After spending several days at Courtyard No. 37, Văn Tân gradually came to understand the rules governing outer sect disciples.
Although he had secured a stable place to live, received twenty low-grade spirit stones each month along with several basic bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills, and was permitted to enter the second and third floors of the Scripture Pavilion to select cultivation manuals, the gap between outer sect disciples and inner sect disciples was still as vast as the heavens and the earth.
In addition, outer sect disciples could take on sect missions to earn contribution points, which could be exchanged for pills, cultivation methods, and other resources.
Outer sect disciples were not required to perform heavy logistical labor like menial servants, but they were regarded as a "reserve class." Only those with sufficient talent, fortuitous opportunities, and the strength to pass the sect's assessments would have a chance to advance into the inner sect and become official disciples of the Cloud Sword Sect. As for the rest, if they remained stagnant, they would ultimately be nothing more than a name on the sect's roster and would eventually be eliminated, returning to serve as menial disciples.
Every morning, the bell from the Hall of Heavenly Inquiry rang out, reminding outer sect disciples that they could go there to accept missions. Most of these tasks involved exterminating demonic beasts, gathering materials, or escorting travelers for clients. Such missions were originally handled by inner sect disciples, but when manpower was insufficient, the sect allowed outer sect disciples to participate as well. However, the rewards were far less generous, while the dangers were no less severe.
Most importantly, Văn Tân realized a cruel truth:
Outer sect disciples were not given direct instruction. There were no elders to teach them, no masters to guide them. They had to rely entirely on themselves on the cultivation methods and combat techniques found in the Scripture Pavilion, on their meager supply of spirit stones, and on uncertain, elusive opportunities. Even their sword practice was confined to the courtyards adjacent to the servants' quarters.
In the eyes of the sect, outer sect disciples were no different from seeds scattered across a vast field. Only those that took root and sprouted, finding their own way to survive, would have a chance to be selected. The rest would wither away with the passing years.
That night, inside his small room, Văn Tân sat cross-legged before an incense burner, quietly sensing the flow of spiritual energy circulating through his meridians.
Early the next morning, as the bell from the sect's central hall rang three times, Văn Tân followed the crowd toward the Hall of Heavenly Inquiry.
The hall was grand and imposing, its blue-tiled roof gleaming in the light. On either side hung banners inscribed with four large characters: "Heavenly Inquiry, Seeking the Dao." From a distance, he could already hear the noise discussions, debates, and quarrels among the countless disciples gathered outside.
As he stepped inside, a chaotic atmosphere hit him immediately.
Before him stood a massive stone wall, covered with countless glowing task tokens, each engraved with the details of a mission: exterminating demonic beasts, escorting caravans, scouting mountain valleys, gathering spirit herbs… Below, outer sect disciples jostled one another, eyes red with desire, as if they could not wait to claim the best missions.
"Don't push! This mission is mine!"
Tô Tự, a pockmarked disciple, glanced sideways and sneered.
"You only have First Tier Blood Refining Realm, and you dare take on a merchant escort? Do you want to die?"
A Đản lunged forward, shouting:
"Move! I saw this mission to collect Azure Jade Herb first!"
The arguments rang out incessantly; some even made a move to strike. Yet the moment anyone raised a hand, a wave of oppressive authority from the law-enforcing disciples swept over them, making them tremble and hesitate.
In a different section, inner sect disciples were far more composed.
They moved in groups, speaking in calm, measured tones. Sometimes a mere glance was enough to have high-reward missions automatically registered under their names, and no one dared compete. The outer sect disciples looked at them with a mix of admiration and resentment, wishing they could trade places.
Văn Tân watched quietly, memorizing everything in his mind.
The outer sect was a swamp; if he did not struggle to escape, he would be buried there forever.
Just then, a new mission appeared on the stone wall:
[Collection Mission]
Go to the Black Water Pool, harvest "Black Jade Orchid," and deliver it to the Medicine Hall.
Requirements: Qi Gathering Realm or higher, at least two participants.
Rewards: 5 Qi-Nourishing Pills, 5 low-grade spirit stones, 15 contribution points.
