Bandit System I Just Wanted To Go Home-Chapter 91: ELDER FENG’S ASSESSMENT

Twelve hours of sleep felt like twelve seconds when Mei shook Hunter awake with unnecessary enthusiasm.

"Elder Feng is here. Nascent Soul spiritual pressure incoming. You should probably be standing when he arrives instead of looking like corpse recovering from terrible life choices."

Hunter’s body immediately lodged formal complaint about consciousness. Foundation Mid worked theoretically. His meridians disagreed with theory. Hidden injuries whispered suggestions about extended unconsciousness. Every muscle ached from fighting Core Formation beast while damaged.

"How long do I have?"

"Two minutes. Maybe three if spirit crane circles for dramatic entrance." Mei held up Gerald. "Also Gerald says Elder Feng already knows everything through Liu Mei’s reports so trying to look functional is pointless deception but culturally expected. Politics requires performance."

"Tell Gerald I appreciate the encouragement."

"He says you’re welcome in tone suggesting ancient cultivator exhaustion with mortal theatrics."

Hunter pushed himself upright through pure stubbornness. Body protested. He ignored protests. Leaders greeted Nascent Soul elders standing up even when standing felt optimistic.

The spiritual pressure hit thirty seconds later.

Nascent Soul Mid stage. Ancient power that made air feel heavy like atmosphere had gained weight. Everyone in settlement felt it instinctively. Even mortals without cultivation sensed something fundamental had arrived. Hunter’s Foundation Mid recognized the gap. Nascent Soul to Foundation was like mountain to pebble. Incomparable.

He made it outside just as spirit crane descended.

Massive bird with azure plumage and spiritual pressure that rivaled Elder Feng’s own. It landed in the courtyard with impossible grace for something that size. Single cultivator dismounted with movement suggesting centuries of practice.

Elder Feng looked mid fifties with patient eyes that had seen four hundred years of cultivation world chaos. Nascent Soul Mid stage radiated from him like physical presence. Not aggressive. Just there. Unavoidable as gravity.

Liu Mei received him with formal cultivation courtesy. Deep bow reserved for superiors multiple realms higher. "Elder Feng. Shadow Rest welcomes your assessment."

"Liu Mei." Elder Feng returned gesture with precise politeness. "Your reports were comprehensive. I’m here to verify details personally and provide official sect evaluation."

Zhao Lin and his reinforcement team saluted with military precision. Professional recognition between sect members operating within hierarchy. Elder Feng acknowledged them with nod that conveyed approval and dismissal simultaneously.

Then ancient eyes found Hunter.

Studied him with assessment that felt like being examined by geological formation. Seeing through surface. Evaluating foundation. Noting damage. Recognizing potential. Making calculations based on four centuries of cultivator evaluation experience.

"You’re Hunter. The disaster Liu Mei’s been monitoring."

"That’s accurate description." No point denying obvious.

"You look terrible."

"Foundation Mid achieved during convergence phenomenon while hidden injuries tried killing me. Terrible is upgrade from dead."

Something like amusement flickered in ancient eyes. "Honest assessment. Refreshing. Most cultivators your age try impressing elders. You just acknowledge catastrophic state. I appreciate efficiency."

Elder Feng began walking. Inspection tour starting without announcement. Liu Mei fell into step beside him. Hunter followed despite body’s continued protest. Mei appeared with Gerald. Wei Lin materialized with notebook. Observation party forming naturally.

The Nascent Soul elder examined everything methodically.

Defensive formations. Liu Mei’s ice arrays carved into settlement perimeter. Professional work exceeding standard specifications. "You spent personal resources on these formations."

"Three months salary." Liu Mei’s tone stayed professional. "Situation required upgraded defenses beyond normal monitoring obligations."

"Eight hundred silver investment in affiliated territory defense exceeds protocol significantly." Pointed observation. "That’s personal commitment beyond professional duty."

