North Yan Chapter Seven: The Invitation on the Wind

Inside the Outer Affairs Gate, these past few days had been unusually festive. Many disciples were bustling about, arranging various decorations. Compared to the lively atmosphere outside, Mo Hao felt somewhat solitary in the cultivation chamber.

However, Mo Hao had no time to dwell on such thoughts. With only three Spirit Awakening Pills left after swallowing the last batch, he grew increasingly anxious. He could sense that he was just half a step away from reaching the mid-stage of the Fasting Realm, yet every attempt over the past month to break through the bottleneck left him feeling powerless. Each time he ingested the pill, only half the medicinal power seemed to aid his breakthrough; the rest vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea.

Counting the days, Mo Hao realized the time allowed in the cultivation chamber was nearly up. Resolved, he swallowed the remaining three pills in one go, immediately regretting it. The pill dissolved instantly in his mouth, and a surge of potent energy flooded his meridians. His dantian felt as if it would explode, forcing him to quickly summon all his strength to suppress it. Only then did he barely hold on.

Seizing the moment, Mo Hao forcefully struck the bottleneck with this fierce spiritual power. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead as his body felt as if it were being roasted by fire. At this critical juncture, his spiritual energy shattered the bottleneck, flowing through every limb and meridian. Wiping the sweat from his face, he collapsed onto the meditation cushion.

At last, he had broken through to the mid-stage of the Fasting Realm. His spiritual veins seemed to have expanded, and despite the lingering pain, he hurriedly sat up and absorbed the spiritual energy in the chamber. Even his Qingyuan Technique operated faster than before. After half a day, Mo Hao finally stabilized his breath and stood up. Looking at his hands, they shone like polished jade, and he appeared slightly taller than before.

He laughed aloud, having spent over a month consuming every last Spirit Awakening Pill, even draining the chamber’s spiritual energy without replenishment, to finally achieve this breakthrough.

From his Space Bag, he retrieved a small sword—the Cold Paulownia Sword he had long used—and infused it with spiritual power. The sword was now easier to control. Mo Hao increased his power and placed it at his feet. Suddenly, he misjudged and the sword jerked upward, causing his head to strike the ceiling of the cultivation chamber painfully. Staggering, he fell off the sword, lamenting his foolishness. He should have tested his flying artifact in the courtyard first.

Rubbing the bump on his head, Mo Hao gasped for breath. He recalled the sword and stepped outside. His goal for this breakthrough had been fulfilled. He drew a deep breath of fresh air, glanced back once more, and placed his jade token on the light barrier. It dissolved like water, and he stepped through to leave.

Outside, evening had fallen. Many Outer Affairs disciples saw Mo Hao emerge from behind the main hall and greeted him with bows. Mo Hao had been in Outer Affairs for nearly two months; almost all the disciples knew, as did Feng Xing, of his cultivation identity.

Mo Hao nodded and asked one of them, “Why is everyone gathered here today?”

The disciple looked surprised but then quickly understood and replied, “Reporting to the Immortal Master, the end of the year has arrived. Today is New Year's Eve.”

Mo Hao nodded and thanked him. The disciple, startled by the thanks, hurriedly waved his hands, insisting he didn’t deserve it. Mo Hao smiled and said nothing more, heading straight to his small courtyard.

Back in his room, Mo Hao found no respite. Disciples seeking to befriend him kept bringing food and drink, which he found bothersome. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Mo Hao shouted, “I already told them to take messages back. No more visitors today.”

“Little junior brother, what’s wrong? Why so irritable? I heard you just emerged from your seclusion after a month and a half, so I came to see you.” The voice was familiar—Feng Xing’s.

Mo Hao hurried to the door, awkwardly facing the plump senior brother. Feng Xing’s face was so round and smiling that his eyes almost disappeared. Though chubby, his expression was kind, not fierce. Mo Hao sheepishly said, “Senior Brother, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that so many people came today.”

Mo Hao liked Feng Xing. About a month ago, despite his mid-stage Fasting Realm cultivation, Feng Xing had shown him great respect and politeness. Feng Xing waved it off. “It’s all part of Outer Affairs. You get used to it. Besides, today is New Year's Eve. These noble families come to our sect to build relations with cultivators. After all, part of the sect’s income comes from them. So don’t take it too seriously.”

Feng Xing then took out a Space Bag and handed Mo Hao three spirit stones. “I heard you didn’t claim your monthly allowance last month, so I took the liberty of collecting it for you. You…” His words were interrupted by a look of surprise as a voice echoed in Mo Hao’s mind.

“Junior Brother, you’ve reached the mid-stage of the Fasting Realm?”

Mo Hao nodded but noticed something odd: Feng Xing’s mouth never moved, just like when Mo Hao met the sect elder Xuan Fengzi for the first time. Feng Xing then passed him a jade slip.

