Life at Yi Xian Sect was quiet. After saying goodbye to Junior Sister, Su Yan focused fully on alchemy.

After a whole month of hard work, he finally got it right.

“Finally done,” he said, tired but happy.

He looked at the furnace and put out the fire. This time, there were no weird black lumps—just shiny pills rolling out.

“These can clear heat, remove poison, and help blood flow. Not bad.”

They looked real. He tried one. The taste wasn’t great, but it worked.

“It worked!” he said, excited.

At that moment, the system spoke in his head:

[Host has gained a new skill: Alchemy—Beginner. Skill recorded.]

He smiled at the new skill showing up.

It was just beginner level, but with more points, he could improve it and earn a lot later.

Thinking about becoming rich from selling pills made him smile.

Then—knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me—Master wants to see you,” said Xiao Wu.

Su Yan frowned. Master calling him? Why?

At Master Bai Shuixin’s place, she stood by the cliff in a pale yellow dress, hands folded. The wind made her skirt dance.

“Master,” he called quietly.

She turned and looked at him.

Last time, he had taken many spirit fruits and was still stuck in the Early Foundation. Now he had suddenly reached the Late Foundation.

She nodded without speaking.

He’s not useless after all—just a late bloomer.

Then she spoke.

“I have something for you to do.”

Su Yan looked up, feeling nervous.

“What is it?”

She said calmly, “Your Third Senior Sister went home months ago and hasn’t sent a single message. Go check on her and bring her back.”

“…” He froze.

Master usually left him alone. Why now? First, it was Junior Sister, now this?

Aren’t the other Senior Sisters around?

“You don’t want to go?” she asked.

Of course not! He liked staying in one place.

Plus, his Pure Yang Body attracted dangerous demon girls. If he met one out there—big trouble.

Just then, the system popped up in his mind.

[Option 1: Cross arms, sneer: “Who am I? Your errand boy? Dream on!” (Reward: Random Skill Point +1)]

[Option 2: “Send someone else—I’m out.” Refuse Master. (Reward: High-Grade Artifact, Mirage Pearl)]

[Option 3: Agree instantly. (Reward: Spiritual Power +2)]

System tasks—late, never absent.

Option one’s prize tempted, but mouthing off to Master? Instant beatdown.

Torn between two and three, he said, “I don’t wanna send Senior Sister.”

[Task complete. Reward issued.]

“Hm?”She raised her eyebrow—was he talking back?

“It’s not that I don’t want to go,” he said quickly. “But you know my situation. Inside the sect, I’m safe. The Senior Sisters protect me. Outside? Bad women might… well, you know.”

He acted nervous on purpose.

She looked at him, thinking how some people saw him as just pretty. But lately, his strength has been growing. Maybe he had more to offer.

“Maybe I can train him into something useful,” she thought.

That’s why she gave him this task.

“Two reasons for this trip,” she said. “Find your sister, and grow stronger. Men need to see the world. That way, bad women can’t fool them.”

If she had no hopes for him, she wouldn’t send him out. But now, she did—so no more lazy days.

“Master, can’t I just stay here with you?” he said, rubbing his head.

Third Sister lived in the East Continent—really far away. Flying by sword would take a whole month. And that’s without delays or trouble. The trip sounded like a pain.

She got annoyed. If he had no talent, fine—let him marry someone rich and relax. But he had real potential. Did he want to waste it?

“I didn’t mean it like that…” he said quickly.

He thought he could grow strong by staying on the mountain. Why was she pushing him now?

“This is for your own good,” she said.

From her sleeve, she took out a jade token. “It has a bit of my power in it. It’ll protect you from most danger.”

She wanted him to train and complete this mission. But since he was a man, safety came first. With her power inside the token, he should be okay.

Still…

He frowned.

Spirit Transformation-level power was strong, sure. It should keep him safe.

But he still remembered the scary demon lady from before when he fetched Junior Sister. It was risky.

“This token isn’t foolproof!” he muttered.

“What are you mumbling about?” she asked, tapping his forehead. “Stop whining. You disobeyed me?”

“No, no—I wouldn’t dare!”

“Good. Then go,” she said, waving him off.

Once outside, he sighed deeply.

“What kind of mess is this?” he muttered.

He had dreamed of staying in the sect, relaxing forever. So much for that.