NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 124: Hou Mengyao
At the Heavenly Sword Sect, a man with long, flowing hair and sharp, handsome features stepped out of a cave. He wore a white robe adorned with the emblem of a black sword on his chest.
The sun illuminated his face, enhancing his radiant smile and adding to his already captivating charm. A sword hung at his waist, resting elegantly in its sheath.
"Senior Brother Hou, are you done with your secluded cultivation? You've returned just in time for the Young Generation Competition. Elder Wu asked me to fetch you if you hadn't emerged within an hour," said a woman wearing similar attire to the man. Her face radiated respect and admiration for the senior brother before her.
The man surnamed Hou responded with a charming smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Junior Sister. You can return; I'll join everyone in a few minutes."
The junior sister nodded politely. "Understood, Senior Brother Hou. Everyone will be waiting at the main plaza. We'll depart for the Dao Seeking School grounds in two hours."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Hou alone at the cave's entrance.
The man's name was Hou Mengyao, the revered Holy Son of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who had just emerged from five months of secluded cultivation!
'System, what's the next mission?' Hou Mengyao asked silently in his mind.
[Good day, Host. Congratulations on successfully completing the C-rank mission, 'Secluded Cultivation.' Issuing rewards now:]
The mysterious voice of the system echoed in Hou Mengyao's mind, calm and mechanical.
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[Reward 1: Advancement by 1 small realm.]
[Reward 2: Increase in sword intent by 1 level.]
A surge of power washed over Hou Mengyao as his aura grew even more intense, and his smile widened with satisfaction. His cultivation and sword intent had just taken a leap forward.
'Ah, this sensation. Perfect!' he thought, savoring the moment.
Five years ago, Hou Mengyao had been an unremarkable nobody on Earth, a man despised and ignored by society. But here, but on Red Pole, he was a cultivation genius.
'I'm destined for greatness!' he declared inwardly, his confidence soaring.
When Hou Mengyao first arrived on Red Pole, his talent was trash—just like Feng Fan's.
However, unlike Feng Fan, Hou Mengyao's cheat awakened even before his talent was tested. A system, gifted to him at the moment of his transmigration, had changed everything.
The system issued missions, and as long as he completed them, Hou Mengyao's strength would skyrocket. His immortal-level talent, a foundation that shocked everyone in the Heavenly Sword Sect, had been nothing more than a beginner's gift from the system.
[New Mission Issued: 'Young Generation Competition']
[Mission Rank: B]
[Objective: Place first in the combat category.]
[Rewards: Upgrade sword intent by 2 levels; advance cultivation by 2 small realms]
Hou Mengyao's eyes gleamed with ambition as he read the notification. This was his path, paved by the system, to ascend beyond everyone else.
The Young Generation Competition was merely another stepping stone toward his ultimate destiny.
"Under the heavens, I am invincible!" Hou Mengyao declared, his voice brimming with confidence.
A surge of energy radiated from him as his sword intent and cultivation exuded an overwhelming pressure, causing the very air around him to tremble.
7th Golden Core Formation Realm!
Hou Mengyao soared through the air, gliding effortlessly toward the Heavenly Sword Sect's main plaza.
'After this competition, I'll secure an invitation to the Dao Seeking School. Only on a greater stage can I truly showcase my abilities and prove my worth,' he thought, his eyes gleaming with ambition as the wind rushed past him.
—
At the White Crow Sect, four elders stood alongside the Sect Master near a massive flying ship. Behind them, about fifty disciples stood together, murmuring among themselves in an attempt to soothe their anxious nerves.
"We must depart within the hour. Is anyone still missing?" asked Sect Master Yin Jian, his gaze sweeping over the gathered group.
Elder Jiang, one of the four elders leading the expedition, stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. "Sect Master, I've counted twice. Everyone summoned for this journey is present."
"Good," Yin Jian replied with a nod. His sharp eyes flicked toward Elder Jiang. "Regarding Feng Fan, who's already at the Dao Seeking School. Can we confirm he'll be competing in both the combat and array categories?"
Elder Jiang's expression twitched for a brief moment at the mention of Feng Fan, but he quickly concealed his displeasure. "Yes, Sect Master. Elder Duan has assured me that Feng Fan is fully prepared for the array category. In fact, Elder Duan believes that no one in the young generation within the Qian Empire can match his skill."
Yin Jian raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering across his face. "If Elder Duan says so, I'll take his word for it. Regardless, he doesn't need to place first. Achieving a spot in the top ten will suffice."
'As long as he doesn't stir up any trouble, I'll already be grateful,' Elder Jiang thought privately, though he chose to keep the remark to himself.
Elder Jiang glanced at the disciples, his gaze lingering on two of them. A pleased expression crossed his face as he observed their progress.
'Huang Xue and Xue Qiang are truly the White Crow Sect's greatest assets. To think they've already reached the 2nd Golden Core Formation realm! Even considering their Immortal-level talent, this speed of advancement is astounding...'
"Disciples," Yin Jian said, his tone firm yet warm, "I won't say much. Just know that, as your Sect Master, I am proud of each and every one of you. Now, let's go!"
With that, Yin Jian and the four elders led the disciples aboard the ship.
Tan Wei, one of the disciples selected for the alchemy category, stepped inside the ship, his expression a mix of determination and nervousness.
'This will be my first chance to prove my worth,' he thought, trying to steady his nerves.
A voice echoed in his mind, belonging to Lai Hu, the Alchemist God's soul. 'Kid, this is nothing more than a competition between frogs in a well. Even this Dao Seeking School is not much. With my guidance, no one below the Immortal Realm is worth mentioning!'
A few minutes later, once everyone was aboard, the ship soared into the sky, its speed surpassing that of sound.