New Mission: Cold Mountain Goddess Temple

The autumn wind was slightly dry, and yellow leaves carpeted the ground.

The matter of Zhong Jing and Zhao Xun was merely a minor interlude.

After that day, Zhong Jing rarely appeared before him. According to the people at the martial hall, he had begun intensive special training in the side courtyard where Senior Brother Zhao Xun lived.

He was preparing for the martial contest on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Inside the training grounds.

"I've finally brought the external training portion of the Origin-Revering One-Qi Art to the beginner level."

Lin Nan sighed.

At this point, the advantages of a high-grade martial art became apparent.

[Origin-Revering Stance (Spirit Serpent Stance)] accumulated qi and blood much faster than [Spirit Serpent Stance]. Even without demon flesh as support, its proficiency rose by 1 point every day, rarely stalling.

Over half a month, aided by "Taisui flesh," his [Origin-Revering Stance (Spirit Serpent Stance)] had improved considerably.

At the same time, the five external training techniques he had been diligently cultivating had finally barely crossed the threshold and all reached the beginner level.

[Technique: Origin-Revering Stance (Spirit Serpent Stance) (Level Five (580/800)]

[Movement Technique: Wave-Treading Step (Beginner 3/200)]

[Hard Technique: Golden Astral Body (Beginner 2/200)]

[Palm Technique: Blazing Fire Palm (Beginner 1/200)]

[Fist Technique: Earth Fiend Fist (Beginner 1/200)]

[Finger Technique: Azure Wood Finger (Beginner 1/200)]

Looking at the dense rows of proficiency values, Lin Nan sighed inwardly.

He needed yin energy points far too badly.

He roughly calculated that raising all five external training techniques to the first level would require at least 10 yin energy points, not to mention the progress of Origin-Revering Stance (Spirit Serpent Stance).

Now that he had broken through to the second level of flesh and skin, the White Snake Fist, a basic mortal-grade soft-force fist technique, had too low a ceiling in terms of killing power. It was becoming increasingly inadequate.

When warriors of the same level truly fought, external training techniques were the key to clashing head-on.

"Stance techniques are stats, while external training is mechanics. I have the stats now, but my mechanics are lacking. In a fight against someone of the same level, I'm afraid I'd immediately fall behind..."

"...It seems I have to find a way to obtain some yin energy points."

Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to leave the city alone to hunt evil entities. Especially after his experience in Withered Locust Village west of the city that night, he still felt lingering fear.

Lin Nan thought of the dear Blessed Life Cult again and greatly missed the Twelve Heavenly Demon Dance.

Of course, what he missed were yin energy points, not the Heavenly Demon Dance. He swore it!

Unfortunately, ever since he had worshipped the wooden carving of the "Blessed Life Mother" until its paint peeled, Lai Quan had been full of vigilance toward him.

He guarded the courtyard strictly and would not allow Lin Nan inside, warning him that they were not to meet again before the cult's next mission was issued.

Still unwilling to give up, Lin Nan had returned to the Blessed Life Cult's hidden base a few days ago, only to be denied even entry through the door.

"Pah! And you call yourselves brothers of the same cult? You're actually doing everything possible to hinder my devotion to the cult!"

"In that case, if I want to improve quickly, I can only take on some missions to hunt evil entities."

As Lin Nan pondered, he headed toward Fortune and Prosperity Hall.

Fortune and Prosperity Hall.

Old Yu held a book with a smile, pretending to read while reclining in his rocking chair.

"The book is upside down."

Lin Nan stepped forward lightly and spoke in a soft voice.

Old Yu's entire body stiffened, and he gave a slight start, as though someone had frightened him.

"What the hell is it to you?!"

He glared at Lin Nan with a displeased expression.

Lin Nan asked, "Where is Lady Li? Why hasn't there been any news of her lately?"

"Lady Li naturally has her own matters to attend to. What are you here for, brat?"

"I'm here to take on a mission," Lin Nan said seriously.

Hearing this, Old Yu took a large stack of mission slips stamped with red seals from beneath a drawer and tossed them directly before Lin Nan.

"These are the missions that haven't been completed recently. Look through them yourself!"

