Chapter 613: Targeted at Every Turn

‘I’ve heard that when mentors carry out missions, they can also get generous rewards based on their performance…’

He would benefit, and his students would also gain experience, Academic Credits, and more.

The Wuji Saint Institute had always encouraged mentors and students to advance and improve together.

Besides, Luo Tian was also somewhat interested in this team mission.

After arriving in the Pale Ring, he had come straight to the Wuji Saint Institute in the Wuji Realm.

So far, his knowledge and understanding of the Pale Ring were extremely limited.

Getting out more to uncover its mysteries and explore the unknown was, in itself, quite exciting and interesting.

The mission was in three days.

Luo Tian first told the news to his nine students.

During these three days, Luo Tian temporarily paused his cultivation of the Celestial Essence Water Condensation Technique and focused on the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body instead.

Currently, his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body had already reached the Seventh-Layer Great Achievement Realm!

The Seventh through Ninth-Layers corresponded to the Celestial Furnace Sword Body.

The Seventh-Layer primarily enhanced the power of his swordsmanship and fostered his cultivation and comprehension of Sword Skills and Sword Intent.

Once he broke through to the Eighth-Layer, there would be a qualitative change.

‘The Eighth-Layer of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body allows one to use “Myriad Sword Qi,” forming a Sword Qi Domain around the body that annihilates everything!’

If he cultivated it to Perfection, his body would become like a Divine Soldier’s blade, indestructible, with even a single strand of hair as sharp as a sword’s edge.

After three days of cultivation, his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body had improved slightly, bringing him one step closer to Seventh-Layer Perfection.

Leaving his residence, Luo Tian headed to the Sect Affairs Hall!

The entire Wuji Saint Institute was a massive circle, with the ten branch institutes distributed around its perimeter.

The Sect Affairs Hall was not among the ten branch institutes but was located further inside.

Every day, students and mentors from the ten branches came here to accept and turn in missions.

When Luo Tian and his nine students arrived, they saw the vast and majestic interior of the Sect Affairs Hall was packed with people.

“Look, it’s the genius students from Jiaoyang Hall!”

“That mentor has three stars on his chest. He’s an Advanced Tutor!”

Luo Tian’s students were all new, and they regarded many things with a sense of wonder and awe.

Luo Tian and his group were inconspicuous as they approached the Sect Affairs Hall.

After waiting in line for a while, it was finally his turn.

“The Saint Institute notified me that I have a mission.”

Luo Tian took out his Identity Token and gave it to the Steward for inspection.

The Steward quickly returned the Token and said, “Your mission is to form an extermination squad with four other Junior Tutors to hunt down a group of bandits…”

“Here are the mission details. You have the right to refuse. If you choose to do so, you will be required to accept the next mission.”

Luo Tian picked up a Jade Scroll and infused his Spiritual Sense into it, reading the simple mission information.

“No problem.”

He put down the Jade Scroll and accepted the mission.

“Assemble at the Saint Institute’s east gate tomorrow to depart.”

The Steward took back the Jade Scroll.

…

The next morning, Luo Tian and his nine students arrived at the Saint Institute’s east gate.

Almost all the students looked excited and full of anticipation, though a few were worried.

From a distance, Luo Tian saw many figures at the east gate.

“Master Luo, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The voice of an old acquaintance, Hu Chao, called out.

Luo Tian glanced over.

Besides Hu Chao, there were two other mentors, presumably from different branch institutes.

“We’re all Junior Tutors who recently came to the Saint Institute. The Institute usually arranges a mission for new mentors within three months. You can think of it as a sort of evaluation,” a mature, middle-aged man explained.

“Master Luo, you’re quite famous now.”

Another female mentor said in a strange, mocking tone, showing clear hostility.

Luo Tian glanced at the woman but had no memory of her.

“Haha, I didn’t expect to be the last one here. Sorry to keep you all waiting.”

A light chuckle suddenly came from behind them.

