Chapter 108: Terrifying Beast, What... what kind of aura is this?

After hearing the disciples’ conversation, Yu Liang thought about it for a moment before deciding to visit the Mission Hall. He had never been particularly interested in taking these missions. With the resources he had in the system space, there was little reason for him to waste his time completing elimination tasks. However, seeing disciples rushing to accept missions related to the current conflict made him feel that he should at least contribute something. If the sect was truly heading toward a larger conflict, sitting in his cave and cultivating while everyone else fought outside didn’t feel... quite right because everyone is fighting for righteousness while he’s doing nothing in their eyes.

When he arrived at the Mission Hall, the scene was completely different from his previous visit. The place was even more crowded, with disciples filling the hall from one end to the other.

"Is there anything left?"

"Forget it. The good missions were taken hours ago!"

"I’m going with my group to the eastern border. Anyone who wants to join?"

"Don’t take that one! Three people disappeared while attempting it yesterday!"

Yu Liang glanced around before walking toward the mission board.

As expected, the missions had changed almost completely.

The missions were completely different from before. In their place were missions involving border patrols, investigating suspicious movements, eliminating evil cultivators, protecting supply routes and most mportantly searching for the traces of Passion Sect disciples.

Yu Liang slowly scanned through them.

Most of them didn’t interest him.

Some required several days of travel for a mediocre reward, while others were dangerous enough that the reward simply wasn’t worth his time.

Just as he was about to move away, one mission caught his attention.

Mission: Investigation and Elimination

Location: Blackstone Mountain

Mission Description: According to information obtained by the sect, a group of Passion Sect disciples is suspected of secretly hiding within the Blackstone Mountain. Their exact location and number are currently unknown. The disciples may be using the mountain’s complex terrain and natural formations to conceal their presence.

Mission Requirements: Investigate Blackstone Mountain, locate the hidden Passion Sect disciples and eliminate them if their identity is confirmed.

Additional Contribution: Any information regarding their numbers, cultivation levels, movements or possible connection to other demonic factions will be recorded as additional merit.

Rewards:

1) 500 Sect Contribution Points for confirming the location.

2) 1,500 Sect Contribution Points for eliminating the hidden disciples.

3) Additional rewards based on the cultivation of the enemies eliminated.

4) One Tier 1 Mid Grade cultivation pill.

Warning: The number and cultivation of the enemy are unknown. Disciples below the Peak of Qi Condensation Realm are advised to form a team before accepting this mission.

Yu Liang stared at the mission for several seconds.

"Interesting."

It was dangerous, but compared to the other missions, this one at least seemed straightforward. More importantly, the unknown number of Passion Sect disciples meant there was a chance the mission could turn into something more troublesome than the description suggested and since he wants to test his strength, it’s perfect mission for him.

He reached out and pulled the mission jade slip from the board.

"I’ll take this one."

The disciple managing the mission counter glanced at Yu Liang and then at the jade slip in his hand.

"Are you taking this mission with a team?"

"No."

The disciple paused before looking at him seriously. "Junior Brother, this mission specifically warns that the number and cultivation of the Passion Sect disciples are unknown. Even Peak Qi Condensation disciples are advised to form a team. You should think carefully before accepting it."

Yu Liang nodded. "I understand. I’ll form a team after leaving the sect."

Hearing this, the disciple finally relaxed and recorded his name on the mission slip.

"That’s good. At least you won’t be going alone."

Yu Liang simply smiled and turned around with mission jade slip in hand.

Then he arrived at a designated transportation area where disciples could board flying ships heading toward different regions. Most outer sect disciples rarely used the sect’s transportation means because the transportation fees were quite expensive for ordinary disciples, so unless the destination was extremely far away or the mission required it, most preferred to travel on their own or group together and make their way there slowly.

Yu Liang, however, had no intention of wasting time. He walked around the transportation area, looking over the various flying ships and checking which one would be leaving soon. Just as he was about to choose one, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Yu Liang? Is that you?"

Yu Liang turned around and was slightly surprised to see a familiar face.

"Ling Tao?"

The young man standing several steps away immediately smiled. "It really is you! I almost didn’t recognize you."

Ling Tao was the same disciple Yu Liang had traveled with during his first disastrous journey outside the sect, back when Yu Liang was still a handyman disciple. After the two exchanged a few words, Ling Tao introduced the people accompanying him.

"These are the people I usually team up with. And this is Yu Liang. We traveled together once when he was still a handyman disciple."

The moment the words left his mouth, one of the disciples in the group looked Yu Liang up and down before letting out a faint sneer.

"A handyman disciple?"

Ling Tao’s expression changed slightly. He immediately opened his mouth, clearly intending to explain that Yu Liang had already comprehended Force and was not someone they could casually look down on.

But before he could say anything, in an instant, the atmosphere around them changed.

The disciples’ expressions stiffened.

An invisible pressure descended upon them, making their bodies instinctively tense. For a fleeting moment, they felt as though the harmless looking young man standing before them had suddenly transformed into a terrifying beast. The sensation was so overwhelming that their instincts screamed at them to retreat.

Ling Tao’s pupils contracted.

His hand immediately moved toward the hilt of his sword.

He didn’t even realize he had done it.

The others were no different. Their faces had gone pale and the disciple who had sneered just moments ago was now completely frozen and slumped down, unable to utter another word.

Ling Tao swallowed hard.

’What... what kind of aura is this?’

Then the terrifying pressure disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived, leaving the group breathing heavily as though they had just escaped from the jaws of a monster.

Ling Tao slowly removed his hand from his sword.

His expression was complicated.

The Yu Liang he remembered was still a handyman disciple struggling to make his way through the sect.

The person standing before him now was clearly no longer the same.