68: Chapter 68 Mission Hall: Accepting the Crimson Mission

The hall was five stories high, built entirely of massive blue stones, ancient and heavy, with flying eaves.

Above the hall gate hung a massive plaque, inscribed with three iron-drawn and silver-hooked characters—Mission Hall.

At this moment, hundreds of Disciples had already gathered in the square in front of the hall.

It was bustling with noise, several times livelier than the Internal Affairs Hall.

Ye Chen stepped into the hall.

The interior space of the hall was immense, like a giant marketplace.

Directly facing the entrance was a massive jade wall, ten zhang high and about thirty zhang wide.

On the jade wall, countless lines of small characters scrolled like flowing water, flashing with various colors.

Each line of small characters represented a Sect mission.

From simple tasks like gathering medicinal herbs, hunting low-level Yao Beast, or cleaning the Alchemy rooms.

To difficult tasks like exploring Secret Realm, pursuing traitors, or exterminating evil Cultivators.

There were even tasks requiring special skills like Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Talisman making; everything was available.

Behind the tasks were marked the Rank, contribution point rewards, time limits, and requirements for acceptance.

In front of the jade wall, heads were bobbing as Disciples looked up, whispering to each other.

Or quickly using their Mental Energy to operate their identity tokens to accept missions.

On both sides of the hall, rows of counters were set up.

These were places for handing in missions, claiming rewards, and consulting matters.

Ye Chen took a deep breath, walked to the jade wall, and looked up.

The mission information on the jade wall scrolled extremely fast.

If not for his Mental Energy being far superior to others of the same level, he would likely have been dazzled.

Mission Ranks were divided from low to high:

Ordinary (White), Difficult (Yellow), Dangerous (Red), Desperate (Black).

Ordinary missions usually rewarded 1-50 contribution points.

Difficult missions, 50-300 points.

Dangerous missions, 300-1000 points.

As for Desperate missions, the rewards were at least a thousand.

But they often carried an extremely high casualty rate, and few dared to accept them.

Ye Chen was currently an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.

He needed to complete at least one Ordinary mission every month, or accumulate a certain standard of contribution points.

His gaze swept over those white missions.

" 'Clear the 'Spirit-Devouring Ants' in the East Third District of the Medicine King Valley, reward 10 contribution points.' Too time-consuming, low reward. "

" 'Escort a Deacon Disciple of the Alchemy Hall to the 'Hundred Herbs Town' three hundred miles away to purchase medicinal herbs, requires Lunhai Realm First Level or higher, reward 25 contribution points.' Need to leave the Sect, not considering it for now. "

" 'Assist the Artifact Refining Hall in smelting ten units of 'Refined Iron Ore', requires fire-attribute True Essence, reward 15 contribution points per unit.' ... "

After looking through the tasks one by one, Ye Chen frowned slightly.

Most Ordinary missions were tedious and time-consuming, and the contribution points were low.

Ye Chen needed to accumulate contribution points as quickly as possible to exchange for Cultivate resources and access permissions for the Scripture Pavilion.

Doing these tasks was too inefficient.

His gaze involuntarily shifted to those Yellow (Difficult) and few Red (Dangerous) missions.

With his current true combat power, completing some Difficult or even Dangerous missions was not impossible.

However, accepting high-level missions often had thresholds for cultivation level or contribution points.

Just as Ye Chen was pondering, a slightly arrogant voice came from the side.

"New here? What are you looking at? Are Yellow missions something you can accept? Just honestly find a White mission to get by, don't overestimate yourself and lose your life."

Ye Chen turned his head to see three Inner Sect Disciples standing nearby.

The leader was in his early twenties, with an arrogant Face, wearing a white robe.

But there was a faint gold thread embroidered on his cuffs, and his aura was at the Sea of Acupoints Realm Third Level Peak.

The two people beside him were also at the Wheel-Sea Realm Second Level, looking at Ye Chen with undisguised contempt.

It was the gold-threaded Disciple who had spoken.

He had clearly seen Ye Chen browsing high-level missions and thought this Meridian Opening Realm brat didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

Ye Chen glanced at him, ignored him, and continued looking at the jade wall.

