Chapter 10: Frost Mountain Cave (2)

[Ding! The Host has been given four options to choose from. Please select one option carefully; any mistake could lead to your death]

Reon was a little surprised, as missions issued by the System were not tied to a fixed schedule; the System could issue missions at any time. He glanced at the panel that had appeared before him just as he was about to step into the Outer Section of Frost Mountain Cave.

[Option 1: Accept the punishment and proceed to the Outer Section of Frost Mountain Cave.

Reward: Foundation Stabilizing Pill (Common-Grade).]

[Option 2: Say "Even though I am now an Outer Sect disciple, when I attacked the junior, I was still an Inner Sect disciple, so I must proceed to the Inner Section of Frost Mountain Cave." to the Disciplinary Hall disciples. 

Reward: Foundation Stabilizing Pill (Uncommon-Grade), A Technique Insight Ticket (Rare-Grade).]

[Option 3: Say "A disciple cannot grow stronger without taking risks in life; they must face life-and-death situations to advance. Therefore, I must proceed to the Core Section of Frost Mountain Cave." to the Disciplinary Hall disciples. 

Reward: A Sword Technique (Rare-Grade).]

[Option 4: Say "A disciple could never become World's Strongest without courting death" to the Disciplinary Hall disciples and procced to the Heart of Frost Mountain Cave.

Reward: A Beautiful White Coffin (Rare-Grade).]

Reon's face twitched as he read through all the options. First Option was the easiest, as he could easily get through it despite being only a Stage-1 Qi Refining Realm Cultivator. While it still posed some threat, he could endure it. However, the reward for this option was far from satisfying.

He thought Option Three would be the perfect choice. During his first mission, Option Three had been the best, but here, although the reward was very satisfying, the mission was anything but easy. He could literally die in the Core Section of Frost Mountain Cave, as even Golden Core Formation Cultivators could easily perish there if they weren't careful.

Fourth Option felt like a call for suicide. And what was with this "A Beautiful White Coffin," even classified as Rare-Grade? They were bidding farewell in style! This System was messing with him.

The Heart of the Frost Mountain Cave was so dangerous that even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators feared it. They could easily die there unless they had a deep understanding of the Dao or their own potential. And now, the System was telling him to go there.

He looked at the Second Option. Although it was also quite challenging for him at the moment, the reward made him think twice. For him, strength was the most important priority, and to achieve that, he needed to stabilize his foundation first with a Foundation Stabilizing Pill.

This Uncommon-Grade Foundation Stabilizing Pill could even assist a Qi Solidification Realm Cultivator. Additionally, there was another Rare-Grade reward, though he didn't know its use, he could tell it was valuable. Therefore, he needed to take the risk. 

He withdrew his foot from stepping into the Outer Section of Frost Mountain Cave and chose an Option.

[Ding! Host has selected the Second Option. Please complete the mission to receive the reward.]

Everyone behind him was shocked. They assumed he was refusing to accept the punishment, even though it had been reduced to just staying in the Outer Section of the Frost Mountain Cave. Having heard of his past troublemaking, they were prepared to force him to stay for three days.

Just as they were about to force him inside, they heard something that left them dumbfounded.

"Senior Brother Long, although I'm now an Outer Sect disciple, when I attacked the Junior Brother Yang, I was still part of the Inner Sect. Therefore, I should go to the Inner Section of Frost Mountain Cave," Reon said with determination.

"What?!" All the Disciplinary Hall disciples were stunned. They had already been surprised when this troublemaker complied so easily. They had expected to force him into accepting the punishment, yet now this disciple—known for his rude behavior—was voluntarily asking for a harsher sentence.

Was he mocking them? If he had this much self-awareness, why did he attack a junior disciple in the first place?

"Are you serious?" Long Ming asked in a stern tone, thinking Xue Taiyang might be mocking them.

Reon anticipated this reaction; everyone knows him for causing trouble. They might think he's mocking them, but he knows he must go through with it for the sake of the reward.

"Yes, Senior Brother," Reon replied, his eyes unwavering and filled with determination.

Long Ming was taken aback by the expression in Xue Taiyang's eyes. He sensed a blend of guilt and determination that reminded him of his master's words from many years ago: "a man who can acknowledge his mistakes and works tirelessly to correct them is the greatest person you will encounter, and you should make it a priority to befriend him for life."

A faint smile tugged at Long Ming's lips, but he quickly suppressed it, not wanting anyone to notice.

"Did he just smile?" Reon thought to himself, a shiver running down his spine. "I must be imagining things."

Everyone behind Long Ming shared the same thought. However, they hoped it was just a figment of their imagination, as whenever he smiled, something significant tended to happen.

"Alright, very good. Come with me," Long Ming said politely.

[Ding! Host has completed the selected option. Host has received...]