Dawn came too quickly.
Kai woke to someone pounding on his door. He rolled out of bed, still groggy, and opened it to find a girl in scarlet robes standing there. She looked barely fourteen but had eyes that were far too cold for her age.
"Mission briefing. Main hall. Five minutes. Don't be late." She turned and walked away without waiting for a response.
[Quest Alert!]
[Mandatory Quest: First Inner Sect Mission]
[Objective: Complete your assigned mission]
[Reward: Variable based on performance]
[Penalty: Death or expulsion]
"Great way to start the morning," Kai muttered, throwing on his robes.
He rushed through the corridors, following other disciples toward the main hall.
Most of them looked confident and experienced.
He spotted Mei Lin in the crowd—she gave him a subtle nod.
The main hall was massive.
Hundreds of inner sect disciples stood in organized rows.
At the front, on an elevated platform, stood three figures in elaborate robes.
Elders.
The one in the center was Lord Xie.
"Silence!"
His voice didn't need to be loud to command attention.
The entire hall went quiet instantly.
"New disciples. Step forward."
Kai and the other four ceremony survivors moved to the front.
The crowd parted for them, and Kai could feel dozens of eyes examining them.
"You five survived the Blood Moon Ceremony," Lord Xie said, his purple eyes scanning them. "Impressive. But survival is not the same as strength."
He gestured to the elder on his right—a skeletal man with long white hair.
"Elder Bone will assign your first mission. Complete it, and you'll receive resources to aid your cultivation. Fail..." He smiled.
"Well, we'll have another ceremony next month."
The message was clear. They were expendable.
Elder Bone stepped forward, holding a scroll.
"Your mission is simple. Enter the Shadow Forest and retrieve Blood Lotus flowers. Each flower is worth 10 contribution points."
[New Information: Contribution Points]
[Currency used in Blood Demonic Sect]
[Can be exchanged for resources, techniques, and privileges]
"How many flowers do we need?" One of the other survivors asked—a tall guy with a scar across his cheek.
"Minimum of three per person to pass. But the more you gather, the better your rewards."
Elder Bone's lips curved into something that might have been a smile.
"Oh, and one more thing. The Shadow Forest is home to demonic beasts. Mostly Body Tempering Realm Level 5 to 7. Some higher."
Kai's stomach dropped. Level 5 to 7? He was only Level 4!
"You have until sunset," Elder Bone continued. "Return here with your flowers. Those who fail will be demoted back to outer sect. Or worse."
[Mission Details Updated]
[Shadow Forest Expedition]
[Objective: Collect minimum 3 Blood Lotus flowers]
[Bonus Objective: Collect 10+ flowers for additional rewards]
[Time Limit: 12 hours]
[Warning: Demonic beasts detected in area]
[Survival Probability: 12.4%]
The probability dropped. Fantastic.
"You're dismissed," Lord Xie said. "And remember—in the Blood Demonic Sect, only the strong survive. Prove yourselves worthy."
The crowd dispersed.
Kai found Mei Lin waiting for him outside the hall.
"Well, that's not good," she said quietly.
"Level 5 to 7 beasts? I'm only Level 4!"
"Exactly. They're testing us." Mei Lin started walking toward the sect's southern gate. "Come on. We need to meet the others."
"The others?"
"The three other survivors. I talked to them last night. Two agreed to work together. One refused."
They walked through the sect grounds. Disciples were everywhere—sparring, meditating, or hurrying to their own missions. Some watched Kai and Mei Lin with curiosity. Others with hostility.
[Warning: Multiple hostile intentions detected]
[Recommendation: Stay alert]
At the southern gate, two people were waiting. One was the tall guy with the scar—he introduced himself as Hong Wei. The other was a quiet girl with braided hair named Yun Xia.
"Where's the fifth survivor?" Kai asked.
"Bai Chen," Hong Wei spat. "Arrogant bastard. Said he doesn't need help from weaklings."
"His funeral," Mei Lin said coldly. "Alright, here's the plan. We stick together in the forest. Pool our flowers at the end. Everyone gets at least three to pass."
"And if we find more?" Yun Xia asked softly.
"We split them evenly. No one gets left behind." Mei Lin looked at each of them. "Agreed?"
Kai nodded. Hong Wei and Yun Xia did the same.
[Temporary Alliance Formed]
[Group Bonus: Morale +10%]
"Good," Mei Lin said. "Let's move. We're wasting daylight."
The Shadow Forest earned its name. The trees had blood-red leaves, and the ground was covered in rust-colored moss. The air was thick with the scent of copper and rot. Shadows seemed to move independently of the light, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
"This place is creepy," Hong Wei muttered, gripping a crude sword.
"Stay close," Mei Lin warned. "My brother told me Blood Lotus flowers grow near water sources. There should be a stream to the east."
They moved carefully through the forest.
Every shadow looked like a threat.
[Demonic Beast Detected]
[Distance: 30 meters]
[Level: 4]
[Species: Nightfang Wolf]
"Stop," Kai whispered. "Something's near us."
The others froze. Mei Lin's eyes narrowed. "Where?"
"Thirty meters ahead. Level 4 Nightfang Wolf."