"Huh? Are you deaf or dumb?"

The gold-threaded Disciple saw Ye Chen ignoring him and lost some Face, so he stepped forward.

A wave of Sea of Acupoints Realm Third Level pressure pressed towards Ye Chen, appearing and disappearing.

"Brat, your Senior Brother is talking to you! Don't you understand the rules? When you see a Senior Brother, don't you know to salute and greet him?"

Some Disciples nearby were attracted by the commotion and looked over.

Seeing that it was a gold-threaded Disciple giving a hard time to a new Meridian Opening Realm Disciple.

They all showed expressions of watching a show.

Someone recognized the gold-threaded Disciple.

"It's Liu Feng from 'Golden Flame Peak', Sea of Acupoints Realm Third Level. He was a troublemaker when he was an Outer Sect Disciple. Relying on his cousin being an Elite Disciple, he hasn't bullied newcomers less."

"That Meridian Opening Realm brat is going to be unlucky. Liu Feng loves to find these newcomers without backgrounds to establish his authority."

"Who told him not to be smart? He dared to enter the Inner Sect at the Meridian Opening Realm and even ran to the Mission Hall. Isn't he asking for trouble?"

Ye Chen felt the pressure, which felt like a breeze against his Face.

His Physical Body and Mental Energy had both been tempered by Ice Fire, and he had also comprehended the Nirvana Concept.

Never mind the Sea of Acupoints Realm Third Level, even the pressure of the fourth or fifth levels might not move him.

He slowly turned his head, looked at Liu Feng, and asked calmly.

"Is there a rule in the Sect that requires Meridian Opening Realm Disciples to salute Wheel Sea Realm Disciples?"

Liu Feng was stunned; he didn't expect Ye Chen to not only be unafraid but also dare to retort.

He sensed carefully and indeed didn't feel any signs of Ye Chen being forced by his pressure.

His heart couldn't help but tremble.

But then he became even more annoyed, feeling he had lost Face.

"Sharp-tongued! There's no such rule, but the strong are respected; that's the iron law of the Cultivator world! You, a piece of trash at the Meridian Opening Realm, being able to stand here is already a grace from the Sect. When you see a Senior Brother, shouldn't you be respectful?"

"Oh? So the rules of the Inner Sect are spoken by mouth."

Ye Chen nodded, stopped looking at him, and turned his gaze back to the jade wall, as if saying.

You continue, I'm listening.

"You!"

Liu Feng was so angry his Face turned green.

To be so disregarded by a Meridian Opening Realm brat in front of so many people, how could he endure it?

But private fighting was strictly prohibited in the Mission Hall, and violators would be heavily punished.

His eyes rolled, and he sneered.

"Brat, it's useless to just have a sharp tongue. Do you have the guts to go to the 'Sword Fighting Platform' and play? Let your Senior Brother teach you what it means to know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

"Of course, if you are afraid, just kneel down and kowtow now, call me Grandpa, then get out of the Mission Hall, and take a detour when you see me in the future. I, your Senior Brother, will be magnanimous and not haggle with you."

The Sword Fighting Platform was a place established by the Tianyun Sword Sect for Disciples to resolve private grievances and spar.

Going on stage required mutual consent and signing a disclaimer. Although intentional killing was strictly prohibited, fists and feet have no eyes, and injuries were common.

This Liu Feng clearly wanted to teach Ye Chen a lesson on the Sword Fighting Platform, or even cripple him.

A burst of jeering sounded around.

Many people wanted to see the show; would a Meridian Opening Realm Disciple dare to accept the challenge?

Ye Chen finally turned his head again, looked at Liu Feng seriously, with a look as if he were looking at a clown.

"No interest."

"Hahaha! A coward! I knew it!"

Liu Feng laughed loudly, and the two people beside him also laughed along.

"Sure enough, a piece of trash, only knowing how to hide behind the Sect rules."

"Daring to enter the Inner Sect at the Meridian Opening Realm, what a joke!"

Ye Chen ignored their mockery.

