The sun had just begun to rise over the peaks of the Verdant Mist Mountains when Chen Yixuan approached Tianyan near the edge of the Inner Sect's mission hall. Clad in a simple yet refined inner sect robe, she held a sealed scroll in her hand and an eager expression on her face.
"Tianyan," she said with a slight smile, "a new mission has come from the sect. The Blazewind Ore Veins have come under attack by spiritual beasts. It's a high-reward task—four thousand contribution points in total. There are five of us going. If you come, we'll each get 800 contribution points."
Tianyan blinked, his interest piqued. "Contribution points?"
She nodded. "You can trade them for rare herbs, cultivation techniques, spirit weapons, even pills from the sect's vault. Missions are the best way to climb the ranks... if you survive."
Tianyan gave a small nod. "I'll join."
By noon, the team gathered near the teleportation formation: Chen Yixuan, Tianyan, Du Heng, Wei Qing, and Luo Fan.
Du Heng, a tall and broad-shouldered youth with fiery red hair and a trace of arrogance in his eyes, clicked his tongue as Tianyan approached.
"So, this is the famous 'Sect Master's Disciple'?" he said, arms crossed. "Hope you don't get in our way. We're here for a serious task, not babysitting."
Wei Qing and Luo Fan, both similarly at the 4th Layer of the Marrow Washing Realm, exchanged silent glances but said nothing. Clearly, they didn't expect much from Tianyan either.
Chen Yixuan frowned but didn't respond. She only gave Tianyan a soft glance and led the way onto the teleportation platform.
The group soon arrived at the Blazewind Ore Veins—a massive canyon laced with glowing red veins of ore running like blood through cracked black stone. The mine's in-charge, a stern disciple named Zuo Lin, greeted them with a deep bow. At the 5th Layer of the Marrow Washing Realm, his aura was solid and commanding.
"It started three days ago," Zuo Lin explained, gesturing toward the smoking crater near the treeline. "Spiritual beasts began pouring from the forest—more organized than usual. We lost over a dozen workers. Then... yesterday, a King-level beast appeared. A Blazeblood Saber-Tooth Tiger."
Chen Yixuan's expression turned serious. "Where is it now?"
"It's guarding something deep in the forest," Zuo Lin said. "Our scouts believe it's a Crimsonflesh Flame Tree—extremely rare. The fruits on it are nearly ripe. We suspect five will drop soon."
Tianyan narrowed his eyes. He had heard of Crimsonflesh Flame Fruits. A single fruit could push a peak Marrow Washing Realm cultivator into the Heavenly Passage Realm.
"That explains why the beasts are so desperate," muttered Luo Fan.
As the group reached the outer edge of the forest, faint rumblings shook the ground. Tianyan could feel the subtle pulses of beast Qi in the air.
Chen Yixuan stopped, assessing the situation. "There are at least seven saber-tooths ranging from 3rd to 6th Layer guarding the perimeter. The King is at the center... 7th Layer."
She turned to the group. "The four of us will deal with the subordinates. Tianyan..." she hesitated, "...can you hold off the King? Just for a while."
Du Heng rolled his eyes. "Seriously? You want him to hold back a 7th-layer beast? He'll be meat in seconds."
But Tianyan simply nodded. "Leave it to me."
As they stepped forward, the forest exploded into motion. Roaring tigers leapt from the bushes, their flames burning crimson-red, their claws sharp enough to shred steel. The battle began in full force.
While the others dashed toward the subordinates, Tianyan slowly walked toward the center, his eyes calm.
From the thicket emerged the Blazeblood Saber-Tooth King—twice the size of the others, with molten stripes along its fur and teeth glowing like lava. It roared, the trees shaking around it, and lunged.
Tianyan vanished.
Reappearing in mid-air, he dodged the tiger's paw by inches and launched a wave of Azureflame Burst, coating the beast's side in blue flame. The tiger growled but charged again, its tail whipping out. It struck Tianyan's side, sending him crashing into a tree.
Blood trickled from his lip.
"Fast," Tianyan muttered, brushing dust from his robe. "But not enough."
The tiger roared again, spewing a cone of flame from its mouth. Tianyan spun, his hands weaving signs.
"Azureflame Claw!"
A massive claw of burning blue flame ripped through the fire breath and slashed across the tiger's face. The beast howled, shaking its head, one eye now shut from the burn.
The two figures collided again, shockwaves ripping through the forest. Tianyan flipped, avoiding a deadly strike to the chest, and kicked off a nearby rock, spinning in the air before slamming his palm down on the beast's back.
The azure flame exploded once more, but the beast twisted and caught him with a tail whip again, sending him skidding across the forest floor. He coughed, blood painting the leaves, but stood back up.
His eyes gleamed.
"Let's finish this."
Drawing on his Azureflame Dragon's teachings, Tianyan extended his arm. The air shimmered as pale blue flame gathered at his palm.
"Primordial Dragonflame Sword – First Form: Azure Blade Descent!"
A long, gleaming sword formed entirely of dragonfire coalesced in his hand. He dashed forward as the tiger leapt to meet him. Flame clashed with beast.
One strike.
Then two.
Then three.
On the fourth, the Azure Blade cleaved downward—splitting the air, the tiger's roar stopping in its throat.
The beast collapsed, flames flickering out.
Tianyan exhaled, staggered for a moment, then steadied himself. Small wounds lined his arms, but his breathing calmed quickly. His body, enhanced by dragon blood, was already beginning to heal.
From the other end of the battlefield, Chen Yixuan turned just in time to see the massive beast fall. Her eyes widened.
So did Du Heng's.
"He... killed it?" he muttered.
And for the first time, the arrogance in his voice faltered.