Morning in the Iron Vein Sect began with bells.
Low chimes rang through the mountain air as disciples stirred in their quarters, preparing for daily cultivation, sparring drills, or errands assigned by their elders.
Jian Wuxin had already bathed, dressed, and wrapped his robe neatly. His token hung from his belt. His expression was calm, reserved—just another quiet face among the outer disciples.
But his goal was far from ordinary.
He left his residence before his roommates even stirred and followed the east stone path through several practice courts, a weapons storage yard, and two outer disciple dorms. Eventually, he arrived at a tall bronze building carved directly into the cliffside.
The Task Hall.
The hall was wide, its stone floor polished smooth by decades of pacing feet. Along the inner walls were long boards lined with scrolls—each one a task.
A gray-robed elder sat at the front desk, sipping tea with half-closed eyes. A few disciples stood around the boards, selecting scrolls and whispering about which were too dangerous or beneath them.
Jian walked in silently.
His eyes scanned the options.
> "Deliver herbs to the alchemy hall."
"Harvest spirit grass from Mistroot Valley."
"Clear weak spirit beasts from Copper Tail Cavern."
"Clean formation stones at the western peak."
"Guard outer trade caravan."
"Collect dew from Windshade Blossoms at dawn."
Each scroll listed its task rank and reward in contribution points. Most were small—3 to 10 points per job.
He could've picked one and left.
Instead, Jian reached for one.
Then another.
And another.
Ten scrolls in total.
Heads turned.
One disciple leaned in and whispered, "Is he serious?"
"Ten tasks at once?" another muttered. "Does he want to die?"
The elder at the desk raised a brow and finally opened both eyes.
"You taking all of those, boy?"
Jian Wuxin nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Elder."
A pause.
Then a slow sip of tea. "Don't come crying if you collapse halfway through."
"I won't."
The elder stamped the scrolls with a fiery seal and handed them back.
"Seven days to complete them all. Turn in proof or lose your points."
Jian bowed and tucked the scrolls into his sash. "Understood."
He left the hall without another word, his face unreadable, his aura quiet.
Behind him, whispers followed.
"Who is he?"
"No one knows. He just showed up last week."
"Must be trying to impress someone... he'll burn out."
But Jian Wuxin wasn't chasing attention.
He was building his fortress one stone at a time.
> Ten tasks now, he thought. So I can vanish for ten months later.
And so began the first move of a cultivator walking the line between obedience and domination.
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