Over one and half month has passed since Ja Sun started accepting missions and as the two kingdoms promised, the rewards could boost a spirit master's strength comprehensively if they know how to properly use their rewards. Out of the 'real' mission time, only 43 days are left. In the remaining period, Ja Sun had completed three other group missions. His strength already greater than what he could have ordinarily achieved in half a year if not an entire year.
Spirit Rank: 30.
His Revitalized Blood Qi Art reaching the fifth stage and finally nourishing his physique as a whole. The greatest gain was the slight comprehension of Heart Separation Control but to reach the most basic standard of the technique— Three Aperture Governing Heart.
With his tenth mission completed, Ja Sun once again sat in front of Yu Suntao while he deeply explained the cause of the war and the consequences of various choices.
"Ultimate Grandson, do you understand now? It may sound extremely insincere at this moment, but the Spirit Hall is willing to spare any offense you may have committed. If you haven't, then better. Heaven Dou Empire cannot compare with our resources."
Ja Sun silently looked at his token. Each subsequent group mission was slightly harder than its predecessor but it also served to raise Ja Sun's knowledge on the approach one takes in this continent to form teams. Then by comparing with his own rationality, he already had quite a few changes in his mind. The backside of the token was marked with the number 78.
Aside from the seeds of Blood Lotus, the most beneficial herb was actually the 1000-year-old violet cloud stump that required 4000 points to exchange. However, it was taken by someone else. Then Ja Sun only spent all his merit points in purchasing and consuming the seeds of blood lotus.
Ordinarily, this intake is highly poisonous. But Ja Sun's blood wasn't normal already. Even if his body is only considered ordinary amongst Spirit Ancestors, the blood flowing through his veins is extremely pure even when compared to Spirit Kings. Using the Revitalized Blood Qi Art, the essence of the seeds is gently fused with the blood.
Now, the reward list was out of these seeds.
Instead of speaking on this particular matter, Ja Sun silently looked at the rewards list, carefully pondering where he should invest his merit points from now on. The herbs regarding the growth of spirit energy sounded lucrative but he didn't plan on adding another ring.
One of the few reasons why he did so well in this war is because of their limitations in spirit ranks.
A Personalized Mission allows an individual to break the limitations on the number of opponents. Subsequently, the rewards are increased. Being a rank 30 spirit grandmaster with the purest form of spirit qi and a sturdy physique, Ja Sun could reign over groups of spirit grandmasters easily.
After Personalized Missions come Extreme Missions. Here, an individual is allowed to break the limitations on the number of opponents and their ranks. The rewards increase exponentially.
If he condenses his third spirit ring, this advantage of jumping over spirit ranks to continue the mission will disappear and Ja Sun felt the need to capitalize on this advantage.
'Spirit enhancing herbs aren't a priority. There are many rewards, but I don't know most of them. Not to mention that description of all these items cannot be found ordinarily and needs to be taught so this is a severe limitation. I don't know about the items well enough to understand if there is any reward that enhances mental energy. But that is something taken care of by the Blue Silver Emperor's Core.
If not body, spirit, and mind... then...'
Ja Sun gazed at the remaining category of rewards.
There weren't any techniques or information. The last category belonged to items and Spirit Bones were a part of this characterization.
Ja Sun saw various storage devices mentioned and described but there were a few that supported living beings for a period of time. Ja Sun's target was set.
He looked at Yu Suntao and closed the journal before returning it.
"I want to know my mission."
Revealing a bitter expression, Suntao passed on the booklet and sighed, "If you choose to skip a spirit rank and fight an opponent or opponents of a higher level, there is a chance that you may not live after losing a match."
'No shit,' Ja Sun sneered internally while opening the booklet.
Extreme Mission changed from protecting or destroying a location to protecting or slaying an individual.
'Protect the Commander of Balak City... he's situated around the city?' Ja Sun furrowed in realization.
"All the other extreme missions occur inside the city?" Ja Sun inquired to which Yu Suntao nodded.
