"Be it hero or villain, they are just some social constructs to justify people's means, I don't care about that stupid stuff."
But Su Ming would like to avoid crossing paths with such people if possible. They only bring chaos to the world, nothing else. His motto has always been simple.
Don't bother me, and I won't bother you.
But now… he was not sure what to think of the situation.
Maybe he won't cross paths with me, maybe he will....but one thing is certain....
"If Lin Fan is truly a chosen one, then his downfall is nothing but the setup. He will rise again, more powerful than before. Which means…"
His gaze hardened. The Wangs have not seen the end of it.
His thoughts drifted toward Lin Yao, resting quietly in the next room.
When he first arrived in this world, he was not the real Su Ming, not the original disciple of the sect.
But he had taken on that mantle as per the situation and was steadily growing into it.
Even for Lin Yao, it was only because of that faint, strange aura he had noticed through his Essence Sight that he chose her as a disciple. Building a faction that belongs to him was his original goal, nothing more.
But as months passed, that goal blurred. Now, when he looked at her, he no longer saw just a "promising recruit."
She was his disciple.
Not that he had ever taken disciples before, or had children—even on Earth. But in his heart, Lin Yao was someone he wanted to protect.
And if she was special, which he truly believed she was, then crossing paths with a protagonist was inevitable.
A sudden protective instinct surged within him. One wrong encounter with someone like Lin Fan could change everything for her.
It wasn't his possessiveness, but he knew it was those protagonists' nature.
Honestly, Su Ming hated such people. Characters who believed the world revolved around their "destiny." Who took, plundered, trampled, with no thought for the lives they crushed along the way.
He clenched his fists.
Sigh.
He whispered to himself, "Panicking won't help. I need information. I need to watch carefully. If this Lin Fan crosses path with me, I must be ready."
For the first time since his transmigration, he felt unease - not from beasts, nor some seniors in the sect, but from the weight of a story he recognized all too well.
***
Mission: Subdue the Bone Serpent
Difficulty: Middle Core Formation Realm
Reward: 1,200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones + additional spoils may be exchanged within the sect
Details:A mutated Bone Serpent has appeared in the Southern Canyon of the Blackwind region, disrupting trade and spirit herb collection. Originally a common spirit serpent, it has recently evolved—its scales calcifying into bone-like armor that resists physical strikes.
Several Foundation Realm disciples have already perished attempting to slay it. Caravans now refuse to pass, causing shortages in alchemy materials.
Objective:Eliminate the Bone Serpent. Investigate the source of its mutation if possible.
***
The canyon was eerily quiet. Too quiet.
Jagged rocks were visible on both sides, scarred with deep gouges as if some colossal beast had scraped past. A faint stench of rot lingered in the air, making Su Ming's skin prickle.
His grip on his sword tightened, eyes sharp, divine sense spread wide. Behind him, Lin Yao followed carefully, her steps light but her aura tense.
This was not just some beast's lair.
This was one of the main trade routes for Greenwall City—vital for herbs, ores, and silk caravans. With the Bone Serpent nesting here, merchants had no choice but to take long, dangerous detours.
The Wang Clan, who controlled most of the trade, suffered heavy losses. Su Ming had even spoken with one of them—Wang Qiang, a balding middle-aged man who seemed honest enough.
He treated him with respect, even offering a discount on supplies after learning that Su Ming had taken on the serpent mission.
But standing here now, all Su Ming felt was danger.
This wasn't just a mission. This was a test of himself.
His divine sense rippled, and a chill ran through his spine. Something enormous slithered beneath the rocks.
"It's coming."
Without hesitation, Su Ming grabbed Lin Yao and shot into the air.
The ground below exploded.
A massive serpent burst forth, its body covered in white scales like jagged ribs. Bone spines jutted from its back, each one gleaming under the pale light. Empty sockets glowed faintly with dark fire.
It was the Bone Serpent.
Su Ming exhaled. "Middle Core Formation Realm… stronger than expected."
But before he could move,
"Ahhhhhh!"