"Shadow Rest required proper protection given convergence risks and regional threats." Temperature dropped two degrees unconsciously. "Investment justified by results."

Elder Feng said nothing. Just noted temperature fluctuation with expression suggesting he noticed everything.

They passed medical station where Wei Suyin treated lingering injuries. Four Body Refining cultivators recovering from beast wave combat. Minor wounds healing through basic cultivation and medicine. Professional care despite limited resources.

"Casualties from convergence defense?"

"Four injured, all recovering," Liu Mei reported. "Zero deaths despite forty plus spirit beast assault and Blood Moon Sect infiltration with Core Formation leadership."

Elder Feng stopped walking. Turned to face her directly. "Zero deaths?"

"Correct. Defensive coordination through Han’s military tactics. Body Refining cultivators held perimeter against Foundation equivalent beasts through formation support and teamwork. I handled Core Formation threats directly. Hunter engaged emergency combat when Core Formation serpent breached inner defenses."

"Hunter fought Core Formation beast?" Ancient eyes found him again. "Immediately after Foundation Mid breakthrough with hidden injuries?"

"Beast was heading toward cultivation chambers," Hunter said tiredly. "Had to stop it. Void Shadow Constitution provided attribute advantage. Shadow techniques counter ice-attribute beasts effectively."

"You used sealed legendary physique in combat fifteen minutes after advancement completion."

"Seal broke during breakthrough. Constitutional emergency response overrode suppression when meridians failed. Survival mechanism activating under life-threatening stress."

Elder Feng studied him with intensity that made Hunter uncomfortable. Ancient cultivator seeing more than surface details. Evaluating foundation structure. Noting meridian damage. Detecting constitutional manifestation. Making assessments based on centuries of experience.

"Your foundation is barely stable. Hidden injuries persist despite advancement. Meridians show microscopic scarring throughout primary channels. You shouldn’t be functional."

"Void Shadow Constitution bypasses damaged meridians through shadow qi pathways. Constitutional workaround compensating for structural damage. Functional if compromised."

"That’s not how physiques typically work."

"My mysterious master’s training methods emphasize adaptation through adversity. Constitutional development responding to necessity rather than theory."

Elder Feng’s expression suggested skepticism about mysterious master’s methods. But he didn’t challenge the explanation. Just filed information away with everything else he was observing.

They continued walking. Passed storage building where Blood Moon disciples remained in spiritual suppression. Two Foundation Peak cultivators frozen in ice formations. Completely restrained.

"Prisoners captured during infiltration?"

"Correct," Liu Mei confirmed. "Xue Feng commanded the mission. Core Formation Early outer elder. Two Foundation Peak disciples executed infiltration. Targeted Mei’s breakthrough chamber specifically for Innate Dao Body energy theft."

Elder Feng’s spiritual pressure spiked slightly. Temperature dropped five degrees from combined effect with Liu Mei’s unconscious response.

"They targeted eight year old during breakthrough for demonic harvest?"

"Yes. Intercepted fifty meters from chamber. Warning shot through shoulder. Captured after surrender. Xue Feng escaped at maximum speed when infiltration failed."

"Blood Moon Sect attacking affiliated territory during vulnerable cultivation represents declaration of aggression." Elder Feng’s voice carried weight. "This won’t stand unanswered. Sect will respond appropriately."

They reached central courtyard where community had gathered. One hundred fifty people watching Nascent Soul elder assess their settlement. Nervous energy mixed with pride. They’d survived impossible odds. Now ancient cultivator evaluated their worth.

Elder Feng addressed them directly. Voice carrying across courtyard without shouting. Nascent Soul presence making words feel important.

"Shadow Rest defended against overwhelming threats through coordination and discipline. Two Foundation Realm cultivators held perimeter alongside Peak Core Formation administrator. Body Refining guards fought Foundation equivalent beasts through tactical superiority. Medical cultivator stood against Foundation Peak infiltrators protecting children. Zero casualties despite multiple Core Formation level threats."

