The next morning arrived with a soft breeze flowing through the tall trees surrounding the teleportation platform.
John, Caros, and Riara stood together, ready to return to the sect after a mission that had tested not only their cultivation but their very humanity.
With a shimmer of light, the teleportation portal activated, warping them back to the Blue Cauldron Sect.
Once their feet touched the sect grounds, Caros wasted no time. "I'll go submit the mission token," he said, his tone light but proud. John and Riara nodded, watching him stride confidently toward the Mission Hall.
After a while, Caros returned and reached into his spatial bag. "Here," he said, tossing John a small pouch.
John caught it mid-air and peeked inside. Five glowing mid-grade spirit stones gleamed within.
"Your cut," Caros added with a grin. "You technically already completed your hard mission, but if not for you, we'd be dead meat."
John nodded with a faint smile. "Thanks."
