I Only Wanted to Stay Unseen, Until...

The platform was encircled by guard troops. As soon as they caught sight of the group descending from the Corpse Cloud, they dropped to their knees in unison, their voices ringing out in a chorus of reverence.

"Greetings, Immortal Masters and Fairies!"

Chen Haunt barely glanced at them, his focus already shifting to the task at hand. "Let's head to the city jarl's mansion first," he said, his tone brisk but not unkind as he addressed Pay Ling. "Jarl Drainwood is a senior at the Foundation Stage of cultivation. When we meet him, mind your manners. Pay attention to etiquette."

Pay Ling nodded, his expression calm but attentive. "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. I'll bear that in mind."

Half an hour later, they arrived at the jarl's mansion. Though Lothgar City, like Deerspring Town, fell under the Abyss Pit Sect's domain, it was visibly wealthier and more prosperous. The jarl's mansion was a testament to that wealth, its grandeur and scale dwarfing even the Pay Manor back in Deerspring. Towering walls of polished stone surrounded the estate, and the intricate carvings on the gates spoke of craftsmanship that could only be afforded by the elite.

After stating their identities at the gate, a steward soon emerged to greet them. He was a lean man with sharp features, his demeanor polite but efficient. "Esteemed guests," he said with a bow, "welcome to the jarl's residence. Please, follow me."

As Pay Ling stepped over the threshold, he felt a strange lightness wash over him, as if a gentle breeze had brushed his face, easing the tension in his body. He glanced around, his curiosity piqued.

Noticing his reaction, Chen Mave leaned in slightly, her voice soft and melodic. "Jarl Drainwood is an array formation cultivator. This mansion is built around a Spirit-Gathering Array—a simplified version of the one on Ghost Shade Peak. It nurtures the body and aids in cultivation."

Pay Ling nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings with newfound appreciation. "Thanks for letting me know, Senior Sister Chen."

The mansion was a sprawling complex of deep courtyards and lush greenery. Servants and maids moved about with practiced efficiency, their heads bowing respectfully as the steward led the group through the grounds. The air was filled with the faint scent of blooming flowers and the distant murmur of flowing water.

Soon, they were ushered into a side hall. The opulence of the room was immediately apparent. Eight melon-shaped floor lamps lined the walls, their shades embroidered with intricate depictions of juggling performers. As the steward gestured for the group to be seated, maids appeared almost instantly, serving tea with graceful precision.

The steward clapped his hands lightly, and the embroidered figures on the lamps seemed to come alive. They leaped from the shades, landing on the floor and morphing into lifelike beings. With a bow, they launched into a dazzling performance of acrobatics and tricks, their movements fluid and mesmerizing.

The steward smiled warmly. "Please, esteemed guests, relax here for a moment. The jarl is currently occupied with some affairs but will join you shortly."

As he spoke, a troupe of lovely maidens entered, bearing gold cups and silver trays laden with exotic fruits and delicate pastries. They moved with practiced grace, tending to the group with eager attentiveness.

Chen Haunt inclined his head politely. "We wouldn't dare to disturb Jarl Drainwood. We're merely here to deliver a letter from Senior Brother Drainwood to jarl. Mister Steward, if you could kindly pass it to the jarl, we would be most grateful."

The steward shook his head gently, his tone respectful but firm. "The jarl insists that it is always a pleasure to greet friends from afar. Esteemed guests must stay for a few days. As for the young lord's letter, the jarl will be here soon—please hand it to him yourselves."

Chen Haunt's group exchanged subtle glances. None of them were particularly eager to leave, not with such lavish hospitality being offered. After a few more polite exchanges, they settled in, enjoying the maidens' attentive service and the mesmerizing entertainment.

About half a day had passed, and the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the city. Dusk settled in, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Just then, a faint cough echoed from outside the hall. The juggling figures, who had been mesmerizing the group with their acrobatics, flickered and dissolved back into shadows, retreating to the embroidered lamp shades as if they had never left.

The maidens, who had been playfully teasing the group and pouring wine, immediately straightened up, their demeanor shifting to one of quiet respect. They clasped their hands neatly in front of them and stepped back, their eyes downcast.

The steward's face lit up with reverence, and he announced in a hushed but excited tone, "The jarl is here."

Chen Haunt and the others rose to their feet, their expressions turning solemn as they prepared to greet the city's ruler.

Moments later, a middle-aged man strode into the hall, flanked by a retinue of attendants. He appeared to be in his forties, his presence commanding and dignified. A short, neatly trimmed beard adorned his chin, and his sharp eyes gleamed with a mix of shrewdness and vitality as they swept across the room.

Chen Haunt and his squad bowed deeply, their voices respectful and measured. "It's been a while, Jarl Drainwood. Your presence shines brighter than ever!"

Jarl Drainwood chuckled warmly, his voice rich and hearty. "Haha, you flatter me. I'm getting old, not like you young ones with your boundless futures. My son is still in the holy sect—please, do look after him."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Haunt handed over the letter. Jarl Drainwood accepted it with a nod of thanks but made no move to leave. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Do you have other tasks during this trip? If they're near Lothgar City, I might be able to lend a hand."

Chen Haunt's expression brightened, and he replied deferentially, "Thank you for your generosity, Jarl Drainwood. Our squad has taken on two additional tasks: one involves dealing with the flower demon beasts outside the city, and the other is capturing a Purple-Eyed Mink in Lothgar Mountain."

Pay Ling listened and recalled the mission description in his mind.

