Chapter 200: Human Relations, Buying Meditation Methods! Going on a Mission Again!

Chapter 200: Personal Connections, Purchasing the Meditation Method! Another Mission!

"I don't need that so-called direct admission quota to the Space Marine Chapter from the school."

Feng Zhiyu's voice regained its calm.

"I will participate in the 'Universal Genius Tournament.' I will rely on my own strength to achieve a sufficiently dazzling ranking on that most supreme stage of all humanity. Then, with dignity, I will walk through the gates of the Space Marine Chapter!"

"As for Shi Dang..."

A trace of undisguised, icy killing intent flickered once more in his eyes.

"I will kill him for sure!"

"Placing the hope of revenge on a student who is still growing? Mentor Yu Han, don't you think that's far too frivolous?!"

"Waiting for Qin Feng to slowly grow up before pursuing Shi Dang? Who knows what mishaps might occur in the meantime! What if Qin Feng fails? What if he is killed by Shi Dang instead?! Can you bear that responsibility?!"

Faced with Feng Zhiyu's resounding, rationally questioning words, a smile of complete control finally appeared on Yu Han's face.

"Why can't you trust Qin Feng a little more?"

Feng Zhiyu asked.

"Qin Feng is a genius; I have never denied that."

Feng Zhiyu said in a deep voice, his tone devoid of any bias, purely objective.

"I have seen all his performances within the 'Fearless War Band.' His growth rate, his will to fight—they are both monstrous. Given time, his future is limitless."

"But, Mentor Yu Han, have you considered what kind of existence he is facing now?!"

"That is Shi Dang! A corrupted one personally blessed by the Chaos God 'Khorne'!"

Feng Zhiyu's voice was filled with deep apprehension.

"We geniuses of the Empire cultivate orthodox martial arts.

Every step of our growth requires vast amounts of time and resources to accumulate and refine! But Khorne's followers don't need that!"

"These scum walking the crooked paths improve their strength at a pace that, by its very nature, we orthodox martial artists cannot match!"

"Now, Shi Dang has already made a name for himself on the Empire's border!

Through endless slaughter and sacrifice, he exchanges for the pleasure and rewards of the evil god. It is said that he has already taken on the posture of a 'Chosen of Khorne'!"

"This is no longer an ordinary, fallen Chaos worshipper! A heavy blow must be struck, with the force of a thunderbolt, to completely slay him before he fully grows, nipping him in the bud!"

"Mentor Yu Han, you do not have the authority to 'privatize' such a dangerous target, leaving it to your student Qin Feng as some so-called 'whetstone'!

Right now, in the mission system, millions of martial artists have already accepted the assassination mission targeting Shi Dang!"

Faced with Feng Zhiyu's well-reasoned rebuttal, the smile on Yu Han's face did not diminish in the slightest.

He simply spoke a sentence calmly that struck Feng Zhiyu like a thunderbolt.

"First, you are right; I indeed do not have that authority."

"..."

"Because the one who issued this order is not me."

Yu Han gently set down the teacup in his hand and slowly uttered a name that would shake the entire Jianan Starry Sky Martial Arts University.

"It is Lord Zhou Xiong."

Boom!!!

The two words "Zhou Xiong" were like an invisible, billion-ton heavy hammer, smashing fiercely into Feng Zhiyu's heart!

His pupils suddenly contracted to the size of a pinprick!

The flush of anger and excitement on his face drained away in an instant!

Zhou Xiong!

Company Commander of the Space Marine Chapter!

A black hole-level supreme powerhouse!

How... could it be him?!

In an instant, a massive wave surged in Feng Zhiyu's mind!

If before, Yu Han's actions seemed to him like a mentor's somewhat overstepping decision out of favoritism for a student,

then now, with the name "Zhou Xiong" brought up, the nature of the entire matter underwent a fundamental, earth-shattering change!

This was no longer Yu Han's personal will.

It represented the will of that black hole-level powerhouse!

"Second," Yu Han looked at Feng Zhiyu's uncertain face and continued in his calm tone, "Qin Feng will definitely slay Shi Dang."

"I believe in Qin Feng."

"..."

"I do not believe."

After the initial, immense shock, Feng Zhiyu slowly shook his head again.