"This mission is the protection of the commander. If you were asked to assassinate an official of Silvers Kingdom instead, you would have to travel close to Silvers City. None of the extreme missions take place within the capital cities but only close to them so that the danger is higher than usual. It will be even more dangerous for you since you will be facing opponents of the ranks of Spirit Elder."
Ja Sun nodded.
"What's after extreme missions?" Ja Sun inquired.
"Nothing. After the five extreme missions, no further missions of such nature are issued and the spirit master is free to choose from regular missions. Still, what I can tell you is that the full completion of extreme missions will give you the qualifications to a certain mission before the end of the war."
Instead of inquiring further, Ja Sun selected a mission and his choice made Yu Suntao's lips twitch. Being a Spirit Grandmaster from Spirit Hall, the deacon himself was quite extraordinary even among his level but he did not have the confidence to face a team of well-developed Spirit Grandmasters... much less a team of Spirit Elders.
---
Being the capital of the Balak Kingdom, Balak City is supported by the trade from three towns around it. Unlike the city, the town is much laxer with security. Each town the base of the three great trading centers situated within Balak City. The one Ja Sun happened to be dispatched to was none other than the base of Blind Pavilion— Glazed Eye Town. The town wasn't conserved by high and mighty walls since a town has a lot more room to grow. Prematurely erecting walls and limiting the area of the town is something a trader wouldn't want to see. But this kind of atmosphere also leaves for a few spirit beasts to enter. Most of them are rodents despite their cultivation and hunt in the darkness which makes this town unusually silent at night.
Silently walking behind a fat man was Ja Sun. The short-haired, chubby man had a radiant expression as he walked under the escort of soldiers. His hair looked slick and was pulled back while his enormous form was covered by a military uniform white and blue in color. Everywhere he went, his eyes would follow the local 'talent.' It wasn't hard to understand what kind of life this man may have led but Ja Sun also didn't want to judge a book by its cover.
"How about her, Sir?" One of the soldiers whispered and gesturing towards a young girl. Teenager, by the looks of it. Brown hair and beautiful large eyes. Wearing a green frock, she walked alongside a mature woman and tried to hide her body behind this woman as much as possible.
Seeing, this, Ja Sun finally judged the book by its cover and contents.
But he followed behind the man with a serene expression. His highest priority was the mission. Though a being filled with emotions, Ja Sun has been taught how to direct such emotions. If he can kill a stray animal who might be another's beloved offspring, why would he give a human stranger any other treatment unless it affects him?
Thinking for a moment, the round man tilted his head slightly and glanced at Ja Sun before shaking his head. The group continued to walk around the town for another half hour and finally returned to a large mansion occupied by this individual. Once within his office, the man's expression finally changed from calmness to extreme anxiety.
"What do you think? Can you—"
"Do you think I would be dispatched if I didn't have the qualifications?" Ja Sun interjected faintly. He looked around the room and nodded. There were no windows and the room itself was quite luxurious.
This fat man was the target of the mission. Ja Sun had to defend any attempts of assassination on this man for the next three days and leave.
Bluntly sitting in front of the man, Ja Sun stated calmly, "Let's analyze your situation. You're a Spirit Grandmaster yourself. In a war where the two kingdoms didn't even wish to sacrifice soldiers with spirit energy, they placed an important official like you as the target of assassination. Do you understand why, Su Huo?"
Su Huo's expression was unsightly. Though insidious and lascivious, he had his own qualities. If not, he couldn't have become the commander of the kingdom guards in this town.
"Yeah, you seem to understand why. If I were you, I'd turn over to a new side of the leaf if I manage to survive this situation. But, we're not here to discuss your personal life. Instead, we're going to discuss the consequences of all your traits known within the town."
"Consequences?" Su Huo's expression turned strange.
