The exhilaration from destroying the Earth Vein Erosion Core did not last long. When Su Yan returned to Chang'an, exhausted yet rewarded, an invisible sense of urgency instead grew ever clearer. Individual strength was ultimately limited. As Elder Xingyan had said, resisting the End Times Cult and the threat of the Return to the Ruins lurking in the shadows of the world could not be done by one person alone.
"It's time..." Standing at the entrance to the small courtyard he rented, Su Yan watched the bustling crowds of Chang'an and made up his mind. He needed to build his own force, even if it began as nothing more than a faint spark of Star Fire. It would not only ease the burden on him, but also allow him to use collective strength to acquire resources, information, and growth more quickly.
He did not entertain lofty dreams of conquering the server. What was most practical right now was forming a lean, reliable team that could handle difficult missions together, support one another, and establish a foothold before the storms that might come.
The first group that came to mind was naturally Wind and Snow Pavilion. Snowfall Without Trace was righteous, the guild members were strong, and they had fought side by side before. But Wind and Snow Pavilion itself was already a mature mid-sized guild. Inviting them to join his one-man operation was clearly unrealistic. A more feasible approach would be an alliance, or... inviting a few like-minded individuals from within.
Second was Star Pavilion. He had accumulated contributions and reputation there, and Elder Xingyan in particular seemed to think highly of him. Perhaps he could use Star Pavilion's platform to post recruitment notices, or meet lone players and small teams who were likewise interested in these "anomalies."
With his thoughts sorted out, Su Yan immediately sprang into action.
He first paid a visit to Wind and Snow Pavilion's headquarters. Snowfall Without Trace welcomed him warmly, and upon hearing that Su Yan had destroyed an Earth Vein Erosion Core on his own, regarded him with newfound respect.
"Brother Su, you truly are a fierce warrior!" Snowfall Without Trace praised. "Our guild has also discovered traces of that filth deep within the Earth Vein, but we had too many concerns and never resolved ourselves to cleanse it thoroughly. What you did was truly ridding the people of a scourge!"
"You flatter me, Brother Snowfall. I was merely lucky," Su Yan said modestly before getting straight to the point. "To be honest, I've recently felt deeply that I'm alone and outmatched. Faced with these increasingly rampant 'anomalies,' I often feel powerless. So I had an idea: to form an elite squad dedicated to handling such incidents. I wonder whether you, Brother Snowfall... or any like-minded friends in your guild might be interested?"
Snowfall Without Trace pondered for a moment. "Brother Su, it's a good idea. To be honest, although our guild is large, our affairs are complicated, and it is difficult to concentrate our strength on this matter. I personally support it wholeheartedly. If you do not mind, I, Snowfall Without Trace, am willing to form an alliance with you in my personal capacity. Should you need help in the future, Wind and Snow Pavilion will certainly support you to the best of our ability. As for members... the brothers in the guild all have their own duties, and I cannot force them. But I can introduce someone to you."
"Oh? Who?"
"A solo player named [Mo Hen]. He's only Level 25, but his skills are exceptional. He is especially proficient in mechanisms, traps, and intelligence analysis. He is somewhat withdrawn, but reliable. He also seems extremely concerned about the various 'anomalies' occurring in the world lately and has asked me about related information before. I think he may be interested in what you're doing." As Snowfall Without Trace spoke, he gave Su Yan several places Mo Hen frequently visited, along with his contact information.
"Thank you, Brother Snowfall!" Su Yan thanked him sincerely. Snowfall Without Trace's promise of alliance and introduction were undoubtedly help in a time of need.
After leaving Wind and Snow Pavilion, Su Yan made another trip to Star Pavilion. Rather than immediately posting a recruitment notice, he first went to see Elder Xingyan, reported the events surrounding the destruction of the Earth Vein Erosion Core, and subtly mentioned his intention to form a team.
Elder Xingyan stroked his beard and smiled. "Only by gathering the strength of many can great things be accomplished. It is good that you have such aspirations. There are quite a few lone travelers and small teams within Star Pavilion who care about the world. This old man can keep an eye out for you. Furthermore, the pavilion has recently compiled a batch of dossiers concerning 'anomalies' across various regions. Some difficult or secretive missions need people like you to handle them. If you can complete them, not only will the rewards be generous, but you will also make a name for yourself and attract like-minded people."
As he spoke, Elder Xingyan handed Su Yan a dossier.
[Star Pavilion Secret Dossier: Mystery of the Abandoned Charity House] Description: An abandoned charity house located at the border between the Datang Borderlands and the Jiangnan wilderness has been filled with increasingly heavy yin energy in recent months. Ghostly flames often swirl there at night, accompanied by shrill cries and wails. Several low-level cultivators who entered to investigate have vanished without explanation. The local Earth God reported sensing intense resentment and abnormal energy fluctuation beneath the charity house, possibly connected to some evil ritual of the End Times Cult. Mission Requirements: Investigate the abandoned charity house, determine the source of the mutation, and resolve the incident. Mission Hint: Team action is recommended. Strong exorcism and purification abilities are required. Be warned: spatial distortions or mental illusions may be involved. Mission Reward: 800 Star Pavilion contribution points, [Calm Heart Jade Pendant] x1 (resists mental erosion), random advanced crafting blueprint x1.
