The next several days passed quietly, and before Luo Yun realized it, a rhythm settled into his life.
At dawn, he woke and tended to his herb field. Watering where needed, trimming roots, adjusting formations around the spirit-gathering core, and checking each plant's spiritual vitality had become second nature. After that, he walked to Azure Edge Peak and joined the outer disciples in their morning sword training. He listened carefully, followed instructions step by step, and practiced until his movements felt stable.
When the session ended, he remained behind to train on his own. With his basics improving it'll surely help in any sword technique in the future.
Only after practicing for a while would he move to a quiet area to temper himself with small strands of sword Qi. It was painful, draining, and often left his mind throbbing—but each day he could endure a little longer.
When there were guidance lectures that he wanted to learn, he'd go there next. He attended Weekly spell demonstrations- mainly focusing on fireball spell and wind steps. Other than these he also wanted to attend Body Strengthening Drill Sessions. But since he had no contribution points, he had to postpone them.
By late afternoon, he descended the mountain, returned to his cave, practiced the sword again, bathed, and finally cultivated earnestly using the pointers his master gave him. If, once every few days, he felt his progress slowing, he would step closer to the sealed area of Abyssal Mind Peak and endure the agonizing pressure for a few breaths. The momentary glimpse of clarity that followed always improved his spirit-sense circulation method.
His days were full, simple, and focused. He thought this would be his life for the foreseeable future.
The next morning followed the same routine. He tended his herb field and then made the walk toward Azure Edge Peak. Sword Qi flowed lightly around the training grounds as outer disciples gathered, chatting in small groups.
He stood quietly to the side when someone approached him.
"You're from Abyssal Mind Peak, right? You walk here every day?"
Luo Yun turned to see a tall, thin youth with an easy grin. His expression held curiosity rather than suspicion.
"Yes," Luo Yun replied. "I live on the outer edge."
"That far? No wonder I never see anyone from your peak." The youth laughed softly. "I'm Chen Yao. Elder Jian told us someone new would be joining. Didn't think it'd be someone from the abyssal place everyone's scared of."
Luo Yun blinked, unsure how to respond. Chen Yao waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry, I'm not superstitious. Just curious. How do you even endure the pressure there?"
"I simply… grew used to it," Luo Yun said.
Chen Yao let out a low whistle. "Used to it, he says. I'd faint before stepping ten steps into that fog."
Their brief conversation ended when Elder Jian arrived. Training began as usual. Giving instructions; stances corrected; breathing adjusted.
When the lesson concluded, disciples dispersed toward the arena nearby—an open area where outer disciples were permitted to spar. Chen Yao nudged Luo Yun.
"Come on, let's watch for a bit."
As they walked toward the arena, Luo Yun noticed a familiar figure in the center platform—a girl with a cold expression, her sword movements sharp and steady. She had been the one he saw performing a spar on his first day at Sword Peak, months ago during his sign-in exploration.
She faced another girl this time, both exchanging swift blows.
Luo Yun subtly glanced at Chen Yao. "Who is she?"
Chen Yao looked surprised. "You don't know? That's Qin Yunshang. Most talented outer disciple on Sword Peak. She's already at the Eleventh Layer of Qi Condensation."
Luo Yun's steps slowed. Eleventh layer was at the peak of the realm. To be at that level while still an outer disciple was no small feat.
"She'll likely be promoted to Inner Disciple soon," Chen Yao continued. "Only those with high talent get chosen. Young age, outstanding cultivation progress, or special physiques. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator isn't guaranteed to become an inner disciple. True disciples are even harder—only elders at or above Core Formation take them personally."
The duel ended shortly after. Qin Yunshang struck her opponent's sword cleanly aside, forcing a surrender. She barely reacted, simply sheathing her sword and walking off. Luo Yun didn't linger. He understood such a gap was meaningless to focus on right now.
He needed spirit stones.
Even with the sign-in system, his daily cultivation required resources. Tasks were the easiest way to earn points or stones. Remembering Elder Jian's mention of the Task Pavilion, he headed there after parting ways with Chen Yao. He had decided on task related to tending spirit fields- as he'll have more knowledge and experience regarding herbs- which'll help him in his future journey.
The building—Spirit Assignment Pavilion—was moderately busy. An elder sat behind a tall desk, scribbling on bamboo slips with an absent-minded expression. When Luo Yun approached, the elder lifted his head.
"Task?"
"Yes, Elder. I wish to take one - tending to spirit herbs if possible."
"Experience with spirit herbs?" the elder asked, not bothering to hide his impatience.
"I've tended a small field before," Luo Yun replied. He deliberately avoided giving specifics; too much detail might make the elder suspicious or deny him tasks meant for beginners.
"Good enough." The elder tossed him a small wooden token. "Greenmist Peak needs help with herb maintenance. Report there before sunset. Don't damage anything."
Luo Yun bowed and left.
Greenmist Peak was some distance away. It took him nearly two hours to reach the base, and another thirty minutes to climb to the section designated for outer help.
Greenmist Peak's terraces spread out like gentle waves, layer upon layer of cultivated spirit fields. Mist drifted low across the herbs, carrying faint medicinal scents through the air. Although it was already past noon, only three disciples worked the narrow rows. Most peak members focused on alchemy, leaving field work to a small handful of caretakers.
