Exploration Team

Was it her? The white-robed female cultivator who had bought the flying sword at the Hundred Artifacts Pavilion. They were rather fated, it seemed.

Xiao Liang's heart stirred. He walked into the partitioned room and, after offering a slight bow, said, "Miss, have you also accepted the Ancient Battlefield Ruins mission?"

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

"My name is Ghost Shadow, Third Level of Qi Refining. We'll be working together afterward, so I hope we can look out for one another."

It seemed she was not much of a conversationalist. Xiao Liang shrugged without concern 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 clear and pleasing, cool and crisp as ice.

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.

Aside from her 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 pierce straight into one's heart, leaving much to savor.

Though Xiao Liang admired it, he was no rude fellow. Seeing that she did not wish to speak much, he did not continue the conversation.

He found himself a seat as well, then closed 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 behind the mission appear and explain the 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 they would soon gather enough people.

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 gave brief introductions.

The siblings were named 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 artifact and carried himself with considerable arrogance.

"Little brother, you only said you were at the Third Level of Qi Refining. Do you have any skills worth mentioning?"

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

It made sense. Among the five present, only Xiao Liang and the Guan Family siblings were in the Early Qi Refining Stage. Of them, Xiao Liang was alone, making him clearly the weakest.

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

Xiao Liang was no hotheaded fool. He would not reveal the Flying Corpse trump card just because someone provoked him. He merely stood and demonstrated 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 to barely make them out.

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

By displaying his movement technique, Xiao Liang had revealed a small portion of his ability and spared himself the trouble of being looked down upon.

"I never expected that, at such a young age, little brother would have such astonishing attainments in a movement technique. Leave the scout's role in this team to you. This old Yu is completely at ease!"

Yu Guang put away that trace of disdain. Seemingly honest and straightforward, he scratched his head and applauded in praise.

"It is only a trifling skill, nothing worth mentioning before you all. This movement technique is the only thing I can barely show off. During our exploration, I'll have to rely on everyone, especially Big Brother Yu's protection!"

Xiao Liang laughed it off and flattered Yu Guang, reducing his own presence to the lowest possible level.

"Of course, of course!"

Yu Guang looked exceedingly forthright as he patted his chest and readily agreed. As for whether he truly meant it, only heaven knew.

"Now that the five of us are assembled, the employer should have received word by now, shouldn't he?"

Of the Guan Family siblings, the more lively Guan Lin suddenly spoke up.

From what Xiao Liang could tell from her features, she was rather immature, with excitement and nervousness mixed on her face. This was probably her first time venturing out on an expedition.

Guan Qiu, as the elder brother, was much more composed. He patted his sister's arm, signaling her to remain calm.

"Hahaha, I've kept you waiting!"

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

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

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

"Late Qi Refining..."

Xiao Liang silently sensed his aura.

"My name is Luo Dongbao. As for my cultivation, I am 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 hands and swept his gaze across them. His eyes lingered for an extra moment on Qin Long and Yu Guang, while Xiao Liang and the Guan Family siblings, who were in the Early Qi Refining Stage, received only a passing glance.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, as I understand it, the Ancient Battlefield Ruins two hundred li away have existed for several centuries. They cover no small area and are considered a regular exploration site."

"May I ask which specific region we are exploring this time? Surely we are not merely going after some demon and ghost materials from the Ancient Battlefield?"

Yu Guang was the first to ask. He was a regular at Storm Tower and familiar with many missions. This Ancient Battlefield Ruins expedition was one of the more common types.

After several centuries, aside from a few hidden places, the Ancient Battlefield Ruins had already been explored thoroughly by later generations of cultivators. Trying to unearth treasure there was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

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

They were quite popular among cultivators and generally sold without difficulty.

But if they were only after demon and ghost materials, there was no need to formally post a mission and assemble a team. The cost would be too high.

"Heh, 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 who had traveled here. The region it leads to is shrouded in poisonous miasma year-round. It is absolutely an undeveloped treasure ground."

Luo Dongbao smiled smugly. Once he finished speaking, he took out a pale yellow map showing a small 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 have long heard that the Heavenly Secrets Sect members come and go like ghosts, knowing of countless hidden treasures in this world that innumerable people seek in vain. I never expected Brother Luo to have such fortune as to purchase a treasure map."

Yu Guang's reaction delighted Luo Dongbao. 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 results would come too slowly. That is why I decided to post a mission, gather personnel, and go together."

"Then it seems our luck is not bad!"

The Guan Family siblings exchanged a glance. Guan Qiu nodded, and the two voiced their agreement in unison.

As for Xiao Liang and Qin Long, they simply 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 sooner we arrive, the better. There is no time to lose. I have already rented Spirit Horses at the market. We depart at once!"

(End of Chapter)