Three-star Mission

Over the next seven days, Red Cardinal Lang Taihui and Lei Xiang both vanished from sight.

Even Hu Liena, who had frequently come to seek out Zhu Zhuqing, did not make another appearance; she had likely been dispatched on a mission.

Only Li Moyue, the second disciple of Lang Taihui, visited twice, specifically to inform Zhu Zhuqing:

In three days, there would be a three-star mission led personally by Lang Taihui, and she was required to join.

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the eighth day, Zhu Zhuqing woke up and habitually whispered in her sea of consciousness, "Teacher?"

The sea of consciousness remained silent, offering no response.

She sighed softly, "I cannot rely on Teacher forever."

After washing up, Zhu Zhuqing headed toward the assembly point designated by Li Moyue, her mind rapidly recalling the mission grading system of Martial Soul Academy.

Academy missions were divided into five stars based on difficulty; one star corresponded to Soul Masters between levels 11 and 20, usually involving chores like gathering common herbs or organizing the library.

Such missions might be common in other academies, but at Martial Soul Academy, which worshipped the strong, only students who could not form teams or possessed weak strength would take them.

Even among those with "future cardinal" level aptitude, some inevitably possessed martial souls naturally unsuited for combat.

Two-star missions corresponded to Soul Grand Masters between levels 21 and 30.

Following this logic, five-star missions were meant for Soul Kings above level 51.

Yet, many prodigies in the academy already at level 40-something had begun challenging five-star missions.

By this calculation, a three-star mission corresponded to Soul Elders above level 31.

For the three of them, who were only at the Soul Grand Master level, this was undoubtedly a grueling battle.

However, thinking of the Red Cardinal at the Soul Saint level leading the team personally, the anxiety in Zhu Zhuqing's heart eased slightly.

It was just that for missions accepted personally by a cardinal to temper their disciples, students had no right to refuse or withdraw.

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists slightly.

Without Gu Chensha there to guide her, facing unknown dangers and the undercurrents within the team alone made her feel as if she had returned to the days of being solitary, where she had to shoulder all the confusion and pain by herself.

When she arrived at the assembly point, Lei Xiang and Li Moyue had already arrived.

When Li Moyue saw her, her eyes lit up immediately, a shy smile appeared on her face, and she opened her mouth for a long time before finally squeezing out a sentence.

"Zhu, Zhuqing, you're here."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and walked over to stand beside her.

When the two were alone, Li Moyue could speak more fluently.

But as soon as there were more people around, she would become nervous and stutter.

Meanwhile, Lei Xiang's state on the side was quite strange.

He kept his head down, his eyes darting around, not even daring to glance in Zhu Zhuqing's direction, as if he were avoiding some terrifying beast.

Was it the psychological shadow left by being defeated by her last time?

Zhu Zhuqing pondered to herself, then shook her head.

It shouldn't be that exaggerated; or was he just weak-willed by nature?

Regardless, none of this had anything to do with her.

Zhu Zhuqing merely swept a hurried glance at him before withdrawing her gaze.

She had no interest in caring about the emotions of a defeated opponent.

The three stood in silence, the atmosphere so awkward it could almost be wrung out like water.

Li Moyue was so anxious she kept rubbing her fingers, her gaze darting between Zhu Zhuqing and Lei Xiang, trying to find a topic to break the deadlock.

But her mind was a complete blank, and she couldn't utter a single word.

She had originally thought that since they would be going on missions and participating in assessment competitions together in the future, they would eventually get to know each other.

But the current situation had completely exceeded her expectations.

Just as Li Moyue was about to turn red from holding it in, steady footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.

All three looked up simultaneously.

A hunched figure dressed in the red robes of Martial Soul Hall walked slowly toward them.

A faint smile hung on his withered face, yet a chill that made one's hair stand on end emanated from the depths of his eyes.

Lang Taihui's gaze swept slowly across the three of them.

"Everyone is here. Let's go. I will explain the mission details on the way."

The four traveled in silence, heading toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Only after they had exited Martial Soul City did Lang Taihui speak.

"This three-star mission is to hunt five thousand-year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpents in the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest; the core objective is the intact crest on their heads."

"Many people think that soul beasts only have value for their soul rings and soul bones, but that is not the case."

"Soul beasts are treasures from head to toe; their various parts are of immense utility in fields like alchemy, pharmacology, forging, and talisman crafting."

"The fur of an ordinary hundred-year soul beast can be used to craft defensive gear for low-level soul masters, its scales can forge lightweight weapons, and its blood and internal organs, once purified, serve as raw materials for most basic pills."

"Materials from thousand-year soul beasts are even more precious. Their glands, horns, crests, and other unique parts often contain dense soul power and unique attributes, making them core ingredients for refining high-level pills."

"Take our target this time, for instance: the scales of a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent are hard yet resilient, making them top-tier material for crafting close-fitting soft armor."

"Its blood is mild in nature; when used in medicine, it can gently enhance a cultivator's physique."

"The complete shed skin can be used to refine Calming Pills and Primary Detoxification Pills."

"But its most precious part is the bright red crest atop its head."

Lang Taihui swept his gaze over his three disciples and continued.

"The crest of a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is where it stores its lifelong soul power and nutrients. Not only does it provide a burst of speed in critical moments, but the crest itself is the main ingredient for refining Wind-Walking Pills."

"A Wind-Walking Pill can significantly boost the user's movement speed for a short time, which, for an agility-attack soul master, is equivalent to having an extra trump card for survival."

"A single Wind-Walking Pill refined from the crest of a thousand-year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent can sell for over a thousand Gold Soul Coins on the black market, and it is always in high demand."

"The one we are looking for this time is an individual with a cultivation of around fifteen hundred years."

"This soul beast is highly recognizable: it is a rare, non-venomous snake capable of flight, usually hovering about three meters above the ground."

"It has a bright red fleshy crest on its head larger than its own head, a tail that fans out, and pale red wings."

"It is non-venomous and its attack methods are relatively simple, relying mainly on its body to constrict and strangle enemies. It can also spray a colorful, dense mist to obscure vision, supplemented by low-altitude circling, tail-whipping strikes, and physical ramming attacks."

"However, you must absolutely not lower your guard because of this."

"The most terrifying aspect of the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is its speed, which becomes exceptionally horrific when bolstered by its crest."

"Once you are ensnared by it, it will be very difficult for you to break free with your current cultivation levels."

Lang Taihui's voice remained devoid of any fluctuation.

"For this mission, I will only intervene if your lives are in danger."

"At all other times, you must rely entirely on yourselves."

"Remember, in the Star Dou Great Forest, the slightest negligence could cost you your lives."

Zhu Zhuqing felt a jolt in her heart; it seemed her first mission would be far more difficult than she had imagined.

She could not help but silently recite in her heart:

Teacher, when will you finally wake up...