The decision, once made, settled in Wang Jian's mind with the comfortable weight of inevitability. Leaving the confines of the Mystic Peak Sect, even temporarily, was not just a desire but a strategic necessity. The stagnant air of the outer sect, the slow trickle of Qi, the tedious chores – they were a cage for his ambition.
The very next morning, after their usual pre-dawn 'activities' in Princess Yue Lingshan's hut – activities that left her pleasantly exhausted and him surprisingly invigorated – they made their separate ways to the Outer Sect Mission Board.
The board was a large, weathered slab of dark wood situated near the main training grounds, already crowded with disciples jostling for a look. Scraps of parchment, detailing various tasks and their meager rewards, were pinned haphazardly across its surface.
Wang Jian, blending into the throng, scanned the listings with a cool, analytical gaze.
