Mo Xuan's expression gradually became serious.
Han Long noticed but said nothing. "The fourth stage is the Soul King Realm."
His voice became slightly more solemn. "That realm is different."
"It is the prelude to the Soul Spirit Realm."
Mo Xuan listened carefully.
"At that point, the energy you've accumulated begins nourishing your soul directly."
"The difference between a weak cultivator and a strong one becomes much clearer there."
Han Long's eyes narrowed. "The stronger the Cosmic Soul..."
"...the more energy it can devour, and the more powerful one can become."
He paused.
That was why ancient clans, sects, and families guarded their cultivation methods so closely and refused to let them spread — because a stronger method could enhance the tempering of the Cosmic Soul far beyond an ordinary one. Some methods were simply stronger than others.
Mo Xuan's heart stirred as he remembered the Revolution Connecting Mantra.
Mo Xuan opened his mouth.
Han Long raised a finger and smiled. "You'll understand your own soul eventually."
He leaned back.
"Next is the Soul Spirit Realm."
"At that stage, your energy changes from gas to liquid."
"That liquid energy washes through your marrow, strengthening the body from within."
Mo Xuan's eyes remained fixed on him.
"And your Cosmic Soul begins to grant you powers of its own."
"Armour."
"Abilities."
"Unique manifestations."
"Those things differ from person to person."
Han Long stood and turned away. "I've guided you enough for now."
"Digest what you've learned."
Mo Xuan watched him walk toward the courtyard gate. "Wait."
Han Long stopped.
Mo Xuan hesitated before asking, "Is that all?"
Han Long looked back over his shoulder. "Do you want me to baby-feed you?" A grin appeared on his face. The next instant, his figure faded into the air.
Mo Xuan remained seated beneath the tree as his expression twitched. For a long while, he said nothing. Then he slowly looked down at his hands. His fists tightened. He had originally intended to find a way out of Han Long's grasp.
But the old man's words had planted something else inside him.
A question.
How far could his Cosmic Soul actually go?
Mo Xuan closed his eyes. He began circulating his Spiritual Energy. This time... He did not hold back.
Half a year passed.
The peaceful courtyard gradually became the place where Mo Xuan spent most of his days. Morning began with cultivation. Then body tempering. Then sword practice. Then Spiritual Sense training.
Han Long's methods were strange.
Sometimes he gave instructions. Sometimes he demonstrated a technique once and expected Mo Xuan to understand it. Sometimes he disappeared for days. And sometimes he returned without warning and subjected Mo Xuan to hours of merciless training.
Yet Mo Xuan adapted. His cultivation steadily climbed. His body became stronger. His swordsmanship became sharper. More importantly...
He slowly began understanding his Cosmic Soul.
Every breakthrough seemed to reveal another layer of something hidden deep within himself.
One evening, Mo Xuan was practising sword movements beneath the moonlight when Han Long suddenly appeared. He looked Mo Xuan up and down. Then sighed dramatically.
"Old man, don't you ever rest?" Mo Xuan lowered his sword. "If your hands are itching, go find someone your size to bully."
Han Long blinked in mock shock. "Naughty brat."
He rubbed his neck. "You wound me."
Mo Xuan snorted.
Han Long looked at him for several seconds before his expression became serious. "Look at your progress."
"My old bones nearly broke training you."
Mo Xuan rolled his eyes. "'Broke,' you say?" He rested the sword against his shoulder. "More like your hobby is torturing me."
Han Long laughed. "Enough nonsense."
His expression changed.
"Four years from now will be the Sect Advancement Examination."
Mo Xuan's smile faded.
"You're part of the sect now."
"You'll participate."
He stepped closer. "And listen carefully, boy."
His voice carried an unmistakable warning. "You cannot lose."
Mo Xuan raised an eyebrow.
Han Long pointed at him. "My disciple must not be a loser."
Mo Xuan stared at him. Then scratched his head.
"Wait..."
He frowned. "When did I become your disciple again?"
Han Long snorted and waved his sleeve as his figure began to fade, only his voice lingering behind. "You joined the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. The sect gives you resources because it expects you to become useful to it in return."
"Therefore, while you're cultivating, you also have to contribute."
Mo Xuan's eyes narrowed as a jade slip materialised in front of him. He extended his Spiritual Sense toward it, listening as Han Long's voice explained that inner and outer disciples alike could accept missions issued by the sect. Some involved gathering spiritual herbs, escorting caravans, investigating disturbances, eliminating spirit beasts, protecting villages, or exploring dangerous regions.
