Chapter 10: Taking on a Mission

On a warm jade bed, a young woman sat cross-legged.
With each inhale and exhale, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth gradually gathered around her.
Phantom images of lightning appeared behind the girl.
If observed closely, six beast silhouettes flickered intermittently within the lightning.

Lin Lingshu stopped her breath control, and the strange phenomenon behind her slowly dissipated.
She opened her palm.
A pale blue lightning arc continued to flicker in the center.

Qi Refinement, Ninth Layer!
Reaching this step, the next was Foundation Establishment.
The difference between them was like a chasm.
Qi Refinement could extend life by two hundred years; Foundation Establishment added five hundred more.

“Not easy at all,” Lin Lingshu sighed.
It had taken her half a year to advance from the eighth to the ninth layer.
Thinking about how the male lead only took four hundred years to go from Qi Refinement to Grand Success…
What a frustrating comparison of people.

This also meant that if the plot didn’t deviate significantly, she’d have to remain here for another four hundred years.
What a concept.
In her previous life, the nation where she came from rose, prospered, and strengthened all within less than a century.
Four hundred years could easily span the rise and fall of a dynasty.

She had only lived for eighteen years before crossing over, and now she would spend an additional four centuries here.
A trace of fear crept into her heart.
Would she still choose to return after four hundred years?
Would those eighteen years of life still mean anything then?
Would she still be herself?
She didn’t know…

Slap!
Lin Lingshu smacked her own forehead. “Sure enough, people shouldn’t be idle. Idle thoughts lead to nonsense.”

She summoned a water mirror, using an illusion technique to take on her original appearance before crossing over.
She stared at the reflection of a plain-looking man in the mirror and spoke resolutely to herself: “I will return. My parents are still waiting for me. I cannot let them down.”

After finishing this self-reassurance,
Lin Lingshu dispelled the illusion.
She patted her storage ring.
Spirit stones were scarce.

Although she had a Nascent Soul level master, the Thunder Path consumed far too many resources.
Besides, half a year ago, she had already given the male lead a sizable fortune.

The original owner also had a secondary profession—Array Path— which could earn spirit stones.
But Lin Lingshu had been focused on the Thunder Path since arriving here; she was a complete novice in the Array Path.

Lin Lingshu summoned Han Li, mounting the sword to become a rainbow streak.

*****

Inside the Mission Hall, only a few people came and went sparsely, alongside one steward responsible for handling missions.
Lin Lingshu walked straight toward the mission window.

A rather pleasant-looking female steward immediately bowed upon seeing her.

After glancing at the mission list, Lin Lingshu said, “I’ll take this task.”

The steward took a look at the mission: “Lead a group of novices to undergo experience trials.” She immediately began processing the task for Lin Lingshu.

Though the reward was generous, the mission was notoriously troublesome.
She had to lead novices on a training expedition while ensuring their safety— essentially acting as a babysitter.
Moreover, if too many died, spirit stones would be deducted.
Most preferred to hunt powerful beasts rather than take on such a hassle.

Lin Lingshu received the list from the steward, scanning the names:
Qian Jing, Li Wuchou, Su Qing’er…
Wang Shuheng, Wu Sanxuan… and others.

Wang Shuheng?!
Her eyes froze instantly.

The steward told her,
“Senior Sister, everyone’s accounted for. We can depart in half an incense time.”

“Hm.”
Lin Lingshu didn’t bother to look at the rest of the list.
She returned the paper list to the steward, exhaling in exhaustion.

How was it always the male lead?
This time, it wasn’t just about spirit stones being deducted—
The real question was how many in this team would make it back alive.

In the original novel, the male lead had joined Ye Danxiang’s faction.
On his first experience trial, he encountered a Foundation Establishment fifth layer beast.
Out of the entire team, only three remained: the male lead, and his two harem members—Murong Xue and Ning Qi.

What the actual hell…
Self-cursed disaster magnet.

A steward approached the group and said, “Senior Sister, everyone is assembled.”

Lin Lingshu knew well.
Without a word, she walked alone toward the Teleportation Hall.
The rest of the group immediately followed.

Wang Shuheng’s eyes were on Lin Lingshu the whole way.
In the past year since entering the sect, his fortunes had flourished.
Thanks to the initial capital provided by Lin Lingshu, his achievements in Pill Path were decent.

Not rich, but he had accumulated some capital.
Now at Qi Refinement fourth layer, he was somewhat of a minor celebrity in Shuiyue Peak.

Lin Lingshu, walking ahead, sensed his gaze but made no expression.
Her mind silently greeted Wang Shuheng in the most “affectionate” way possible.

They reached the Teleportation Hall.
Lin Lingshu threw the mission token.
A steward caught it, glanced at it, and said respectfully, “Senior Sister, the teleportation array will activate in half an incense time.”

The array spanned about fifty square meters.
Carved on the ground were ancient patterns in blue and green, while spirit crystals were embedded in its four corners.

“Hm,” Lin Lingshu replied nonchalantly.
Then she turned to the group: “Step on.”

One by one, they ascended the teleportation array.
Lin Lingshu sighed inwardly.
If abandoning a mission weren’t prohibited except in special cases, she would have turned around and left long ago.

Sigh~
She just hoped not too many would die.

After everyone had stepped up, Lin Lingshu followed last.
When all stood in position, the steward activated the teleportation array.

The world spun wildly.
When they regained their senses, they were already somewhere else.

******

Ten-Thousand Demon Mountain, Qingshan Town.
Inside a grand hall, the teleportation array suddenly flashed.
Lin Lingshu stepped out first, ignoring the steward’s bow.
Instead, she turned to the group:
“The sky grows late. Rest here for today. We’ll begin our trials tomorrow.”

Everyone responded in agreement.
She then told the steward, “I have some errands to run. Will return by nightfall.”

With that, she left.
The group began to discuss among themselves.

“Is that really Senior Sister of Shuiyue Peak?
So few words, as expected.”
“No wonder she’s the top of Shuiyue Peak.”
“I wonder what kind of Dao partner she prefers.”
“……”

Meanwhile, a sneaky figure seized the opportunity to slip away.

Lin Lingshu walked the streets.
She used minor illusion techniques to disguise herself.
While such small tricks wouldn’t fool cultivators, they were enough to deceive mortals.

She entered Qianlai Inn, glanced at the store sign, and stepped inside.

“Sir, are you dining or staying?” a flirtatious waitress asked.

Lin Lingshu used an illusion to appear as a young nobleman.
“A private room.”
She tossed a broken silver piece toward the waiter.

The waiter caught it skillfully and said, “Bring every dish you have and a few bottles of fine wine. Sir seems to have no concern for expense.”

Another silver ingot was thrown.
“Certainly, esteemed guest. This way, please.”
The waiter led Lin Lingshu toward the private room.

Finally, she could have a proper meal.
The Qi Fasting Pills had become unbearable.

Lin Lingshu was ecstatic.
Honestly, as a modern person and foodie from a nation known for its food,
She utterly despised the Qi Fasting Pills.
Though they provided satiety, they tasted like nothing but air.

While Lin Lingshu feasted, a man also entered the first floor.
He selected a seat, casually ordered a small bottle of wine and some light dishes.