43: Proton (V)

Life in the Outer Academy Hall could be described as either fast or slow, depending on how one looked at it.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Chi Yun frequently accepted missions, accumulated credits, and exchanged them for resources.

His cultivation level improved steadily, breaking through from the first level of the Spirit Transformation Realm to the third level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

This speed was considered quite impressive among the students of the Outer Academy Hall.

However, he knew in his heart that this was merely the tip of the iceberg of his Dao Body.

His true speed of cultivation was actually deliberately suppressed by him.

He understood well the principle that "the tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

Especially since he was still a hostage from the Diyuan Dynasty.

Being too high-profile would not lead to a good outcome.

The notification for the new quarterly mandatory mission was issued.

Chi Yun had a premonition that this mission would not be so simple.

Sure enough, the mission dispatch list was announced.

The name of the team leader was, unsurprisingly, Yun Fan again.

A flash of cold light crossed Chi Yun's eyes.

The Yun Family, as expected, would not let things rest.

Within the team, there was also a woman surnamed Yun.

Chi Yun made inquiries to find out the woman's background.

Her name was Yun Xi, a member of the Yun Family's collateral branch, with a cultivation at the fourth level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

This Yun Xi possessed stunning beauty and a delicate figure.

Every gesture she made carried an alluring charm.

She was quite popular in the Outer Academy Hall.

Even some Prodigies from the Inner Academy Hall harbored affection for her.

This mission was to search for a rare medicinal herb, and the credits offered were generous.

Chi Yun watched coldly, wanting to see what tricks the Yun Family would pull this time.

The team set off for the mission location.

Along the way, Yun Fan's true colors were fully exposed.

There were two other people in the team, named Li Xiong and Lin Chong.

These two were Yun Fan's loyal lackeys.

They repeatedly set traps.

Either a landslide would suddenly appear underfoot.

Or poisonous insects would fly out from the bushes.

On the surface, Yun Fan would still ask with "concern."

"Junior Brother Chi, are you alright?"

Chi Yun was able to cleverly resolve these situations every time.

Relying on his keen perception, he avoided most of the dangers early on.

A few times, he even turned the tables on them.

He made Li Xiong and Lin Chong step into the "traps" he had set himself.

The two fell face-first, looking utterly disheveled and pathetic.

Yet they could not find any leverage against Chi Yun.

Yun Fan was so angry that smoke was practically coming out of his ears, but he had to endure it.

Yun Xi never took a stance, only observing Chi Yun with her beautiful eyes.

Deep in her eyes, a playful look flickered.

After many twists and turns, the group finally arrived at the destination.

Before them lay a misty swamp.

Deep within the swamp grew the target of this mission—the Purple Heart Grass.

The Purple Heart Grass was nearly mature, emitting a faint purple glow.

A faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance drifted through the air.

"Be careful, this swamp is not simple," Yun Fan said in a deep voice.

He was the first to step into the swamp.

Chi Yun did not rush to follow.

He narrowed his eyes and looked; the surface of the swamp was calm.

But deep within, there was a faint lingering of Demonic Qi.

This aura made him uneasy.

"Junior Brother Chi, what are you still standing there for? Are you afraid?" Zhou Kai said mockingly.

Chi Yun ignored him.

He took out a few jade talismans and crushed them silently.

The jade talismans turned into streams of light that disappeared into various parts of the swamp.

These were the warning runes he had set up.

The Purple Heart Grass was right ahead.

The harvesting work proceeded smoothly.

Just when everyone thought the mission was about to be successfully completed.

A sudden change occurred!

A deafening roar came from the depths of the swamp.

The ground shook violently.

The Demonic Qi in the swamp surged instantly.

A terrifying Demonic Qi swept over them.

This Demonic Qi caused everyone's spirits to tremble.

A massive Black Swamp Giant Crocodile rushed out from the mist.

Its body was like a small hill, covered in heavy black scales.

A pair of blood-red eyes stared fixedly at everyone.

Its aura had clearly reached the Peak of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Far exceeding everyone's expectations!

