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I walked back into the market, frustration bubbling up inside me. Elder Hurky's indifferent attitude had worn me down, and now I was stuck in an endless loop of failure. This time, though, I wasn't going to be sent back. No more running around like a fool. I was going to get that herb, no matter what it took.

The market greeted me as it always did chaos everywhere. The air was thick with the smells of exotic spices, pungent potions, and strange meats roasting on spits. But today, something felt… different. The usual vendors were still shouting their wares, but the atmosphere had shifted. As I wandered deeper into the maze of stalls, I began to notice flashing neon signs glowing in the distance.

"THE MOONLIGHT HERB: FOR ALL YOUR DUAL-CULTIVATION NEEDS," one sign blared in neon blue. And just below it, a green arrow pointed right.

I blinked. Had I seriously missed this earlier? It felt like the herb was practically begging me to find it. But there was no time to question it I followed the arrows, curiosity mixed with hope pushing me forward.

I turned another corner and there it was: a stall, tucked between a potion vendor and someone selling oversized jade statues, draped in red silk. The neon signs surrounding it screamed "THE REAL DEAL" and "YOUR PATH TO DUAL CULTIVATION SUCCESS." The merchant, a broad-shouldered man with a thick mustache and a mischievous grin, was standing behind a cluttered counter full of strange bottles, herbs, and trinkets. As soon as he saw me, he flashed a knowing smile.

"Well, well, if it isn't the young cultivator. Looking for something?"

I didn't even bother with pleasantries. "I need the Moonlight Herb," I said, trying to sound casual.

The merchant chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Ah, I see you're finally ready for the real thing. Well, you've come to the right place." He tapped the counter, and suddenly, a small glass container appeared before me. Inside was the Moonlight Herb, glowing softly, its vibrant green color almost unnatural.

"This beauty," he said, "will give you the power and stamina you need for a long, productive session. One herb, ten Primvel Stones."

I froze. Ten Primvel Stones. That was way too much for me, especially with the money I had. "Wait, Elder Hurky didn't give me any funds for this," I said, trying not to panic.

The merchant shrugged, unfazed. "Not my problem, kid. Dual cultivation isn't cheap, and neither is the herb. You either pay the price or you walk away."

I rubbed my temples. I didn't have that kind of money. But then I noticed something the neon signs seemed to be flickering more intensely, urging me to act. That's when it hit me. The merchant was so caught up in his sales pitch, he wasn't paying attention to the rest of his stall. And there it was the chest at the back of the counter.

An idea sparked in my mind, quick and dirty.

I didn't waste any time. I darted out of the stall and took a quick detour. The glowing neon signs seemed to point toward the chest again, pushing me onward. My heart raced as I made my move. I reached under the counter, feeling for the lock on the chest. The neon lights practically screamed "DO IT" in the back of my mind.

I grabbed the herb, slipping it into my robe, and began backing away casually, keeping my face neutral.

"Keep your herb, and keep your prices," I said, heading for the exit. The merchant didn't seem to notice, distracted by his sales pitch and the dazzling lights surrounding his stall.

But as soon as I hit the crowd, I heard him shout behind me, "Hey! Thief! Come back here!"

Adrenaline surged. I wasn't about to let some merchant catch me. I dodged through the crowded market, weaving between stalls and dodging curious onlookers.

I burst out of the market, finally losing the merchant in the maze of stalls. Panting, I made my way back to Elder Hurky's quarters.

I knocked on the door, trying to catch my breath. "Elder Hurky," I said, holding up the herb like a prized possession, "I got the herb."

He didn't look up from his tea, but after a slow sip, he glanced at the herb with an unamused expression. "Hmm. Good. You didn't mess up this time?"

I couldn't help but smirk. "Yeah, I didn't. Got the real deal."

Elder Hurky took the herb, inspecting it closely. "This is it. You've done well."

Relief washed over me, but then Elder Hurky's gaze flicked to me, his tone suddenly sharper. "But now, it's time for you to move up, Amon. You've done your task, and you've proven yourself useful. I'll be writing you a recommendation letter to the academy."

My eyes widened. "Wait, what? A letter?"

He gave a curt nod. "You're Rank 2 now. With this letter, you'll be able to attend classes, study under better teachers, and hopefully begin improving your cultivation more seriously. But don't expect it to be easy. Rank 2 is just the beginning. You've got a lot to prove."

I blinked, still processing. A letter meant I could finally leave the shackles of being stuck in the lower ranks, attend classes, and maybe even start learning more practical magic. It felt like a door opening that I didn't even know existed.

"But just remember," Elder Hurky added, his voice dropping to a more serious tone, "don't get ahead of yourself. Rank 2 is just a stepping stone. If you mess this up, you'll fall back down. And I'll be the one to kick you down."

I nodded quickly, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. "Understood."

Elder Hurky handed me the letter, sealed with the sect's emblem. I wasn't sure if I should feel proud or terrified, but for now, it was a step forward.

As I left the room, letter in hand, I heard Elder Hurky call out to someone. "Elder, shall we begin the cultivation~?"