74: Forced mission, Han Meng's scheming

A month of secluded cultivation resulted in him reaching Great Perfection in the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Realm, along with a new understanding of his own strength.

When Lin Ye emerged from that desolate Immortal Cave again, the previous hint of immaturity in his dark eyes had vanished, replaced by a calmness and confidence as deep as an abyss.

Over the next few days, he began to appear frequently in various areas of the Inner Sect.

He would go to the Dao Inquiry Plaza to observe other Disciples practicing sword techniques, comparing their Moves with the flawless Wind Chasing Sword Technique that the System had instilled in his mind.

He would also go to the Merit Hall to meticulously study the details of each task on the mission stone wall, learning about the customs, dangers, and general conditions of the vast world outside the Sect.

He was like a parched sponge, greedily absorbing all knowledge about this world, making the most thorough preparations for his first upcoming descent from the mountain for experience.

However, plans can never keep up with changes.

Just as he had everything prepared and was about to accept a moderate-difficulty, solo experience mission from the mission stone wall—

“Dong—! Dong—! Dong—!”

Three long and urgent bell tolls suddenly reverberated from the highest point of Qingyun Sect's main peak, spreading throughout every corner of the entire Sect!

This was… a Sect summons!

Moreover, it was the highest-Rank, a mandatory summons that all Disciples had to respond to!

Instantly, whether it was Core Disciples in secluded cultivation, Inner Sect Geniuses meditating in their Immortal Caves, or Outer Sect laborers working in the mountains, all stopped everything they were doing the moment they heard the bell, their faces showing solemnity and confusion.

“What happened?!”

“The last time three summons bells rang was ten years ago during the Yao Beast attack on the mountain! Could it be… that a powerful enemy is attacking again?!”

Lin Ye's heart also sank abruptly. He looked up at the cloud-shrouded main peak, and a strong sense of unease enveloped him.

He dared not delay in the slightest, immediately activating the Wind Control Art, his figure transforming into a faint wisp of green smoke, flying towards the largest Martial Arts Training Ground of the Inner Sect!

...Half an hour later, at the Inner Sect Martial Arts Training Ground.

Thousands of Inner Sect Disciples were densely gathered here, a dark mass, their faces all filled with solemnity and unease.

Above the high platform, several Inner Sect Elders, who were usually rarely seen, sat upright, their expressions serious.

Leading them was the Enforcement Elder, Elder Liu.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping across the entire 場, and his intimidating Aura instantly silenced all the clamor.

“All Disciples, I have gathered you here today for one matter.” His voice, amplified by spiritual energy, clearly spread to every corner, “The Sect received an urgent plea for help yesterday from the Black Wind City Lord's Mansion at the foot of the mountain. For the past month, a group of heinous mountain bandits has been entrenched in the Black Wind Mountain Range. They plunder homes, rob, and indiscriminately kill the innocent. They even dared to rob our Qingyun Sect's dispatched merchant caravan, causing our Sect heavy losses!”

“This act is no longer just ordinary banditry; it is a blatant provocation to the dignity of our Qingyun Sect!”

“The Sect Master is enraged! He has issued a mandatory mission—all Inner Sect Disciples whose cultivation is below the Spirit Body Realm must immediately descend the mountain, proceed to the Black Wind Mountain Range, and eliminate these villains! Let this serve as a warning!”

Mandatory mission!

Exterminate the mountain bandits!

For those Disciples who had been in secluded cultivation for years and were unfamiliar with worldly affairs, this was undoubtedly a sudden crisis. But for some belligerent individuals and those Disciples who were looking for opportunities to earn contribution points, this was a golden opportunity!

However, for Lin Ye, when he heard the words “Black Wind Mountain Range,” a barely perceptible, icy gleam flashed deep within his calm eyes.

He recalled the “Anecdotes of Qingzhou” he had obtained from the Scripture Pavilion.

It recorded that the Black Wind Mountain Range, with its treacherous terrain and rampant Yao Beasts, had always been a chaotic place where bandits thrived. Most importantly, it was thousands of miles away from Qingyun Sect, already beyond the coverage of the Sect's Restriction array!

That was a lawless place… without any rules!

Just as everyone had different thoughts and was discussing animatedly, Elder Liu's voice rang out again.

“For this mission, the top ten ranked Inner Sect Disciples will serve as team leaders. Each team will consist of fifty people, and you are to immediately form your teams in front of the Merit Hall!”

As his voice fell, ten powerful figures emerged from the crowd.

One of them, with a physique as sturdy as an iron tower, sharp brows, and tiger-like eyes, was none other than… Han Meng!

His right hand, which Lin Ye had crippled, had long since recovered thanks to the best Medicinal Pills from the Pill Hall, but a trace of indelible, venomous gloom still lingered in his tiger-like eyes as he looked at the crowd.

He bowed deeply to Elder Liu, then turned around and, with a loud voice full of “official business” meaning, declared:

“I, Han Meng, have been entrusted by the Sect to serve as the leader of the Seventh Squad! Now I announce the roster of my team members!”

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Han Meng's lips slowly curved into an arc filled with cruelty and pleasure.

His gaze was like lightning, precisely falling upon the thin figure who had remained silent in the back of the crowd, like a long-targeted prey!

“Seventh Squad, members are as follows!”

“Su Qingyue!”

As this name was called, the entire place instantly erupted in an uproar!

Everyone looked at Han Meng as if they had seen a ghost. No one expected him to dare to include this proud daughter of Heaven, whom even Elders treated with respect, in his team!

However, what shocked them even more was yet to come!

“Fatty Wang!”

In the crowd, Fatty Wang's plump body trembled violently, and the color instantly drained from his chubby face!

Han Meng paused, then his voice suddenly rose, enunciating each word as he called out the name that made everyone instantly understand!

—“Lin Ye!”

“And Hu Fei, Zhang Peng… and 50 others.”

At this moment, even the slowest person understood!

How was this a random team assignment?

This was clearly Han Meng using his Family's connections within the Sect to tailor-make a… death list for Lin Ye!

He not only wanted to get revenge on Lin Ye but also, in front of Su Qingyue, to mercilessly trample this wretch who had brought him such great humiliation! And even… ensure he never returned!

“It's over…” Fatty Wang felt his vision go dark, almost fainting on the spot.

As for Su Qingyue, one of the parties involved, her cold eyes, like two invisible Heavenly God swords from the Nine Heavens, were fixed on Han Meng!

However, Han Meng seemed oblivious to her gaze. He merely stared at Lin Ye with eyes full of provocation and killing intent, a cruel, victorious smile on his lips.

Within the Sect, he couldn't touch Lin Ye.

But once outside the Sect… he had countless ways to make this ignorant boy die in a… reasonable “accident”!

Everyone's gaze subconsciously converged on the young man who had remained calm and unruffled from beginning to end.

They all wanted to see how this young man, who had created countless miracles, would react when faced with such a seemingly inevitable, overt death trap?

Would it be panic? Anger? Or… despair?

However, they were disappointed.

Lin Ye's face showed no expression.

He merely slowly raised his head, meeting Han Meng's provocative gaze. His dark eyes were as calm as still water, without a single ripple.

He nodded calmly at Han Meng.

As if merely confirming a… trivial matter.

Then, he turned around and, under the gaze of thousands of eyes filled with sympathy and pity, calmly walked step by step towards the Seventh Squad's rallying point.

His composed demeanor made it seem as if he was not embarking on a deadly journey fraught with danger.

But rather, a… hunt he had long anticipated!