Chapter 525 - 499: Mission No. 52

The Second Steward glanced at the Jade Slip, a flash in his eyes as he said, "Zhaang Ye, the mission you are to complete is Number Fifty-Two. This mission requires you to depart tomorrow. You may go now."

Holding the Jade Slip, Zhaang Ye felt that something was off. After surviving the third Celestial Tribulation, having endured that immense and terrifying worldly Suppression, Zhaang Ye’s soul and will had undergone a rare tempering, growing even stronger. His Spiritual Sense had also become more powerful, purer, and more refined, capable of perceiving the most subtle things.

Zhaang Ye’s current Spiritual Sense was comparable to that of a Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer expert; in some respects, it was even superior. Although the black box could block ordinary Spiritual Sense, it couldn’t completely block Zhaang Ye’s. Zhaang Ye vaguely sensed that all the Jade Slips in the black box seemed to be identical.

In other words, no matter which Jade Slip he drew, he would get Mission Number Fifty-Two.

Zhaang Ye found it strange, but he didn’t say anything. He just nodded to the three Stewards, then strode out of the Inner Sect Steward Hall and returned to Rising Sun Peak.

’Is there something wrong with this Mission Number Fifty-Two?’ Zhaang Ye was immediately on guard. The moment he returned to Rising Sun Peak, he examined the mission details.

The Jade Slip read: "Mission Number Fifty-Two: Within one month, assist Cyan Bamboo City in eliminating a group of thieves."

Below this sentence, the mission details were laid out. As it turned out, twenty million li beyond the Green Cloud Mountain Range, there was a small city named Cyan Bamboo City. Three months ago, Cyan Bamboo City had accidentally discovered an Essence Stone mine, which held a massive amount of Essence Stones.

After discovering the Essence Stone mine, Cyan Bamboo City had been somewhat careless, and word got out. The news soon caught the attention of a group of bandits. This group was called the Tornado Thieves, an extremely powerful and well-known force within a million-li radius.

The Tornado Thieves were powerful and exceedingly greedy. Upon learning of the Essence Stone mine, they naturally wouldn’t let it go. They immediately dispatched their experts, seized the mine, and claimed it for themselves.

Cyan Bamboo City had discovered the Essence Stone mine first and was certainly not going to hand it over without a fight. Thus, a fierce struggle broke out between Cyan Bamboo City and the Tornado Thieves.

The Tornado Thieves were stronger than Cyan Bamboo City. After a series of battles, not only had the city failed to reclaim the mine, but they had also lost dozens of their experts. Left with no other choice, Cyan Bamboo City posted a mission with the Green Cloud Sect, hoping one of the sect’s experts could help them slay the Tornado Thieves and take back the Essence Stone mine.

After reading the detailed report, Zhaang Ye took note of the two sides’ strengths. According to the document, Cyan Bamboo City’s main fighting force consisted of four True Dao First Layer experts. The Tornado Thieves, on the other hand, had six True Dao First Layer experts—a full two more than the city.

Once he finished reading, Zhaang Ye’s mind was at ease. With his current combat prowess, he could even slay a Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer expert. In his eyes, True Dao First Layer experts were as fragile as infants; a single slap from him could kill several of them.

The next day, Zhaang Ye set out early in the morning, heading straight for Cyan Bamboo City. After flying for two days and two nights, he finally crossed a distance of fifteen million li and arrived at the city.

Cyan Bamboo City was a small city. Its lord was a large, middle-aged man with a purplish, stone-like face and a full beard, named Xia Dayuan. When Zhaang Ye arrived, Xia Dayuan was in a grim discussion with a group of subordinates. Upon hearing that an expert from the Green Cloud Sect had arrived, Xia Dayuan rushed out of the City Lord’s Mansion to welcome Zhaang Ye personally.

"Huh?"

Seeing how young Zhaang Ye was, a flicker of astonishment crossed Xia Dayuan’s eyes. Although he found Zhaang Ye a bit too young, Xia Dayuan was still very enthusiastic in his greeting. "You must be the brother from the Green Cloud Sect? Excellent, excellent! We’ve been eagerly awaiting you! Now, Cyan Bamboo City is saved!"

Zhaang Ye presented his credentials, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then followed Xia Dayuan into a private chamber.

Three men were seated upright in the chamber. The one in the center was slightly bald, revealing a large, shiny head. He appeared to be in his sixties, and his eyes carried an imposing air without any anger. Judging by his aura, his Cultivation was at the Peak of the True Dao First Layer. For a small place like Cyan Bamboo City, such a level of Cultivation was quite impressive.

To the bald elder’s left sat a one-armed, middle-aged man. He was like a block of wood, radiating a chilling coldness that kept others at a distance. His Cultivation was at the Mid-stage True Dao First Layer, much weaker than the bald elder’s.

To the bald elder’s right was a man of about forty, carrying two swords on his back. His Cultivation, like the one-armed man’s, was also at the Mid-stage True Dao First Layer.

