The morning after the bloodline ritual felt almost peaceful.
The Phoenix Courtyard was alive with subtle energy—embers swirling like petals in spring, warming the guild's training fields. The latest bonded members, Shi Yuyan and Shi Yun'er, had joined morning drills with quiet determination. Their uniforms shimmered with newly awakened power, while their rings glowed with fresh etchings—marks of acceptance, proof of bond.
But Lin Yue didn't bask in the serenity.
He stood alone in the Flame Tree Pavilion, his expression unreadable.
Before him hovered a translucent red-gold interface—a newly unlocked system.
[Commission Mission System – Activated]
Category: Local Mercenary Tasks
Function: Reputation, Combat Training, Resource Accumulation
Current Available Missions:
Purge the Flame Swamp
Rank: D
Objective: Eliminate 10 Flame-Scaled Lizards near the volcano's outer basin.
Reward: 3 Fire Core Stones + Local Civ Reputation (20)
Suggested Participants: 2-3
Escort Request – Spiritual Herb Caravan
Rank: C
Objective: Protect the merchant route to Vermilion Hills for 3 hours.
Reward: 2000 Spirit Coins + 1 Rare Herb Crate
Suggested Participants: 3+
Emergency Report – Beast Wave Surge
Rank: B
Objective: Investigate and repel mutated spiritual beasts near Oakcliff Border
Reward: 2 Cultivation Pills (Tier 3) + Guild Influence (30)
Risk Level: Moderate-High
"Interesting," Lin Yue muttered. "So this is the path forward—more than training behind walls. The world is waking… and we must wake with it."
A bell chimed below—indicating sparring drills had begun. Lin Yue descended the pavilion in a flash of flames.
Training Grounds – Morning Sparring
Lian Rou's flame whip cracked through the air as she clashed with Wen Qingxue's glacial blade. Sparks hissed, steam burst from impact points, and the surrounding disciples watched wide-eyed.
"Careful," Wen Qingxue said with a smile, deflecting a high-speed lash. "You'll burn your own robes again."
"That only happened once!" Lian Rou shouted, cheeks red.
"Twice," corrected Luo Yanyue lazily, sipping chilled spirit tea as she floated midair, projecting illusions over a rotating target board.
Meanwhile, Shi Yuyan practiced kata-style swings with a flame-forged sword. Though her wounds had healed, her bond was still stabilizing.
"Your balance is too forward on the fifth step," Lin Yue said from behind her. "You're channeling spirit, but not grounding it."
Shi Yuyan turned sharply, eyes glinting. "Then show me."
A thin smile broke his lips. "Gladly."
He stepped behind her, hand guiding her elbow, wrist, then shoulder. Each motion controlled, each breath synced. When she exhaled again, her strike split the phantom training dummy in two.
Shi Yun'er clapped cheerfully from the edge. "Sister! You're so cool now!"
"I only got this far because…" Yuyan's gaze softened as she looked at Lin Yue. "...he saved me."
There was a long pause. Then Lian Rou leaned over to Wen Qingxue.
"She's gonna join the competition for his attention, huh?"
Wen Qingxue shrugged. "We already did."
Yanyue hummed. "Let the flames of rivalry rise."
Guild Notification: Mission Briefing — All Members
Lin Yue clapped his hands. "Enough for today. Gather around."
The bonded members assembled, curiosity glowing in their eyes.
"I've unlocked a mission system for the guild," he began. "We now have access to local commissions—hunting tasks, protection work, investigations. They offer rewards, experience, and raise our standing with outer forces."
He flicked his fingers, revealing the mission list midair. They reviewed the options quickly.
Lian Rou pointed. "The beast wave sounds serious."
"Too serious," said Wen Qingxue. "That might attract rival guilds."
"Exactly," Lin Yue nodded. "And that's the point."
The atmosphere chilled. "You sensed something yesterday, didn't you?" asked Luo Yanyue.
"Yes," Lin Yue said. "A hostile spiritual signature observed us from afar."
He gestured again—and this time, a crimson interface appeared showing enemy data.
