"System," I murmured into the bronze ring, "pull up all my incomplete quest panels."

The ring flared hot in an instant, and a pale blue holographic panel unfurled before my eyes. The System Elder's spectral projection wobbled into view, cradling a cup of instant noodles in both hands.

"Well, well — the rookie finally remembered he had quests?" He slurped a mouthful of noodles and peered at me. "Figured you were planning to face-tank Baizhen Pavilion on sheer audacity alone."

I ignored his cutting remarks and turned my eyes to the panel:

---

CURRENT INCOMPLETE QUESTS

Main Quest: Investigate the Location of Baizhen Pavilion's Headquarters. (Progress: 0%)
Quest Description: Baizhen Pavilion's headquarters is concealed with extreme care. The Host must make use of available clues to determine its precise location and defensive layout.
Quest Reward: Mastery of Tracking Arts; 500 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Hidden Quest: "Cultivation on the Tip of the Tongue" — Use qi-infused grilled fish to improve the constitution of 100 mortal individuals. (Progress: 37/100)
Quest Description: The Host's qi-infused grilled fish carries a faint thread of spiritual energy. The Host must cumulatively aid 100 mortals in relieving ailments or strengthening their bodies.
Quest Reward: Basic Alchemy Technique; 100 Qi-Gathering Pills.

Main Quest: Destroy Baizhen Pavilion's Reserves of Reeking Scale Powder Used to Mask Spiritual Energy. (Progress: Spirit Gathering Array destroyed — quest target has shifted, pending update)
Quest Description: Baizhen Pavilion has relocated its Reeking Scale Powder stockpile. The Host must reacquire its position and destroy it.
Quest Reward: Mastery of Talisman Arts; 800 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

System Quest: Survive Baizhen Pavilion's Bounty Hunt and Advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage. (Progress: Eighth Layer, Qi Refinement)
Quest Description: Baizhen Pavilion has issued a substantial bounty. The Host must survive the hunt and break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Quest Reward: The "Happy Foundation Establishment" Gift Bundle — stay tuned!

---

Staring at the dense wall of quest entries, I felt my brain go numb. How did I end up with this many tasks without even realising it?

The main quests — "Investigate Baizhen Pavilion's Headquarters" and "Destroy the Reeking Scale Powder Reserves" — were both directly tied to whether I could shift from defence to offence. "Cultivation on the Tip of the Tongue," on the other hand, was about building up my techniques and resources...

My eyes landed on that glaring 0% next to "Investigate Baizhen Pavilion's Headquarters."

"This rotten quest has been sitting here since the Third Layer of Qi Refinement. It's practically a deadbeat tenant by now."

"At least you know! Baizhen Pavilion's headquarters hides like a tortoise pulling its head into its shell — you think it's easy to find? And besides, even if you did stumble onto it without half-decent strength, you'd just be walking in to hand your head over."

He paused and jabbed a finger at the reward listed under the first quest. "Mastery of Tracking Arts — that thing is leagues more practical than that half-baked 'Sea God's Vision' you're limping along with. Qi Refinement cultivators rely on spiritual sense, Foundation stage folks use magical treasures, and Core Formation masters? Those people could take a casual leak and use it as a tracking talisman."

"So the priority is this Basic Tracking Technique?"

"What else?" The Elder rolled his eyes. "You think 'Cultivation on the Tip of the Tongue' is some casual errand? With Baizhen Pavilion breathing down your neck right now, do you dare stand in the open market and hawk qi-infused grilled fish in broad daylight? Not afraid of getting scooped up wholesale?"

He had a point. Ever since Everett Li's visit, both the Azure Dragon Hall and the White Tiger Hall had their eyes fixed squarely on me. The "Sunset Red Intelligence Network" down at the market was reliable enough, but I couldn't afford to make a spectacle of myself. By comparison, getting a handle on the Tracking Arts first — whether for evading pursuit or going on the offensive — was far more practical.

"Fine," I said, drawing a slow breath. "We start with this Basic Tracking Arts. How do I learn it?"

"You had to figure it out eventually," the old man said with a sly grin. "You haven't even finished the housecleaning quests, and here you are asking me directly for rewards. This System can, as a matter of fact, personally instruct the Host in foundational cultivation methods."

"Drop the act. I already figured that out back when I was cornered by Baizhen Pavilion in the market and had to beg you for an advance on the Basic Earth Escape Technique."

"Good things go unlearned; the bad stuff you pick up in a flash." The old man's mouth was full of disdain, but something in his expression carried a flicker of approval.

The quest description on the System panel expanded at once:

"Basic Tracking Arts: By perceiving the residual spiritual energy fluctuations, scent traces, and energy imprints left by a target, perform directional tracking. Requires coordination of spiritual sense and guided qi. Most effective against Qi Refinement-stage targets; effectiveness diminishes against Foundation Establishment stage and above."

End of Chapter 39: System, What Tasks Are Even Pending?