Chapter 25 - Sudden Announcement

"Yao Yue… Clear Peach Petal, demonic qi… that condition's worse than she let on."

Lao Xie's expression remained calm, but inwardly, his thoughts churned.

"The system might not offer help directly, but now that I've registered her… maybe there's a way. If she's in the Affinity tab, that means more missions might come related to her."

.........

Three days passed in silence.

The outer disciple quarter remained as routine as ever. Chants echoing from courtyards, fists striking training posts, and the air filled with the faint aroma of herbs and dust. Yet an invisible tension had begun to rise, like clouds gathering before a storm.

Lao Xie had kept to himself, spending most of his time inside the hut or by the outskirts of the mountain forests. He had tested the Qi Absorption Pill's long-term effects and confirmed his foundation at the fourth stage was now solid. His speed of cultivation, if maintained, would be nothing short of monstrous.

And he had no plans to slow down.

By the morning of the fourth day, a crisp bell echoed throughout the Silver Crescent Sect grounds.

Ding! ding! ding!

Lao Xie sat on the stone stool outside his hut, sipping cooled tea. His expression remained unreadable, even as he saw disciples rushed in excitement far in the distance..

From afar, he heard snippets of conversations.

"Did you hear? It's finally happening!"

"They're really organizing a tournament this year?"

"Tch, you've been too focused on chasing inner disciples, haven't you? The outer disciple tournament decides everything!"

Lao Xie set the cup down quietly.

"Tournament?" he asked inwardly.

Just then, another bell rang. A jade slip shimmered faintly in the air and flew directly into his hands.

A voice echoed from within.

"All outer disciples are to gather at the Martial Hall before midday. A sect-wide announcement will be made. Attendance is mandatory."

He stared at the slip, silent.

Then came the system's voice, chiming in as casually as ever.

[Side Task - Optional]

Task: Participate in the Outer Disciple Tournament

Objective: Reach at least Top 10

Reward: 100 Spirit Stones, Random Low-Grade Talisman, 1x Low-Grade Artifact

Failure Penalty: None

Would you like to track this event?

[Yes] / [No]

A slow smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.

Lao Xie instantly clicked [Yes] with a mental nudge.

"So this is how the first act begins."

.....

The Martial Hall, by noon, was filled to the brim. Hundreds of outer disciples lined up in rows across the open stone plaza. The atmosphere crackled with excitement and restlessness.

Senior Elders sat at the high stage. A few inner disciples were present too, acting as assistants and silent observers. Whispers passed quickly among the crowd when the head of the Outer Disciple Department, Elder Mu, stepped forward.

His presence alone silenced the square.

"You're all here," Elder Mu began, his voice calm but heavy. "Good. Then I'll waste no time."

"This year, due to internal arrangements and the rising number of applicants seeking advancement, the Silver Crescent Sect will host a full tournament among all outer disciples."

Gasps and scattered cheers erupted.

"The rewards will be significant," he continued. "Top ten will receive spirit stones, pills, and rare artifacts. The top three may directly challenge for inner disciple promotion."

A wave of murmurs swept the crowd.

"Did you hear that? Inner disciple promotion!"

"This is it. My chance!"

"I wonder if the inner disciples will be watching too…"

Lao Xie listened in silence, eyes half-lidded.

More than just a test, it was a ladder for him to climb. The sect wanted blood, competition, and a reason to prune the weaker branches.

"This will not be a simple affair," Elder Mu added. "There will be qualifiers. Only eighty disciples will move on to the main bracket."

"Registration begins tomorrow at the Commission Hall. You have until the end of the week."

"Dismissed."

As the crowd erupted into noise, Lao Xie turned and left without speaking. But deep in his mind, the wheels were turning fast.

He glanced briefly at one of the eager outer disciples, eyes blazing with anticipation and delusions of glory.

"They really think this is about honor."

He scoffed inwardly.

"This tournament isn't just about rising... it's about stepping on others. It's Perfect."

Later that afternoon, Lao Xie wandered toward the edge of the training field, where fewer disciples lingered. He needed time to think and to plan.

But just as he rounded the bend near the upper courtyard steps, his steps paused.

A faint sound, light and melodic, drifted through the air.

"Guqin?"

He turned toward the Azure Sky Restaurant balcony. A familiar veiled figure sat beneath the late afternoon sun, her fingers gracefully plucking at strings that shimmered like ripples on a lake.

Ling Ruxin.

Several disciples had already gathered to watch in awe, but none dared speak.

Her guqin tone was steady like still water. Distant, elegant… and faintly melancholic.

Unlike her previous performance, this one seemed more personal.

She didn't look at anyone. Her posture was composed, but her melody betrayed a quiet weight.

Lao Xie's gaze lingered for only a moment.

"The system's task… I haven't forgotten."

He could feel it, faintly pulsing in the back of his mind.

[Main Task - Ling Ruxin]

Progress: 0%

Days Remaining: 24

"Tch," he muttered. "Still plenty of time."

But he knew better. Things were already in motion, and time would pass faster than he expected.

She was popular. Strong. Respected. But there was something about her expression that told him, she was also alone.

And that was his opening.

Lao Xie turned and walked away before the melody ended.

Back inside his hut, he closed the door behind him and summoned the system again.

"System. How many days left on the Ling Ruxin task?"

Cling~

A simple panel popped up.

[Main Task - Gain Ling Ruxin's Trust]

Time Left: 24 Days

Current Progress: 0%

Condition: She must willingly rely on you.

"Still a lot of time…" he muttered. "But no harm starting early."

His eyes narrowed.

"There's a saying, win the crowd, and then you'll win the girl."

"But I don't care for the crowd," he smirked. "Just make her feel like I'm the only one she can count on."

He leaned back, folded his arms behind his head, and stared at the dark ceiling.

A low chuckle left his lips.

"Perfect chance."

........