119: Chapter 119 Mission Hall

Liu Qingchen looked at him, his gaze profound.

"But as far as I know, the Disciples the Blood Fiend Sect sent this time aren't their strongest. That Li Sha, while formidable, isn't the number one of the Blood Fiend Sect's current generation. The true number one is said to have been in secluded cultivation all along and has never shown his face."

Li Changsheng's brow furrowed even tighter.

"What does this indicate?" he asked.

Liu Qingchen said slowly.

"It means the Blood Fiend Sect is hiding its strength. They are waiting—waiting for an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

Liu Qingchen shook his head.

"I don't know. But what's certain is that they must be plotting something. In the coming period, Yunzhou might not be peaceful."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the pavilion, and gazed at the distant mountains.

"Li Changsheng,"

"Since you've come all the way from Qinghe Town, you should be clearer than I am about the Blood Fiend Sect's methods."

"Those people are capable of anything."

Li Changsheng fell silent.

Of course he was clear.

During that demonic disaster in Qinghe Town, he had witnessed thousands of people die with his own eyes.

The townspeople devoured by Spirit Devourers, the Cultivators murdered by Blood Fiend Sect Disciples, the tragic sight of corpses strewn everywhere—he would never forget.

Liu Qingchen turned around and looked at him.

"Therefore, you must become stronger as soon as possible. Qi Refining Level 9 is not enough; you need Foundation Establishment, you need to be stronger."

"Only then can you protect yourself and those around you in the coming storm."

Li Changsheng stood up and solemnly cupped his fists.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Liu."

Liu Qingchen nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

His white robes fluttered as he quickly vanished into the dark night.

Li Changsheng stood in place, staring in the direction he had left for a long time without moving.

The night wind blew, the pines rustled, and a slight chill filled the air.

He looked up toward the distant night sky.

How many unknown dangers were hidden there?

He didn't know.

But he knew he had to become stronger.

As soon as possible.

It was already late at night when he returned to the Hundred Herb Garden.

Li Changsheng went back to the tool storehouse, lit a lamp, and began to organize his gains from the exchange meet.

The foundation establishment pill had to be kept carefully.

As for the peiyuan pills, he would keep one bottle as a reserve to exchange for contribution points and use the other two himself.

The green steel sword was already ruined; he needed to get a new one.

His Talismans were also mostly used up and needed replenishing.

He calculated silently, already having a plan in mind.

Tomorrow, he would first head to the Mission Hall to take a look.

Outside the window, the night deepened.

He took out the nine-turn azure profound bead and placed it in his palm.

The bead was still emerald green and translucent, though the light inside had dimmed slightly more.

But there was still nearly half of its power waiting for him to refine.

He closed his eyes and pressed the bead to his forehead.

Spiritual energy slowly seeped into the bead, triggering the life force within.

That power was like a trickling stream, flowing from his forehead into his body and slowly circulating along his Meridians.

His injuries were healing at a visible speed.

His cultivation was rising at a slow but steady pace.

The Middle Stage Bottleneck of Qi Refining Level 9.

One more step forward would be the Late Stage of Qi Refining Level 9.

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

Moonlight like water spilled over the spirit fields.

The Spirit Tea Tree swayed gently in the moonlight, the dewdrops on its leaves reflecting tiny points of light.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.

Cultivating is like planting a tree; only with deep roots can the foliage be lush.

His roots were already very deep.

Now, it was time to grow upward.

Early the next morning, Li Changsheng rose early and walked toward the Mission Hall.

The Mission Hall was located in the core area of the outer sect. It was a three-story bluestone building covering a vast area, with two stone lions standing majestically at the entrance.

This was one of the places Outer Sect Disciples visited most often.

Accepting missions, submitting missions, and exchanging contribution points all had to be done here.

When Li Changsheng arrived, quite a few people had already gathered at the Mission Hall entrance.

Most were Disciples at Qi Refining Level 6 or 7, gathered in small groups and discussing something.

“Have you heard? The results of the exchange meet are out!”

“Of course I have! Someone from our Qinglan Sword Sect made it into the top ten! 'Water-Severing Sword' Mo Han ranked seventh!”

