10: Family Mission

Ling Feng looked at the System attribute panel, where he saw one thousand Family Luck points available for a draw.

At this moment, Ling Feng no longer hesitated. With a determined look, he silently chanted to the System in his mind.

“System, use one thousand Luck points for a Profound Rank draw.”

“Understood, Host.”

“Draw successful: Congratulations, Host, for obtaining one Elementary Earth Martial Realm Shadow Guards.”

“What? Earth Martial Realm.”

After hearing the System’s prompt, Ling Feng couldn't help but stand up abruptly, his face filled with excitement.

This was the Earth Martial Realm! Although it was only Elementary, he was still a Martial Artist of the Earth Martial Realm. One must know that many Martial Artists at Profound Martial Realm Perfection might never successfully Breakthrough to the Earth Martial Realm in their entire lives, which showed how powerful an Earth Martial Realm Martial Artist was.

Moreover, in the entire Qingyun Town, let alone the Earth Martial Realm, even a Martial Artist at Profound Martial Realm Perfection could practically walk around unchecked.

Currently, according to known information, the strongest person in Qingyun Town was merely an Old Ancestor of the Wang Family, possessing a cultivation of Late Stage Profound Martial Realm.

However, the Wang Family had a rather mysterious origin; they had only been in Qingyun Town for a few decades and had already developed into one of the current Eight Great Families.

Ling Feng shook his head, then self-mockingly said,

“What’s the use of thinking so much when I’m still so weak? The priority now is to quickly strengthen myself. Only by being strong enough can I cope with all future changes.”

Thinking of this, Ling Feng silently chanted to the System in his mind.

“System, summon the Shadow Guards.”

“Understood, Host.”

As the System’s prompt faded, a slightly slender figure appeared before Ling Feng. He was dressed in black brocade, masked, and wore a black cloak.

Although the middle-aged man in black brocade looked frail and delicate, he exuded an extremely terrifying Aura, subtly making Ling Feng himself feel alarmed.

“Shadow Guards Ling Xuan greets the Clan Chief.”

The middle-aged man in black brocade respectfully saluted Ling Feng.

“Rise.”

“Ling Huang, come out.”

Ling Feng then called out into the air.

“Your subordinate greets the Clan Chief.”

In an instant, a black figure flashed, and Ling Huang appeared before Ling Feng, respectfully saluting him.

“Rise.”

“Ling Huang, lead the Shadow Guards squad to gather information on all the Families in Qingyun Town, but remember to prioritize your own safety.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

After Ling Huang finished speaking, his figure flashed and disappeared from Ling Feng’s room.

“Ling Xuan, from now on, you will protect me in the shadows.”

Ling Feng looked at Ling Huang’s disappearing figure, then instructed Ling Xuan.

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure also vanished from the room.

Ling Feng couldn't help but nod to himself. The characters summoned by this System were truly useful; not only were they absolutely loyal to him, but they were not Puppets without independent consciousness. They were living, breathing people with flesh and blood and their own thoughts.

The Ling Family now had three Profound Martial Realm Martial Artists and one Earth Martial Realm Martial Artist. There were even ten Martial Artists at Yellow Martial Realm Perfection who specialized in stealth and assassination. With such strength, let alone self-preservation, dominating Qingyun Town would be more than enough.

Ling Feng then stood up and walked straight out the door, a smile on his face.

Now, with his cultivation, he could practically walk around Qingyun Town unchecked.

Just as Ling Feng stepped out of his room, a System prompt also entered his mind.

“Detected that the current strength of the Host’s Family is too low, thus triggering a phased temporary mission.”

“Now releasing three Family missions.”

“One: A powerful Family must have a strictly enforced Rank advancement System and various functional departments. Please improve the Family System. Reward: Unknown.”

“Two: Individuals with exceptional talent within the Family are the solid foundation for the Family’s future. Please select and Cultivate talented Family Disciple. Reward: Unknown.”

“Three: Lead the Family to develop and grow. A Family without any prestige, no matter how powerful, will not ultimately become respected if it develops in seclusion for too long. This mission will be evaluated based on the prestige accumulated by the Host’s leadership of the Family within six months. The higher the prestige, the richer the reward will be.”

After Ling Feng received all the mission messages, several faint glints of light flashed in his eyes.

Of the three missions, the first two were indeed the Family's top priorities. As for the third mission, the time given was quite generous, so there was no need to rush it too much.

