C15 Shadow Soul Grass

"If this is indeed Shadow Soul Grass, my mission will be a success."

Yu Kun stifled the thrill in his heart and carefully stored the herb.

Whether it was Shadow Soul Grass or Flying Shadow Grass, Yu Kun had fulfilled his task. This time, he was certain to turn heads and earn newfound respect.

Securing the herb, Yu Kun began his journey back to the Flying Cloud Sect.

Days after his departure, the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range was drenched in relentless rain. During a stormy night, a small green snake slithered into the cave that once housed the Flying Shadow Grass.

The snake was a vibrant green and appeared quite charming. Even its venomous fangs seemed harmless.

Yet, upon discovering the remains of a python on the cave floor, the snake was enraged. Its body swelled in size, bursting through the confines of the cave.

Eventually, the snake's form receded. It retained the head of a snake, but its body morphed into that of a human.

Despite its inability to fully transform its head due to limited power, it was undeniably a true demonic beast.

"Astral Energy lingers here. A member of the Human Clan has slain my offspring. Cursed humans, I recognize your Astral Energy. Should our paths cross again, your life will be forfeit."

Meanwhile, Yu Kun was hastening his return to the Flying Cloud Sect. Upon arrival, he remained there for fifteen days.

In the mission hall, the disciple who had once troubled Yu Kun now regarded a man before him with utmost respect.

The man had silver hair and an imposing presence, clearly a distinguished Elder.

A mix of water and fire energies swirled around him.

He was unmistakably a Martial Disciple, having transcended a Stage Four Martial Artist to reach the Martial Disciple Stage, a level marked by such distinctive energies.

The man inquired, "Lee Qiang, didn't you tell me my mission was claimed? Why, then, after fifteen days, have I not received what I requested?"

Lee Qiang, with an ingratiating grin, replied, "Elder Zhou, indeed someone took on your mission, but it's possible they've met with failure."

"How could he possibly fail?" Elder Zhou said with a hint of fury. "He was merely tasked with finding the Flying Shadow Grass. Is that so difficult? I've made it clear that obtaining the Flying Shadow Grass would suffice. I never demanded that he secure the Shadow Soul Grass."

Lee Qiang, with increasing sycophancy, replied, "For Inner Sect Disciples, such a task is certainly manageable, but for an Elite Disciple who has only recently been promoted, it's not quite so simple."

Elder Zhou's anger flared. "A freshly promoted Elite Disciple dares to take on my mission? He's doing nothing but squandering my time."

After a brief pause, Elder Zhou turned to Lee Qiang, his voice laced with menace, "Did you assign this mission to him?"

Lee Qiang responded cautiously, "Elder, you have misunderstood. I would never presume to do such a thing. He took the mission from me by force, insisting that he could surely complete it. Yet, fifteen days have passed, and there's still no sign of him."

Elder Zhou let out a cold snort, and a chilling aura enveloped the room.

Lee Qiang quickly added, "Congratulations, Elder, on mastering the Water Qi among the Earth Water Fire Wind elements to such a degree. It appears you're on the cusp of forming your Soul Embryo and ascending to the rank of top Elder within the Flying Cloud Sect."

Elder Zhou replied, "While I have indeed cultivated the Water Qi, I've yet to harness it to form a Soul Embryo. To advance to the Martial Disciple Stage, the formation of a Soul Embryo is essential. Without it, I'm doomed to remain a Low Rank Martial Disciple for life. However, with the Flying Shadow Grass to concoct the Flying Shadow Pill, I could ascend to the Intermediate Rank within a year."

Observing Lee Qiang's obsequious demeanor, Elder Zhou went on, "Should I acquire the Shadow Soul Grass and craft a more potent Medicine Pill, I could reach the Intermediate Rank in a mere week. Yet, my mission has been foolishly undertaken by an inept disciple, costing me two precious weeks."

Elder Zhou's expression turned grim as he declared, "If he perishes in the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, so be it. But if he returns alive, I will impose a severe penalty."

A gleam sparked in Lee Qiang's eyes.

To curry favor with Chen Feng, he had deliberately singled out Yu Kun. Following that, Chen Feng rewarded him with ten Spirit Stones. Seeing Elder Zhou's wrathful demeanor, Lee Qiang instantly realized Yu Kun's fate was sealed.