[Task Name]: The Flower Demon Beasts

[Description]: Outside the crumbling stone ramparts of Lothgar rural, where the wind howls like a chorus of lost souls, lies the Pink Wood. These are no ordinary flowers. The Flower Demon Beasts, monstrous hybrids of petal and fang, lurk within the overgrowth, their roots pulsing with a sinister hunger. Each blossom hides a maw of jagged teeth, and their vines slither like serpents, tipped with barbs that drip a venom said to trap your soul in an eternal nightmare. The sect seniors, cloaked in their moth-eaten robes, have posted a grim bounty: venture into the place, sever the heart-roots of five of these floral fiends, and return with their glowing, sap-bleeding cores as proof. 

... 

[Task Name]: The Hunt for the Purple-Eyed Mink in Lothgar Mountain

[Description]: High above the fog-draped valleys, Lothgar Mountain looms like a jagged scar against the sky, its peaks shrouded in an unnatural twilight that never fades. Within its labyrinthine caves and frostbitten cliffs dwells the Purple-Eyed Mink—a creature as elusive as it is deadly, its fur a ripple of midnight silk and its eyes twin amethysts that pierce the dark with an otherworldly glow. Legends say it moves like a shadow's whisper, leaving only the faintest claw-marks on stone and the scent of crushed lavender in its wake. The task is simple yet perilous: capture the mink dead or alive and deliver it to the Alchemist of Greystone Peak, who claims its eyes hold the key to a potion of eternal sight. Armed with little more than a silver-threaded net and a vial of lure crafted from moonlit herbs, you must brave the mountain's treacherous paths—where the wind screams through hollowed rocks and the shadows twist into shapes that watch your every step. Fail, and the mink's hypnotic gaze might claim your mind, leaving you to wander Lothgar's frozen heights forever, a puppet to its silent will.

... 

Jarl Drainwood stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "The flower demon beasts are only at the fourth-layer Enlightenment stage. They shouldn't pose much of a threat to a group like yours—I won't comment further on that. As for the Purple-Eyed Mink, its speed is as swift as lightning, but since you've taken the task, I assume you're well-prepared. It shouldn't be an issue… except for one recent complication."

"A complication?" Chen Haunt's smile faltered, and he exchanged quick, uneasy glances with Hwong Hyun and Cheung Joer'tin. He clasped his fists and bowed slightly. " Please, jarl Drainwood, we'd greatly appreciate your guidance."

Jarl Drainwood's expression grew more serious as he spoke slowly, "Recently, a Foundation Stage demon beast—a Man-Faced Spider—emerged from deep within Lothgar Mountain to lay its eggs. Unfortunately, it's chosen a spot near the Purple-Eyed Mink's territory."

Chen Haunt's group paled at the mention of the Man-Faced Spider. "A Man-Faced Spider?" Chen Haunt repeated, his voice tinged with unease. The name alone was enough to send a chill through the room. 

"Indeed," Jarl Drainwood replied with a heavy sigh, his expression somber. "I spotted it some time ago and intended to eliminate it to spare Lothgar City the trouble. However, twenty years ago, an accident shattered my hopes of advancing my cultivation and left me with a chronic ailment. I can no longer exert my full cultivation power without risking severe consequences. While the demon beast is weakened from laying eggs, I'm not confident I can defeat it alone. So, I've allowed it to nest on the mountain's edge, merely ordering my people to steer clear—lest they become its next meal."

Seeing the apprehension on their faces, Jarl Drainwood offered a reassuring smile. "But your task isn't hopeless."

Chen Haunt leaned forward, his voice urgent. "Please, Jarl Drainwood, enlighten us. What should we do?"

Their primary goal might have been Pay Ling, but as disciples of the Abyss Pit Sect, they never turned down an opportunity to earn more spirit stones. The reward for capturing the Purple-Eyed Mink was substantial—why abandon it now?

Jarl Drainwood stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Though I couldn't kill the spider, I've observed it for days and mapped its territory. I'll have the steward fetch you a map later. If you take the long way around, it will require some effort on foot, but it will keep you out of the spider's range and ensure your safety."

The tension in the room eased slightly as Chen Haunt and his squad exhaled in relief. They thanked Jarl Drainwood profusely, their gratitude genuine.

After a few more formalities, Jarl Drainwood excused himself to attend to other matters, leaving the steward to oversee their hospitality. The group was then led from the side hall to a serene waterfront pavilion, where a lavish feast awaited them. The table was laden with delicacies, but what caught everyone's attention were the two exquisite jade jars placed at the center.

Chen Mave explained with a soft smile, "These are Lothwell Mead, an entry-tier spirit wine, brewed from rare spirit fruits and the water of Lothgar's famous ancient spirit well. They're particularly beneficial for cultivators."

Chen Haunt's eyes gleamed with appreciation, his usual composure slipping slightly. "Jarl Drainwood's generosity is unmatched," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "This alone makes the effort of applying for this task worthwhile."

The wine was evidently a rare treat. Without hesitation, Chen Haunt stored one of the jars into his storage pouch, opening the other to share with the group. He poured the pale jade liquid into delicate cups, the aroma of floral sweetness and earthy undertones filling the air.

Pay Ling raised his cup, the liquid shimmering faintly under the warm glow of the pavilion's lanterns. He took a cautious sip, and his eyes widened in surprise. The wine was rich and complex, with a subtle spiciness that danced across his tongue. As it slid down his throat, a warm, electric sensation spread through his chest, igniting a fire in his dantian. The energy surged through his meridians, invigorating his limbs and filling him with a sense of vitality he hadn't felt in weeks.

He could feel the spirit energy within the wine harmonizing with his own, subtly enhancing his cultivation. It was a small but noticeable boost, and Pay Ling couldn't help but marvel at the difference between this and the mundane wines he'd tasted in Deerspring Town.

As he savored the wine, his mind began to race.

The Corpse Cloud rental cost ten spirit stones, and the rewards from the letter delivery and flower demon tasks barely cover that, he thought. Perhaps Chen Haunt's squad took on these tasks for the extra perks like this spirit wine.