Thinking of this, Ling Feng immediately instructed the guard beside him,

“Go inform the Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and the several Clan Elders. Ask them to come to the Family Reception Hall; tell them I have important matters to discuss with them.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

The guard quickly responded.

Seeing the guard leave, Ling Feng also walked straight towards the Family Reception Hall... Inside the hall.

At this moment, Ling Feng was drinking tea while looking at some of the Family’s old Family Systems. His brows furrowed, then relaxed.

Just then, a guard’s announcement pulled Ling Feng’s thoughts back.

“Reporting to the Clan Chief, the Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and the several Clan Elders have all arrived and are requesting an audience outside the door.”

“Let them come in directly.”

Ling Feng said when he saw the situation.

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

The guard bowed in response, then turned and left.

Soon, Ling Buyi, Ling Zhan, and others arrived in the hall.

Upon entering the hall, they all cupped their hands and saluted Ling Feng.

“We greet the Clan Chief.”

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle, several Clan Elders, no need for such formality.”

“Please be seated.”

“Thank you, Clan Chief.”

Seeing that they remained so, Ling Feng said nothing more.

Ling Zhan, without waiting for Ling Buyi and the Clan Elders to sit down, impatiently asked Ling Feng,

“Clan Chief, why have you gathered all of us today?”

“Second Uncle, it’s like this: these past few days, I’ve looked at some of the Systems our Family previously established and found many unreasonable aspects, especially how clearly the main branch and side branches were separated, and their treatment was vastly different.”

“I don’t care what the Ling Family was like before me, but as long as I am the Clan Chief for even one day, both the main and side branches should be treated equally.”

“Clan Chief, there was no other way before. The Family’s daily expenses were enormous, which is why…”

One of the Clan Elders said softly.

“Alright, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, several Clan Elders, these are some of the Systems I’ve reorganized. You can take a look.”

Then, Ling Feng waved his hand, and several sheets of paper covered in text fell into their hands.

Ling Buyi, Ling Zhan, and the others took them and quickly opened them to examine them carefully.

Seeing this, Ling Feng did not speak to disturb them… After a while.

They quickly finished reading.

Seeing this, Ling Feng immediately spoke to them.

“Have you finished reading? What are your opinions?”

“Clan Chief, you have already arranged this very meticulously. I have no thoughts.”

“I also have no objections.”

Ling Zhan and the several Clan Elders all spoke up.

“Clan Chief, I have no other objections, but I have a few questions I’d like to ask.”

Ling Buyi said to Ling Feng.

“Second Uncle, no need to be so polite, just speak freely.”

“Is the division of Family Disciple Ranks too strict?”

“Also, the Weapon Refining Hall, the Family currently doesn’t have a single Artifact Refiner, is it necessary to start preparing for it now?”

“Second Uncle, first, regarding the Family Disciple aspect, according to my previous Rank division, it is indeed a bit strict for us now. How about this, for the current stage, Family Disciple will be simply divided into Utility Disciple, Outer Sect Disciple, Inner Sect Disciple, and Core Disciple.”

“Additionally, set up stewards, Outer Sect deacons, Inner Sect Protectors, and Elders to manage the corresponding Family Disciple.”

“Family Disciple, whether from the main branch, side branches, or external Family members, must all start as Utility Disciple. Disciples are strictly forbidden from harming each other; once discovered, there will be no leniency.”

To become an Outer Sect Disciple, one must Breakthrough to the Yellow Martial Realm and be able to kill an Elementary Yellow Martial Realm Yao Beast alone.

“To be promoted to Inner Sect Disciple, one must Breakthrough to the Profound Martial Realm and be able to kill an Elementary Profound Martial Realm Yao Beast alone.”

“The promotion conditions for Core Disciple are similar.”

“However, those with exceptional talent can be discussed separately.”

“During the period as Utility Disciple, regardless of who it is, the resources obtained are the same. To obtain more Cultivation resources, one can go to the Mission Hall to complete Family missions and earn Family Contribution Points, which can then be exchanged for Cultivation resources.”

“As for the Weapon Refining Hall, let’s set up the framework first; it will always be needed.”

“Clan Chief, this way, all Family Disciple will work hard to Cultivate for promotion, and it will be difficult for the Family not to prosper.”

Ling Buyi said to Ling Feng with a smile.

“However, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, several Clan Elders, this matter can be postponed for a few days. It’s not too late to implement it after Cousin Zifan’s matter is resolved.”

“Second Uncle, just take this time to properly select suitable stewards, deacons, Protectors, and other managers. As for Elders, for now, just the two of you are enough.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

...