Exploration Team

Exploration Team

Her? The white-robed female cultivator who had bought the flying sword at the Hundred Artifacts Pavilion. They really were fated to meet.

Xiao Liang's heart stirred. He walked into the partitioned room, gave a slight bow, and said, "Miss, did you also accept the mission for the Ancient Battlefield Ruins?"

The white-robed female cultivator gave a soft acknowledgment. She raised her teacup in return, but said nothing.

"My name is Ghost Shadow, Third Level of Qi Refining. We'll be working together on the mission, so I hope we can look after each other."

It seemed she was not much of a talker. Xiao Liang shrugged unconcernedly and casually gave his false name.

"Qin Long, Fifth Level of Qi Refining."

The white-robed female cultivator was sparing with words, but her voice was unexpectedly crisp and pleasant, as clear as ice and jade.

Xiao Liang looked at the young female cultivator before him with slight surprise. Her features were quite ordinary, and she appeared to be around twenty years old.

Other than a pair of captivating phoenix eyes, she could hardly be called a beauty.

Yet when she spoke, her voice was so enchanting that it seemed to reach straight into one's heart, leaving a lingering impression.

Though Xiao Liang appreciated it, he was no boor. Seeing that she did not wish to speak further, he did not continue trying to make conversation.

He found a seat and sat down, closing his eyes to rest.

Before accepting this group mission, a maid had informed him that such missions required a full party of five.

Only then would the employer who had posted the mission appear and explain its further details.

However, Xiao Liang was not worried about waiting too long.

There were no shortage of independent cultivators accepting missions at Storm Tower, so the party would soon be filled.

Sure enough, before the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, a pair of siblings and a dark-faced burly man entered one after another.

They exchanged names and briefly introduced themselves.

The siblings were Guan Qiu and Guan Lin. Both were at the Third Level of Qi Refining and specialized in fire-element spells.

The dark-faced burly man was Yu Guang, at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. He possessed a defensive magic artifact and carried himself rather arrogantly.

"Little brother, you've only said you're at the Third Level of Qi Refining. Do you have any skills worth showing?"

Yu Guang's eyes shifted as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Liang, a trace of contempt hidden in his tone.

Fair enough. Of the five present, only Xiao Liang and the Guan siblings were in the Early Qi Refining Stage. Xiao Liang was alone, making him clearly the weakest-looking one.

"I know a little movement technique. I can serve as a scout and provide support from the sidelines."

Xiao Liang was no hotheaded fool. He would not reveal the Flying Corpse trump card just because someone provoked him. He merely rose to display his fully mastered Ghost Shadow Step.

Within the partitioned room, Ghost Shadows flickered everywhere. Even Yu Guang, the one with the highest cultivation, had to focus completely just to barely make them out.

Although the Ghost Shadow Step was merely a basic spell in the Ten Thousand Demon Cavern, movement techniques were quite rare among independent Qi Refining Stage cultivators outside. Moreover, Xiao Liang's mastery of it was far from shallow.

By displaying his movement technique, Xiao Liang revealed a small portion of his capabilities and spared himself the trouble of being underestimated.

"I never expected a young brother like you to possess such astonishing attainments in a movement technique. With you handling the scout's duties in this team, Old Yu can be completely at ease!"

Yu Guang put away that trace of contempt. Scratching his head with seemingly honest simplicity, he clapped and praised him.

"It's only a trifling skill. You've all seen through it. This movement technique is the only thing I can barely show off. During the expedition ahead, I'll have to rely on all of you, especially Brother Yu's protection!"

Xiao Liang laughed it off and flattered Yu Guang, lowering his own presence as much as possible.

"Of course, of course!"

Yu Guang looked exceedingly forthright, patting his chest as he readily agreed. Whether he truly meant it, only heaven knew.

"Now that the five of us are gathered, the employer should have received the news by now, right?"

Guan Lin, the livelier of the Guan siblings, suddenly spoke up.

Xiao Liang observed her expression. She looked quite inexperienced, her face mixed with excitement and nervousness. This was likely her first time venturing out on an expedition.

Guan Qiu, who played the role of elder brother, was much steadier. He patted his sister's arm, signaling her to stay calm.

"Hahahaha! My apologies for keeping you all waiting!"

At that moment, a booming voice rang out. A slightly plump middle-aged man with sharp, gleaming eyes strode inside.

After casually cupping his hands in greeting, he placed a silver plaque in his palm and showed it to the others.

It was the Silver-Badge Guest token of Storm Tower. It seemed this middle-aged man was the cultivator leading this mission.

“Late Qi Refining......”

Xiao Liang secretly sensed his aura.

"My name is Luo Dongbao. As for my cultivation, I'm at the Eighth Level of Qi Refining. I will be the leader for this mission, and I am also the employer. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!"

Luo Dongbao spread his arms and looked around at the group. His gaze lingered an extra moment on Qin Long and Yu Guang, while he only swept past Xiao Liang and the Guan Family siblings, who were in the Early Qi Refining Stage.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, as far as I know, the Ancient Battlefield Ruins two hundred li away have existed for several centuries. They cover a considerable area and are considered a regular place for exploration."

"I wonder which specific area we are exploring this time. Surely we aren't gathering a team merely for some demon and ghost materials from the Ancient Battlefield?"

Yu Guang was the first to ask. He was a frequent visitor to Storm Tower and was familiar with many missions. The Ancient Battlefield Ruins were among the more common exploration missions.

After several hundred years, aside from a few hidden areas, the Ancient Battlefield Ruins had already been explored thoroughly by later generations of cultivators. Trying to dig up treasures there was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

However, the Ancient Battlefield's unique terrain and environment saturated with Baleful Qi had bred many demon beasts and ghosts. Some of their materials could be used for alchemy and talisman crafting.

They were also quite popular among cultivators and generally had no trouble finding buyers.

But if it was only for demon and ghost materials, there was no need to formally post a mission and organize a team. The cost would be far too high.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Yu is indeed clever. Some days ago, I paid a high price to obtain a small portion of an Ancient Battlefield map from a Heavenly Secrets Sect member traveling through this area. The region it leads to is shrouded in poisonous miasma year-round. It is absolutely an undeveloped treasure ground."

Luo Dongbao smiled smugly. After speaking, he took out a pale yellow map marked with a short stretch of mountain ranges and the distribution of buildings.

On the back of the map was engraved a pattern shaped like an eyeball.

Hiss!

Yu Guang's eyes filled with envy. "I've long heard that Heavenly Secrets Sect members appear and vanish unpredictably, knowing of countless hidden treasures in this world that innumerable people have sought without success. I never expected Brother Luo to have such a fortunate opportunity and acquire a treasure map."

Yu Guang's reaction filled Luo Dongbao with satisfaction. He then said to Xiao Liang and the others, "The map records a method for passing through the poisonous miasma. But if I explored it alone, the gains would come too slowly. That is why I decided to post a mission, gather people, and head there together."

"Then it seems our luck isn't bad."

The Guan Family siblings exchanged a glance. Guan Qiu nodded, and the two spoke in agreement together.

As for Xiao Liang and Qin Long, they merely listened carefully from the side without speaking, but neither intended to give up.

Seeing that no one had any objections, Luo Dongbao made the decision.

"Passing through the poisonous miasma requires favorable timing. The earlier we arrive, the better. Time is of the essence. I have already rented Spirit Horses at the market. We depart at once!"

(End of Chapter)