Somewhat speechless, Lin Nan began examining them one by one. Before long, one mission immediately caught his attention.

[Cold Mountain Goddess Temple was built in the second year of Kaibao under Great Qian. Legend says that the Cold Mountain Goddess hid her unique secret art deep within the temple before her death.]

[Mission: Find the secret art left behind by the Cold Mountain Goddess.]

[Mission Reward: One hundred taels of silver per person, one Limit-Breaking Pill, and ten qi-blood pills.]

"This mission description is interesting. What kind of secret art could be worth so much?"

Lin Nan pointed at the mission slip for "Cold Mountain Goddess Temple."

For a mere treasure-hunting mission to offer a Limit-Breaking Pill as a reward—who would believe there was no catch involved?

The Limit-Breaking Pill was no ordinary medicine. It was a qi-blood breakthrough pill concocted by inner-city physicians using secret methods. It was said to allow a martial artist to break through a minor realm in a short period of time.

It was priceless and unavailable on the market.

"Oh, this mission."

Old Yu glanced at the mission slip and scratched his head. "The Cold Mountain Goddess Temple mission seemed to be extremely popular for a while. Four or five groups went in one after another, and quite a few people died. Only recently has its popularity gradually died down."

"Oh? Why?" Lin Nan asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, then you'll have to ask your knowledgeable Uncle Yu."

At the mention of this matter, Old Yu showed a hint of pride. "Legend says that the Cold Mountain Goddess possessed a special bloodline. She was born with the ability to commune with spirits and could command a hundred ghosts at night. After her death, her disciples hid this secret art inside Cold Mountain Goddess Temple, drawing martial artists from all sides like moths to a flame..."

"...A secret art that commands a hundred ghosts at night. Hehe, but those people never considered this: the Cold Mountain Goddess herself was dead, so where did the hundred ghosts she once controlled go?"

"A hundred ghosts?"

Lin Nan's eyes lit up slightly, and he was instantly intrigued.

"So the real reason this mission is so difficult is that the temple contains the hundred ghosts the Goddess trained back then?"

"There's something very wrong with you, brat." Old Yu stared at him as if he were a pervert.

"Commanding a hundred ghosts at night isn't the same as commanding a hundred women at night. What are you getting so excited about?"

"Don't worry about such details."

Lin Nan waved a hand and continued.

"But how could a person possibly control evil entities? By that logic, this Cold Mountain Goddess should have been an evil entity too."

"I don't know the specific details," Old Yu said with a shake of his head. "But I can tell you for certain that the Cold Mountain Goddess was absolutely human."

"Why?"

"Because her descendants are still alive. She is the wife of the current inner-city lord, Han Ning!"

At noon, the sunlight shone directly down.

Azure Dragon Mountain, north of Black Dragon City.

The mountain range stretched endlessly, while a stream at its foot wound like a serpent.

Since ancient times, a secret tale had been passed down: in primordial times, a true dragon lay dormant here, then rode the momentum to break through its confines and ascend. Thus, this place was named "Azure Dragon Reclining by the Stream."

Four young people of varying builds stood there, gazing toward the temple not far ahead.

"Anyone who can take this mission must be an outstanding young talent from one of the various martial halls. I assume you are all quite confident in your own strength."

A man dressed in a dark brocade martial outfit stood at the front of the group.

"No one from the yamen has come for this mission. I am Zhou Gu, a core disciple of Gale Martial Hall, at the perfected third level of flesh and skin. I will temporarily serve as the leader of this team. Who agrees? Who objects?"

The other three said nothing, merely nodding.

Zhou Gu swept his gaze over them, satisfaction appearing on his face. Aside from the mission reward, the team leader received an additional share.

"One person is still missing. Once they arrive, we will head into the temple."

"He's here, he's here."

A voice came from below on the mountain path. Lin Nan carried a bundle on his back, a steel blade at his waist, and bounded lightly up the trail.

"Lin Nan?"

Within the group, a woman dressed in purple casual clothes froze slightly, her eyes full of surprise.

Lin Nan likewise stood there in a daze. In this hastily assembled team, he had actually seen a familiar figure.

"Second Senior Sister?"