110: Chapter 110 Arrival at the Destination

The next day, just as dawn broke, the mist dissipated, and the view within the mountain forest suddenly cleared.

Captain Gu Miaoyu watched the energetic Lin Mo team.

She made up her mind to find an opportunity to test their true capabilities.

Since they were able to extricate themselves from the dense fog on their own, perhaps it wasn't entirely due to luck.

Thus, on this day, she no longer specifically slowed down to wait for them.

All instructions were conveyed according to the standard for normal teams; they traveled when it was time to travel, and each team guarded itself when encountering exotic beasts, without receiving any extra care.

Without the interference of the fog, the three echelons moved much more smoothly.

Aside from occasionally encountering a few waves of short-sighted exotic beasts along the way, which each team handled on their own, there were no major issues.

But after only half a day, the female deputy came to report again: "Captain, the Eastern Academy team has fallen behind again. This time, the distance is a bit far. Should we send someone to search for them?"

Captain Gu Miaoyu frowned slightly, her gaze cast toward the depths of the dense forest behind them.

She knew this team of freshmen had a weak physical foundation, so it was normal for them to struggle to keep up with the main force's pace.

However, falling behind twice in a row inevitably made people feel they were unreliable.

She was silent for a moment, then finally shook her head: "No need. Just follow the rules and leave clear markings along the way."

The female deputy replied, "Yes," and turned to make arrangements.

Captain Gu Miaoyu looked at the rolling mountains ahead, her brows knitted slightly.

Further ahead was the inner circle of the Emei Mountain Range.

That was the true danger zone, where many high-level exotic beasts existed.

Even with her strength as a Rank 8 Soul Venerable, she dared not guarantee that this trip would be without any damage or casualties.

At noon, the team rested in a relatively open forest clearing.

Beast meat sizzled and dripped with oil over the campfire, its aroma filling the air.

Just then, a sound of brisk footsteps approached.

Everyone turned to look, and good heavens, it was none other than the Eastern Academy team that had been lagging behind for half a day.

Each of them had steady breathing, not a trace of fatigue on their faces; instead, they were spirited and their eyes were bright.

"Yo, isn't this the lads from the Eastern Academy?"

The bearded uncle from the official team walked over, holding a half-gnawed animal bone in his hand, curiously sizing up Lin Mo.

"Not bad, you lot. You fell behind for half a day, and just as we stopped to rest, you caught up without even breaking a sweat?"

Lin Mo grinned.

"Heh, it's nothing. We may walk slowly, but we still have stamina."

The bearded uncle raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze over them; he wouldn't believe this team didn't have some special skills.

"Alright then, as long as you can keep up." He didn't ask further, turned around, and called out, "Come, eat some meat. We are entering the inner circle this afternoon, so you can't fall behind again."

Lin Mo and his group didn't stand on ceremony; they gathered around the campfire and started eating the roast meat.

They had intentionally fallen behind in the morning just to search for medicinal Materials.

Once the main force lit their fire, they immediately flew over.

Anyway, the maximum distance was only forty or fifty kilometers, so it was easy to see them after circling around on the alchemy furnace.

After lunch, Lin Mo weighed the medicinal Materials for his teammates, one pound of Materials for one Medicinal Pill.

This scene, seen by everyone, left them full of questions.

Why was this kid collecting medicinal Materials?

...

In an obscure mountain col on the outskirts of the Emei Mountain Range, seven figures dressed in black tight-fitting attire stood in a circle.

"Found it." The scarred man in the lead spoke, his voice kept extremely low. "There are two pieces of news. First, the mission target has already entered the mountain."

"Heh, that saves us a lot of trouble. As long as we capture him and take him back, the commission will be enough for us to live comfortably for a long time." A burly man beside him sneered, his fists cracking as he clenched them.

"What about the second one?"

The skinniest person in the team leaned forward, greed flickering in his triangular eyes.

The scarred man licked his cracked lips, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement: "The reason the mission target entered the mountain is to cooperate with the official search for an ancient Sect ruin."

"Hiss—"

Gasps echoed among them. The skinny man's eyes widened instantly.

"An ancient Sect ruin? This news is no less valuable than the mission target. If we sell it to those greedy guys abroad, wouldn't we be rich!"

The scarred man raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, his eyes sinister: "Don't just think about the good things. Official personnel are also inside, as well as teams from major clans and academies. Trying to fight them head-on definitely won't end well."

He paused, a ruthless smirk curling his lips: "My meaning is, sell the news to those guys now. Given their greedy nature, they will definitely send people to get a piece of the action."

"By then, we'll have less pressure and can focus on capturing the mission target, right?"

The skinny man rubbed his hands and laughed sinisterly: "Captain is right."

"Then what are we waiting for? Split up and act immediately."

Immediately after, four of the black-clad figures chased towards the Emei Mountain Range.

The remaining three turned back towards Tiandu City.

...

Two days passed in a flash, and the main force finally arrived at the foot of Duanyun Peak.

The terrain at the foot of the mountain was open.

Captain Gu Miaoyu summoned the leaders of each team and spread out a detailed topographic map: "According to the intelligence currently in hand, the Shuiyue Sect ruin is very likely hidden within Duanyun Mountain.

Starting tomorrow, all teams will disperse to search. Once you discover a suspicious location, report it immediately via your communicator; unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited."

Qin Changfeng of the Qin Family looked at the winding mountain paths on the map, his brows knitted tightly, and couldn't help but speak:

"Captain Gu, I suggest we first organize the high-level Soul Masters to conduct a sweep. This Duanyun Peak was a place where a Level 9 Snake Dragon King appeared in the past. If we disperse to search rashly, I'm afraid..."

"I understand Captain Qin's concerns." Captain Gu Miaoyu shook her head, her tone firm:

"According to official historical records, that Snake Dragon King appeared in the Ailao Mountain Range over a hundred years ago, thousands of miles away from the Emei Mountain Range. It is impossible for it to still be here."

She pointed her fingertip at the Duanyun Peak area on the map: "Furthermore, Duanyun Mountain is vast, filled with mountain streams, dense forests, and caves. To thoroughly clear it, it would be impossible without several months. Our time is limited; we cannot afford to waste it."

The Tu Family representative nearby also chimed in: "Captain Gu is right. Instead of wasting time clearing the area here, it is better to hasten the search. Each team has high-level Soul Masters stationed; if we really encounter high-level exotic beasts, self-preservation shouldn't be a problem, and we can just call for reinforcements in time."

Qin Changfeng wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Captain Gu Miaoyu raising her hand: "We will do as I say. Tonight, all teams rest and check your equipment and communicators. Tomorrow morning, depart according to the assigned areas."

Seeing Captain Gu Miaoyu's determined attitude, Qin Changfeng had no choice but to drop it.

By a campfire at the edge of the camp, Lin Mo was organizing the Materials for Awakening his Soul Skill.

"An Earth Rank Elementary Soul Skill should be able to raise my Soul Power to Level 30."

In these two days, he had encountered many Level 6 and 7 exotic beasts. If he didn't improve, Lin Mo just felt insecure.

It would be best if, after promoting to Level 30, he could open a Heaven Rank Soul Skill slot. That way, he could conveniently Awaken a Heaven-Rank Soul Skill: Starfall. Meteor Shower...

As for how Captain Gu Miaoyu and the others planned to arrange things, he wasn't very concerned.

Because after he uploaded Captain Gu Miaoyu's intelligence to System AI for analysis,

he reached a conclusion: there was an 80% chance the Shuiyue Sect ruin was not within the range of Duanyun Mountain.