Taking on missions

Lin Jin stood in the doorway, watching her figure disappear down the tree-lined road.

He lowered his head and looked at the specially made phone in his hand. The mission platform and Points Vault she had just mentioned had piqued his interest, and he immediately decided to activate his credentials and take a look.

He sat down on the sofa and activated the phone using the method Shen Lin had provided.

A code flashed past, and a login screen automatically appeared on the phone.

Once authentication succeeded, the screen changed, taking him into the Demon Suppression Bureau's internal platform.

On the homepage, several sections were clearly visible: Mission Hall, Points Mall, Database, and Bulletin Board.

Lin Jin opened the Mission Hall.

A densely packed list of missions appeared.

[S-Rank Mission: Investigate abnormal energy fluctuations deep in the Kunlun Mountains. Requirement: Domain Realm or above. Reward: 50,000 points.]

[A-Rank Mission: Clear out an A-Rank Weird nest somewhere in Jiangnan Province. Requirement: a party of three at peak Origin Energy Realm or above. Reward: 3,000 points.]

[A-Rank Mission: Escort a research team to the outskirts of the Forbidden Land to collect samples. Requirement: Domain Realm or above. Reward: 1,000 points.]

[B-Rank Mission: Investigate a series of disappearances in a certain city, suspected to be the work of a B-Rank Weird. Requirement: Origin Energy Realm or above. Reward: 500 points.]

Lin Jin quickly browsed through them.

Most S-Rank and A-Rank missions required the Domain Realm or above and offered generous point rewards.

B-Rank and C-Rank missions were relatively simple and offered fewer points.

He opened the Points Mall.

Cultivation techniques: C-Rank technique "Blazing Flame Art," 5,000 points; B-Rank technique "Thunder Scripture," 20,000 points; A-Rank technique "Violet Sun Art," 50,000 points...

Pills: Source Energy Pill, helps Source Energy Stage awakened cultivate, 100 points per bottle; Domain Pill, increases the chance of breaking through to the Domain Realm, 1,000 points each; Transcendent Pill, increases the chance of breaking through to the Transcendent Stage by one percent, 100,000 points each...

Weapons: C-Rank standard-issue combat saber, 500 points; B-Rank Spirit Energy Longsword, 2,000 points; A-Rank Lightning-Attribute War Spear, 10,000 points...

Lin Jin read with great interest.

The Demon Suppression Bureau's resources were indeed far more substantial than those of the Paranormal Bureau.

But these things did not mean much to him.

His cultivation system differed from this world's. What he needed was not cultivation techniques or pills, but World Power.

Those weapons and materials, however, might prove useful later.

He exited the Points Mall and looked at the Bulletin Board.

A pinned announcement caught his attention.

[Warning regarding the Dark Moon Organization's recent surge in activity]

Lin Jin opened it.

The content roughly stated that the Dark Moon Organization was planning sacrificial rituals in numerous locations across the country, attempting to summon more powerful Weirds into the world.

Local branches of the Demon Suppression Bureau and Paranormal Bureau had entered a state of combat readiness, and all members were reminded to remain vigilant.

The announcement ended with: if you discover any traces of Dark Moon members, report them immediately. Do not act on your own.

After reading it, a cold glint flashed through Lin Jin's eyes.

Dark Moon...

He turned off the phone and looked out the window.

Meanwhile, at a Dark Moon base on the outskirts of Jiangcheng.

Ghost Hand, a Silver Moon-ranked member, stood by the window, gazing at the lights of Jiangcheng's countless homes in the distance.

Old Seven and Old Nine stood behind him, barely daring to breathe.

"It's been three days," Ghost Hand said. "Have you figured out his routine?"

Old Seven hurriedly replied.

"We have. He cultivates at the villa every morning, instructs that Zhou Yan in the afternoon, and occasionally goes out at night. He spends most of his time in the villa."

Ghost Hand nodded.

"What about that Zhou Yan?"

"Divine Knowledge Initial Stage. His strength is nothing special, but he's very close to Lin Jin. He's his only brother."

A cold glint flashed through Ghost Hand's eyes.

"Then we'll start with him."

