“As for Pulse Realm Eighth or Ninth Layer Martial Masters, don’t even think about it. Those levels are for us Twelve Tiger Guards and the three Commanders. You focus on Martial Artists below Pulse Realm Seventh Layer.”
“Like past missions, the top thirty in military merits get special rewards. The higher the rank, the better the prize.”
“Any other questions?”
“Yes!”
Ling Xiao spoke up, “How many merits for a quasi-Mortal technique?”
“100 points!” General September replied.
“What! 100 points! Looks like we’re out of luck.”
Many common-tier disciples shook their heads with wry smiles.
A hundred merits sounded manageable, but killing Martial Artists below Pulse Realm Sixth Layer peak yielded too little.
Pulse Realm Seventh Layer Martial Masters offered more, but they couldn’t beat them—out of reach.
“Don’t lose heart. Most of you might not snag a quasi-Mortal technique, but rare-tier top martial arts are 20 points, and superior top martial arts are 50 points—much more achievable,” General September said with a smile.
That perked them up.
For most common-tier disciples, mastering one or two entry-level top martial arts was already impressive.
Rare and superior top martial arts were their dreams.
Quasi-Mortal techniques? Too distant to dwell on.
Plus, it wasn’t just martial arts—Gang Qi Pills, spirit stones, and more were up for grabs, catering to everyone’s needs.
General September only gave a brief rundown; the reward list was far broader.
“This is real training!” Ling Xiao took a deep breath, thinking, “Sparring in Hidden Dragon Camp, no matter how intense, is just sparring. A mission like this builds a martial artist’s survival skills for the martial world, so they don’t get killed the moment they leave.”
He approved of this approach.
With his Mountain River Martial Soul, he was brimming with confidence for hunting Dream Elixir traders.
His escape skills rivaled any Pulse Realm Seventh Layer Martial Master.
This mission was practically a golden chance to boost his strength.
“No more questions?”
“None!”
“Good. The mission starts in three days. During that time, Marshal Lin will handle some things to distance the traders’ deaths from the Border General’s Mansion.”
General September stood and left.
Shi Lei and another deputy commander followed.
Oddly, the Hidden Dragon Camp’s head captain—the chief commander—never appeared.
Ling Xiao found it strange but, seeing no one else ask, let it go. After leaving the training ground, he greeted Ling Yixue and headed to the medicine hall to check on Leng Mei.
The mission mattered, but so did Leng Mei’s injury.
“This girl’s the one you brought?” At the medicine hall, Ling Xiao met a woman in green.
She looked about Ling Yixue’s age, a couple of years older than him.
A rare beauty.
Ling Yixue was reserved and introspective.
This green-clad woman exuded the poise of a refined lady—mature and polished.
“Yes!” Ling Xiao answered.
“Not bad. Someone who cares for their servant isn’t usually rotten. I’m Dai Yuling. You?”
She smiled warmly.
“Ling Xiao!”
“Got it. She’s out of danger but still weak. Trust me, let her stay here three more days. I’ll return her to you bouncing,” Dai Yuling said, her smile as soothing as a spring breeze.
“Thanks, I trust you.”
Ling Xiao relied on his gut. This woman’s strength was terrifying—leagues above him. If she meant harm to Leng Mei, she wouldn’t bother with such effort.
“Then off you go. Prep for the mission in three days. Maybe we’ll meet again, hehe.”
Dai Yuling chuckled and walked off.
Watching her, Ling Xiao suddenly thought of someone.
Wasn’t the camp’s head captain surnamed Dai? Could it be her?
Her age and power fit—likely stronger than General September. Same surname, probably her.
Back from the hall, Ling Xiao sought Ling Yixue. In Hidden Dragon Camp, she was his only trusted ally so far, making her the best teammate.
She agreed eagerly.
That day, many others formed teams too.
Numbers were an edge.
Except for Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue, the other eight captains each had six or seven underlings.
Tasks like fighting, scouting, and healing were clearly split.
The three commanders? The two deputies teamed up, unwilling to drag weaker members along as burdens.
Head Commander Dai Yuling was a lone wolf, elusive, likely a one-woman team.
Interestingly, as Ling Xiao prepared to return to his room, Yin Ran approached.
The eerie former tenth captain wanted to join him and Ling Yixue.
Ling Xiao considered it and didn’t refuse.
Yin Ran’s combat prowess was solid—among the top captains if he went all out, surpassing Tian Guang and Murong Shao.
A strong addition meant easier merits.
After sending Yin Ran off, a day later, Ling Xiao took out two low-grade spirit stones and ten Gang Qi Pills, aiming to hit Pulse Realm Sixth Layer peak in one go.
Stronger meant surer.
In just a day, he felt his sixth pulse fully saturate.
All six pulses reached the Gang Qi surge transformation stage.
One even began forming a trace of True Essence.
It felt like his jump from Pulse Realm Third Layer peak to Fourth Layer—shifting from Awakening to Gang Qi stage.
Now, at Sixth Layer peak, it was another leap—from Gang Qi to Burst Qi stage, key to Pulse Realm Seventh Layer.
Once all six pulses’ Gang Qi turned to True Essence, he’d naturally break through to Martial Master.
Another day passed. He stabilized Sixth Layer peak and fully converted one pulse’s Gang Qi to True Essence.
Now, at Sixth Layer peak, he could tap the Martial Master ability to burn True Essence.
Though at this stage, the side effects would be hefty.