"How do you know that?" Hong Wei asked suspiciously.
Kai thought fast. "I... I can sense qi fluctuations. My master taught me before I came to the sect."
[Good improvisation]
[Lie detected by system: 0 allies suspicious]
Mei Lin studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Useful skill. Can we avoid it?"
Kai checked his minimap. "If we go around to the north, maybe. But it'll add twenty minutes to our route."
"Better than fighting a Level 4 beast," Yun Xia said.
They carefully circled around the wolf's territory. Kai kept his eyes on the minimap, watching the red dot representing the beast. It didn't move. They were safe.
For now.
[Successful evasion]
[Bonus EXP: +10]
After an hour of careful travel, they found the stream.
And there, growing along its banks, were the Blood Lotus flowers.
They were beautiful. Deep crimson petals with golden centers that glowed faintly. But Kai could sense something wrong about them.
[Blood Lotus Flower]
[Rare alchemical ingredient]
[Warning: Picking the flower will alert nearby demonic beasts]
"Wait," Kai said. "Something feels off about this."
"What do you mean?" Mei Lin asked.
"I think picking the flowers might alert the beasts. It feels like a trap."
Hong Wei cursed. "Those elders knew. They sent us here to die."
"Or to get stronger," Yun Xia said quietly. "Either way, we need those flowers."
Mei Lin counted the flowers along the stream. "I see twelve. That's enough for all of us to pass with one extra."
"How do we do this?" Hong Wei asked.
Kai thought quickly. "We pick them fast, then run. I have a movement technique that can help us escape if we're chased."
"I have a smoke pellet," Mei Lin added. "Can cover our retreat."
"I can use Earth Wall," Yun Xia said. "It's not strong, but it might slow them down."
Hong Wei hefted his sword. "And I'll fight if I have to."
[New Strategy Detected]
[Analyzing success probability...]
[Success Rate: 34.7%]
Not great, but better than nothing.
"Alright," Kai said. "On three. Grab as many as you can, then we run north. Ready?"
They positioned themselves near the flowers.
"One... two... THREE!"
They lunged forward, grabbing flowers as fast as they could. Kai managed to snatch three before he heard it.
ROOOAAARRR!
The sound came from everywhere at once.
The ground shook.
[Warning: Multiple demonic beasts approaching]
[Nightfang Wolves x5 - Level 4-6]
[Recommendation: RUN]
"GO! GO! GO!" Mei Lin shouted.
They sprinted north, flowers clutched in their hands. Behind them, Kai could hear snarling and the sound of massive paws hitting the ground.
[Shadow Step activated]
His speed increased. He pulled ahead of the group, then realized his mistake. If he ran too fast, he'd leave them behind.
He slowed down, letting the others catch up.
Awolf burst through the trees on their left—huge, with fur the color of dried blood and eyes that burned yellow.
Hong Wei swung his sword. The blade connected with the wolf's side, but barely cut through its hide. The wolf snarled and lunged at him.
"Earth Wall!" Yun Xia thrust her palms toward the ground.
A wall of stone erupted between Hong Wei and the wolf. It wasn't high, but it gave them a few precious seconds.
"Keep running!" Mei Lin threw her smoke pellet behind them.
Black smoke exploded, filling the air. The wolves' snarls turned confused.
They ran for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. Finally, the sounds of pursuit faded.
[Combat Avoided: Success]
[Group EXP Gained: +50]
They collapsed near a cluster of trees, gasping for air. Kai counted their flowers. They had eleven total—almost as many as they'd seen.
"We did it," Hong Wei panted. "We actually did it."
"That was too close," Yun Xia said softly.
Mei Lin was already on her feet. "We got lucky. But we still need more time to search. The mission isn't over."
She was right.
They had eleven flowers for four people.
That was enough to pass, but barely.
If they wanted better rewards, they needed more.
[Time Remaining: 8 hours, 23 minutes]
"There might be more flowers deeper in the forest," Kai said.
"Or more beasts," Hong Wei countered.
"We need contribution points," Mei Lin said firmly. "Eleven flowers mean we each get 27 points. That's not enough for anything useful."
Kai checked the system shop quickly.
The cheapest useful item was 50 contribution points.
"Fine," Hong Wei said. "But we need to be smarter. No more running blind."
They spent the next several hours carefully exploring the forest. Kai's detection ability proved invaluable—they avoided three more wolf packs and a bear-like creature that was definitely Level 8 or higher.
They found two more small clusters of Blood Lotus. Seven more flowers total.
[Current Flower Count: 18]
[Contribution Points if returned: 180]
[Split 4 ways: 45 points each]
Almost enough.
But Kai wanted more.
His debt was 750 system points, and while contribution points and system points weren't the same, he needed every advantage he could get.
"Look," Yun Xia pointed ahead.
Through the trees, they could see a clearing. And in the center was something that made Kai's heart race.
A massive Blood Lotus plant.
Not just one flower—dozens of them, growing from a central stem that was as thick as a tree trunk.
"That's... that's at least fifty flowers," Hong Wei whispered.