Upon hearing the name "Company Commander Zhou Xiong," his originally unyielding attitude had indeed wavered noticeably.

But reason still prevented him from accepting this seemingly absurd decision.

"Want... to make a bet?"

A faint, ambiguous smile curled at the corner of Yu Han's mouth.

He looked at Feng Zhiyu and asked slowly, "In your view, what level of strength must Qin Feng possess to be considered qualified to slay Shi Dang?"

"Hmm..."

Feng Zhiyu fell into brief contemplation upon hearing this.

"Both of them are progressing at an extraordinary speed. This is essentially a race of growth speed, a race against time."

He raised his head and said in an extremely serious tone, "Qin Feng must surpass Shi Dang in every aspect of his own progress rate to have any chance of catching up to and overtaking that scum."

"If... he can secure a top-ten spot in the ninth-level division of the next 'Starry Sky Cup' within twenty years, then he would roughly possess the absolute strength to slay Shi Dang at the same period."

"Oh?"

Yu Han raised an eyebrow slightly. "And do you think Qin Feng can achieve that?"

"No."

Feng Zhiyu shook his head directly without a second thought, a bitter, self-mocking smile even appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"First, for a martial artist who has just advanced to the sixth level, cultivating all the way to the ninth level within twenty years is itself an almost impossible miracle."

"Second, even if he truly creates a miracle and successfully advances to the ninth level,

to break into the top ten on a stage like the 'Starry Sky Cup,' where monsters gather, he would need to cultivate a vast number of different systems of killing techniques to the 'Mastery Realm,' and possess a profound understanding of and countermeasures for hundreds or thousands of different combat styles!"

"This is genuine painstaking work! It can only be accumulated through endless time and honed through countless life-and-death battles! There are no shortcuts!"

"But what about Shi Dang? He doesn't need to!"

In Feng Zhiyu's eyes, a trace of deep helplessness and hatred flickered.

"That scumbag only needs to complete one bloody slaughter and battle after another that can please the evil god behind him, and his strength will skyrocket like a rocket! His killing realm will rapidly ascend under the evil god's blessing!"

"The gap between them is as vast as heaven and earth!"

"Do you want to... make a bet with me?"

The smile on Yu Han's face grew even thicker.

He looked at Feng Zhiyu and said slowly, in a tone full of endless temptation:

"Let's not bet on the top ten."

"Let's just bet whether Qin Feng can win first place in the 'Star Cup' ninth-level division within twenty years."

"Bet what?"

Feng Zhiyu fell silent.

He stared fixedly at Yu Han's calm and composed face, and from those deep eyes, he could not see the slightest hint of jest.

"If Qin Feng succeeds."

Yu Han's voice became filled with a strange, mesmerizing charm.

"Then you, Feng Zhiyu, will follow him for the rest of your life."

"..."

"If Qin Feng does not succeed."

Yu Han paused, then continued: "Then I, Yu Han, will personally apologize to you on behalf of Company Commander Zhou Xiong. Moreover, I will personally capture Shi Dang alive and bring him before you for you to deal with. In addition, I will personally use the Ten Complete Hands to restore your younger brother's foundation."

"Furthermore, I will also give you, in my personal capacity, a guaranteed admission slot directly to the Limit Warrior Legion."

...

Inside the stone pavilion, silence fell once more, as still as death.

Feng Zhiyu looked at Yu Han, and Yu Han looked back at Feng Zhiyu.

After a long while, a smile suddenly appeared on Feng Zhiyu's face.

It was as if he had suddenly understood something, and he glanced behind the bamboo grove.

"Alright!"

Feng Zhiyu nodded at Yu Han.

"It's a deal!"

"Then, Mentor Yu Han, my graduation application will be delayed by twenty years."

"Good, go ahead."

Yu Han smiled with satisfaction and gently waved his hand at him.

As his words fell, Feng Zhiyu's figure turned into a streak of light and instantly disappeared at the end of the bamboo grove.

...

Inside the stone pavilion, tranquility returned once more.

Yu Han remained in his usual calm and unhurried manner, pouring himself another cup of spirit tea.

Just then, a graceful figure clad in fiery red battle armor, with a mane of equally fiery red hair, silently emerged from the shadows of the bamboo grove outside the pavilion.

