Week three at Shadow Sanctuary began with an announcement that changed the mission economy entirely.
Wei Chen was eating breakfast when Master Zhao entered, flanked by two Inner Disciples. Conversations died immediately.
"In three days, Shadow Sanctuary will host diplomatic envoys from the Fire Peaks Confederation and the Eastern Empire," Zhao announced. "They arrive to negotiate trade agreements and establish magical cooperation treaties."
He paused. "During their eight-day visit, the Sanctuary requires extensive support. Security. Escorts. Couriers. Translation services for those fluent in Fire Tongue or Imperial Common. Special mission board will be posted this afternoon. Significantly expanded opportunities. Grade E through Grade C missions. Higher rewards."
Wei Chen's attention sharpened. Expanded board meant more positions. More opportunities even for lower-ranked students.
"Standard ranking priority applies," Zhao continued. "But understand — these missions involve foreign dignitaries. Failure reflects catastrophically on Shadow Sanctuary. Incompetence will be punished with point deductions and rank penalties. Success will be noted very favorably."
"This changes everything," Chen Ling said after Zhao left. "Expanded board means more total missions. Maybe ninety positions for sixty-one students."
"Still ranking priority," Wei Chen replied. "We're fifty-four, fifty-five, and fifty-six."
Among the eight new disciples, Ming Yue with her advanced-level Darkness ranked highest — somewhere in the thirties after placement. Then came Wei Chen at fifty-four. Chen Ling at fifty-five. Xu Lan at fifty-six.
"We'll be selecting near the end," Wei Chen continued. "Best individual missions will be gone."
"But team missions?" Xu Lan said quietly. "Four-person assignments require coordination, not just individual capability. If we form a team, we select as a unit based on the highest-ranked member."
Wei Chen processed that. If they formed a team, he'd select for all of them at rank fifty-four. Middle of the pack, not bottom.
Morning training with Instructor Yan: twenty-five laps. Wei Chen finished seventeenth — his best placement yet.
After training came the second session with Lin Sha.
"Show me Shadow Blade. Hold for five minutes."
Wei Chen drew the knife, coated it with shadow. The technique manifested smoother than last week. He held it steady.
Three minutes. Four minutes. Four minutes thirty seconds. The coating flickered. Wei Chen pushed carefully. Four minutes forty-five seconds. Five minutes.
He released, breathing hard.
"Acceptable progress," Lin Sha said. "You've reached minimum standard for basic Shadow Blade proficiency. Next stage: Shadow Blade during movement."
For the next hour, she drilled him. Form Shadow Blade. Walk while maintaining it. Run. Jump. Each movement destabilized the coating.
"Combat isn't stationary," Lin Sha said. "You need Shadow Blade to be reflex, not concentration."
By the end, Wei Chen could maintain coating while walking — barely.
"Practice daily," Lin Sha instructed. "Next week we start actual combat applications. Bring three contribution points then. First payment is due in three weeks — I haven't forgotten."
That afternoon, the special mission board appeared.
All sixty-one Outer Disciples crowded around it. The board was massive — three times normal size. Wei Chen waited, then pushed through to read.
Grade E Missions (3 points): Kitchen Support, Cleaning Crew, Supply Runner, Laundry Service — 70 positions total.
Grade D Missions (5-10 points): Security Detail, Courier Service, Translation (Fire Tongue/Imperial Common), Event Setup, Warehouse Guard — 35 positions total.
Grade D Team Missions (40 points total, 10 each):
Beast Hunt — Clear Shadow Wolves: 2 teams
Caravan Escort — Transport Diplomatic Supplies: 3 teams
Building Renovation — Repair Guest Quarters: 2 teams
Grade C Missions: Personal Escort, Sparring Demonstration, Document Authentication — 8 positions total.
Wei Chen studied the numbers. Roughly 120 positions for sixty-one students. Even low-ranked disciples would find work.
The team missions were interesting. Caravan Escort: forty points split four ways, ten each. Transport supplies from city warehouse to Sanctuary. Basic security work. Low probability of actual danger.
"You're looking at Caravan Escort," Chen Ling said.
"Ten points each for four days' work. That's significant."
"We need a fourth person."
"What about Han Tao?" Chen Ling suggested. "Rank fifty-seven. Part of our informal group."
Wei Chen thought about Han Tao. Reliable during Feng's training. Not exceptional, but solid. Rank fifty-seven meant he'd select after them, but as part of their team, Wei Chen's rank fifty-four would give them all better priority.
Wei Chen found Han Tao near the training grounds.
"Want to form a team for Grade D Caravan Escort? Forty points total, ten each. Four days' work."
Han Tao stopped practicing. "Who's the team?"
"Me, Chen Ling, Xu Lan, you. Ranks fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven. My rank gives us selection priority at fifty-four — middle of the pack."
"What's the mission?"
"Transport diplomatic supplies from city warehouse to Sanctuary. Security escort. Probably boring. Straightforward earn."
Han Tao nodded. "Ten points for four days is better than most alternatives at our rank. I'm in."
Selection began the next morning.
