352: Out of town?

“System, are there any new missions?”

Feeling this new and powerful strength, Xiao Ran had completely cast aside his previous single-minded pursuit of martial arts.

At this moment, the thing he most looked forward to was continuously completing missions, gathering a full set of battle armor as soon as possible, and truly experiencing the charm of the powerful technology from the mysterious empire.

“New mission generated. Go outside the city to kill Fierce Beasts. Rewards will be issued according to the level of the Fierce Beasts you kill.”

The system’s cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in Xiao Ran’s mind.

“Outside the city, huh…”

Upon hearing this mission, Xiao Ran couldn't help but frown slightly, falling into a brief contemplation.

Outside the city, for him, was an area full of unknowns and dangers.

In his memory, outside the city had always been a place overrun by Fierce Beasts, extremely perilous.

It was said that last time, a terrifying Seventh-Rank High-Grade Fierce Beast, the Giant Troll Ape, appeared outside the city. That was a Fierce Beast comparable to the Ningzhen Realm. Fortunately, it was said to have been eliminated by a mysterious powerhouse.

“Alright, I accept it!”

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Ran’s eyes gradually became firm, and he resolutely accepted the mission.

In his heart, the desire for power had long overcome the fear of unknown dangers.

He looked at the battle armor glove on his hand and mused to himself.

“With this magical glove, killing a Low-Grade Fierce Beast should be no problem, right? It’s just…”

Xiao Ran’s brows furrowed again.

“I just don’t know how to get out of the city…”

One must know that he was only at the Body Tempering Third Layer cultivation level now, and according to the regulations of this city, there were strict restrictions on leaving the city to hunt Fierce Beasts.

Either join a legitimate hunting Squad and obtain permission to leave the city through the team's strength and qualifications.

Or, one’s own cultivation must reach the Inner Breath Realm, and with powerful strength, gain the approval of the city defense team to be allowed to pass.

But Xiao Ran knew clearly that with his current situation, reaching the Inner Breath Realm was an unattainable dream.

Thus, the only viable option now was to join a hunting Squad. However, who would be willing to accept a good-for-nothing who was only at the Body Tempering Third Layer?

“Sigh, never mind. I’ll go to the city gate first. At worst, I’ll find a way to sneak out.”

Xiao Ran sighed helplessly, making a decision to himself.

He was well aware of the risks involved, but in order to complete the mission, obtain rewards, and improve his strength, he could no longer afford to worry so much.

With that, Xiao Ran began to pack his things in an orderly fashion.

He carefully picked up the mysterious cube; this was the key item for communicating with the system and receiving rewards, and there could be no mishaps.

He carefully placed the cube into his close-fitting pocket, patted it, and after confirming it was securely in place, he stood up and walked towards the city gate, each step filled with determination and resolve… Xiao Ran, filled with trepidation and anticipation, finally arrived at the city gate.

There, people bustled about, lively and bustling, with various shops lining the streets and all sorts of stalls arrayed along the roadside.

“Come see, come see! Fresh Mid-Grade Fierce Beast flesh and blood, strengthens the body, essential for cultivation, don’t miss it!”

A burly man stood behind a stall, shouting at the top of his lungs, holding up a piece of brightly colored Fierce Beast flesh and blood, attracting many onlookers.

“Great sword, great sword, incomparably sharp great sword, one Fierce Beast with one slice!”

Not far away, a vendor was vigorously waving a gleaming treasure sword in his hand, its reflection flashing back and forth in the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention, and his hawking voice was particularly loud in the noisy environment.

“Hunting Squad recruiting! Inner Breath Realm welcome, or Body Tempering Ninth Layer (Cultivation Level) is also fine. Excellent benefits, interested parties come quickly!”

A person who looked like a Squad Captain stood by the street, shouting loudly, surrounded by several Team Members also dressed in hunting attire.

All sorts of shouts intertwined, like a lively market symphony.

Xiao Ran struggled to weave through the crowd, hearing the recruitment requirements of the hunting Squad, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

“Body Tempering Ninth Layer (Cultivation Level)… I can’t meet that requirement either.”

Just then, Xiao Ran’s gaze was suddenly drawn to a group of people in a corner of the street.

There was also a crowd gathered there, seemingly another hunting Squad.

Unlike other Squads, these people looked very young, similar in age to Xiao Ran, and their vibrant appearance ignited a glimmer of hope in Xiao Ran’s heart, thinking that perhaps he really had a chance to join them.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran’s eyes lit up, and he hurried towards that hunting Squad.

As soon as he got close, he heard them discussing something animatedly. Although the sounds were chaotic, Xiao Ran still tried to discern the content of their conversation.

“Hey, Big Sister Head (Team Leader), are we really going out of the city?”

A slightly slender boy looked at the leading girl with a worried expression, his words carrying a hint of timidity.

“We just finished our martial arts exam, and the academy admission notices have already come out. I don’t want to die out there for no reason.”

His eyes revealed deep fear, as if he had already envisioned the extremely dangerous scenes outside the city.

“Go, go, go! What pessimistic talk!”

The girl called Big Sister Head (Team Leader) frowned, her bright eyes sparkling with resolute light.

“Precisely because we’ve been admitted to the academy, we need to go outside the city to gain experience and try actual combat. Otherwise, when we get to the academy, facing equally talented individuals, how can we compete with them?”

Her voice was clear and forceful, exuding an undeniable aura.

Xiao Ran quietly watched the tall, red-haired girl called Big Sister Head (Team Leader) from the side, a strange sense of familiarity rising in his heart.

He frowned slightly, trying to search his memory for information about her.

“Wait, isn’t that Hua Mulian?”

Xiao Ran’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had remembered something crucial, and he couldn't help but blurt it out.

Hua Mulian, in Jiangcheng High School, was a well-known and famous figure, renowned as the “First Genius of Jiangcheng.”

During her third year of high school, she had successfully reached the Body Tempering Eighth Layer realm with her astonishing talent and relentless effort, and along with the former Xiao Ran, she was hailed as the “Peerless Dual Prodigies.”

However, later, Xiao Ran’s martial arts path took a sharp downturn, and he became a good-for-nothing in everyone’s eyes, while she remained brilliant, firmly holding the throne of genius.

Xiao Ran looked at the confident Hua Mulian before him and mused to himself.

No wonder she dared to form a Squad to leave the city. She probably already broke through to the Body Tempering Ninth Layer (Cultivation Level) during this martial arts exam…