26: Chapter 26: I've accepted the S-rank mission! The entire audience was shocked!

Lin Feng stood in the main hall of the Explorer Association, looking up at the massive mission screen.

The screen scrolled with densely packed mission information, ranging from the simplest E-Rank collection tasks to the most dangerous A-Rank subjugation missions—everything was available.

But just as he was about to head to the front desk to register, his peripheral vision caught the very top of the screen—

There, marked in blood-red characters, were three missions.

SSS-Rank Mission: Subjugate the Void Realm Rift Dominator (Rank Requirement: 8+, Requires Team)

SS-Rank Mission: Reclaim the Deep-Sea Ruins (Rank Requirement: 5+, Requires Team)

S-Rank Mission: Conquer the 'Ancient Trial Tower' (Rank Requirement: 1-1, Requires Solo, Physique Requirement: Prodigy Level or Above)

Lin Feng's gaze fixed intently on the third mission.

'Conquer the Ancient Trial Tower... an S-Rank solo mission?'

He subconsciously read it aloud.

His voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hall, it was exceptionally clear.

Several Explorers nearby who were selecting missions turned to look at him in unison.

Their eyes held surprise, curiosity, and a hint of... looking at a fool?

Lin Feng ignored these gazes and quickly walked to the front desk.

It was still the same bespectacled intern receptionist, Liu Ruyan.

'Hello, I'd like to see the detailed information for the S-Rank Mission, 'Ancient Trial Tower',' Lin Feng said calmly.

Liu Ruyan looked up, pushing her glasses.

When she saw it was Lin Feng, undisguised disdain appeared on her face.

'You again?' she said mockingly. 'Didn't I tell you last time? Newcomers should take missions suited for newcomers. An S-Rank Mission? You don't even have the right to look at it.'

Lin Feng didn't get angry, simply repeating, 'I want to see the details.'

Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes. 'Fine, I'll show you. It's pointless anyway.'

She tapped a few keys on her computer, pulling up the mission details.

Lines of text appeared on the screen.

[Mission Number: S-03]

[Mission Name: Ancient Trial Tower Conquest]

[Mission Type: Dungeon Conquest]

[Dungeon Name: Ancient Trial Tower]

[Dungeon Rank: 1 (Entrant's Rank cannot exceed 10)]

[Entry Requirements: Solo, Physique must be Prodigy Level or above]

[Mission Content: Enter the Ancient Trial Tower, clear all nine floors, and retrieve the 'Trial Proof' from the tower's summit]

[Time Limit: None]

[Mission Reward: 500,000 points, c-rank explorer badge, Special Reward ×1]

[Mission Status: Posted for 3 years, Total Attempts: 17, Survivors:]

[Danger Rating: S-Rank (Extremely High Risk)]

[Note: This dungeon is a Trial Grounds left behind by an ancient civilization, containing multiple trials. Over the past three years, seventeen Geniuses with Prodigy-level Physique have attempted it, with zero survivors. Please consider carefully before accepting.]

After reading, Lin Feng drew a sharp breath.

Three years, seventeen Prodigy-level Geniuses, all dead?

That's a one hundred percent fatality rate!

But...

'The reward is 500,000 points and a c-rank explorer badge...' Lin Feng was tempted.

What did he need most right now?

First, money. Second, status.

500,000 points was enough for him to buy the top-tier equipment and skills.

The c-rank explorer badge was a Federation-certified 'meritorious service' emblem, granting privileges everywhere.

And what was this Special Reward?

'So? Seen enough?' Liu Ruyan mocked. 'Realized your own limits? This kind of mission isn't for someone with an F-Rank Talent like...'

'I'll take it.'

Lin Feng cut her off.

Liu Ruyan froze.

She wondered if she had misheard. 'You... what did you say?'

'I said, I'm taking this mission,' Lin Feng enunciated each word.

'Are you insane?!' Liu Ruyan shrieked. 'That's an S-Rank Mission! Seventeen people died in three years! You, with an F-Rank Talent, at Rank 4... wait, you ranked up?'

Only then did she notice that the Rank on Lin Feng's Explorer badge had changed to 8.

'So what if you're Rank 8?' Liu Ruyan sneered. 'You think ranking up a few times qualifies you for an S-Rank Mission? Do you even know what Prodigy-level Physique means? In the entire Donghai City, not even one appears in a year!'

