12: A physical training realm ultimate mission? You want me to die?

The scene on the training ground repeatedly appeared in Zhao Zhen's mind.

That dazzling red light, and those eight cold words—"Exceeded limit, immeasurable!".

Every time he thought of it, his heart felt as if it was tightly gripped.

A suffocating sensation mixed with intense jealousy burned within him.

Returning to his cold and quiet office, Zhao Zhen suddenly waved his hand, sweeping the tea set on the desk to the floor.

The clattering sound of shattering porcelain was particularly loud in the empty room.

But the ferocious look on his Face did not diminish; instead, it became even more distorted.

Li Dong!

That wild kid from the countryside!

How dare he? How could he?!

His casual demeanor, his indifferent attitude, his contempt for the "elites" of their Demon Suppression Division—it infuriated him more than direct insults!

Originally, he thought Li Dong was just lucky.

Or perhaps he had relied on a bit of Face left by his deceased father, Li Shanyue, to narrowly defeat Wang Wei and secure a direct qualification slot.

He had been confident before, believing that a little tampering during the Demon Suppression Baptism would be enough to bring great misfortune to this kid, or even turn him into a cripple.

But now, the results of the preliminary test were like a bucket of ice water, poured from head to toe, extinguishing all his contempt and self-righteousness.

That was absolutely not the strength a Body Refinement Fifth Level Cultivator should possess!

Body Tempering Realm Great Perfection? Or even... higher?

As soon as this thought emerged, Zhao Zhen felt a chill run down his spine.

No! Absolutely not!

This kid must not be allowed to live!

The potential he displayed was too frightening.

Once he successfully passed the Demon Suppression Baptism, his strength would increase significantly, and he would gain the favor and cultivation of that old fellow Zhang Wu... Zhao Zhen could almost see that in the future, there would definitely be no place for him, Zhao Zhen, in the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division!

Furthermore, after Li Dong grew stronger, would he settle old scores?

After all, he had never been soft-hearted when suppressing Li Shanyue's old subordinates.

Fear and resentment, like two venomous snakes, madly bit at Zhao Zhen's heart.

A fierce and determined glint flashed in his eyes.

He couldn't wait for the Demon Suppression Baptism!

The baptism process involved too many variables; with the strength Li Dong had shown, the chances of secretly sabotaging him were low, and the risk was too high.

He had to find a more reliable and covert method to completely eliminate this major concern before the baptism!

Zhao Zhen paced back and forth in the room, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desk, his eyes constantly shifting.

His gaze swept over the dossiers piled in the corner of the desk.

Suddenly, an insidious plan quickly formed in his mind.

Kill with a borrowed knife!

Yes, this method it is!

The Demon Suppression Division's task System was his best weapon!

He immediately walked to the bookshelf and began searching.

Soon, a dusty dossier, clearly untouched for a long time, was pulled out by him.

On the cover of the dossier, several conspicuous large characters were written in red pen—"Black Wind Ridge Area Patrol Mission (Extremely Dangerous)".

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Zhen's mouth.

This is it!

He quickly opened the dossier and read it carefully.

Black Wind Ridge, eighty li west of Mu Shi County, was a mountainous forest with complex terrain and miasma.

It was not only a paradise for various low-level Yao Beasts but also, due to its special environment, often attracted some powerful mutated Yao Beasts.

The dossier recorded that over the past ten years, the Demon Suppression Division had sent several teams into Black Wind Ridge to carry out Suppression extermination or exploration missions, but the results often involved heavy losses.

There were even records stating that veteran members at Body Refining Seventh or Eighth Level had met with accidents in the depths of Black Wind Ridge, their remains never found.

There were also unconfirmed rumors that in the deepest part of Black Wind Ridge, there might be terrifying entities exceeding the Body Tempering Realm and reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage!

Therefore, this patrol mission was rated "Extremely Dangerous," a true "Body Tempering Realm Limit Mission."

Unless specifically required, or led by a Foundation Establishment Stage expert, the Demon Suppression Division would never easily send people into that area.

This mission was practically a death trap tailor-made for Li Dong!

Zhao Zhen's eyes gleamed with excitement and cruelty.

He quickly picked up a pen and, using his authority as a high-ranking member of the Demon Suppression Division responsible for some mission assignments, began to forge the deployment order.

He slightly altered the mission description, downplaying its extreme danger, only emphasizing "frequent Yao Beast activity, requiring careful patrolling."

Then, in the executioner column, he clearly wrote "Li Dong"'s name.

Furthermore, he specifically noted "Execute immediately, no delays."

After completing all this, Zhao Zhen satisfactorily blew dry the ink, a triumphant and scheming smile on his Face.

Li Dong, oh Li Dong, aren't you very skilled in fighting? Can't you even smash the force-testing stone?

Then go to Black Wind Ridge and prove it!

Even if you truly possess the strength of Body Tempering Realm Great Perfection, facing the countless Yao Beasts in Black Wind Ridge, and even the possibly existing Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beasts, there is only one path: death!

Even if you are lucky enough to survive, you will surely suffer serious injuries and your Origin Qi will be severely depleted.

By then, let alone participating in the Demon Suppression Baptism, it would be hard to say if you could even keep your life!

This is called killing two birds with one stone!

Zhao Zhen carefully put away the forged mission dossier, preparing to find a suitable time to "reasonably and legitimately" hand it over to Li Dong.

On the other side, Zhang Wu was also secretly contemplating Li Dong's matter.

The results of the preliminary test also greatly astonished him.

The potential Li Dong displayed far exceeded his expectations.

This made him even more determined to cultivate Li Dong well, making him an important force to counterbalance certain individuals within the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division.

However, a prominent tree attracts the wind.

