Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

A moment later, a bronze bell rang out from the high platform in the center of the mission square.

The dull bell tolled, and the disciples who were still discussing gradually quieted down.

An elderly man slowly climbed the platform.

His hair was gray, and he wore a grey-white robe from the Holy Light Monastery, with a circle of fine waves embroidered on his chest.

The old man didn't look tall, and was even a bit thin, but when he stood on the platform, the sound of the entire square was drowned out.

Xilun looked up.

Another powerful figure with a profound aura.

The rich history and cultural heritage of Xinghuan Island are indeed incomparable to those of small islands in the open sea.

The old man's gaze swept over the crowd below, and he slowly spoke:

"In the eastern part of Star Ring Island, in the Black Abyss Forest area, Blue Ocean pirates have recently been attacking villages and towns and plundering trade routes."

According to a joint investigation by the administration office, this incident may not be just about ordinary pirates, but rather the covert machinations of a major pirate force.

A low commotion immediately arose in the square.

"The Dark Abyss Forest?"

"Isn't that area a mix of lakes and dense forests? How did the pirates end up there?"

"If it's just a small group of pirates, the local authorities can handle it themselves. Why would the monastery need to issue such a training order?"

The old man ignored the discussion and continued, "This mission will serve as training for the outer court. If you have already formed your teams, you can go and resolve the crisis, protecting the local villages and trade routes."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly.

"Those who have successfully completed their training, slay twenty Blue Ocean pirates, and have their right ears removed, will be eligible to apply for promotion to Inner Court disciple."

The square erupted in cheers as soon as those words were spoken.

Many outer court disciples' eyes lit up.

Qualification as an inner court disciple!

The outer and inner academies may seem to be only one step apart, but in reality, they are separated by a huge gap in resources, cultivation methods, medicinal materials, mission permissions, and the instruction from teachers.

Many people are stuck in foreign language departments for years because they lack a formal application opportunity.

The old man raised his hand, silencing the crowd.

"In addition, there are five notorious third-tier criminals among the Blue Ocean pirates, all of whom are on the wanted list."

"If anyone can kill any one of them and bring back their head, which is verified by the administration office, each head can be exchanged for one dose of the Boundless Ocean Potion."

After a brief silence, the square looked as if it had been doused with hot oil.

"The Boundless Ocean Potion?"

"They're using something like this as a reward?"

"Isn't that a precious elixir that can help achieve the physical perfection of the third level of the Overturning Sea Technique?"

"It's said to nourish the tendons and muscles, heal hidden injuries, and leave the body flawless and the strength abundant; even the inner courtyard doesn't have enough for everyone!"

Xilun's eyes flickered slightly.

Haina Wuliang Pharmaceutical.

He had seen the name in the library notes.

The third level of the Overturning Sea Technique, Tendon Transformation and Qi Transformation, requires not only the smooth flow of the major tendons, but also the formation of a complete cycle in the body from the skin and membranes to the flesh and blood and then to the major tendons.

Many third-tier cultivators are stuck at this stage not because they lack comprehension, but because they have too many hidden injuries from past cultivation, battles, and medications, preventing their bodies from truly reaching perfection.

The value of the Hai Na Wu Liang medicine lies in its ability to warm and nourish the whole body, replenish the tendons, and cleanse hidden injuries.

For Xilun, this stuff was even more important than ordinary medicinal herbs.

He has too many injuries inside his body.

The lingering marks from Fowles' punches, the stitching marks from the evil god's severed limbs, the cracks left after the divine war, and the deathly chill of the Styx Breath all need to be sorted out little by little.

If we could obtain a potion of boundless ocean energy, the progress to the third level might be significantly faster.

Elena also looked solemn.

She whispered, "The deeper the reward, the greater the danger. Those five pirates are all powerful level three pirates. They probably have rare items, firearms, and a whole squad of subordinates. Who knows how many lives they've taken?"

If you go there specifically for the medicine, you could easily end up getting yourself poisoned as well.

A distinct warmth appeared in Samuel's eyes.

He is just one step away from achieving physical perfection.

If he were to take a dose of the Boundless Ocean Elixir, he might even be confident of truly reaching the pinnacle of the Outer Court and becoming qualified to compete with the top ten in the Inner Court.

Even further.

The old man continued, "Let me remind you, this is not a game. If you feel you are not well prepared, then stay in the courtyard to cultivate."

"Neither the Inner Court qualification nor the Boundless Ocean Elixir is worth losing your lives in vain."

At this point, few people could remain completely calm.

Elena looked at the old man on the stage and whispered, "I'm afraid all ten of the outer court's top students will make a move."

She looked at Xilun and added:

"The top expert in the outer academy before took a potion of boundless energy to make up for his physical defects and advance to the inner academy."

He is now the top student in the inner court, virtually unmatched within the third tier, and could advance to the fourth tier of extraordinary beings at any time.

Xilun silently noted the weight behind this name.

The inner courtyard is number one.

Invincible at Tier 3.

You can advance to the fourth rank at any time.