It was none other than Yue Hong, also a mentor at Canaan.

"For the sake of that troublesome junior of mine, you even went to the trouble of putting on this elaborate act with him."

Yue Hong walked to the edge of the stone pavilion, looking at Yu Han with a helpless yet grateful smile: "I've put you to trouble, Yu Han."

"No matter."

Yu Han waved his hand, picked up the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

"The favor I owed you before is now settled."

The two exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without words.

They both knew well.

Making Feng Zhiyu follow "Qin Feng" was actually just a way to provoke Feng Zhiyu, to get him to build a good relationship with Qin Feng.

Being able to build a good relationship with the "Emperor's Chosen" might bring benefits at some point in the future.

And for this act, for this subtle hint, Yue Hong was willing to use up the favor Yu Han owed her!

The favor of a galaxy-level powerhouse—its value was evident.

"You really care about this junior."

Yu Han said.

"Feng Zhiyu's mind is very quick."

Yu Han looked in the direction where Feng Zhiyu had disappeared, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly again: "Just now, he probably sensed you as well."

"Mm."

Yue Hong nodded in agreement: "It's good that he can understand my good intentions."

—

Qin Feng sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut, his entire mind completely immersed in the perception of the vast power within his own body.

Half a day later, Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes.

In his gaze flickered a trace of undisguised surprise and awe.

"In just one morning of cultivation, my life force index has increased by a full 11 points!"

"This speed... is even a bit faster than before I broke through the 'First Great Limit'!"

Qin Feng was once again deeply shaken by the terrifying potential he had displayed.

Generally speaking, after a martial artist breaks through a "Great Limit," although the upper limit of life force is greatly enhanced, because the body's "capacity" for energy becomes higher, their cultivation speed actually enters a relatively flat or even slightly declining phase for a short time.

However, this common sense was completely overturned in his case!

The terrifying cultivation efficiency brought by the "Supreme Acupoint," far surpassing that of geniuses of the same rank, combined with his "Embryonic Star Beast" level physical talent, which exceeded the standard of "Golden Blood" humans...

These two factors, like the most efficient catalysts, perfectly combined, ultimately creating his current, heaven-defying, unbelievable rate of life force growth!

In his mind, Qin Feng rapidly performed deductions and calculations.

If, without any regard for cost, he devoted all twenty-four hours of the day to the frenzied cultivation of his life force index, without sleep or rest, then in one day, he could increase his life force index by at least 30 to 35 points!

In one year, that would be over 10,000 points!

Calculating at this rate, to go from the current 18,000 points to the 108,000 points of the "Fourth Great Limit," theoretically, it would take less than ten years!

This conclusion sent a huge wave crashing through Qin Feng's heart!

Ten years to traverse a path that other geniuses might need hundreds or even thousands of years to complete!

However, this wild notion merely flashed through his mind and vanished in an instant.

If it had been before his participation in the "Star Cup," he might have truly chosen this most extreme, simplest, and most brutal path without hesitation.

But now, after personally experiencing Lei Qianjue's terrifying saber technique of "one mind, nine uses," he had come to a profound realization: sheer vitality suppression was not invincible.

When an opponent's killing-art realm surpassed one's own by too great a margin, even reaching a higher-dimensional level, it could still level or even overturn the immense advantage brought by vitality.

Moreover, even if the vitality index reached the required level, to advance to a planetary-level lifeform, the mental strength index also had to meet the standard.

And the mental strength index was tied to the killing-art realm.

"Practical combat ability is the true foundation of everything."

"If I devote all my time to cultivating the vitality index, then my killing-art realm and mental strength will inevitably fall severely behind. In the end, I will only become a 'brute' who possesses power but cannot fully unleash it."

Qin Feng quickly calmed down and, based on his current situation, readjusted and optimized his long-term cultivation plan.

He decided to spend only one-third of his time each day—eight hours—cultivating the vitality index.

That would be enough to increase his vitality index by about 15 points daily.

For the remaining two-thirds of his time, he would evenly allocate it between practical combat drills for the "killing-art" and meditative cultivation for "mental strength."

"Calculating based on this time allocation, my vitality index can still steadily increase by 15 points each day. Over twenty years, it will be enough to firmly break through the 'Fourth Great Limit' of 108,000 points and reach the threshold of the planetary level."

