Lin Shu left the store, his mind racing through the possible reasons Han Yi might be looking for him.
"The theory that Han Yi is after me makes sense. After all, she did have a Crimson Flow Pill. But before I jump to conclusions, I need to confirm that she was the one who sold it at the auction. Even if she was, why would she be looking for me? The trade was neither forceful nor a deception—I didn't steal from her, nor did I trick her. So that theory doesn't quite hold up…"
He frowned, his thoughts darkening.
"The more likely explanation is that the people who marked me back at Darkveil Crossing are still searching for the person who sold the Infernoheart Salamander King's egg. They might've tracked me down to this institute but haven't identified me yet. If they managed to narrow it down to this place, it's possible they contacted the dean for help. But how would they know I use lightning techniques? I never used any at the auction. Unless… they discovered the egg's origin. But if that were the case, they'd know I was in Windgrove Village at the time. The institute's records would confirm I was on a mission there, and none of the others from that mission use lightning techniques. So that scenario seems unlikely…"
His paranoia deepened.
"If they know I'm here but don't have my identity, maybe they saw me using Lightning Steps at some point and reported it. That could've led to the dean assigning Han Yi to investigate. But why her? If this were truly serious, he could've sent an instructor or handled it himself. None of this makes sense. And if nothing makes sense… that's my sign to get the hell out of here."
Lin Shu's decision was swift. The tournament, the mine, all of it could go to hell. He needed to take a long mission and disappear for a while. If things got worse, he would abandon the institute entirely—either join another one far from here or, if necessary, align himself with a sect or even a demonic organization.
"The only downside is that I won't be able to head to the Lightning Peak Ranges for materials. But that's a minor issue. I can find them elsewhere. Unfortunately, the institute only issues missions toward the east—heading north isn't an option. If they did send people there, I might've been able to take advantage of that. But no matter. I'll take whatever gets me out of here the fastest."
Having made up his mind, Lin Shu immediately headed toward the quest hall. He had no attachments here. His house was empty, and he never left anything of value anywhere but in his ring. It was time to disappear.
Lin Shu stepped into the Quest Hall and scanned the available missions, his eyes gliding over the familiar tasks. Most were typical assignments—hunting bloodbeasts, dealing with rogue cultivators, or providing protection for towns and villages. However, one mission stood out, catching his attention like a rare gem in a sea of mundane tasks.
It wasn't just the details of the mission itself that piqued his interest, but the location. This was a place to the west, an area the institute rarely ventured into. The thought crossed his mind that perhaps the institute had started expanding its reach, seeking new territories for profit.
But none of that mattered. What mattered was the mission itself, and it was exactly what Lin Shu needed.
Mission Overview:
Location: Solmire
Once a flourishing city, Solmire had now been reduced to the level of a small, struggling town. The beasts that plagued it were unlike any others, making it the perfect opportunity for Lin Shu to get away from the institute for a while.
Objective:
Defend the town from a wave of Shadow Dwellers, bloodbeasts that thrived in the dark. These creatures were experts in assassination and could only fight effectively at night, making them a formidable challenge.
Locate the beasts' lair. The creatures rested during the day, hiding in caves, which posed a danger in itself due to their dark, labyrinthine hideouts. The best time to strike was in the morning when they were asleep, but doing so would be perilous, especially with the beasts hidden in deep, shadow-filled caves.
Mission Leadership:
The mission would be led by two instructors, both at the peak stage of Rank 1. Their experience and skills would be crucial in handling the dangerous bloodbeasts.
Mission Requirements:
20 cultivators were required for the mission.
4 cultivators needed to be at the high stage of Rank 1 to ensure the safety and success of the team.
The remaining 16 cultivators were to be at the mid-stage of Rank 1.
Mission Rewards:
1,000 gold coins for mid-stage Rank 1 cultivators.
1,500 gold coins for high-stage Rank 1 cultivators.
2,000 gold coins for peak-stage Rank 1 cultivators.
Additional rewards would be given for exceptional performance, such as:
Discovering the Shadow Dwellers' hideout.
Slaying a high-ranking beast.
Saving fellow students in danger.
As Lin Shu finished reading, he felt a surge of determination. This mission was more than just an opportunity to earn gold—it was his chance to leave the institute for a while, get some distance, and clear his mind. The idea of facing the Shadow Dwellers, elusive creatures that thrived in darkness, intrigued him.
He immediately decided to take the mission. He was about to approach the person in charge of handing out the assignments when he heard a voice call his name.
"Lin Shu, if I remember correctly?"
Lin Shu slowly turned his head in response to the voice. He didn't recognize it, but when he saw Han Yi, he immediately forced himself to mask any trace of his usual cold, unreadable demeanor. With a swift change, he smiled and shifted into a shy, more approachable persona.
"Yes, I am Lin Shu. I'm glad you remember me, Han Yi," he said, his voice full of warmth, as if nothing was amiss. His expression was completely different from moments ago—friendly, casual, and the picture of someone at ease.
"Now, what the hell does she want from me?."Lin Shu thought to himself. He didn't believe she knew he was the one who'd sold the Infernoheart Salamander King's egg, or he would already be facing interrogation or torture. But if that wasn't the reason, then why was she seeking him out? Even though she might've been the one to sell him the Crimson Flow Pill, there was no real reason for her to approach him now. "So, why the hell is she talking to me?.".
While his mind raced, his face held the smile, and he casually scratched the back of his head, trying to emulate the easygoing attitude he thought would make him blend in.
Earlier, Han Yi had been going through some missions, looking for opportunities to improve in various areas of cultivation. It was then that she saw Lin Shu. At first, she struggled to recall where she had seen him. It had been months since the competition, and he hadn't stood out enough for her to keep him in her memory. After all, he had gone down easily under her arrows.
However, when the memory finally clicked, she recalled that Lin Shu had used a lightning technique. That's it... the lightning technique, she thought, her interest piqued. He had been barely a blip on her radar before, not even someone she had bothered to include in the list she gave the dean, mostly because she hadn't remembered him. He hadn't competed for any house, nor had he joined the weekly fights at the arena, so there was no reason to pay him attention.
But what if it's him? Han Yi thought, her mind wrestling with uncertainty. The skill she'd seen at the competition didn't exactly resemble the Lightning Steps technique. It had been clumsy, inefficient, and incomplete—likely because Lin Shu hadn't mastered it fully at that point. If she had seen the technique at full power, it would have been unmistakable. But she didn't know all the details, so now there was a sliver of doubt in her mind.
Her master's teachings echoed in her mind: Never underestimate anyone. Always be careful. She wasn't about to let her guard down now, especially not in this situation. Han Yi was cautious and interested in confirming whether Lin Shu was the person she was looking for—but she couldn't let it show. If he was indeed the person she suspected, revealing her suspicion too openly could provoke him, and that was something she wanted to avoid.
Her curiosity was growing, but she had to tread carefully.