System: As the Saying Goes, Together We're a Band of Bandits...

"The Shen Clan actually has a Half-Emperor ancestor?"

Looking at Zhong Ming's mission information, Lu Changzhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Half-Emperor —judging from this description, he must be someone who's just one step away from the Emperor Realm.

"If we could excavate the tomb of a powerhouse at this level, with Zhong Ming's system capabilities, it might very well allow them to directly enter the Dao Realm."

Lu Changzhi said softly.

On this point, he had no doubt about the capabilities of the Zhong Ming System.

The results achieved in just this short period of time have changed their strength dramatically in just a few hours.

And there's still no sign of it being fully digested.

Conservatively speaking, after this wave of consumption, Zhong Ming's cultivation level will approach or even reach the Saint Emperor Realm.

"However, while the benefits are significant, it's also clearly quite challenging."

After all, it has been said that the ancestors of the Shen Clan...

The ancestral tomb must be located within the Shen Clan.

And it will be in a very important place.

Furthermore, digging up ancestral tombs would likely be considered somewhat disrespectful to the Shen Clan, the group whose tombs are being excavated.

Lu Changzhi couldn't help but think of Gu Chen's mission.

Right now, it seems that his task is the easiest.

Ultimately, all you need to do is deal with the younger generation.

"The other people's systems don't seem to exist very clearly, so what about this mission for them?" Lu Changzhi asked.

"Master, of course they need to participate as well."

The system said:

"As the saying goes, when we gather, we're a band of bandits... no, a blazing fire. As fellow disciples, how can we be absent when one of us is in trouble?"

"However, the system cannot directly assign tasks to them at the moment. Therefore, you, as their master, need to guide them through the corresponding tasks. Once they complete them, the relevant rewards will be distributed to you."

"Understood."

Lu Changzhi nodded.

He then obtained the mission information for the remaining people.

The mission related to Qin Li is titled "Help the Shen Clan eliminate potential destabilizing factors."

According to the system, there is a powerful Beast Race within the Shen Clan that also possesses the bloodline of a sacred beast. It has intelligence no less than that of a human, great strength, and has been present in the Shen Clan for many years, thus enjoying considerable prestige.

However, this powerful Beast Race has always been without a master, and it would be difficult to control it if it wanted to do something.

Therefore, what Qin Li needs to do is to get the Beast Race to recognize her as their master.

Besides, there's Luo Ling'er's.

Contrary to Lu Changzhi's expectations, Luo Ling'er's task was not related to the God of Cookery, but was clearly related to the prefix of the God of Cookery, namely "Great Strength".

The task seems relatively simple.

All you need to do is go to the Shen Clan and demolish a building using only your physical strength.

Of course, it wasn't just any building.

This building has a name: Shen Clan Ancestral Hall.

"Disassembling it shouldn't be too difficult, but if we were to actually do it, the resistance would probably be no less than what Zhong Ming faced."

Lu Changzhi made a mental estimate.

Finally, there's Jin Fugui's side.

An honest man in the Shen Clan owns a piece of land.

The Shen Clan's selection of locations was carefully considered. Some of these locations are situated at the intersection of various places, possessing naturally excellent cultivation conditions and serving as the Shen Clan's most prestigious cultivation grounds.

They took the land, cultivated it, and made a living from it.

"It seems that, apart from Gu Chen's task, the others all require the cooperation of the Shen Clan."

After reviewing the overall picture, Lu Changzhi came to a conclusion.

This task of forming a united front is by no means simple.

"However, by the time they've all finished, the energy pool will probably have accumulated quite a bit."

After a moment's thought, Lu Changzhi asked the system again:

"System, they all have it, what about me?"

Upon hearing this, the system replied, "Master, as the leader of this group, your main task is to oversee the overall situation, observe the situation closely, and wait for all disciples to complete their tasks so you can receive the final team reward."

"It may seem like you're enjoying a life of luxury, but it's not easy at all," Lu Changzhi said softly.

The phrase "overseeing the whole situation" sounds like it doesn't involve any specific details.

In reality, the more abstract a concept is, the more difficult it often is.

"Master can also observe the disciples' actions; whether or not to get involved is entirely up to you," the system said.

Lu Changzhi simply smiled after hearing this.

These are all, after all, his own disciples.

For minor tasks, let them handle them themselves.

He wouldn't stand idly by and do nothing about something this difficult.

"However, for now, let's go back and plant this in the ground."

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Lu Changzhi glanced down at the Black Tortoise egg in his hand, and in the next instant, Descent back to Hidden Origin Peak.

Misty Clear Realm.

Shen Clan.

Shen Tianxun waved his hand, and his power condensed into a water mirror in the void in front of him.

Looking at himself in the mirror with the word "Chuan" squeezed out of his brows, Shen Tianxun furrowed his brows further.

"Why are they wrinkled again? Is it still related to that area?"

Shen Tianxun was somewhat uncertain.

My ability doesn't actually appear very frequently.

But today, less than an hour has passed, and he has frowned twice.

And now it's wrinkled to such an extent.

This made Shen Tianxun feel uneasy.

"Is there something else going on?"

Shen Tianxun pondered carefully, recalling the various events of the past few days, trying to find some clues.

But in the end, they still couldn't figure it out.

Time passed little by little.

In the blink of an eye, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

Shen Tianxun raised his hand, touched his still furrowed brows, and smoothed them out with force.

As soon as he stopped, his brows furrowed again, as if his skin had curled up.

Shen Tianxun suddenly felt inexplicably irritated.

"Why hasn't Tianzhi returned yet? Has he run into some problem again?"

At this moment, he really wanted to verify it for himself.

But based on experience, the current situation is clearly not the best time to go out.

The heavy responsibility for the development of the Shen Clan rests on my shoulders; I cannot afford to let anything happen to me.

"Hopefully, it won't be too much trouble."

Shen Tianxun shook his head and sat down again.

Shen Tianzhi handles this matter, and he won't interfere; that's always been his practice over the years.

He was very clear about Shen Tianzhi's ability to solve problems.

What's remarkable is that, despite Shen Tianzhi's abilities, he hasn't caused any negative consequences over the years.

In the words of the elders, Shen Tianzhi himself is an "effect" rather than a "cause," therefore he cannot produce an "effect."

Or to put it simply, Shen Tianzhi may lack ability, but he won't cause trouble because of himself.

Another incense stick's worth of time passed in the blink of an eye.

Shen Tianxun glanced at his face again.

Frowning for extended periods causes forehead wrinkles to accumulate in layers.

"This damn brow, how long are you going to keep frowning like this? It can't go on forever!"