"And during these twenty years, my killing-art realm will inevitably achieve substantial progress."

"As for mental strength... for now, I still don't know exactly how much it can improve."

Qin Feng's brow furrowed slightly.

This journey to the Star Cup had made him acutely aware of the importance of "mental strength," especially after witnessing that miraculous, multi-tasking killing-art technique. He had elevated the cultivation of mental strength to an unprecedented level.

But a very practical problem now stood before him.

"...I wonder, how exactly is the strength of mental strength calculated?"

A trace of doubt arose in Qin Feng's heart.

At his current level, his perception of the "vitality index" had become extremely sharp, almost instinctive.

He could basically, by merely looking inward at himself, estimate his own vitality strength with a highly accurate number that was close to the truth.

The same applied to opponents; Qin Feng only needed to slightly sense their aura to estimate their vitality index fairly accurately.

Moreover, even the most basic wristwatch-style personal terminal issued by the Empire came with a simple yet efficient vitality index detection function.

But regarding the detection and quantification of "mental strength," he seemed never to have heard of it in any public setting.

"Hammer, help me search for all academic articles, detection methods, and related cultivation theories about 'mental strength.'"

Qin Feng issued the command into the air.

"Understood, master. Performing a precise search for you on the subspace network forum..."

The intelligent butler Hammer's voice was as efficient as ever.

In just a few seconds, a vast amount of preliminarily filtered and organized data cascaded like a waterfall onto the holographic light screen before Qin Feng's eyes.

There were rigorously worded academic papers from the Imperial Academy of Sciences, literature documents circulated within major Star Martial Arts Universities that focused more on practical combat, and even many posts by anonymous experts on forum threads, filled with insightful popular science and personal experiences.

Qin Feng's gaze swept rapidly over these materials.

Soon, a pinned and highlighted popular science article titled "Introduction to Mental Strength: From Origin to Cultivation" caught his attention.

"...The essence of mental strength originates from a domain that is completely opposite to the material world we inhabit—a higher-dimensional realm.

That realm is composed of pure, formless 'will' and 'emotion.'

In the Empire, we academically name it the 'Spiritual Domain.'"

"Of course, the Spiritual Domain has another, more widely known name—the Subspace."

"..." "Martial artists can exert immense 'pressure' on their mental strength through methods such as meditation, contemplation, combat, or even experiencing extreme emotional fluctuations. After the pressure, mental strength, like muscles, will slowly and steadily 'improve' during the recovery process..."

Reading this, Qin Feng nodded. These were relatively basic theories he already knew.

His gaze continued downward, and soon he found the content he most wanted to know.

"...How to quantify your mental strength? It's simple: calm your mind, sink into your sea of consciousness, and carefully 'feel' and 'discern' your formless, intangible mental strength.

When you can clearly separate it into strands, each an independently perceptible unit, then one strand equals 'one point' of mental strength index."

"Ten strands make one 'thread,' equaling ten points of mental strength index."

"Ten threads make one 'drop,' equaling one hundred points of mental strength index."

"..."

Reading this, Qin Feng immediately closed his eyes and, following the method described in the article, sank his entire mind into that vast, boundless sea of spiritual consciousness.

Soon, he "saw" his own mental strength, diffuse like mist, formless and intangible.

He tried to use his will to separate and dismantle it.

After a moment, a look of understanding appeared on Qin Feng's face.

He discovered that his current mental strength could be precisely divided into exactly twelve strands.

"So that's it... My current mental strength index is 12 points."

He opened his eyes and continued reading below.

The latter part of the article had an even more enticing title.

[How to Rapidly Increase Your Mental Strength Index?]

"...As is well known, the cultivation of mental strength is fraught with unknown dangers. A single misstep can lead to qi deviation or mental collapse.

Therefore, for the vast majority of martial artists, they can only follow a step-by-step approach, relying on daily meditation to slowly and painstakingly improve it."

"But the so-called 'step-by-step' approach also has shortcuts."

"Of course, the 'shortcut' mentioned here still strictly adheres to the three fundamental principles of 'limit-recovery-improvement' and is an absolutely safe orthodox method, not those harmful evil techniques. Readers can rest assured."

