After enlisting, Jasper Cole spent his days training relentlessly on the military grounds.
A few months passed in the blink of an eye.
Jasper broke through to Bronze Tier, Rank 3.
Strangely enough, his cultivation speed was noticeably faster than even other Pure Gold–talent prodigies. He suspected it had something to do with the mysterious red evolution energy from the system. Whatever the cause, it brought him nothing but benefits, so he didn't dwell on it.
Upon reaching Bronze Tier, Rank 3, the profession system granted him a new Assassin skill:
Shadow Assassination.
When activated, his movement speed increased by 40%, and his attack power doubled. After a successful assassination, he could absorb the enemy's battle-qi and convert it into additional speed for escape. Assassinating a Bronze Tier, Rank 3 opponent granted another 40% speed boost while retreating.
Hit fast. Kill clean. Disappear.
Early that morning, Jasper left his wooden barracks, donned the standard Cloudspire Empire military uniform, and gathered at the open field.
A six-man squad assembled.
Their captain was Harlan Xu, a Bronze Tier, Rank 3 cultivator. Among new recruits, that was already impressive. Most fresh soldiers were still stuck at Bronze Tier, Rank 1. Some squads even had captains at Rank 2.
Of course, elite squads existed too—led by Rank 4, Rank 5, or even Rank 6 cultivators.
Captain Harlan spoke confidently, "This mission is to suppress bandits at Cloudmist Mountain. They've been running rampant and have already ruined several villages."
"Our objective is total extermination. No survivors."
"According to intelligence, their leader is Bronze Tier, Rank 3. He has two Rank 2 subordinates, dozens at Rank 1."
"Our squad consists of two Rank 3s and four Rank 2s. This will be effortless."
Since joining the army, Jasper had learned that Garrick Forge's village technically qualified as a small town. A true village usually had nothing more than wooden palisades, and a village head at Bronze Tier, Rank 4 was already exceptional.
A Bronze Tier, Rank 7 leader? Almost unheard of.
Jasper checked his gear:
Short sword
Assassin Combat Outfit
Wrist Blade
Twenty Mysterium Iron needles
Five throwing knives
Supplies were carried by one of the Rank 2 soldiers.
The squad marched toward Cloudmist Mountain.
Night fell.
Captain Harlan ordered, "Set camp here. We rest for the night."
"Jasper, you're on patrol. The rest of us will pitch the tents."
Jasper nodded and climbed a nearby tree. He took out a slab of cured beef, chewing slowly while scanning the surroundings.
After the tents were up, the squad ate and turned in for the night. Only Jasper and Harlan stayed on watch.
"You sleep first," Harlan said. "I'll take first watch."
Jasper didn't argue. He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes.
Harlan glanced at him, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face, before turning back to stare into the fire.
Jasper, meanwhile, quietly kept Eagle Eye active.
With his mental force, the stamina cost was negligible. As for Harlan's hostility—Jasper understood it well. Things had been fine when he was Rank 2, but after breaking through to Rank 3, the captain's attitude had shifted sharply.
Fear of being replaced.
Relax, Jasper thought. I don't care about a squad leader's pay.
Midnight.
Harlan nudged Jasper awake, yawning. "Your turn. I'm going to sleep."
Jasper stretched, climbed back into the tree, and expanded Eagle Eye across a 600-meter radius.
Nothing.
He relaxed—then suddenly, a figure appeared at the edge of his perception.
Masked. Sneaking. Bronze Tier, Rank 2.
Jasper dropped from the tree and closed the distance instantly.
The intruder sensed danger—he had cultivated some mental awareness—and bolted.
Too slow.
Jasper caught him within seconds, pressing a short sword to his throat.
"You're one of the Cloudmist Mountain bandits."
The man stiffened. "I'm not! You're a Windcloud City soldier!"
He glanced at the insignia on Jasper's shoulder.
Jasper nodded.
The man ripped off his mask, revealing a youthful, handsome face. Panic filled his eyes.
"Please—help me! I am with them, but I was forced!"
"My name is Skyhawk. I grew up with my grandfather. After he died, the bandit leader stole his relic and used it to threaten me into staying."
"If you help me retrieve it, I'll do anything."
Skyhawk could feel the pressure radiating from Jasper—stronger than even the bandit leader.
Jasper smiled faintly. "Fine. Tell me everything."
Back at camp, Captain Harlan woke to find Jasper gone.
Good riddance, he thought darkly. One less threat to my position.
He woke the others.
One soldier asked, "Captain, where's Jasper?"
"Oh, him?" Harlan replied casually. "He went ahead to scout. Said he'd wait for us at the mountain's base."
No one questioned it.
The squad marched on—unaware they were walking into a trap.
Skyhawk spoke quickly.
"Our leader is Bronze Tier, Rank 4."
"He has seven trusted subordinates at Rank 3, over a dozen at Rank 2, and more than a hundred Rank 1 bandits."
Jasper's expression changed.
This is a slaughter waiting to happen.
He grabbed Skyhawk's arm. "Come with me. Now."
They sprinted back toward camp.
The fire pit was cold but still warm to the touch.
"They just left," Jasper muttered.
He turned to Skyhawk and waved his hand calmly.
"Go get your grandfather's relic."
The hunt had already begun.