His gaze fixed on a newly refreshed Yellow mission on the jade wall:

" 'Explore the 'Shadow Gorge' in the northern part of the Black Wind Mountain Range, collect three stalks of 'moon shadow grass', kill the 'Shadow Leopard' (second-Rank Peak Yao Beast) entrenched in the valley, and obtain its demon core. Mission Rank: Dangerous (Red). ' "

" 'Contribution point reward: 800 points. Acceptance conditions: Cultivation at Wheel Sea Realm Third Level or higher, or verified by a Deacon Disciple to have sufficient strength. Mission time limit: fifteen days. Mission issuer: Alchemy Hall, Elder Li.' "

Shadow Gorge? Northern part of the Black Wind Mountain Range?

Ye Chen's heart stirred.

He was familiar with the Black Wind Mountain Range. Although he hadn't gone deep into the north, it was better than other completely unfamiliar places.

A second-Rank Peak Yao Beast was equivalent to a human at the Sea of Acupoints Realm Third Level Peak to fourth level, which was not weak.

But for him, it was not insurmountable.

The key was the 800 contribution points, enough for him to exchange for many urgently needed resources, and he could also complete this month's mandatory mission along the way.

"This is the one."

Ye Chen made up his mind.

As for the "verified by a Deacon Disciple" condition for acceptance, he needed to go to the counter to ask.

He ignored the noisy Liu Feng and others beside him.

He walked straight to the counter on one side of the hall responsible for reviewing and handing over missions.

"Huh? What is that kid doing at the counter? Does he really want to accept a mission?"

Someone was puzzled.

"Probably going to ask about those White missions, haha."

Liu Feng said disdainfully.

Ye Chen walked to an empty counter.

Sitting behind the counter was a Deacon Disciple in his forties with a serious Face, whose aura was at the Lun Hai Jing Fourth Level.

Ye Chen handed over his identity token.

"Senior Brother, I would like to accept the mission of 'Shadow Gorge' to collect moon shadow grass and hunt the Shadow Leopard."

The Deacon Disciple took the token, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"Ye Chen? Meridian Opening Sixth Level Peak? A newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple?"

He looked up at Ye Chen with eyes as if looking at a madman.

"Do you know what Rank this mission is? Dangerous (Red)! The target Shadow Leopard is a second-Rank Peak Yao Beast, extremely fast, and good at hiding and assassinating."

"A Wheel Sea Realm Third Level Cultivator risks falling if they Face it alone! You, a Meridian Opening Realm Cultivator, are going there to die?"

His voice was not intentionally lowered, immediately attracting the attention of many people around.

This included Liu Feng and the others, who also looked over in surprise.

"Is this kid crazy? Taking a Red-Rank mission?"

"Shadow Gorge? That place is extremely gloomy, and it is said there are other strange things there."

"A Meridian Opening Realm Cultivator taking a Red-Rank mission? He really doesn't pick a place to go die!"

Ye Chen's expression did not change; he said calmly.

"This Disciple has some confidence in his own strength, please check, Senior Brother. If it is against the rules, this Disciple will naturally give up."

The Deacon Disciple stared at Ye Chen for a few seconds.

Seeing his calm gaze and steady aura, not appearing to be faking it, he felt some surprise and doubt in his heart.

For a Meridian Opening Realm Cultivator to dare to take a Red-Rank mission, he must either be a madman or truly have some reliance.

Thinking about how this kid entered the Inner Sect with a "Special Grade" evaluation, perhaps he really had some tricks up his sleeve?

"The rules are rigid. If you insist on taking it, you must pass the 'Strength Testing Stone' test to prove you have attack power equivalent to the Wheel Sea Realm Third Level; only then can an exception be made."

The Deacon Disciple pointed to an inconspicuous, half-person-high black stone tablet in the corner of the great hall.

"Attack the Strength Testing Stone with all your might. If you can reach the 'Red' calibration mark, you pass. However, I warn you, the Strength Testing Stone measures pure attack intensity and cannot be faked."

"If your strength is insufficient, give up early to avoid embarrassing yourself or even injuring yourself from the recoil."

Strength Testing Stone?

Ye Chen turned his head to look.

