Path of the Lilies: Early Beginnings

She plopped on her bed while her eyes stared at the defense runes before her. It would last for some time by absorbing the Eon Energy around this place unless she destroyed the runes line. However, she didn't have the intention to do that.     

"Let's take a bath then rest. I can finally have a good sleep."     

This was nothing more than the first step, but at the very least, she had taken another big step in the path as Rune Master.     

…     

"Ye Jiao! How long are you going to sleep?"     

The sudden yell caused Ye Jiao to jump out of her bed. She looked outside her residence and nearly cursed. Because she was tired, she must have slept for over a day. She rushed to the bathroom and cleaned up herself as fast as possible before rushing to the door.     

Slam!     

"Am I late?" Ye Jiao asked.     

Lin Cai and Qin Zheng were standing in front of the door. Lin Cai grinned and lunged to hug Ye Jiao again. "Not yet! But you're truly a deep sleeper. No matter how many times we call, you won't wake up."     

"Ah, can't you barge in?"     

"There's a defense array that prevents us from getting inside without your permission," Qin Zheng explained. "What have you been doing for the past week? No one saw you at all."     

"I was practicing," Ye Jiao grinned.     

Lin Cai rolled her eyes. "You say that, but you're the same, Qin Zheng. The two of you suddenly become a hermit for a week. Do you even take care of yourself properly?"     

"I still eat and sleep," Ye Jiao defended herself. Well, she only ate once a day because she was too focused on her training. As for sleep, she only slept after her training had finished making those runes.     

"Me too."     

"I can't believe you two," Lin Cai shook her head, clearly didn't believe the two of them.     

"The others should be waiting at the Mission Hall," Qin Zheng changed the topic. He disliked it when his senior sister pointed out his training habit. "Let's go there.��     

"Eh? I'm the last?"     

"Lu Wan is calling Mu Xin and Wang Jun while Qi Huan has returned back from Eon Energy garden and picks the mission first," Lin Cai grinned. "I'm calling you two since I can guess that both of you need a reminder."     

"I don't need it," Qin Zheng interrupted.     

"Yes, you need it. You even take longer than Ye Jiao. What did you actually do inside your tower?"     

"Not your business."     

Lin Cai stuck out her tongue and began to run again. The other two followed her to the Mission Hall. Mission Hall was located near one of the Teleportation Array. It was the place for accepting the mission, and there were several Teleportation Arrays located behind the door, which connected to several cities on the mountain foot.     

The one that they visited was the most common one and located right beside Hua Shan Academy. Though, if they didn't use the Teleportation Array, they needed to travel for hours.     

When the three of them reached the Mission Hall, they could see Qi Huan already stood there, waiting for them. There was no sign of Lu Wan and the others yet.     

"You sure take your time," Qi Huan commented.     

Ye Jiao grinned. "It's because I need to sleep a lot."     

"You're truly a kid."     

"Hey! I'm already 12!"     

Qi Huan just laughed. Lu Wan appeared with Mu Xin and Wang Jun following behind them. Even though seniors could form their group without having new members with them, some of them formed a mixed group. It was not uncommon to see groups like them, though their status might be a bit too high.     

A lot of people were looking at them.     

"You need to get used to the stare," Mu Xin remarked when she noticed Ye Jiao's uncomfortable gesture. "You're standing at the forefront, so you have to become the leading figure for them."     

"Yeah." Ye Jiao nodded.     

"Anyway, here's the mission selection. I was told to take a look at these three. Which one do you like?" Qi Huan handed three papers to them.     

Ye Jiao peeked at the content. The three of them were different missions but with similar levels of difficulties, which were directed to Eon Energy Master Rank 4 early stage or below.     

Lu Wan's face paled when he read the content. "Do you want us to die?"     

"Just pick one."     

The first mission was to exterminate the beasts that have been plaguing a village in the west for some time. Based on the report, the beasts were at rank 4 and had good control of their elements. It was hard to defeat beasts when they have already started to mix their elements.     

The second mission was a mission to find a specific herb in the high mountain. The mountain was located in the east and known to be filled with beasts at rank 4. It wouldn't be easy to bypass them.     

The third mission was to investigate a mine in one of the mountains. It used to be a bountiful mine that produced a lot of Black Metal, the type of metal that was strong and durable. However, they found out that the number of metals had diminished greatly since a few months ago, and recently, they found out that they can't stay inside because of Eon Energy pressure.     

"I pick the last one," Qin Zheng pointed to the paper.     

"is it because it involves metal?" Lin Cai rolled her eyes. She had guessed that everything related to the word 'mine' would surely interest Qin Zheng greatly. He didn't even need to think for a long time before picking.     

Lu Wan pointed to the last one. "I pick this one too."     

"Because there's no mention of beasts?" Qi Huan teased.     

"Well, it sounds the easiest."     

"…"     

Ye Jiao laughed when she heard his words. She didn't expect Lu Wan to pick it because this brat must be interested in the herb. However, Lu Wan also valued his life greatly, so it would be better for him to pick the one that guaranteed his safety the most.     

"Then, let's pick this one."     

"Sure."     

Qi Huan took the papers back. "I'll register it. You should just wait in front of the Teleportation Array to Mount Shui."     

"Alright."     

Mountain Shui was the name of the mountain where they would do the mission this time. It was located in the west with a small village on the mountain's foot. Even though the village was not that big, it was a good area because of the mining they have over the years.     

Qin Zheng scanned the words. There were several doors on the side, each directed to different Teleportation Arrays all over the mountains.     

"Mount Shui is located near another academy, so there's a possibility that we might encounter disciples from that academy," Qin Zheng reminded. "It's a bit at the border."     

"If we encounter them, we can just kick their asses," Lin Cai cracked her fists in excitement.     

"Kick what?"     

"Senior Sister Lin?"     

"Some of the other academies have rivalry relationships with the Hua Shan Academy," Qin Zheng explained.     

Ye Jiao tilted her head. "Is there any need to be so excited?"     

 "Of course! Do you know how much I have to hold back whenever I face my juniors here? I wish to fight with my all and defeat them!" Lin Cai said vigorously.     

"If you fight against Senior Brother Qin, I doubt you need to hold back."     

"He's a monster, so don't count him."     

Qin Zheng: "…"     

Qi Huan returned back with a scroll and token. "I have already register us. Let's go. We have two months' time to finish the mission."     

"Ah, so quick?"     

"That's quite a long time, you know."     

"But I want to look at the sweet stores before we return back. How can I do that when we have to return back so quickly?"     

"..Senior Sister Lin…"     

While the seven of them walked to the Teleportation Array, Su Tan was watching from behind. He took out a communication jade. "They are headed to Mount Shui."     

"Got it, you should go there too."     

"Yes."