93: Chapter 93 Cold Moon Reports! The Zhou Family Sends Out Baka Kingdom Assassins
Somewhere in the deep mountains, three thousand kilometers away from Donghai City.
The terrain here was steep, shrouded in clouds and mist, and remained devoid of human traces year-round.
However, deep within the mountainside, a massive underground base was hidden.
Metal walls, alloy floors, bright lights, and various advanced instruments and equipment filled the space.
People in uniform black attire hurried back and forth, their expressions solemn.
This was the headquarters of the "Shadow" organization.
Cold Moon passed through several security gates, swiped her card five times, and verified her identity thrice before finally arriving at a metal door.
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Behind the door was a circular conference room.
Surrounded by circular metal walls, a huge round conference table sat in the center.
Five people were seated around the table.
Four men and one woman.
Their ages ranged from forty to seventy; they were dressed differently, but every one of them had eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
Sitting in the main seat was a grey-haired elder.
He wore a dark grey Zhongshan suit, had a lean face, and wore gold-rimmed glasses.
He appeared refined, but those eyes were so deep they seemed capable of seeing through a person's heart.
“You're back?”
The elder's voice was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.
Cold Moon walked to the conference table and stood at attention.
“Yes.”
“Sit.”
Cold Moon sat down, her posture ramrod straight.
The elder looked at her and smiled slightly.
“I heard you had a good harvest in that Secret Realm?”
Cold Moon was silent for a second.
“Yes, and no.”
The elder raised an eyebrow.
“How so?”
Cold Moon took a deep breath and began her narration.
From entering the Secret Realm to falling into the illusion, to being besieged by man-eating tree roots upon waking, and then Lin Feng appearing to save her.
To the underground garden, the demonic flowers and grasses covering the mountains and plains, and Lin Feng slaughtering in all directions.
To the ten-thousand-year evergreen tree, the five evergreen fruits, and that mysterious cave.
And finally, the last day, where Lin Feng took her to sweep through monsters and level up frantically.
She recounted everything in detail.
She hid nothing.
The expressions of the five people around the table grew increasingly solemn.
When Cold Moon mentioned Lin Feng massacring thousands of demonic flowers and grasses alone, the only woman couldn't help but speak up.
“Wait, you said he was alone? How many did he kill?”
“At least three thousand,” Cold Moon said. “I'm not sure of the exact number, but there were originally tens of thousands of monsters in that underground garden. He killed at least half.”
Silence fell over the conference room.
The five people exchanged looks, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.
The elder was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.
“Are you sure you didn't see wrong?”
“No,” Cold Moon shook her head. “I saw it with my own eyes.”
“What skills did he use?”
“Various kinds,” Cold Moon said. “Light, fire, lightning, ice, wind... he can use almost all elements. And the power of each one is terrifyingly high.”
“He also has a sword,” Cold Moon added. “The moment that sword is drawn, those monsters tremble with fear. One strike can wipe out a whole area.”
Another silence permeated the room.
The elder took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on.
“His Rank?”
“He was Rank 26 before entering and Rank 40 when he came out.”
“Rank 40?!” the woman exclaimed. “In just a few days, he rose 14 Ranks?!”
“Yes.”
“Impossible!” another middle-aged man slammed the table and stood up. “Even with an SSS-Rank Talent, it's impossible to level up that fast!”
Cold Moon looked at him and said calmly.
“I also thought it was impossible, but I saw it with my own eyes.”
The middle-aged man opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
The elder waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.
“Cold Moon, what do you think of this person's potential?”
Cold Moon was silent for a second.
Then, she spoke slowly.
“I have never seen anyone like him.”
“His strength has already exceeded the scope of my understanding.”
“If the organization can recruit him and cultivate him as a seed...”
She paused.
“I believe he has the hope of reaching the legendary grade.”
legendary grade.
As soon as those two words were uttered, everyone in the conference room was moved.
The elder stared at Cold Moon, his gaze sharp.
“Are you sure?”
“Not sure,” Cold Moon said. “But my intuition tells me that this person's future is limitless.”
The elder fell silent.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, seemingly in deep thought.
After a long time, he finally opened his eyes.
