27: Mission dispute, Zhao Linger appears

Lin Gou's calm voice was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

The deathly silence in the Mission Hall was completely broken.

Hundreds of gazes simultaneously focused on him, quickly shifting from initial shock to undisguised mockery and disdain.

"Did I hear that right? Lin Gou? The Lin Gou who only knows Alchemy?"

"Is he crazy? He just blew up the Alchemy Room a few days ago, and now he wants to challenge a demonic cultivator?"

"A Qi Refining Stage 7 alchemist, does he even understand what fighting is? He's going to deliver snacks to the demonic cultivator, does he think his life is too long?"

The discussions buzzed like flies, filled with sharp and mean remarks.

Lin Gou was oblivious to it all; he calmly met Zhang Executive's gaze on the high platform, awaiting his response.

"Yes, that's the flavor I'm looking for."

"Louder, mock me more fiercely."

"The more you look down on me, the more moved you'll be when I 'tragically' fall later."

His heart was ablaze, already warming up for his Oscar-worthy performance.

Just then, an imposing figure pushed through the crowd, bringing a gust of foul wind as he strode forward.

The newcomer was tall, with an arrogant face, dressed in an Inner Sect Disciple robe embroidered with a silver-threaded sword emblem—a symbol of an elite Disciple.

Li Mo, Qi Refining Stage, Eighth Level, a well-known veteran Disciple in the Inner Sect.

He stood beside Lin Gou, a full half-head taller, and looked down at Lin Gou with a condescending sneer.

"Zhang Executive, I don't think this is appropriate."

Li Mo's voice was loud, carrying an undeniable assertiveness.

"How dangerous is it to eradicate demonic cultivators? It's no child's play!"

"Sending an alchemist who might not even be proficient with a Flying Sword is not only sending him to his death for nothing, but also being irresponsible to the entire mission!"

These words immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"Senior Brother Li is right!"

"It should be a master like Senior Brother Li who goes!"

Li Mo's chin lifted higher; he slowly turned his head, his gaze like a knife, scraping inch by inch across Lin Gou's face.

"Lin Gou, I heard you recently got lucky and earned a few words of praise from Elder Sun. Do you really think you're someone important now?"

His voice was filled with disdain and jealousy.

"A good-for-nothing who only gained some notoriety by blowing up a Pill Furnace, dares to try and snatch this credit?"

"I advise you to roll back to your Alchemy Room and play with mud, don't make a fool of yourself here!"

Humiliation.

Naked, public humiliation.

The laughter in the hall grew louder; everyone watched as if enjoying a good show.

Lin Gou's face flushed at the opportune moment, his fists slightly clenched, his body trembling slightly from "anger."

"Good acting, the emotions are spot on, keep it up."

"Lucky? No, this is the unique art of death."

"Snatching credit? No, I'm going to trade my life for KPI."

He took a deep breath, about to deliver the prepared line, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated," to push the atmosphere to a climax.

Just then.

A clear, cool voice, like a mountain spring, drifted from the entrance of the Mission Hall, distinctly overriding all the noise.

"I'll take this mission too."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrative power that instantly silenced the entire hall.

Everyone involuntarily looked towards the sound.

At the entrance, in the light and shadow, a young woman in a moon-white long dress stood quietly.

Her figure was graceful, her demeanor serene, and on her gentle oval face, her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, sparkling with charm.

The air seemed to gain a faint, fresh scent of herbs with her appearance.

"It's... Senior Sister Zhao Linger!"

"Oh my god, why would Senior Sister Zhao, the number one in the Inner Sect, take on this kind of mission?"

"Doesn't she focus on the Dao of Alchemy and rarely participate in conflicts?"

The crowd automatically parted, their gazes filled with awe and admiration.

Zhao Linger, the favored daughter of heaven in the Inner Sect.

Not only was her Alchemy talent exceptional, highly valued by the Elders, but her cultivation had also reached the Peak of Qi Refining Stage, Eighth Level early on, making her a recognized Genius with the most hope of achieving Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty.

