The next morning, Luo Chen left early with Zhang Jiadi. They did not return until noon, and when they did, Luo Chen had completed his registration with the Myriad Immortal Society. He was now officially under its banner and could enjoy a measure of protection. He had also registered for the star-ranked demon hunter system.

"You just need to wait for Dragon Abyss City to issue the assessment task. Let me tell you a few details about it." Zhang Jiadi cleared his throat and began to explain.

The assessment system for star-ranked demon hunters had only been refined in recent decades. In the beginning, there were no assessment tasks at all. Registration alone was enough to grant one-star status. However, problems soon emerged—for instance, some rogue cultivators registered and then made no effort to improve. They did their absolute best to avoid the most fierce clashes during battle, and the absolute minimum required to keep the status. At the same time, they took advantage of the benefits of the Myriad Immortal Society. Thus, the Demon Hunter Division began to introduce and refine rules to close these loopholes.

"Honestly, there's no need to worry. The one-star assessment tasks aren't difficult. You either escort some goods or hunt a few second-tier demonic beasts. In the past, some people even paid others to complete the tasks for them, but recently, supervisors have been assigned to oversee the process. With your abilities, a mere one-star task will be a breeze."

After hearing this, Luo Chen felt relieved. If the task only involved killing low-tier demonic beasts, he was more than capable and had nothing to worry about.

When they returned to the courtyard, they found it empty. Heavenjade and Wen Xiu were nowhere to be seen. Luo Chen was not concerned—before they left that morning, Heavenjade had mentioned that Wen Xiu would take her around Dragon Abyss City so she could become familiar with the area. That would make it easier for her to assist him in the future. But now that no one else was around, Zhang Jiadi seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

Luo Chen suddenly asked, "How many months in?"

Zhang Jiadi was taken aback, then smiled warmly. "Five months already; it is just not showing yet."

"And what of the future? You must have thought about it."

The warmth on Zhang Jiadi's lips faded slightly, and his tone grew heavier. "We have. I come from a rogue cultivator background, but Ah Xiu was born into a cultivation family, so she understands these things better. In times like these, if we want our child to grow up safely, the two of us alone won't be enough. We can't possibly guard a baby day and night. So her idea is to establish a cultivation family, bring in some low-tier cultivators as dependents, and let the family protect the child. My aptitude isn't great, and I'm already old. There's no chance for me to reach the Golden Core Realm in this lifetime. So unless I can make it to four stars, there's really no difference between two or three. That's why I stopped chasing a higher rank. Instead, I quietly sell off most of what I earn from hunting and turn it into more spirit stones. That's the capital I'm saving to build a family in the future."

At this point, he looked at Luo Chen carefully. "Adept Luo... I hope you can keep this between us."

If his violation of the rules by privately handling hunting gains were exposed, he would face severe punishment from the Demon Hunter Division, possibly even losing his life. He did not want anything to happen, because the weight of his unborn child's life was his to bear. Previously, this matter had been an unspoken understanding between him and Luo Chen. But after spending some time together, he chose to state it openly, hoping for a clear answer so he would not have to live in constant fear.

Under his expectant gaze, Luo Chen smiled faintly. "Your affairs have nothing to do with me. I won't speak of them."

Then he shifted the topic and followed up on something from earlier. "Why is there such a big gap between four-star hunters and the lower ranks? Isn't it just a difference in resource discounts?"

"The discount is only part of it." With Luo Chen's assurance, Zhang Jiadi visibly relaxed and pointed toward the Hidden Dragon Mountain Range. "In fact, the grade of cave residences there is also tied to star ranking. Only four-star hunters can rent lesser-third-tier or third-tier caves. It's not officially stated, but everyone follows it."

"What do you mean?"

"As you know, the Myriad Immortal Society is a force of rogue cultivators, and the fundamental rule is the survival of the fittest. The internal conflicts are no less intense than outside. I believe you know how much a cave's grade affects cultivation, and if we Initiates want a smoother Core Formation, it's best to have a little practice using a third-tier spirit land beforehand. But those places are incredibly scarce. Thousands of Initiates are eyeing them. Without enough strength, you'll be constantly challenged or even driven out."

Luo Chen frowned. "Does the society not step in?"

Zhang Jiadi spread his hands. "They just rent the place out. What happens after that is none of their concern. Adepts might not stoop to seizing a lesser third-tier land, but those at Perfected Mastery of Foundation Establishment, or even just the ninth stage, won't care about such principles. In that kind of environment, being a four-star hunter isn't just status but a display of strength. That's the only way to make sure you don't get flooded with meaningless challenges."

Luo Chen nodded. This made sense. To achieve a demon hunter rank normally reserved for Adepts while still at Foundation Establishment was indeed a mark of great strength. Coveting such a person's cave residence was no different from seeking death.

"What about me?" Luo Chen suddenly asked. "If I rent a top-grade third-tier cave residence as a one-star demon hunter, what will happen?"

Zhang Jiadi was stunned, unable to even process the question at first. He looked at Luo Chen cautiously. "May I ask about your cultivation?"

Luo Chen smiled slightly. "Mid-stage Golden Core."

Zhang Jiadi's expression became extremely... vivid. At such a realm, he was aiming for a top-grade third-tier cave residence that even peak Adepts dreamed of!

He forced a smile. "Adept Luo, there's really no need to push it. A low- or mid-grade cave residence should be more than enough for you..."

"No, I want a top-grade third-tier cave residence. Based on your experience, tell me what would happen."

