Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 107: Signing Up for a New Mission

Fang Hao’s sleep was so deep it was as if he had died. When he finally opened his eyes in a daze, he felt a soreness permeating the very marrow of his bones, and his head felt heavy as if it had been filled with lead. He struggled to sit up and rubbed his temples, only to realize he had actually slept on the meditation mat in the Quiet Room for two days and two nights!

"Phew... I’ve finally come back to life." He exhaled a long breath of turbid Qi, feeling his tensed nerves finally relax. The repeated pursuits in the Secret Realm, the roars of the Demon Beasts, and that final heart-pounding mad dash for escape still felt like a dream now that he thought back on it.

He inspected his Dantian; his spiritual power had recovered by more than half, and his injuries were basically healed, though his spirit was still a bit weary. He stood up to stretch his limbs and walked into the courtyard. The sunlight spilling onto his body felt warm and cozy. Listening to the faint bustle of the marketplace from outside, a long-lost sense of stability welled up in his heart.

"It really is more comfortable to have one’s feet on solid ground," he lamented. He prepared to get something to eat and then take a nice hot bath to relax.

But he hadn’t even enjoyed an hour of this peaceful life yet. He had just finished his bath and was leisurely munching on a spirit fruit when the Guest Elder token at his waist began to vibrate with an ill-timed "buzzing" sound, flashing a piercing red light!

"Hmm? An emergency mission?" Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat, giving him a bad premonition. He picked up the token and sank his Divine Sense into it.

A message, even more hurried and serious in tone than the last one, flooded into his mind:

Emergency Summon: Grade Earth-B!

Mission Content: Proceed immediately to the Prince’s Estate Discussion Hall to discuss important matters!

Mission Requirement: No delays allowed!

Issuer: Prince’s Estate Steward, Mu Chengen.

Grade Earth-B! It was one grade higher than the Grade Black-A mission to escort the Young Princess to the Secret Realm! Furthermore, it was personally issued by the Prince’s Estate Steward, Mu Chengen! This steward was the Prince’s confidant and possessed a Great Perfection of Golden Core Stage cultivation level. He was usually elusive, so for him to personally summon people meant something major must have happened!

Fang Hao did not dare to dally. He immediately changed into his Guest Elder attire, not even caring about his half-eaten spirit fruit, and hurried out of his small courtyard toward the Prince’s Estate Discussion Hall in the core area of the inner city.

Along the way, he clearly felt the atmosphere within the Prince’s Estate was different from usual. The number of patrolling guards had increased significantly, and every one of them had a solemn expression and was in a hurry. The other Guest Elders he encountered also had serious faces, all rushing in the same direction.

"It seems something big really has happened..." Fang Hao muttered to himself, quickening his pace.

Arriving at the magnificent Discussion Hall, there were already deacons waiting at the door to verify tokens. Entering the hall, Fang Hao found that many people had already arrived. Besides Master Zhao and several other familiar high-level Guest Elders, there were also several military Cultivators wearing general’s robes with fierce Auras; by the look of it, they were all powerful figures under the Prince’s command. Everyone was talking in low voices in small groups, their faces filled with gravity and a hint of... worry?

Fang Hao found an inconspicuous corner to stand and observe silently. He discovered that those summoned this time were exclusively Cultivators at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage or above, and most of them excelled in combat or had special skills. People like him, who focused primarily on Formations, were actually in the minority.

"Guest Official Ning, you’ve come as well." Master Zhao saw Fang Hao and walked over, his expression not looking very good.

"Master Zhao, what exactly has happened? Why such a large gathering?" Fang Hao asked in a low voice.

Master Zhao sighed and lowered his voice: "Something major has happened at the border! The defense line at ’Black Wind Canyon’ to the west was raided by the Great Qin Empire’s army, and a gap was torn open! The defending general was killed in action, three forward outposts have fallen, and casualties are heavy!"

Fang Hao’s pupils constricted! Black Wind Canyon? That was one of the most important passes in western Qingzhou and a vital part of the natural barrier defense line! Once breached, Great Qin’s iron cavalry could drive straight in and threaten the heart of Qingzhou! This was a conflict on the level of war!

"How could this happen? Wasn’t the defense line heavily guarded?" Fang Hao found it hard to believe.

"The specific reason is still unclear. It’s said the other side deployed several Nascent Soul Cultivators and had the help of weird Formations. Their offensive was extremely fierce, catching the defenders off guard." Master Zhao’s tone was heavy. "The Prince has already urgently mobilized troops and generals to provide reinforcements, but the situation is not optimistic. Great Qin has come prepared this time; I’m afraid this isn’t their only line of attack."

