First Mission From the Guild

The Guild of Yog hummed with activity, a constant flow of cultivators coming and going, their faces etched with ambition, desperation, or a blend of both. The notice board, a tapestry of parchment and ink, seemed to pulse with unspoken possibilities. Kai, his jade nameplate a cool weight against his chest, approached the counter once more.

"Are there any missions suitable for my current level?" he asked the black-haired woman, his voice as impassive as ever.

She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and appraising. "And what, pray tell, is your current cultivation level?"

"Foundation Establishment, First Stage," Kai replied, his tone betraying no hint of pride or arrogance.

The woman's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise momentarily breaking through her professional facade. Such a young cultivator, already at Foundation Establishment? It was a rare sight indeed.

"Impressive," she conceded, her voice regaining its usual neutrality. "With your level of cultivation, you could easily gain entry into the outer halls of several reputable sects."

The suggestion, however, was met with a cold stare. The thought of binding himself to a sect, of bowing and scraping to elders and adhering to their rigid doctrines, was anathema to Kai. He craved power, yes, but it was a power he sought to wield on his own terms.

"That holds no interest for me," he stated flatly, his gaze unwavering. "I seek only to refine my skills and advance my cultivation."

The woman, sensing his resolute independence, nodded curtly. "Very well. However, missions suited for a Foundation Establishment cultivator are often fraught with danger. Perhaps something… less demanding for now?"

She scanned the notice board, her finger tracing the lines of ink until it landed on a particular posting.

"Here," she said, pointing to the notice. "A simple retrieval mission. A merchant caravan lost a shipment of valuable herbs to opportunistic beasts while passing through the Whisperwind Forest. They require a skilled cultivator to recover the herbs. The pay is modest, but it should be well within your capabilities."

Kai glanced at the notice, his eyes scanning the details. It was, as the woman had said, a low-rank mission, but he was pragmatic enough to recognize the value of starting small. He needed to familiarize himself with the Guild's system, to build a reputation, however insignificant, before he could ascend to more challenging tasks.

"I'll accept it," he said simply.

The woman nodded, marking the mission as accepted. "Very well. The mission details are outlined on this scroll. Report to the South Gate within the hour, where you will meet your team."

Kai took the scroll, unfurling it to study the contents. It detailed the location of the lost herbs, the types of beasts known to inhabit the area, and, most importantly, the names and cultivation levels of his fellow team members.

He found himself grouped with three other cultivators:

Jin: Mortal Qi Realm, Ninth Stage. Described as a skilled swordsman with a talent for tracking.

Jiao: Mortal Qi Realm, Eighth Stage. Known for her mastery of earth-based Qi techniques.

Rong: Mortal Qi Realm, Ninth Stage. Proficient in healing arts and possessing a vast knowledge of herbs and poisons.

All three were older than Kai, their experience undoubtedly outweighing his own. However, Kai felt no fear or hesitation, only a cold, calculating curiosity. How would these cultivators, tempered by years of training and hardship, react to his presence?

The South Gate was a hive of activity, a constant stream of merchants, mercenaries, and adventurers passing through its imposing archway. Kai, his bearing as impassive as ever, located his team with ease. They were gathered near a weathered stone fountain, their expressions wary as they studied the young cultivator who had joined their ranks.

Jin, a tall, wiry man with a weathered face and calloused hands, stepped forward. He regarded Kai with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

"You're the Foundation Establishment cultivator?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

"That's what the Guild informed me," Kai replied, his tone carefully neutral.

Jiao, a stocky woman with earth-toned robes and a no-nonsense demeanor, snorted. "Looks can be deceiving. Foundation Establishment or not, he's just a boy."

Rong, a slender, scholarly-looking man with a gentle face and keen eyes, placed a calming hand on Jiao's arm. "Now, now, Jiao. Let's not be hasty. We haven't even begun the mission yet."

He turned to Kai, a kind smile gracing his lips. "Welcome to the team. We're the Gen Wolves, a mercenary group that's been operating in these parts for quite some time. We may not be the strongest or the most famous, but we get the job done."

Kai nodded curtly, acknowledging the introduction. He had heard whispers of the Gen Wolves – a small but reputable mercenary group known for their loyalty and efficiency, if not their raw power.

"I appreciate the welcome," he replied.

With introductions out of the way, the team set off towards the Whisperwind Forest, their movements swift and purposeful. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew heavy with the scent of pine needles and damp earth, the sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patterns.

The mission itself proved to be relatively uneventful, at least initially. The team followed the tracks of the merchant caravan, their progress steady but cautious. Lin's tracking skills were impressive, his keen eyes spotting even the faintest of signs. Jiao's earth manipulation proved invaluable, allowing her to sense vibrations in the ground and detect the presence of nearby creatures. Rong, with his encyclopedic knowledge of the forest, identified edible plants and pointed out potential dangers.

It was not until they reached a particularly dense section of the forest that they encountered their first real challenge – a Shadowfang Panther, its sleek black fur blending seamlessly with the shadows, its eyes glowing with a predatory hunger.

The panther, a mid-rank beast known for its speed and ferocity, lunged at Jin, its claws bared. The swordsman, caught off guard, barely managed to deflect the attack, his blade singing as it met the panther's claws.

Jiao reacted instantly, summoning a wall of earth to shield Lin from the panther's next attack. Rong, chanting softly, unleashed a wave of healing energy, mending the shallow gash on Lin's arm.

Kai, observing the battle with cold detachment, saw an opportunity. With a speed that belied his youthful appearance, he darted forward, his movements a blur. The panther, distracted by the other cultivators, turned its attention to this new threat just in time to see a flash of silver.

Kai's sword, infused with his amplified Qi, cleaved through the panther's defenses, ending its life with a single, decisive stroke.

The other cultivators watched in stunned silence as the panther crumpled to the ground, its lifeblood staining the forest floor crimson. Jin, nursing his wounded arm, stared at Kai with undisguised awe. Jiao, her jaw slack, seemed to have finally found her voice.

"Did...did you just kill a Shadowfang Panther with a single blow?" she stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Kai, sheathing his sword with a soft click, merely shrugged. "It was a simple matter."

The remaining herbs were recovered without further incident. The team returned to Jadeheart, their mission a success. They presented the recovered herbs to the grateful merchant, who paid them the agreed-upon sum – a handful of silver coins.

As they divided the spoils, Lin turned to Kai, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You know," he said, "you're wasted on these low-level missions. You have the potential to achieve great things."

"Perhaps you should consider joining the Gen Wolves officially," Jiao added, surprising both Jin and Rong with her suggestion. "We could use someone with your… talents."

Kai considered the offer, his expression unreadable. He had no real desire to join a mercenary group, but he recognized the strategic advantage of having allies, even if they were temporary.

"I'll think about it," he said finally, his voice betraying no hint of his true intentions. "I'll let you know my decision soon."

The Gen Wolves, relieved that he hadn't outright rejected their offer, nodded in agreement. As they parted ways, Lin clapped Kai on the shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie that held a surprising amount of warmth.

"If you ever change your mind," he said, "you know where to find us."

Kai watched them go, his gaze distant, calculating. He had no intention of joining the Gen Wolves, not truly. They were merely pawns in his game, tools to be used and discarded as needed.