### Chapter 60: I'll Wait for Your Return
The morning air hung thick with tension as Lin Yi stood in the Mysterious Machine Hall, surrounded by the twenty-seven other chosen disciples. Among them, two faces stood out: Luo Huapeng, the inner sect disciple who'd given him the bracelet, now promoted to core disciple after placing third in the tournament; and Xiao Liang, the arrogant Sixth Level cultivator from the Yunmeng Marsh, now Seventh Level, his nose still tilted skyward.
*He doesn't recognize me*, Lin Yi noted, amused. Xiao Liang's gaze slid over him without a second glance—why would he spare a thought for a "lowly" Second Level from months ago?
Sect Leader Feng stood at the front, his voice booming. "The Black Veil Forest holds dangers, but also opportunities. Rare herbs, demonic cores, artifacts—claim what you can. It's yours to keep. Prove yourselves, and greater rewards await upon your return."
The disciples leaned forward, eyes shining. Greed overshadowed fear—with top-grade artifacts in hand, what couldn't they conquer?
"Bring the spirit wine!" Feng roared.
A line of female disciples filed in, bearing trays of glowing wine. Each disciple, then Elders Zhao and Chen, then the other elders, and finally Feng himself, took a cup.
"To victory!" Feng toasted, draining his cup.
The hall erupted as everyone followed suit. The wine burned going down, warm and invigorating, filling Lin Yi with a false sense of courage.
"Elders Zhao and Chen," Feng said, turning to the two leaders, "the sect trusts you."
"We will not fail," they vowed.
"Move out!"
With a final nod from the sect leader, the thirty-strong group—two elders, twenty-eight disciples—marched toward the market district, where they'd meet the other three sects' delegations.
…
*Bang!*
Spiritual energy rippled as Lin Yi struck the barrier around Xiao Bei's cottage. The door flew open, and Xiao Bei stood there, hands on her hips, her apple cheeks flushed. "How many times do I have to tell you? Use a 传讯符 (message talisman), not brute force! You're not trying to impress anyone, are you?"
"Can't help it," Lin Yi grinned, stepping inside. "Got excited. Missed my favorite alchemist."
Xiao Bei's scowl softened. "Flattery won't get you free pills." But her ears turned pink.
"I'm not here for pills—well, not *just* pills," Lin Yi said. "I'm leaving. For the Black Veil Forest."
Her face paled. "No. That's suicide. Demons overrun that place—even Foundation Establishment cultivators disappear there!"
"Orders," he said, shrugging. "Can't back down. Besides, I've got this." He patted the *Shadowpiercer* at his hip.
"Artifacts won't save you from 心魔幻术 (demonic illusions) or 剧毒瘴气 (poisonous miasma)," she said, hurrying to her cauldron. She returned with a handful of vials, shoving them into his hands. "More potions. The purple one—*Warding Elixir*—keeps low-level demons away. The gold one—*Berserk Strength*—but use it sparingly. It burns your life force."
Lin Yi pocketed them, grinning. "You care about me."
"I care about not wasting good pills on a dead man," she said, but her voice wavered.
"Hey," he said, softer. "I'll come back. Promise. Then you can scold me for using spiritual energy instead of talismans all you want."
Xiao Bei looked up, her eyes shining. "You better. I… I'll be here. Waiting."
Lin Yi's heart skipped a beat. Before he could say more, a distant horn blared—the signal to gather. "I have to go."
He turned to leave, but she called after him. "Lin Yi!"
He glanced back.
"Be careful," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
He winked. "Always."
…
The market square teemed with cultivators as the four sects gathered. Dianxuan's delegation joined those from 青云门 (Green Cloud Sect), 烈火堂 (Burning Flame Hall), and 万法阁 (Myriad Methods Pavilion)—each with their own elders and disciples, all clad in sect colors, artifacts glinting.
"About time," a burly man from Burning Flame Hall grunted. "Thought Dianxuan's 'best' would chicken out."
"Watch your tongue," Elder Zhao snapped. "Or we'll turn back now and let your sect face the demons alone."
The man shut up, but his glare lingered.
Lin Yi stood with Pan Yu and Fang Yue, watching the tension simmer. "This is going to be fun," he muttered.
Fang Yue苦笑. "Four sects, one goal—and a hundred old grudges. Just keep your head down, Senior Brother. Focus on the mission."
Lin Yi nodded, but his gaze drifted to the west, where the Black Veil Forest loomed on the horizon—a dark smudge against the sky, as if the very air there was poisoned.
*I'm coming*, he thought. *And I'm coming back.*
With a final order from the elders, the combined delegation set off, their footsteps kicking up dust as they marched toward the unknown.
Behind them, the market slowly returned to normal. In her alchemy shop, Xiao Bei stared at the door, her fingers tracing the edge of a vial.
"Come back," she whispered. "Please."
The road to the Black Veil Forest stretched ahead, long and dangerous. But for Lin Yi, it was more than a mission. It was a test—of his strength, his wit, and his resolve.
And he intended to pass.