It was Liu Lu, arriving with his students.

“We haven’t been waiting long.”

The mature, middle-aged man said with a smile.

“Teacher Liu, with you here, I can rest easy about this mission.”

The female mentor walked over with a fawning smile and spoke intimately with Liu Lu for a moment. Their relationship seemed far from ordinary.

“Master Luo, you’d better be careful.”

Hu Chao glanced at Luo Tian and sent him a voice transmission.

Luo Tian’s expression remained calm. He now understood why the female mentor was hostile toward him.

“You are all new teachers and lack experience. The Saint Institute assigned me to this mission to ensure your safety. From now on, you will all follow my commands.”

Liu Lu’s cold, imposing gaze swept over everyone, lingering on Luo Tian for a few extra moments before he revealed a meaningful smile!

‘Luo Tian, oh, Luo Tian, just watch how I’m going to mess you up this time!’

Liu Lu sneered inwardly!

He had suffered too many setbacks at Luo Tian’s hands.

A genius student like Guan Hongfei was snatched away by Luo Tian.

Luo Tian even came to his class and stole another student.

After that, he sent Deng Xiaoqian as an undercover spy, but she ended up betraying him and submitting to Luo Tian.

…

There was too much hatred!

Now, even his relationship with Ye Shuiyun was completely ruined.

And it was all Luo Tian’s fault.

He had to get revenge. He had to destroy the man Ye Shuiyun loved!

And now, his chance had arrived!

“Move out!”

Liu Lu barked.

A total of five mentors and seventy to eighty students departed from the Wuji Saint Institute.

「More than a month later.」

The group arrived at the nearest Martial City Spirit Hall, used its Teleportation Array, and crossed a distance spanning seven or eight realms.

「Another month passed.」

In the Outer Void, a dark yellow Void Ship arrived at a minor realm.

“The Hydration Realm. A minor realm at the very bottom of the Pale Ring’s hierarchy, chaotic and lawless… Our target is within the Hydration Realm!”

“To avoid alerting the enemy, everyone will disguise themselves and infiltrate stealthily.”

Liu Lu issued the order.

Then, his cold, grim gaze fell on Luo Tian. “Congratulations, Master Luo, on breaking through a small realm and improving your strength. I’m sure our mission will go very smoothly.”

That was right. During the two months of travel, Luo Tian had been in seclusion.

Not long ago, his cultivation had successfully broken through to the Peak of Celestial Pool Realm Second Layer.

In truth, however, the other mentors didn’t think much of it. Their cultivation levels were all higher than Luo Tian’s.

Liu Lu’s congratulatory words likely carried another, hidden meaning.

A short while later, the group, disguised as a large merchant caravan, passed smoothly through the realm-gate and entered the Hydration Realm.

“Master Luo, you and your students will be responsible for scouting the enemy’s whereabouts and gathering other intelligence.”

“This task is crucial. The intelligence you gather will determine whether we can successfully exterminate the bandits,” Liu Lu ordered.

In reality, gathering intelligence was extremely dangerous. If they attracted the enemy’s attention, they would be the first to suffer.

“Luo Tian, Master Liu is entrusting such an important task to you because he believes in your abilities. You’re not going to refuse, are you?”

The female mentor said with a snide, sarcastic laugh.

“Fine. Leave it to me.”

Luo Tian accepted with perfect composure.

“Heh.”

The corner of Liu Lu’s mouth twitched upward.

‘What else could Luo Tian do but accept my arrangements?’

‘I’m the team leader. If Luo Tian refuses, I’ll just give him a pile of negative reviews when we submit the mission report.’

The team temporarily took up residence in a tavern, waiting for Luo Tian’s intelligence before making a move.

「That night.」

In Liu Lu’s room, the female mentor had taken off her clothes.

After the two had a round of “clouds and rain,” the female mentor asked, “Liu Lu, what are you planning to do about that Luo Tian?”

“I want him dead!”

