41: The intimidation shown to the mission hall

After a month of confinement, the worn-out gates of the D-7 Courtyard opened once again.

When Wen Youyi and The core five people stepped out of the courtyard, they immediately felt gazes that were completely different from before. No longer just pure disdain or indifference, but a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, jealousy, and even a faint, hard-to-detect wariness.

News of their cultivation progress had already spread, and the image of "fat sheep" returning from the Ancient Ruins was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

"Let's go to the Mission Hall," Wen Youyi said with a calm expression. After "secluding" themselves for a month, most of their resources had been consumed. They needed to take on some Sect missions to exchange for Spirit Stones and contribution points, while also officially returning to the Sect's view.

The Mission Hall was located in the central area of the Outer Sect, a bustling hall filled with people coming and going. Various missions scrolled across a massive jade wall, ranging from chores like tending to medicinal fields and cleaning beast pens to dangerous tasks like hunting specific Yao Beasts or gathering rare Materials.

Wen Youyi and The core five people's arrival immediately caused a small stir. Many Disciples stopped in their tracks, sizing them up either openly or covertly.

"Yo, aren't these the 'experts' from the Ding Zi Courtyard? After a month of seclusion, your cultivation has indeed improved quite a bit!" a snide voice rang out.

Chen Jian, accompanied by two lackeys, stood blocking the way in front of the mission jade wall, clearly having waited for a long time. His gaze swept over Wen Youyi, and a shadow flickered in his eyes when he sensed the other's aura of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, but it was mostly a "just as I thought" kind of greed. He was certain Wen Youyi must have used some great Opportunity obtained in the Ancient Ruins to Breakthrough so quickly.

Zhao Iron Pillar's brows furrowed as he prepared to speak, but Wen Youyi stopped him with a look.

"Senior Brother Chen," Wen Youyi said, cupping his hands with a neither humble nor arrogant tone. "A good dog doesn't block the way. We want to take a mission, so please make way."

"Who are you calling a dog?!" one of the lackeys behind Chen Jian barked angrily.

Wen Youyi acted surprised. "Why would Senior Brother say that? I was just using a metaphor to remind Senior Brother Chen to be mindful of his image."

The lackey was choked up, his Face turning bright red.

Chen Jian's Face grew even colder. He stared at Wen Youyi and said with a fake smile, "Junior Brother Wen is indeed different now; your tone has grown quite bold. It just so happens I have a 'good' mission here that I haven't found the right people for. I think it's quite suitable for your Ding Zi Courtyard."

He pointed to a mission that had just refreshed on the jade wall:

[Urgent] Clear the Demonic Bats of Black Wind Cave

Requirements: Exterminate the colony of mutated Demonic Bats entrenched in the Black Wind Cave. Estimated number of Demonic Bats exceeds a hundred, with the leader suspected to have reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. The cave environment is complex and accompanied by poisonous miasma.

Reward: 500 contribution points, 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Suggestion: To be taken by teams at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer or above.

A low chorus of gasps sounded from the surroundings.

The Black Wind Cave Demonic Bats was a notoriously difficult mission in the Outer Sect. Not only were the individual mutated Demonic Bats fierce and skilled in sonic attacks, but they were also numerous. More troublesome was the poisonous miasma inside the cave, which posed a massive threat to Disciples in the Qi Refinement Stage. Although the reward was generous, the risk was extremely high, and usually only top-tier Outer Sect teams dared to attempt it.

By pushing this mission onto Wen Youyi's group who had just come out of seclusion, Chen Jian's intentions were truly malicious! He was clearly trying to kill them through a third party!

"Chen Jian! What's the meaning of this?!" Zhao Iron Pillar couldn't hold back anymore, roaring in a booming voice. "This mission is obviously a trap!"

Chen Jian sneered. "What? Scared? Didn't you just get some heaven-sent Opportunity from the Ancient Ruins and make great strides in your cultivation? You don't even dare to take on this little challenge? It seems your Opportunity was nothing special after all."

His words were full of provocation and goading. Many nearby Disciples also showed expressions of watching a spectacle, wanting to see if this currently famous Ding Zi Courtyard dared to take the bait.

Wang Wu and the others looked angry, but they also knew this mission was indeed dangerous, so they couldn't help but look at Wen Youyi.

Wen Youyi looked at the mission information, but no expression could be seen on his Face. He suddenly turned and respectfully asked the Old Deacon who was dozing behind the Mission Hall counter, "May I ask, Deacon, is there a time limit for this Black Wind Cave mission? If we find more people to go with us, would that be within the rules?"

The Old Deacon lifted his eyelids and said lazily, "The time limit is half a month. The Sect encourages cooperation among Disciples; as long as the mission is completed, there is no limit on the number of people."

Wen Youyi nodded, already having a plan in mind. He looked back at Chen Jian, a "shy" smile suddenly appearing on his Face.

"Since Senior Brother Chen is so 'considerate,' this Junior Brother is deeply grateful. We will take this mission."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was shocked!

He actually took it?!

Chen Jian was also stunned for a moment, then became ecstatic. Fearing Wen Youyi might back out, he immediately said, "Good! You have guts! Then I wish Junior Brother Wen... a triumphant return!" He deliberately emphasized the word "triumphant," filling it with mockery.

Wen Youyi ignored him and walked straight to the counter. Under the slightly surprised gaze of the Old Deacon, he accepted the mission token for the Black Wind Cave.

Holding the cold token, Wen Youyi turned around. His gaze swept over the smug Chen Jian and the various expressions of the crowd, finally landing on his four companions. Through the newly established "communicator," he sent a clear thought:

[Beat them at their own game; lead the snake out of its hole.]

Zhao Iron Pillar and the other three were first stunned, then realized what was happening, a flash of excitement in their eyes. They instantly understood Wen Youyi's plan!

Wen Youyi looked at Chen Jian, his smile becoming increasingly "sincere":

"I must also thank Senior Brother Chen for the guidance. However, this trip is dangerous and our cultivation is low, so we'll head back to 'plan' for a few more days and find a few 'trustworthy' Senior Brothers to help. We won't trouble Senior Brother Chen to worry about it."

After saying that, he led Zhao Iron Pillar and the other three, calmly leaving the Mission Hall under the complex gazes of the crowd.

Watching their retreating backs, the smugness on Chen Jian's Face gradually vanished, replaced by a hint of doubt.

"Eldest Senior Brother, do they really dare to go? And even find people to help?" a lackey asked.

Chen Jian's eyes were cold. "Regardless of who they find, the Black Wind Cave will be their burial ground! Let's go and 'make some arrangements' to ensure they can't find any 'helpers'!"

He absolutely did not believe Wen Youyi could complete this mission, nor did he believe anyone would dare to risk offending him (and the person behind him) to help. In his mind, Wen Youyi was just trying to save Face and stall for time.

However, he didn't know that the "planning" and "trustworthy Senior Brothers" Wen Youyi spoke of were completely different from what he understood.

A conspiracy aimed at the D-7 Courtyard had instead become an Opportunity for them to test their strength and lead the snake out of its hole!

(End of Chapter)