[Ancient Blood Lotus discovered]
[Estimated flower count: 73]
[Warning: Guardian Beast present]
[Level: ???]
[Recommendation: AVOID]
"There's definitely a guardian," Kai said. "High level. I can feel the qi pressure from here."
"Of course there is," Mei Lin said. "Something that valuable wouldn't be unprotected."
They watched from the trees. After a few minutes, the guardian appeared.
It was a snake. But not just any snake—this thing was thirty feet long, with scales that shimmered between crimson and black. Its eyes were intelligent and malevolent.
[Shadow Emperor Serpent - Level 11]
[Danger Level: EXTREME]
[Survival Probability if engaged: 0.2%]
"Level 11," Kai breathed. "We can't fight that."
"No," Mei Lin agreed. "But maybe we don't have to fight it."
She pointed to the left side of the clearing. "See those flowers on the edge? We might be able to grab a few without waking it."
"Might?" Hong Wei looked at her like she was crazy. "That's a terrible plan!"
"You have a better one?"
Silence.
"I'll do it," Kai heard himself say. "My movement technique is the fastest. I can get in and out quickly."
[Warning: This action has extremely low success probability]
[Recommended: Find alternative solution]
"Kai, don't be stupid," Mei Lin said.
"We need those points. And I'm the fastest." He looked at each of them. "If something goes wrong, you three run. Don't look back."
Before anyone could argue, Kai activated Shadow Step and moved.
His body shot forward, faster than he'd ever moved before.
The world blurred.
He reached the clearing's edge in seconds.
The serpent's head was turned away. Perfect.
Kai grabbed two flowers. Three. Four.
[Shadow Step Duration: 3 seconds remaining]
Five flowers. Six.
The serpent's head twitched.
[DANGER: Guardian Beast alerted]
Kai grabbed one more flower and turned to run.
The serpent's head whipped around, its eyes locking onto him. It opened its mouth, revealing fangs the size of daggers.
"MOVE!" Mei Lin screamed from the trees.
Kai didn't need to be told twice. He poured every bit of qi he had left into his legs and ran.
The serpent struck. Its head shot forward like a ballista bolt.
Kai dove to the side.
The serpent's fangs slammed into the ground where he'd been standing, cracking the earth.
He scrambled to his feet and kept running. The serpent was right behind him, moving impossibly fast for something so large.
[HP: 85/100]
Something hit his back—maybe the serpent's tail, maybe a tree branch. It didn't matter.
He kept running.
"Earth Wall!" Yun Xia's technique erupted between Kai and the serpent.
The serpent smashed through it like paper, but it bought Kai two precious seconds.
He crashed through the trees where the others were waiting. "RUN!"
They ran together, the serpent's enraged hissing chasing them through the forest. But after a few minutes, the sound faded. They'd left its territory.
[Combat Avoided: Success]
[Bonus EXP: +100]
[Achievement Unlocked: Reckless Courage]
[Reward: +2 Agility]
They collapsed in a heap, gasping and laughing with relief.
"You're insane," Hong Wei said, grinning despite himself.
"But he got the flowers," Mei Lin pointed out.
Kai checked his haul.
Seven Blood Lotus flowers from the Ancient plant.
Plus the eighteen they already had.
Twenty-five total.
[Current Flower Count: 25]
[Contribution Points if returned: 250]
[Split 4 ways: 62.5 points each]
Not bad. Not bad at all.
"Let's head back," Mei Lin said. "We've pushed our luck enough to day."
They reached the sect as the sun was setting.
Other disciples were already returning—some successful, some empty-handed and terrified.
They spotted Bai Chen, the fifth survivor who'd refused to join them. He had two Blood Lotus flowers. Just barely enough to pass.
When he saw their haul, his expression darkened.
"Congratulations," he said coldly. "Enjoy your success while it lasts."
[Warning: Hostile intention detected from Bai Chen]
[Future conflict probability: High]
Elder Bone counted their flowers and nodded approvingly. "Twenty-five flowers. Impressive work. You each receive 62 contribution points."
[Contribution Points Acquired: 62]
[Can be exchanged in Sect Treasury]
"As a bonus for exceeding expectations," Elder Bone continued, "you may each select one item from the basic treasury. Choose wisely."
Lord Xie observed from his elevated position, his purple eyes scanning the returning disciples. His gaze lingered on Kai's group for a moment before moving on to assess the others.
[Quest Complete: First Inner Sect Mission]
[Calculating rewards...]
[+500 EXP]
[Level Up!]
[You are now Level 5]
[+2 Stat Points available]
[Survival Probability Updated: 21.3%]
Kai smiled. Twenty-one percent. Still terrible odds.
But better than yesterday.
The four of them exchanged glances.
They'd survived their first mission together.
And more importantly, they'd proven themselves capable.
"Treasury opens in an hour," Mei Lin said. "Let's get cleaned up first. We look like we've been through hell."
"We have," Hong Wei said with a tired grin.
As they walked toward the dormitories, Kai felt the weight of eyes on his back. Other disciples were watching them now. Some with respect. Others with envy.
[New Quest Available: Visit the Sect Treasury]
[Reward: One free item from basic treasury]
[Time Limit: 24 hours]