Her voice was loud, heard by everyone in the hall.

'Someone's taking an S-Rank Mission?'

'Which fool? Let me see...'

'A young guy, only Rank 8?'

'Rank 8 taking an S-Rank Mission? Asking for death!'

The crowd gathered, buzzing with discussion.

Lin Feng remained expressionless, just looking at Liu Ruyan. 'My Physique is Prodigy-level.'

'Hah?' Liu Ruyan looked as if she'd heard the biggest joke. 'You're Prodigy-level? If you were Prodigy-level, how could you have awakened an F-Rank Talent? At least make your story believable!'

'Step aside.'

A low voice came from behind the crowd.

The onlookers automatically parted a path.

A middle-aged man in a black suit, hair meticulously combed, walked over.

On his chest was a silver badge—Explorer Association, Branch Supervisor.

'Supervisor!' Liu Ruyan quickly stood up, speaking respectfully.

The middle-aged man ignored her, walking straight to Lin Feng.

He looked Lin Feng up and down, his gaze sharp as a blade.

'I am Zhao Tianhai, Branch Supervisor of the Donghai City Explorer Association,' the man introduced himself. 'Young man, you say your Physique is Prodigy-level?'

'Yes,' Lin Feng admitted frankly.

'Prove it to me,' Zhao Tianhai extended his hand. 'Use your elemental affinity to leave a mark on this.'

In his palm rested a transparent crystal.

[Elemental Resonance Crystal]

[Use: Tests elemental affinity]

[Description: Upon touch, emits light of varying brightness based on the user's elemental affinity]

Lin Feng knew this was the simplest test method.

He extended his right hand and pressed it onto the crystal.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Just as Liu Ruyan was about to open her mouth to mock—

Hum!!!

Blinding golden light erupted from the crystal!

The entire hall was dyed gold!

The light was so intense that everyone instinctively closed their eyes.

Zhao Tianhai's pupils contracted, staring fixedly at the crystal.

Inside the crystal, the golden halo almost seemed to solidify!

'This is... Radiant Corona?!' he exclaimed involuntarily.

Liu Ruyan was dumbstruck.

The surrounding crowd was also stunned.

Radiant Corona?

That legendary Prodigy-level Physique?

'Impossible... impossible...' Liu Ruyan muttered to herself. 'How could he be Radiant Corona...'

Zhao Tianhai took a deep breath and put away the crystal.

The light gradually faded.

The hall was terrifyingly quiet.

Everyone looked at Lin Feng as if he were a monster.

'Your Physique is indeed Prodigy-level,' Zhao Tianhai said gravely. 'But I must remind you, the Ancient Trial Tower has already claimed seventeen lives, three of whom had Physiques no weaker than yours.'

'I know,' Lin Feng nodded.

'You know, yet you still want to take it?' Zhao Tianhai frowned. 'Young man, courage is good, but seeking death is foolishness.'

Lin Feng smiled.

'Supervisor, I have three reasons for taking this mission.'

'First, I need money and status. This mission's reward solves all my problems.'

'Second, I've offended the Blood Wolf Group. They might be hunting me. If I take a normal mission, they might ambush me outside a dungeon. But this S-Rank Mission—they wouldn't dare interfere.'

'Third...' Lin Feng paused, his gaze turning resolute. 'I want to become stronger. And the fastest path to strength is to challenge the hardest trials.'

Zhao Tianhai fell silent.

He looked at Lin Feng for a full ten seconds.

Then, he slowly nodded.

'Alright, I understand.'

He turned to Liu Ruyan. 'Process the acceptance paperwork for him.'

'S-supervisor...' Liu Ruyan's face turned pale. 'That's against the rules... his Rank is only 8...'

'Rules?' Zhao Tianhai sneered. 'Rules are rigid, people are flexible. He meets all the acceptance criteria—Rank not exceeding 1, Prodigy-level Physique, willing to challenge solo. What reason do you have to refuse?'

Liu Ruyan opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

She could only lower her head and operate the computer.

A few minutes later, a blood-red 'S' mark appeared on Lin Feng's Explorer badge.

This signified that he had accepted an S-Rank Mission.

If he succeeded, his name would resound throughout Donghai City.

If he failed... it meant death.

'The paperwork is done,' Zhao Tianhai looked at Lin Feng. 'When do you need to depart?'

