Mortals: Take Mo Juren at the start

"I've already taken care of everything regarding the mission. We'll have someone register you according to procedure, so you don't need to worry about that. Just lead your team and set off with peace of mind..."

Is there a time limit?

"Of course not, you can come find me anytime. Just come after you've finished. But to avoid unnecessary trouble, it's best to keep a low profile..."

"I understand, and I thank you very much, senior."

"We're all on the same side, no need to be so polite..."

"..."

After exchanging words, Mo Juren decided not to linger any longer and immediately prepared to take his leave. However, at that moment, he was suddenly stopped by the other party raising his hand.

He had some doubts, but before he could ask, the other person spoke first:

"Your mission is to reach the Misty Moon Forest, and you will happen to pass through the 'Shadow Wind Swamp' on the way. There grows a very special spiritual herb called the 'Bewitching Heart Lotus'. Could you please pick some for us?"

"The Yin Wind Swamp, the Bewitching Lotus?" Mo Juren's expression shifted. He was quite familiar with these two names. The former was a vast swampy area located deep in the wilderness, perpetually filled with the legendary 'Cold Mirage Yin Wind'.

This place can be considered a dangerous place, especially the cold mirage wind, which can not only erode the cultivator's primordial spirit, but also randomly generate all kinds of strange illusions. Even a Void Refinement Realm expert who enters it may perish.

As for the Bewitching Lotus, it is a rare medicinal herb recorded in the pharmacopoeia. Because its growing conditions are extremely demanding, it is very difficult to cultivate artificially, and its quantity is naturally very small.

As the saying goes, scarcity increases value, and its worth is self-evident.

Of course, what he was concerned about at the moment was not the so-called elixir, but rather that it was rather inappropriate for the other party to let him enter that Yin Wind Swamp.

This trip was essentially a 'perk' bestowed by Fairy Phoenix Feather. The reason for taking the team members there was twofold: firstly, to fulfill the duties of the Heavenly Abyss Guard, which required them to go out on missions at regular intervals, whether routine or special, as they couldn't remain idle; and secondly, to receive a generous reward along the way.

It's impossible for the other party not to know this, but if they suddenly suggest that he and his team enter the Yin Wind Swamp midway, the level of danger will increase dramatically.

Why would the other party agree for no reason?
"You should know about the situation in the Yin Wind Swamp, senior. With the strength of this junior and the team members, it's really a bit of a stretch..." Mo Juren replied quietly, putting aside his thoughts.

Although he phrased it tactfully, his refusal was crystal clear. However, upon hearing this, Madam Yuanli seemed to have anticipated it, and a charming smile appeared on her face:

"Of course I know all this, but since I've asked you to make this trip, I've naturally made preparations."

As she spoke, she gently waved her slender hand, and in an instant, three streams of light appeared. When the light faded, three jade boxes of different sizes were revealed.

Immediately afterwards, the three jade boxes were opened one by one, and Mo Juren was able to see what was inside: a milky white jade slip and two unknown treasures.

The moment a fist-sized, earth-yellow bead and a sky-blue jade talisman appeared, they immediately emitted an astonishing spiritual pressure, clearly indicating that they were both extraordinary items.

He couldn't help but feel a little interested, but before he could ask, the other person took the initiative to explain:
"This jade slip contains a route map of the Yin Wind Swamp, which I obtained by chance not long ago. By following this map, we can find the location of the 'Bewitching Lotus'."

As for these two treasures, they are the 'Earth Controlling Wind Pearl' and the 'Azure Sea Clarity Talisman'. As long as you refine them and carry them with you, you can come and go freely in the Yin Wind Swamp.

Furthermore, I won't let you make this trip for nothing. As long as you can bring back the 'Bewitching Lotus,' these two treasures will be your reward.

Furthermore, based on my understanding, there are quite a few Bewitching Lotuses growing at that location. I only need the one that is over 30,000 years old; the rest, however many there are, are yours to keep.

"That's it..."

After hearing the other party's explanation, Mo Juren immediately looked enlightened.

Indeed, as the other party said, the danger of the Yin Wind Swamp can be overcome. Whether it is the 'Cold Cicada Yin Wind' or the various illusions that are randomly generated, there are corresponding methods and treasures to deal with it.

However, neither the methods nor the treasures used should be of a low level, otherwise they will be of no use.

The 'Earth-Controlling Wind Bead' and 'Azure Sea Clear Heart Talisman' provided by the other party are clearly extraordinary and should be sufficient to cope with the harsh environment there. In this way, there is actually no danger.

In addition, the other party provided a route map, so there was no need to search blindly like a headless fly. The target could be found in a very short time, and then the person could leave quickly.

Therefore, this task is actually not dangerous at all; on the contrary, it is quite easy, and it also comes with generous rewards, so it is definitely worth considering.

There was one thing he found strange: why would the other party do this?
Isn't this blatantly handing over an opportunity?

Such a 'simple' task could be completed by any Nascent Soul stage cultivator, right?
The other party has other talents, so why should we let him benefit?
Could it be because of Fairy Phoenix Feather? Is the other party deliberately trying to win her over?
That seems to be the only possibility.

Mo Juren didn't object to this. Since a Void Refinement Realm expert was so clearly showing goodwill, what was there for him, a Nascent Soul Realm junior, to be coy about? He could accept it without hesitation.