He paused. Let words settle. Ancient eyes scanning faces.

"Standard affiliated territory maintains five to eight Foundation Realm cultivators minimum. You held with two. Most territories would have collapsed under half this pressure. You not only survived but achieved four successful breakthroughs during crisis. This exceeds expectations significantly."

Pride visible across settlement. People who’d fought impossible odds receiving recognition from Nascent Soul elder. Validation that their survival was achievement not luck.

"Shadow Rest is promoted from affiliated territory to official sect outpost. Effective immediately."

Shock rippled through crowd. Official outpost represented major status increase. More support. More resources. More legitimacy.

"Promotion includes increased sect support. Eight hundred silver emergency reconstruction funds. Monthly stipend raised to fifty silver. Access to sect supply networks. Quarterly defensive formation maintenance. Direct connection to Azure Cloud Sect authority."

Murmurs of relief and excitement. Financial stability secured. Resources guaranteed. Future suddenly more stable.

"Promotion also includes increased obligations. Quarterly reports to sect headquarters. Response to sect summons when called. Regional security maintenance. Hosting traveling sect members. Official outpost status carries responsibility."

Understanding settling in. More support meant more oversight. Benefits came with chains. Standard cultivation world transaction where nothing was free.

Elder Feng turned to Liu Mei. "Your monitoring obligation becomes permanent administrative assignment. Peak Core Formation administrator with full authority. Direct reporting to me. Increased salary reflecting expanded responsibility."

Liu Mei’s expression stayed perfectly professional. Temperature fluctuated slightly. Only Hunter noticed because he’d been watching her unconscious spiritual pressure tells for months.

"I accept the assignment, Elder Feng."

She didn’t look unhappy about staying.

Elder Feng’s ancient eyes flickered between her and Hunter for half second. Expression suggesting he noticed everything despite neither participant reacting. But he said nothing. Just noted observation and continued.

"Maintain current trajectory. Report quarterly. Shadow Rest proved itself capable under pressure. Sect recognizes achievement." He paused meaningfully. "Take care of yourself, Hunter. And each other."

Pointed look between Hunter and Liu Mei. Neither reacted. Temperature dropped another three degrees from Liu Mei’s unconscious response. Elder Feng’s expression suggested ancient amusement at emotional avoidance.

The spirit crane spread wings preparing departure. Elder Feng mounted with practiced ease. Nascent Soul spiritual pressure withdrawing gradually as he prepared to leave.

"Questions before departure?"

"Blood Moon Sect response?" Liu Mei asked professionally.

"Elimination teams mobilizing. Six simultaneous infiltration attacks represents escalation requiring comprehensive response. War is coming. Shadow Rest’s location keeps you peripheral to main conflict but prepare for increased regional instability."

"Understood."

Elder Feng nodded once. Spirit crane ascended with powerful wing beats. Massive bird carrying ancient cultivator back toward sect headquarters. Nascent Soul presence fading as distance increased.

Silence settled over courtyard as everyone processed what just happened.

Official sect outpost. Permanent status. Liu Mei staying indefinitely. Increased support. Increased oversight. Recognition of capability under pressure.

Progress. With complications. Same pattern as always.

[LUNA] NEW STATUS UNLOCKED: SECT OUTPOST! (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧

[LUNA] ACHIEVEMENTS: [LUNA] - Official Sect Recognition! [LUNA] - Permanent Administrator Assignment! [LUNA] - Increased Monthly Funding! [LUNA] - Liu Mei Staying Forever! ♥

That last one isn’t achievement. That’s just fact.

[LUNA] IT’S ACHIEVEMENT FOR ROMANTIC SUBPLOT [LUNA] ELDER FENG NOTICED TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS [LUNA] ANCIENT CULTIVATOR SHIPPING YOU TWO [LUNA] VERY EXCITING DEVELOPMENT (◕‿◕✿)

There’s no romantic subplot.