Immediately, a group of three outer sect disciples rushed forward, pressing their hands on the task token. Light flared, and the mission vanished. Another disciple, just a few seconds too late, cursed angrily:
"Damn it! Just one step slower, and I've lost 5 Qi-Nourishing Pills!"
Văn Tân watched this unfold, tightening his grip inwardly. He had no desire to compete in such chaotic skirmishes. Instead, he chose to step aside toward a quieter corner, where lower-tier missions hung missions mostly scorned by others, with rewards barely worth mentioning.
Yet to him, every opportunity to train was precious.
While observing, Văn Tân's gaze stopped on a task token emitting a faint red glow. A cold line of text appeared on it:
[Collection Mission]
Collect 10 second-tier beast cores, or 3 third-tier beast cores.
Deadline: 1 month.
Rewards: 20 Qi-Nourishing Pills + 50 contribution points, 20 low-grade spirit stones.
Requirements: First Stage Blood Refining Realm, Fifth Layer or higher, may form a group.
The outer sect disciples crowding nearby inhaled sharply at the sight of the text.
"Second-tier beasts are already tough, third-tier… it's basically a death wish!"
"That's right. Who among us outer disciples would dare take it? Even inner sect disciples must go in groups."
"The reward may be large, but life is far more important."
The murmurs and whispers fell into Văn Tân's ears.
He understood clearly: with his current strength, killing a third-tier beast would be extraordinarily dangerous. Yet, the incense within his spirit sea hungered for the blood essence and cores of stronger beasts. Second-tier beasts could barely satisfy it, but third-tier ones were truly useful for strengthening his foundation.
He stepped forward and reached out for the task token.
"Swish…"
In an instant, the token vibrated, a brilliant red light flashed, then slowly dimmed and disappeared from the stone wall. In his hand appeared a black bronze token, engraved with the mission details and the deadline.
Immediately, numerous eyes turned toward him.
"That guy… is he crazy?"
"He's just a newly promoted outer sect disciple, and he dares take this mission?"
"Doesn't know his limits… a month from now, he'll probably just be a skeleton torn from the beast's belly."
Some scoffed, others looked down on him, and a few fleeting glances even held a hint of admiration.
Văn Tân said nothing. He tightened his grip on the token, his gaze resolute.
This was the path he had to take there was no turning back.
Leaving the Hall of Heavenly Inquiry, he raised his head to the vast blue sky, silently vowing:
"Second-tier, third-tier beasts… no matter how dangerous, I will obtain their cores."
Holding the mission token tightly in his hand, Văn Tân took a deep breath, suppressing the lingering stares still burning in his mind. He did not head straight for his new residence, but instead turned toward the Treasure Tower, the place where the sect stored weapons, spiritual tools, and precious artifacts.
The Treasure Tower stood to the east of the outer sect square, its architecture majestic like a nine-story pagoda. The blue-glazed tiles shimmered faintly under the sunlight. On the large doors were engraved the two ancient characters "Vạn Bảo" (Ten Thousand Treasures), each stroke seeming to carry the flow of the Dao, making any onlooker involuntarily shiver in awe.
Two sect enforcers stood guard at the entrance. When they saw the outer sect token in Văn Tân's hand, they merely nodded, allowing him to enter.
Inside the Treasure Tower, the air was thick with spiritual energy. Neatly arranged wooden racks displayed all kinds of weapons: swords, sabers, spears, halberds, even bows, throwing knives, and spiritual needles… In addition, there were broken or damaged weapons, their edges chipped or their spiritual inscriptions erased these were the discarded treasures.
A thin, gaunt steward in a purple robe approached. His gaze was deep and somber as he glanced at Văn Tân and said coldly:
"You are a newly admitted outer sect disciple? According to the rules, you may choose either one basic weapon or one discarded treasure. Think carefully. Weapons can be used immediately, but discarded treasures… their usefulness depends on your luck. Make the most of this opportunity."
Văn Tân nodded, his eyes scanning the weapons.
The ordinary swords gleamed brightly, the long sabers razor-sharp just looking at them stirred his blood. Yet he stopped in a shadowed corner where a few broken items lay in disorder: a sword with half its blade shattered, a cracked shield, and a few pieces of beast bone with faded spiritual inscriptions.
