Chapter 56: Entering the Martial World

"Big Brother Hao, which mission are you picking?" Li Yuanzhao asked the moment he finished reading the mission scroll, clearly eager to team up with Li Hao for mutual protection.

"I'll take the Qizhou one," Li Hao replied, his eyes briefly flickering with a cold glint.

Li Yuanzhao glanced at the mission details, nodded without hesitation, and said, "Then I’ll take it too."

"Both of you going to Qizhou?" Du Qiuyue, standing nearby, looked up and quickly added, "Can I come along? I’d like to go there too."

"Me too! I’ll go!" Zheng Bai chimed in immediately. The chance to join the Young Master of the Divine General's Residence on a mission was a golden opportunity to boost their relationship—such a connection could open doors to unimaginable influence.

"Big Brother Hao, what do you think?" Li Yuanzhao turned to Li Hao, seeking approval.

"I don’t mind either way," Li Hao said flatly.

"Since Big Brother Hao has no objection, then you’re all in," Li Yuanzhao declared, satisfied.

Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai exchanged a glance, both unable to hide the delight in their eyes.

At that moment, Su Yehua spoke up from ahead. "Now, let’s clarify the rules. Each mission can have at most five participants. I’ll announce the first one: assist the Demon Suppressing Bureau in Cang Prefecture with a spirit beast disturbance in a village. Five credit points. Who’s in?"

"I am."

"I’ll go."

Seven hands shot up instantly.

These missions were the toughest available—some offered up to fifteen points, with intelligence indicating a high probability of encountering a Peak Zhou Tian Realm spirit beast. But this first mission only predicted Second Level of Cosmic Circulation Stage to fifth-level spirit beasts—relatively low risk.

"Too many applicants," Su Yehua stated. "You’ll have to either negotiate among yourselves, or decide by Martial Dao Ranking. Those ranked lower must choose another mission."

The seven exchanged uneasy glances. Two of them quietly sat back down.

Su Yehua continued announcing the remaining missions. Those interested raised their hands, selecting one by one. Some missions attracted three participants, some only one, and a few were left unclaimed and skipped.

"Big Brother Hao," Li Yuanzhao said, watching Li Yun and his sister closely, "they’re going to Yun Prefecture. That place was recently cleansed of spirit beast corruption—this mission is to help eliminate any remaining remnants."

Though they’d often clashed within the manor, the two had grown up together. Despite their rivalry, Li Yuanzhao couldn’t help but feel a flicker of concern.

"Tell them to be careful," Li Hao glanced at the siblings, seeing their eager, excited expressions. He frowned. "Don’t be greedy for glory."

"Yeah," Li Yuanzhao nodded, already planning to check on them after claiming their mission.

Soon, Su Yehua reached the Qizhou mission.

Li Hao immediately raised his hand. Li Yuanzhao, Du Qiuyue, and Zheng Bai followed suit without hesitation.

At the same time, two others also raised their hands—one boy, one girl.

"She’s going too?" Du Qiuyue blinked in surprise. The girl was Ren Qianqian, ranked fourth in the Martial Dao Ranking, daughter of a Master, and famed for her masterful swordplay.

Zheng Bai’s expression darkened. The boy wasn’t a new student—he was a returning one, and his Martial Dao Ranking was higher than Zheng Bai’s.

Now there were six participants. That meant Zheng Bai, ranked last among them, would have to withdraw.

Of course, there was still Li Hao—ranked at the very bottom of the Martial Dao Ranking.

But they’d chosen this mission specifically because Li Hao had chosen it. If Li Hao stepped down, Li Yuanzhao would likely follow.

Zheng Bai looked at Li Hao, his eyes filled with quiet hope—pleading for him to change his mind.

Ren Qianqian glanced at them, her expression unchanging, calm and collected. The boy, however, froze—then his face lit up with sudden joy.

"More people?" Su Yehua scanned the group. "You’ll have to sort this out yourselves. If no one volunteers to step down, we’ll follow the rules."

Ren Qianqian sat back without a word. She wasn’t leaving—she had to go.

The boy’s gaze flicked past Li Hao, recognizing the Young Master of the Divine General’s Residence. He wasn’t someone he could afford to offend—even if ranked last, such a person belonged to Class A Academy, and wouldn’t be weak just because he hadn’t shown his strength yet.

