ASCENSION OF THE FORSAKEN DISCIPLE

Chapter5:Poisonous Whispers

Elder Zhao,” Yuan said, his brow furrowing. “You mean to suggest the boy has…”

“I mean to suggest nothing,” Zhao interrupted silkily, stroking his beard. His gaze settled on Kai with an unreadable expression. “I merely find it… curious. A crippled disciple, worthless for years, suddenly rises beyond his peers. Sometimes, when such miracles occur, one wonders if forbidden methods were involved.”

The words were carefully selected. It was never a direct accusation. The disciples whispered louder now with their eyes narrowing on Kai.

“Forbidden methods?”

“Could it be… demonic arts?”

“He might have made a deal with spirits in the forbidden grounds…”

Kai’s jaw tightened. He knew Zhao was trying to bury him without lifting a blade.

Master Yuan exhaled heavily. “Elder Zhao, unless you present evidence, your insinuations are dangerous. The boy’s results stand. He is a Qi Refining disciple now.”

Zhao only smiled faintly, his tone slippery. “Of course, of course. I do not question the results. I merely caution the sect. Sudden rises often hide unstable roots.”

The elders shifted uncomfortably, but none challenged him further. Zhao’s influence stretched far in the sect, and his reputation for veiled words was feared.

Li Shen, meanwhile, seized upon Zhao’s suggestion. He sneered at Kai. “Hah! You hear that? Even Elder Zhao knows something’s wrong with you. You can’t hide forever, trash. I’ll expose your tricks to everyone!”

The disciples laughed nervously half-afraid of what might later become of them if everything happening to Kai was indeed the truth.

Kai, however, stood calmly, his expression unreadable. Deep within his mind, golden script flickered to life.

“System Notification!!!

Quest Assigned: Prove Strength through Action.

Condition: Complete a Martial Mission of the Outer Sect.

Reward: Martial Points +10. Hidden Bonus: ???”

Kai’s heart steadied as he read the glowing words only he could see. The System never spoke idly, it has just given him direction. 

Master Yuan clapped his hands, signaling the test’s end. “Enough. The evaluations conclude here. All disciples, dismissed.”

The yard dissolved into murmurs as groups clustered. Their eyes still fixed at Kai before retreating. The poison from Zhao about Kai's power being from forbidden art spread fast.

Kai turned to leave, but Li Shen shoved past, whispering harshly, “Enjoy your fleeting glory. I’ll tear that mask off you soon.”

Kai’s eyes met his coldly. “Then you would better grow stronger. Because right now… you can’t even touch me.”

Li Shen’s face twisted, but before he could lash back, Kai walked away. His calm steps are louder than any insult.

…….

…

That night, Kai sat and crossed his leg in his dim quarters. Candlelight brightened the room as shadows of objects danced along the cracked walls. He took a deep breaths, feeling the faint noise of his newly awakened Martial Spirit.

Though it still felt fragile, it burned with steady determination.

The System’s quest lingered before his eyes, urging him toward action.

“A Martial Mission…” he muttered. Outer sect missions were tasks given to disciples like hunting rogue beasts, and guarding caravans, gathering rare herbs. They were dangerous, especially for weaker cultivators. For him, this was the perfect crucible.

He clenched his fists. “If strength is the only answer, then I’ll make I use it all.”

The following morning, the mission hall bustled with activity. Wooden boards were used to decorate the wall, plastered with parchment slips. Each one is a mission awaiting brave hands. Disciples dodged, laughing, arguing, and claiming easier jobs while avoiding dangerous ones.

As Kai stepped in, the buzz faltered. The disciples' heads turned and whispers followed him like flies.

“There he is…”

“The cripple that rose overnight.”

“Think he’ll try some lowly herb-picking job to hide his weakness?”

Kai ignored them, scanning the board. His eyes settled on one parchment stamped with red ink:

“Mission: Eliminate the Shadowfang Wolves haunting Blackwind Gorge.

Difficulty: High. The Rewards are: Spirit Stones +10, Contribution Points x30.

Note: Several disciples failed and withdrew. Proceed with caution.”

The crowd glanced at it, muttering, but no one reached for it. It was just too dangerous.

Then Kai tore it from the board.

Gasps filled the hall.

“He took the wolf mission?!”

“Is he insane? Even senior disciples struggle there!”

“He’s courting death.”

Li Shen, who had entered with his clique, laughed viciously. “Perfect. Go feed yourself to the wolves, trash. Save me the trouble of killing you later.”

At the mission desk, the elder on duty raised a brow. “Are you certain, Kai? This mission has turned away stronger disciples than you.”

Kai bowed respectfully. “I accept the mission.” His voice was firm, and resolute.

The elder stamped the parchment reluctantly. “So be it. Return with proof of success… or do not return at all.”

Words spread quickly. By afternoon, disciples across the sect buzzed with the news. Kai, the once-crippled trash, had accepted a death mission. To some, it was arrogance and to others, madness.

And to Elder Zhao, who stood on a high balcony overlooking the sect grounds, it was his opportunity. His eyes gleamed like a predator’s. “So… you chose the path of suicide. Perhaps fate will spare me the trouble.”

That night, Kai prepared quietly. His belongings were few. Just a simple sword, a travel cloak, and his sharp determination. As he strapped the blade to his back, the System pulsed again.

“System Notification

Quest Activated: Prove Strength through Action.

Objective: Complete Mission – Eliminate the Shadowfang Wolves.

Warning: High Risk Detected.

Failure Penalty: Martial Spirit Instability.”

Kai smirked faintly. “High risk, high reward.”

He stepped out into the night, moonlight shown on his path. His shadow stretched long across the sect’s yard as disciples watched from afar, whispering and pointing. To them, he was walking into death. To him, it was the first step toward breaking every chain that bound him.

In the shadows of the pavilion, Li Shen sneered while Elder Zhao’s voice murmured like silk,

“That boy… if he survives the wolves, then he is no ordinary disciple. But if he dies, all my problems vanish. Let the harsh grounds decide his fate.”

Kai’s cloak whipped behind him as he crossed the gates, heading straight toward Blackwind Gorge.

The sect whispered with poisonous doubt.

Kai walked forward courageously