Whispers from nearby disciples reached him:
"If he chooses a discarded treasure, he's a fool. Most of them are worthless."
"What's there to think about? A new disciple should just take a sword or a saber; at least it can protect your life."
But within Văn Tân, the incense in his spirit sea stirred slightly, sending out a strange tremor as his eyes fell on a cracked black jade lying among the discarded treasures.
"Oh? Could it be…" His gaze suddenly brightened.
Without hesitation, Văn Tân reached out and pointed at the black jade.
"I choose this one."
The purple-robed steward froze, frowning.
"That broken jade? Are you sure? Once chosen, it cannot be changed."
Văn Tân nodded resolutely.
"Yes, I choose it."
The steward said nothing further, simply tossing the black jade to him. The discarded treasure landed coldly in his hand, emitting an indescribable dark aura. Yet at the same time, the incense in his spirit sea stirred with faint excitement, as if it had just swallowed a delicacy.
Night fell. The moon hung high, casting a cold light over everything. In the small room assigned to outer sect disciples, Văn Tân sat cross-legged, the black jade he had chosen from the Treasure Tower placed before him.
At first glance, it looked like a broken piece of jade, its surface marred with gray-silver veins, devoid of any spiritual radiance. But the longer he looked, the more he sensed something unusual as if a dark abyss lay hidden within the jade, capable of shaking one's spirit just by gazing at it too long.
He murmured, lightly touching its surface.
"What… are you?"
At that moment .
A continuous buzzing sound erupted!
The incense in his spirit sea trembled violently. Golden patterns flashed, producing a "buzzing" like the beat of war drums. The black jade resonated immediately; cracks on its surface emitted streaks of blood-red light, merging with the golden glow of the incense, illuminating his spirit sea.
The space around Văn Tân transformed. Blood-colored hues filled all directions. The jade shot upward, spinning in midair, then transformed into a pitch-black door, engraved with countless ancient talismans, like inscriptions from a long-buried era hidden in the sea of blood.
From the incense, the phantom form of the Six-Clawed True Dragon suddenly appeared, raising its head and roaring. Its majestic breath made the small room feel as if it would explode. The dragon's form swayed, its eyes alert, staring warily at the black door.
"What… kind of seal script is this…?"
Văn Tân was horrified, feeling as though his spirit was about to be drawn in.
Just as he was about to lose control, the incense shot out golden threads that coiled around the jade, forcing the black door to close. Simultaneously, a beam of light shot from the jade straight into his mind's eye.
A faint voice echoed in his head, as if whispering from a distant abyss:
"…Void Immortal Jade…"
The faint voice echoed and then vanished, leaving only a heavy feeling in his head. The black jade slowly fell, no longer exhibiting any abnormal phenomena, leaving behind only a trembling crack, as if it were quietly asleep.
Văn Tân panted, sweat soaking his back. But as he settled into stillness, he noticed that within his spirit sea, beside the incense urn, a jet-black seal imprint had appeared, vaguely shaped like a sealed door.
"Void Immortal Jade? Could it… be the name of this jade?"
Though he did not fully understand, he was certain this was a great opportunity, though one fraught with mortal danger.
At the very moment the black seal settled within his spirit sea, a sudden flash of blood-red light blazed. Văn Tân only had time to feel a violent shock surge through his spirit before he froze in place.
Immediately after .
A torrent of images poured into his mind like a raging waterfall.
Before him stretched a prehistoric world, mountains and rivers collapsing, heaven and earth trembling. In the sky, countless contemporary powerhouses faced off against a massive phantom god-demon. Amid the battle, a black ancient sword appeared, its blade shining as if it could tear through the void. A single strike descended, and an entire mountain range dissolved into illusion, the sky cracking into countless fragments.
"That… that is the Void-Sunder Sword!"
Văn Tân was horrified, his heart pounding violently, as if his very spirit trembled in response to the sword's power.
But the next image shook him even more: the sword was bound by countless forbidden seals, fragmenting piece by piece, leaving only the hilt falling into a bottomless abyss, lost to eternity.