Top-ranked disciples selected first, claiming Personal Escort, Document Authentication, Security Detail slots.
Individual Grade D missions filled quickly. Translation positions went to students fluent in Fire Tongue or Imperial Common.
By rank thirty, most high-value individual missions were claimed. Team selections began.
Rank fifty-four. Wei Chen's turn.
"Forming team for Grade D Caravan Escort," Wei Chen said. "Four members: Wei Chen rank fifty-four, Chen Ling rank fifty-five, Xu Lan rank fifty-six, Han Tao rank fifty-seven."
The coordinator checked the roster. "All four confirmed?"
Wei Chen glanced at his teammates. They nodded.
"Caravan Escort team registered. Mission briefing tomorrow at dawn, East Gate. Duration: four days. Forty contribution points total, ten each upon successful completion."
That evening, the four met in the training grounds.
"What does Caravan Escort actually involve?" Han Tao asked.
Wei Chen pulled out notes. "Transport supplies from merchant district warehouse to Sanctuary. Two hours' walk. Supplies include furniture and provisions for diplomatic banquets. Our job is security — make sure nothing gets stolen or damaged."
"So we're bodyguards for furniture," Chen Ling summarized.
"Expensive furniture meant for foreign dignitaries. If we lose or damage anything, that's embarrassing."
"Threat assessment?" Xu Lan asked.
"Opportunistic thieves," Wei Chen said. "Merchant district has criminal elements. A caravan carrying valuable items with only four young guards? Tempting target. We need to look competent enough that thieves decide we're not worth the risk."
They planned formation, watch positions, response protocols.
The briefing the next morning was brief. An Inner Disciple explained the route, timing, and consequences of failure.
The warehouse master had their supplies ready: wrapped furniture, decorative screens, sealed crates of provisions.
"Careful with those screens," he warned. "Fire Peaks craftwork. Worth more than you'll earn in a year."
They loaded carefully. The cart was heavy — the ox strained pulling it. Wei Chen walked front left, Xu Lan front right. Chen Ling and Han Tao covered the rear.
One hour passed without incident.
Then, entering a less crowded section, four men stepped into the road ahead. Not blocking the path. Just... positioned. Watching.
Wei Chen's hand moved toward his knife.
"That's a heavy cart," one said. "Valuable goods?"
"Sanctuary business," Wei Chen replied steadily. "Not for sale."
"Didn't ask if it was for sale. Four kids guarding expensive items. That's interesting."
Wei Chen pulled shadows — just enough to be visible. His shadow darkened, spread beyond natural dimensions. Not aggressive. Just present.
"Four Darkness mages," Wei Chen corrected. "From Shadow Sanctuary. Guarding Sanctuary property. Still interesting?"
The men exchanged glances. One touched another's arm — retreat signal.
"Just asking questions," the first man said, stepping aside. "Safe travels."
They moved away. Wei Chen maintained the display for thirty seconds, then released it.
"Well-handled," Han Tao said quietly. "You didn't escalate, but you made escalation available."
"Darkness magic's reputation is useful sometimes," Wei Chen replied. "They don't know we're barely competent. They just see shadows and think 'not worth the risk.'"
The pattern repeated over four days. Morning pickup, afternoon delivery, occasional suspicious interest, projection of competence that discouraged confrontation.
By day four, the routine felt comfortable. Wei Chen could anticipate threats, position the team optimally, defuse situations before they escalated.
On the fourth evening, they made their final delivery.
"Four successful runs. No incidents. No damage," the warehouse master reported.
The clerk processed completion. "Caravan Escort — four days, successful delivery, no security incidents. Forty points total. Ten each."
Wei Chen accepted his tokens. Ten points. Combined with his existing six, sixteen total.
More than enough for staying on track with Lin Sha. And he still had a week left in the month.
Outside, the team stood together.
"Ten points each for four days," Han Tao said. "Efficient earning."
"Team coordination worked well," Chen Ling agreed. "We complemented each other's awareness."
"Should we coordinate on future team missions?" Xu Lan asked.
Wei Chen nodded. "Makes sense. We understand how each other works now."
They separated. Wei Chen returned to his room and counted his total.
Sixteen contribution points. Comfortable buffer for Lin Sha's first payment in two weeks. And he'd gained something else — team experience. Understanding how to coordinate with others toward shared goals.
Week three had been productive. A successful Grade D team mission. Ten points earned. Competent performance that avoided both failure and unnecessary risk.
Wei Chen sat on his bed, holding the tokens. Not just currency. Proof of capability. Evidence that he could handle more than Grade E busywork. That team coordination and strategic thinking could substitute for raw power or high ranking.
Progress. Measurable, quantifiable progress.
The diplomatic envoys would be here another four days. More special missions would be posted. But Wei Chen had already achieved his immediate goal.
Financial stability. Enough points to pay Lin Sha on schedule with reserve remaining.
Next week would bring new challenges. New opportunities. New missions.
But tonight, Wei Chen allowed himself to feel satisfied.
Sixteen points. Rank fifty-four. Second among new disciples. Functional team coordination established.
Not bad for three weeks' work.
Not bad at all.