“What is this person's name?”
“Lin Feng.”
“Background?”
“A native of Donghai City. His parents went missing in a Dungeon six years ago. He has an F-Rank Talent, Fusion, and the Glory Corona Physique.”
“F-Rank Talent?”
The elder frowned.
“Yes,” Cold Moon nodded. “But his strength is completely inconsistent with his Talent. I suspect... his Talent might have been underestimated.”
The elder looked pensive.
“An F-Rank Talent being able to reach this level of strength...”
He looked at the other four.
“What do you all think?”
The woman spoke first.
“If it's true, this person is indeed worth recruiting.”
“But with his strength growing so fast, could there be some problem? For example... being possessed by something?”
Cold Moon shook her head.
“I've tested him; he's very normal. Moreover, he seems to have a Master, an unfathomable old man.”
“A Master?”
“Yes,” Cold Moon said. “I don't know specifically who it is, but that old man should be very strong.”
The elder pondered for a moment before making a decision.
“Send someone to keep an eye on him.”
“Yes.”
“Find an opportunity to make contact and test his attitude. If possible, recruit him.”
“Understood.”
The elder looked at Cold Moon.
“You've worked hard. Go and rest first.”
Cold Moon stood up, gave a salute, and turned to leave.
The conference room door slowly closed.
The elder leaned back and stared at the ceiling, murmuring.
“F-Rank Talent... Rank 40... rising 14 Ranks in a row...”
“Interesting.”
...
At the same time.
The Zhou Family Manor, Donghai City.
In Zhou Tianhao's study, the atmosphere was equally heavy.
Zhou Tianhao sat behind his desk, holding a document with a tight frown.
The butler stood to the side, respectfully.
“Young Master, this is the latest news.”
As Zhou Tianhao read the document, his expression became increasingly ugly.
“S-Rank Explorer... Deacon... Rank 40...”
He slammed the document onto the table, gritting his teeth.
“Damn it, how is this kid growing so fast?! We can't let him keep growing!”
The butler was silent for a second before speaking.
“Young Master, there is one more thing.”
“Speak.”
“Lin Feng just accepted an s-rank mission—the mutation investigation of the Orléans Instance.”
Zhou Tianhao's eyes lit up.
“The Orléans Instance? The Rank 45 one?”
“Yes,” the butler nodded. “That Dungeon recently underwent a mutation. Three teams have already lost contact; the danger level is extremely high.”
Zhou Tianhao gave a cold laugh.
“This kid has quite the guts.”
He stood up and paced back and forth in the study.
Suddenly, he stopped.
“Where is that Baga Country man?”
The butler was taken aback.
“Do you mean... Inoue-kun?”
“Yes,” Zhou Tianhao nodded. “Where is he now?”
“Resting in the side courtyard.”
A cold, sinister smile curled on Zhou Tianhao's lips.
“Invite him over.”
...
Ten minutes later.
A man dressed in black ninja attire walked into the study.
He was about 1.7 meters tall, with a lean build, and walked soundlessly.
He wore a half-mask on his face, revealing only a pair of narrow eyes.
Those eyes were as cold as a venomous snake.
【Inoue Nofuo, Rank 45 Shadow Controller, Prodigy-Rank Physique · Dark Element Body】
【Awakened Talent Skills: Shadow Step, Shadow Raid, Shadow Clone, Shadow Cage, Shadow Descent】
【Background: Top assassin from Baga Country, once assassinated a Rank 45 King Rank target, mission success rate 97%】
Inoue Nofuo walked to the desk and bowed slightly.
His movements were as precise as a machine's.
“Mr. Zhou.”
His voice was hoarse and low, like sandpaper rubbing together.
Zhou Tianhao nodded and signaled for him to sit.
Inoue Nofuo did not sit; he just stood there.
Zhou Tianhao didn't mind and spoke directly.
“Inoue-kun, I have a mission for you.”
“Hai.”
“The target is Lin Feng, Rank 40, S-Rank Explorer.” Zhou Tianhao pushed the document toward him. “This is his latest data.”
Inoue Nofuo took it and gave it a quick scan.
“He just accepted an s-rank mission to go to a Rank 45 mutated Dungeon.”