Old Seven froze.

"You mean, sir..."

Ghost Hand turned around.

"Find an opportunity to capture that Zhou Yan. Then lure Lin Jin out."

He paused, a cruel smile curling his lips.

"I'll meet this Bloodline Inheritor myself and see just how strong he is."

Old Seven and Old Nine exchanged a glance.

"Yes!"

Beneath the cover of night, undercurrents stirred.

Meanwhile, Lin Jin sat cultivating with his eyes closed in the villa, utterly unaware of the undercurrents outside.

Or perhaps he had long since noticed and simply considered them beneath his notice.

Three days later.

Morning sunlight spilled into the villa. Lin Jin was cultivating on the third-floor balcony when Zhou Yan's loud calls came from below.

"Little Lin! I'm heading out! Captain Chen said there's a mission. It might be two or three days before I get back!"

Lin Jin opened his eyes and looked down over the edge.

Zhou Yan stood in the courtyard, dressed in a Paranormal Bureau combat uniform, with a newly issued standard combat saber at his waist. He looked much more energetic.

"What mission?" Lin Jin asked.

"A B-Rank Weird nest turned up in neighboring Qingjiang City. Apparently, there might be an A-Rank Weird hiding there. Our Team C has been assigned to provide support." Zhou Yan chuckled. "I can take down B-Ranks in one hit now, after all. Captain Chen said he wants me to be the main force."

Lin Jin glanced at him.

"Watch yourself. I don't want to have to collect your corpse."

Zhou Yan froze for a moment, then grinned.

"Don't worry! I practice those moves you taught me every day. Even without Ninjutsu, I can kill C-Rank Weirds with Taijutsu alone."

"Besides, if I really run into danger, I'll channel energy into that mark you left. Then you can come back me up. I'll pay you with a meal of grilled skewers. Heh!"

Lin Jin said nothing and merely nodded.

Zhou Yan waved, then turned and ran toward his teammates' car parked at the entrance.

The car started and soon disappeared at the end of the tree-lined road.

Lin Jin withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes to continue cultivating.

The villa fell quiet. An hour later, Lin Jin opened his eyes and took the Demon Suppression Bureau's black token from inside his clothes.

He had spent the past few days studying the platform and had gained a general understanding of its various missions and exchange items.

Now that Zhou Yan was away, it was a good time to go out and stretch his legs.

He activated the token, logged into the platform, and opened the Mission Hall.

A densely packed list of several dozen S-Rank missions appeared.

Lin Jin read through them one by one, his gaze lingering on several missions.

[S-Rank Mission: Investigate abnormal energy fluctuations deep in the Kunlun Mountains]

Location: uninhabited region of the Kunlun Mountains.

Mission description: powerful energy fluctuations have recently been detected deep in the Kunlun Mountains, suspected to be an S-Rank Weird or the awakening of ancient ruins. Travel there to investigate and confirm the source. If danger arises, you may judge for yourself whether to engage in combat. Requirement: Domain Realm or above. Reward: 50,000 points.

Note: multiple awakened have already accepted this mission, but none have completed it to date. Traveling in a team is recommended.

[S-Rank Mission: Eliminate the S-Rank Weird "Soul-Devouring Tree Demon" in the dense southwestern forests]

Location: deep within the Primeval Forest of Southwest Province.

Mission description: a thousand-year-old tree demon has transformed into a Weird and devoured several villages. It moves slowly, but its roots cover an extremely wide area, and it possesses powerful mental attack abilities. Its main body must be completely destroyed. Reward: 45,000 points.

Note: this Weird's mental attacks are extremely powerful. Bringing mental-defense equipment or traveling in a team is recommended.

[S-Rank Mission: Exterminate the S-Rank Weird "Sea Demon Queen" on an isolated island in the East Sea]

Location: an isolated island in the East Sea.

Mission description: ships have frequently gone missing in the waters near the island. Investigation has confirmed that the S-Rank Weird "Sea Demon Queen" is responsible. This Weird specializes in illusions and water-based attacks. Enter her lair and kill her. Reward: 48,000 points.

Note: requires the ability to fight on water or fly.