The next stop was my quarters in the Outer Disciples' residence. I needed to inscribe the formations on the formation flag, but more importantly, I needed to talk to Wei Lin and Lin Mei. They should know that I was leaving.
I found them both exactly where I expected – in Lin Mei's small herb garden behind the disciples' residence. She was teaching Wei Lin about some medicinal plants, and based on his glazed expression, it wasn't going well.
"...and that's why you have to harvest spirit herbs during specific lunar phases," Lin Mei was saying, holding up what looked like a completely ordinary leaf. "The qi concentration varies based on—"
"I'm going on a mission," I interrupted, because Wei Lin looked about ready to fall asleep standing up.
They both turned to look at me, Lin Mei with mild annoyance at having her lecture interrupted, Wei Lin with obvious relief.
"What kind of mission?" Wei Lin asked, already shifting into what I thought of as his 'networking mode.' "Something profitable?"
"Beast wave defense," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Some village needs help."
Lin Mei's eyes narrowed. "Which village?"
I should have known better than to try being vague with her. She had an almost supernatural ability to detect when people were hiding things. "...Floating Reed Village."
"Your home?" Wei Lin straightened up, suddenly very awake. "Why didn't you say something earlier? We could have—"
"You're at Stage 5," I cut him off gently. "The mission requires Stage 6 minimum. Besides," I managed a small smile, "someone needs to look after Liu Chen and Rocky while I’m gone."
"We could still help," Lin Mei insisted. "Maybe not directly with the fighting, but—"
"No." I tried to keep my voice firm but kind. "It's too dangerous. Beast waves aren't like regular spiritual beast attacks. They're more like... natural disasters, but with teeth."
"Then why are you going?" Wei Lin demanded. "You're not that much stronger than us."
"I'm not going alone," I assured them. "I've joined a team of Inner Disciples. They're all Stage 7 or above."
"Oh." Wei Lin relaxed slightly. "I'm surprised they accepted an Outer Disciple."
"Formation Guild badge works wonders," I grinned, holding up the token. "Amazing how much more respectful people get when they think you can blow them up with a few well-placed lines."
Lin Mei wasn't so easily distracted. "Be careful," she said softly. "Beast waves are unpredictable. Even Stage 9 cultivators can die if they're not careful."
"I will be," I promised. "Besides, I'm not going to fight unless absolutely necessary. I'll focus on defensive formations and evacuation support."
She nodded, but I could tell she was still worried. Wei Lin looked like he wanted to say something else, but a glance from Lin Mei stopped him.
"We should let you prepare," Wei Lin said instead. "Do you have everything you need?"
I ran through my mental checklist. Storage ring was fully stocked with emergency supplies, formation materials, and enough spirit stones to power several major arrays. My runes were all properly maintained, and I'd topped off my qi reserves during morning meditation.
"I think so. Though..." I hesitated. "Could you two do me a favor while I'm gone?"
"Of course," Lin Mei answered immediately, while Wei Lin nodded.
"Keep an ear out for any news about Elder Chen Yong. He's been in seclusion for a while now, and..."
"You're worried about him," Lin Mei finished softly.
"He's been acting oddly lately," I admitted. "If he comes out before I return, let him know that I’ve left the sect for a mission.
They both promised to inform him, and after a few more exchanges of advice and well-wishes, I headed to my room for some formation inscribing and last-minute packing.
***
A knock at my door interrupted my packing. It was Su Yue.
"You ready? Liu Chang wants to go over strategy before we leave."
I glanced at the sun's position. Had it really been almost an hour already?
"Just about," I said, quickly tucking the last few items into my storage ring. "Lead the way."
She led me to a small courtyard near the south gate where Liu Chang and Chu Feng were already waiting. Liu Chang had spread out a map on a stone table, using small spirit stones as markers.
"Ah, good, you're here," he looked up as we approached. "I was just explaining the basic terrain. The beast wave will most likely come through here," he pointed to a valley pass, "which gives us some advantages in terms of containment. The village is located here, about two hours from the pass at normal traveling speed."
