Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World

Tian Lei stood still, sword in hand, watching the serpent rise higher from the water. It let out a low, grinding hiss. The sound made the air vibrate.

Yuxin twirled her crescent blades once to loosen her wrists. "So… plan?" she asked.

"Keep it busy," Tian Lei said. "I'll disable it."

"Great. I'll try not to get eaten."

The serpent lunged first. Its head shot forward like a giant arrow, jaws snapping shut on the space they had been standing on. Yuxin leapt sideways, light as air, and landed on a bent tree root. The bite crushed the wood behind her like it was paper.

Tian Lei moved at the same time, rushing straight at its flank. His sword flared with faint Soulforce as he slashed down across the serpent's side. The blade hit hard, sending a splash of green light scattering from its scales. It didn't cut deep—just enough to get its attention.

The serpent turned fast, tail whipping around. Tian Lei ducked under it, his coat brushing the moss as it passed over him like a falling tree trunk. Yuxin used the tail's swing as a springboard, kicking off it and flipping over the serpent's back. As she passed, she sliced her twin blades down its length, carving shallow glowing lines.

It roared and thrashed, shaking the water so hard that waves crashed against the trees.

"Annoying it is working," Yuxin called.

"Good. Keep going." Tian Lei pushed off a hummock and landed back on the main root, Soulforce building around him. He held his sword in both hands now, focus sharp as a razor.

The serpent whipped its body toward him, jaws wide. He stood still until the last second, then sidestepped and slashed straight across its face. The strike cracked one of its glass-like scales. The serpent screamed, thrashing even harder.

Yuxin darted back in, aiming for its eyes. The serpent reared up to strike her, but Tian Lei raised his free hand and sent out a burst of compressed Soulforce. It slammed into the serpent's jaw from the side, knocking its head away from her.

"Nice," she said, landing and skidding back to his side.

"Almost done," he replied. "Hit the soft spot behind its jaw when I open it."

"On it."

The serpent lunged again. This time Tian Lei didn't dodge. He ran straight at it, leapt, and drove his sword into its mouth as it snapped at him. The blade stuck for a moment, wedged between its fangs. He used it as leverage, pushing off its snout to backflip away just as it slammed its head into the water.

Yuxin was already moving. She dashed up its neck like a staircase and drove both her crescent blades into the spot just below its jaw. The blades sank deep, glowing as her own energy surged into the strike.

The serpent let out a high, broken screech. Its whole body spasmed, and light cracked across its scales like shattered glass. It crashed back into the water, sending a huge splash over everything.

They both jumped clear and landed on the mossy ground nearby.

The serpent twitched a few times, then slowly went still. The glow in its body faded away, leaving only pale jade scales floating lifeless on the water's surface.

Yuxin pulled off her veil just long enough to wipe her face, breathing hard. "I'm… counting that as a win."

Tian Lei walked over to where his sword had landed, yanked it free from the mud, and sheathed it. "Neutralized. Let's go before something else wakes up."

"Gladly."

They climbed back onto the crane, which had stayed perched above the fight the whole time. It gave them an unimpressed glance before spreading its wings.

As it lifted off, Yuxin leaned back in the saddle and sighed. "Next time," she said, "we steal faster."

"Agreed," Tian Lei said, eyes already on the horizon.

The marsh shrank below them as they flew off, leaving the shattered water and silent serpent behind.

By the time they reached Cloudveil City, the sky had already shifted into the warm orange of late evening. The giant white crane circled once above the tiled rooftops, then glided down to the sect's landing courtyard.

Tian Lei stepped off first, stretching his arms. "Report first. Food after."

"Food first," Yuxin countered immediately, hopping down beside him. "We just fought a six-ton glow worm with fangs."

He gave her a look. She gave him a brighter look.

"…Fine," he said with a sigh. "Food first."

They walked side by side through the stone-paved streets, the city lights flickering on around them like fireflies. Cloudveil City was built on layers of sloping terraces, each one lined with lanterns and moss-covered stone walls. The scent of grilled skewers drifted through the air.