[Enemy Detected: Ashen Fangs Mercenary Group]
Leader: Zhan Long
Cultivation: Peak Spirit Core Realm
Rank: Tier 2 Mercenary Guild
Specialization: Ambush Tactics, Poison Flame Arts
Known Bounties: 13 Eliminations (Spiritual Practitioners)
Status: Suspicious Activity Near Oakcliff Border
Objective: Unknown (Hostile Intent: 79%)
Zhan Long – Custom Status
Name: Zhan Long
Affiliation: Ashen Fangs
Cultivation Realm: Peak Spirit Core Formation
Core Trait: Venom-Flame Core
Skills:
Twin Snake Palm
Acid Scorch Net
Merciless Fang Blade
Threat Level: High (Use Caution)
Target Recognition: Lin Yue – "Kill On Sight"
Yuyan's eyes narrowed. "He's stronger than me."
Lin Yue nodded. "That's why we won't face him directly yet. But we'll intercept the beast wave and see what game he's playing. Qingxue, Rou, Yanyue, and I will go. Yuyan and Yun'er—fortify the veil array while we're out."
They nodded firmly.
"Let's move."
[Mission Activated: Emergency Report – Beast Wave Surge]
Participants: Lin Yue, Lian Rou, Wen Qingxue, Luo Yanyue
ETA: 2 Hours to Oakcliff Border
Oakcliff Border – Mission Zone
By late afternoon, the forest near Oakcliff was shrouded in sulfuric fog. Trees were scorched. The earth trembled from stampeding hooves.
Lin Yue held up a hand. "There."
They spotted them—twenty twisted beasts, their cores pulsating with toxic flame. They weren't wild—they were… manipulated.
"They're infected," Wen Qingxue whispered. "Spirit beast corruption…"
From behind the smoke, a deep voice echoed:
"Little Phoenix chick... I wondered when you'd come."
Zhan Long stepped from the mist, twin blades on his back. His eyes were the color of spoiled blood.
"So this is the famous guildmaster," he smirked. "Flaunting power with little girls?"
Lian Rou hissed. "You'll regret that."
"No," Lin Yue said calmly. "He won't live long enough to."
With a roar, the beasts charged.
Combat Initiated
Lin Yue blurred forward, Phoenix Spear forming from flame. He spun midair and drove it into the first beast's skull. Exploding embers blinded three others.
Wen Qingxue summoned frost petals—each one slashing through beast eyes and legs, halting their charge.
Luo Yanyue weaved illusions so real, half the corrupted creatures lunged at shadows and turned on each other.
Lian Rou's whip wrapped one's throat and, with a fiery pull, yanked it off its feet into a waiting inferno.
Zhan Long growled. "You're better than expected."
Lin Yue stepped forward.
"You're not worth my full strength," he said, voice cold. "But this…"
His spear ignited with golden flame. "...is for sending those beasts near our home."
He lunged.
Zhan Long barely blocked the first strike. His blade screamed under the pressure.
Their clash sent shockwaves through the trees. But Lin Yue's speed outpaced Zhan Long's venom.
One final strike—Phoenix Spiral Wing—pierced through Zhan Long's left shoulder, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Next time," Lin Yue said, "you won't walk away."
Zhan Long vanished into poison mist, retreating.
Mission Completed – Emergency Report
Beasts Repelled: 20/20
Enemy Leader Injured
Loot Gained: 2 Spirit Cores, 1 Poison Flame Manual
Reward Unlocked: 2x Tier 3 Pills, Guild Influence +30
Back at the Guild
Shi Yuyan and Shi Yun'er welcomed them at the courtyard gate.
"Any injuries?" Yuyan asked urgently.
"None of us," Lin Yue said. "But the game has begun."
Guild Level Up – Rank 3 Minor Mercenary Guild
Features Unlocked:
Mission Board (Public Commission Access)
Inner Quarters Upgrade – Personal Training Chambers
Guild Reputation System Activated (Region: East Flame Territory)
To be Continued....