Chapter 96 Far-River Town
The basic predator phase ended quickly due to the existence of the "Nature Reserve," which kept the fight from being too fierce. The predator only took five health points at a time.
The edge of the round table lit up with a bright glow as countless purple light patterns converged at Xia Feng's feet like a flowing stream, forming a teleportation array.
[Now entering the hunting and predator phase. I wish you all good luck in martial arts!]
As the solemn heavenly sound echoed, the surrounding environment dissolved into mottled pixels that rushed toward him. After a brief moment of disorientation, Xia Feng found himself back inside the toilet cubicle.
Now, he had two objectives.
First, find Player No. 17 and claim the 60 health points.
Then, locate Player No. 6.
Based on the information from the previous round, he remembered that Player No. 6 had purchased the Summoning Wood. Xia Feng planned to deal with No. 17 first before having a thorough discussion with No. 6 about life and ideals.
Still deep in thought, Xia Feng arrived at the Holy Department Building without stopping—just in time to see Mu Qingtong walking out.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To carry out a mission."
"I'm coming too."
"?"
Mu Qingtong raised an eyebrow slightly. She had noticed that this junior had been seeking her out more frequently lately. It seemed he couldn't wait to be beaten into the ground by her again.
"Oh?" At that moment, Taoist Chen also stepped out of the hall. "Xia Feng, are you joining the mission as well?"
"It's too boring at home," Xia Feng replied, glancing at Mu Qingtong. "Some people are afraid of my strength and refuse to fight me, so I figured I'd come out and stretch my muscles."
Mu Qingtong smiled but said nothing.
Chen Xingdao checked his watch and nodded. "Alright, time is tight. You can submit the mission application later when we return. Let's go."
Xia Feng followed the two into a military-green off-road vehicle. Chen Xingdao took the front passenger seat, while Xia Feng and Mu Qingtong sat in the back.
The driver was a young man who looked freshly graduated, with a bowl cut and delicate, almost feminine features. However, his sharp gray-blue eyes gleamed with energy.
The moment the young man spotted Mu Qingtong getting into the car, his eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "Mu-Mu-Mu—Goddess Mu?!"
Chen Xingdao smacked him on the head. "Calm down!"
"Yes, Master," the young man replied, quickly composing himself.
But when Xia Feng and Yue Hongli also climbed in, the driver whipped his head around again. "Princess?!"
Whack! Another strike from Chen Xingdao landed on his forehead. "Eliminate desire!"
A red mark bloomed on the young man's skin as he turned back, muttering under his breath, "Calm down… eliminate desire… calm down… eliminate desire…"
Xia Feng's eye twitched slightly, and he averted his gaze. Soon, he noticed the peachwood sword placed beside the driver's seat—likely the young man's weapon.
"Let me introduce you," Chen Xingdao said, patting the driver's shoulder. "This is my disciple, Cai Kuihua. You can just call him Xiao Cai."
"Your disciple?" Xia Feng leaned back slightly, giving the young man an odd look.
He knew that Chen Xingdao possessed a terrifying B-rank spiritual technique called the Sunflower Sword Style. When mastered completely, its power rivaled even A-rank techniques—but the condition for learning it was the removal of two taels of flesh from between one's legs.
"Hello, I'm Cai Kuihua. Please guide me well," the young man said politely.
"Hello, hello. I'm Xia Feng, from the Eighth Team." Xia Feng nodded at the young man, who instinctively glanced at the princess beside him.
During the battle at Pingshan Hospital, the prince had died, and the prince's widow had recognized a freshman as her master—a student rumored to be named Xia Feng.
That was the princess.
Cai Kuihua felt a pang of envy. He couldn't help but wonder what Xia Feng did with the princess at night.
Whack! Another slap struck the young man's forehead.
"What is the creed of the Sword Gate?" Chen Xingdao demanded sternly.
Cai Kuihua's expression instantly turned solemn. He straightened his back and declared, "Women will only slow down my sword draw!"
"Drive."
"Yes!" Cai Kuihua shouted, slamming his foot onto the clutch.
Xia Feng and Mu Qingtong exchanged a glance, silently agreeing that this teammate seemed… unreliable.
Chen Xingdao, now seated in the passenger seat, pulled out a tablet and began briefing them on the mission details.
Target: Wen Zaiye
Origin: Born in District 51, King's Landing (local resident)
Background: Two years ago, for unknown reasons, he joined the Black Moon Church and became a Black Moon Knight. In March of this year, he stole Moon Goddess' Tears and defected. During his escape, he committed multiple crimes, resulting in the death of one spiritual master and injuries to three civilians.
Current Status: At 5 PM today, the Holy Department's Ninth Team spotted him fleeing into the Mijia Disaster Realm, where he remains trapped.
"Based on our assessment, Wen Zaiye only possesses first-tier spiritual pressure, so capturing him shouldn't be difficult. The real challenges are the Mijia Disaster Realm itself… and the Black Moon Church."
"The Church?" Xia Feng frowned.
"Yes." Chen Xingdao nodded. "The Black Moon Church wants to apprehend the apostate themselves and handle the matter internally—without Holy Department interference. They'll likely send their own operatives into the Disaster Realm to track Wen Zaiye. Our priority is to capture him before they do, to prevent them from silencing him permanently."
Killing to tie up loose ends? Xia Feng narrowed his eyes, sensing deeper intrigue at play.
But he didn't press further. After all, Wen Zaiye meant nothing to him—his real goal was entering the Disaster Realm to find Player No. 17 and deliver an unexpected fortune.
No. 17, wait for me, brother. I'll gift you a new head soon!
The off-road vehicle merged into city traffic, weaving between skyscrapers.
District 51 was technically part of the Evil Dragon Forest. But after the great war a century ago, the empire rebuilt the Great Wall and expanded its territory, birthing this "New District."
King's Landing, the capital, bordered the Evil Dragon Forest. A hundred years of development had erased all traces of war, transforming it into a thriving metropolis.
Yet even the most prosperous cities have their neglected corners.
The off-road vehicle rolled into a desolate town.
[Far-River Town]
"It seems our friends from the Holy Church have arrived ahead of us. Let's greet them."
At Chen Xingdao's words, Xia Feng looked up.
A dark fissure hung ominously over a field of golden wheat—the entrance to the Disaster Realm.
Ahead of their vehicle, twenty Holy Church knights in silver armor stood with heads bowed, deep in discussion.
Among them, Xia Feng spotted familiar faces.
Cha Naxue. And her two guardian knights, Yin and Panda. All three looked up as the group approached.
(End of this chapter)