"First, to make your mental strength reach the 'limit' state faster, the most efficient methods are nothing more than two: engage in high-intensity mental activities, such as practicing advanced meditation techniques; or throw yourself into real combat that treads the line between life and death."

"But here, everyone needs to note one essential, huge difference between the cultivation of mental strength and the conventional cultivation of vitality."

"For example, when you are a beginner martial artist with a vitality index between 1 and 10 points, you absolutely cannot practice the intermediate-level 'Imperial Body-Tempering Method' designed for a vitality index of 11–20 points.

Because your physical body's strength is simply insufficient to perform even the most basic, standard movement. Forcing an imitation would not only be ineffective but also cause irreversible, permanent damage to your body."

"However, mental strength is different."

"Even if your current mental strength index is only a mere 10 points, you can still try to cultivate those higher-level meditation techniques, even those prepared for planetary-level experts!"

"Although, with your current mental strength, you may not even be able to fully construct the first visualization image of those advanced meditation techniques.

But the very process of 'trying' itself is enough to bring far stronger 'stimulation' and 'pressure' to your fragile mental strength than cultivating lower-level meditation techniques—several times more intense!"

"And this is what we call the 'shortcut.'"

"Here, the author recommends several relatively gentle advanced meditation techniques certified by various Imperial war legions for all martial artists below the planetary level, for your reference: 'Crystal Meditation,' 'Snowy Night Meditation,' 'Raindrop Meditation'..."

"..."

Looking at the detailed exposition on the "Shortcut to Spiritual Power Cultivation" on the light screen, Qin Feng's mind suddenly became clear.

He, almost fully understood.

The Body-Tempering Method and the Meditation Method, these two cultivation techniques acting on "matter" and "spirit" respectively, had fundamentally different underlying safety logics.

The Body-Tempering Method acted on the physical body.

And the physical body had a clear, physical bearing limit.

The tearing strength of muscles, the compressive limit of bones, the energy throughput of meridians... all of these had limits.

Once the intensity of cultivation exceeded this limit, forcibly performing movements that one's own body could not withstand would inevitably result in muscle tears, bone fractures, severed meridians, causing irreversible, severe physical damage.

However, the Meditation Method acted on that formless, theoretically boundless spiritual sea of consciousness.

The so-called "difficulty" of cultivating high-level Meditation Methods did not lie in "squeezing" the spiritual power itself, but in whether one could use one's own spiritual power as a "brush" to successfully construct that extremely complex and exquisite "visualization image" within that sea of consciousness.

This process was more like an extremely difficult mathematical problem.

If you could solve it, you could solve it.

If you couldn't, it meant your own "computing power" and "knowledge reserve" were insufficient, and naturally, you would get stuck at a certain step, unable to proceed.

In this process, there was no such thing as "forcibly doing it."

Just like an elementary school student facing a calculus problem from university advanced mathematics; they couldn't even understand the problem, so naturally they couldn't start writing, and it was impossible for them to suffer brain damage from "forcibly" solving the problem.

"So that's it... no wonder, no wonder high-level Meditation Methods are called 'shortcuts.'"

Qin Feng's heart was filled with emotion.

This was indeed a unique shortcut, full of wisdom, safe and efficient, exclusively for spiritual power cultivation!

He needed a top-tier Meditation Method, one with a sufficiently high grade, capable of bringing him enough "spiritual pressure," yet relatively gentle in nature, not too dangerous.

Qin Feng opened the internal section of the Imperial official "Myriad Realms Trading House" and quickly filtered through the "Technique Manuals" category.

Soon, the technique prominently recommended in that popular science article, named "Crystal Meditation Method," appeared before his eyes.

[Technique: Crystal Meditation Method]

[Introduction: A top-tier meditation method passed down from the ancient 'Crystal Civilization.'

By visualizing the purest and most perfect multi-dimensional crystal structure in the universe, one tempers their own spiritual power, making it as pure, transparent, and indestructible as crystal.

Gentle in nature, safe in process, it is one of the best meditation methods recommended by the Imperial Martial Arts Association before the planetary level.]

[Price: 300,000 Contribution Points]

"This is it."

A hint of decisiveness flashed in Qin Feng's eyes.