He saw that on the black stone tablet, from bottom to top.

Four calibration lines—White, Yellow, Red, and Black—were carved in sequence, corresponding to the mission difficulty levels.

"Very well." Ye Chen nodded and walked towards the Strength Testing Stone.

At this, the gazes of more than half of the Disciples on the first floor of the Mission Hall were drawn over.

A Meridian Opening Realm Disciple wants to test strength to take a Red-Rank mission?

This is fresh news!

Even some high-level Disciples who were originally on the second and third floors heard the commotion.

They also curiously walked to the railing and looked down.

Liu Feng was even crossing his arms, wearing a sneer as if watching a good show.

"Pretend! Keep pretending! Let's see how you make a fool of yourself! The Strength Testing Stone won't play along with your act!"

Ye Chen stood still in front of the Strength Testing Stone and took a deep breath.

He did not draw his sword; he only slowly raised his right hand and clenched his five fingers into a fist.

The Ice Fire True Essence within his body quietly circulated, the Ice Lotus Imprint shone slightly, and a wisp of Chaos-colored Origin cold qi merged into his fist strength.

He did not use the "Ice Fire Seal," but simply compressed and condensed the Ice Fire True Essence onto his fist.

In an instant, Ye Chen's entire right fist was covered by a faint halo of intertwined ice blue and golden red.

A Fist Intent that coexisted with both bitterness and scorching heat, while also carrying a trace of Nirvana, faintly emanated outward.

Some Disciples nearby changed their expressions slightly and couldn't help but step back involuntarily.

This Fist Intent is not right!

"Hah!"

Ye Chen let out a low shout and threw a punch!

No flashy moves, no power buildup.

Just a simple, straightforward punch that smashed into the center of the Strength Testing Stone!

"Thud——!!!"

A dull, thunderous boom like a war drum!

The Strength Testing Stone shook violently, and its surface shone brilliantly!

The white calibration mark at the bottom lit up instantly, followed immediately by the yellow calibration mark, the light not losing any momentum.

It surged all the way up and slammed hard into the Red calibration mark!

"Hum!"

The Red calibration mark shone brilliantly!

Although it failed to reach the black calibration mark at the top, the brilliance and stability of that red light...

Far exceeded the performance of many Wheel Sea Realm Third Level Disciples during their tests!

Silence!

Inside the Mission Hall, one could instantly hear a pin drop.

Everyone widened their eyes, staring fixedly at the Strength Testing Stone emitting the dazzling red light.

Then they looked at Ye Chen, who stood with his fist retracted, his aura steady, their Faces filled with disbelief.

Meridian Opening Realm, one punch... lit up the Red calibration mark?

This attack power definitely reached the threshold of the Wheel Sea Realm Third Level, or even close to the Lun Hai Jing Fourth Level!

How is this possible?!

The sneer on Liu Feng's Face froze completely, as if someone had grabbed his throat, his eyeballs almost popping out.

The two companions behind him had their mouths wide open, as if they had seen a ghost.

The Deacon Disciple behind the counter also stood up abruptly, his gaze toward Ye Chen filled with shock.

He personally supervised the Strength Testing Stone, so he naturally understood the weight of that punch.

This kid is indeed not simple! That "Special Grade" evaluation is likely not an empty claim!

Ye Chen slowly retracted his fist, turned around, and walked back to the counter, saying to the Deacon Disciple who was still in shock.

"Senior Brother, is that sufficient?"

The Deacon Disciple came back to his senses and took a deep breath.

He took a deep look at Ye Chen, nodded, and his tone became much more polite.

"It is sufficient. Junior Brother Ye, your strength is astonishing; it is admirable. You may take this 'Shadow Gorge' mission. Here are the mission scroll and the positioning jade Talisman, please keep them safe."

"Within fifteen days, bring back three complete moon shadow grass and a shadow leopard demon core. Come here to hand them in and collect your contribution points. During the mission, be sure to be careful; inside the Shadow Gorge, besides the Shadow Leopard, there may be other unknown dangers."

He handed a scroll and a jade Talisman to Ye Chen.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Ye Chen took them, put the scroll and jade Talisman into his Storage Pouch, and retrieved his identity token.

