Although Shen Han had obtained "Soul Search," he still needed to improve his Mental Energy to Cultivate it. All the academic credits and Cultivation resources he had were now completely depleted.
"It seems it's time to go out and take on some missions."
He and Li Muhua had agreed to go to the mission hall in Pearl Tower today to accept missions.
Unlike the school's mission hall, the types of missions here were more numerous and varied, but also more difficult. Hunting exotic beasts, collecting herbs, escorting treasures, exploring Secret Realms, pursuing fugitives, refining Medicinal Pills, deducing Cultivation Techniques, and more—everything was available.
The mission Rank in the mission hall ranged from Elementary Martial Artist to Advanced Martial Artist, and one could even accept missions of Super Martial Artist Rank and above—provided they had sufficient strength.
"Everywhere, strength is what matters." Thinking of this, Shen Han's heart stirred with excitement, further solidifying his determination to improve his Cultivation as quickly as possible.
Shen Han registered as a hunter using his real information and went to the mission board to browse for missions suitable for them.
Just then, a mission caught his attention.
Mission Reward: 5 million / person
Mission Content: Assist the employer in obtaining a Spirit Fire, requiring at least half a month in an outer-province Secret Realm.
Mission Requirement: Late Stage Martial Spirit and above.
Many Martial Artists who came to the mission hall to accept missions were already drooling over this new mission and had begun to queue up to apply for it. It turned out that the employer also needed to vet the Martial Artists accepting the mission to prevent anyone from taking advantage.
"Han-ge, why don't we try this one?" Li Muhua excitedly suggested, "A 5 million reward is enough for us to exchange for many Cultivation resources, and the mission time isn't long. We can definitely make it back before the next semester starts!"
"What is Spirit Fire? Why does acquiring Spirit Fire require so many Martial Artists?" Shen Han was a bit curious.
"Brother, you don't understand this, do you? Spirit Fire is a great treasure." A nearby Martial Artist enthusiastically explained, "It is said that if a Martial Artist with a Fire Element Special Ability can refine and absorb a Spirit Fire, when they use Fire Element skills, their flames will exhibit characteristics matching the Spirit Fire, and their combat power will more than double."
"So there are many kinds of Spirit Fire?" Shen Han became even more interested.
"Of course, some Spirit Fire can double long-range attacks, some Spirit Fire can scorch everything, and some Spirit Fire can make you grow a pair of Fire Element wings. How many Martial Artists dream of obtaining Spirit Fire!" The enthusiastic Martial Artist looked envious.
"I wonder what kind of ability the Spirit Fire we're going to help collect this time will have."
"We'll only know when we get there. However, collecting Spirit Fire is not that easy. Collecting such Heaven And Earth Treasure often involves a lot of fighting and casualties."
Shen Han nodded; he also understood the danger of contending for such rare resources.
"Let's go, queue up." Shen Han and Li Muhua also prepared to participate in this mission... Soon, the queue reached Shen Han and Li Muhua.
"Name, Cultivation? And please state your corresponding Special Ability Element." The person in charge of recruiting Martial Artists was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, whose background was indiscernible.
"Shen Han, Martial Spirit Eighth Stage, Lightning Element and Dark Element."
"Li Muhua, Martial Spirit Fifth Stage, Wind Element and Ice Element."
Then, following the example of previous Martial Artists, the two released their Martial Spirit's Mental Energy for the other party to inspect.
"Good, these are two tokens. Please keep them safe, both of you. Gather at the mission hall entrance on the morning of the third day from now. Please bring your tokens then." Seeing that their Cultivation was correct, the person in charge issued mission tokens to them.
"Huazi, I didn't expect it, your progress has been so great in just half a year. Is your awakened second Element Ice Element? Congratulations!" Shen Han was quite surprised by Li Muhua's Cultivation progress. An E-Rank Wind Element was indeed a bit low, yet he could make such rapid progress, showing that Li Muhua hadn't been idle at all these past six months.
"The clumsy bird flies early, right? Besides, I can't embarrass you, Han-ge. If I don't work hard, I won't be able to keep up with your pace anymore." Li Muhua smiled sheepishly.
"Rest well these last three days, adjust your state, and bring enough healing medicine." Shen Han instructed... Three days later, at the entrance of the Pearl Tower mission hall.
When Shen Han and Li Muhua arrived, they saw dozens of Martial Artists already gathered at the entrance.
Many of them were social Martial Artist groups, and quite a few were part of the same organization. With the university students' winter break, there were also many clear-eyed student faces mixed in.
Shen Han swept a "Sniff" skill over them and found that the vast majority of Martial Artists participating in this mission were in the mid-to-Late Stage Martial Spirit, meaning he and Li Muhua were about the average level of this group. The highest Cultivation was Early Stage Martial King.
About ten minutes later, the employer finally appeared. This was a middle-aged Martial Artist with slightly graying hair, a majestic Aura, and an intimidating presence without even trying, clearly someone who had long held a high position.
"Fellow Daoists, I am Xu Liyuan, the employer for this mission. Not long ago, one of our exploration teams discovered traces of a Spirit Fire in a Secret Realm. As for what skills this Spirit Fire possesses, we will only know after capturing it. As you all know, capturing a Spirit Fire is never an easy task, so casualties are inevitable. Please be mentally prepared for this."
"The Secret Realm where the Spirit Fire is located is in Xilin Province in the northwest, which is not close to Pearl. A Secret Realm that can nurture a Spirit Fire is naturally incomparable to ordinary Secret Realms; it's no exaggeration to say it's full of dangers at every turn. This is also why my Xu Family is going to such great lengths to hire you all," Xu Liyuan further explained.
"This mission is highly dangerous, so we are offering a reward of 5 million per person. Of course, if anyone makes an outstanding contribution, we can double it. But one thing I must make clear in advance: wealth moves hearts, especially for a treasure like Spirit Fire. Please do not bring trouble upon yourselves by becoming enemies with my Xu Family. Aside from the Spirit Fire, any other treasures you obtain will naturally belong to you. My Xu Family will never obstruct or interfere."
"If there are no objections, everyone can now come forward and collect a contract." Xu Liyuan raised his hand and pointed to his accompanying assistant.
"Elder Xu, I'd like to know, if a treasure more valuable than the Spirit Fire appears, will the Xu Family participate in the contention?" a Martial Artist asked.
"My Xu Family's goal for this mission is solely the Spirit Fire. All you need to do is assist us in acquiring the Spirit Fire according to my Xu Family's arrangements. As for other Opportunities, the Xu Family will not participate in the contention. Of course, if you mess up the main task because you're fighting over other Opportunities, don't blame me, Xu Liyuan, for being merciless."
"That is natural." The Martial Artists responded.
Everyone came forward to collect and sign the contracts. After all the procedures were completed, they prepared to depart for Xilin Province.