They found a quiet corner stall near the eastern wall—a place with wooden benches, sizzling pans, and a handwritten menu nailed to the post. The owner, an old man with one eye and suspiciously good knife skills, barely glanced at their dusty clothes before serving them hot noodles and sweet rice wine.

They ate in silence for a while, the kind of silence that only came after battle—comfortable and still.

After a few minutes, Yuxin broke it. "You're terrible at taking breaks, you know that?"

Tian Lei slurped another noodle. "Breaks get people slow."

"Breaks keep people alive." She leaned forward, chin on her palm. "Try relaxing once in a while. You might not combust."

"I'll consider it."

"Good. Because I already booked us rooms."

He blinked. "When?"

"While you were lecturing me about reporting first." She grinned. "One night. Nice place. Actual beds."

Tian Lei thought about arguing. Then he thought about the fact that he was still damp from swamp water and could feel moss in his boots. "…Accepted."

They finished eating, left the dishes with the old stallkeeper, and made their way up the terrace steps to a small inn tucked between two tea houses. The innkeeper gave them keys and a polite bow.

At the door to their rooms, Yuxin paused. "Tomorrow," she said, "we report the job. After that… new assignment?"

"Correct," Tian Lei said. "Back-to-back missions."

"Perfect." She smiled, tired but content. "Sleep well, captain."

She vanished into her room with a faint wave.

Tian Lei stood there a moment longer, quiet, then went into his own room and shut the door. He set his sword by the bed, washed his hands, and lay down fully clothed. The sound of the city hummed softly outside the window.

He was asleep within minutes.

Sunlight slanted through the paper screens in pale golden bars, painting the room in quiet warmth. Somewhere beyond the window, Cloudveil City was already stirring—soft bell chimes from a nearby shrine, the distant clatter of market stalls opening, the faint hiss of morning tea being poured.

Tian Lei opened his eyes the way mountains wake: slowly, but entirely.

He sat up, combed a hand through his hair, and reattached his sword to his belt in one fluid motion. There was no stretch, no yawn—just immediate forward momentum, like he'd merely paused the concept of motion overnight.

Outside, Yuxin was perched on the inn's low stone railing, veil shimmering faintly in the morning light. She was sipping tea from a small porcelain cup with the regal serenity of someone who absolutely did not wake up fifteen minutes ago.

"You're late," she said as he stepped out.

"You're early," he replied, entirely unbothered.

She smiled into her cup. "Mission Hall?"

"Mission Hall."

They descended the winding terrace streets together, weaving through morning crowds—scholars with scroll satchels, traders hawking talismans, young disciples sparring in quiet courtyards. Cloudveil City gleamed like polished jade under the rising sun.

The Mission Hall rose at the heart of the city: a broad, tiered pagoda crowned with bronze windchimes. Disciples passed through its great carved doors like bees through a hive.

Inside, the air smelled of sandalwood and ink. Rows of mission boards lined the hall, each covered in glowing slips of spiritual paper—some faint and pale, some thrumming with bright crimson urgency.

Yuxin plucked a fan from her sleeve and flicked it open with a snap. "What's our flavor today? Subtle sabotage, catastrophic beast hunt, or another scenic swamp spa retreat?"

"Routine," Tian Lei said automatically, scanning the crimson-rimmed board.

After a moment, his eyes caught on one.

He pulled the slip free.

Black paper. Gold script.

The letters pulsed faintly, slow and steady, like a heartbeat trying not to be noticed.

Yuxin's fan stilled. "That's… not routine."

Tian Lei read aloud, voice even:

Mission: Mistpetal Glade

Objective: Retrieve a cluster of dew-blooming spirit herbs.

Hazards: Minimal. Occasional pollen haze. Bring proper storage seals.

The slip drifted lightly between his fingers, faint green script glowing like drowsy fireflies.

Yuxin's eyes peeked over the rim of her fan, glinting with mock drama. "Be still, my heart. The thrill. The peril."

Tian Lei folded the slip. "It's routine."

"Routine," she echoed cheerfully, snapping her fan shut. "My favorite kind of almost-napping."

She slipped off the railing in one smooth motion. "Let's pack."

He gave the faintest nod, and together they turned from the mission board—the gentle green glow of the slip lingering behind them like a sigh of spring rain.