Mission Failed: Obliterate Host

"Hm?"

Lu Changzhi opened his eyes abruptly.

He felt somewhat incredulous inside.

What kind of damn luck is this? I ran into one just like that?

On second thought, Lu Changzhi felt relieved inside.

After all, he had just transmigrated, and was now in what passed for a beginner welfare period.

"System, where is he?"

As soon as his voice fell, a red light stood out exceptionally within the crowd.

Inside the red light was the figure of a youth.

He looked rather unremarkable, save for a gaze quite unyielding and resolute, making it hard to attract much attention from others.

It was hard for anyone to associate him with someone who possessed a system.

Only, now that the person is found, how do I get the other party to take me as master?

Lu Changzhi murmured softly.

At his age, he was probably not even much older than the other party.

As soon as his voice fell.

The system suddenly sent a prompt:

"Attempting to hack the other party's system..."

"Hacking..."

"Hacking successful!"

Lu Changzhi was stunned.

Even this worked?!

System, you're awesome!

Right away, Lu Changzhi asked:

"System, what is the other party's situation?"

"Reporting to Master, the other party is named Gu Chen, with Upper-Grade Spirit-Rank Aptitude, currently at the fourth tier of the Dao Platform Realm. The system he possesses is the Sign-In System, and his current mission: Sign in at the Five Symbols Sect's Disciple-Recruitment Square..."

"A Sign-In System, huh?"

Lu Changzhi uttered softly.

No wonder he came here.

It was quite a coincidence that he ran into him.

He had a system, and furthermore had Upper-Grade Spirit-Rank aptitude.

It happened to just meet the system's requirements for accepting a disciple.

Although he had just been thinking about how to take the other party as a disciple.

With the system having hacked the person right now, however,

it happened to allow him to change his method.

"System."

Lu Changzhi pondered softly.

"Can you change his mission and make him take me as his master?"

The system fell silent for a moment.

"Modifying mission..."

"Modification successful..."

"Issuing mission..."

"This place should do."

Amidst the crowd, Gu Chen muttered.

He had to admit that the Five Symbols Sect was indeed the largest faction he had ever seen in so long.

Just looking at the number and presence of these elders and peak masters,

it could be described as incomparably grand.

Yet his purpose in coming was not to join the Five Symbols Sect.

It was simply to sign in.

As long as he signed in, he could obtain various rewards.

Though he had started with nothing more than Lower-Grade Yellow-Rank Aptitude, he had now used the system to make a comeback and reach High-Grade Spirit Rank.

He was going to join a more powerful faction.

"System, sign in."

Gu Chen's eyes were half-closed as he murmured inwardly.

But for a long while, there was no response.

"System?"

Gu Chen furrowed his brows.

This was the first time something like this had happened.

Just as he was about to speak again, the system suddenly sounded:

"Ding."

"System notification: Quest issued."

"Current quest: Join the Five Symbols Sect and become Peak Master Lu Changzhi's direct disciple."

"Reward for successful completion: Classified."

"Penalty for failure: Erase the host."

"What!!!"

Gu Chen's expression froze, his face filled with disbelief.

This was the first time the system had issued a quest beyond the sign-in ones.

But this was also the first time a penalty for failure had appeared.

"Is this 'erase the host' thing really not a joke?"

"System, are you messing with me?"

If he didn't take a master, it was going to kill him?

"Ding."

"Time for the quest is limited. Please hurry, host."

The response came in the system's cold voice.

"Fine, then."

Gu Chen took a deep breath.

As the saying went, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

The system had given him this quest to make it clear.

Taking this master might completely change his fate.

All the way until now, he had trusted the system completely.

"Only, which one is Peak Master Lu Changzhi?"

Gu Chen looked up ahead.

"Forget it. I'll worry about that later."

Gu Chen walked toward a White Jade Pillar.

From what he had seen earlier, as long as he displayed sufficient aptitude, he could become a direct disciple.

The higher his aptitude, the greater the power of choice he would surely have.

When that time came, he would only need to choose Peak Master Lu Changzhi as his master.

It wasn't anything difficult.

Thinking this, Gu Chen came to stand before the White Jade Pillar.

He stepped forward and placed his palm on it.

The next moment, his eyes closed.

Shine!

My aptitude!

"Whoosh!"

Light suddenly surged forth.

"Heavens!"

The elder beside him changed expression.

Lower-Grade Earth Rank... Mid-Grade Earth Rank... Peak-Grade Earth Rank... Heaven Grade...

The speed was astonishing.

There was not the slightest sign of slowing down.

In the blink of an eye, it had reached Supreme-Grade Heaven Rank.

It still hadn't stopped!

At that moment, everyone was drawn to the surging light of this aptitude.

Cang Wenyu's expression brightened, then shifted slightly.

His fingers moved as he formed a hand seal.

Hum.

The White Jade Pillar trembled faintly.

The light stopped at Low-Grade Spirit Rank and went no further.

"Hiss-"

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath rang out around them.

"Low-Grade Spirit-Rank Aptitude!"

The elders present were all visibly moved.

The Five Peak Masters shot to their feet.

Cang Wenyu strode forward and came to a stop in front of Gu Chen.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

"Who would have thought that after so many years, our Five Symbols Sect would finally welcome another genius junior with Low-Grade Spirit-Rank Aptitude?"

Gu Chen opened his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.

This White Jade Pillar seemed to be broken.

Had it really only measured him at Low-Grade Spirit Rank?

He immediately said, "Senior, actually, my aptitude..."

Before he could finish, Cang Wenyu's voice sounded in his mind.

"Little fellow, I know your aptitude goes beyond this. But keeping a low profile isn't a bad thing."

Gu Chen couldn't help but stare.

Even in a sect, when it came to something as face-saving as making a public announcement, they could keep a low profile?

At that moment, Cang Wenyu swept out a hand and brought Gu Chen before the assembled elders.

Everyone swore they had never seen these elders so kind and smiling before.

"Ahem."

Before anyone could speak, Cang Wenyu said, "Allow me to say something fair..."

Before he could finish, Li Yi, the master of Flame Sun Peak, spoke in a deep voice.

"Senior Brother Sect Master, you're the face of our Five Symbols Sect. Being too thick-skinned isn't good, either."

"Exactly. You just snatched away a Supreme-Grade Heaven Rank genius. If you try to compete with us again, that would be going too far."

"Senior Brother Sect Master, you should withdraw."

This time, the Five Peak Masters had, for once, reached a rare consensus.

"Fine, fine, fine. I won't compete with you, then."

Cang Wenyu coughed lightly, then began a friendly exchange of voice transmissions with Gu Chen.

The scene descended into chaos once more.

The Five Peak Masters argued fiercely among themselves.

"All right, all right. You've all had your say."

"Now, let's respect the genius's wishes and let him choose for himself."

Cang Wenyu spoke, his expression rather peculiar.

"The Sect Master's definitely tricking a disciple again!"

The Five Peak Masters glared at Cang Wenyu in annoyance.

But since he'd said that, they could only echo his words and say they respected the choice.

The vast plaza fell silent for a moment.

Countless gazes turned toward Gu Chen.

"Little fellow, choose whom you wish to take as your master. You don't have to limit yourself to the Five Peak Masters."

Cang Wenyu said with a genial smile, earning himself another wave of resentment from the Five Peak Masters.

"Very well."

Gu Chen nodded. His gaze swept over the Five Peak Masters, then he said solemnly, "I am Gu Chen. I have long heard of Peak Master Lu Changzhi and admired him for many years."

"I came here today to become his disciple."

"I hope you will grant my request, Senior. I will be deeply grateful!"