Extra's Strategy: Cultivate Protagonists, Become Invincible Chapter 53: Quest Difficulty: Nightmare!

After an extensive discussion with Mu Ran, Han Xuhan reached a firm conclusion.

All the rules, deadlines, and competition he had been worrying about could be solved in one fell swoop, so long as he had spirit stones in hand.

Cultivating two techniques at once? His overall progress speed would not be reduced if he consud qi from dozens of spirit stones every day for each technique.

Similar to martial cultivation, which required expensive resources at every step, cultivation of Mystic Arts could be boosted with money.

"But how do we earn anything substantial? I’ve gone through the sect’s rulebook. None of the routine tasks there are suitable for soone like ," Han Xuhan said, depressed.

"There’s a rulebook? Why didn’t I get one?" Mu Ran asked in surprise.

Han Xuhan imperiously instructed him to go check the bedroom drawer. Mu Ran returned with an embarrassed smile on his face, and threw the copy to Xuhan’s lap.

"Tell about the ways described in the rulebook. Let’s see if we can find one to do together."

Han Xuhan already knew everything there was to know. As he began to list the more accessible options, Mu Ran stopped him at one.

"The sect issues missions to tackle beyond the sect’s territory, you say? Underling Xuhan, this is it! It makes sense now! I saw sothing just like this in the archives yesterday! Let’s go grab an easy mission before the others get wind of them!"

Han Xuhan wasn’t so sure that plan was going to work, but he chased after Mu Ran anyway.

By the ti he reached the Archives Pavilion, Mu Ran was waiting outside for him with a scroll in hand.

"Look! I found the easiest one and accepted it on behalf of both of us! Let’s not waste ti!"

"So fast?" Han Xuhan snatched the scroll from his hand and read its contents, feeling quite concerned.

[ For the last two months, strange disappearances have kept happening in Pine town, an area under the direct jurisdiction of the Crimson Snow sect. The local authorities have failed again and again to find any trails regarding these incidents and the townsfolk are restless. Certain clues suggest that the disappearances may be influenced by demonic cultivators or at least so organizations with dangerous individuals who cannot be caught by re mortals. The local authorities have requested for the help of the sect to solve this issue. ]

[ Estimated Danger: Level-2 (No traces of activities beyond common Mystic Arts detected so far) ]

[ Paynt: 100 - 150 spirit stones based on performance ]

"Pine town? Isn’t this the place you visited just last month, boss?"

"That’s right! What a coincidence that a mission in that town fell right into our lap!"

It was a coincidence indeed, almost enough to make one suspicious.

"Did you really find this in the Task Administration Pavilion?" Han Xuhan enquired. It looked too good to not have been snatched up by senior disciples with high cultivation levels.

Mu Ran surreptitiously winked at him and said in a low voice, "Of course, so tricks were involved! I chard one of the pretty seniors working there and asked her for a favor. How could she refuse THIS?!"

Pointing at his own body, Mu Ran grinned like a maniac. But Han Xuhan’s suspicious expression made his grin fade.

"What? Do you think I’m boasting, underling? Co with to the Pavilion; I’ll show you-"

"It’s not that, boss. I’m just afraid. This danger assessnt is too vague. What if it turns out to be a big issue? You might be able to escape, but I would die too easily."

Mu Ran didn’t seem bothered by the possibility.

"Even if you die, I’ll just find your next incarnation after rebirth. I’ll soon beco powerful enough to do that."

"...Soon?"

"Isn’t it possible as long as I enter the heavenly court as a celestial? Those people are supposed to be in charge of the life and death of all living beings, aren’t they?"

"A celestial? How many realms above ours is that?" Han Xuhan said in exasperation.

"I don’t know. Why does it matter, though? I’ll reach it however high that realm is. I’ll do it faster than you think!"

"...I-what if I reincarnate into an ant or sothing?"

"Then I’ll just kill you so that you reincarnate again!"

"You know, I’d be touched if your disregard for my life wasn’t so blatant, boss."

"Why are you so afraid of your life as a man, underling? Real n never are!" Mu Ran grumbled.

Han Xuhan could not argue with such logic. He admitted defeat.

Carefully storing the mission token and their identity badges as disciples of the Crimson Snow sect, Han Xuhan and Mu Ran packed up for a few days outside the sect. When Han Xuhan went to et senior sister Qing Hua for advice before leaving, he received a huge blow.

