Chapter 54: A Small Interlude

Stepping out of the Steward Hall, Ye Ming was still chattering, “An escort mission is fine, at least we might run into some demon beasts along the way, right?”

“I’m not asking for much—just a few of those Ironhide Rhinos would do…”

“By the way, tomorrow’s mission, unless absolutely necessary, do not display anything unusual,” Bai Yue Ning reminded.

“Got it, got it. Keeping a low profile, that’s an old tradition,” Ye Ming replied lazily. “Don’t worry, I know my limits. But… if anything really comes our way, you can’t stop me from having an extra meal.”

Bai Yue Ning didn’t answer, which was tacit approval.

She glanced up at the sky and walked toward her small courtyard, the sunset stretching her shadow long across the ground.

The longsword slung across her back rested quietly in its scabbard, but within her mind, the consciousness linked to the blade was still busily scheming tomorrow’s “menu.”

A new mission, new teammates.

The road ahead seemed peaceful, but with this sword that never settled for a moment, who could say what trouble might arise?

She took a gentle breath, but the taut string in her heart never fully relaxed.

Zhu Yu’s gaze, Uncle Li’s doubts, and the constant competition within the Inner Sect—all made it impossible for her to truly be at ease.

To grow stronger, she must become stronger still—and faster.

The next morning at dawn, at the Mountain Gate Plaza.

The vast plaza was already crowded with many disciples, some standing alone, others grouped in threes and fives, all preparing to depart on missions.

Bai Yue Ning arrived punctually, finding Wang Qing Xiao and Lin Shi Xuan already waiting nearby.

Wang Qing Xiao, as always, wore a neat short tunic, a broad-bladed, ancient-looking greatsword strapped to his back, his demeanor steady and imposing.

Lin Shi Xuan had changed into a more practical, belted dao robe, at her waist a bulging brocade pouch and a jade slip of a warm, lustrous hue.

Seeing Bai Yue Ning, Wang Qing Xiao nodded in greeting, while Lin Shi Xuan approached with a smile. “Good morning, Sister Bai.”

She handed over what appeared to be an ordinary gray cloth bag. “This is the storage pouch for the supplies we’re escorting this time—would you mind keeping it?”

It was a gesture of trust, which Bai Yue Ning accepted calmly.

“All right,” she said, taking the pouch.

“This girl knows how things work—much smarter than that big oaf,” Ye Ming commented.

Just then, an Outer Sect steward arrived, driving two carts pulled by thick-skinned oxen, with several sealed wooden crates loaded atop.

“Honored seniors, all supplies are loaded and ready. You may depart,” the steward said respectfully.

Wang Qing Xiao waved a large hand. “Let’s go! The sooner we finish, the sooner we’re done!”

He naturally took the lead, eyes sweeping the road ahead, assuming the role of pathfinder.

---

Lin Shi Xuan explained to Bai Yue Ning, “Qinghe Town isn’t far—just a day’s journey along the official road.”

“But there’s a stretch near Black Mist Forest, where low-level demon beasts sometimes appear. We just need to stay alert.”

Bai Yue Ning nodded, walking alongside her, just behind and to the side of the carts.

Ye Ming had gone quiet for now, seemingly sensing his surroundings.

The group slowly exited the mountain gate, merging onto the ancient road below, shaded by verdant greenery.

The first leg was peaceful, spring winds gentle, birdsong echoing through the hills.

Wang Qing Xiao strode ahead energetically, while Lin Shi Xuan occasionally exchanged quiet, familiar words with him.

Bai Yue Ning was content with the silence, walking and quietly practicing the “Basic Qi Refining Technique,” seizing every opportunity to cultivate.

“So boring… not even a rabbit in sight,” Ye Ming complained after half an hour, unable to hold back.

“At this rate, when will we get there? Why don’t you find an excuse to wander into the woods?”

“I think I smell a faint trace of blood…”

“Stay put,” Bai Yue Ning rejected him coldly.

Just as Ye Ming prepared to keep pestering her, Wang Qing Xiao in the front suddenly halted.

He raised his right fist and said in a deep voice, “Something’s moving.”

Almost simultaneously, Bai Yue Ning heard rustling in the dense forest to the left, followed by a low, suppressed growl.

Lin Shi Xuan’s expression remained steady, her fingers quietly resting on the pouch at her waist.

The Outer Sect servants by the carts tensed instantly, instinctively edging closer to the three Inner Sect disciples.

The forest swayed, and three pairs of eerie green eyes glowed from the shadows, gleaming with bloodlust.

In the next moment, three demon beasts leapt out, gray-black fur bristling, fangs bared, charging straight for the group!

“They’re Shadow Panthers! Peak Level One, very fast!” Lin Shi Xuan quickly reported.

Wang Qing Xiao roared, advancing instead of retreating. His greatsword, even unsheathed, swept out horizontally, striking at the lead panther’s midsection.

The panther twisted in midair with remarkable agility, barely dodging the blow.

Yet its claws had already left three shallow white marks on Wang Qing Xiao’s arm.

The other two panthers cunningly avoided the front—one lunged for the supplies on the cart, the other sped toward Bai Yue Ning and Lin Shi Xuan at the flank.

“Here we go! Mealtime!” Ye Ming was instantly excited.

Bai Yue Ning’s gaze sharpened, her sword drawn, tip trembling, locked onto the panther’s throat.

But before she could strike, Lin Shi Xuan flicked her slender fingers.

---

A pale yellow talisman shot out silently, faster than the attack, affixing itself precisely to the panther’s forehead as it lunged for Bai Yue Ning.

“Freeze!”

With Lin Shi Xuan’s crisp command, the talisman flashed yellow, and the panther’s charge abruptly halted—caught as if in invisible mud, its movements slowed tenfold!

Bai Yue Ning’s sword didn’t pause, seizing the perfect moment, flashing through the air!

The tip pierced cleanly into the panther’s exposed throat, a fatal weakness revealed in its struggle.

At the same time, another talisman flew from Lin Shi Xuan’s hand, landing beside the cart.

“Fortify!”

A shield of earthy yellow spirit light unfolded instantly, with a loud bang repelling the panther that tried to damage the supplies.

Ahead, Wang Qing Xiao had already exchanged several blows with the strongest panther.

He used no fancy footwork—just raw force, smashing and battering, the greatsword still sheathed but heavy enough to make the panther howl in pain, the sound of bones cracking clearly audible.

The battle started abruptly and ended even faster.

Within mere seconds, all three Shadow Panthers were slain.

Wang Qing Xiao brushed at the claw marks on his arm, acting as if nothing had happened.

Lin Shi Xuan’s breath was steady, as though she had done nothing of consequence.

Bai Yue Ning flicked the blood from her blade, then sheathed her sword.

She looked at Lin Shi Xuan, who returned a gentle smile.

Though their cooperation was new, it was unexpectedly smooth.

“That’s it? Barely enough for a mouthful!” Ye Ming’s voice came full of discontent.

“The energy was pitiful—you should’ve taken your time, let me absorb more from the frozen one.”

Bai Yue Ning simply blocked out his complaints.

Wang Qing Xiao checked the panther corpses and shook his head. “Damaged pelts, not worth much—let’s move on.”

The group set off again, as if they had only weathered a trivial incident.

And the sword on her back, unsated, radiated a lingering sense of resentment.