Brazen.

Being an apprentice in the guild was a basic rank, but it offered a crucial advantage: it allowed the acceptance of missions and the generation of income.

Although the tasks were insignificant, they enabled resource accumulation through patience. Between selling hides, spiritual cores, and the reward from my first assignment, I gathered enough to live comfortably for a couple of months while planning my next move.

With my cultivation level in the third realm, facing cultivators of equal or higher levels shouldn't be a problem. But I only possess one star, and that limits me. I could connect with a second star, which would increase my cultivation and strength, but the conditions for that were beyond my immediate reach.

Bai Xuebing had already grown accustomed to this cycle: completing missions, collecting rewards, and cultivating. Weeks passed in this incessant routine until, once again, he returned to the guild after completing his latest assignment.

—Welcome, young Bai Xuebing —greeted the receptionist, Mei Lin, with a radiant smile. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of him, but Bai ignored her completely, throwing a large sack onto the counter that dripped a thick, black liquid and emitted a metallic, unpleasant smell.

—Here's the evidence.

Mei Lin held back a grimace of disgust while maintaining her professional smile.

—As expected of young Bai Xuebing —she responded with a nervous laugh, handing him the reward without even opening the sack. She had learned not to inspect "evidence" since a past incident had nearly made her faint.

Bai took the small pouch of coins and looked at it with disdain.

"If I keep this up, I'll never gather enough to leave this place," he thought, squeezing it and listening to the clinking of the coins inside.

Mei Lin watched him from the counter, nervous but also intrigued. There was something about him that fascinated her, though his cold and distant attitude discouraged her every time she tried to start a conversation.

—Is something wrong, young Bai? —she dared to ask, looking for an excuse to prolong their interaction.

—What's wrong? —Bai Xuebing repeated, almost to himself. —These missions are a waste of time. Hunting weak beasts or delivering packages won't get me anywhere. I need something more… something truly worthwhile.

Mei Lin blinked, indecisive. After a moment of hesitation, she leaned toward him and lowered her voice.

—There might be… another way.

Bai raised an eyebrow.

—Speak.

—Some guild cultivator groups are looking for new members. Joining one of them could give you access to better missions… more lucrative ones.

—What kind of groups? —Bai Xuebing inquired, crossing his arms.

—Teams that take on dangerous or complex assignments. But it's not easy to get into one.

—Why not?

—They look for strength, skills… and trust. You have to prove your worth… in some cases, they're looking for someone as crazy as they are.

Bai Xuebing smiled coldly.

—Tell me where they are.

Surprised by his determination, Mei Lin pointed toward a side room.

—They're in there… but I warn you, it won't be easy to convince them.

Without replying, Bai Xuebing stored the pouch in his ring and headed toward the room. Mei Lin followed him with her gaze, feeling a strange knot in her stomach.

When Bai opened the door, the buzz of conversation fell silent. Inside, a group of cultivators sat around a table covered with maps and scrolls. Their gazes fixed on him.

—Who the hell is this brat? —growled a burly man with a scar on his cheek.

—Don't they know how to close the door? —added another, reclining in his chair.

—What the hell are you doing here? —snapped a woman with short hair and a sharp gaze.

Bai Xuebing walked to the center of the room, holding his spear firmly. His eyes calmly and deliberately scanned those present.

—I'm here to join your group —he declared, ignoring the uproar.

The group reacted with laughter and mockery.

—This brat is insane!

—He doesn't even know who we are!

The group's leader, Xia Ruyan, raised a hand to silence the others. Her eyes fixed on Bai Xuebing with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.

—Tell me, boy, what makes you think you can join us? And above all, what gives you the gall to interrupt us in the middle of a meeting?

—Desperation for money —Bai replied bluntly. —I heard I could make more money by joining a group, and you were nearby. Who you are doesn't matter; I just want to join.

Silence fell like a weight in the room, followed by a general burst of laughter. Xia Ruyan smiled, though her gaze sparkled with a dangerous glint.