Then a pitch-black spatial rift opened, engulfing the hilt along with an immense blood aura, forming a sealed mysterious realm. From within the rift, the black jade flew out, transforming into a key that drifted through time to the present day.
Ancient whispers echoed once more within his spirit sea, like a message from the endless past:
"Jade guides the sealed realm… hilt of the Void-Sunder Sword… blood fate for the destined one…"
The vision vanished. Văn Tân's eyes snapped open, cold sweat streaming down his face, chest heaving violently.
He trembled as he stared at the black jade lying silently in his hand, yet his heart surged with thoughts:
"A mysterious realm… the Void-Sunder Sword… a treasure from the earliest times… even just the hilt is enough to drive the world mad. If I can obtain and restore it, how much will my power increase!"
Excitement and fear mingled in his heart. If this opportunity were exposed, it would certainly bring disaster. But if hidden carefully… it could become a turning point, changing his fate. He then slowly drifted into sleep, resting and preparing for his sect mission.
At the first light of dawn, the sun's rays pierced through the thin layer of clouds, illuminating the vast mountains in the distance. The morning dew still clung to the leaves, forming sparkling droplets like tiny pearls.
Văn Tân, clad in a green Taoist robe with a long sword strapped to his back, stepped out of his new quarters. After a night of energy regulation, his spirit was filled, and his aura steadier and more powerful than before. He walked straight to the outer edges of the Vô Vi Mountain Range, where low-level beasts roamed densely a place where outer sect disciples often trained to familiarize themselves with the blood-and-battle reality of combat.
The closer he went, the wilder the scenery became. Dense vegetation blocked the line of sight, while the echoing roars and growls from deep within the mountains carried a wild, murderous aura that sent chills down one's spine. Compared to the peaceful areas of the sect, this place felt like an entirely different world.
Reaching the trail that led into the mountain range, Văn Tân paused for a moment, his sharp gaze scanning ahead. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he took a deep breath, thinking silently:
"This mission… to collect the essence cores of Second and Third-Rank beasts… is extremely dangerous. I cannot afford to be careless."
Once he calmed his mind, he stepped carefully into the dense forest. Dry leaves crunched underfoot, and faint traces of beastly auras drifted through the air, vaguely seeping into his spirit. Văn Tân circulated his spiritual energy, expanding his awareness, probing the surroundings.
Before long, a rustling sound came from the bushes ahead. A Black Wolf, its fur entirely black and eyes glowing red, let out a fierce roar before lunging straight at him. Its body moved like lightning, claws flashing with sharp metallic glints, and its breath radiated an oppressive weight that made one feel suffocated.
A faint smile curved at the corner of Văn Tân's lips:
"Early Second-Rank… just right to start my training."
He drew his long sword, activating his spiritual energy, his battle intent flaring.
At that moment, at the edge of the Vô Vi Mountain Range, Văn Tân's first battle as an outer sect disciple officially began.
The long sword in his hand slashed through the air, the steel leaving a faint trailing afterimage. The blade was sharp, but when it struck the Black Wolf's tough hide, the impact reverberated back, numbing his wrist and slightly chipping the tip of his sword.
Văn Tân's eyes darkened for a moment, and he could not help but reflect:
"As expected… the difference is clear. My old, ordinary sword could never compare to the mystic iron blades wielded by the Qi-Consolidation-Rank disciples I've faced before. Even a single clash reveals the vast gap…"
He recalled the last time he struck, how the enemy's weapon radiated spiritual energy, perfectly guiding his own, so that his sword intent flowed seamlessly without obstruction. Now… each swing required an extra third of his strength just to compensate, as if he were forcing himself to bear an extra burden.
"Fine… consider it training. As long as my power continues to grow, one day I will have a true weapon of my own."
With that thought, his battle intent flared even stronger. The ordinary long sword in his hand became a blade of icy killing intent, every strike precise and unhesitating, undeterred by the simplicity of the weapon.
After walking another mile, Văn Tân suddenly heard low, guttural growls echoing through the forest. The crunching of dry leaves underfoot sounded from all directions. From the bushes, pairs of cold, green eyes flickered into view, followed by massive forms leaping out .
A pack of five Black Wolves!
