Mission Objective: Purify the Corrupted Void-Rending Demon Dragon!

The Heavenly Dao's voice echoed.

The silence before Jialing Pass was broken.

Avalanche's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Chen Fan, who had just emerged from the Teleportation Gate with his aura surging. His teeth ground together.

Five levels of Soul Power!

And there was more!

Every member of the Spirit Hall Empire had been healed, and their Soul Power had increased by two levels!

This was a heaven-sent opportunity!

"Grand Preceptor!"

Avalanche abruptly turned and glared at Yu Xiaogang. "Didn't you say we were doomed?"

Yu Xiaogang's face was ashen. The corners of his mouth twitched twice before he managed to stammer, "Th-this doesn't make any sense!"

"If Mondstadt City has a god, how could it be besieged by such low-level monsters?"

"The Heavenly Dao must have made a mistake, or Chen Fan has some kind of evil art we don't know about!"

"My judgment can't be wrong!"

Avalanche was so furious he nearly spat blood.

Damn it!

If not for Tang San's sake, I'd have you castrated on the spot!

Before Avalanche could lash out, the Heavenly Dao's voice once again rang in everyone's mind!

[The third national destiny mission is about to begin. All Spirit Masters, prepare yourselves.]

[Mission objective: Purify the corrupted Void-Rending Demon Dragon!]

[Mission type: Group mission!]

[Entry requirements: No Soul Power restrictions, but participants must possess a flying-type Martial Soul!]

"Demon Dragon!"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. He raised his voice. "Your Majesty, listen! It's a dragon!"

"The mission is to purify a corrupted dragon!"

"It definitely won't be a straight-up fight like the first mission!"

"We can do this!"

Avalanche's expression darkened. He didn't want to entertain Yu Xiaogang, but... thinking it over, the man seemed to have a point.

"Your Majesty, this group mission should allow multiple participants!"

At Grand Marshal Ge Long's words, Avalanche gave a slight nod, then looked toward the Titled Douluo of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Dugu Bo spread his hands. "I can't fly."

With his abundant Soul Power as a Titled Douluo, he could hover close to the ground, but it would consume a great deal of Soul Power, and he couldn't keep it up for long.

There was no need to mention Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao and the other five elders of the Clear Sky Sect. They were more or less in the same situation as Dugu Bo.

As for the Shrek Five Devils... perhaps only Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai could fly through their Martial Soul Fusion Skill?

But the problem was...

They were from the Star Luo Empire!

Avalanche thought it over, but still didn't call on them. Instead, he looked toward Flender and Liu Erlong in the distance.

"Your Majesty!"

Ning Fengzhi, his hair streaked with gray, suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice. "Risk and reward go hand in hand."

"We just lost an opportunity."

"This mission clearly doesn't require us to clash head-on with these people from another world."

"There's room to fish in troubled waters!"

"Perhaps we could..."

Avalanche's expression shifted rapidly, his face darkening and brightening by turns.

On the Spirit Hall Empire's side.

Bibi Dong, fully recovered from her injuries, stood expressionlessly atop the high platform.

Powerful divine might flowed around her, making everyone nearby tremble with unease.

"The Demon Dragon..."

Qian Renxue remained silent.

Though her Martial Soul had fallen from the Six-Winged Angel to the level of the Holy Angel, she could still fly as long as she used Martial Soul Possession.

"Your Majesty."

Guibao Douluo knelt on one knee. "This subordinate cannot fly and cannot help Your Majesty shoulder this burden."

Qianjun and Jiang Mo, the two worshippers, lowered their heads as well.

They were powerful, but they had no flying-type Soul Skills or Soul Bones.

"Chen Fan."

Rakshasa God Bibi Dong ignored Guibao Douluo and turned her gaze to Chen Fan. "What do you think of this mission?"

What did he think?

Chen Fan neither agreed nor disagreed.

The Void-Rending Demon Dragon—wasn't that just Dvalin?

If they had to face Dvalin head-on, then unless they had one of the Divine Realm's Five Great Gods—and one of the first generation, at that—it would be no different from walking to their deaths.

At least, that was how Chen Fan saw it.

To kill Dvalin and withdraw safely, they'd have to fight Barbatos first. Otherwise, they could forget about it.

Fortunately, though...

The mission only called for purification.

That meant they could complete it just by removing the clots of poisonous blood from Dvalin's back.

But...

There was still a risk.

Judging by the current balance of power,

Asmoday, the Space Archon and one of the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles, completely outclassed Asura God Tang San.

And Dvalin... from the looks of it, he should be one of The Seven's familiars. That would make him weaker than the Space Archon by a considerable margin, yet still probably on par with a god.

Chen Fan wasn't sure, but either way, this mission carried some risk.

"Your Majesty, this subordinate has no particular opinion."

After a thought flashed through his mind, Chen Fan remained impassive and cupped his hands. His courteous manner still conveyed a sense of keeping people at arm's length.

Those around him had grown used to it. Some even thought it perfectly normal.

After all, Chen Fan had become a Titled Douluo and an elder of the Spirit Hall Empire, only to be shoved into the logistics department and left on the bench, without any authority.

Now he had distinguished himself, and Bibi Dong had shamelessly come asking for his advice. No normal person would offer her a suggestion.

At least, in Qianjun Douluo's eyes, Chen Fan's reaction was perfectly normal.

"Hmm?"

Rakshasa God Bibi Dong saw through Chen Fan's attitude. Her brow furrowed, and she shot his impassive face an displeased look. One eyebrow lifted, but in the end, she said nothing.

Under ordinary circumstances, any Titled Douluo who dared defy her would have to endure one of her attacks. They'd be lucky to survive with their skin intact.

But now...

Everyone was at a loss, yet Chen Fan had completed the mission flawlessly, striking right at the heart of the matter. This...

To put it plainly, Rakshasa God Bibi Dong didn't dare overstep.

The rewards brought by this mysterious Teleportation Gate were simply beyond belief. And thanks to Chen Fan's flawless performance on the previous mission, his standing in the Spirit Hall Empire had risen considerably. If she really dared to lay a hand on him, then... her Spirit Hall Empire might as well cease to exist!

"Your Majesty, since the Sixth and Seventh Worshippers have recovered from their injuries, this subordinate will hand over command of the army."

After a pause, Chen Fan added, "This subordinate will return to logistics."

Before, he hadn't had the chance. If he'd dared to stick his neck out, Bibi Dong would have cut him down in an instant.

But things were different now.

So...

Chen Fan wondered if he could find a way to leave the Spirit Hall Empire's ranks.

Of course, he'd have to think it through carefully. If he mishandled it, Bibi Dong might get rid of him, too, so...

He'd go back and consider it first.

"This subordinate takes his leave!"

Chen Fan cupped his hands. Without waiting for Bibi Dong to respond, he turned and walked away.

"You..."

At the sight of this, Rakshasa God Bibi Dong's breath caught. Her eyes turned icy, and she was just about to say something when she happened to meet Qian Renxue's gaze. "Then go back for now!"

"Hu Liena, see him off!"

Hu Liena froze. She glanced at Qian Renxue, who had spoken, then at Rakshasa God Bibi Dong. Sensing that the atmosphere had turned strange, she silently stepped back and left...