The mission information had already been recorded in the token.

Then Ye Chen did not look again at Liu Feng and the others, whose Faces were a mix of pale and blue.

Under the gaze of countless eyes filled with shock, curiosity, wariness, and complexity.

He turned and walked calmly out of the Mission Hall.

Until his figure disappeared outside the hall door, the hall erupted into a huge wave of sound.

"My God! Did you see that? The Red calibration mark!"

"Meridian Opening Realm! One punch! What kind of monster is this?"

"No wonder he got a Special Grade evaluation! This is getting interesting!"

"Liu Feng kicked an iron plate this time, haha!"

"Ye Chen... I have remembered this name."

Liu Feng's Face turned red and then white, feeling the gazes cast from those around him—gazes that were originally just watching for fun, but now carried mockery and pity.

He only felt his Face burning with pain, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He knew that today, not only did he fail to establish his prestige, but he had instead become a stepping stone for this kid!

How could he swallow this insult?

"Ye Chen... you just wait!"

Liu Feng stared at the direction of the hall door, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

At this moment, Ye Chen had already walked out of the area of the Mission Hall.

He held the positioning jade Talisman, sensing the location of the Shadow Gorge marked within it, and looked towards the north.

Black Wind Mountain Range, we meet again.

Only this time, it is as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Tianyun Sword Sect.

Ye Chen did not set off immediately.

After accepting the mission, there is a three-day preparation period.

He needed to return to his Immortal Cave to make some preparations.

For example, drawing some simple Talismans and preparing some Medicinal Pills.

And familiarizing himself with the newly obtained basic Inner Sect sword techniques.

More importantly, he faintly felt that this mission might not be so peaceful.

People like Liu Feng, having suffered a loss, might not let it go easily.

Moreover, his reputation as a "Meridian Opening Realm Inner Sect Disciple" had likely already attracted some unnecessary attention.

However, when soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it with earth.

He, Ye Chen, has never feared a challenge.

He strode forward, walking towards Flowing Cloud Peak, unhurriedly.

Sunlight filtered through the clouds and mist, casting mottled light and shadows on his white robes.

Life in the Inner Sect of the Tianyun Sword Sect truly began after this punch.

And the name Ye Chen would surely, along with this punch, stir up the first ripples at the bottom of the Inner Sect.

The news of accepting the Red-Rank mission seemed to have grown wings.

Overnight, it spread among the new Disciples on Flowing Cloud Peak and the nearby spiritual Peaks.

Meridian Opening Realm Ye Chen, one punch to light up the red calibration mark of the Strength Testing Stone, forcibly taking on the dangerous "Shadow Gorge" mission.

It became a topic of conversation for many people after meals.

Some marveled at his hidden strength, while others mocked him for not knowing whether he was dead or alive.

More people held an attitude of curiosity and wait-and-see.

Ye Chen turned a deaf ear to these discussions.

For the two days after accepting the mission, he did not step out, concentrating on preparations in his Immortal Cave.

He first browsed through the "Brief Atlas of Yao Beasts and Geography of the Tianyun Mountain Range and Surrounding Areas" attached to the back of the "Inner Sect Disciple Handbook."

He found the records regarding the Shadow Gorge and the Shadow Leopard.

"Shadow Gorge, located in the deep northern part of the Black Wind Mountain Range.

It is filled with cold, gloomy mist all year round, the light is dim, and it produces many Yin-attribute medicinal herbs such as 'Yin Soul Grass' and 'Rotten Bone Flower'.

There is also occasionally 'moon shadow grass' growing there.

The terrain of the gorge is complex, with many karst caves and underground rivers, and it is the habitat of Yin-loving Yao Beasts like the Shadow Leopard and Ghost-Faced Spider..."

"Shadow Leopard, Second Rank Peak Yao Beast, over a zhang in length, pitch black all over, skilled at hiding in the shadows, extremely fast, its claws and teeth contain cold, virulent poison that can injure the Divine Soul. Its demon core is an excellent material for refining certain cold-attribute Medicinal Pills and setting up Yin-attribute Formations..."