Then his eyes settled on Zheng Bai, and he smiled. "Qizhou is dangerous. It’s my hometown. I can guide you. Why don’t you step aside?"

Zheng Bai’s face tightened. This wasn’t just a suggestion—it was a challenge. If he refused, he’d be seen as disrespectful.

"Fine," Zheng Bai said after a moment, his expression shifting smoothly back to calm. He turned to Li Yuanzhao and Li Hao. "Best of luck. We’ll have another chance later."

"Alright," Li Yuanzhao said, dropping his attempt to persuade the boy. He clapped Zheng Bai on the shoulder in reassurance.

"Be careful out there," Du Qiuyue added.

Zheng Bai smiled and nodded.

Though he regretted not joining Li Hao’s team, he reminded himself: this was only the first mission of the semester. Plenty of opportunities lay ahead.

Once the group was confirmed, Su Yehua began distributing the remaining missions. Soon, everyone had selected their tasks.

Those who had chosen the same mission gathered together under Su Yehua’s guidance.

"When do we leave?" The boy, Yu Wei, recognized Du Qiuyue but looked instead at Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian.

"Now," Ren Qianqian replied coolly.

Du Qiuyue turned to Li Hao. "Big Brother Hao, what do you think?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

"Now. The sooner, the better," Li Hao said.

"Good. I’ll go arrange the carriage," Li Yuanzhao said.

Li Hao shook his head. "Five Crimson Blood Horses. Carriages are too slow."

Li Yuanzhao blinked, surprised. Then he nodded.

Yu Wei’s mind reeled. Li Yuanzhao—ranked sixth in Martial Dao, a prodigy with Eighth-Rank Combat Body potential, nearly on par with the true geniuses—was acting like Li Hao’s subordinate. Yet here he was, obeying without question.

Du Qiuyue, meanwhile, stared at the Crimson Blood Horses with wide eyes. Though a returning student, she was still only eighteen. She tried to maintain the cool demeanor of a veteran, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her excitement.

"Crimson Blood Horses aren’t for sale," Li Yuanzhao said, unable to hide a hint of pride. "Private ownership is punishable by death."

Yu Wei and Du Qiuyue exchanged envious glances. Some people were born at the peak—destined to stand where others could only dream of climbing. That was the difference.

With the speed of Crimson Blood Horses, the journey from Qingzhou to Qizhou could be completed in less than two days.

High above Qingzhou City, a crow-like black bird flashed through the sky.

Its eyes reflected the five galloping horsemen speeding along the dusty road below.

Suddenly, the bird blinked—and saw, four or five li behind the five riders, two figures following on foot, moving swiftly through the wilderness.

The astonishing part? They weren’t riding. Yet they kept pace effortlessly, never falling behind.

The bird blinked again, let out a low, mournful cry, and soared higher into the clouds.

Moments later, the black bird emerged from the clouds on the other side, diving sharply into a dense forest.

It landed, transforming into a child of seven or eight years old, with a crest of feathers on his head. He sprinted toward a dark, still pond.

"Xuan Jiao Jun, he’s come out," the child shouted toward the black water.

His voice echoed into the depths. Suddenly, the surface of the pond—dead calm—rippled. A deeper, darker silhouette emerged from below, then burst through the water, revealing a massive serpent’s head. Fangs gleamed, its tongue flicked, and its presence was terrifying.

"Did you see him? Was it Xing Wuhou’s son?"

"I saw him clearly. My Thousand Divine Eyes Technique never fails," the child stammered slightly, bowing his head in respect. "And behind them… two more are following. They’re hidden protectors. One is in the Divine Travel Realm. The other… I can’t see through him."

As he spoke, the pond churned again. Another dark form rose from the depths—a thinner black serpent, its belly marked with a single white scale.

"Four years," the serpent rumbled. "Since we were sent here to assassinate Xing Wuhou’s son, we’ve waited four years."

"Since the human meat vessel failed, we’ve been exposed. Infiltrating the mansion is nearly impossible now. Too strong, and we trigger alarms from the First Generation of the Li Family. Too weak, and we can’t get close to the target."

The two serpents spoke in human voices, then shimmered—rising from the water, transforming into a pair of black-robed figures: a man with a beastly face, a woman with a seductive, feral beauty. Their long, serpentine tongues flicked out, licking their lips as they smiled.

"They think we’ve given up," the man said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But we’ve been cultivating as spirit beasts for thousands of years. What we lack most? Patience."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end