“Your mission is to follow him in and kill him.”
Inoue Nofuo looked up, a hint of doubt flashing in his cold eyes.
“Mr. Zhou, for a Rank 40 target, you need me to personally take action?”
Zhou Tianhao laughed.
The laughter held a bit of ruthlessness.
“Inoue-kun, do not underestimate this person.”
“Although he is only Rank 40, his combat power far exceeds those of the same Rank. I previously sent over a dozen experts to kill him, and they were all killed by him instead.”
“Furthermore, he just came out of a Secret Realm, and his strength has increased significantly again.”
“So...” Zhou Tianhao stared at him. “I need you to go all out to ensure nothing goes wrong.”
Inoue Nofuo was silent for a second.
Then, he nodded slightly.
“Hai.”
“Remember,” Zhou Tianhao emphasized, “this mission only allows for success, not failure.”
“After it's done, besides the original reward, I will add another five million points.”
Inoue Nofuo's eyes lit up slightly.
“Thank you, Mr. Zhou.”
He turned and left soundlessly.
Like a black shadow, he vanished outside the door.
Zhou Tianhao looked at the door, the smile on his lips growing colder.
“Lin Feng...”
“This time, let's see how you survive.”
...
At the same time.
Lin Feng was at home, making final preparations.
He took the dragon slaying sword out from the wanxiang ring and wiped it carefully.
The pitch-black blade with golden patterns emitted a faint pressure.
【dragon slaying sword (SSS-Rank)】
【attack power: 5000-5800】
【Effect 1: Strength +300, Agility +300, spirit +300, Physique +300】
【Effect 2: All skill damage +100%】
【Effect 3: 50% probability to trigger 'Dragon Slaying' effect when attacking, dealing triple damage to Dragon Clan and dragon-blooded creatures】
【Effect 4: Holder's health points limit +500,000, mana limit +500,000】
【Effect 5: Comes with skill 'Sword Intent'】
【Effect 6: Sword Spirit Possession—Summons the spirit of the flood dragon within the sword to possess the user, all attributes +100%, duration 60 seconds, cooldown 7 days】
“Little Black, I'm counting on you this time.”
Lin Feng said softly.
The dragon slaying sword vibrated slightly, as if in response.
He put away the sword and then took out the complete compendium of elixirs from the wanxiang ring, flipping through it.
【Orléans Instance, Rank 45, monsters are mainly Undead and Dark types】
【Recommended Medicinal Pills: holy light pill (counters Undead), Illusion-Breaking Pill (breaks illusions), Heart-Protecting Pill (resists mental attacks)】
“I'll prepare some of these three first.”
Following the recipes in the book, Lin Feng picked some herbs from the Breathing Soil.
Those herbs had grown significantly after being planted in the Breathing Soil for a day.
Although they weren't fully mature yet, they were barely usable.
He took out the longevity immortal furnace and began Alchemy.
With the support of the complete compendium of elixirs, the Alchemy process was incredibly smooth.
The success rate was 100%, and the quality was all +2 Tiers.
Half an hour later.
【holy light pill (Purple) ×12】
【Effect: For 30 minutes after consumption, damage to Undead monsters +50%, Dark Resistance +50%】
【Illusion-Breaking Pill (Blue) ×8】
【Effect: For 10 minutes after consumption, immune to illusions, can see through stealth】
【Heart-Protecting Pill (Blue) ×6】
【Effect: For 10 minutes after consumption, spirit Resistance +50%, automatically resists when suffering a mental attack】
Lin Feng put the Medicinal Pills away and checked his equipment once more.
dragon slaying sword, check.
wanxiang ring, check.
Breathing Soil, check.
Medicinal Pills, check.
Xiao Jin, check.
“That should be about it.”
He stood up and stretched his muscles.
Xiao Jin climbed onto his shoulder, holding half a Spirit Stone and nibbling on it with gusto.
“Let's go.”
Lin Feng pushed the door open and went out.
The sunlight shone on him, warm and pleasant.
He took a deep breath and walked toward the teleportation center.
Behind him, the old residential building stood silently.
Ahead, a conspiracy was waiting.