Heaven rewards diligence, but there are always fairies plotting against me.

After that chaotic little incident, Xu Shuang's attitude towards Chu Chang has clearly undergone a subtle change.

Although she still wore that cold, pretty face, it was clear to anyone with eyes that her deliberate targeting and oppression of Chu Chang had vanished.

"Alright, back to the team!!"

Xu Shuang cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention, and began to announce the duty assignments for the Third Enforcement Hall over the next few days.

As disciples of the Enforcement Hall, we don't just collect salaries without doing any work; each of us has quotas to meet.

"Zhang Dabiao, Li Si." Xu Shuang spread out the mission roster and called out the names in a cold voice.

"Disciples are here!" Two senior disciples at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm quickly stepped forward with clasped hands.

"You two will lead a team to patrol the North Street Market. Recently, some rogue cultivators have been selling fake medicine and engaging in extortionate sales in the market. If anyone resists, arrest them, cripple their cultivation, and send them to work in the mines."

"yes!"

"Wang Hu, Zhao Long. There are signs of demonic beasts causing trouble in Li Family Village south of the city. Take a few of the new junior brothers and go investigate. Be careful."

"Yes, sir!"

Xu Shuang assigned tasks methodically, her tone decisive and efficient.

One by one, the disciples received their tokens, each with a different expression.

Finally, Xu Shuang's gaze fell on Chu Chang, who was looking bored to the side.

Looking at this troublemaker who had almost overturned the table with her just now, Xu Shuang frowned slightly and began to make plans in her mind.

The tasks I've been assigned recently... are indeed all difficult to handle.

For example, venturing to the edge of the Black Wind Forest to investigate the whereabouts of demonic cultivators, or going to the East Sea Gang's territory to collect their dues, each of these tasks carries considerable risk.

Although Chu Chang has some strength, he is still a newcomer to the inner sect and hasn't even figured out the rules of the Enforcement Hall. If something goes wrong, she won't be able to explain it to Lin Ruoxue.

Thinking of this, Xu Shuang closed the roster and said calmly, "As for Chu Chang..."

The surrounding disciples all turned to look, curious about how Xu Shuang would deal with the guy who had just contradicted her.

"You've just entered the Enforcement Hall and aren't yet familiar with the various laws and regulations or the sect's situation. For the next few days, stay in Courtyard No. 3 to familiarize yourself with the Enforcement Hall's environment and focus on your cultivation. Master the new techniques and movement methods the hall has given you before we assign you any specific tasks."

They didn't even give him the simplest errand-running task! They just want him to stay in the courtyard, freeload off resources, and focus on his cultivation?!

The disciples around him nearly popped their eyes out again, their hearts filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

This treatment is even better than that of a biological son!

This puzzled everyone.

One moment they were all so incorruptible, how come they changed their tune so quickly?

Upon hearing this, Chu Chang was overjoyed.

Good heavens, the ancients were right! One just can't be too honest!

If I had meekly accepted the punishment and gone on patrol, I'd probably be standing somewhere in the cold wind right now.

This commotion, ironically, led to a lucrative paid job of cultivating immortality!

"Thank you for your consideration, Senior Sister Xu! I will definitely work harder and live up to your expectations!" Chu Chang bowed and smiled with a kind and honest smile.

Xu Shuang's eye twitched. She felt there was a fox-like cunning in the kid's smile, so she simply waved her hand to avoid further annoyance: "Meeting adjourned!"

After everyone dispersed, Chu Chang took his disciple token and cultivation resources and walked out humming a little tune.

Whenever he had free time, he couldn't help but think of two other people, Yu Xiaoxiao and Zhang Erniu.

These two guys had previously mentioned that they were going to the Black Wind Forest behind the sect to gather herbs and hunt low-level demonic beasts.

I had invited him before.

Thinking of this, Chu Chang walked towards Zhang Erniu's residence.

…………

…………

…………

At noon, the sun was blazing overhead.

Chu Chang, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, followed Zhang Erniu, who was beaming with excitement, at a leisurely pace, heading towards the sect's exit.

"Brother Chu, we really got lucky this time thanks to Senior Sister Xiaoxiao." Zhang Erniu hadn't stopped talking the whole way, winking and whispering, "Senior Sister Xiaoxiao said she invited a formal senior brother from the inner sect to lead the team, and he's a true Qi Refining Realm expert! With him here, our trip to Black Wind Forest to gather herbs and hunt demons is absolutely a sure thing!!!"