Although the price of 300,000 contribution points made his already meager assets seem even more stretched.

But for someone who had made up his mind to make "spiritual power" his next main focus, this investment was completely necessary and absolutely worth it.

However...

He glanced at the single-digit contribution points left in his personal account and couldn't help but feel a long-lost pressure called "poverty."

"It seems I need to go out and 'earn money.'"

In Qin Feng's mind, the next course of action was instantly planned.

"Just in time, I can take this opportunity to do some high-difficulty tasks, and also challenge that Canaan Tower."

"While learning and honing my newly exchanged, 'three-minds-in-one' fourth-level killing technique 'Triple Stack Spear,' I can also quickly accumulate the contribution points needed to purchase the Meditation Method."

With this thought, Qin Feng didn't hesitate at all. He immediately leaped up from the cultivation meditation room.

...

The Canaan Tower, that magnificent giant tower piercing the heavens and earth, still stood quietly in the center of the First Campus like an eternal deity.

Without any pause, Qin Feng directly chose to start a new challenge from where he had left off last time—the 101st floor!

[Challenge on the 101st floor begins!]

The cold system prompt had just faded.

Qin Feng's figure appeared in front of his opponent as if teleported.

The [Raging Tide] spear in his hand didn't even use any flashy killing moves. Relying solely on the pure physical strength brought by breaking through the "First Great Limit" and his extreme speed, he pierced through and instantly killed that alien elite with a life force index of 18,000 points!

[Challenge successful! Reward: 200 Contribution Points.]

[Do you wish to continue challenging the 102nd floor?]

"Yes!"

In the following time, Qin Feng unleashed an unstoppable, devastating storm within the Canaan Tower!

101st floor, 102nd floor, 110th floor...

150th floor...

200th floor!

300th floor!

His pace of advancement was terrifyingly fast!

The phantoms of various racial prodigies, which seemed nearly invincible to ordinary students, were as fragile as paper in front of him, often unable to last three rounds before being brutally and unreasonably killed by a single spear strike!

And during this crazy, high-intensity tower-climbing process, he was also mastering the secrets of the newly exchanged fourth-level killing technique "Triple Stack Spear" at an astonishing speed.

From initial unfamiliarity to gradual proficiency.

The proficiency began to slowly increase.

When Qin Feng's figure finally stopped before the victory light screen on the 300th floor, he glanced at his personal terminal.

[Current Contribution Points Balance: 134,000 points]

In just half a day, he had madly plundered over 130,000 contribution points!

"Phew..."

Qin Feng let out a long breath and chose to exit the Canaan Tower.

"If I keep climbing, the gains won't match the effort."

Starting from the 300th floor, the strength of the alien phantoms guarding the tower had begun to show a qualitative leap.

Each one was at least a master of the "multi-tasking" killing technique.

Although, with his current strength, Qin Feng was still confident he could defeat them.

But every battle would inevitably be a tough struggle, consuming a lot of his time and energy.

Qin Feng exited the Canaan Tower, planning to check the mission board for any suitable, high-reward hunting tasks.

Just then, his personal terminal's communication channel suddenly buzzed with a series of continuous, urgent vibrations.

Qin Feng looked down and saw that Long Yu, Nissan, and Ning Jing had almost simultaneously sent him messages.

[Nissan: Qin Beast! Qin Beast! Are you there?! Going crazy from contribution points!]

This damned "Crystal Meditation Method," how can it be sold so expensively?! It's outright robbery!

Want to team up and pull off a big heist together?!】

【Ning Jing: Mission? Short on contribution points.】

【Long Yu: Qin Feng, Nissan, Ning Jing, and I were thinking the same. After the Starry Cup, we all deeply realized our shortcomings in mental strength. But the prices of those high-level meditation methods are indeed... a considerable threshold.

I guess you probably have the same need, right? Are your contribution points enough?】

Looking at the three messages, so different in style yet so unified in core thought, Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha."

He could imagine that these three equally proud top geniuses, after witnessing those freaks at the Starry Cup, must have, like him, reflected painfully and put the cultivation of "mental strength" on their agenda.

Then, they must also have been, like him, harshly "schooled in reality" by the ridiculously high price of the high-level meditation methods.

This tacit understanding gave him an inexplicable, heartfelt pleasure.

