Lin Xuanji stood at the foot of Heavenly Peak with a small sack of coins, a faint headache, and two disciples who looked far too inexperienced for the world outside.
Ruolan held onto the hem of his robe like a nervous child.
Feng Xiao walked with her hands behind her head, pretending to be relaxed while glancing at every passing cloud like it might attack her.
Ling Xueyin followed silently behind them, her presence calm enough to keep the mountain itself steady.
Lin Xuanji exhaled. "We're just going to buy materials. Nothing strange will happen. Nothing explodes today."
(Host. Mission update.)
Lin Xuanji froze. "No. Don't."
(Mission: Acquire spiritual items from Maple Town to prepare for the next disciple.)
"Why do you do this EXACTLY when I say the opposite?"
(Because it is amusing.)
Before Lin Xuanji could strangle the air in anger, Maple Town's wooden gates came into view. The place was busy—merchants yelling, children running, smells of grilled buns drifting through the street. Normal. Peaceful.
He relaxed a little.
They visited stall after stall, collecting the items the System listed:
Qi-threaded rope
Low-grade spirit paper
Three types of incense
A wooden training charm (Feng Xiao tried to bite it)
And a polished stone the merchant swore was "ancient," but Lin Xuanji was pretty sure it was just round
Everything was smooth.
Shockingly smooth.
Feng Xiao leaned toward Ruolan with narrowed eyes. "This feels too easy."
Ruolan nodded nervously. "Maybe we're just… lucky?"
Lin Xuanji lowered his voice. "Don't say the L-word. It tempts fate."
They turned the corner toward the last shop when a loud crash echoed behind them.
Lin Xuanji stiffened. "See? See?! Why did you say lucky?!"
But when they turned around, it wasn't anything dramatic.
Just a drunk man who had fallen into a cart.
No qi explosion.
No spiritual beast.
No demonic fog.
Just average human stupidity.
Feng Xiao let out a breath. "Oh. That's it?"
Ruolan relaxed. "Thank goodness…"
Lin Xuanji wiped his forehead. "Okay. Good. Normal. Let's finish quickly."
They reached the spiritual goods shop. The owner, an elderly man with a shaky beard, perked up.
"Ah! Heavenly Peak buyers! And… is that a Grand Elder?"
Ling Xueyin didn't react. She never did.
The old man gulped and bowed so low his beard brushed the floor.
"S-special discount, honored elders!"
For once, something went in Lin Xuanji's favor.
He bought the last items with no drama at all.
No sudden fights.
No mystical tremors.
No divine encounters.
Nothing strange except Feng Xiao whispering to a jar of fire seeds to "ignite a little" before being scolded.
When they stepped out of the shop, Lin Xuanji smiled triumphantly.
"See? Peaceful errand. Smooth. Perfect. No disasters."
(Host.)
"What?"
(You forgot one item.)
Lin Xuanji froze.
Ruolan blinked. "Uh… Sect Master? What item?"
(Host must collect a specific spiritual herb for the 3rd disciple's compatibility.)
Lin Xuanji grabbed his hair. "You couldn't have told me that BEFORE we walked out of the shop?!"
(Host never asked.)
"I HATE YOU."
(Understood.)
Ling Xueyin's voice came quietly. "Where is this herb located?"
The System responded immediately.
(East forest. Half a day from town. Mild danger.)
Lin Xuanji groaned. "Mild danger? What does that even mean?!"
(Danger that is mild.)
"THAT EXPLAINS NOTHING."
Feng Xiao cracked her knuckles. "I'm ready."
Ruolan swallowed. "S-Sect Master… is it really dangerous?"
Lin Xuanji sighed long and deep.
"We'll go together. Slowly. Carefully. And if anything attacks us—Tie Shan isn't here yet so no punching. We run."
Feng Xiao: "I don't run."
Ruolan: "I run very fast."
Ling Xueyin: "I recommend strategic withdrawal, not running."
Lin Xuanji nodded. "Exactly. Strategy. Very professional."
(Host. The herb is moving.)
Lin Xuanji blinked. "…Moving?"
(Correct.)
"WHY DOES A PLANT MOVE?!"
(It is a spiritual herb.)
"STOP GIVING ME HALF EXPLANATIONS—"
The System chimed again.
(Host. New mission directive: Catch the herb.)
Lin Xuanji stared at the sky.
"…This is going to be a long day."