Unlike the lone wolf from before, they spread out to surround him from all sides, moving in a tight circle. Their jaws continued to snarl, each step pressing closer, showing clear cunning, coordinating to leave their prey no escape.
Văn Tân's gaze turned icy as his hand tightened around the sword hilt. Spiritual energy surged rapidly through his body. Within his sea of consciousness, the Void Art resonated on its own, causing every strand of spiritual energy to flow more smoothly and fluidly.
"Perfect timing! Let me see the true might of this technique!"
A Black-Scaled Wolf suddenly lunged from behind, its speed like a flash of lightning, claws tearing through the air with razor-sharp force. Văn Tân did not turn his head, yet in that instant, his body shifted half a step forward, as if slipping through a crack in space itself, narrowly evading the attack.
"Multi-Shadow Steps — Thirteenth Form!"
The movement technique he had just comprehended immediately came into play. His figure blurred, as though countless afterimages were left behind, flowing seamlessly.
The moment his footing stabilized, he swung his arm and unleashed his sword art.
"Void-Cleaving Slash — Shatter the Void!"
A streak of silver-white sword light erupted, slashing diagonally into a wolf charging from the left. The blade tore through its scaled hide; fresh blood sprayed as the wolf let out a shrill cry and rolled across the ground.
Yet the pack did not falter instead, they grew even more ferocious. The remaining three wolves instantly spread out: one charged head-on, while the other two arced in from both sides, their coordination flawless.
Cold claws gleamed, fangs flashing under the moonlight that had just risen.
Văn Tân drew a deep breath, his eyes growing calm. His left hand formed a seal as spiritual energy gathered, the space before him trembling faintly.
"Void Suppression!"
An invisible shockwave burst forth, forcing the frontal wolf back several meters, sparks flying as its claws scraped uselessly against empty space. But the other two had already closed in!
In that hairbreadth instant, Văn Tân spun, his sword momentum roaring like a whirlwind.
"Linked Slashes — Three Forms!"
Three strikes flowed as one
the first shattered fangs,
the second pierced through the ribs,
the third cleaved straight down upon the second wolf's neck.
Blood erupted like a fountain as the massive body collapsed.
The third wolf was blasted backward by the force, yet the savage killing intent in its eyes did not fade as it melted into the darkness, preparing to strike again.
Văn Tân's breathing grew ragged, his arms numb, yet his gaze sharpened further.
"So this is a pack of wolves… Their coordination is no different from cultivators. Without the Void Art to support me, I'd have been torn apart long ago."
His breathing became heavier, each sword swing slower than the last. The prolonged battle had drained both his spiritual energy and stamina. Sweat soaked his back, his arms trembling with every labored breath.
The four remaining Black-Scaled Wolves continued their patient encirclement, advancing step by step. Every time he tried to counterattack, one wolf would rush forward to restrain him while the others flanked from both sides, forcing him to retreat again and again, steadily wearing him down.
"Damn it… if this goes on, I'll die here!"
Văn Tân clenched his teeth, biting down hard on his tongue to stay conscious. Suddenly, he spun around and activated Multi-Shadow Steps, his figure flickering through space as he broke free of the encirclement.
But the wolves refused to give up.
A long, bone-chilling howl echoed through the forest as massive black shadows darted between the trees in relentless pursuit. Their forms moved like specters, razor-sharp claws tearing through foliage and snapping trunks in their wake.
Văn Tân ran for his life, breath hitching violently. All he could hear was the howling wind and the wolves closing in behind him. Anxiety flooded his heart though the Void Art was powerful, his mastery of the movement technique was still lacking, and his spiritual energy was nearly exhausted.
"This is bad!"
A fierce gust of wind swept past, his field of vision suddenly widening.
Ahead
A cliff!
Beneath his feet lay a bottomless abyss, shrouded in mist, its depths unseen.
Behind him, the pack of Black-Scaled Wolves fanned out, advancing slowly, cold eyes glinting in the darkness. Their low growls layered together like a death knell announcing that the prey's end was near.
Forced into a dead end, his back pressed against the cliff face, breath coming in ragged gasps, Văn Tân gripped his long sword tightly, a look of grim resolve flashing in his eyes.
