298: Chapter 292 Mission Issued, Immortal Descends the Mountain

After handling matters at Hogwarts, Zhang Mu immediately set off to return to China.

Upon returning to NH, he first took a tour of the mountain base.

Under the leadership of the three Academicians, the testing of various material data had been completed, and they were now conducting the final step: plasticity experiments.

As long as the experiments went smoothly and proved that the materials Zhang Mu exchanged for them could be shaped and processed with Blue Star's existing technology, the construction of the spaceship could basically be put on the agenda.

To this end, the Chinese side would inevitably have to trade a large amount of materials.

Obviously, China's rhenium ore reserves alone were not enough to exchange for enough ore to build a spaceship.

When the time came, they would certainly have to exchange other high-value items for the Mountain Gate's "stones."

Zhang Mu pondered, taking the opportunity to raise the price of advanced weapon production lines so he could move them to Saul Continent to expand Lake's armament.

While thinking, he walked out of the mountains and took out his Mobile Phone, preparing to see if the "Sword Flight Home" journey of Luo Xiling and the other four was still going smoothly.

To his surprise, as soon as he opened a certain video app, he was astonished to find that the homepage was actually an officially endorsed livestream room.

Clicking in, he saw a top-down view of a city.

It was currently nighttime, and the lights of ten thousand homes were brightly lit. The decorative light beams of landmark buildings shot straight into the sky, yet there were five straight rays of brilliant light of different colors crossing the city sky, making everything else pale in comparison.

The densely scrolling bullet comments obscured the screen, making it hard to see clearly, so Zhang Mu had to click to hide them.

With the Mobile Phone screen suddenly clear, he could see the five people flying on swords in a V-formation. Judging from the attire, the leader was Luo Xiling.

Zhang Mu glanced at the real-time comment section; it was basically all "Holy crap, holy crap" and "Holy shit," mixed with a small amount of "Drop a crab trap."

Something like "Sword Flight," which was just a basic operation in the illusory worlds of movies and novels, could still cause a violent reaction when placed in reality.

After watching for a while and feeling that the netizens were just "shocked," he felt a bit bored and shifted his attention back to the five people stepping on swords.

With this look, Zhang Mu noticed something was wrong—why were all five of their faces so pale?

Out of curiosity, he put away his phone and flew toward their location at full speed.

...

The night sky was cloudless and filled with stars.

Among the five, the only girl besides Luo Xiling had feet that couldn't stop trembling on the blade of the sword.

She forced herself to look straight ahead, not looking at the city beneath her feet: "Luo... Senior Sister Luo, I'm scared."

"What's there to be afraid of? The spiritual energy is firmly suctioning us onto the swords."

The four of them suppressed their fear of the high altitude, each glancing at Luo Xiling's profile from the left and right, and then muttered in their hearts at the same time.

Senior Sister Luo, if your face wasn't so pale, those words would be much more convincing.

Luo Xiling was completely unaware of the four's small movements, busy encouraging herself as well as the others: "The audience of the whole country is watching us, don't lose face, keep your backs straight!"

Her tone was very confident, but Luo Xiling had her own worries.

Can we really fly to Su City in ten hours?

Don't let the spiritual energy run out halfway...

Fortunately, the journey was without mishap. After nine and a half hours, the group successfully reached the Su City Municipal Building.

After the long flight, coupled with their tense emotions, their movements were a bit clumsy when they landed.

Landing on the open-air rooftop balcony, the five immediately sheathed their swords. The girl patted her chest: "Scared me to death! Why didn't flying on a sword at the Mountain Gate feel this terrifying!"

Just as the three young men were about to respond, the excited Director rushed out of the iron door: "Good, good, good! Well done!"

He showered the five with praise and then had them board the Special Investigation Bureau's dedicated helicopter to return to their respective homes.

They had planned to rest to their heart's content for a few days at home, but unfortunately, they all underestimated the influence of the title "Immortal."

As soon as they stepped out of the helicopter cabin door, they were met with a scene that made their scalps tingle.

Not to mention that their own relatives had already come to visit, even the surrounding neighbors had brought their whole families to camp in front of their doors.

Seeing the "Disciples of the Immortals" appear, they immediately brought out incense altars, candles, fruit offerings, and even a miniature wood carving of Luo Xiling from their tents.

She hurriedly scurried through the crowd, taking a glance on the way—not to mention, it was quite a striking resemblance.

Deterred by the fear of an Immortal's wrath, the people coming to worship the immortals naturally didn't dare break into the house. After Luo Xiling dismissed a crowd of distant relatives she barely knew, she prepared to dive into her warm little bed.

However, just as she lay down, the jade pendant at her waist suddenly lit up.

She quickly gripped it, and the message was soon transmitted.

"Life-threatening danger?!"

"One can withdraw, but will be expelled from the Mountain Gate..."

Just like with Hogwarts, Zhang Mu didn't intend to make it too easy for them; otherwise, the cultivation would seem cheap.

Luo Xiling was only stunned for a short moment before hurriedly crawling out of bed and contacting the Director to send a helicopter to take her to the Mountain Gate.

