The Task Hall remained steady with quiet movement.
Lin Daofeng stood before the task boards, his gaze passing over the section related to spiritual plants—harvesting, nurturing, assisting in herb gardens.
That faint feeling from earlier did not return.
Yet it lingered somewhere in his awareness.
It wasn't strong, nor urgent.
Just… present.
Like something quietly waiting.
—
"You're still here?" a voice broke his thoughts.
Lin Daofeng turned.
The Ninth Elder had opened his eyes and was now sitting upright, though his posture remained relaxed.
"You've been staring at that board like it owes you money," he said lazily.
"Just thinking," Daofeng replied calmly.
"Thinking?" the old man snorted. "At your level, what's there to think about? Third layer at your age—hmph, not bad—but still early. Just pick something simple and do it."
He stretched slightly.
"If you keep standing there, the tasks won't complete themselves."
Daofeng didn't react to the casual dismissal.
Instead, he simply nodded.
"I understand."
The Ninth Elder glanced at him once more, a faint trace of interest passing through his eyes.
This boy…
Too calm.
Not arrogant.
Not impatient.
"Don't overthink small things," he added. "You'll tire yourself out before you even begin."
Daofeng gave a short salute.
Then he turned and left.
—
By the time he returned home, evening had already settled.
Warm light filled the courtyard.
"Brother!"
A small figure rushed toward him immediately.
Lin Daomei.
She nearly crashed into him, grabbing his sleeve tightly.
"You're back! Did you take a task? Did you fight someone? Did you fly again?" she fired questions one after another, her eyes shining with excitement.
Daofeng let out a small breath, a faint smile appearing.
"Not yet."
"Hmph!"
She puffed her cheeks.
"You're too slow! If it were me, I would've already finished ten tasks!"
"Ten?" Daofeng raised an eyebrow slightly. "You'd get lost after one."
"I wouldn't!" she protested, stamping her foot lightly.
He crouched slightly and tapped her forehead.
"Then grow a bit first."
She froze for a moment—then jumped onto his back without warning.
"Then carry me until I grow!"
Daofeng sighed softly, but didn't refuse.
"You're getting heavier."
"I'm not!" she immediately denied.
From the side, a quiet chuckle could be heard.
Lin Yunming stood near the entrance, watching the scene.
—
Inside, the family gathered as usual.
The atmosphere was calm, familiar.
But not silent.
Daomei continued talking endlessly, occasionally trying to "teach" Daofeng how to choose tasks, as if she were the experienced one.
Yu Xin listened quietly, her gaze soft.
Lin Yunming finally spoke.
"Did you choose something?"
Daofeng shook his head slightly.
"Not yet. I'm still considering."
Yunming nodded once.
"Good."
No praise.
But no disapproval either.
"You're fifteen," he added calmly. "Reaching the third layer at this age is already ahead of many. But that does not mean you should become careless."
Daofeng met his gaze.
"I understand."
Yu Xin's expression softened slightly at those words.
—
Five days passed.
—
Morning air was calm.
Lin Daofeng sat cross-legged as qi flowed smoothly through his meridians.
No obstruction.
No instability.
The slight imbalance from his recent breakthrough had completely settled.
His aura was steady.
Controlled.
Refined.
After a long moment, he opened his eyes.
"…It's enough."
—
"Father."
Lin Yunming looked at him and paused slightly.
"…Your qi is stable."
"Yes."
Daofeng stood straight.
"I'm ready to take a task."
"What have you chosen?"
"Spiritual plant assistance," Daofeng said.
"The herb fields beneath the mountain. Not too far, not too close."
He paused briefly.
"It seems… suitable."
—
Yu Xin frowned slightly.
"Suitable?"
Daofeng nodded.
"It matches my current level. And the risk is manageable."
He hesitated for the briefest moment.
Then added,
"…And it feels right."
—
"Feels right?" Yunming repeated.
Daofeng didn't avoid his gaze.
"I can't explain it clearly."
"But when I was near that section…"
He paused.
"…it was easier to calm my mind."
—
A brief silence followed.
Yunming studied him carefully.
"…Instinct has its place," he said at last.
"But don't rely on it too much."
"I understand."
—
After a moment, Yunming stood.
"Come with me."
"You should meet someone before you leave."
—
They walked deeper into the inner parts of the clan.
The surroundings gradually became quieter.
Fewer people.
Less movement.
The air itself seemed more still.
As they walked, Daofeng's thoughts shifted.
His grandfather.
Lin Chenyang.
—
He remembered him clearly.
Warm.
Calm.
Unlike the distant, imposing figures one might expect.
One hundred and ten years old.
Foundation Establishment realm.
A level far beyond Qi Refining.
—
Qi Refining.
Foundation Establishment.
Core Formation.
Nascent Soul.
Soul Transformation.
—
The further one went, the fewer people remained.
Nascent Soul cultivators—
Already considered legends.
And Soul Transformation…
Almost myths.
—
Daofeng's gaze steadied.
That path…
Was still far away.
—
They arrived at a quiet courtyard.
Lin Yunming stopped.
"Father."
—
A moment later, the door opened.
An old man stepped out slowly.
White hair.
Clear eyes.
No pressure.
No overwhelming aura.
Only a calm presence.
—
"Daofeng?" Lin Chenyang's face brightened slightly.
"You've grown again."
Daofeng stepped forward and bowed.
"Grandfather."
"Come, come. No need to be so formal," Chenyang said, waving him closer.
He glanced briefly at Yunming.
Then back at Daofeng.
"I heard you've reached the third layer."
"Yes."
"At fifteen…" Chenyang nodded slowly. "Good. Very good."
There was clear approval in his tone.
Not exaggerated.
But genuine.
—
"And now you want to take a task?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
"Spiritual plant assistance."
—
"Mm."
Chenyang nodded.
"A good start."
He stepped closer and placed a hand lightly on Daofeng's shoulder.
"Do you know why the family assigns tasks so early?"
Daofeng thought briefly.
"So we don't become dependent."
Chenyang smiled faintly.
"That's part of it."
"But more importantly—"
His gaze deepened slightly.
"It teaches you how to live in this world."
—
He turned slightly, looking toward the distant mountain.
"Strength matters."
"Talent matters."
"But understanding your place… matters just as much."
—
He looked back at Daofeng.
"You've done well so far."
"Not just in cultivation."
"But in your temperament."
—
A brief pause.
—
"You don't rush."
"You don't show arrogance."
"And you observe."
—
His hand tightened slightly on Daofeng's shoulder.
"These things… will take you further than talent alone."
—
Daofeng remained still.
Listening carefully.
—
"You don't need to be the strongest immediately," Chenyang continued.
"But you must learn to move forward step by step."
"Build your foundation."
"Support your family."
"And understand the world you're walking in."
—
His gaze softened again.
"Do that… and you won't fall easily."
—
"I understand, Grandfather," Daofeng said.
—
Chenyang nodded, clearly satisfied.
"Good."
"No need to delay, then."
"Go."
—
As Daofeng stepped out of the courtyard, the path ahead felt clearer.
—
Not because it had changed.
—
But because he had chosen it.
—
As he walked, that faint sensation returned again.
Subtle.
Quiet.
—
Not from the air.
—
But from the direction beneath the mountain.
—
From the herb fields.
—
Daofeng's steps did not stop.
—
This time—
He didn't question it.
—
He simply followed.
—
Because somewhere in that quiet, unseen connection—
—
Something was waiting.
—
And he had already taken the first step toward it.