System Mission

Xiao Yi Xian giggled as she tucked away the last scroll of Dou Technique and said to Xiao Yu, "You're so generous that it makes me seem rather stingy. How about this? All the gold coins and such in this stone chamber are yours. Other than that, I don't need anything else."

Xiao Yu did not mention that the map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame he had already obtained was the greatest gain of this trip. With a slight wave of his hand, he stored all the scattered gold and silver on the ground into his storage ring.

Afterward, the two inspected the stone chamber once more. Finding nothing else left behind, they planned to quietly return to Green Mountain Town under cover of night.

However, just as they stepped out of the stone chamber, the system's voice suddenly rang out in Xiao Yu's mind.

"Ding! System mission triggered."

"Mission One: Take Xiao Yi Xian hostage, hand over the gains you obtained to Mu Li, and join the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

"Mission Two: Help Xiao Yi Xian escape the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's pursuit."

"Mission Three: Carry out Heaven's punishment and wipe out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

"Note: Different missions will yield different final rewards. Please select one mission to accept."

Xiao Yu was utterly baffled upon hearing these missions.

Logically speaking, since Xiao Yi Xian and he had obtained the treasure ahead of time, they should not have encountered the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. It seemed that his involvement had still changed certain things. He would have to be more careful in the future.

At the same time, Xiao Yu noticed that after leaving Xiao Yan, the missions issued by the system had gradually become more humane, giving him some room to choose, though there was not much room to speak of.

As for these three missions, there was no need to consider the first one. He absolutely could not choose it. As for the third mission, although the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's leader was merely a Dou Shi, the most urgent matter for him now was escaping their encirclement.

Otherwise, if they blocked the cave entrance, Xiao Yu and Xiao Yi Xian would be unable to escape.

With that in mind, Xiao Yu quickly made his choice.

After accepting Mission Two, Xiao Yu lightly tugged Xiao Yi Xian and put away the moonlight stone he had been using for illumination.

Seeing the wary look on Xiao Yu's face, Xiao Yi Xian seemed to sense something as well. She vigilantly moved closer to him.

Noticing Xiao Yi Xian approaching him, Xiao Yu kept his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "Someone seems to have come in. Be careful and stay close to me."

The warm breath from Xiao Yu's lips brushed against Xiao Yi Xian's ear, skimmed past her neck, and vanished deep within her collar. Her cheeks could not help flushing, though fortunately, no one could see it in the darkness.

As the two cautiously advanced, the vigilant Xiao Yu faintly caught sight of the cold gleam of blades in the darkness. He understood at once. The enemy had arrived!

The two hunched low and slowly moved along the edge of the cave. In the darkness, Xiao Yu reached back and gently patted Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian took out a packet of medicinal powder from her robe and handed it to Xiao Yu, whispering, "This is a medicinal powder I specially made. It can paralyze them, leaving them unable to move for half an hour."

Xiao Yu took the medicinal powder Xiao Yi Xian handed him. Seizing the right moment, he suddenly scattered it, then circulated his Dou Qi and stirred up a fierce gust that carried it drifting into the darkness ahead.

"Ah! My eyes!"

"Not good! It's an ambush! Everyone, be careful!"

"It's poison, be... careful."

Startled cries rang out in the darkness as the ambushing mercenaries were caught completely off guard by Xiao Yu's sudden attack.

Some of the unlucky ones had the powder Xiao Yu scattered get into their eyes. He did not know what it felt like, but judging by their screams, it surely was not pleasant.

Then, using the darkness and medicinal powder as cover, Xiao Yu pulled Xiao Yi Xian and rushed toward the cave exit amid the chaos.

However, they had barely started running when someone on the other side shouted, "Everyone, stay where you are! Light the torches immediately! If anyone moves around us, attack at once so they don't get out!"

It had to be said that this man was clearly experienced. When trouble arose, he knew to first stabilize his own men. As long as their side did not move, Xiao Yu and the others would have to run if they wanted to break through—and the moment they ran, they would expose themselves.

Once the torches illuminated the entire cave, Xiao Yu and Xiao Yi Xian would have no way to escape.

For two people to break through an encirclement of dozens in such a cramped space was simply wishful thinking.

Xiao Yu also understood how unfavorable this was for them. Since that man had already made such arrangements, they could only force their way through in the darkness. Otherwise, once the torches were lit, they would be meat on the chopping block, unable to flee even if they wanted to.

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes. The Thousand-Flames Spear instantly appeared in his hand as he dashed toward the cave exit.

"They're here! They're here!"

The instant the two made a move, the mercenaries around them reacted. Waving their weapons, they charged at Xiao Yu and Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yu used the Thousand Flame Spear to block several attacks, then sent the attackers flying with a backhand strike. Some smashed heavily into the stone walls, while others were hurled toward the cave entrance in an attempt to cause chaos.

Just as Xiao Yu was fully focused on breaking through, a man hidden in the darkness suddenly swung a great saber at him.

The angle was exceptionally vicious. The man had appeared just as Xiao Yu was defending against the others, and Xiao Yu felt as though he had been targeted by a venomous snake.

A chill ran down his spine. Without even turning his head, he gripped his spear and thrust hard beneath his ribs toward his side.

Clang!

A piercing sound rang out between them. Xiao Yu felt an enormous force surge through the spear. Driven back by that force, he staggered several steps before the butt of the Thousand-Flames Spear struck the stone wall, barely stopping him.

A high-level Dou Zhe!

After just one exchange, Xiao Yu had determined the other party's strength.

With his current strength as a six-star Dou Zhe and his solid foundation, even against an ordinary Dou Zhe, he would not have been forced into such a disadvantageous position. Yet he had suffered a loss from a single attack before even using a Dou Technique. Thus, the opponent was very likely a high-level Dou Zhe.

Xiao Yu frowned slightly, sensing that the situation was troublesome. While they were still in the darkness, he could use the terrain to maneuver. But if they delayed any longer and the torches were raised, the cramped cave would put him at an even greater disadvantage.

At that thought, Xiao Yu knew he could not drag this out any longer. The Thousand Flame Spear simply could not display its power in this narrow cave, and he did not have any systematic spear techniques. He truly could not make use of the advantage of a longer weapon.

Putting away the Thousand Flame Spear, Xiao Yu took the hand of Xiao Yi Xian, who was still scattering medicinal powder, with his left hand. A cluster of cold white flame slowly surfaced in his right palm, and he hurled it at the mercenaries blocking the cave entrance.

The cold white flame suddenly erupted in the dim cave. Not only did it fail to dispel the darkness and bring even a trace of warmth, it instead caused a chill to rise in everyone's hearts.

The sudden appearance of the flame was clearly beyond the mercenaries' expectations.

As soon as it emerged, however, it carried bone-piercing coldness. Like a fire dragon, it fiercely swept toward the mercenaries near the cave entrance.

Unaware of its nature, the mercenaries thought it was merely ordinary fire and tried to disperse it with their weapons. Yet the moment their weapons touched the flames, the fire rapidly spread along their arms toward their bodies.

"Ahhh! M-my hand..."

In mere moments, a living person turned into ashes before everyone's eyes. The other mercenaries instantly stared in terror at the youth rushing toward them.

With cold white flames engulfing his right hand, the youth seemed like a descending demon god. Anyone tainted by the flames of his wrath would become ashes scattered across the ground.