Taking on the Mission

Jia Meng smiled slightly. Their joining showed their gratitude and sincerity.

"Since you've asked me to take charge of the mission, I've already discussed the boundaries with Lord Tianyuan. I have a general idea of what to do, so leave the matters concerning the boundary to me." His voice held a trace of helplessness and resignation.

"Of course we'll leave it to you. We wouldn't dare interfere. Just thinking about it makes my head hurt."

Wu Siguang's lips curled into a faint smile. His eyes were full of confidence and the determination to take on the challenge.

"Of course I won't shirk from it. You're afraid of those old fellows, but I'm not. I'll make sure we find and recruit talented people from among ordinary folk and curse users alike. I won't let the Divine Curse Sect become a place that rejects anyone who doesn't fit in."

Their gazes turned to Xia Bu, waiting for his answer.

After all, if they wanted to establish a new sect, they needed someone willing to take on the challenge. Xia Bu was the only one present capable of doing so—and worthy of their trust.

Xia Bu smiled faintly. His features had softened, giving him a more approachable air, though a hint of pride remained. His whole bearing seemed more easygoing and carefree.

"I look like a sect leader now, don't I?" His voice carried a touch of self-mockery, yet he accepted the challenge with calm confidence.

Jia Meng looked at the three of them and smiled slightly.

"Then let's split up and get to work. The three of us will go find Jia Ruo. You know where she is, right?" His voice held a hint of expectation.

Jia Ruo paused for a moment, then smiled too.

"I'll go with you to establish the sect. My curse-using skills are considered divine even among ordinary people. You're as good as I am, too."

Her voice held a trace of laziness and nonchalance, but she had clearly prepared herself to face the challenge.

Wu Siguang cut in, giving Xia Bu a warning look. "Jia Ruo is a woman. You'd better behave yourself."

The others joined in, teasing him about marrying her, until Jia Ruo shot them a look that made them fall silent.

Xia Bu smiled faintly, grateful for Jia Ruo's understanding.

"Now that everyone has accepted their missions, let's not waste time. We should get started."

Jia Meng's voice carried a hint of anticipation, as though he could already see the four of them working together to build a better future.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting mottled shadows across the courtyard. The night took on a quiet, mysterious air.

Master Ban, Nineteen You, and Seven Seas Builder stood shoulder to shoulder. Their attention was fixed on Jia Meng as they waited for his instructions.

But the three of them waited for a long while, and nothing happened.

"So... is there some work you're assigning us?" Master Ban's voice held a note of expectation and impatience. He pointed to himself, Nineteen You, and Seven Seas Builder, as though they were waiting for an impending challenge.

Jia Meng nodded slightly, his gaze settling on Nineteen You. A flicker of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

"Does Nineteen You want to take part in the learning program too?" His voice was respectful and courteous.

Nineteen You froze, her expression turning serious.

"I've always leaned toward the first plan. But since the child you took in from Mo Hei Shen Zai's family is still a curse user, that means even if we eliminate the curse's effects on ordinary people, there will still be people capable of developing abilities through the curse. So the first plan won't work."

Her voice carried a trace of deep understanding and helplessness.

Jia Meng nodded, seeming to understand, then said with a faint smile, "Since the first plan won't work, then we can study the second plan together. So I'll leave the mission arrangements to you."

Nineteen You's voice held a hint of reluctance, but also resolve.

Jia Meng smiled slightly, a sly glint appearing in his eyes.

"What do you think of Nineteen You's understanding of the boundary?" His tone carried a hint of curiosity.

Nineteen You paused for a moment, her expression calm.

"Not particularly good." Her answer was frank and direct, with no attempt to conceal what she thought.

Jia Meng nodded, unsurprised, and said with a hint of regret, "It seems she isn't very familiar with High Peak either?" His voice held a trace of understanding.

Nineteen You fell silent. Her expression held a hint of helplessness.

"I admire High Peak."

Her answer was free of pretense or concealment.

Jia Meng smiled faintly, as though he'd expected Nineteen You's response all along.

"Then let's establish a sect." His voice held a hint of anticipation.

Nineteen You paused once more, her expression growing impatient.

"Don't ask me to concern myself with ordinary people's lives. I don't have the patience." Her answer was full of impatience and rejection.

The others fell silent, unsure what to say.

That wasn't going to work. They didn't want it to work. They wanted to join the learning program, and it seemed like they were just playing around.

However, Jia Meng knew how knowledgeable and perceptive Nineteen You was. He knew she wasn't someone who lacked judgment.

Jia Meng looked at her, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

"Then how about this?" He paused, then continued, "If you want to establish a learning program, there are two possible ways besides ordinary people and curse users from High Peak."

"One is the Divine Curse Sect's upper ranks, and the other is Soul Force."

His voice held a trace of curiosity and uncertainty about the two options.

The Divine Curse Sect was a major force within the world of curses.

They were curse users too, but they used curses to satisfy their own desires and harm others.

Their existence was undoubtedly one of the greatest threats to the world.

"The Divine Curse Sect has plenty of characters who do evil. Even if you can't bring them under control, you absolutely mustn't let them become an obstacle."

Nineteen You's expression turned grave.

"Besides, according to the information we've gathered at the Jia family, Soul Force's overall strength has been increasing in recent years. That's something else we can't afford to ignore." His voice carried a hint of deep understanding.

Seven Seas Builder couldn't help but frown.

"If they can keep surpassing ordinary people, they'll become more and more arrogant. Their influence on society is more serious than natural disasters." His voice held a trace of worry and concern.

According to the rules of the world of curses, nobody can interfere with the ordinary human world. As curse users, they aren't allowed to meddle in society.

But if some curse users secretly manipulated the political situation, it wouldn't be easy to deal with, and society would be thrown into chaos.

Even the Divine Curse Sect wouldn't easily accept this kind of trouble unless they had truly exceptional talent.

But once they did accept someone, they would face the combined hostility of the curse users from High Peak. It would be a life-or-death gamble.

Jia Meng nodded slightly, then continued, "It's not just society. In recent years, natural disasters have been growing in scale, too."

"In other words, society is becoming more conducive to the emergence of Soul Force. I have reason to believe that before long, even more powerful Soul Force users will appear—perhaps even exceptionally gifted ones." His voice carried a warning about the future.