The golden flames from Qin Chen's breakthrough had barely settled before the entire Core Sect fell into an uproar.
The shockwaves from his cultivation surge hadn't just affected his peak—they had spread across the entire sect.
Discussions broke out everywhere.
"Did you feel that just now?"
"Of course I did! That wasn't a normal breakthrough!"
"That was the new guy, Qin Chen!"
The Core Disciples, all of whom had been cultivating in peace, were now paying attention.
Some were curious.
Some were annoyed.
Some were ready to put him in his place.
While Qin Chen sat in his cultivation chamber, processing his gains, a messenger talisman ignited before him.
A voice echoed through the air—calm, friendly, and confident.
"Qin Chen. I am Liu Feng, Core Disciple ranked 9th."
"Congratulations on your rapid rise."
"Since you are new here, I'd like to personally welcome you… with a friendly spar."
"Seven days from now, we'll fight in the Core Sect's Challenge Arena."
The message ended.
Qin Chen's golden eyes flickered.
Liu Feng.
He had been expecting a challenge, but… seven days?
That was too long.
His lips curled into a smirk.
Liu Feng was probably giving him time to adjust, thinking that a freshly promoted Core Disciple would need to stabilize their foundation before fighting someone in Core Formation.
But Qin Chen?
He would make those seven days count.
His first instinct was to refine pills, but…
Alchemy wouldn't get him the immediate power boost he needed.
No.
He needed more System Points.
Fast.
Ding!
[System Notification: Missions Tab Opened]
Available Missions:
Defeat an opponent one stage above you – 100 SP
Defeat an opponent two stages above you – 250 SP
Defeat an opponent three stages above you – 500 SP
Defeat an opponent four or more stages above you – 1,000+ SP
Complete a Sect Mission – SP varies
Qin Chen's eyes shone.
"A Sect Mission?"
That was an interesting idea.
He immediately navigated to the Core Sect's task board, using the System to search for missions that awarded the most SP.
Ding!
Available Core Sect Missions
The Infernal Trial – Subdue the Crimson Hellstorm Domain (20,000 SP + ??? Hidden Reward) – A sealed realm filled with ancient flames and high-tier spirit beasts, long deemed too dangerous for Core Disciples. The only fire-related domain in the entire Northern Region. Its appearance has always been a mystery. No one has ever returned.
Hunt a Rogue Nascent Soul Cultivator (100,000 SP) – A fallen sect elder turned traitor, hiding in forbidden lands. High lethality risk.
Explore the Ancient Void Ruins (12,000 SP + potential hidden rewards) – An old battlefield of unknown origins, known to contain trapped spirits and deadly remnants of past wars.
Retrieve the Emberheart Relic (20,000 SP) – A lost treasure guarded by a Core Formation-ranked fire beast.
Qin Chen's smirk widened.
"The Infernal Trial… that sounds like a perfect challenge."
A chance to gain power, uncover hidden fire-related inheritances, AND farm 20,000 SP at the same time?
It was perfect.
Maybe a little dangerous, but worth it.
He stood up, eyes burning with resolve.
If Liu Feng thought he was giving him time to prepare…
He had no idea what kind of monster he was about to face in seven days.