I studied the map, noting the geographical features. "There's a river running parallel to the village's eastern border. We could use that as part of the defensive line."
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Liu Chang nodded approvingly. "My thoughts exactly. Su Yue can use her fire techniques to create a steam barrier if needed. Chu Feng's wind abilities can help direct it."
"And my formation arrays can stabilize the ground and provide early warning systems," I added. "Though we'll need to be careful about placement. Too many active formations in one area can actually attract certain types of beasts."
"Really?" Su Yue looked interested. "I hadn't heard that before."
"It's not common knowledge outside the Formation Guild. Different beast types react differently to formation energy. Some are drawn to it, others avoid it. If we know what kinds of beasts we're dealing with, we can potentially use that to our advantage."
"Assuming we have time to set up proper formations," Chu Feng pointed out. He'd been unusually quiet during the planning session, his earlier nervousness replaced by an intense focus that made me think Azure's assessment of his act was spot-on.
"Even basic arrays can make a difference," I replied. "And I've gotten quite good at quick deployment."
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Liu Chang clapped his hands together. "Right, that's the basic plan. We head to the village first, set up defenses, then work with other teams to move to intercept the beast wave before it reaches the settlement. Questions?"
We shook our heads.
"Good. Then let's move out. The sooner we get there, the more time we'll have to prepare."
I found myself hanging back slightly as we headed for the gate, my mind racing with last-minute preparations. Had I packed enough formation materials? Should I have bought more emergency talismans? Was I actually ready for this?
"Your heart rate has increased again," Azure noted. "Are you concerned about the mission, or about returning to the village?"
"Both?" I admitted silently. "It's... complicated. I have all these memories of growing up there, but they're not really mine. I remember a kind father who taught his son basic tailoring, a mother who always seemed to know exactly what to say... but I never actually met them."
"Yet you feel responsible for their safety."
"Yeah." I watched my teammates walking ahead of me, each lost in their own preparations. "Is that weird? Feeling protective of people I technically never met?"
"I don't believe there is a standard protocol for inherited memories and emotional attachments," Azure replied with that dry humor I'd come to appreciate. "Though if it helps, I think wanting to protect innocent people is admirable regardless of personal connection."
He had a point. Maybe I was overthinking this. The village needed help, I was capable of helping, and that was really all that mattered right now.
We reached the south gate where a sect elder was waiting to verify our mission tokens. The process was quick and efficient – they clearly wanted teams heading out as soon as possible.
"Remember," the elder said as he checked our tokens, "this is a defensive mission. Priority is civilian safety. Do not pursue fleeing beasts unless they pose an immediate threat to settlements."
"Understood," Liu Chang replied for all of us.
"And try to keep property damage to a minimum this time," the elder added, giving Chu Feng a pointed look.
Chu Feng managed to look both offended and slightly embarrassed. "That warehouse was already unstable! My wind blade just... helped it decide which way to fall."
"It fell on three other buildings."
"...in a very controlled manner?"
The elder sighed the sigh of someone who had long since given up on expecting sensible behavior from cultivators. "Just go. And try not to destroy any more architecture."
As we stepped through the gate, I took one last look back at the sect. The familiar buildings stood peaceful against the morning sky, students going about their daily routines, completely unaware of the chaos we were heading toward.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Su Yue asked, noticing me lagging behind.
“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “Just hoping we all make it back in one piece.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” she laughed. “Beast wave missions are our speciality.”
Nodding my head, I turned my focus forward, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Anxiety about what we might face, determination to protect the village, and an odd sense of anticipation. After all, this would be my first real combat mission where death would really be the end, there would be no reset…
"Azure," I thought as we picked up speed, "let's review what we know about beast waves while we travel. I have a feeling we're going to need every advantage we can get."
"Of course, Master. Though perhaps we should also discuss contingency plans for meeting your... parents?"
I nearly missed a step.
Right.
That was going to be interesting and…awkward.