Furthermore, he was equally tempted by these two treasures, as well as the Bewitching Lotus, especially the latter. Such a rare and precious medicine couldn't be bought even with spirit stones. As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once, and since he now had the chance to obtain it without any danger, he naturally wouldn't let it slip by. Besides, it might come in handy at any time.

Having thought this through, he no longer hesitated and immediately nodded solemnly:

"In that case, I will make the trip for you then."

"Very good." Madam Yuanli was not surprised at all that Mo Juren had agreed. Firstly, there was no danger, and secondly, she would receive a generous reward. Anyone who wasn't stupid would surely refuse.

As Mo Juren had expected, she could have easily delegated the task to someone else, and in that case, she probably wouldn't have had to pay such a high price.

But upon meeting the person before her today, she immediately changed her mind.

She didn't care about the two treasures at all, but if she could use this to further strengthen her relationship with the other party, then it would be absolutely worth it.

The other party is someone that Elder Fengyu values ​​highly, so he must be extraordinary. If there is an opportunity, she will naturally try her best to win him over.

In the following time, she recounted many details about the Yin Wind Swamp. It turned out that besides the 'Cold Mirage Yin Wind,' there were other dangers to be aware of, especially the area where the Bewitching Lotus grew, which was very likely to be guarded by strange beasts...

……

After leaving Guanghua Hall, Mo Juren did not return to the squad's camp, but went straight to the market.

Upon returning to Tianhua Tower, Zeng Lu suddenly stepped forward to inform them that Ye Xuechan had arrived.

"Why is she here?" Mo Juren was slightly surprised, and he secretly wondered if she had come to Tianyuan City at this time to participate in the upcoming grand auction.
Upon reaching the top floor and entering her room, she immediately saw Ye Xuechan's familiar figure, as well as the Ye sisters, Ye Chuchu and Ye Keke, who were whispering to Gu Ximeng.

"My lord..." Upon seeing Mo Juren enter, Ye Xuechan quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, as did the two Ye sisters beside her.

"I've told you countless times, there's no need to be so polite." Mo Juren waved his hand, gesturing for the other person to sit down, then walked to the head seat and sat down, pressing for an answer again.
"You've come here at this time, is it for the auction?"

"Not only that, there is another matter." Ye Xuechan nodded slightly, his expression suddenly becoming serious. He slowly walked forward and then took out a golden name card from his bosom.

Mo Juren examined it closely and discovered that the surface of the calligraphy was decorated with fine Sanskrit characters, and in the very center were four small golden characters.

'Great Thunder Sound Sect'.

Mo Juren was slightly surprised. He had long heard of this name. It was one of the seven major Buddhist sects of the human race, a super power whose strength and influence were enough to rank among the top three.

How did they end up sending a visiting card? And why did it end up in Ye Xuechan's hands?
It's certain that it wasn't for him, since he had no connection with the Buddhist sect. But Ye Xuechan was an exception; she was a true Buddhist cultivator.

But that's clearly not the point. There are plenty of Buddhist cultivators in the world, and Ye Xuechan is not special. Moreover, he doesn't belong to the main lineage of any major Buddhist sect. Instead, he's just a rogue cultivator. Why would he attract attention?
Unless there is another reason, such as the other person's special physical condition.

Thinking of this, he immediately narrowed his eyes.

"This invitation was just sent yesterday. It invites me to the Great Thunder Sound Sect to attend the Heavenly Sound Dharma Assembly to be held in six months."

"It was just delivered yesterday?" Mo Juren narrowed his eyes slightly, then asked.

"So, the other party delivered the invitation directly to the cave dwelling?"

“I understand what you mean, Master. However, as one of the three ancestral temples of Buddhism, the Great Thunderclap Sect has unimaginable power and influence. It is not difficult for them to obtain your information and find the location of your cave.” Ye Xuechan quickly explained.

"I see..." Mo Juren nodded slightly, acknowledging the other party's statement. Indeed, for those super powers, investigating him would be a piece of cake.
However, things are different now. Through years of hard work, he is no longer the same as before. Even if the Great Thunderclap Sect knows about his situation, there is nothing they can do.

"What are your thoughts?" Composing himself, Mo Juren asked again.

"I... My lord should know about my situation, and it's even possible that the Great Thunderclap Sect knows about it. If I go, I might never return. But if I don't go, I'm worried that I'll anger them and cause trouble for my lord. So... so I can only come here to ask for my lord's opinion..." As she said this, Ye Xuechan felt extremely guilty. Joining their ranks had not only failed to provide any help, but had also always brought her trouble.

"You haven't told anyone about your situation except me, have you? How could the Great Thunderclap Sect know?"

"I can't be 100% sure either, but I have a gut feeling. Besides, given the strength and methods of the Great Thunderclap Sect, it's not surprising that they would know my secret. Take that infamous 'Tongtian Zen Master,' for example. He's extremely skilled in divination, and is said to be able to calculate all the causes and effects in the world. As long as he gets some clues, he can deduce everything..."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Mo Juren was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected that the Great Thunderclap Sect had such a terrifying existence. It was indeed possible that they knew Ye Xuechan's secrets.

However, in common sense, such deductive abilities are usually limited; it is impossible to know everything, otherwise there would be no secrets in the world.

In that case, it's unlikely that the major powers would have allowed it to survive until today. (End of Chapter)