Liu Lu’s expression suddenly turned sinister.

The female mentor’s delicate body trembled.

“And even if I can’t have him killed, I have plenty of ways to mess with him.”

“The intelligence gathering mission is extremely difficult and highly dangerous. It’s possible Luo Tian and his students will die at the hands of the enemy.”

“Besides, I already have a general idea of the enemy’s situation. If Luo Tian tries to fool me with some perfunctory information, I’ll see through it instantly and pin a crime on him…”

Liu Lu explained slowly.

He had prepared many plans and schemes, and he would implement them one by one!

The female mentor shivered as she listened. This man was terrifying!

“Let’s go again.”

After he finished speaking, Liu Lu ordered the female mentor.

The female mentor was a little tired, but she still put on a smile and prepared to comply.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

A knock suddenly came from the door.

“Who is it?” Liu Lu snapped, annoyed.

“Luo Tian.”

“…”

Liu Lu grew even more annoyed but had no choice but to get dressed and open the door.

“Didn’t I tell you to go gather intelligence? Why are you back already?”

Liu Lu asked dismissively.

“I’ve already gathered the intelligence.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it, then!”

Liu Lu scoffed.

‘Just as he expected. Luo Tian is acting all meek and timid. He’s probably just going to feed me some random information to get by.’

“Isn’t Teacher Gongsun going to join us?”

Luo Tian called into the room.

Teacher Gongsun was, in fact, the female mentor.

Liu Lu’s face darkened. The female mentor hiding in the room panicked slightly and didn’t make a sound.

“The targets are two fleets from the second-rate bandit force, the ‘Black Eagle Thief King Gang.’ They are making a short stop in the Hydration Realm, and their two captains are discussing some important matter… They are currently stationed in the Qiyun Mountain Range, which is surrounded by many lookouts…”

Luo Tian reported slowly and steadily.

The strongest bandit forces in the Pale Ring are the Four Great Thief Emperor Gangs!

There are countless second-rate bandit forces, and the Black Eagle Thief King Gang is one of the more powerful among them.

Liu Lu’s brow gradually furrowed. Based on the information he already had, Luo Tian’s intelligence seemed to be correct.

But how had he managed to obtain such detailed intelligence in just one day?

“Good. We move out tomorrow!”

Liu Lu said in a deep voice.

Closing the door and returning to his room, Liu Lu looked puzzled.

‘Could it be that this kid knows someone in the Hydration Realm?’

He was sure that must be it.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for Luo Tian to get such accurate intelligence so quickly.

「Three days later.」

Liu Lu, Luo Tian, and the others approached the Qiyun Mountain Range, where a faint, blood-soaked, malevolent aura hung in the air.

The bandits were indeed hiding here!

“There are many lookouts around the mountain range. If we attack directly, we’ll likely alert the enemy. That would result in a low mission completion rate, and the rewards would be reduced…”

“Master Luo, you take a few students and sneak in first… Then, we’ll coordinate from the inside and out and catch them completely by surprise!”

Liu Lu said with a faint smile.

“Why Teacher Luo again?”

Luo Xiaoting demanded indignantly.

Liu Lu already had no goodwill toward Luo Xiaoting; he even felt a certain hatred for her.

When Luo Xiaoting was his student, she had been lazy, ill-tempered, unmanageable, and her strength was average. But after joining Luo Tian, she had transformed into a genius, stunning everyone with her progress!

“Master Luo is young, his cultivation is low, and he only just arrived in the Pale Ring. I’m giving him an opportunity to temper himself!”

Liu Lu said nonchalantly.

“Nonsense…”

Luo Xiaoting snapped.

“That’s enough.”

Luo Tian placed a hand on Luo Xiaoting’s shoulder, then looked at Liu Lu. “More work means more pay. I want a bigger share of the mission rewards!”

Seeing that Luo Tian didn’t refuse, Liu Lu was delighted. Without a second thought, he laughed and said, “No problem!”