The Dragon Is Dead, the Hero Returns!

Spirit beasts and spirit herbs both contained spiritual power within them.

Any beast that could become a spirit beast, even the lowest First-Level Spirit Beast, corresponded to the Spiritual Movement Realm!

Upon reaching this realm, one could draw spiritual power into the body and use it.

Within the Spirit Road, the rule preventing one from sensing and using spiritual power only restricted those participating in the trial.

There was no doubt that the Dust-Avoiding Spirit Array Disk Zhao Chen had obtained was a spirit artifact.

The spiritual power stored within it could activate the Dust-Avoiding Spirit Array three times.

Moreover, the Dust-Avoiding Spirit Array Disk could absorb the spiritual power within spirit beasts to replenish itself.

This meant that within the Spirit Road, he could use spirit arrays based on spiritual power whenever he wished.

This time, it was the Dust-Avoiding Spirit Array, impervious to water, fire, and all poisons. What about next time?

Zhao Chen was rather looking forward to his next sign-in reward.

Being able to use spirit arrays at any time was absolutely a weapon of mass destruction within the Spirit Road!

"The missions are more or less done. We can prepare to head back to the Guardian Land."

Zhao Chen calculated the completion progress of the missions. They were basically finished.

Only the final Fourth-Level Mission remained: killing a Sixth-Level Spirit Beast.

There were no restrictions on the type of spirit beast, nor was there any map guidance.

This meant they needed to make long-term plans if they wanted to kill a Sixth-Level Spirit Beast.

They should first turn in the other missions, then absorb the spirit beast essences to strengthen their Spirit Bodies.

Once their Spirit Bodies improved, their strength would increase as well.

Then, finding and dealing with a Sixth-Level Spirit Beast would definitely become easier.

"No problem. I've already dealt with the Dark Green Water Python."

Wu Yingying skillfully finished processing the Fifth-Level Spirit Beast Dark Green Water Python and the other three Fourth-Level Spirit Beasts. Hearing Zhao Chen's words, she spoke excitedly.

It was clear that she was very happy.

That made sense.

The Crimson Token had been recovered.

That meant she could absorb spirit essences again.

Once they returned to the Guardian Land and completed the missions, the spirit beast essences that were of little use to Zhao Chen could be absorbed by her.

Her Spirit Body would naturally improve.

Just thinking about it felt amazing!

After leaving the Dark Green Marsh and making their way through the dense forest, Zhao Chen and Wu Yingying did not see Song Yuqing.

However, a small grave mound had appeared where Fang Zhong had died.

Zhao Chen glanced at it and finally understood why Song Yuqing had not caught up with them.

Although Fang Zhong had indeed been detestable and was their enemy—

Given that the Song Family, to which Song Yuqing belonged, and the Fang Family, to which Fang Zhong belonged, had been friends for generations, it was only natural for her to collect his body.

But this was the Spirit Road. Death was far too common.

The many Crimson Tokens in Fang Zhong's Storage Bag proved that the vast majority of their owners were already dead.

Guardian Land.

Outside the city gates.

"Wait, you came back safely?!"

Song Yuqing was still dressed as a girl and had not disguised herself as a boy to swindle spirit beast essences as an entrance fee.

When she saw Zhao Chen and Wu Yingying standing there safe and sound, her face filled with surprise, as though she found it unbelievable.

"That Dark Green Marsh is filled with poisonous mist. The Fifth-Level Spirit Beast Dark Green Water Python inside is extremely powerful. There are also quite a few Fourth-Level Spirit Beasts, not to mention countless venomous snakes."

Song Yuqing clearly knew the situation in the Dark Green Marsh. It was even more difficult than dealing with the Fifth-Level Spirit Beast Fire Cloud Tiger.

Getting injured there was practically routine.

Yet Zhao Chen and Wu Yingying were both completely fine, which greatly surprised her.

"Nothing much."

Zhao Chen waved his hand before saying,

"We're entering the Guardian Land. Aren't you going to collect spirit beast essences?"

Naturally, it was a teasing remark.

After witnessing their strength, he believed she would not dare oppose them.

Before entering the Guardian Land, making enemies meant becoming enemies to the death.

"No, no. Qin Yusong collecting spirit beast essences has nothing to do with me, Song Yuqing, right?"

Song Yuqing blinked and explained innocently.

At the very least, she would never admit it.

"Impressive."

Hearing those familiar words, Zhao Chen could not help sighing.

He led Wu Yingying straight toward the Guardian Land.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait for me!"

Seeing this, Song Yuqing hurriedly followed after them.

A genius worthy of clinging to, within the Spirit Road, was practically a god descended to earth.

If she wanted to safely survive until the end of the Spirit Road and smoothly enter one of the predetermined Five Great Academies as an inner academy student, following him was undoubtedly the safest choice.

Song Yuqing had noticed Wu Yingying. Even just helping out without needing to fight, Wu Yingying could improve her Spirit Body. That was far better than standing at the city gates and swindling spirit beast essences.

So she could do it too!

Outside the Mission Hall, many people had gathered.

"This is incredible. When Fang Zhong discovered that all the missions had been accepted, he was furious."

"By now, that unlucky bastard should be hanging from the hillside outside the Guardian Land, right?"

"Sigh, ever since Fang Zhong came to the Guardian Land, we haven't seen any Second-Level or Third-Level Missions for a long time."

"Although we don't have the ability to complete Third-Level Missions yet, there's no problem with Second-Level Missions."

"He's far too overbearing. He won't accept them himself, yet he won't let anyone else accept them either."

Many people discussed the matter, deeply interested in Fang Zhong's furious reaction after discovering the newly refreshed missions.

Was it a dragon-slaying hero, or just another unlucky fool?

They would only find out once Fang Zhong returned.

"Excuse me, please make way."

Under the secret rivalry between Wu Yingying and Song Yuqing, Zhao Chen's path forward was exceptionally clear.

The people gathered outside the Mission Hall were pushed aside. Amid their astonished gazes, the three entered the Mission Hall.

As Zhao Chen hung one wooden token after another back onto the wall, red beams shot into his Crimson Token, jolting everyone awake.

"Heavens!"

"This guy is the unlucky bastard Fang Zhong wanted to kill in his rage!"

"Oh no, doesn't that mean Fang Zhong should be coming back after him!?"

At those words, the crowd surrounding the Mission Hall immediately retreated several steps.

They looked extremely wary, afraid of being dragged into the trouble.

Even though fighting was forbidden within the Guardian Land, they still felt deeply apprehensive.

Everyone had to leave the Guardian Land eventually, and being targeted by Fang Zhong would mean serious trouble.

"Seven thousand points. Not bad."

Zhao Chen checked the additional points. They were about what he had estimated, and he nodded.

All told, he now had over ten thousand points.

In this Guardian Land, he could be considered the number one person in terms of points.

"If I complete another Fourth-Level Mission, I can earn several thousand more points."

Zhao Chen nodded, fairly satisfied with this.

Once the Guardian Land trial began, having so many points meant he would be starting in first place.

With a little more effort afterward, there should be no problem.

When Zhao Chen noticed how wary everyone looked, he was briefly puzzled before understanding.

He cleared his throat and announced,

"Everyone, Fang Zhong is dead. The missions are available!"