Mission

At noon, in the main hall of the Sword Sect Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Zuo Yuning rested her head on one hand and let out a bored yawn.

This job was good enough, but it was just too idle on a daily basis.

In her other hand, she held a phone, scrolling through a recently popular novel.

She couldn't help but wonder, when would she be able to become a great cultivator like the ones in the books, roaming freely with a sword to eliminate demons and uphold the path?

Thump, thump!

The sudden sound made her jump.

Turning around, she saw a strange person standing outside, his head wrapped in bandages so tightly that not a single gap was left exposed.

Zuo Yuning stood up abruptly.

"Bold monster! How dare you cause trouble at the Sword Sect Miscellaneous Affairs Hall?"

"???"

Is this how all the new generation of Sword Sect disciples talk?

Li Fengping took out the blue jade tablet that represented his identity.

"I am not a monster; I am here to handle some business."

"..." This was very awkward. "So it is a Martial Uncle. What do you need?"

Zuo Yuning's face flushed red, her toes curling inside her shoes, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. She hurriedly took the jade tablet and pulled up the identity information.

[Name: Li Fengping]
[Realm: Nascent Soul]
[Status: Inner Sect Disciple]

Afterward, she brought out the instrument used to screen spiritual power.

"Please, Martial Uncle, inject a trace of spiritual power to confirm your identity."

Li Fengping had done many missions before and was quite familiar with the process. As he injected a trace of spiritual power, text immediately appeared on the computer screen.

[Authentication Passed]

That was quite fast this time, Zuo Yuning muttered to herself.

"May I ask what business you are here to handle, Martial Uncle?"

"I came to Mystic Sword City with two senior brothers to perform a mission, but they accidentally ran into some trouble. I would like to contact fellow disciples in the Nascent Soul Realm nearby to ask for some help."

As he spoke, Li Fengping also took out the token from the Lin Family.

"The specific details of the mission and the compensation can be discussed after we meet."

Something from the Lin Family?

Hmm...

Among the people caught speeding last night, there seemed to be someone surnamed Lin. Could the two senior brothers he mentioned be the two sword cultivators who were caught speeding last night?

"Understood. I will notify the nearby Nascent Soul Martial Uncles. Please wait a moment." Zuo Yuning put on a professional smile.

"I am in your debt."

Li Fengping nodded and turned to walk outside, preparing to sit in the lobby of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to wait for news.

Going outside was out of the question; he and his two senior brothers seemed to have been having quite a streak of bad luck lately.

Inside the Sword Sect's villa complex, Xu Xing had spent the entire morning using the identity of Xu Sandao to procure everything he needed.

He was currently sitting on the sofa, browsing the Spirit Net.

However, since Xu Sandao was ostensibly an Outer Sect Deacon in the Nascent Soul Realm, he naturally received the message sent out by the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

"An Inner Sect disciple looking for people to assist with a mission, eh?"

There was also a photo attached to the message: an exquisite Golden Jade Tablet with the character 'Lin' engraved on it.

Xu Xing rose from the sofa and looked outside.

"Very well."

After replying to the message, he walked straight out.

The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall building.

"Martial Uncle Sandao, please follow me this way."

Zuo Yuning was just outside the building, and upon seeing Xu Xing, she immediately stepped forward to lead the way.

It was just... what kind of address was "Martial Uncle Sandao"?

Normally, shouldn't it be Martial Uncle Xu?

However, he didn't pay much mind to such a trivial matter and followed Zuo Yuning into a prepared reception hall.

Li Fengping's unique appearance drew a few extra glances from him; the reputation of the Lin Family was still quite useful, and besides him, five other Nascent Soul sword cultivators had arrived.

The auras of the five were uneven, the strongest being a burly man in a suit who had already reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage. His robust muscles stretched the suit fabric taut; if not for the biting sword intent radiating from him, others might have mistaken him for a body cultivator.

The auras of the other four were not weak either, and among them were two who appeared to be brothers, their features looking as if they had been cast from the same mold.

They were all observing everyone other than themselves.

Seven Nascent Soul sword cultivators—this was already a formidable force within Mystic Sword City.

"Greetings to you all, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. This Humble One is Li Fengping." Li Fengping cupped his hands in a salute.

Even the youngest among them was older than him, and since their cultivation realms were similar, there was no issue with addressing them this way.

"You aren't from the Lin Family?" the burly man asked directly.

"I am not, but my Senior Brother is. He said that as long as you are all willing to help, the contribution points for this mission will go entirely to you, and there will be additional rewards as well."

That good?

Was a pie falling from the sky?

"Junior Brother Li, if my eyes do not deceive me, it seems you are injured."

The one speaking was a pale-faced sword cultivator who likely practiced Yin-Sha style sword arts, as a lingering aura of Sha Qi hung between his brows.

"Does your injury have anything to do with this mission?"

"It does not." Li Fengping gritted his teeth; the mere thought of it made him feel stifled. "I was beaten by some lunatic who popped out of nowhere."

"If that is the case, how can you be certain that person did not come for your mission?"

"..." He really did not want to say it, but given the current situation, he had no choice. "Because after that person attacked me, he said he had mistaken me for someone else and even gave me a medicinal pill; otherwise, my injuries wouldn't have healed this quickly."

It was actually the truth. Xu Xing found it somewhat amusing; this unlucky kid really had just been beaten up for no reason.

Stalking someone's younger sister—who else would they hit if not you?

However, from his own perspective, it was indeed very baffling.

Xu Xing understood the cause and effect, but the others did not, and they all felt that Li Fengping was hiding something.

Finally, a female sword cultivator with a heroic bearing spoke up: "Please, Junior Brother, introduce the details of the mission first."

She carried a long black sword on her back, her features were sharp and dignified, and her eyes were a beautiful amber color, with divine light swirling within them—clearly, she had cultivated corresponding supernatural abilities.

"Right." Li Fengping hurriedly explained, terrified that everyone would leave. "My two Senior Brothers and I accepted an investigation mission issued by an Elder. He once discovered a secret realm in Mystic Sword City."

"After spending great effort to enter it, he found nothing. Upon returning to the sect, he studied the sect's ancient records and realized that the secret realm was actually someone 'nurturing a sword'."

"He wanted to investigate it personally, but he was tied up with matters in the sect and could not get away, so he issued the mission."

"If you are all willing to go, I will send the information regarding the secret realm to you."

He introduced the mission simply, without any superfluous words; he was truly not skilled at socializing, as such things were usually handled by Senior Brother Feng.

"I have no interest." The burly man shook his head and turned to leave.

The two sword cultivators who looked very similar exchanged a glance and also turned to depart.

"I have no interest either." The pale-faced man left as well.

The conditions were good, but he didn't trust the situation, and since it wasn't for the Lin Family, there was no need to risk his life for a few contribution points.

Li Fengping could only look at the remaining two; if they left as well, he would truly be out of options.

"I am quite interested." Xu Xing naturally could not leave.

"Count me in." The female sword cultivator also showed no intention of leaving.

Phew~

Good, counting himself, he had finally gathered three people.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother, Senior Sister," Li Fengping said solemnly.

"You're welcome." The female sword cultivator nodded, then extended a hand toward Xu Xing. "Jiang Jing."

Xu Xing shook her hand. "Xu Sandao."

Hm?

Jiang Jing and Li Fengping were both stunned for a moment, just like Zuo Yuning had been before.

You are a sword cultivator, and you have a name like that?