The Director was puzzled as to why she was in such a hurry to leave just after returning, so she explained briefly and clearly.

Learning everything, the Director quickly called back the helicopter that hadn't gone far and sent Luo Xiling all the way to NH.

When she stepped out of the cabin, the other four were already standing side-by-side in the early morning sea breeze.

"Made up your minds?" Luo Xiling knew they had also received the transmission, speaking as she walked over.

The four looked at each other and smiled together: "Of course."

"Then let's set off!"

Gripping the jade pendants, a light gate opened in the sky, and a dazzling light enveloped them.

When their vision regained clarity, the five were already standing in the small courtyard of Yuzhang Mountain.

By the stone table in the corner of the courtyard, Ye Ming sat upright on a stone stool, waving with a smile: "You came quite quickly."

Luo Xiling was surprised at how he had entered the Mountain Gate first alone. Upon asking, she learned that yesterday, just as he was about to board the plane with Lin Miao, he received a reminder from "Immortal Xu."

So he simply didn't go back and asked Kunpeng to send him in.

This was a VIP channel Zhang Mu specifically opened for him—setting up a permanent light gate over NH, with the five's jade pendants and Kunpeng acting as the keys.

After answering, Ye Ming asked them why they didn't stay home for a few more days, since it was the New Year after all.

The five's reply was simple—all three days of vacation would be used for cultivation. Becoming a bit stronger meant one more layer of security for their lives.

Blue Star had no "spiritual energy," so if they wanted to cultivate, they could only do it at the Mountain Gate. That's why they rushed back.

Hearing this, Ye Ming nodded with gratification and didn't delay them further: "Then go quickly."

The five went to the back mountain to practice Sword Techniques diligently, and three days passed in a flash.

During this period, only the Director came in once, handing Ye Ming a video recorder to be worn on the chest and instructing him to ask Immortal Xu if the mission process could be filmed and publicized.

Ye Ming quickly guessed the Director's intention: it was still to build momentum and also to deter other countries, so he agreed.

The morning of the third day.

Just as the six gathered in the small courtyard, Zhang Mu descended from the sky.

Seeing Immortal Xu, Ye Ming stepped forward to convey the Director's request.

Zhang Mu curled his lip; this fellow was quite cautious.

It turned out that as soon as the Director got news of the five descending the mountain for training, he found Zhang Mu and hesitantly asked if the mission process could be disclosed.

Could it be disclosed?

What I want is to make it widely known; why hide it?

Zhang Mu simply asked him for a Mobile Phone, went into "The World" to take a minute-long overhead video of a village town, and stated when returning it—feel free to publicize it.

When the video was first released, netizens thought it was just a promotional trailer for some Xianxia pay-to-win game.

After a while, they realized with a shock—wait, it doesn't look like animation; it's real people?

And looking at the publisher—holy crap, it's official!

By now, the number of netizens flooding into the official website's comment section had already crashed the server.

Seeing how lively it was, the Director probably got an idea, hoping for follow-up "plots" to build even greater momentum, which is why he asked Ye Ming to bring it up.

Waking from his memories, Zhang Mu said: "It's fine."

After saying that, he scanned the six: "I recently received news that a large number of young women have mysteriously disappeared in Jinshui Town."

After a preliminary investigation by outer disciples, it is inferred that it is highly likely a Prodigy is wreaking havoc in the mortal world.

You are responsible for finding out the specific identity of the culprit; you may capture them alive or execute them on the spot. If they are too powerful to face, report back to the Mountain Gate."

"As you command!"

Standing tall and responding, Luo Xiling then asked in a low voice: "Master, is there any... inside info?"

"What is inside info?"

"It's... clues about the culprit."

Immortal Xu showed a rare look of confusion: "Did I not just speak clearly?"

"Uh..." She felt she probably asked too vaguely, "What is a Prodigy?"

"That which brings chaos to the human race is a Prodigy."

Master said something, but it felt like he said nothing at all.

Luo Xiling felt she had asked for nothing.

"Do not delay any longer."

"Yes!"

Immortal Xu nodded, and his figure vanished from the spot.

At this point, Luo Xiling remembered something and slapped her forehead: "How do we get down the mountain? We don't know the way!"

Ye Ming smiled and walked toward the courtyard gate: "I've already asked Senior Brother Zhou. All matters regarding Mountain Gate disciples executing missions are coordinated and scheduled by Qingfeng Hall. We can just go there directly."

"Brother Ye is still the most reliable!" She followed Ye Ming's lead with a grin, leading her junior brothers and sisters.

Arriving at Qingfeng Hall, Ye Ming and Senior Brother Zhou explained their purpose.

Senior Brother Zhou then took six jade slips from a counter drawer, distributed them, and handed a bundle to Ye Ming: "Brother Ye has no spiritual power; be careful in everything."

"Thank you."

"That way."

Senior Brother Zhou pointed toward a wooden door at the very back of the hall. The six cupped their hands and walked over, striding through.

"Damn, awesome!"

