dark descendent lurking fate

After the tension at the Yan family estate, returning to the sect felt like a breath of fresh air—but Ash knew peace never lasted long. The moment his feet stepped back onto the sect's stone grounds, a familiar voice called to him.

> "Ash!"

Elder Huo stood near the gates, his expression unreadable. "You're to report to the Task Hall. Now."

Ash blinked in surprise. He'd just returned from an exhausting mission.

> "Already?"

Elder Huo didn't smile. "It's urgent. Solo task."

---

A New Hunt

The Task Hall was as quiet as always, but the scroll waiting for Ash on the central stone slab burned with a familiar seal. He unfurled it slowly—and his eyes lit up.

> Solo hunting of a Tier 4 beast – Deep Northern Ridge.

He grinned. He'd been itching for a challenge after refining his spirit arsenal. The thought of unleashing Gorran, the Golden Bone Ape, in a true battle excited him.

But curiosity gnawed at him.

> "Elder Huo," Ash asked as they walked back from the Task Hall. "Why do I keep getting so many tasks? Other direct disciples don't even leave the sect grounds for months."

Elder Huo paused, as if expecting this question eventually.

---

Two Paths of Power

> "There are two types of direct disciples, Ash. You've been classified as a Task Disciple."

> "The other kind?" Ash asked.

> "Ranking Disciples. They fight in official tournaments between sects, display their strength publicly, and attract glory and resources. They wear titles, win crowd cheers, and often live far easier lives than you."

Ash frowned. "So… I'm the one doing the dirty work?"

Elder Huo's jaw tightened.

> "The dangerous work, yes. Task Disciples hunt beasts, patrol borders, escort royals, and perform all missions that put their life on the line. Work that most ranking disciples can't even handle. And yet…"

> "And yet they get more resources?" Ash guessed.

Elder Huo sighed. "Yes. That's how all sects operate. Prestige over practicality. Glamour over grit."

Ash looked down at his clenched fist. "Then why doesn't anyone challenge it?"

> "Some have. Most fall in line. Power isn't always about what you hold—it's about what others think you hold."

---

A Rare Breed

Ash's mind reeled as he considered the imbalance. "How many task disciples have reached Core Vein Formation like me?"

Elder Huo gave him a long look.

> "In this entire realm? Across all major sects? Perhaps five or six. You're among the youngest. Some sects don't even have one."

Ash's brows furrowed. He'd always fought for survival. Now he realized he was already in a class of warriors the world could barely count on two hands.

> "What about ranking disciples?" he asked.

> "Most of them are still in Root Forging or early Qi Condensation," Elder Huo said with a scoff. "But that doesn't stop the sect from worshipping them."

Ash shook his head. "That's… unfair."

Elder Huo finally smiled, just a little.

> "Good. Let that fire build in you. But don't waste it. Use it to rise. You don't need titles, Ash—you need power that makes them kneel despite their titles."

---

The Hunt Begins

Ash returned to his quarters, his heart heavier than before. He now knew that the sect didn't reward strength alone—it rewarded what strength looked like to the world.

But if the sect wanted to ignore his achievements, he'd give them something they couldn't ignore.

Something louder than titles.

Something bloodier than tournaments.

> A Tier 4 beast?

Fine.

Let's show them what a Task Disciple can really do.

And with that thought burning in his mind, Ash packed his blade, his scrolls, and his war spirits—and stepped out under the rising sun, toward his next challenge.