A shiver traveled down Mia’s spine as they passed through the shade produced by the nearby trees. Even with her 6th Stage Qi Refinement body, Mia couldn’t resist all of the penetrating chill from the frigid early-spring breeze.

As they traveled amongst other Outer Sect Disciples through the bizarrely constructed palaces and pavilions, she kept her face as calm as she could, trying to prevent the disconcerting emotions that were attacking her consciousness from becoming visible on her face.

Once the surface of the massive ivory edifice emerged into her viewpoint, Mia, who was desperately seeking distraction, shifted her eyes towards Tarek. “What Sect Mission did you finish, Tarek?”

Inclining his head down towards the shorter girl, he replied, “I was helping a Senior Brother draw some Spell Formations for his Spirit Plant garden. It wasn’t really that difficult a task, just a bit time consuming. At least the pay was decent!”

Spell Formations? Spirit Herbs? Are we talking about the same Missions?

Sorely thankful for the perplexity that overran her previous nervousness and disorientation, she furrowed her brows slightly. But before she could voice her thoughts, Tarek clarified.

“I didn’t find it at the Palace of Outer Sect Affairs. The only Sect Missions there that are worth a satisfying amount of Merit Points are the ones that will either leave you injured or force you down the mountain.

“I got my Sect Mission from the Spirit Botanist Association. Requests that need specific botany knowledge are typically sent directly to the Association. It works the same way for the other professions, if I’m not mistaken.

“However, I was told that I still have to turn in my Certificate of Completion to the Affairs Palace if I want my Merit Points.”

Nodding in understanding, Mia was placated earlier than she had hoped, tension slithering back up her spine.

Focus on something, Mia. Anything.

Thoughts spinning, she knew that Tarek had already taken and passed the Apprentice Botanist Exam, which was why he had come to know such an important fact so early on.

But by that logic, Mia should finally be able to see some lucrative Sect Missions once she successfully became an Apprentice Alchemist, as she needed Merit Points desperately.

Mia had no interest in staying within this Sect any longer than necessary. She didn’t know how much longer she could stand it.

…

The Palace of Outer Sect Affairs was expansive, boasting 30 meter tall ceilings that were only accentuated by the wide open floor plan. The entirety of the interior was paved with stark-white stone, causing the blue-robed disciples and pitch-black wooden tables that occupied the majority of the space to appear several degrees more striking to the eye.

Entering the busy main hall, Auslen witnessed the congested crowd of disciples either congregating or circulating between the various long tables. The lengths of the tables spanned nearly the entire width of the hall, each of which carrying rows and rows of jade slips that were constantly being picked up and examined by the surrounding disciples.

Tarek leaned closer to the others and said, “You guys stay here for a little while. I’m going to go visit the Merit Point Redemption Office. Be right back!”

After Tarek spoke, he turned away from the group and began meandering through the disciples towards the eastern side of the massive hall.

…

With nothing else better to do, Auslen stepped closer to a nearby table, taking up an empty space next to a plethora of other Outer Sect Disciples who were examining the jade slip to choose their respective tasks.

“What are these, Auslen?”

At the unexpected question, Auslen glanced to his left at Vincent, who had followed him to the table.

Smacking his forehead, he replied, “I forgot that you’ve never been here before. Take this.”

Auslen picked up a jade slip and handed it to Vincent.

Because the hall was loud with noise and conversation, Auslen leaned closer to Vincent to explain. “This is called a jade slip. Place it on your forehead, like the others around you are doing. And then circulate your strand of Profound Qi through the corresponding meridian.”

After glancing around the hall, Vincent immediately did as he was told. Only a moment had passed before his brows wrinkled from the effect of the jade slip.

Seeing that Vincent had succeeded, Auslen collected another jade slip, touching its cool surface to his own glabella. After another moment, a familiar burst of words and voices from differing origins organized themselves into a list within Auslen’s brain.

Every jade slip that lined the long black tables contained the same record of Sect Missions. Thousands of tasks alternated frequently throughout the day, the recorded information constantly being updated as missions were completed and additional requests were added.

Unfortunately, most of the Sect Missions listed were unbearably tasteless, with an unappealing Merit Point payout. The scant few that provided a notable profit were notably dangerous or potentially life-threatening.

Closing his eyes, Auslen quickly browsed through what was currently available.

‘Peak-Qi Refinement Outer Sect Disciple in need of a combat partner! Rewards: 5 Merit Points and one Bone Mending Elixir per training session. Note: Injuries are likely.’

‘Come join the Health and Disease Prevention Pavilion as a Sanitization Assistant! Reward: 10 Merit Points per month.’

‘Assistance needed to dust and air the books on the first floor of the Spiritual Origin Library. Rewards: 1 Merit Point per day. Note: Any damage inflicted to the books or equipment will result in fines.’