“This contains a secret method of transmitting sound secretly. I didn’t expect you to break through to mid-stage so quickly. Congratulations! By the way, Junior Brother, how much sect contribution have you spent?”

“Thank you, Senior Brother. I actually wanted to learn more of this secret technique. As for sect contributions, I’ve spent every last bit.”

A brief flicker of joy crossed Feng Xing’s face before vanishing. Mo Hao caught it and found it puzzling. He had thought Feng Xing came to borrow contributions, but why did he briefly rejoice upon hearing Mo Hao had none left?

Perplexed, Mo Hao examined the jade slip. Now that he had reached mid-stage, many secret techniques were accessible. The jade slip described condensing spiritual power to transform sound into threads, enabling transmission over dozens or even miles depending on one’s spiritual depth. Mo Hao tried sending a message to Feng Xing, who replied:

“Junior Brother Mo Hao, your talent is remarkable to have grasped this technique so quickly. But to truly transmit sound without detection, one must reach Foundation Establishment. Only then does the cultivator possess divine consciousness, allowing many other capabilities. Truly enviable.”

“Senior Brother, you flatter me. Thank you.”

Feng Xing waved his hand. “You’re too polite. Since today is New Year's Eve, although we have entered the Immortal Path, most disciples in Outer Affairs remain mortals. So I’d like to invite you to join our New Year’s Eve dinner. I’ll also introduce you to a friend of mine.”

Mo Hao nodded and followed Feng Xing to the Outer Affairs ancestral hall. Inside stood a statue of an elderly man with a majestic expression, eyes gazing distantly. A long line of mortal disciples knelt before it, paying respects.

Feng Xing explained, “This is the founding ancestor of our Xu Sword Sect, Sword Master Xu. It is said he mastered the Void Sword Technique alone, unrivaled among Nascent Soul cultivators in the Cold Desolation Mountains. He even withstood a strike from the elders of three great sects unscathed, making him famous overnight. He then forced smaller sects to cede this precious land, founding the Xu Sword Sect. Let’s go pay our respects.”

Mo Hao felt inspired and walked toward the statue. Along the way, Outer Affairs disciples made way for them.

“Junior Brother, you have a bright future. Perhaps one day the Sword Master Xu will take you as his disciple. Tonight is New Year's Eve. Though young, it’s fine for cultivators to share a few drinks. I also have something to discuss with Brother Li and you.”

With that, Feng Xing led Mo Hao to a simple yet elegant room where four mortal women of extraordinary beauty greeted them. Feng Xing waved them away and sat Mo Hao down.

Across from them sat a young scholar with refined manners. He nodded at their entrance and glanced at Mo Hao with a flicker of displeasure before regaining composure.

Feng Xing introduced the two men. Mo Hao learned the scholar was a lone cultivator named Li An, a friend Feng Xing had made during his descent from the mountain.

Feng Xing raised his cup and toasted them. Mo Hao, unable to refuse, drank deeply. Feng Xing praised his tolerance for alcohol. After several rounds, Feng Xing straightened and said:

“Junior Brother Mo Hao, I called you here to discuss something. Originally, Brother Li and I planned to undertake a mission together, but now that you’ve reached mid-stage Fasting Realm—though just barely—it’s sufficient. Another person lessens the danger. Would you be willing to join us?”

Mo Hao, expecting Feng Xing had something to propose, replied, “Please, tell me the details.”

Feng Xing nodded. “The mission is to a place called Resentful Beast Mountain. It produces a flower called the Spirit Awakening Flower and an associated herb, Spirit Awakening Grass. You must have seen the pills made from these in the Outer Affairs alchemy room. These pills are invaluable for cultivators in the Fasting Realm.”

“Besides their use in cultivation, the pills can dispel illusions, refresh the mind, and detoxify. Each pill costs 400 contribution points. You know how few contribution points Outer Affairs disciples have. Recently, when I was handling affairs in the Outer Sect, I saw this mission posted. Brother Li also needs the internal pill from the Resentful Beast, so I took on the task.”

“Few disciples from the Outer Sect accept this mission. Though the Resentful Beasts inside the mountain are only early-stage Fasting cultivators, they travel in packs of three to five, making it extremely dangerous. Junior Brother, if we want to move up in the Outer Sect, we have to take risks. If we gather enough herbs, beyond the mission rewards, every twenty herbs can be exchanged for one pill. The mission also grants 200 contribution points. Think carefully. The mission time is tight—we depart in a month. Please give me your answer soon. Take your time to consider.”

Mo Hao only nodded, not replying immediately.

After several drinks, on his way back, Mo Hao pondered Feng Xing’s words carefully. Having just spent his last 100 contribution points, he indeed needed to take some Outer Sect missions. Yet this one was perilous and required serious thought. Amidst the crackling fireworks, Mo Hao walked thoughtfully back to his room.