Supreme Taming Authority

Chapter 89: Mission Complete

They continued the journey in comfortable silence. The terrain gradually became less rocky and more forested as they left the highlands behind. The spiritual energy in the air grew denser, the first indication they were approaching sect territory again.

Dawn was breaking when they finally reached the outer gate. The sky shifted from black to deep blue to pale orange. The two outer disciples on gate duty looked surprised to see cultivators returning so early.

"Mission completion," Mei said, showing her token.

"Same," Xian Tiandi added.

The guards logged their return without comment and waved them through.

Inside the sect grounds, early morning routines were beginning. A few disciples emerged from buildings, heading toward training grounds or the dining hall. The sect was slowly waking up.

"Mission hall first," Mei said. "Get that handled while it’s still quiet."

They walked together to the mission hall. The building was nearly empty at this hour, just one attendant behind the counter managing the early shift.

Mei approached first. "Completed mission. Eastern border patrol and investigation."

The attendant checked his records. "Any significant findings?"

"Yes. I’ll submit a written report by noon."

"Acknowledged." He handed her a contribution point token. "Twenty points."

Mei stepped aside and Xian Tiandi moved forward. "Completed mission. Spirit beast activity investigation, northern mountains."

The attendant’s eyebrows rose slightly. "That one’s been available for almost a week. You identified the cause?"

"Yes. Detailed findings will be in my written report."

"Good work. Submit by end of day." The attendant handed over a token worth forty contribution points.

Xian Tiandi accepted it and joined Mei outside the mission hall.

"I’m going to write my report now while everything is fresh," Mei said. "You should do the same. We can compare them before submission, make sure our information aligns without being suspiciously identical."

"Agreed," Xian Tiandi said.

"After we submit, we should discuss next steps. This Four Spirits Sect operation isn’t going to stop just because we found evidence of it." Mei’s expression was serious. "If anything, they’ll accelerate once they realize someone is investigating."

"We’ll talk after the reports are filed," Xian Tiandi confirmed.

Mei nodded and headed toward the library where disciples could use the writing rooms. Xian Tiandi turned toward Azure Dragon Peak and his own courtyard.

The morning sun was rising properly now, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. The sect was coming alive around him. Disciples moved between buildings with purpose, beginning their daily routines.

Xian Tiandi climbed the path to his courtyard, his mind already organizing the mission report. It needed to be detailed enough to be useful but carefully worded to avoid revealing how much he actually understood.

Inside his study, he sat at the desk and pulled out paper, brush, and ink. He spent the next hour composing the report with meticulous care.

The report described his journey to the northern mountains, his systematic search pattern, his discovery of formation arrays through "patient observation and careful investigation." He documented the five formation locations with sketches, noting terrain features and approximate distances. He described the two cultivators he’d observed in general terms without mentioning specific techniques or energy signatures.

He included his suspicion of enemy sect involvement based on the sophistication and coordination of the formations, but presented it as logical deduction rather than confirmed knowledge.

The final report was professional, thorough, and completely believable as the work of a talented investigator with good instincts.

Xian Tiandi set it aside to dry and leaned back in his chair.

The mission was complete. The information would reach the sect leadership. They would decide how to respond.

But the real work was just beginning.

The Four Spirits Sect’s operation was larger than what he’d uncovered in one night. There would be more formations, more operatives, more infrastructure hidden throughout the territory. Finding and dismantling all of it would take time.

And then there was the sect competition in three months. His primary objective remained unchanged. Enter the secret realm, acquire the treasure for his breakthrough, advance to Foundation Establishment while simultaneously pushing his body cultivation to the next stage.

Everything else, including this investigation, needed to be managed around that central goal.

Xian Tiandi stood and moved to his cultivation room. He sat on the meditation cushion and closed his eyes, beginning a recovery circulation after the night’s activities.

His spiritual energy was stable. His body felt strong. The Shadow Breath technique had progressed well, and Spirit Sage Eye continued to refine with each use.

Good progress on multiple fronts.

After an hour of cultivation, he opened his eyes. The morning was well advanced now. Other inner disciples would be attending training sessions or accepting new missions.

Xian Tiandi pulled out the contribution point token and studied it. Forty points. A significant amount for a single mission. Enough to purchase useful resources from the sect halls.

But those could wait. His immediate needs were covered. What mattered now was preparation.

Three months until the sect competition. Three months to consolidate everything and ensure he was ready.

Xian Tiandi stood and walked to the window of his study. The sect sprawled below him, buildings and pathways connecting the four peaks. Disciples moved like insects through an organized colony, each pursuing their own goals, unaware of the larger forces moving around them.

The Four Spirits Sect threat. The coming conflicts. The secret realm opportunity.

All of it converging on this point in time.

He had already changed one major event by saving Yu’er at the Crimson Ruins. That was the first significant alteration to the timeline he remembered. There would be more changes, each one creating ripples he couldn’t fully predict.

But that was acceptable. He’d reached the peak of the universe once before through adaptability and relentless forward progress. He would do it again, faster and more efficiently, even with the variables his interference introduced.

The key was preparation. Always be ready for the next challenge. Never assume the path would be smooth.

Xian Tiandi turned from the window and returned to his cultivation room. He settled onto the meditation cushion and closed his eyes once more.

’It’s time to get everything ready for the next most important part.’

The thought settled into his mind with quiet certainty.

He began to cultivate.