‘Fresh corpse belonging to any feline-type Lesser Demon with a Bloodline containing Fire Elemental Attributes. Rewards: 1,000 Merit Points. Note: Not recommended for practitioners. Teamwork is highly recommended!’

…

Placing the jade slip back on the table with an inward eye roll, a soft groan sounded from his right side, causing him to turn his eyes to Mia’s downcast expression.

Mia had just pulled away a jade slip from her forehead, her brows scrunched together before she quickly evened them out, regaining the disciplined poise that she habitually carried herself with.

After centering herself, she noticed Auslen’s questioning gaze before turning her head with an embarrassed smile. “I still haven’t done one of these yet. There’s so many, but none of the ones I can do seem any good! What about you, Auslen?”

Brows rising imperceptibly, Auslen’s thoughts continued to percolate as he shook his head.

“Not yet. I still have some things my parents gave me, so I’m not in a rush!”

Auslen chuckled before glancing back at Nathaniel, who had also migrated closer to the table.

Reaching over to tap the boy’s shoulder with a smile, he supplied, “But Nathan did his own Sect Mission about a month ago. Tell her about it, Nathan!”

Mia’s eyes widened. She swiftly turned her curiosity-filled dark brown eyes towards Nathaniel, strands of her auburn hair brushing against the boy’s face from her fast movement.

“Really? Did you do a Sect Mission, Nathan?”

Nathaniel, who had been absentmindedly looking down at the jade-filled table in disinterest, raised his head in surprise.

After covering his cheek, he stiffened until resembling a statue, forgetting to even breath as his brain mindlessly replayed what had touched that spot a moment prior. He only managed to show renewed signs of life once Auslen prodded his shin with his foot.

This is your chance, kid!

Confusedly staring at the almost blatant suggestion in Auslen’s golden eyes for a good five seconds, Nathaniel finally got the hint.

“I uh… Ye… Yeah! I did complete my own Sect Mission!”

Not too bothered by his awkward pause, Mia continued, “What kind of Mission was it? Did you get a lot of Merit Points?”

Just before Nathaniel’s smile slipped completely, Auslen subtly kicked him in the shin once more.

After glancing at his innocently smiling cousin once more, Nathaniel gulped before continuing.

“I was a… sparring partner. Yeah! It was easy, and I got a ton of Points!”

“Oh my! Did it hurt? I heard that a lot of disciples get injured badly from those.”

“The guy wasn’t even as good as my cousin! At first I…”

Auslen retracted his gaze from the two conversing children, a little too embarrassed to listen to Nathaniel lie so animatedly.

The truth was: Nathaniel had never participated in a Sect Mission. Not one.

Neither he nor Auslen were in urgent need of Merit Points. They had Elixirs provided by the Sect for their cultivation and Martial Techniques provided by their family for their combat training. They would even receive a complementary Earth Tier Martial Technique when they built their foundation!

Why would they consider a worthless Sect Mission at the moment when all they had to do was sit around and cultivate?

Therefore, thanks to Auslen’s silent exhortation, Nathaniel was currently lying his ass off.

It’s not a big deal, really. What spry young boy hasn’t lied a little to attract their crush’s attention?

I wish you the best Nathaniel. Although my intentions aren’t necessarily virtuous, I truly pray you succeed in winning her affection.

Auslen gave Mia one last side glance full of complicated rumination before shifting his gaze to the approaching teenager.

Noticing that Tarek had finished with his errand, Auslen turned to his left side to tap Vincent, finally pulling the boy’s astonished focus from the jade slip in his hand.

Tarek waved as he returned to their group with a satisfied smile on his face.

“Alright! I’m finished, you guys. Let’s head to my place.”

…

“Why don’t those old guys just put this stuff in jade slips…”

Disgruntled grumbles leaked from Nathaniel's frowning lips as he sat down his handful of notes, arms extending downward to pat the washed out, disproportionate cushions for the third time in proven futility.

“They do. But nothing convenient is ever free, not in the Sect nor anywhere else.”

Tarek’s voice echoed from the now closed, dimly-lit entrance of the compact cave abode. Natural rock formations embellished the cave ceiling leading down to the bumpy, moderately dank walls. The cave was a true, unadulterated cave, very much unlike Auslen, Nathaniel, and Vincent’s residence.

Auslen had ignored his cousin's recurring complaint, choosing to instead remove from his spatial ring the plush, white meditation cushion he had taken from home.

Vincent had also followed Auslen inside, but he once again chose to sit near the edge of the cave, in line with his accustomed actions back at the Palace. Auslen had attempted to get him to refrain from this unneeded ritual, but Vincent had always been one to take his duties as a servant excessively seriously.

After adjusting himself, Auslen’s eyes were unintentionally drawn to his cousin once again, who was still fiddling with his seat.