"A lascivious Spirit Grandmaster with a thing for gourmet and a problematic rage that has caused quite a widespread infamy. If I was the leader of the group of assassins sent to take your life, I would bait you with a beautiful female teammate of mine in your favorite establishment and..." Gentle, Ja Sun slid his thumb across his neck. A chill spread over Su Huo's back and his face flushed slightly.
"So..."
"The objective of the mission is to keep you alive for three days. Probably, after three days, you will receive a warning from your superiors for your past misconduct. If you die, they wouldn't care much anyway. It's possible that they themselves are in the same situation as you," Ja Sun smiled calmly.
"How do we avert this?!" Su Huo growled.
"Simple. Arrange a carriage with a team of guards and escape this town."
"What? Escape? Wouldn't that..." Su Huo slowly grew quiet. His expression brightened momentarily and as he looked at the dark figure in front of him who could understand politics and even calmly pass judgment, a sense of extreme recognition passed through his gaze!
"Su Huo, while I'm here, for the next three days, you will eat the things I provide. Drink the water I give. And will not be inviting any female without my agreement. If you risk the failure of this mission, then instead of giving the enemies the pleasure of slaying that beefy body, I'll make the first move," Ja Sun's slightly cold whisper erupted and the sense of recognition faded away. However, Su Huo knew that at this moment, aside from the dark figure in front of him, he had no way of actually trusting anyone else.
---
*Clack* *Clack* *Clack*
A lavish carriage was escorted through the woods. Due to the closer proximity of the towns with Balak City, the area has been cleared out extensively. Although the path to the city is still through a forest, the stronger spirit beasts are already cleared.
The procession was substantial in the way that all the soldiers carried a sense of ferocity that made their observers narrow their eyes in contemplation.
"It's not so easy to escape the town," A brown-haired youth wearing a kerchief to cover his lower portion of the face sneered. His teammates looked the same. All wore a red kerchief over the lower portion of their faces, carefully blocking anything under the bridges of their noses. The team consisted of four men and three women. All of them observed the carriage from a distance and the leading man with slight wrinkles in the corner of his eyes cautioned with a naturally deep voice.
"We investigated Su Huo the moment we entered the town. We also saw a member of the opposing group following him. Su Huo may be a lustful idiot but he is a survivor of plenty of assassinations by wronged lovers and parents. He isn't the type to escape easily, especially after realizing that his own Kingdom gave up on him. Very likely, this is a trap. Proceed with caution. Su Huo himself is a Spirit Grandmaster even if his soldiers are ordinary men."
The others nodded in understanding.
"We'll use the same formation as usual. Me and little Lo will take charge. Support the two of us and keep an eye on your backs. If this is a trap then we may be ambushed from behind."
The seven members shot out. This was their eleventh group battle so it was clear that even if hunting a rabbit, they will use the lion's entire strength. The group has learned this the hard way.
Unknown to them, a pair of curious yellow eyes glinted from a little distance. The being had the most illusory presence and it remained silent even while breathing softly. Even though it hid behind thick leaves, the position in which it hid was simply too ingenious.
On the other hand, the group of guards instantly formed a formation the moment they found a group of bandits charging at them without bothering to hide their aura and presence.
Three rings lit up around the group.
21 spirit rings consisting of white, yellow, and purple spirit rings!
This is why Ja Sun didn't attack them right away. Battling a group of spirit grandmasters, at most, meant 14 spirit rings that were not more than hundred years. But a spirit elder not only has the opportunity to absorb a 1000-year-old spirit ring that removes Ja Sun's advantage of holding two 1000-year-old spirit rings, but the cooperation of the group grows. However, he wouldn't have chosen to tackle a group once again if he hadn't gleaned a weakness already.
*Graaaagh!*
The leading man roared, orange fur with black stripes instantly covering his back and arms as his palms buffed into thick tiger paws and claws. His eyes turned yellow and pupils shifted vertically.
Smashing both of his fists onto the ground, a deep shockwave emerged in a straight motion which was spread out widely.
*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*
"Lo!" The man gave a guttural growl and shot towards the carriage. Serpentine scales emerging from his body and his white ring flaring up.
