe King sought help from our White Cloud Sect. This evil cultivator likely stumbled upon evil techniques by chance and isn’t particularly notable.”This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Hearing this, the three felt reassured. It wasn’t uncommon for people to turn to evil cultivation after accidentally acquiring such techniques.


    Some ordinary people, upon suddenly gaining power, often became mentally unstable. Combined with the nature of evil cultivation methods, it was easy for them to wreak havoc.


    Every year, the White Cloud Sect handled numerous similar tasks. Lu Yi had encountered such cases even as an outer disciple.


    “In that case, we’ll take this task.” Lu Yi smiled.


    “Alright, this task is yours then,” the middle-aged cultivator said, smiling. “Show me your tokens, and I’ll register you.”


    The three handed over their tokens, and after registration, they left the administration hall with their task assigned.


    They then headed to the Inner Sect’s Spirit Beast Hall, where they each borrowed a unicorn spirit horse at the Qi Refining level.


    As Qi Refining cultivators who couldn’t fly, their transportation options were limited to Qi Refining-level beasts.


    After preparing, the trio rode their spirit horses along the mountain path, leaving the Inner Sect and entering the outer sect areas.


    Lu Yi originally planned to visit his parents, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi.


    However, after some thought, he decided to wait until after the mission. By then, it would be close to the New Year’s festival, and he could celebrate at home.


    Thus, the trio departed from the White Cloud Sect, riding their unicorn spirit horses toward the Mohe Kingdom.


    Unicorn spirit horses, being Qi Refining-level beasts, far surpassed ordinary horses and could travel thousands of miles per day.


    Green Province was vast, with the White Cloud Sect governing dozens of kingdoms. Although Mohe Kingdom wasn’t too far, it was still tens of thousands of kilometers away.


    Traveling at a steady pace, the trio took about a week to reach Mohe Kingdom.


    <hr>


    Mohe’s capital was surrounded by tall walls and heavily guarded gates. All entering civilians underwent inspections by soldiers.


    The commander of the capital guards, Qi Ming, was a burly man with a full beard.


    Standing on the city wall, Qi Ming observed the queue of civilians below and muttered, “Not much profit lately.”


    His deputy glanced at the poorly dressed refugees below and shook his head. “Sir, you know this year’s drought has ruined the harvest. Refugees are flooding in, but few have any wealth. Unless merchants arrive, making money is nearly impossible.”


    Qi Ming snorted, dissatisfied. “These worthless peasants, coming to the capital with nothing.”


    At that moment, he noticed a cloud of dust rising in the distance. Being a martial artist, his vision was sharp.


    He saw three young people in white robes riding unicorn-like beasts rapidly approaching.


    The sight of those beasts sent chills down his spine. But what terrified him more were the white robes—the attire of White Cloud Sect’s Inner Sect disciples!


    Qi Ming’s face turned pale, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He immediately shouted, “Prepare to welcome the immortal masters from White Cloud Sect! If anything goes wrong, I’ll have your hides!”


    The guards stiffened and stood at attention, their expressions tense.


    The civilians, hearing those immortal masters had arrived, quickly stepped aside, their faces filled with awe and fear.


    Qi Ming led his officers to the gate, bowing deeply with solemn expressions.


    Lu Yi and his companions arrived outside the city walls and saw the guards.


    Lu Yi wasn’t surprised. In kingdoms under the White Cloud Sect, its disciples were highly respected. Even as an outer disciple, he had been treated with honor.


    Now, as an Inner Sect disciple, the reverence was even greater.


    Lu Yi also noticed the tattered clothes of the civilians. Raising an eyebrow, he thought, looks like times are tough this year.


    Without cultivation, these kingdoms resembled ancient societies, where even minor disasters could lead to widespread suffering.


    As Lu Yi reflected, Qi Ming and his officers bowed deeply. Qi Ming shouted, “Welcome, immortal masters from White Cloud Sect!”


    Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at Qi Ming, and smiled. “Let us in.”


    “Yes, sir!” Qi Ming responded promptly, clearing the way.


    The other guards followed suit, allowing Lu Yi and his companions to ride their unicorn spirit horses through the gates.