The more outstanding Li Dong performed, the more likely he was to attract jealousy and schemes.

Especially that narrow-minded and vengeful fellow, Zhao Zhen.

Zhang Wu knew exactly what kind of person Zhao Zhen was.

This time, Li Dong had publicly humiliated Wang Wei, Zhao Zhen's subordinate, and performed so brilliantly in the preliminary test; Zhao Zhen would absolutely not swallow this insult.

Given Zhao Zhen's character, he would never let it go and would certainly resort to underhanded tactics.

The Demon Suppression Baptism was an opportunity, but also a place full of uncertainties.

Zhang Wu was a little worried.

He feared that Zhao Zhen would make a move against Li Dong during the baptism.

Zhang Wu was thinking about how to warn Li Dong when he heard a piece of news.

Zhao Zhen had actually assigned Li Dong to patrol Black Wind Ridge!

Zhang Wu's brows immediately furrowed.

Black Wind Ridge?

That cursed place!

What exactly was Zhao Zhen trying to do?!

Others might not know, but Zhang Wu was well aware of how terrifying Black Wind Ridge was.

Body Tempering Realm Cultivators should not go there at all!

Zhao Zhen, however, chose this moment to assign this mission to Li Dong.

Li Dong was about to participate in the Demon Suppression Baptism.

Zhao Zhen's intentions were too obvious!

"This bastard!"

Zhang Wu cursed inwardly, his Face grim.

He couldn't directly intervene.

That would be too obvious and might make Zhao Zhen even more cautious.

Besides, Zhao Zhen indeed had the authority to assign missions.

He had to find a way.

He needed to warn Li Dong without making things explicit.

After some thought, Zhang Wu decided to go find Li Dong himself.

Li Dong and Li Qingyan had just moved into their temporary residence.

The room was small but clean.

The Spiritual Qi here was better than in Li Family Village.

Li Qingyan was still very excited, constantly talking about how amazing her brother was during the test.

Li Dong was much calmer.

He was thinking about the upcoming Demon Suppression Baptism.

He knew that the test was nothing; the real challenges lay ahead.

Especially the venomous look in Zhao Zhen's eyes.

Li Dong had always been wary of him.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Li Dong opened the door; it was Zhang Wu.

"Commander Zhang." Li Dong was a little surprised, but still saluted.

"Hmm." Zhang Wu nodded.

He looked at Li Dong for a moment, his gaze a bit complex.

Zhang Wu did not enter the room, standing just at the doorway.

He spoke as if casually: "Li Dong, you did well just now. You didn't disgrace your father, Li Shanyue."

"Commander Zhang flatters me." Li Dong replied calmly.

Zhang Wu then changed the subject, saying seriously: "However, being too prominent easily invites trouble. In the Demon Suppression Division, you must be more careful yourself."

He paused, as if considering how to phrase his next words.

Then he continued: "I heard... did you take on a patrol mission?"

Zhang Wu's gaze sharpened, fixing on Li Dong.

"The area outside the city has been unstable recently; there are more Yao Beasts than usual, especially in that western region."

He deliberately emphasized the words "that western region."

"When performing the mission, you must, absolutely must, be especially careful. Pay attention to safety. Some places are not as simple as they appear."

Zhang Wu's words were not explicit.

He didn't mention Zhao Zhen, nor did he say the mission was definitely problematic.

But he felt that Li Dong, being so intelligent, should understand.

He could only warn him to this extent.

Li Dong understood in his heart.

Zhang Wu's special visit here was certainly not just casual talk.

Coupled with Zhao Zhen's previously undisguised hatred and Killing Intent... Li Dong immediately understood.

It seemed Zhao Zhen couldn't hold back and was about to make a move.

It was very likely that he would use this "patrol mission" to set a trap for him.

"Thank you for the warning, Commander Zhang, I understand." Li Dong's Face remained expressionless as he cupped his hands in thanks.

Zhang Wu saw the clarity in his eyes, as if he understood, and said no more.

"Be careful yourself. Don't be late for the Demon Suppression Baptism three days from now."

With that, Zhang Wu glanced at him again and left.

As soon as Zhang Wu left, another unfamiliar Demon Suppression Division attendant knocked on the door.

This attendant had an arrogant look, with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

He handed a stamped mission dossier to Li Dong, saying stiffly: "Li Dong, your mission. Patrol Black Wind Ridge, depart immediately, no delays allowed!"

Li Dong took the dossier and opened it.

It was Black Wind Ridge indeed!

It was the "western region" that Zhang Wu had just mentioned!

The mission description was written very lightly, simply stating it was a regular patrol to observe Yao Beasts.

But at the end of the dossier, the small words "Extremely Dangerous" were written.

It also required "solo execution."

This was clearly meant to harm him.

"Body Tempering Realm Limit Mission?"

Li Dong sneered inwardly.

Zhao Zhen, you certainly think highly of me!

You want Yao Beasts to kill me? Or for me to be severely injured and unable to attend the Demon Suppression Baptism?

You wish.

"Understood." Li Dong said expressionlessly, closing the dossier.

The attendant was momentarily stunned by Li Dong's calm acceptance.

But he didn't ask further, snorted, and left.

He still had to report back to Zhao Zhen.

"Brother, Black Wind Ridge? Where is that? Is the mission very dangerous?" Li Qingyan had been listening.

Seeing the attendant leave, she quickly came over to ask, very worried.

She didn't understand the Demon Suppression Division's missions.

But with Commander Zhang's special reminder just now, and the attendant's demeanor, she guessed that something was definitely amiss.

Li Dong looked at his sister's worried little Face, feeling a warmth in his heart.

He ruffled Li Qingyan's hair and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Qingyan. It's just a normal patrol, not dangerous."

He didn't want his sister to worry.