“And 'Gale Sword' Lu Yu ranked fifteenth! Both are very impressive!”

“What about that Li Changsheng? Didn't he go too?”

“Li Changsheng? Who's that?”

“The one from the Hundred Herb Garden who farms. I heard he participated too.”

“What success can a farmer have? He probably got eliminated in the first round.”

Li Changsheng walked past them with a calm expression, as if he hadn't heard the discussion.

He entered the Mission Hall and went to the mission posting area.

There was a massive jade wall displaying various missions in dense rows.

Some were simple, some difficult, some with low rewards, and some with high rewards.

Each mission was marked with a suggested cultivation Rank and the rewarded contribution points.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the missions.

Collection mission: Collect ten stalks of three-leaf green. Suggested Rank: Qi Refining Level 5. Contribution points: 100.

Escort mission: Escort a merchant caravan to Qingshi Town. Suggested Rank: Qi Refining Level 6. Contribution points: 300.

Extermination mission: Clear out the Gale Wolf packs on the outskirts of the Qinglan Mountains. Suggested Rank: Qi Refining Level 7. Contribution points: 500.

Investigation mission: Investigate the missing persons incidents around Qingshi Town. Suggested Rank: Qi Refining Level 8. Contribution points: 800.

...

His gaze continued upward, landing on the top row of missions.

Those were high-difficulty missions, with suggested cultivation levels all at Qi Refining Level 9 or above.

One mission caught his attention:

“Investigate the traces of the Blood Fiend Sect stronghold at Luanshi Ridge and obtain definitive intelligence. Danger level: High.”

“Suggested cultivation: Qi Refining Level 9. Reward: 5,000 contribution points. Requirement: Must provide proof of Qi Refining Level 9 strength.”

5,000 contribution points.

Li Changsheng calculated silently.

Adding to his existing 31,000, completing a few more missions like this would let him reach 50,000.

He stepped forward and spoke to the Deacon Disciple in charge of registration.

“I would like to take this mission.”

The Deacon Disciple looked up and glanced at him.

Li Changsheng was still wearing those dusty gray robes, and hanging from his waist was an ordinary Storage Pouch.

His aura, shown outwardly, was only at Qi Refining Level 7—this was something he had deliberately suppressed, not wanting to be too conspicuous.

The Deacon Disciple glanced at his cultivation and frowned.

“This mission suggests Qi Refining Level 9. You're at Qi Refining Level 7; you can't take it.”

Li Changsheng said.

“I can.”

The Deacon Disciple scoffed.

“You can? Do you know how dangerous this mission is?”

“In the Luanshi Ridge area, the Blood Fiend Sect's activities are frequent. Even those at Qi Refining Level 8 might not make it back. Are you, a mere Qi Refining Level 7, going there to seek death?”

His voice wasn't quiet, and several Disciples nearby who were looking at missions turned their heads.

“Qi Refining Level 7, wanting to take a Qi Refining Level 9 mission?”

“Haha, is this guy crazy?”

“Looking at his outfit, he's probably a newcomer who doesn't know the heights of the heavens or the depths of the earth.”

Several Disciples crowded around, sizing up Li Changsheng with eyes full of mockery.

“ Hello， Kid， May I have your name？ Which branch?？”

A fat guy at Qi Refining Level 6 asked.

Li Changsheng glanced at him but didn't answer, only saying to the Deacon Disciple.

“I insist on taking it. If something happens, I will take full responsibility.”

The Deacon Disciple's frown deepened.

“You'll take responsibility? Can you afford to?”

“Mission failure is a small matter; losing your life is a big one.”

“Our Mission Hall has rules; we cannot push Disciples into a fire pit.”

The fat guy interjected.

“Senior Brother, just let him take it.”

“If someone wants to find death, why are you stopping them?”

Several people nearby joined in the heckling.

“Exactly! Let him go, we can watch the show!”

“Qi Refining Level 7 taking a Qi Refining Level 9 mission, tsk tsk, such commendable courage!”

“I bet he'll come back crying in three days—no, two days!”

Li Changsheng's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't heard the ridicule.

He was about to speak when he suddenly heard a voice from behind:

“Make way, make way.”