Chu Chang raised an eyebrow and smiled noncommittally.

A moment later, the two arrived at the gate of the sect's exit.

From afar, a tall and pretty figure was waiting there; it was Yu Xiaoxiao.

Beside her stood a tall, dark-skinned young man.

The man had his arms crossed over his chest, a heavy, broadsword strapped to his back, and exuded a deep and restrained aura.

"Qi Refining Realm, indeed an advanced expert." Chu Chang glanced over and immediately understood.

"Chu Chang! Er Niu! You've finally arrived!" Yu Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up when she saw the two of them, and she quickly walked over to greet them.

Approaching him, she glanced at the dark-skinned man beside her with a hint of admiration and introduced him, "Let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Huang Shigui from the Third Hall of the Inner Sect. Senior Brother Huang is a powerful expert at the first level of the Qi Refining Realm, and he wields his broadsword with incredible ferocity!"

Then, she turned to Huang Shigui: "Senior Brother Huang, these two are my fellow townsmen whom I often mention to you, Chu Chang and Zhang Erniu."

Huang Shigui glanced sideways at Chu Chang and Zhang Erniu out of the corner of his eye.

When he sensed that the two were only at the Body Tempering Realm, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up, and his arrogance deepened.

"Originally, as your senior brother, I would have disdained to cooperate with you two newly recruited apprentices."

Huang Shigui, with his nostrils flared, spoke indifferently, his tone carrying a condescending air of condescension: "This time, I'm only giving you a ride out of consideration for Junior Sister Xiaoxiao. Once we're in the forest, you two stay put in the back and don't hold me back, understand?"

Chu Chang was speechless for a moment after hearing this.

He's only at the first level of the Qi Refining Realm, what's with all the arrogance?

This morning I just overturned the table with the captain in the Enforcement Hall, what are you pretending to be all high and mighty for?

Yu Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed and gave an awkward smile. She quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Chu Chang, Er Niu, please don't mind. This time, besides picking Ghost Grass, we're going to the Black Wind Forest to deal with the Black Wind Wolves on the outskirts. Those monsters come in packs and are incredibly powerful, so..."

Her implication was clear: it's normal for Senior Brother Huang to be a bit temperamental because he's strong; we'll need his help when the fight breaks out, so please bear with him.

Zhang Erniu was honest; he scratched the back of his head and chuckled foolishly, saying nothing.

Chu Chang shrugged indifferently: "Alright, Senior Brother Huang is mighty. We'll rely on Senior Brother Huang's divine might later. Let's go."

The group set off immediately.

Since Chu Chang and Zhang Erniu had not yet broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, they were unable to fly and were even somewhat rusty in their lightness skills. The group could only run quickly along the mountain path.

Huang Shigui deliberately sped up along the way, seemingly wanting to see the two make fools of themselves. However, when he turned around, he saw that Chu Chang, though pretending to be out of breath, had been following closely behind, calm and composed.

"This kid's got some skills..."

Since he was not a disciple of the Enforcement Hall, he was not very familiar with the Enforcement Hall's assessment and naturally did not know that Chu Chang had won first place in the assessment.

He thought Chu Chang was just an ordinary disciple like Zhang Erniu.

Speechless all the way.

As night fell and a shaggy moon hung above the treetops, the group of four finally reached the edge of the Black Wind Forest.

Looking ahead, the forest was pitch black, with gusts of cold wind blowing, like a giant beast with its jaws wide open, and the occasional chilling howls of wolves echoed through the air.

"It's too dark. The danger in the Black Wind Forest increases exponentially at night."

Huang Shigui stopped and, with the air of a leader, ordered, "Alright, let's light a campfire up ahead, rest for the night, and go into the forest early tomorrow morning."

As he spoke, he turned to Chu Chang and Zhang Erniu and instructed them, "You two, go and gather some dry firewood from nearby."

Chu Chang was about to respond, but when he met Huang Shigui's gaze, his pupils suddenly contracted.

A red line of murderous intent appeared above Huang Shigui's head!

This guy... he wanted to kill him?!

"When did I offend him? Why does he want to kill me?"

This person's trip seems to be fraught with ill intentions.

In an instant, Chu Chang's mind became crystal clear, and he stared intently at Huang Shigui!