Her appearance made Li Mo's arrogance recede a few points, replaced by what he thought was a gentle smile.

"Junior Sister Ling'er, why have you come? Leave this kind of rough work, fighting and killing, to us Senior Brothers."

Zhao Linger ignored him, walked straight to the high platform, and bowed slightly to Zhang Executive.

"Manager, one of the missing Outer Sect Disciples is an old friend of mine."

Her voice was still clear and cool, but it carried an unshakeable determination.

"I must go personally."

"If alive, I want to see the person; if dead, I want to see the corpse."

So that's it.

Everyone suddenly understood, and their gazes at her held a bit more admiration.

After Zhao Linger finished speaking, her clear gaze inadvertently swept over Lin Gou, carrying a hint of undetectable scrutiny.

She had heard about Lin Gou.

A Qi Refinement Stage Disciple who dared to refine a Spirit Condensing Pill with a Medium Grade Pill Furnace.

A person who proposed the crazy idea of "sealing the explosion's momentum" in an Alchemy Pavilion class.

Her intuition told her that this person was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

Zhang Executive's expression at this moment was truly something to behold.

One going to his death, one seeking revenge, and one trying to snatch credit.

There were only three spots for this demon-extermination team, and now so many people had suddenly appeared, two of whom he couldn't afford to offend.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face showing difficulty.

"This... the spots are limited, only three."

Li Mo's eyes darted, and he immediately seized the opportunity.

"Manager, since that's the case, why not let strength speak for itself?"

He once again pointed the finger at Lin Gou, his face filled with undisguised malice.

"I propose that Junior Brother Lin and I have a match!"

"Whoever wins gets the spot! This will also prevent someone from being a mere filler and dragging down the entire team!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze focused on Lin Gou.

This was no longer a suggestion, but a forced move.

In everyone's eyes, Li Mo, at Qi Refining Stage, Eighth Level, against Lin Gou, the alchemist at Qi Refining Stage 7, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

If Lin Gou didn't dare to fight, he would be a coward, naturally having no face to bring up the mission again.

If he accepted the challenge, the only outcome would be to be publicly beaten to a pulp, bringing even more shame.

What a clever scheme.

Zhang Executive also frowned, feeling that Li Mo's action was a bit excessive, but he couldn't find a better solution for a while.

Lin Gou's heart, however, was already brimming with joy.

"Here it comes! Someone brings a pillow when you're sleepy!"

"I was just worried about not having a reasonable chance to 'accidentally' get injured and get a reward for a near-death experience, and here you are, delivering it right to my doorstep!"

"What a good person, Senior Brother Li! You're the employee of the year!"

He raised his head, his face showing the stubbornness and indignation of being "forced into a corner."

"Fine! A match it is!"

"Although my cultivation is lacking, my desire to avenge my fellow Disciples is no weaker than anyone else's!"

He presented a passionate, tragic appearance of knowing it was impossible but doing it anyway.

This performance moved some Disciples.

Even Zhao Linger's delicate brows furrowed slightly, seemingly feeling that Li Mo had gone too far.

Soon, a clear space was made in the center of the Mission Hall.

Zhang Executive acted as the referee, solemnly announcing the rules.

"Stop at a touch, no fatal injuries."

Li Mo stood with his arms crossed, a cruel sneer on his lips, looking at Lin Gou as if he were a lamb to be slaughtered.

Lin Gou, on the other hand, adopted the starting stance of a basic Sect sword art, his movements slightly stiff, appearing to lack practical combat experience.

"Begin!"

Zhang Executive gave the command.

Li Mo disdained to use his Flying Sword; he formed hand Seals, and a scorching Fire Serpent spell instantly materialized, roaring as it pounced on Lin Gou.

Lin Gou's face "changed drastically," and he "frantically" stepped with his footwork, narrowly dodging it.

The Fire Serpent crashed into a stone pillar behind him, letting out an explosion, and stone chips flew.

"Oh? You can still dodge?"

Li Mo, like a cat playing with a mouse, hooked his finger with interest.

"Next move, let's see how you dodge!"