It was at this time, the situation changed. Two bolts tore through the innards of the carriage and flew straight towards the group of spirit master behind the tiger!
The rider of the carriage also shot the crossbow that was already loaded and hidden under his seat!
Three bolts flying straight towards the three women behind the two charging spirit masters.
But the spirit masters behind only sneered. Their rings flashed and their spirit energy rumbled out, easily deflecting the bolts.
*Swish*
Seven more bolts shot towards the group from ahead. Instead of attacking from behind, Ja Sun had made Su Huo arrange a small team of crossbows ahead in time.
"Useless!"
The tiger spirit master roared. His purple spirit ring flared again and he slammed the ground again. The shock instantly blew the carriage forward but despite the wheels breaking, the carriage was not completely destroyed.
This, however, deflected all the bolts shot out instantly.
"Go—"
The moment the tiger-faced spirit ordered, everyone heard an extremely overbearing wind pressure instantly destabilizing them. A silver flash shot through the forest with an extreme speed and agility that practically made this fellow look like a bird instead of a human. Silver hair fluttered wildly and his talons were covered with bandages save for the claws.
In an instant, the large talons turned from the feet burst a silver light. The light also covered the wings and the figure disappeared from their views, instantly appearing in front of the serpentine youth.
Grabbing the youth by the head, a shock passed through the talons, and like an actual eagle, the figure picked up the serpentine youth before flying towards the town!
The soldiers instantly retreated and the group was infuriated to the extreme.
"Kill them all!"
The leader roared.
Meanwhile, a strange entity continued to observe everything under the shade of a tree and the cover of branches and leaves.
---
"I'll kill you!" The brown-haired youth actually had a long scar running down from the corner of his lips to his jawline. His eyes were flared in anger and he continued to struggle forward. His hands, however, were bound by a rope that blocked his strength and his feet were shackled. In this dark dungeon, there were strangely many tools that were sexual in nature— the cause of the captive enemy's anger.
Ja Sun gazed at Su Huo. Not the type of poking his nose in other's kinks, he still felt a little weird. After all, it isn't every day that he gets to enter a sex dungeon. In a way, this was quite an informative experience for Ja Sun. However, this worked well than any other torture. Ja Sun long understood that in this world, people still cared about virginity. It would be considered slightly hilarious if an individual was still a virgin after twenty years but in this world, men and women can persist in abstinence for more than forty years quite easily. This also meant that when confronted with sexual natures opposite to one's orientation, they would instantly struggle. Even wishing physical torture than this.
"I will give you three seconds to shut up... or else," Ja Sun snapped his fingers and Su Huo instantly picked up a wooden... item. There was no way that Ja Sun would touch such things if it didn't belong to him so the task of actual intimidation fell on Su Huo.
The youth instantly gulped and pursed his lips. His forehead was covered with sweat.
"In one minute, I want you to describe every ability of your partners. Don't forget," saying so, a purple ring sprouted from under his feet, "I have the ability to detect lies. At your first lie, your target of assassination will pierce you where no man has stabbed before."
The youth's lips trembled but he still remained silent.
"Go ahead. These people wanted to kill you. Get your revenge," Ja Sun glanced at Su Huo and even the fat of Su Huo's face trembled. But with extreme determination, he stepped forward.
'Just picture him with breasts... just picture him with breasts...' Su Huo chanted and slowly walked around the youth. The youth's body trembled and he silently struggled but the moment the edge of the wooden phallus toy brushed past his legs, the youth snapped, "I'll speak! I'll speak!"
The youth gasped in a hurry. Although there was an amused smile on Su Huo's lips, it was clear to everyone that for the youth, it wasn't an amusing situation. He continued to speak in a hurry, briefing Ja Sun about the situation but in reality, Ja Sun himself didn't know whether the youth was speaking lies or truth. However, there was one thing that the youth might not have lied and it was the composition of his team.
***
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