A team mission! And it pointed directly to an End Times Cult ritual! This was the perfect opportunity to test himself and perhaps attract teammates!
Su Yan accepted the mission. After leaving Star Pavilion, he followed Snowfall Without Trace's directions and found [Mo Hen] drinking alone in a quiet corner of a tavern in Chang'an.
He was a young man dressed in fitted black clothes, with an ordinary face but sharp eyes. Several small mechanism pouches hung from his waist, while his long fingers rested on a map he had drawn himself as he studied it in thought.
Su Yan walked over and got straight to the point. "Are you Mo Hen? Brother Snowfall Without Trace from Wind and Snow Pavilion sent me."
Mo Hen raised his head, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over Su Yan and the extraordinary Little Big Dipper at his feet. He nodded, his voice calm. "That's me. What do you need?"
Su Yan briefly explained the copy of Star Pavilion's secret dossier, excluding its core contents, as well as his own plans.
After listening, Mo Hen fell silent for a moment. "The abandoned charity house... I've been to its outskirts. The energy field inside is strange. It doesn't feel like ordinary ghosts. Are you sure you want to take this mission?"
"I'm sure." Su Yan nodded. "Not only am I taking it, I intend to solve it completely. I need reliable companions."
Mo Hen stared at Su Yan for several seconds, seemingly assessing his strength and resolve. Finally, he said, "I can join. But I have three conditions. First, investigation comes first; we do not take blind risks. Second, spoils are distributed according to contribution. Third, intelligence is shared."
"Those are perfectly reasonable." Su Yan extended his hand. "Welcome aboard."
Mo Hen slapped his hand in oath, officially joining the temporary team.
With Mo Hen, an expert in mechanisms and intelligence, Su Yan's confidence greatly increased. After discussing it, the two decided to find another support role skilled in healing or stabilizing the team. Through Star Pavilion's internal channels and Mo Hen's intelligence network, they quickly identified a target—[Bai Zhi], a Level 24 female disciple of Mount Putuo. She possessed exceptional medical skills and the rare [Heart Calming Incantation] skill, which was highly effective against Mental Pollution. She had also recently been following various anomalous incidents and seemed to be searching for a particular medicinal herb.
Su Yan and Mo Hen found Bai Zhi at a pharmacy in Chang'an, purchasing medicinal ingredients. She had a gentle temperament, but there was a hint of determination in her eyes. After hearing Su Yan's purpose and the mission involving the abandoned charity house, she hesitated slightly before nodding. "I'll join. The mutation at the charity house may contaminate the surrounding water sources and herbs with resentment. I can't stand by and watch. Besides... the Soul Purifying Flower I need is said to grow only in places of extreme yin energy that also contain abnormal energy."
Thus, a temporary squad had initially taken shape: Su Yan of Mount Fangcun, the primary controller and burst damage dealer; Mo Hen of an unnamed school, responsible for mechanisms and intelligence; Bai Zhi of Mount Putuo, responsible for healing and exorcism; and Su Yan's powerful physical pet, Little Big Dipper.
The three people and one pet did not waste any time and immediately began preparing for the journey to the charity house. Su Yan replenished advanced talismans and pills; Mo Hen prepared a large number of [Warning Mechanisms], [Binding Traps], and tools for breaking formations; Bai Zhi carefully refined a batch of potent [Exorcism Powder] and [Calm Heart Pills].
Meanwhile, as Su Yan busied himself forming his team, several shadow-shrouded figures were conspiring within the dark chamber of a hidden residence somewhere in Chang'an.
"...Has it been confirmed? That Mount Fangcun disciple named Su Yan is the one who repeatedly ruined our 'sowing' and even destroyed a Heart of the Earth Vein?" A cold voice sounded.
"It has been confirmed. A mutated purple Sea Hairy Caterpillar follows him, and its traits are obvious. Recently, he has also been getting quite close to Wind and Snow Pavilion and Star Pavilion. It seems he is recruiting people." Another voice replied respectfully.
"Hmph. A fool who doesn't know his place. Does he really think that with a little luck and that strange bug, he can oppose our cult?" The cold voice was filled with disdain. "How are things progressing with the Netherworld Sacrifice?"
"Reporting to the deacon, the ritual at the charity house is ready. It only awaits the Night of the New Moon to begin, drawing down Sacred Power and turning everything within a hundred li into a land of death, nourishing our sacred Seed of the End."
"Very good. Since that brat has delivered himself to our doorstep, then let him and everything he cares about become sacrifices for this ritual. Pass down the order. The plan remains unchanged, but... add a little something for them. Make sure none of them return." The cold voice carried a cruel smile. "I want everyone to know the consequences of obstructing the coming of the End!"
Killing intent filled the dark chamber.
Su Yan did not know that the mission he was about to face had already been woven into a deadly net by his enemies. He was making one final check of the operation plan with Mo Hen and Bai Zhi, while Little Big Dipper sharpened its claws and fangs nearby, its star markings glimmering with fearless light beneath the lamplight.
The Star Fire had gathered and was about to be cast into the deep darkness. And the darkness had bared its fangs.
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