Tao Mu stepped forward, his expression sharp and commanding.
"This mission is of utmost importance. I will not tolerate failure—nor hesitation. Do you understand?"
"YES SIR!" the students shouted in unison.
"Good," he continued. "The mission will proceed as follows. We will be striking multiple assets of the Jiang Clan… using these."
He turned and gestured behind him. On the ground were several round, dark metallic spheres, each no larger than a clenched fist. They emitted a faint, pulsing hum.
"These bombs are crafted from the explosive sacs of a creature known as the Blisterhide Scourge—a beast that uses volatile chemical sacs to attack. When exposed to fire, even a spark, the compound within detonates with tremendous force. Each device can kill cultivators at the high stage of Rank 1 and seriously injure even those at the peak."
He swept his gaze across the students, voice grave.
"Once activated, you will have no more than five seconds before detonation. That means you enter like a shadow… and leave like a raging bull. No hesitation. No delays. No mercy."
The students nodded, eyes flickering toward the deadly spheres.
"These are not toys. If you mishandle them, you die. If you hesitate, you die. And if any of you fail, you put us all at risk."
Tao Mu's eyes hardened. "Now, I will announce the teams. Each group will be made of two, chosen based on your strengths, combat synergy, and past accomplishments."
He began calling names.
"Wu Jian and Yun Qiu… Yun Rui and Hong Ke… Zhen Yao and Fei Lin…"
Then—
"Lin Shu and Ren Hao."
Lin Shu's gaze didn't shift. Ren Hao gave him a subtle nod, silent and unreadable.
Tao Mu continued, "You two will target the Poison Heart Store located in the city of Meiling. It's a small city, important but not heavily fortified—yet the store is one of the Jiang Clan's key resources for distributing rare poisons and suppressants. You will infiltrate, plant the Blisterbomb, and leave immediately. Ensure no witnesses survive. Do not let anyone see your faces and live."
His tone dropped, low and cold.
"If caught, we will disavow you. Complete the mission. No matter the cost."
The groups dispersed swiftly, each pair vanishing down a different route with grim determination in their eyes. Lin Shu adjusted the weight of his pack, his hand instinctively brushing over the Blisterbomb now secured in his space ring. A faint hum of lightning crackled along his arms as his body prepared for the journey ahead.
"I can finally test my new strength," he muttered under his breath, eyes sharp as flint.
He glanced at Ren Hao, who stood nearby with the calm silence of someone already ready.
"I should ask about his fighting style. I barely remember his tournament bouts—it's been months… Knives and palm strikes, if memory serves."
"You ready?" Lin Shu asked.
Ren Hao nodded once. "Let's depart."
Without delay, Lin Shu burst forward, lightning surging around his limbs as he bolted toward Meiling City, a small city nestled to the west of the Central Lands. Ren Hao was already moving beside him with practiced ease.
After a few moments, Lin Shu opened up, keeping his voice measured over the rush of wind.
"Hey, Ren Hao, right?"
A nod.
"I'm Lin Shu. Since we're working together, I want to know your fighting style—how you fight, what techniques you use. Coordination will be key."
Ren Hao responded without hesitation. "Palm and dagger techniques. I focus on speed and precision. Mostly close range, but I have options for longer ranges if needed."
Lin Shu nodded approvingly. "I'm a close-range fighter too. Strong defense, solid offensive power. I can take hits and hold enemies off. I've also got one long-range technique, but it's not my specialty."
After a brief silence, Lin Shu spoke again. "Here's a plan. Since I'm sturdier, I'll take the front—draw attention, clear the path. You're faster and more agile. You plant the bomb while I cover you."
Ren Hao's lips twitched, nearly forming a smile. "That wouldn't be as effective. If we plant the Blisterbombs together, we limit the damage. Splitting them—placing them in separate locations—will cause more chaos, more casualties. That's the whole point, isn't it?"
Lin Shu gave a slow nod. "Well said. That's indeed a better plan."