“Nathan, leave the cushion alone! I told you last time to bring your own,” Auslen said, eyes rolling as a soft red blanket appeared in his hand.

“Just sit on this,” Auslen commanded, extending the blanket towards his sheepishly smiling cousin.

Shaking his head at the two boys’ antics, Tarek took out his own leather-bound notebook.

“Alright, you guys. Let’s get this over with,” Tarek announced. Focusing on one child in particular, he continued, “Since you need the most help, Nathan, I’ll start with you.”

Finally comfortable after having his bottom cushioned with the blanket, he placed his notes facedown and nodded towards Tarek. “Okay. I’m ready!”

With a brief glance through the pages in his notebook, he began, “What is a deliquescing agent? Be as definitive as possible.”

Nathaniel closed his eyes as he quickly recited from memory, “It’s a mixture of chemicals that's produced with the purpose of liquifying Spirit Plants when heated. Right?”

Smiling in appreciation, Tarek offered, “Correct!

But just when Nathaniel opened his eyes to convey his happiness, Tarek continued, “What Energetic Aspect category does coriander belong to?”

As Nathaniel hurriedly shut his eyes to dig through his memories once again, Auslen took the chance to look through his own stack of notes.

Tarek had graciously offered to host review sessions for their group, which none of them shied away from.

Tarek didn’t truly need to study for the Exam, as he had his own jade slips packed full of theoretical knowledge given to him by his family. Although he had informed them that he had been forbidden from allowing others to access them, he was still kind enough to assist the group in other ways.

Luckily for Auslen, a large portion of the information overlapped with his knowledge of Spirit Botany, which was why he hadn’t felt much stress over their upcoming Examination.

…

Hours later.

“Bye Mia!”

Auslen watched as Nathaniel waved and shouted happily, as if his little face wasn't currently revealing his dejection due to their arrival to the entrance of Mia's cave abode.

After their Exam review session had concluded, Nathaniel had spoken up adamantly that he, Auslen, and Vincent must escort Mia back to her residence, as if the girl hadn't ever navigated the Sect by herself. Fortunately for Nathaniel, Mia didn’t seem to mind.

Giggling softly, she waved back. “I’ll see you guys at the Elixir Refinement Hall tomorrow.”

Her eyes shifted towards the taller silent figure standing a few steps behind them before smiling happily. “And it was nice to see you again, Vincent!”

With that, she turned away from the trio of boys and entered her cave abode, leaving them with one final wave.

Hunger beginning to gnaw at his insides, Auslen caressed his stomach before tilting his head up to observe the position of the sun, which was partially covered within the fluffy cumulus clouds that generously peppered the sky.

Perhaps I should start getting Vincent to cook more? I’ve grown quite tired of the cafeteria food here.

Internally deciding that it was a good time for lunch, Auslen glanced at Nathaniel, who had, at some point, turned back to stare scathingly towards the apprehensive-looking Vincent.

Auslen didn’t even bother considering what had set the boy off, taking Nathaniel’s left hand before walking away with a purpose.

Nathaniel was forced to abandon his suspicion-filled gaze, to Vincent’s apparent relief, as Auslen practically dragged him back to the path that led down the mountain.

They walked for a while in peaceful silence, an occasional gust of chilly air swept through the grass and flowers surrounding the pathway, stirring the robes and long hair belonging to the sporadic disciples they happened to drift by.

“I’m going to pass, Auslen. You think so too, right?”

Surprised by the sudden proclamation and the tightening grip on his right hand, Auslen turned his head to scrutinize his cousin silently.

But it turned out that Nathaniel was already watching Auslen’s expression closely, clear streaks of nervousness swirling within the boy’s almond brown eyes, indicating that Nathaniel had decided to place a substantial amount of weight on his cousin’s next words.

Auslen let out a gentle sigh within his heart, thinking of the proper response to an insecure child of his age.

Auslen could have said many things, mentioned many possibilities, or even tried to reassure the boy with one of those quotes along the lines of; ‘failing is just the precursor to success’ or something.

In the end, Auslen simply gave the boy what he wanted to hear.

A serene smile warming his unblemished cheeks, Auslen replied earnestly, “I know you will, Nathan.”

Nervousness and tension faded away from Nathaniel’s body as he grinned at Auslen in return.

Turning back to face the direction of their leisurely gait, Nathaniel laughed as he said, “Mom and Dad are gonna be so surprised when I tell them that I passed. I think I’ll be the first Alchemist in our family!”

Auslen tried not to flinch as he listened to his cousin already making plans on an unstable foundation.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have sounded quite so sure a moment ago…

Eventually, Nathaniel calmed down, a slight frown creeping through his immature facial features as he inclined his head down to the green limestone.

“I miss home.”

Auslen couldn’t find the words to reply this time.