—You're brazen; I like that, kid. But there's something I hate more than arrogance: being interrupted. You'd better have something to back up your attitude!

—If that's what it takes to prove my worth, so be it.

Xia Ruyan tilted her head, surprised by his determination.

—Let's see if you've got what it takes.

Bai Xuebing readied himself, his spear glinting faintly under the light. He knew this was his chance, not only to prove his worth but to earn a place where he could access missions that would truly help him achieve his goal.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the room, Mei Lin remained frozen, as if her soul had left her body. Her eyes widened, unable to process what she had just witnessed. Bai Xuebing's audacity defied all logic.

The truth was that Bai Xuebing's frustration had reached a breaking point. After weeks of completing absurd missions and receiving meager rewards, his patience had run dry.

He had endured hunting insignificant beasts, delivering packages that barely covered his expenses, and more. So, when he saw an opportunity to earn more, he didn't hesitate.

What did it matter if they were in the middle of a meeting or if his interruption offended someone? Even if it had been the lord of the city himself, Bai Xuebing would have acted the same. His determination to rise above his situation and achieve something greater had driven him to this brazen extreme.

On the other side of the guild, behind the imposing main structure, was the training field. It was an exclusive place, reserved only for the highest-ranking members. There, the best cultivators of the guild perfected their skills in an environment specifically designed to maximize their growth.

This stood in stark contrast to traditional sects and clans, where all disciples, from the youngest to the most experienced, could train in the same facilities. In the sects, the goal was to nurture the seeds, guiding them patiently until they blossomed and reached their full potential.

But the guilds operated under an entirely different logic. They were uninterested in investing time or resources into seeds. For them, the only thing of value was plucking fully formed flowers, ready to be cared for and utilized.

Why bother cultivating something from scratch when they could collect the best of the best?

This fundamental difference between guilds and sects was evident in every corner of the place. While the sects focused on collective growth and the development of their disciples, the guilds were ruthless in their approach.

Only the strong, the talented, could advance. And for Bai Xuebing, this system was both a barrier and an opportunity.

His thoughts were clear: if the guild only valued the most capable, then he would prove he was up to the task. Even if it meant interrupting meetings, challenging other members, or even facing the wrath of the group's leader. Everything was worth it, as long as it meant one more step toward his goals.

At that moment, while Bai Xuebing stood in the center of the field, facing the group's disdainful gazes, Mei Lin watched him from a distance.

A mixture of admiration and bewilderment took hold of her. She couldn't deny that there was something about his boldness, his determination, that was… fascinating.

"How can he be so… audacious?" Mei Lin thought, her cheeks slightly flushed.

But while she struggled to process her emotions, Bai Xuebing had a clear objective: to push forward, no matter the obstacles or criticism.

—Instructor Guo Tian, what are you doing here?

—Oh, if it isn't little Mei Lin —Guo Tian responded with a carefree smile.

—I heard our rookie was about to get beaten up by leader Xia Ruyan, and well, I've got nothing better to do. Hehehe.

—I see…— Mei Lin lowered her gaze, trying to hide her concern as she watched the growing crowd.

As Bai Xuebing prepared for the confrontation, the commotion in the training field grew. Guild members began to gather around, drawn by the unusual challenge.

—Hahaha! Does the rookie want to face leader Xia Ruyan? He's completely insane.

—Hey, anyone want to bet how long he'll last before going down?

—Sounds like an excellent idea —said another, pulling out a bag of coins enthusiastically.

In a matter of minutes, the confrontation had turned into a betting spectacle. Animated voices echoed as money bags changed hands.

—Instructor Guo Tian, care to bet? —asked one of the onlookers with a sly grin.

—Sure, why not? —he replied, letting out a hearty laugh.

Even Mei Lin, though nervous, joined in the growing enthusiasm and placed a bet. However, both she and Instructor Guo Tian were the only ones to bet differently than the rest.

