Ling Xiao was not an inner disciple, so he could only take on sect missions during the inner gate joint training sessions.
If he missed this opportunity, he would have to wait until he was promoted to an inner disciple to earn points.
That would be too late.
The mission bulletin board provided detailed information about sect missions.
Completing sect missions could earn sect points, spirit stones, gold, and other rewards, depending on the mission’s difficulty.
If a mission failed, not only would there be no rewards, but there would also be penalties.
This was to prevent overconfident individuals from taking on high-difficulty missions for large rewards, which would waste time and damage the sect’s reputation.
The more times one failed, the harsher the penalties.
Initially, it might be a salary deduction, then a loss of sect points. At a certain point, one could face martial arts crippling, expulsion from the sect, or even the death penalty.
Thus, while sect missions offered great benefits, they couldn’t be taken lightly.
There was no limit on the number of people for a mission, but the rewards were fixed, so fewer people meant a larger share for each.
However, most preferred teaming up, as higher-difficulty missions were easier to complete in groups.
Ling Xiao briefly reviewed the missions. The Moonlight Sect’s missions were divided into ten levels, corresponding to the ten stages of the Transcendent Realm.
From Transcendent Realm First Heaven to Ninth Heaven, plus the Half-Step Heavenly Venerable.
These matched the ten mission levels.
For example, a Level 1 mission was for Transcendent Realm First Heaven martial artists.
A Level 2 mission could be completed by a Transcendent Realm Second Heaven martial artist or a team of multiple First Heaven martial artists.
How to proceed and form teams was entirely up to the martial artists.
Ling Xiao calculated that his current cultivation was at the early stage of Transcendent Realm Second Heaven. For missions, a Level 2 mission would be the safest, as he could easily complete it alone.
However, he was someone who thrived on challenges.
Level 2 missions held no interest for him, so he turned his attention to Level 3 missions.
Such missions were challenging to complete alone, serving to hone his skills while offering more points and other rewards.
“Got it!”
Ling Xiao quickly found a mission perfectly suited for him, with excellent rewards.
Most importantly, having just mastered the Demonic Art of Ten Thousand Beasts, he was immune to plague toxins and could even use them to attack enemies.
This mission was related to a plague.
**Mission Name**: Investigate Plague Valley
**Mission Description**: In the western wilderness of Northern Han Country lies a valley shrouded in plague, home to about a hundred households. Their fate is unknown. Rumors speak of a terrifying beast in the valley that survives and cultivates through the plague.
**Mission Objective**: Travel to Plague Valley, investigate the cause of the plague, and kill the plague beast. Killing the beast grants additional rewards.
Ling Xiao had heard of Plague Valley before, back when he was a beggar, from storytellers.
At that time, Plague Valley was a terrifying nightmare to him.
Now, he was eager to uncover the secrets within Plague Valley.
It was said that other sect disciples, including those from the Moonlight Sect, had taken this mission before, including Transcendent Realm Third Heaven martial artists who went in teams, yet none returned.
The mission was originally Level 2 but was upgraded to Level 3 due to repeated incidents.
He’d take it!
Without hesitation, Ling Xiao took the mission token and registered for the task.
Multiple people could take the same mission, with the first to complete it earning the rewards.
However, there were limits.
For this Level 3 mission, only two teams could take it simultaneously.
Just as Ling Xiao took the mission token, a team of three also took a token for the same mission.
Among them, one was at the peak of Transcendent Realm Third Heaven, while the other two were at the early stage of Third Heaven.
This team was remarkably strong, and it seemed unusual for them to take a Level 3 mission with such effort.
Ling Xiao’s suspicion was justified.
And he was right.
“Alas, I was too late.”
As Ling Xiao registered the mission, filled in his name, and left the Inner Gate Main Hall, he ran into Zhao Zhi.
Zhao Zhi looked helpless.
“What’s wrong?” Ling Xiao asked curiously.
“I know those three. The strongest is Wanyan Jun, and the other two are Chen Zui and Shangguan Lei. They’re very close to Hei Suo. I’m not sure if this is related to Hei Suo, but they’re definitely not friendly toward you!” Zhao Zhi warned.
“No wonder I felt it was overkill for three Transcendent Realm Third Heaven martial artists to take a Level 3 mission,” Ling Xiao said with a smile. “Thanks for the heads-up, Senior Brother Zhao. But it’s fine. I took this mission because it suits me, and the rewards are great. Completing the investigation grants a hundred low-grade spirit stones and a hundred sect points. Killing the plague beast doubles the rewards.”
“If you die, no reward matters,” Zhao Zhi said urgently.
“Senior Brother Zhao, I appreciate your concern, but I don’t take those three seriously. I’m just a bit disappointed.”
“Disappointed about what?”
“Disappointed that Hei Suo isn’t with them. If he were, I could settle my grudge with him.”
Ling Xiao gave a cold smile.
He wasn’t the type to wait for others to scheme against him.
He preferred to take the initiative.
“If those three really intend to harm me, I won’t let them return alive.”
Ling Xiao spoke as if it were a trivial matter.
“Those are three Transcendent Realm Third Heaven masters!” Zhao Zhi was stunned.
He wondered if Ling Xiao was mad or if he had misjudged him. Was Ling Xiao even stronger than he imagined?
In Zhao Zhi’s mind, Ling Xiao was roughly equivalent to an early Transcendent Realm Third Heaven master.
His easy defeat of the demonized Sword Man King was because the latter had lost his sanity after his strength surged.
Such an enemy wasn’t terrifying, even if slightly weaker opponents could handle it.
But now, Ling Xiao seemed unbothered by three Third Heaven masters?
“Junior Brother Ling, just how strong are you?” Zhao Zhi gave a wry smile.
“That’s a secret, but you’ll find out eventually. Take this as a token of thanks.”
Ling Xiao tossed the Terrifying Finger martial arts manual to Zhao Zhi.
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Zhao Zhi’s help was valuable, and Ling Xiao felt he should offer something to ensure Zhao Zhi’s continued support.
