Chapter 19: The Mission and Its Rewards
The air thickened as Jolton stepped forward, his very presence suffocating the gathered crowd. Fear and reverence spread through the disciples like wildfire. Around Elton, hushed murmurs buzzed, trembling and nervous like restless insects.
"He is far more terrifying than even the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect's peak elder…"
"I thought he was only a rogue cultivator. That aura feels unimaginable."
Elton stood firm, though every instinct screamed danger despite the calm mask on his face. Beside him, Zoro narrowed his eyes, sweat trailing slowly down his temple. Cedric clenched his jaw in visible discomfort. Only Christy remained composed, her expression steady, almost as if such overwhelming power was nothing new to her.
Jolton's voice rumbled across the gathering like rolling thunder.
"This mission is more than a simple expedition. It is a competitive trial between four sects. Your task will be to gather rare resources, slay demonic beasts, eliminate monsters, repel foreign invaders, and—should fate dictate—face demons themselves."
He raised his hand toward the jagged stone forest looming beyond the misty horizon. Its twisted canopy looked cursed, veiled in fog and menace.
"This place is not untouched. Eyes are already upon it. Three demonic entities lie waiting within the cursed forest, powerful and cunning. However, a Grand Suppression Formation binds them, trapping their movement within these bounds. That same formation restricts anyone beyond Gold-Tier Fifth Rank. I will remain at the forest's edge, for if I entered deeper, my presence would draw their attention immediately."
Uneasy glances spread like ripples among the disciples, tension mounting with every word. Jolton's tone remained unwavering, sharp and absolute.
"For those at Gold-Tier Fourth and Fifth Rank, know this. The formation will press against you constantly. It will not cripple you, but it will press on your limits. You will feel it every time you push further than you should. If you disregard the warning, you will pay for it."
He paused, letting the silence swallow his words like embers dying in ash.
"Each team must gather resources and bring proof of conquest. Demonic cores, beast hearts, sacred Magi Crystals—each holds immense value. The rarer the item, the greater the reward. The stronger the opponent, the higher the merit. You will have one month."
His message complete, Jolton stepped aside, yet the oppressive tension did not lift. His aura lingered over them all, a reminder of his watchful eye.
Disciples quickly broke into groups, strategizing and whispering with urgency. A Bright Brilliant Blade Sect elder approached Christy and Prince Hunter, his steps measured and his expression severe. Without ceremony, he handed each of them a talisman etched with glowing runes, the faint shimmer of defensive power swirling across the surface.
"These talismans are not toys," he said sternly, his voice sharp enough to still the air. "They will only activate in the shadow of true death. They will shield you briefly, then return you to the forest's edge. Use them only if survival demands it."
He turned without another word, yet his warning hung heavy. Eyes followed the talismans with envy and awe.
Elsewhere, teams solidified:
Elton, Christy, Zoro, and Cedric formed a balanced, tightly knit squad. Prince Hunter paired with two disciples trained in arrays and ranged bombardment. Ramius and Talia gathered five capable fighters, each radiating steady composure. Najher, the silent menace, drew an unsettling companion. A strange female disciple clung to his side, her snake-like eyes glowing faintly violet. Feathered patches peeked from beneath her robe, and her talon-like hands curled restlessly. She smiled as if carrying secrets no one else dared know.
Elton's group gathered briefly.
"We should establish formation strategies," Cedric urged. "The deeper we go, the greater the danger becomes."
"I will take the front," Zoro said with conviction. "Let the beasts come to me."
"Christy will handle support and ranged pressure," Elton added firmly. "Cedric and I will cover the midline and adapt as needed."
Christy's red starry eyes gleamed faintly as she nodded. "Then let's move quickly."
With strategies set, the disciples of every sect advanced into the Stoned Forest. Its trees were petrified husks, twisted like claws reaching desperately from the ground. Mist wove around broken stones and cracked terrain, carrying whispers of ancient curses. Strange sounds echoed through the fog—growls, insect chittering, and a low vibration that pulsed like the breathing of something immense.
Dozens of cultivators marched forward with weapons drawn and spells at the ready.
The Stoned Forest promised both opportunity and death.