The true young powerhouses of Star Ring Island are far more profound than he imagined.

The groups in the square began to disperse quickly, and many disciples gathered together to discuss routes, supplies, and team configurations.

Elena did not delay.

She was prepared and immediately led Xilun and the others to the mission room to complete the registration, and then received a simple map of the Black Abyss Forest, a record of pirate characteristics, and a pass.

Samuel's men also followed.

The team was ultimately decided to have six members.

Elena, Siron, Samuel, Roel, and the thin young man and the young man with a short spear beside Samuel.

Roel had no intention of getting involved anymore, but Samuel's words, "The favor hasn't been repaid yet," made him silently return to the line.

Before setting off, Xiren glanced back at the mission square.

The place was still bustling with people.

Countless eyes were fixed on the same direction.

Inner Court Qualification.

Haina Wuliang Pharmaceutical.

And the Blue Ocean pirates hidden deep in the dense forest.

Xilun withdrew his gaze and gripped the golden spear on his back.

The wind blew from the east, carrying the damp scent of the lake and the distant woods.

-

The carriage prepared by the monastery was parked outside the east gate.

The carriage was spacious, and the wheels were covered with thick animal hides. It was not pulled by ordinary horses, but by two pack animals with scaly necks and long legs.

They exhale hot, moist white vapor from their nostrils, and their hooves land with a steady, powerful gait, clearly suited for long-distance travel.

Elena was the first to get on the bus.

She sat by the window, spreading the task diagram on her lap. The emotions she had shown in the square were gone, replaced by calmness and focus.

Xilun then boarded the train and sat down on the other side of the carriage.

He placed the golden spear horizontally in front of his knees, the shaft wrapped in gray cloth, revealing only a small part of the dark golden tip.

When Samuel came up, he glanced at the pistol.

"Are you overly reliant on weapons?"

Xilun looked up.

"A gun is longer than a fist."

Samuel smiled. "That's the truth."

He sat down opposite Elena, his posture natural, as if this seat was rightfully his.

The thin young man and the young man with the short spear sat behind him, while Roel was near the car door, still feeling some discomfort in his chest, and closed his eyes to rest.

The carriage soon set off.

The wheels rolled over the stone road, making a dull thud.

The pristine buildings of the Holy Light Monastery were gradually left behind, and the fresh scent of grass and trees faded away, replaced by the damp and heavy smell of earth from the eastern part of Star Ring Island.

The carriage was quiet for a moment.

Samuel suddenly spoke up: "If we can gather enough promotion slots for this mission, let me and Junior Sister Elena be promoted first."

Elena frowned.

Xilun kept his eyes down, as if he hadn't heard.

The thin young man and the young man with the short spear on his back looked completely at ease, clearly having expected Samuel to say that.

Samuel continued, "The extraordinary cultivation levels of you are still shallow, especially Xilun. You have only been admitted to the academy for a short time, and you have not yet gone far from the third level of the Overturning Sea Technique."

Even if you obtain the inner court qualification now, you might not be able to pass the assessment immediately.

He looked at Xilun, his tone sounding like he was discussing something, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Of course, I won't let you work for nothing. I will give you the compensation you deserve."

Xilun slowly raised his eyes.

The light from outside the carriage shone through the cracks in the window, slicing a cold line across his face.

He neither nodded nor refused.

They simply asked, "What is the compensation?"

Samuel paused.

He seemed surprised that Xilun would ask such a direct question.

"Money, medicine, contributions, or my personal favors."

Xilun said, "We'll talk after we get it."

Samuel's eyes darkened slightly.

He did not agree to that.

Elena closed the diagram and calmly began to speak:

"Promotion eligibility will be allocated based on mission contributions; whoever achieves enough will apply. As for team collaboration, we'll discuss that after the mission concludes, based on the actual situation."

Samuel looked at her: "Junior sister, I'm doing this for the sake of team efficiency."

Elena didn't back down: "Me too."

Now Xilun belongs to her.

As for Samuel, although he often tried to please her, she did not believe that he had no ulterior motives and suspected that he had other plans, so she did not trust him.

The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly turned cold.

Roel had his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.

The thin young man bent down to wipe his dagger, while the young man with the short spear on his back looked out the window, seemingly uninterested in everything.

Xilun knew very well what was going on.

This team is not a cohesive unit.

Elena and he stood aside for the time being.

Samuel and his two companions were on the other side.

Caught in the middle, Roel was bound by Samuel's personal feelings, but he might not really be willing to risk his life for him.

This is not a good thing.

If it were just a regular encirclement and suppression operation, internal discord could be forcibly suppressed through Elena's command.

But when faced with real danger, the cracks within the team can be more deadly than the enemy's blade.

Elena was clearly aware of this as well.

She looked at Xilun, her voice softening slightly: "Be careful, the Blue Ocean pirates are no ordinary bandits. They are skilled in ambushes, firearms, and waterborne evacuations. Once we arrive, follow my instructions."

Xilun nodded: "Understood."

Samuel watched the brief but natural conversation between the two, a shadow passing over his eyes.