Lin Yao screamed, clutching her chest as her sword clattered to the ground. Her veins darkened, her body convulsing as if her soul itself was being torn apart.
"Lin Yao!" Su Ming panicked.
He grabbed her into his arms and pulled back on his sword, rushing away fast.
Through his Essence Sight, he saw it—the shadowy figure dormant in her bloodline was now pulsing faintly, and then his gaze shifted to the serpent.
Around its throat pulsed a bead, dark and glass-like, radiating an aura similar to the shadowy figure within Lin Yao. It was the Nether Ember Pearl.
And Lin Yao's bloodline reacted to it like fire meeting oil.
"Damn it…" Su Ming clenched his teeth.
If he didn't separate her from it now, things could get serious.
As he created some distance, her condition stabilized, though her skin still burned with fever.
He had to end this quickly.
Su Ming shot forward, his sword blazing with crimson flame.
The serpent struck first, its massive body lashing out. Bone spines sliced the air.
Su Ming parried, as the burning steel scraped against calcified armor, sparks flew all over.
His arms rattled from the heavy force.
The serpent lunged, its jaw dripping with venom.
Su Ming dodged narrowly, countering with a fiery thrust.
His blade blazed with crimson fire, but the flames simply slid off its scales, leaving only shallow cracks.
"Tch. Too tough…"
He switched into a different stance. Then he unleashed his perfected Cloud Chasing Sword Technique.
Ascending Serpent Surge!
This was his ultimate move. Once the sword technique was perfected, they could use this ultimate move of the technique.
His sword arcs came blazing like a meteor shower. Blades of fire rained down.
Its scales cracked and scattered into fragments, yet the serpent surged forward without slowing down.
Every clash drained him. His breath grew ragged as beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.
And then the realization hit him like lightning.
I don't know how to fight properly.
He had techniques, insight, and cultivation. But no experience. His strikes were sharp, yet ineffective.
The serpent exploited his every weakness. Bone spines slammed down like a hammer, forcing him back. His arm bled, as his chest burned.
"Is this… my limit?"
As the Serpent was ready to unleash its dark breath, Su Ming clenched his teeth.
Flame Sword Manifestation!
He was done holding back. A colossal blade of fire roared into life, crashing into the serpent's dark breath. The clash shook the canyon.
Stone exploded, as smoke rose. Su Ming was thrown back, coughing blood. His flaming sword cracked apart.
But he rose again.
"Not yet!"
The second manifestation blazed forth, hotter and sharper than before. He charged, carving through bone spines, splitting scales. For a moment, he gained his ground until the Nether Ember Pearl pulsed again.
The serpent's decaying vitality surged again.
His knees buckled. His vision blurred.
"I… can't… lose…"
The third manifestation ignited.
But this time, Su Ming compressed it, channeling all its power into a blade he could actually wield. His meridians screamed, blood spilling from his lips, but he pressed on.
With a roar, he deflected the serpent's strike, darted into its blind spot, and brought his sword down.
The canyon shook. Fire and darkness collided in a storm of destruction as the Bone Serpent's head split in two.
Silence.
The massive body collapsed as dust settled. The Nether Ember Pearl rolled free, pulsing faintly, radiating an aura akin to death.
Su Ming dropped to one knee, his sword dissolving into embers. His breath was ragged, his body broken, but his hand still reached out.
He picked up the Pearl and tried to study it, but its aura even shuddered him. He was running low on Qi, so he was not able to use his lantern properly. But he understood one thing, that pearl was dangerous. So, he picked it up and then sealed it into his storage ring. He also retrieved the beast core. The largest one he had ever seen.
Pain flowed through him with every step, but he staggered back to Lin Yao.
She lay unconscious on the ground, but her breathing was steady now.
Su Ming exhaled in relief, but inside, a bitter realization echoed.
I'm somewhat good at cultivation. Knowledgeable in techniques. But in a real battle? I'm still a noob. A paper tiger.
His grip on his sword tightened, blood dripping from his hand.
That night, Su Ming swore silently to himself.
Never again.