The more dangerous the mission, the greater the contribution points he could earn — points he could later exchange for resources. Mo Xuan listened quietly.
Mo Xuan knew he didn't need any other resources for now — he still had plenty hidden away in the Storage Ring. And though he suspected his unreliable, so-called master wouldn't actually harm him, caution had kept him alive this long. With that thought settled, he made up his mind.
The following morning, Mo Xuan went to the Mission Hall.
The enormous building was crowded with disciples.
Mission jade tablets floated in the air, each displaying different tasks.
Mo Xuan slowly examined them.
Collect thirty Spirit Grass — Contribution Reward: 20 points.
Eliminate three Tier Two Spirit Beasts — Contribution Reward: 40 points.
Escort merchant convoy — Contribution Reward: 60 points.
Investigate missing villagers — Contribution Reward: 100 points.
He continued looking.
Then one particular jade tablet caught his attention.
Blackrock Mountain Investigation.
Mission Rank: C.
Objective: Investigate abnormal Spiritual Energy fluctuations in the eastern mountain region.
Additional Objective: Determine the cause of missing spirit herb gatherers.
Contribution Reward: 300 points.
But not wanting to stand out, Mo Xuan chose the Escort Merchant Convoy mission.
Contribution Reward: 60 points.
Compared with the other missions available, sixty contribution points were not particularly impressive. There were missions offering several times that amount, some even involving dangerous Spirit Beasts or unexplored regions.
Mo Xuan deliberately ignored those. He had only recently joined the sect. There was no reason for him to draw unnecessary attention to himself. He picked up the mission jade slip and carefully read through the details.
The task was simple on the surface.
He would accompany a merchant convoy travelling from the Azure Cloud Sword Sect's territory to a distant trading city. The merchants were transporting spirit herbs, ordinary medicinal materials, refined metals, and other cultivation resources.
The convoy would travel through several regions where low-tier Spirit Beasts were commonly encountered. None of the beasts were particularly powerful. Most were only at the early stages of cultivation. But that did not make them harmless.
A single low-tier Spirit Beast could easily kill an ordinary merchant. And if several attacked the convoy simultaneously, the consequences could be disastrous. The merchants were therefore required to hire cultivators to accompany them for protection.
Mo Xuan continued reading. The journey was not short.
The convoy would spend several weeks travelling to the destination, remain there while the goods were delivered and exchanged, and then make the return journey. The entire assignment was expected to take several months.
Mo Xuan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Several months..."
That was longer than he had expected. But after thinking about it, he found the arrangement rather suitable. He would be outside the sect for a considerable period, gaining practical experience while still receiving contribution points.
More importantly...
Nobody would expect too much from an escort mission worth only sixty points. That was exactly what he wanted. He didn't want to participate in a dangerous mission that would attract the attention of elders or other disciples.
He wanted to remain unnoticed. At least for now.
Mo Xuan looked at the mission jade slip again.
He turned toward the mission registrar. "I'll take this one."
The disciple behind the counter looked up. "Escort mission?"
Mo Xuan nodded.
The disciple glanced at his cultivation token before he pressed his hand against the mission jade slip. A faint glow passed through it. The mission was transferred to Mo Xuan's name.
Mission Accepted.
The disciple handed him a second jade token. "Report to the eastern gate three days from now. The convoy leaves at sunrise."
Mo Xuan accepted it. "Thank you."
He turned and walked away. Only after leaving the Mission Hall did a faint smile appear on his face.
Three days later, Mo Xuan arrived at the eastern gate before sunrise. A long convoy was already waiting.
Several large carriages stood in a line, each pulled by sturdy spirit horses. Thick canvas covered the cargo compartments, while armed guards stood nearby checking equipment and preparing for departure.
Mo Xuan stopped at the edge of the road. He counted the carriages.
Seven.
The convoy was larger than he had expected.
A middle-aged man wearing dark merchant robes noticed him and immediately approached. The merchant smiled. "I'm Zhao Ming, the convoy leader."
He looked at the boy for a moment. His expression revealed some surprise. "You're our escort?"
"Yes."
Zhao Ming glanced behind Mo Xuan. "Are there no other disciples coming?"
"No."
The merchant's smile became slightly awkward. "You..."
Zhao Ming stared at the boy before him. This can't possibly be the sect's escort. He couldn't believe someone so young had been assigned to protect the convoy.
He hesitated, but before he could speak, Mo Xuan handed him a document.
Zhao Ming took the document and read it. Only then did his expression relax slightly.
He cupped his hand. "Then we will be in your care. Welcome aboard."