He had been pursuing Elena for a long time.

Although he didn't say it explicitly, many people in the correctional facility knew what he meant.

Elena remained distant from him, but he could comfort himself by saying that it was just her personality; she was indifferent to everyone.

But now, a wandering cultivator from the outer sea who has only recently been admitted to the hospital can get Elena to take the initiative to remind him.

This made Samuel very uncomfortable.

The carriage sped along.

The terrain in the eastern part of Star Ring Island gradually rises and falls, with low-lying mountain shadows in the distance and dense forests stretching like a dark black tide across the horizon.

The closer you get to the Black Abyss Forest, the more humid the air becomes, and even the wind carries the smell of decaying leaves and rotten wood.

In the afternoon, the convoy stopped outside an abandoned rest stop.

We're not far from the entrance to the Black Abyss Forest. Several muddy roads, worn smooth by car wheels, can be seen all around. Leaning wooden signs stand by the roads, marked with the directions of nearby villages and towns in black paint.

But at this time, the post station was empty.

Half of the tables and chairs were overturned, and there were dried, dark brown bloodstains in the corner.

Elena jumped out of the car and looked around.

"We'll rest here for half an hour, replenish our water, and check our weapons. Then we'll hike into the dense forest."

Samuel asked, "Aren't we waiting for the other teams?"

"No," Elena said. "The more people we have, the bigger the commotion. We're just conducting reconnaissance first, not leading the main force."

Samuel did not refute this further.

After getting off the train, Xilun first walked around the post station.

There were old footprints on the muddy ground.

It's very mixed.

There were villagers' cloth shoe prints, heavy boot prints, and drag marks.

The lack of bloodstains suggests that this was not the main battlefield, but rather a place where someone briefly stopped while passing through or rested while escorting something.

He squatted down and pressed his fingertips into a shallow depression in the mud.

This footprint is heavier than that of an average person, with the forefoot sinking in deeper.

People who carry guns or knives for a long time are used to exerting force at any time, and their center of gravity is different from that of farmers.

Elena walked to his side and asked in a low voice, "What did you find?"

"Some people are passing by, quite a few," Siren said. "At least one group of armed men, not villagers."

Elena stared at the marks that were almost soaked by the rain, her eyes narrowing slightly.

It wasn't that she couldn't see it, she just didn't expect Xilun to observe it so quickly.

"direction?"

Xilun raised his hand and pointed to the north side of the Black Abyss Forest.

"There."

Roel also came over, glanced at them a few times, and nodded: "They're from the sea. Their steps are a bit unsteady, and they're used to standing firmly on swaying ground, unlike land soldiers."

Samuel said calmly, "In that case, hurry up and pursue them."

"Let's rest first," Elena said.

She glanced at the group and said, "There might be an ambush in the dense forest, so we need to conserve our mental and physical strength."

Siren did not participate in the debate.

He sat down in the shadows of the post station, leaning against the wall, with the golden spear within easy reach.

Then he closed his eyes.

The Moon Memory Meditation Method unfolds slowly.

Deep meditation!

Consciousness sank into a dark, deep pool; external sounds did not disappear, but were instead broken into clear ripples.

The wind blew through the window, the wooden planks creaked, the pack animal swung its tail outside, the thin young man beside Samuel complained in a low voice about his boots getting wet, and Elena turned the pages of the map.

He contained all these sounds to the edge of his perception.

What truly seeps into the body is a wisp of cool, clear spirit.

The chilling aura of Yin traveled along the major tendons, suppressing the decaying black energy that occasionally emerged from the depths.

The power of the Overturning Sea Technique rises and falls slowly like the tide. Although the progress of the third level is mediocre, it has already enabled his tendons to maintain basic activity and no longer crack everywhere as they did half a year ago.

Deep within the right arm, the fine threads of the evil god's severed limbs lay quietly coiled.

Like a clump of sleeping black roots.

Xilun didn't touch it.

He simply bypassed the area and focused his attention on Lei Ling.

Lei Ling was still very weak, like a small dark blue dot hidden deep in flesh and blood.

As you approach the Black Abyss Forest, the air is thick with moisture, and low thunderclouds seem to hang in the distance, occasionally shifting slightly, conveying a hungry longing.

Xilun suppressed this commotion.

Now is not the time for spiritual practice.

A moment later, his breathing became extremely light.

But he did not let his guard down.

Roel sat not far away, opened his eyes and glanced at Xiren, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Is he meditating?"

The thin young man whispered, "You can meditate in a place like this? Aren't you afraid someone will slit your throat?"

Roel said, "It's not ordinary meditation; he's still listening outside."

Samuel also noticed Celan's condition.

He could feel that the faint chill emanating from the other person was receding, and the person was like a piece of cold iron placed in water, calm on the surface, but gradually regaining its sharpness inside.

A method to restore one's spirit?

Samuel's vigilance deepened.

This wandering cultivator from the outer sea possessed more than he had imagined.

Elena did not disturb Siron.

She simply gestured for everyone to be quiet, while she leaned against the door, warily looking towards the dense forest.