As they spoke, the hall suddenly fell silent. They saw the Prince’s Estate Steward Mu Chengen, a lean old man with a naturally authoritative air, slowly walk up to the main seat. His gaze was like lightning as it swept across the room, and an invisible pressure began to spread.

"Everyone," Mu Chengen began, his voice not loud but clearly reaching everyone’s ears, "the situation is urgent, so I will keep this brief. Black Wind Canyon has fallen, and the enemy’s vanguard is pointed straight at ’Luoxia City.’ Luoxia City is a western stronghold and must not be lost! The Prince has ordered the immediate Formation of an elite squad to rush to Luoxia City, assist in defending the city, and seek an opportunity to retake the outer positions of Black Wind Canyon!"

He paused, his gaze falling on Fang Hao and the other Guest Elders. "This mission is exceptionally perilous, a situation of nine deaths and one life! There are Nascent Soul Cultivators stationed in the enemy army, and the number of Golden Core Cultivators is unknown. We need those proficient in Formations, skilled in assault, and unafraid of death! This is voluntary enrollment. Once selected, the Prince’s Estate will not be stingy with rewards—contribution points will be doubled, and resources will be prioritized! But if you are afraid of battle, you may withdraw now!"

The hall was dead silent, so quiet a needle could be heard hitting the floor. Nine deaths and one life! Nascent Soul Cultivators stationed there! These words struck everyone’s hearts like a heavy hammer. This wasn’t some Secret Realm exploration or wiping out bandits; this was real war! This was facing off against a rival nation’s regular army and high-level Cultivators in frontal combat! The mortality rate was terrifyingly high!

Many Guest Elders showed expressions of hesitation and fear. After all, it wasn’t easy to Cultivate to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage or even Great Perfection; no one wanted to throw their lives away easily.

Fang Hao’s heart also sank. He hadn’t expected the mission to be so dangerous. Facing Nascent Soul Cultivators directly? With his current cultivation level, the opponent could probably destroy him with a single breath! This was practically no different from seeking death!

But... he glanced at the expressionless Mu Chengen, then at the various expressions of the people around him. The Prince’s Estate summoning them at this time clearly meant they needed a suicide squad to perform some key task, such as destroying enemy Formations or conducting a decapitation strike. The risk was massive, but the rewards would surely be staggering. Moreover, with the country facing a crisis, if he backed down now, he would likely find it hard to maintain a foothold in the Prince’s Estate in the future.

More importantly, Fang Hao thought of the Gongming Family in Black Rock City. If Qingzhou fell into chaos and the borders were lost, how would local powers like the Gongming Family choose? Would they take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble? His own safety would also be under even greater threat.

Risk and opportunity coexist... one step to Heaven, one step to Hell.

Just as his thoughts were racing and he was weighing the pros and cons, Mu Chengen’s gaze seemed to unintentionally sweep over him, lingering for a brief moment.

Fang Hao felt a chill in his heart. He knew that his previous performance in the Secret Realm had likely already caught the attention of the higher-ups. This mission might be a test, but also an opportunity... for a carp to leap over the Dragon gate?

He took a deep breath, suppressed the trepidation in his heart, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Lord Steward, your subordinate Fang Hao is willing to go!"

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze focused on this Guest Elder who still looked quite young. There was surprise, admiration, and also confusion.

Master Zhao also looked at Fang Hao in surprise, opening his mouth as if to say something but then stopping.

Mu Chengen looked at Fang Hao, his deep eyes showing no hint of emotion, only giving a slight nod: "Good! Commendable courage! You are in!"

With Fang Hao taking the lead, several other Guest Elders and generals who were confident in their strength or in urgent need of resources also stood up. Soon, an elite squad of about twenty people was preliminarily formed.

Mu Chengen said no more and immediately began issuing specific instructions and distributing supplies. Each person received life-saving Spirit Pills and powerful Talismans.

Fang Hao gripped the Medicinal Pills and a Jade Slip engraved with the words "Formation Breaking," knowing that the true test of life and death was about to begin. This time, it was no longer about Sect grudges or personal vendettas, but a vortex of war sweeping through the entire Qingzhou!

He looked toward the west, his gaze seemingly piercing through the hall walls to see that land about to be shrouded in the flames of war.

A new journey, and also a new Shura Field, thus began.