(Ma Xiaotao illustration)
Xuan Zi sat on the stone steps by the lake, his blackened bare feet soaking in the water as its reflected light flickered across his stubbly face.
He was a complete mess, his work jacket wrinkled and hanging off him as if he had not changed it in days. Even the tops of his feet glistened with grease.
He stared at the pale blue panel that only he could see, his brows knotted tightly as his fingers tapped his knee several times. He muttered,
"What kind of shitty mission is this... Don't tell me I have to go to the Evil Soul Masters' headquarters in the Sun Moon Empire, that Holy Spirit Cult?!"
The words on the panel floated clearly before him, each line seeming to nail itself into his eyes.
[Broom Star System's chance to defy fate!] [Become the Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder! Devour Soul Power! Your Taotie martial soul can devour more than just fate—it can also devour life and Soul Power!] [If you want to change your Broom Star constitution and become stronger, become the Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder!] [Make the members of the Holy Spirit Cult believe that you are the Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder!] [Mission time limit: One month.] [Reward for completing the mission: Martial soul mutation—Taotie Demon Bull!] [Penalty for mission failure: Your fate will gradually disperse, and your Soul Power will steadily decline!]
Xuan Zi's gaze lingered on the final line for a long while, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
He absolutely could not accept that failure penalty. He had worked so hard to cultivate to Rank 98—if his Soul Power began to regress, would that not make him useless?
He leaned back, bracing himself against the stone steps with both hands, and