Out the door was a vast, square open-air platform paved with stone slabs.

On the platform, wooden boats of identical design were parked neatly.

"Shh, don't make a loud noise," Ye Ming reminded the three shouting young men as he held up the jade slip.

The jade slip flashed with white light, and a wooden boat not far ahead responded with a flash of white light.

Everyone hurried over and boarded the boat one by one.

Once seated, Luo Xiling looked around like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden: "Brother Ye, how is it controlled?"

"According to what Senior Brother Zhou told me..." Ye Ming looked around for a while and soon found a slot on the wooden board at the bow, pressing the jade slip into it.

"Vroom—"

Accompanied by a low hum, the wooden boat was enveloped by an emerging circular light shield, slowly rising into the air, then suddenly accelerating and rushing toward the sea of clouds.

All around was a vast expanse of white.

With the light shield's protection, although the wooden boat was speeding, Luo Xiling didn't feel a trace of the astral wind: "How long will we be flying?"

Ye Ming was flipping through a book: "The New Disciple Manual doesn't say, but I speculate it shouldn't be very long."

"Why?"

"Jinshui Town is the closest town to the Mountain Gate."

"Oh."

Feeling that Ye Ming's attention was entirely on the manual, Luo Xiling tactfully didn't disturb him and fell silent.

Lacking reference points around them, the group only felt they were advancing at high speed, but had no concept of exactly how fast.

Just as they were being hypnotized by the unchanging sea of clouds and were getting drowsy, Ye Ming's voice came: "We're here."

"We're here?!" Luo Xiling snapped awake and hurriedly stood up to look around.

The wooden boat had already landed and come to a stop, about half a person's height off the ground, hovering in the middle of a gravel road.

To the left and right were rolling green mountains, with the sound of trickling streams. Toward the stern, the dirt road extended into the distance until it disappeared behind a hillside.

And in front of the bow, a small mountain town was situated.

The town was built against the mountain, with blue-tiled houses scattered like steps along the slope of the mountain from top to bottom.

On the town gate at the foot of the mountain was a wooden plaque engraved with three words—Jinshui Town.

Perhaps deterred by the warning of "a certain level of life-threatening danger," Luo Xiling's reckless nature had been somewhat restrained.

Seeing the mortal town she had long thought about, she didn't rush in blindly but instead carefully asked Ye Ming: "Brother Ye, Master said you are the captain for this mission and we all have to listen to you. What should we do now?"

"Hmm..." Ye Ming closed the New Disciple Manual and tucked it into his robe, "I talked with Senior Brother Zhou."

The Mountain Gate is the ruler of this world. Any Prodigy will fear people from the Mountain Gate, the kind that will turn and run as soon as they see them from afar."

"So, we have to go in disguise?" the girl said, blinking.

"I've already prepared."

Ye Ming looked at her with approval and took six sets of commoner-style ancient clothing from his backpack.

Everyone picked a set and scattered behind the bushes to change before regrouping.

Ye Ming scanned them; except for the hairstyles, which would likely differ from the locals, everything else was roughly correct.

Not a big problem; they could handle it once they entered the town.

Making a decision in his heart: "Let's go."

As he spoke, he took out the jade slip and pressed it lightly; the wooden boat rose, turned, and flew toward the horizon until it disappeared.

The six turned and walked into Jinshui Town, two in front and four behind.

By now, the sky was getting dark. Normally, it would be a good time for townspeople to go out for a stroll after dinner.

However, the town streets were eerily silent and deserted, with the doors of shops on both sides tightly closed. A breeze blew past, swirling fallen leaves, and the red lanterns hanging high on both sides of the shop doors swayed incessantly.

If not for the few slivers of light leaking from the shop door cracks, they would have thought Jinshui Town had been abandoned.

"Brother Ye, I feel... it's quite creepy."

"Immortal Xu said a large number of young women have gone missing in the town. If it were you, wouldn't you be afraid?"

"True."

Feeling a bit uneasy, Luo Xiling took down the moon bright sword from her back and held it in her arms: "Where are we going? We can't just wander around like this, right?"

"Let's solve the hair issue first."

Ye Ming took out the bundle Senior Brother Zhou gave him from his backpack and opened it; inside were some mission supplies.

After rummaging through a pile of things for a while, he finally found a map.

He spread out the map, his eyes moving over it: "Jewelry shop, jewelry shop, jewelry... got it, follow me."

Ye Ming had an extraordinary memory; he tucked the map under his arm and twisted and turned through this town with its stark elevation differences, occasionally crossing alleys and walking along the main road for a while before stopping in front of a tightly closed shop.

Looking up at the plaque and confirming he hadn't found the wrong place, he stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door: "Shop Owner, is anyone there?"

No one in the shop replied, only the sound of shoe soles lightly rubbing against the floor.

Seeing this, Luo Xiling said in a gentle tone: "Shop Owner, we aren't bad people."

Perhaps hearing a female voice and sensing they weren't the Prodigy that had been rampaging for days, the Shop Owner's footsteps slowly approached the back of the door.

"Creak—"