'The sooner the better,' Lin Feng said. 'But... I have a request.'

'Speak.'

'The Blood Wolf Group might be lying in wait for me outside the dungeon,' Lin Feng stated bluntly. 'If I go alone, they might ambush me on the way. Could the Association... send an escort?'

Zhao Tianhai raised an eyebrow.

This request was indeed reasonable.

An S-Rank Mission accepter being ambushed en route to the dungeon—if such news spread, the Explorer Association would lose all face.

'Agreed,' Zhao Tianhai nodded. 'I'll dispatch an elite team to escort you to the dungeon entrance.'

'Thank you, Supervisor,' Lin Feng sighed in relief.

'Don't thank me,' Zhao Tianhai looked at him meaningfully. 'If you truly clear the Ancient Trial Tower, our Association branch will also receive commendations from higher-ups. This is a mutually beneficial deal.'

He patted Lin Feng's shoulder.

'Young man, good luck.'

'If you return alive... I'll host a victory banquet for you.'

With that, he turned and left.

In the hall, only Lin Feng and a crowd of stunned onlookers remained.

Liu Ruyan slumped in her chair, her gaze vacant.

Remembering her previous mockery of Lin Feng, her face burned with shame.

Lin Feng didn't look at her, directly turning to leave.

As he reached the door, he heard murmurs from behind.

'He really took it...'

'Radiant Corona Physique... no wonder he dares to take an S-Rank Mission.'

'But those Prodigies who died before, weren't they all famous? He's only Rank 8...'

'Maybe he can create a miracle?'

'A miracle? I think it's suicide.'

Lin Feng smiled slightly and pushed the door open.

Sunlight spilled onto him, warm and comforting.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Pan Jingjing.

[Lin Feng: Keep the shop closed for now; you're all on paid leave. We'll reopen after I return from the dungeon.]

A few seconds later, Pan Jingjing replied.

[Pan Jingjing: Boss, where are you going?]

[Lin Feng: Doing a mission, might take a few days.]

[Pan Jingjing: Be careful.]

Putting away his phone, Lin Feng took a deep breath.

Ancient Trial Tower...

An S-Rank dungeon no one has cleared in three years.

The burial ground of seventeen Prodigies.

'Go big or go home.'

Lin Feng grinned.

'Since I've chosen this path, I'll see it through to the end!'

He strode off towards home.

Now, it was time for final preparations.

Check equipment, stock up on potions, adjust his condition.

Tomorrow morning, the Association's escort team would come for him.

The real challenge was about to begin.

And what Lin Feng didn't know was—

After he left, in the mission hall, Zhao Tianhai stood by the window, watching his receding figure.

'Supervisor, do you really believe he can clear it?' a young man who seemed like an assistant asked.

Zhao Tianhai shook his head.

'I don't know.'

'Then why did you...'

'Because he has the Radiant Corona Physique,' Zhao Tianhai's gaze was profound. 'People with this Physique are born to create miracles.'

'And...'

He paused, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

'If he really clears it, then our Donghai City branch will have made major news.'

'By then, wouldn't those higher-ups have to tilt resources our way?'

The assistant suddenly understood.

So that was the Supervisor's calculation.

'What if he fails?'

'If he fails?' Zhao Tianhai shrugged. 'That was his own choice. Our Association has done all it should; no one can find fault.'

He turned away from the window.

'Notify the guard team. Tomorrow morning, dispatch five elites above Rank 2 to escort Lin Feng to the Ancient Trial Tower.'

'Remember, ensure he reaches the dungeon entrance safely.'

'Yes, sir!'

The assistant hurried off.

Zhao Tianhai walked to his desk and opened a drawer.

Inside lay a yellowed file.

On the cover was written: Ancient Trial Tower—Three-Year Death List.

He opened to the first page.

First name: Long Aotian, Rank 1, Prodigy-level Physique · Thunder Battle Physique, Time of Death: Three Years Ago.

Second name: Su Wan'er (Female), Rank 1, Prodigy-level Physique · Life Body, Time of Death: Two Years Ago.

Third name...

Zhao Tianhai turned page after page.

Each name represented a once-shining Genius.

Now, they were all cold statistics.

'Lin Feng...'

Zhao Tianhai closed the file and looked out the window.

'Can you be the first to come out alive?'

'I'm looking forward to it.'