"You want my life? Then let's see who dies first!"
He raised his sword before his chest, forcing the last remnants of spiritual energy to circulate, preparing to stake everything on one final, desperate battle.
Low growls echoed through the mountain forest, the blood‑red eyes of the Black‑Scaled Wolf pack glinting in the darkness. Like living nightmares, they launched relentless assaults figures flashing like the wind, lunging in and retreating in turn constantly harassing Văn Tân and leaving him no chance to mount a decisive counterattack.
"Grr… Grr… Grr…!"
One wolf charged straight at him, its razor‑sharp claws ripping through the air. Văn Tân twisted his body, the sword blade flashing slash! Drawing a streak of blood. Yet it was only a shallow wound on the wolf's shoulder, far from fatal. Before he could even withdraw his blade, another wolf lunged in from the side, its jagged fangs grazing past, tearing through his sleeve. Fresh blood burst forth.
"Aaah!"
Văn Tân clenched his teeth, forcing his sword forward. The scant spiritual energy he had left erupted, driving the wolf back. But at once, three others moved in perfect coordination one attacking head‑on, the other two circling from the sides, forming a deadly pincer.
Steel clashed violently against fangs and claws, sparks flying as his body was forced back again and again.
"One step… another step…"
Heavy breaths echoed. His feet were already nearing the edge of the cliff.
Behind him, mountain winds roared, and the endless abyss swallowed all sight.
A long howl rang out, the pack growing even more ferocious. They circled and attacked without pause, denying him even a single breath. Văn Tân's swordplay began to unravel his heart pounding wildly, blood smeared across his body, his gasps ragged as if he were on the verge of collapse.
"Damn it… if this is fate, then I'll die standing rather than submit!"
Văn Tân roared, his eyes bloodshot. He frantically circulated the last remnants of spiritual energy, spinning his sword in a wide arc. The blade flashed like lightning, sword light tearing through the air and forcing the wolves back half a step. Yet they showed no fear one after another, they lunged again, their snarls hammering into his ears like crushing blows.
Cold sweat dripped down. The mountain wind screamed at his back, every step pressing him closer to the point of no return.
The sword in his hand trembled violently; his spiritual energy was all but depleted. Văn Tân gasped for air, his chest heaving as hot blood flowed endlessly from his shoulder and arm, soaking the hilt of his sword crimson.
"Grr…!"
The Black‑Scaled Wolves maintained their encirclement, savage eyes gleaming in the night as they advanced in a slow arc, inch by inch driving him into a dead end. Behind him lay the bottomless abyss, icy winds surging upward, like a monstrous mouth waiting to devour anyone who fell in.
Suddenly, the alpha wolf stepped forward.
Its body, covered in dark, mottled scales, was twice the size of the others. Its claws gleamed with cold light, its oppressive presence nearly suffocating Văn Tân.
"Damn it!"
Văn Tân growled low, pouring every last ounce of strength into a desperate slash. Slash! A deep wound tore open the wolf's flank, blood spraying everywhere. But the price was steep a violent collision sent a shock through his body, and his footing gave way.
"Just one more step…"
His foot landed on the very edge of the cliff. Pebbles crumbled loose, falling into the abyss, vanishing without a sound.
The pack closed in, howls echoing, killing intent flooding the air. Văn Tân glanced around, eyes blazing red, breath heavy, resolve erupting within him.
"Die in the wolves' jaws… or gamble everything on the abyss?"
In that instant, his will ignited.
Without the slightest hesitation, Văn Tân turned around, lifted his head, and let out a furious, defiant roar then leaped straight off the cliff!
"Whoosh !"
His body plunged into the abyss. Icy wind screamed against his face, hair and cloak whipping wildly. Above, the Black‑Scaled Wolves stood at the cliff's edge, howling long and loud, their red eyes watching but not a single one dared leap after him.
Văn Tân's figure quickly vanished into the endless darkness, leaving only the howling wind and the yawning abyss, as if it had swallowed everything whole.
In that free fall, his consciousness blurred, his body soaked in blood yet within his heart, a strange, unyielding determination flickered to life.
"If I survive… I will slaughter your entire pack."