Leaving aside the Mutated Beasts of the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, even if Yu Kun managed to make it back alive, Elder Zhou would ensure he faced harsh punishment.

"Brother Feng is keen on keeping Yu Kun down, but since he can't directly confront him due to Senior Sister Yaen Hongling, he must appreciate what I've done. Once Brother Feng rewards me with some treasures, I'll rise to the top among the Elite Disciples."

While Lee Qiang was lost in thoughts of the future, he was startled to see someone stride into the hall.

It was Yu Kun.

"You actually made it back? If you didn't perish in the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, then prepare to meet your end in the water prison!"

With this in mind, Lee Qiang quickly turned to Elder Zhou. Pointing at Yu Kun, he announced, "Elder, he has returned! He's the one who accepted your mission!"

"He has the audacity to return!" Elder Zhou bellowed, spinning around to face Yu Kun.

But the next moment, Elder Zhou's expression shifted dramatically, and he strode over swiftly.

A surge of glee washed over Lee Qiang, convinced that Yu Kun was done for.

Given Elder Zhou's temperament, Yu Kun was likely to ring in the New Year behind the bars of the water prison!

Yet, what Lee Qiang witnessed next didn't align with his expectations.

Elder Zhou did confront Yu Kun with a stormy presence.

However, instead of rebuking him, Elder Zhou's face registered shock and disbelief.

"Impossible! Is he related to Elder Zhou?"

Baffled, Lee Qiang moved closer to get a clearer picture.

Observing the herb in Yu Kun's grasp, Elder Zhou inhaled deeply and said in a measured tone, "This is Shadow Soul Grass."

Yu Kun gave a nod of acknowledgment.

Though unaware of Elder Zhou's true status, Yu Kun recognized that he was no ordinary figure. And from Elder Zhou's reaction, it seemed he wasn't there to make trouble.

After a brief pause, Yu Kun inquired, "Who are you?"

Elder Zhou promptly responded, "I am Zhou Xingtian, an Elder of the Inner Sect."

Yu Kun's realization dawned on him instantly, "Ah, you're Elder Zhou! What can I do for you?"

After taking several deep breaths to compose himself, Elder Zhou finally inquired, "Have you taken on my task?"

Initially bewildered, Yu Kun quickly grasped the situation, "Yes, I did take on a mission to venture into the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range in search of Flying Shadow Grass. The mission details mentioned that obtaining Shadow Soul Grass would earn me an additional reward!"

Aware of the Shadow Soul Grass's immense value, Yu Kun explained, "I had only discovered the Flying Shadow Grass, but then a Snake Clan mutated beast attacked me and seized it. I exerted all my effort to track down the creature, and that's how I managed to secure the Shadow Soul Grass!"

Zhou Xingtian nodded in approval, "Indeed. The Flying Shadow Grass exudes a chilling essence, perfectly suited for the Snake Clan's cultivation. Moreover, their unique saliva can transform Flying Shadow Grass into Shadow Soul Grass. It seems fortune has smiled upon me! You've fulfilled the mission, so a reward is in order."

Before Zhou Xingtian could finish, Lee Qiang hurriedly approached from a distance.

Standing next to Zhou Xingtian, Lee Qiang regarded Yu Kun with disdain, "Elder, this is the man. Despite being a newly promoted Elite Disciple, he took your mission jade card. By the Flying Cloud Sect's rules, he must face punishment!"

Zhou Xingtian gave a dismissive snort and turned away from Lee Qiang.

To Zhou Xingtian, such individuals hardly merited attention. His interest in Yu Kun was piqued solely by the discovery of the Shadow Soul Grass.

Zhou Xingtian had no intention of entertaining Lee Qiang's complaints.

Yet, Yu Kun's gaze lingered on Lee Qiang, his thoughts unreadable.

Seeing Yu Kun's reaction, Lee Qiang grew increasingly agitated and pressed, "Elder, why aren't you disciplining him?"

At Lee Qiang's insistence, Yu Kun couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"Did it ever occur to you that I completed the mission?"

Yu Kun's revelation left Lee Qiang gaping in astonishment.

Yu Kun had indeed completed the mission? No wonder Zhou Xingtian's demeanor had turned so frosty all at once.