The disciples of the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect marched down the stone steps with theatrical determination.
Hu Daniu led the charge, holding his broom like a divine spear.
"Brothers, let's show these spies the might of our... uh... Chicken Sweep Formation!"
Su Jian palmed his face.
"...We're not calling it that."
Li Ziyan walked behind them silently, her expression cold, but a faint blush appeared as she muttered.
"...Chicken Sweep Formation sounds kind of cute."
Su Jian sighed, adjusting his glasses.
"Let's focus. The task says there are spies near the foot of the mountain."
Hu Daniu looked around dramatically.
"Maybe they're disguised as bushes!"
He immediately pounced on a nearby bush, only to crash face-first into the dirt.
"...Nope. Not a spy."
Ziyan ignored him, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings.
Suddenly, rustling came from the nearby forest path.
The disciples ducked behind a large boulder, peeking out like amateur scouts.
From the shadows emerged... three figures in black robes, sneaking toward the sect gates with exaggerated ninja poses.
Hu Daniu gasped loudly.
"Classic spy attire!"
Su Jian deadpanned.
"Are they serious? Who wears black robes with skull patterns to spy?"
Li Ziyan's lips twitched.
"...Probably the Iron Skull Sect. They're known for lacking both subtlety and fashion sense."
Hu Daniu puffed his chest.
"Leave it to me! I'll use the Chicken Sweep Formation's ultimate move—Flying Chicken Strike!"
Before anyone could stop him, Hu Daniu leapt from behind the rock, broom raised high, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"SPY SCUM! TASTE MY SWEEPING JUSTICE!"
The three spies turned, bewildered.
"...Huh?"
SMACK!
Hu Daniu's broom connected with the back of one spy's head, sending him rolling down the hill like a human log.
Su Jian and Li Ziyan sighed in unison.
"This is embarrassing," Su Jian whispered.
Li Ziyan nodded.
"...But oddly effective."
The remaining two spies recovered, pulling out cheap iron swords.
"Who dares attack the Iron Skull Sect's finest—"
Before they could finish, Ziyan flicked a pebble from her finger.
Ping!
The pebble struck the sword, breaking it in half.
"...!"
Ziyan coolly stepped forward, sword still sheathed.
"You come sneaking around our sect with such poor weapons? Shameful."
Su Jian joined in, holding up a long scroll.
"According to Sect Rules Article 1.3: Unauthorized entry will be punished by cleaning chicken coops for three days."
The spies blinked.
"...What sect are you even from?!"
Hu Daniu grinned.
"Eternal Radiance Divine Sect! Heard of us yet? No? Well, you will after you taste our... Chicken Clean-Up Technique!"
"...Is that a cultivation art or a farming method?" one spy whispered to the other.
Before they could decide, the system notification popped into everyone's mind:
[Ding! Task Completed: Drive Away the Spies.]
[Reward: Sect Fame +1, Random Mystery Box acquired.]
Hu Daniu bounced up.
"YES! We did it, brothers and sister!"
Su Jian clapped sarcastically.
"What an amazing display of discipline and strategy."
Ziyan sheathed her sword, smirking.
"It worked, didn't it?"
The beaten spies crawled away, clutching their heads, muttering:
"...These people are crazy... Let's report back to the sect... They might be small, but they're insane..."
Back at the sect, Li Qingyu sat leisurely on his sect master's chair.
When the disciples returned, waving the glowing reward box like children, Li Qingyu smiled.
"Well done, my disciples. Your chicken-fu has improved."
Hu Daniu bowed.
"Thank you, Sect Master! May I open the box?"
Li Qingyu nodded.
"Of course. Let's see what treasures the heavens have gifted us."
Hu Daniu dramatically opened the box, expecting treasures.
Inside... was a single, worn-out feather.
Everyone: "..."
[Ding! Reward: Spirit Chicken Feather (Broken). Can be used to tickle enemies into submission.]
Su Jian sighed.
"...This sect is cursed."
Li Qingyu laughed heartily.
"No, Su Jian. This is fate."
Hu Daniu hugged the feather, tears in his eyes.
"A gift from the chicken spirits... I'm not worthy!"
Ziyan silently walked away.
"...I need to rethink my life choices."