—Instructor Guo Tian, do you think Bai Xuebing will come out unscathed? —Mei Lin asked, her tone mixing curiosity and worry.

—I hope not! —Guo Tian burst into laughter —I bet he won't be able to walk for three days! Hahaha!

—How cruel you are… —Mei Lin frowned, though inwardly she couldn't help but smile slightly.

Despite his comment, the truth was that Guo Tian wasn't betting just for fun. There was something about Bai Xuebing that captured his attention. His audacity, his unwavering determination… it reminded him of himself in his youth. But above all, it was those eyes.

Bai Xuebing's eyes were full of an unyielding desire, a mixture of ambition and defiance possessed only by those willing to risk everything.

—That kid… has potential —Guo Tian murmured to himself, while Mei Lin, still worried, didn't take her eyes off Bai.

The commotion continued to grow, the bets were closed, and everything was set for the confrontation. Bai Xuebing stood firm, ignoring the laughter and mocking comments around him. His goal was clear, and his resolve would not waver.

Mei Lin sighed, her hands clenched into fists as she thought: "Please, don't overdo it, Bai…"

In contrast, Guo Tian crossed his arms with a smile, his eyes shining with excitement: "Let's see what you're made of, kid."

Meanwhile, in Bai Xuebing's mind, a fleeting thought crossed like lightning:

"I should bet too. Anything for more money, hehe."

Though he always projected a cold and distant personality, if anyone could hear his thoughts at that moment, they'd undoubtedly think he was someone completely different.

Xia Ruyan, with a smile that mixed amusement and challenge, nodded toward Bai Xuebing.

—Ready, kid? I hope you're prepared.

Bai Xuebing spun his spear slightly between his fingers, never taking his eyes off her.

—Sure, let's finish this. Though… don't you think it's boring that everyone bets and has fun while we simply fight?

Xia Ruyan raised an eyebrow, surprised by the comment. Then, she let out a hearty laugh.

—Ha… you really are brazen, kid. Very well, tell me what you have in mind to make this entertaining.

Bai Xuebing maintained his firm stance, but a faint smile curved his lips.

—Let's make a bet.

The murmurs in the crowd grew. Xia Ruyan observed him with interest, resting a hand on her chin as she looked him up and down.

—I like the idea —she finally said with a mischievous smile —But, kid, what could you possibly bet that would interest me? I don't think you have anything worthwhile…

Suddenly, her finger pointed directly at Bai Xuebing, and the entire room seemed to hold its breath.

—I've got it! If I win, I'll keep you —A spark of malice lit her eyes —I like bold young men like you. I'm sure it would be a very interesting night with you.

Bai Xuebing frowned, his expression remained cold, but his thoughts were in chaos:

"What kind of pervert is this?!"

Taking a deep breath, he responded calmly.

—Hmp… Pervert… And what if I win?

Xia Ruyan laughed again, delighted by Bai Xuebing's cheekiness.

—If you win, kid, you can ask me for anything… except my money, of course.

Bai Xuebing clenched his teeth as he thought:

"Damn. There goes the only bet that really interested me."

Even so, his determination didn't falter.

—Fine. Let's do this.

The guild leader smiled, slowly approaching, her gaze fixed on him.

—And don't worry —she whispered softly, enough for only him to hear —I won't damage that handsome face of yours. I can already imagine the expression you'll make when you lose and I claim my prize… Hehe.

From the back of the crowd, a shout broke the tense atmosphere:

—Shameless! —Mei Lin had lost all composure, her cheeks flushed with indignation.

Laughter and mocking comments erupted from the audience, while Guo Tian, the instructor, watched the scene with a mix of astonishment and amusement.

—This kid really knows how to get into trouble… —he murmured to himself, crossing his arms as a broad smile formed on his face.

Meanwhile, Bai Xuebing, though maintaining his serene expression, thought to himself:

"I should have bet everything on getting out of this madness."