Quickly, he replied in their four-person encrypted squad channel.

【Qin Feng: Fearless District, Iron Fist Tavern? Talk face to face?】

【Long Yu: Okay.】

【Nissan: Good! I'll be right there!】

【Ning Jing: Mm.】

Almost instant replies.

——

Inside the "Iron Fist" Tavern.

Qin Feng and the other three were seated around a square table made from a single massive meteorite, exuding a rough and unrestrained atmosphere.

"Gulp... gulp... Ha——!"

Nissan, like a golden-maned lion, was still his usual bold and uninhibited self.

"Awesome! Still the same taste, strong enough!"

He slammed his mug heavily onto the table with a dull "thud," then turned to Qin Feng, a hint of frustration on his face, complaining:

"Qin Beast, you have no idea how stifled I've been lately!"

"At the Starry Cup, I got a proper lesson from those monsters that popped out of who knows where.

After coming back, I reflected painfully and resolved to work hard, to properly make up for my shortcomings in mental strength.

Then I opened the trading hall and, holy crap!"

"The prices are too high."

"So we thought we'd better quickly find a high-reward mission to earn some 'extra cash.'"

Long Yu, with a temperament as warm as jade, smiled and refilled everyone's cups with strong liquor, then turned his gaze to Qin Feng and said slowly in a consultative tone:

"Before we take on a mission, I think we need to inform each other of our current strength levels. That way, we can make a more accurate assessment of the mission's difficulty."

"I'll go first."

Long Yu spoke first: "After the Starry Cup, I went into seclusion and trained hard for a while. Currently, my life force index is 16,200 points. My main fourth-level sword technique, 'Rock-Shattering Blade,' has also reached the 'Minor Accomplishment' realm."

"Me, 16,100 points."

Ning Jing said succinctly, "Killing technique at Minor Accomplishment."

"I'm a little stronger than you two."

Nissan grinned, a hint of pride on his face, "Life force index, 16,500 points! Fourth-level axe technique 'Mountain Opener,' also at Minor Accomplishment!"

After he spoke, the three of them, as if by tacit agreement, all focused their gazes on Qin Feng.

Qin Feng said calmly:

"Life force index, eighteen thousand one hundred points."

"Killing technique, 'Heavy Spear,' Mastery."

"..."

Hearing "Mastery," everyone's breath caught.

A freak is still a freak, reaching the Mastery realm so quickly.

The Mastery realm of a fourth-level killing technique is not the same concept as that of the lower three levels.

"Alright, since everyone's strength is clear, it's time to talk business."

Long Yu concentrated, and a huge holographic screen composed of spiritual energy appeared before the four of them.

On the screen was the mission list.

"With our current strength, I think we can try those Warrior-level missions with a recommended life force index of around 15,000 points."

"The reward is around 400,000 contribution points."

Long Yu said as he quickly filtered through the screen.

"These missions are extremely difficult and very dangerous. But the rewards are also very generous."

Just as Long Yu's words fell,

At the very top of the mission list, suddenly, without any warning, a brand-new mission marked in "crimson" color, full of urgency and danger, refreshed!

【Mission Type: Emergency Rescue】

【Mission Level: Warrior-level (Extremely Dangerous)】

【Recommended Life Force Index: 15000+】

【Mission Objective: Immediately proceed to the 'K-78 Star Sector' to rescue the civilian passenger ship 'Galaxy Star' that has been hijacked by space pirates.】

【Mission Requirement: Must arrive at the mission location within one minute.】

【Mission Reward: 400,000 Contribution Points.】

Seeing this newly refreshed emergency mission, the four of them all tensed up!

Arrive at the battlefield within one minute!

This means the mission has no preparation time!

After accepting it, they must immediately throw themselves into the most intense and brutal battlefield!

But the reward is equally generous!

The private room fell into a brief silence again.

"Let's do it!"

Nissan was the first to break the silence, slamming the table, his eyes burning with fierce battle intent!

"Do it!"

Ning Jing, succinct.

Long Yu then looked at Qin Feng, a questioning smile appearing on his face.

"I have no problem."

Qin Feng calmly nodded.

"Good!"

[Quest accepted. Proceed immediately to the War Group Teleportation Hall!]

(End of this chapter)