"Little Xuhan, one of the few common traits of the disciples in our Salted Fish Peak is sheer stupidity. In every generation of disciples, so of these stupid ones always try to take the mantle. It’s nothing new.

"You want to go catch demonic cultivators, criminals whom you have no idea about, just because of the monetary reward... Aren’t you actively seeking death?"

Han Xuhan was stumped by her demotivational speech. Indeed, neither he, nor Mu Ran was ready to face powerful demonic cultivators. But what was even a demonic cultivator, to begin with?

Caught in a bind, Han Xuhan decided to pay a visit to the mountain master, Elder Daheng.

Elder Daheng appeared to be busy sleeping. He was like the shut-in NEET of the family, always cooped up inside his room. He ordered Han Xuhan not to waste ti and get to the point before he could even speak.

"Master, what are demonic cultivators?"

"Ah, I’m not sure. I’ve never t a real one in my life."

Of course you didn’t. It’d be hard to et one if you sleep here all day.

Han Xuhan didn’t dare to voice that thought. Forced by his insistent tone, Elder Daheng discussed it at length.

"Usually, the demonic cultivators we hear about are just one or two crazy criminals who veer off the traditional paths and commit atrocities to fuel their cultivation techniques. The source of such techniques isn’t easy to trace. But you can bla shady markets and gatherings among rogue cultivators for that.

"These sorts of criminals are scary in na only. They might practice evil, unorthodox techniques, but calling them demonic cultivators is a bit too much of a stretch."

Han Xuhan’s curiosity was piqued.

"Then master, have you never even heard of a true demonic cultivator?"

"I have read about them in so really old books. But few of those descriptions left a particularly strong impression. Most information about demonic cultivators seems to be rumors and folklore.

"For example, you can consider the fact that there are no actual ’demons’ in our world. The only people who’ll tell you otherwise are a bunch of cultists whose beliefs and rationality are...questionable. So calling so insane practitioner a demonic cultivator is more of a condemnation than a literal title.

"True demonic cultivators, if they actually exist, aren’t opponents you can fight, kid; not with your asly cultivation base. Why are you so curious about them, anyway?"

"...Because a fellow disciple and I accepted a mission that may lead to a scuffle with low-level demonic cultivators."

"And the dumbass of the year award goes to you, my disciple. With your second-layer cultivation base, you want to beat demonic cultivators?"

Elder Daheng’s response was oddly similar to Sister Qing Hua. Seeing Han Xuhan’s countenance turning despondent, the man let out a laugh.

"You didn’t get , did you? The sect wouldn’t issue such dangerous missions to outer court disciples. It’s probably just so exaggerated details about so crazy rogue cultivators. If you insist on going, I suggest you try your best not to start a fight. If violence breaks out, run away before everyone else."

Relieved, Han Xuhan nodded obediently, pretending not to hear the last sentence. That was the original plan anyway.

Afterward, he made so small talk with the Elder before returning to his own hut for a last-minute inspection. Mu Ran appeared to be waiting outside the hut, carrying a large bag on his back.

"What is in there?" Han Xuhan couldn’t help but fear that he’d have to carry it when Mu Ran got tired.

"Just my necessities," was Mu Ran’s response. Han Xuhan wanted to protest and check what was inside, but then he recalled that the guy in front of him was actually a crossdressing girl.

Trying to check the contents of that bag would not be a good idea.

The next morning, they bid the familiar foggy mountains goodbye. Han Xuhan’s eyes nearly stung when they walked out of the foggy borders of the sect, being able to see accurately at a distance after a very long ti.

But as the stinging sensation in his eyes settled, a golden flash appeared in his vision.

[ Detected that host is in a pivot point of the Main storyline. Issuing Quest... ]

[ Quest Na: The First Trigger Of Apocalypse ]

[ Quest Description: Growth does not co without a cost. But so costs are not worth bearing, and so costs are too much to bear. Beware of the hidden triggers on your path, and keep in mind that survival is not equal to victory! ]

[ Quest Difficulty: Nightmare ]

[ Quest Rewards: (1) 200 Survival Points; (2) An unorthodox Mystic Art; (3) An orthodox Mystic Art; (4) Access to a hidden realm ]

[ Warning: Other than the Survival Points, earning all rewards will be up to host’s intentional efforts. ]