Chapter 171: The System's Hidden Mission
Inside the pavilion.
Chu Xingchen frowned slightly as he listened to Yuan Kong explain the matter, nodding gently before speaking:
"You're saying your Abbot went to Chizhou to give alms, but something happened, and he was attacked by demon creatures in the river? Only one monk managed to escape and report back, and he said that group of demon creatures is likely being commanded by someone at the Golden Core Stage?"
Yuan Kong quickly nodded: "You're the only top-tier cultivator I know. Besides you, I can't think of anyone else to turn to."
Chu Xingchen frowned slightly upon hearing this, gently turning the teacup in front of him, and said:
"Calm down first. From Chizhou to this Yuzhou City, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would need to run for three days, right?"
Yuan Kong nodded honestly: "Yes, my junior nephew disciple ran for more than four days."
Instantly, the pavilion fell silent except for the sound of rain.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Yuan Kong.
Even Cui Hao was stunned upon hearing this. Four days?
If the Abbot had been eaten by the demon creatures, four days would be enough time for them to pass him out of their stomachs, right?
If they found him, they'd probably have to carry him back in pieces, wouldn't they?
If they really brought back the Abbot in a state of dust and ash... would that count as carrying...
Yuan Kong looked at the silent crowd, naturally understanding the reason for their silence.
After a moment of silence, he said: "I understand the situation, but what if my senior brother disciple hasn't died and is still waiting for me? Even if my senior brother disciple is truly dead, I must go see for myself."
"This is my duty as a junior brother disciple."
Yuan Kong waited for a while, but still no one in the pavilion spoke.
Just as he was about to get up and leave, intending to find his senior brother disciple himself, Chu Xingchen's somewhat helpless voice came:
"Xingtian, take him to have a look, just like before. Be carefu..."
Chu Xing stopped mid-sentence, suddenly pausing as his posture instantly straightened. The long-dormant system suddenly showed activity.
And it issued a brand new mission.
[Hidden Mission Triggered - The Struggle for Fortune]
[Once a Destined True Dragon perished in the wilderness, its great fortune transformed into rainbow light and scattered, ultimately returning to the destiny of all beings, and yet ultimately returning to the True Dragon.]
[How can there be a true destiny in this world? It is merely a matter of time and fate.]
[Mission Hint: Transform clouds into dragons, travel the waterways again. With fortune in your body, you are the True Dragon.]
[Mission Requirement: Capture the Fortune Stealer who is seizing the flowing water veins with the intention of stealing fortune.]
[Mission Reward One: Heavenly Dao Fortune]
[Mission Reward Two: Relic]
Chu Xingchen looked at the mission panel before him and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
When Yuan Kong had asked for his help, the mission hadn't appeared. It only popped up when he himself had asked Li Xingtian to help.
Does this mean that some hidden missions can only be triggered after one becomes personally involved?
Or does it mean that even if one becomes involved, one must possess the strength to participate in the matter to trigger it?
Secondly, fortune... does this kind of mysterious thing really exist?
Chu Xingchen looked at the panel. This matter is probably far from being as simple as the so-called Demon Kingdom, nor can it be dealt with by just a Golden Core Stage demon creature.
The reward for this mission is somewhat mysterious. In cultivation, there's no principle of not competing for anything. Not competing is simply because the reward isn't enticing enough.
This needs to be taken seriously.
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept across everyone before finally speaking:
"Xingtian, pack up and go to Chizhou with me. As for Ying Ling... you should stay behind and cultivate properly, watching over your junior brother and sister disciples. If you need help, I'll contact you."
Li Xingtian was mature and reliable in handling affairs, while Li Yingling was still a bit young. The danger level of this matter was still unknown, so for now, it was best to prioritize stability.
After all, since it involved the concept of fortune, it was likely not to be simple.
Li Yingling glanced at her master's solemn expression and nodded gently to show her understanding.
Li Xingtian rose, his gaze falling upon Zhang Yuanshan at the side. "Brother Zhang..."
"Understood." Zhang Yuanshan stood up and cupped his hands in a salute.
Yuan Kong could not hide the moved expression on his face. He had not expected Chu Xingchen to be so loyal and righteous toward him.
His tone was heavy, as if he had made a great resolution. "From now on, for the pills you refine! However many you ask me to test, I will test that many."
Chu Xingchen gave a dismissive laugh, reached out, and patted Yuan Kong's shaved head, saying:
"Forget it. Thinking of eating my pills without paying now? That's a nice thought."
Although Yuan Kong was no longer little Yuan Kong, Chu Xingchen had to admit that the comfort of patting his head was truly quite nice.
The flood was immense. Even before reaching Chizhou, they could see the land filled with disaster victims.
It was said that the government was already operating at full capacity, attempting disaster relief. The ships on the canal were already transporting grain.
For such a widespread disaster, what was truly effective was a collective and organized rescue effort.
Before departing, Chu Xingchen instructed Cui Hao to take some silver and spirit stones and donate them to the Demon Suppression Division and the Chanlin Temple respectively.
For some matters, being able to act with a clear conscience was the best one could do.
Chizhou was inland and did not border the sea. It was situated by a tributary of the Lancang River. Though called a tributary, it was in fact very large.
At one point, Chizhou had relied on this tributary to create vast tracts of fertile farmland, making it an affluent place envied by others.
However, every matter had two sides. Abundant water naturally led to floods. For this reason, Chizhou had spared no effort in building many dams to mitigate the flood disasters.
In the past, these dams had indeed shielded the people of Chizhou from countless monstrous floods.
However...
At the edge of Chizhou's territory, Chu Xingchen stood in the air, looking upon the devastated land below. In the distance, the yellow-brown river water continued to surge, devouring everything that stood in its path.
Yuan Kong possessed the trait of kindness. He had requested a large amount of food from Chu Xingchen and was distributing it within the range of Chu Xingchen's divine sense.
However, it seemed to be a mere drop in the bucket.
"Master." After observing the river for a moment, Li Xingtian spoke. "The place where the Abbot, as Yuan Kong mentioned, was giving alms has long been completely submerged by the rising water. If we want to ask questions now, we can only ask the demon creatures in the water."
Chu Xingchen nodded gently. "Capture a couple."
Having received the order, Li Xingtian's body transformed into a streak of rainbow light and plunged directly into the surging river.
Watching Li Xingtian's efficient movements, Chu Xingchen couldn't help but nod lightly. As expected, his experienced second disciple was reliable.
Chu Xingchen quietly watched the river's surface. After waiting for a moment, he did not see Li Xingtian emerge with a few captured river demons.
Instead, from the depths of the large, yellow-brown river... a scarlet aura of blood began to surge.
Was his own disciple massacring creatures in the river?
Had Li Xingtian misunderstood his meaning?
He had just told him to capture a couple, not to kill until only a couple were left.
Chu Xingchen raised a hand, remotely plucking Yuan Kong, who was still distributing food, from the ground and heading straight in Li Xingtian's direction.
It wouldn't do for the Abbot to be alive, only for Yuan Kong to get into trouble by staying here.
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