Zhang Jiadi gave a bitter smile. "What else? Adepts of all stages will swarm over! Even if you somehow manage to secure a top-grade third-tier cave residence, you won't have a moment's peace while cultivating."

Luo Chen fell into thought for a moment, then said slowly, "So that means I must first obtain a star rank that matches my level, or even higher, to make my strength known. That's the only way to avoid all that trouble."

"That's right," Zhang Jiadi agreed.

Seeing that Luo Chen had figured it out, Zhang Jiadi let out a sigh of relief. Without realizing it, his attitude toward this new and powerful acquaintance had changed. The initial fear and resistance had faded, and in their place was a sense of closeness. If he established a cultivation family in the future, mere Initiates would not be enough to protect it. If this seemingly mild-tempered Adept supported him, he would have far fewer worries.

With that, the topic came to an end. Dusk had arrived, and even though Heavenjade and Wen Xiu had not returned yet, Luo Chen chose not to continue the conversation. He went back to his room and resumed studying the Nascent Core Art. It truly lived up to his expectations for the two great secret arts of the Falling Cloud Sect. As Han Zhan had warned him, its difficulty far exceeded that of Beaded Curtain Lock.

Over the past half year, Luo Chen had failed six or seven times. On average, he failed once each month. Fortunately, the Hidden Dust Sand he possessed was of high quality. Otherwise, it would have crumbled long ago. Even so, Han Zhan had warned him that it would only support three or four more attempts. Beyond that, even success would yield a second Golden Core of poor quality, with little potential for growth, and the idea of forming a second Nascent Soul would become nothing but a pipe dream. Luo Chen did not want to end up like that. Thus, whenever he had time, he studied the art and thought of things he could improve in his attempts. If not for having ample time and not yet securing a suitable cultivation environment, he would have already used achievement points to grasp the art. But with things being as they were, he chose to conserve this precious resource wherever possible.

By night, Heavenjade and Wen Xiu finally returned. When Luo Chen came out, she told him about what she had seen during the day. She also mentioned that she planned to go out again the next day. Luo Chen did not stop her. He would devote most of his time to cultivation in the future, so it would benefit him if she became more familiar with the area. He then took out one million spirit stones from his savings and handed them to her. "Take it. What's the point of just looking without buying? You can use it to get a gist of prices in Dragon Abyss City. Keep whatever's left. That way, you won't have to come to me every time you need spirit stones."

Heavenjade felt both surprised and flattered as she accepted the spirit stones. She was feeling more and more at ease with her master.

Time passed by while Luo Chen worked steadily on the Nascent Core Art. Only when he was nearly out of patience did news arrive. A transmission talisman flew openly into the Zhang family courtyard. Luo Chen caught it midair, and a divine consciousness transmission entered his mind. Greetings, this is the Demon Hunter Division. The assessment task is ready.

Luo Chen's expression tightened as he murmured, "Finally..."

He rose to his feet and put on the red robe that Cheng Haixin had prepared for him. He then tied his loose hair with a jade hairpin. He stood before a Water Mirror and studied himself. His face was still slightly flushed, which affected his appearance, but his features were sharp and his posture upright. Now that he was dressed in refined red robes, with a delicate jade belt at his waist, and his hair neatly pinned in place, he even carried an air of elegance. He stood out at a glance, in no way like the low-profile style of most rogue cultivators.

Luo Chen was satisfied. In a place like the Myriad Immortal Society, where the strong dominated the weak, standing out had its advantages. It would at least spare him from unnecessary trouble caused by lesser figures. He placed the Myriad Soul Banner into his storage ring. With everything ready, he left the courtyard without informing Zhang Jiadi and the others and headed straight for the Demon Hunter Division in the city.

***

A cluster of palace-like buildings stood at the center of Dragon Abyss City. Above the entrance of the main hall, three words were inscribed: "Demon Hunter Division." This was the headquarters of the Myriad Immortal Society's star-ranked demon hunter force.

Luo Chen stood outside and watched the steady stream of cultivators entering and leaving. His sharp gaze swept over them from time to time. Even those at the Qi Refinement Realm drew a second look from him. These rogue cultivators may not be advanced in cultivation, and their mana isn't especially refined. But every one of them has a fierce aura. They're clearly the sort who live on the edge of life and death, and their combat experience must far surpass others at the same level. Actually... if I am not mistaken, the term "raiding cultivator" actually comes from the Northern Sea pirates and later spread across the other regions. These guys really are just like the rumors.

After observing for a moment, Luo Chen no longer hesitated and stepped directly into the Demon Hunter Division. As soon as he entered, a hearty laugh rang out. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo!"

Luo Chen smiled slightly and cupped his hands toward the white-haired old man. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Angler."

Nobody knew the old man’s real name. Among the rogue cultivators of the Myriad Immortal Society, he was known as the Angler. His appearance was unremarkable, but judging him by that would be a grave mistake. He was over four hundred years old, and at the ninth stage of Golden Core. He was also one of the only three eight-star demon hunters! His cultivation was high, and his strength was formidable, so even Luo Chen treated him with caution. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Seeing that Luo Chen was observing proper etiquette, the old man returned the greeting. Without further pleasantries, Luo Chen went straight to the point. "What is my task?"

"No rush!" The Angler chuckled. "Let me introduce you to two fellow Daoists first. The three of you will carry out the assessment task together. It’s best that you get acquainted now and improve your chances of success."

He clapped his hands, and the crisp sound echoed through the hall. Two figures walked in from outside. The moment Luo Chen saw them, his brow furrowed. What kind of task requires three Adepts to work together?