"A Peak Spirit Transformation Realm Yao Beast!" Yun Fan's face turned pale.

Their cultivation was generally around the fifth level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Facing this Peak Spirit Transformation Realm Black Swamp Giant Crocodile, they were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

They were instantly plunged into a desperate situation.

"Run!" Li Xiong shouted.

But it was already too late.

The Black Swamp Giant Crocodile opened its bloody maw.

A foul-smelling wave of air erupted out.

It violently swung its giant tail.

Li Xiong could not dodge in time and was directly swatted away.

His whole body fell into the mud, his life or death unknown.

Yun Fan and the others were in a panic, terrified.

"Damn it! How can there be a Peak Spirit Transformation Realm Yao Beast!" Yun Fan roared.

He took out a Flying Sword and attacked the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile with all his might.

The Flying Sword struck the giant crocodile.

Leaving only a white mark.

The giant crocodile just shook its head, completely unharmed.

It was exceptionally ferocious.

Lin Chong was bitten by it, half of his body disappearing.

The screams echoed in the swamp.

Yun Fan's face was twisted.

He watched his companions die one by one.

The fear of death enveloped him.

"Fight to the death!"

He suddenly took out a secret treasure.

The secret treasure emitted a dazzling light.

It turned into a talisman seal and slammed fiercely toward the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile.

"Boom!"

The loud noise echoed through the valley.

The Black Swamp Giant Crocodile was hit by the talisman seal, its body staggering.

A gash opened on its back, and black blood flowed out.

"Roar!"

The giant crocodile let out an angry roar.

It turned around suddenly, its giant claws swatting at Yun Fan.

Yun Fan could not dodge in time.

His body was struck by the giant claws, flying backward like a kite with a broken string.

He fell to the ground, vomiting blood.

After struggling a few times, he stopped moving.

Chi Yun had been watching coldly from the sidelines.

The people of the Yun Family were reaping what they sowed.

Now, only he and Yun Xi remained.

After killing Yun Fan, the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile lunged directly at Chi Yun.

Seeing the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile attacking, Chi Yun no longer hid his strength.

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

The Pure Origin Dao Body within his body erupted.

An ancient, powerful aura awakened within him.

Chi Yun moved.

His speed was as fast as a flash of lightning.

He appeared instantly in front of the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile.

He threw a punch.

His fist was wrapped in golden thunder light.

This punch was fast, ruthless, and accurate.

Without any flashy techniques.

It slammed directly into the head of the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile.

"Bang!"

A loud noise!

The massive body of the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile seemed to be hit by a huge force.

It stumbled back several steps.

It let out a painful wail.

The hard scales on its head were shattered by Chi Yun's punch.

Revealing a bloody hole.

"This... how is this possible!" Yun Xi was stunned.

Was this really Chi Yun, who was only at the third level of the Spirit Transformation Realm?

Chi Yun ignored her shocked gaze.

He rushed forward again.

His fist carried the force of a thunderbolt.

Punch after punch.

He bombarded the wound of the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile.

The Black Swamp Giant Crocodile let out a shrill roar.

It struggled and resisted.

But under Chi Yun's terrifying offensive, it seemed so powerless.

In just a few dozen breaths.

The Black Swamp Giant Crocodile collapsed to the ground.

It twitched a few times and then completely stopped moving.

Chi Yun stood beside the giant crocodile's corpse.

The aura on his body returned to calm once again.

As if the outburst just now was merely an illusion.

He slowly exhaled a breath.

The ancient aura within his body also subsided.

Just at this moment.

At the moment of its death, the Black Swamp Giant Crocodile suddenly opened its mouth.

"Roar!"

It spat out a strange, colorful mist.

The mist instantly enveloped the surroundings.

Chi Yun and Yun Xi inhaled the mist.

Their bodies instantly felt an indescribable heat and numbness.

Chi Yun's expression changed drastically.

In his mind, one absurd thought after another emerged.

"This scent... it seems to be Spring Awakening Grass..."

Immediately after, Chi Yun turned to look at Yun Xi behind him, as an uncontrollable desire erupted completely within his heart...