Chapter 5 Target, Tianfeng Mountains
The Trial Hall was bustling with people coming and going, exceptionally lively.
Wei Zong first went to the Outer Sect Disciple's mission area and scanned through the rows of tasks. After a while, he couldn't help but frown.
The trial missions for Outer Sect Disciples were all trivial matters, either delivering something for someone or collecting herbs in a certain mountain range… His time was precious, and he couldn't waste it on such minor tasks.
After some thought, he moved towards the Inner Sect Disciple's area.
Dressed in Outer Sect Disciple attire, he stood out remarkably among a group of Inner Sect Disciples.
Some recognized Wei Zong and pointed at him while talking to their companions.
"Did you see him? That's Wei Zong. He defeated Zhang Yuan in one move before."
"It's him. It seems he got a bit overconfident after defeating Zhang Yuan, going to take Inner Sect missions. You know, Inner Sect missions require at least the Qi Condensation Realm. How dare a Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist like him take them on?"
Ignoring the discussions of others, Wei Zong focused on choosing a suitable mission for himself.
Soon, his gaze locked onto one mission.
"A new group of bandits has appeared in the Heaven Wind Mountain Range, plundering merchant caravans and acting arrogantly. Mission Objective: Kill the Early Stage Qi Condensation Realm bandit leader, Wei Hu. Reward: 10 contribution points, twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
contribution points are universally used in the Mysterious Cloud Sect and can be exchanged for various Cultivation resources. Additionally, Spirit Rank Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills in the Martial Arts Pavilion can only be exchanged with contribution points.
As for Spirit Stones, they can be used to aid Cultivation. Those above the Body Tempering Realm need to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to Cultivate. Simply absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is too inefficient. Spirit Stones contain extremely pure Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, making Cultivation twice as effective and serving as hard currency in the Cultivation world.
After accepting the mission, Wei Zong went to the registration desk.
The registering deacon looked at his Outer Sect attire, then at his mission plaque, and advised, "This is an Inner Sect trial mission. Your opponent is a Qi Condensation Realm Martial Artist, which is very dangerous."
Hearing this, Wei Zong knew he meant well, but still shook his head slightly and said, "I'm on the verge of a Breakthrough, and this mission is just right."
"Alas, so be it. Have it your way."
...On the outskirts of the Heaven Wind Mountain Range, looking at the lush trees, the continuous mountain range lay dormant like a giant Dragon on the earth. Flying birds, walking beasts, the boundless land—all of it was simply mesmerizing.
Wei Zong sighed deeply, as if from another lifetime. After the Possession, it was his first time leaving the Sect and encountering the outside world. Even with his mental state, he couldn't help but feel a little excited.
Shaking his head, he cast all nostalgia from his mind, opened the map, found the location of the Heaven Wind bandits' lair, and walked towards it… Soon, he arrived at the foot of the mountain, and the bandit stronghold was faintly visible.
He had no intention of hiding his tracks and simply walked boldly up the mountain.
This undisguised behavior naturally attracted the attention of the bandits. After only a few steps, several bandit Henchmen, holding swords, blocked Wei Zong's path.
"Stop right there, stranger. If you don't want to die, leave quickly."
Although the words were a threat, the Henchmen's tone sounded outwardly fierce but inwardly timid.
After all, these Henchmen weren't fools. This person dared to openly ascend the mountain, so he must have some skill. They, as minor Henchmen, certainly weren't his match.
However, they had already sent a brother to notify the Big Boss. All they, the Henchmen, needed to do was stall for time until the Big Boss arrived.
Seeing this, Wei Zong remained expressionless, saying nothing, only drawing his sword.
Swish!
A flash of bright sword light streaked past.
Wei Zong sheathed his sword and continued up the mountain.
Behind him, several Henchmen clutched their throats tightly, their mouths opening and closing as if to speak, but no sound escaped. They could only slowly fall to the ground, dying without a sound.
Wei Zong continued his ascent, encountering no further obstruction along the way.
Reaching the mountaintop, he could see the stronghold, where a burly man was already waiting.
Wei Zong focused his gaze and saw that the burly man was eight feet tall, shirtless, with explosive muscles. He held a ghost-head saber, and a huge saber scar stretched from his chest all the way to his lower abdomen, extremely terrifying.
The burly man exuded a bloodthirsty aura, indicating he was a veteran of many battles.
Undoubtedly, this should be Wei Hu, the Big Boss of the Heaven Wind Mountain Range, and his target for this trip.
The burly man was somewhat stunned to see Wei Zong, not expecting that the person his subordinates said was storming the stronghold would actually be a young man.
However, he didn't dare to be careless. Looking at the Sect attire on Wei Zong, he thought he might be a Genius Disciple from a nearby Sect.
So, he politely said, "Young hero, may I ask why you have come to my humble stronghold? I have always been careful in my actions and have never provoked Your Excellency's Sect. Is there some misunderstanding here?"
"Someone paid for your life," Wei Zong said coldly, still expressionless.
Hearing this, Wei Hu gritted his teeth, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes, and said, "So, it seems I must die today?"
Without further ado, Wei Zong drew his sword and directly struck. Wei Hu quickly raised his saber to defend.
Clang!
The clash of saber and sword produced a loud sound.
Thump, thump, thump!
Wei Hu remained motionless, but Wei Zong retreated several steps.
From a distance, Wei Hu was at first surprised, then his surprise turned into wild laughter.
"Body Tempering Realm! You're actually only in the Body Tempering Realm! So, you intended to use me as a whetstone? Should I call you Sect Disciples foolish or arrogant? Do you really think fighting above your Realm is that easy?"
"Besides… I'm not in the Early Stage Qi Condensation Realm!"
As he spoke, his aura surged, rising from the Early Stage Qi Condensation Realm all the way to the Late Stage Qi Condensation Realm. The violent aura was more than twice as strong as before. A suppressive feeling permeated the air.
"I concealed my Realm precisely to deal with you damn Sect Disciples. You enjoy all sorts of resources, treating us Loose Cultivators as whetstones. Did you ever think you would die here?" As he spoke, the smile on his face grew increasingly sinister.
Wei Zong remained silent, brandishing his sword and attacking.
With a sneer, Wei Hu swung his great saber, intending to knock away Wei Zong's sword. Unfortunately, Wei Zong had no intention of clashing head-on with him.
The sword traced a strange arc, skillfully evading Wei Hu's great saber and thrusting towards Wei Hu's chest. Wei Hu was greatly alarmed and hastily brought his saber back to defend. The sword light flashed, and Wei Zong changed direction with his sword, continuing to thrust, simply refusing to engage Wei Hu in a direct confrontation.
Left with no choice, Wei Hu could only continue defending.
In this way, Wei Hu grew increasingly frustrated. He knew that if he could just touch the boy's sword, he could knock it away, and in the next second, he could cut off the boy's head. But the boy's Sword Technique was exquisitely precise, both venomous and sharp, and he simply wouldn't engage in a head-on clash.
All his strength could only be swung into empty air, making him so uncomfortable he almost wanted to vomit blood.
The Henchmen nearby watched them fight to a standstill, with saber light and sword shadows flashing incessantly, and for a time, they dared not step forward.
Seeing Wei Zong's sword getting faster and faster, and Wei Hu blocking with increasing difficulty, he knew this couldn't continue.
After some thought, he made a decision in his heart.