He fell into silence afterward, his thoughts drifting darkly.
"Smart. I thought I could push the bomb planting onto him, just in case things go south. That way I could keep my distance, run if needed… but it looks like he's not naïve. I'll have to plant the bomb myself—and run fast."
Suddenly, Ren Hao broke the silence with a question.
"Do you think this war will turn into a full-scale conflict? Right now, it's just assassinations and targeted sabotage. But if it escalates… we'll be facing actual clansmen. Maybe even their elders. That would mean our vice dean and dean stepping in."
Lin Shu was quiet for a few steps, then replied, "That's probably what'll happen. Right now, they call it a war, but it's still quiet. but If it does happen, it won't stop at students. It would even reach our dean and vice dean against their clan patriarch and elders and they outnumber us in terms of rank 2 cultivators but From what I know, our dean could fight two Rank Two cultivators at once without much issue."
He looked at the sky, tone calm but cold.
"But even then, anything can happen in war."
They continued running, moving swiftly through the winding paths of the forest, their figures like shadows under the trees. The silence between them stretched on, broken only by the occasional sound of leaves crunching underfoot or the quiet hum of Lin Shu's lightning-cloaked steps.
Lin Shu's thoughts churned with quiet intensity.
"It's been nearly eight months since I joined the institute. In four months, the Stormbreak Sect tournament will begin… a chance to earn a spot among the sect's ranks. But I have no intention of entering—at least not now."
"With my current strength, I'd either fail or scrape by as the weakest among the victors. That's no better than losing. I need more time—at least a year—to build power, gather wealth, and make sure that when I do enter, I'll be seen not as a pawn but a valuable asset… until I've taken all I can from them."
His eyes narrowed.
"And that means keeping a low profile. Avoiding unnecessary grudges. Staying out of the sights of powerful individuals—unlike Ren Hao. A student who dares to offend an instructor and a clan like the Zengs must have someone backing him. He's not naïve or reckless—that much he's shown. No one makes enemies like that without protection."
Lin Shu glanced at his companion briefly.
"But I have no such backing. Only my strength. So I'll move with caution."
Hours passed as they journeyed west, resting in brief intervals. By the time they reached the outskirts of Meiling City, the sky was starting to dim into twilight. Before stepping into view, the two ducked into the forest to change their clothes—discarding anything that might tie them to the Stone Path Hall.
In front of them lay the city.
Meiling was beautiful and refined. Its streets were clean, lined with graceful stone buildings and ornate shop signs meant to dazzle the eye. Lanterns glowed softly as the market streets came alive for the evening, and the air held the faint scent of spices and incense.
As they approached the gates, a pair of city guards gave them a cursory glance before waving them through. They blended in easily—two young cultivators dressed like any wandering disciples or merchants.
"We'll enter separately," Lin Shu said quietly. "Keep your distance. It'll look less suspicious."
Ren Hao nodded. "Understood."
"Also," Lin Shu added, eyes scanning the street, "buy something and Act like a normal customer so we don't Draw any attention."
Ren Hao agreed again, and then asked, "Where do we plant the bombs?"
Lin Shu's mind moved quickly. He took the moment to claim the best position.
"I'll plant mine in the bathhouse area—most enclosed spot in the building. After buying something, of course," he said casually. "You handle another location. Spread the damage, just like you suggested earlier."
Ren Hao's expression flickered slightly, catching the subtle manipulation. He wanted to choose first to give himself the safer exit route. But he didn't protest. "Alright. Let's get started."
They moved separately now, weaving through Meiling's vibrant streets. Neither made any direct approach toward the Poison Heart Apothecary. Instead, they visited multiple stores, purchased trinkets, food, and simple cultivation items—playing their roles well. They made sure to be seen in different locations, maintaining a believable distance between them.
Only once the timing felt right did they head toward the target—one after the other, never together.
Before long, both stood within the shadow of the Poison Heart store.
They entered separately, blending in among the evening crowd.
And soon, chaos would follow.