Cloud Mountain

Although Hao Yang mentioned that he was going to prepare for the assassination, he believed that it was unnecessary. Thus, he enjoyed the warm embrace of his companion until the next morning came.

Hao Yang got up from the bed and said goodbye to the naked girl in the bed. She looked him in the eye with intoxication.

Hao Yang was enticed not to leave. Alas, the task was an important business.

In spite of his reluctance, he bolted straight to the outer courtyard.

The single-status disciples were early birds. Many of them were wandering the streets. Those with free time leisurely watch the stoic sweeper diligently doing his job without the intent of helping.

Hao Yang blended with the audience and pretended to spectate. But in reality, he was waiting for an opportunity to arise.

"This Wang Lin is indeed no threat. I am no match of his glorious days but one move is enough to kill the current him."

Hao Yang was at the peak of the 4th Qi condensation stage. Thus, he surmised that Wang Lin could not last one move from him.

It was as easy as squashing a bug to kill this kind of person.

"Should I present his head as taking?"

Hao Yang thought of this idea. However, he quickly dismissed it.

Bai Hanyu had indeed mentioned 'kill' and had not limited his ways of assassination. However, Hao Yang knew his limits. He wished not to go overboard and displeased Bai Hanyu.

There were some instances where masters beat the lackeys because the lackeys tries to usurp the authority given to them by their masters. Hao Yang only wanted to be an obedient lackey. He was certainly thinking not to be disobedient at all cost.

Time passed and the sweeper soon cleaned the outer courtyard. After cleaning the field, he went into his house.

A few more hours went by, but there was no sign of the door opening. This annoyed Hao Yang.

"When will this trash leave? Stop wasting my time you damn waste!"

Hao Yang gnashed his teeth. His face was extremely unsightly.

Dual Harmony Sect was thoughtful when it comes to safety. Killing a fellow disciple of the sect is a grave offense. No matter what the background was or how talented one might be, one would be punished without exception.

In general, punishment range from minors like banishment to major ones such as execution.

A reason why Bai Hanyu could not act though he held considerable power on the outer court.

However, disputes could be settled through Life and Death Arena. The sect would not pursue the matter when both parties agreed to bet their lives.

The only problem was the consent of the other party. The disparity in cultivation levels made it unreasonable to challenge Wang Lin.

Bai Hanyu was left without a choice but to risk it with assassination.

At last, the door opened. Wang Lin ambled out in a new set of clothes. He was wearing a black daoist robe and looked casual as he can be. His hair was tied up with a knot, displaying his pale complexion and sword-like brows. He radiated an archaic style, yet relaxed and nonchalant.

The young man attracted some reaction from the surrounding area. However, they soon felt it was a pity when they thought about his circumstances.

But Wang Lin seemed uncaring and aloof as he headed in a certain direction.

From the distance, Hao Yang's eyes flashed in cold light. He sneered. "You waste dared to waste my time, watch how I'll slaughter you!"

Hao Yang secretively followed his prey.

…

Wang Lin was oblivious that someone wanted his life nor he was aware that he was followed. At the moment, he was heading to the Merit Hall to take some mission.

Merit Hall was the most trafficked place of the sect regardless of time. It was the mainstream of the disciples because it was the only way they could gain merit points.

Merit points have an array of usefulness. Some were able to exchange them with spiritual pills. Some obtained martial techniques. Most importantly, merit points were able to proliferate a disciple's status.

One thousand merit points could be exchanged with an inner disciple status. Ten thousand for a core position, and so on and so forth.

Wang Lin's objective was to earn merit points enough for an inner disciple status. Once he was an inner disciple, finding a companion was a trivial matter.

Because once someone became an inner disciple, the sect would do its best to find that person a dual cultivation companion.

But one thousand merit points was astronomical. Even the top ten outer disciples have yet to save that much.

As for Wang Lin's merit points, it was not that much either, a mere 20 points. However, as a new disciple, such an amount was already good.

When Wang Lin stepped into the Merit Hall, there were many people wandering around. They were looking around for a suitable mission to take. Some were thinking of doing group missions while the rest preferred to be alone.

Wang Lin wandered and swept his gaze at the mission board. There were many missions and the pay was generous too. However, it was equally dangerous.

Wang Lin disregarded the missions about killing as his cultivation was low. He only focused on easy ones.

"Collect five Purple Cloud Herbs."

Purple Cloud Herbs sprouts with the aid of cloud essence. They usually grew up in elevated mountains, usually mountain forests. They were used to increase the quality of a spiritual pill.

Because of its value, it was sought after by alchemists. Usually, low leveled alchemists benefitted from this medicinal herb.

"Five for 20 merit points. That's not too bad."

Purple Cloud Herb could be found on Cloud Mountain located behind Dual Harmony Sect. They were not uncommon and a disciple should be able to collect five of its kind though it would take some time.

Perhaps because the mission depends on luck and time consuming, the disciples did not take it. They preferred missions such as killing the beast as it was straightforward and swift.

After consideration, Wang Lin took on the task. The other missions were dangerous or unrewarding so it was not worth the time. The collecting of purple cloud herb, on other hand, provided decent merit points.

After registering the task to the registrant, Wang Lin immediately took off.

Meanwhile. Hao Yang watched Wang Lin depart from the Merit Hall. He did not trail the youth right away to avoid suspicion and headed to the registrar. He queried the person responsible for recording the missions.

When the female registrant saw Hao Yang, her eyes sparkled as she smiled. "Senior brother, why are you here? Are you looking to take some missions?"

As the lackey of Bai Hanyu, Hao Yang was somehow known on the outer court. Some average, female disciples took note of him as a potential companion. It happens that the female registrant had some idea about him.

"I came to see beautiful girls like you." Hao Yang teased the female registrant, making her blush. They chatted for a while before he confessed his real purpose. "What mission did that person take?"

"Wang Lin? Why? Is there something you need Brother Yang?"

"I'm just curious. He's once a genius, after all." Hao Yang waved his hand like it was simply trifling.

"Well, let me see…" The female registrant scanned the record lists and said. "Wang Lin took the Purple Cloud herb mission."

Hao Yang noted that on his mind and leaned against the table. He smiled. "How about I take you instead?"

The female registrant flushed once again and Hao Yang only departed after she had forgotten his purpose.

After leaving the Merit Hall, Hao Yang stared at Cloud Mountain. He chuckled. "Cloud mountain, a perfect burial place for a fallen genius."

Then, Hao Yang quickly advanced to Cloud Mountain.

….

Wang Lin was wandering the peripherals of Cloud Mountain and looking around for the herb as soon as he arrived at Cloud Mountain.

Because his cousin Wang Yue was an herb practitioner, Wang Lin was somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to herbs.

Purple Cloud Herb was usually found near an open area where it was exposed to the clouds. This was common knowledge. However, there were rare cases where they grew at the top of a tree.

Wang Lin did not search for the herb in the open area. Common knowledge meant that even an idiot could tell where to find them, so those purple cloud herbs should have been found. Thus, he tried the latter.

Wang Lin climbed from tree to tree to find the herb. It did not take long for him to see the first purple cloud herb.

At the top of a tree, an herb was sitting there comfortably. It was slightly protruding from the leaves, resulting in it being exposed to the fresh air.

"Four more to go…"

Wang Lin plucked the herb and stored it in his spatial bag. He then leaped down and continued his progress.