[LUNA] KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT [LUNA] EVERYONE ELSE KNOWS TRUTH ♥

Luna faded with cheerful mockery. Hunter stood in courtyard feeling exhaustion settle deeper. Foundation Mid was stable. Hidden injuries persisted. Body demanded rest. Settlement had official recognition now. Everything had changed while somehow staying exactly the same.

Liu Mei approached with professional expression barely hiding something underneath. "Elder Feng’s assessment was favorable. Promotion secures our position significantly."

"Congratulations on permanent assignment."

"Thank you." Temperature dropped slightly. "Purely professional development. Administrative authority increase reflects sect confidence in regional stability management."

"Right. Professional."

"Absolutely professional." Frost formed on nearby surfaces. "Nothing remotely personal about extended indefinite assignment to location containing specific cultivator whose survival creates persistent spiritual pressure control complications in my cultivation discipline."

"That’s a lot of words."

"Elder Feng noticed temperature fluctuations correlated with proximity to you. Four-hundred-year-old Nascent Soul cultivator recognized patterns I’ve maintained two centuries of discipline specifically to prevent becoming visible." Her voice stayed controlled but temperature kept dropping. "This is professionally embarrassing."

"If it helps, I didn’t notice until Mei started tracking your temperature changes mathematically."

"That doesn’t help. Seven year old recognized emotional patterns before participants. Ten year old generated statistical models. Ancient rock apparently finds situation amusing based on warmth pulses Mei translates. I’ve become comedy subplot for children and sedimentary wisdom."

Hunter had no good response to that. Liu Mei’s emotional investment had become obvious to everyone except possibly Liu Mei herself. Pointing it out directly would just make her retreat behind professional mask more firmly.

"Elder Feng told us to take care of each other," he offered carefully.

"That was professional concern for asset preservation." But something in her voice wavered. "Senior cultivators ensure junior cultivators survive. Standard sect mentorship."

"You spent three months salary on defensive formations."

"Resource allocation for territorial security."

"You requested permanent assignment extension."

"Professional interest in academically fascinating settlement dynamics."

"Temperature drops fifteen degrees every time my name gets mentioned."

Silence. Frost spreading. Two hundred years of ice cultivation discipline cracking visibly.

"I should check defensive formations," Liu Mei said finally. "Professional responsibilities require constant monitoring."

She walked away before he could respond. Left behind frost patterns and temperature evidence screaming what words wouldn’t admit.

Mei appeared with Gerald. "Progress. She almost acknowledged feelings before retreating into professional denial. Glacial erosion continues. Very consistent geological process."

"Gerald needs to stop analyzing her emotional state."

"Gerald’s been dead ten thousand years. Romantic subplot observation is most entertainment he’s had in millennia. Also he says you’re both idiots but that’s normal for cultivation romance tropes. Protagonists always oblivious until dramatic crisis forces acknowledgment."

"There’s no romantic subplot."

"Everyone except participants recognizes truth." Mei smiled with ancient wisdom poorly hidden behind eight year old face. "Elder Feng knew within six hours. Two-hundred-year-old cultivator with centuries of emotional discipline completely compromised by four months monitoring disaster protagonist. Textbook development."

Hunter gave up arguing with child about adult relationships he didn’t understand and didn’t want to examine.

Shadow Rest settled into evening routines. Official sect outpost now. Permanent administrator assigned. Increased resources secured. Recognition achieved through surviving impossible odds.

Same settlement. Different status. Complications multiplying while problems persisted.

Hunter’s Foundation Mid was stable but damaged. Hidden injuries remained. Void Shadow Constitution fully manifested attracting attention. Liu Mei staying indefinitely while denying obvious emotional investment. Blood Moon Sect now permanent enemy. Sect war approaching.

Progress through surviving crisis while creating larger problems.

Standard pattern. Same as always.

At least they were still alive.

Small victories counted in cultivation world where survival was victory enough.