When Xia Dayuan and Zhaang Ye entered, both the one-armed man and the dual-swordsman nodded toward Zhaang Ye. The bald elder, however, remained completely still, his gaze sweeping over Zhaang Ye with considerable arrogance.

Xia Dayuan made the introductions. The bald elder was Cyan Bamboo City’s second-strongest expert, skilled with a bamboo staff, and was known as the Bamboo Staff Elder. The one-armed man, named Xia Lengmu, specialized in close-quarters combat, his single arm more effective than most men’s two. The dual-swordsman, an expert in Swordsmanship, was named Ma Houshi.

Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi—these four were the top experts of Cyan Bamboo City. Among them, City Lord Xia Dayuan’s Cultivation had reached the Peak of the True Dao First Layer, making him the number one expert in the city.

After the introductions, it was Zhaang Ye’s turn. He spoke casually, "I am Zhaang Ye. I entered the Green Cloud Sect’s Inner Sect three years ago. For this mission to slay the Tornado Thieves, I will need your cooperation."

The expressions of Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi all shifted slightly. They had spent a fortune to post this mission, hoping the Green Cloud Sect would send a formidable expert whose Cultivation was at least at the Peak of the True Dao First Layer. They never expected the sect to send a new disciple who had only been cultivating for three years.

Although Zhaang Ye’s aura seemed profound and unfathomable, there was a limit to how strong a disciple with only three years of training could be. All four of them—Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi—began to doubt Zhaang Ye’s strength. They simply could not believe that he possessed the power to slay the Tornado Thieves.

The Bamboo Staff Elder fixed his gaze on Zhaang Ye and said in a heavy tone, "Younger Brother Zhaang, tell us honestly, is your Cultivation at the Mid-stage True Dao First Layer, or the Late-stage? The Tornado Thieves are not to be trifled with. If your strength is below the Peak of the True Dao First Layer, you’d best just return to your Sect to avoid any accidents."

The Bamboo Staff Elder’s words made it clear that he didn’t believe in Zhaang Ye—that he doubted him. He wanted Zhaang Ye to return to the Sect so they could send a more powerful expert in his place.

Hearing the Bamboo Staff Elder’s doubt, Zhaang Ye gave a slight, wry smile. "Since the Sect sent me for this mission, they naturally have their reasons. You need not doubt the Sect’s decision. And by the way, although my Cultivation may not be much, killing a few mere thieves is no problem at all. You can rest assured."

Hearing the confidence in Zhaang Ye’s tone, Xia Dayuan, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi all nodded slightly, many of their doubts dissipating. The Green Cloud Sect was one of the three most powerful forces in the entire Purple Spirit Domain. If they had entrusted this mission to Zhaang Ye, they must have been confident he could complete it.

The Bamboo Staff Elder remained unmoved. His gaze was still locked on Zhaang Ye as he said gravely, "Zhaang Ye, this operation is too important to fail. You had better reveal your Cultivation and let us see it for ourselves."

Hearing the Bamboo Staff Elder’s words, Xia Dayuan, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi all nodded slightly. In unison, the three of them turned their gazes to Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye’s expression didn’t change. He said nonchalantly, "Since you want to witness my strength, I’ll give you a little demonstration. The four of you should be careful."

A dismissive sneer touched the corners of the mouths of Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi. Zhaang Ye was just a disciple who had been cultivating for three years; they refused to believe he possessed any earth-shattering power.

"HUMMM!"

While the four were completely unprepared, an immense aura suddenly erupted from Zhaang Ye. This vast presence was like a great mountain, like a colossal Barbaric Beast, appearing above their heads in an instant to heavily assault their souls and crush their bodies!

"BOOM!"

As the aura bore down on their souls, a deafening crash echoed in the minds of the four True Dao Experts. Their minds went completely blank, followed by a piercing pain!

Their bodies buckled under the immense pressure, suddenly hunching over. They felt an immeasurable force crazily squeezing in from the surface of their bodies. This terrifying power forced its way inside them through their weak points—their eyes, anuses, ears, noses, and mouths—tearing at their flesh. They couldn’t even breathe!

"PFFT! PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!"

Under Zhaang Ye’s terrifying aura, Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi all spat out a mouthful of blood in unison. The Bamboo Staff Elder was in the worst state; blood seeped from every pore of his body, and even his bald head was laced with trickles of red. His eyes were filled with utter horror!

Zhaang Ye’s gaze rested calmly on the Bamboo Staff Elder as he said, "Bamboo Staff Elder, is my strength sufficient? Do any of you have any more doubts now?"

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"

The four men nodded in unison, nodding vigorously. They were all regretting their actions to death. They never would have imagined Zhaang Ye’s strength would be so terrifying that he could crush them to the point of vomiting blood with his aura alone, nearly forcing them to their knees.

Zhaang Ye withdrew his aura and said coolly, "Since there are no more questions, take me to the mine now. We will slay these Whirlwind Thieves. Let’s go!"

-(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)-