One of them— a young woman in green robes—noticed Luo Yun approaching and straightened. Her expression held a sharp, cool edge.
"You're here for the Spirit Assignment task?" she asked after noticing the small token in his hands.
"Yes."
She examined him briefly, her gaze steady but distant.
"Follow me. Tasks today are light. Mostly watering, clearing weeds, checking soil condition. Do not touch any herb roots unless I tell you to. Understood?"
"Yes," Luo Yun said.
She nodded once and guided him to a row of Mist Grass, where dew gathered on thin leaves.
"Start here. Use the watering ladle—three scoops per bed. Too much will dilute the natural spiritual dew."
Luo Yun followed her instructions carefully. His movements were smooth, gentle, and precise—habits formed from tending his own small field. He never splashed water, avoided stepping too close, and checked soil moisture instinctively.
After observing him quietly for several minutes, the girl raised an eyebrow.
"You've tended herbs before."
"Only small ones," Luo Yun replied.
"How many?"
"Just a few. Nothing complicated."
She studied him again, as though trying to determine whether he was being modest or evasive. Either way, his care impressed her.
At the next terrace, she pointed to a cluster of Jade Orchid shoots.
"Remove the weeds around these. Only the broadleaf ones—those thin-stemmed weeds help retain moisture, so leave those."
He crouched down and began. He identified each weed correctly and removed them without disturbing the soil. The girl watched over his shoulder, expecting mistakes—yet he made none.
Her cold expression softened slightly, curiosity seeping into her tone.
"…Not bad. Better than most first-time helpers."
She stepped closer, folding her arms.
"Since you can handle basic field work, I'll show you something more important. Come."
She led him to a fenced-off section where several more delicate herbs grew—Jade Orchids, Mist Orchids, and a narrow bed of Fireleaf Pods.
"These require harvesting soon," she said. "But harvesting is much harder than tending. If you pull too strong, the roots tear. Too weak, and the stem bruises."
She knelt and demonstrated carefully, loosening soil with her fingers.
"Do it exactly like this."
Luo Yun watched intently, then tried with the next herb. His first attempt wasn't perfect—the soil came off a little unevenly—but the root remained intact and unbruised.
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
"…You learn fast."
She motioned for him to try again. The second attempt was smoother. By the third, his movements were nearly identical to hers.
A small smile tugged at her lips—subtle but unmistakably pleased.
"Good. Most new helpers break at least three stems before getting one right."
As they moved down the terrace, she grew more talkative, even lively at times.
"These here are Mist Orchids. Useful for spiritual calming pills. They bruise easily."
"Fire-leaf Pods burn if you touch them directly. Use cloth."
"Dream-mist Petals are over there—they stabilize mental sea fluctuations."
Luo Yun listened carefully, storing each detail.
As they continued working, she picked up a small glass vial of pale-blue liquid from a shelf.
"This is Qi Liquid. Extremely effective—directly nourishes spirit herbs, accelerates growth, and stabilizes weakened ones. Even if the ambient Qi here was low, Qi Liquid makes up for it."
She tapped the vial lightly.
"But it's expensive. Very expensive. Only used for rare herbs or emergency situations."
Luo Yun nodded. He mentally noted the difference between Qi Liquid and normal water, and how fortunate he was to have a spirit-gathering core—his own herb field didn't need such costly supplements.
Not long after, footsteps approached. Another disciple—this one wearing crimson-trimmed robes—arrived with a spatial pouch.
The herb girl immediately straightened. "Pill Refinement Peak?"
The newcomer nodded. "Crimson Furnace Peak requests the monthly batch."
She handed over a long list. The girl beside Luo Yun checked it.
"Dreammist Petals, five bundles… Sunheart Root, ten… Mist Orchids, eight…" She sighed. "As usual, they're draining our stock."
The crimson-robed disciple smiled ruefully. "Master Li is refining Mind-Soothing Pills and Fire Tempering Pills this month. Both require large quantities."
She proceeded to explain:
"Mind-Soothing Pills stabilize consciousness for those stuck in late Qi Condensation bottlenecks. Fire Tempering Pills are for early Foundation Establishment disciples—tempering meridians before forming their core."
Luo Yun absorbed the information. Knowing which herbs connected to which pills gave him deeper understanding of why spirit herbs mattered—and how they influenced the cultivation world.
After the crimson-robed disciple left, the girl sighed.
"They always come with huge orders. At least we had someone competent today."
Her eyes fell on Luo Yun, and she offered a rare, genuine smile.
"You worked well. Come again if you take more Spirit Assignment tasks. We could use someone who doesn't damage everything."
Luo Yun bowed slightly. "Thank you."
By the time he left Greenmist Peak, the sun had already dipped low in the sky. His tasks were complete, his understanding of herbs had deepened, and he had gained more insight into the sect's workings than he expected.
The walk back to Abyssal Mind Peak was long, but he didn't mind it.
Knowledge, spirit stones, experience—he had gained all three today. For task completion reward- he'll report it tomorrow.
It was evening when he finally stepped back into his cave residence. He washed, practiced Returning Wind Slash until sweat dampened his sleeves, then cultivated long into the night, his spirit sense sharper from the day's tempering.
Outside, the peak was silent and cold. But Luo Yun felt steady.