Chapter 66: A Brief Task in Lin Yuan City

After resolving some affairs, Zhang Shen had intended to simultaneously consume the materials and treasures to accumulate experience points for the transformation of his physical body, while also organizing the Vanishing Mountain Sect’s True Core grade inheritances.

But things didn’t always go as planned.

A task arrived from Lin Yuan City.

Official members of Lin Yuan City enjoyed numerous conveniences, including the right to receive cultivation resources once every hundred years. Correspondingly, they were required to complete a task assigned by Lin Yuan City every century.

One could either go to the task hall to pick up a task or wait for Lin Yuan City’s arrangement. The tasks in the hall were not necessarily easier, they were meant for the stronger cultivators in the True Core stage.

For early-stage True Core warriors, accepting tasks arranged by Lin Yuan City was advisable.

For this reason, Zhang Shen had never gone to pick up a task, instead, he waited for Lin Yuan City’s arrangement.

“A patrol task, huh.” 

His personal token’s interface clearly displayed the task sent by Lin Yuan City.

He was to join a squad led by Duan Hai, a mid-stage Law Manifestation powerhouse, for a five-year patrol mission.

When arranging tasks, Lin Yuan City also considered the relationships among team members. Though not close with Duan Hai, Zhang Shen had attended several gatherings hosted by him. There was no friction between them, instead, they shared a familiar acquaintance.

Moreover, Zhang Shen was well aware of Duan Hai’s temperament, a fair and principled Law Manifestation powerhouse, so there was no need to worry about being unjustly betrayed.

Unless faced with insurmountable opponents, Duan Hai wouldn’t abandon them to escape alone.

The patrol area was extensive, and the Ancient Covenant was right behind this patrol line. Or rather, most of the patrol team members had their families and powers located behind this patrol line.

“With such an arrangement, the members of the patrol team can’t help but give their best efforts.” 

Zhang Shen smiled knowingly, satisfied with Lin Yuan City’s meticulous planning.

Having an intelligent backing power was always more reassuring than a foolish one.

The token displayed the gathering time and location for the patrol team. Zhang Shen had ample time to arrange his affairs for the period of his absence.

Five years would pose a challenge for Zhang Yu, Li Zhi, and others. The tasks Zhang Shen entrusted to them were somewhat controversial, and without his presence to oversee, how they handled these matters would be a test they must confront.

It was both a trial and a form of tempering for them.

Zhang Shen also discreetly sought out his grandfather, Zhang Tianlong, entrusting him with the True Core stage fifth layer guardian puppet he had repaired. This was Zhang Shen’s contingency plan, a safeguard against unforeseen circumstances.

The old patriarch’s hands trembled as he received the puppet and its control token.

“Grandfather, I crafted this token myself. It can control the puppet in battle. The puppet’s energy reserve is sufficient for it to exert True Core fifth layer combat power for five days and nights. Once activated, simply place it in an area rich in spiritual energy afterward. It will slowly absorb the spirit qi to replenish its energy. Grandfather, this is the final and strongest safeguard I leave for Hongyuan City and the Ancient Covenant. Use it wisely.”

Zhang Shen had considered entrusting the puppet to his uncle Zhang Yu or Li Zhi, and even his parents crossed his mind. But ultimately, he decided to leave it in the hands of his grandfather, Zhang Tianlong.

Among all those Zhang Shen trusted, only his grandfather possessed a comprehensive view of the bigger picture and the necessary ruthlessness. Others either lacked a sufficient understanding of the overall situation or couldn’t bring themselves to make hard decisions when it mattered most.

Zhang Tianlong, however, was the type who, in crucial moments, could sacrifice anyone without letting emotions sway his judgment. He was the one worthy of handling such critical matters.

This was also why Zhang Shen ultimately entrusted his grandfather with the responsibility.

Ten days later, Zhang Shen arrived at the meeting place.

It was a stronghold established by Lin Yuan City in the boundless wilderness.

Ancestor Duan Hai had been waiting there, always immersed in cultivating his martial arts and pondering the intricacies of martial cultivation.

Before everyone had gathered, Zhang Shen engaged in conversation with some True Core cultivators he was somewhat acquainted with. They were all regulars at Ancestor Duan Hai’s gatherings, so they were not strangers to one another.

Communicating at this moment was also a way to deepen their understanding of each other, facilitating better cooperation during the upcoming patrol.

The Endless Wilderness lay between the territories of humans and demons. Although there had been no large-scale war between the two races for many long years, battles involving Law Manifestation and True Core stage combatants had never ceased.

A five-year patrol might seem insignificant compared to the five-hundred-year lifespan of a True Core cultivator.

However, during this period, an encounter with the demon race was inevitable. If one was not careful and underestimated the enemy, it could lead to death at the hands of the demons.

Many newly advanced True Core cultivators, inflated with pride, had lost their lives in this way.

Half a month later, Ancestor Duan Hai led the squad to set off.

The patrol line was some distance away from this stronghold, roughly in the middle of the Endless Wilderness. Along the way, when encountering True Core stage demon creatures, Zhang Shen and his companions had to engage them.

Those below the True Core stage were simply bypassed.

Upon reaching their destination, Ancestor Duan Hai instructed everyone to disperse, with groups of five responsible for different segments of the defense line. He stationed himself in the middle to provide support and guard against demon Law Manifestation powerhouses.

Zhang Shen’s team of five was highly vigilant. This area was deep within the boundless wilderness, and just a bit further lay the territory occupied by the demons.

Just as the humans patrolled their borders, the demons did the same on their side.

During the five-year patrol, Zhang Shen’s team occasionally encountered demon patrols. Both sides kept their distance, wary of each other, and refrained from initiating conflict. But aside from the demon patrols that moved in groups, they also encountered lone True Core stage demon creatures.

In such cases, Zhang Shen and his team naturally did not hold back.

Five against one, there was nothing to fear, especially considering that the body of a demon was a treasure trove of valuable materials.

The demons would make the same choice in similar situations.

What Zhang Shen’s patrol team was most cautious about were scenarios like the previous encounter with the Bone Tribe, where a group of True Core powerhouses had been expelled from their clan and were left to fend for themselves.

These outcasts, often in large numbers, found it difficult to establish themselves within the borders of their respective tribes, so they ventured elsewhere to try their luck. The group of Bone Demons that approached the Ancient Covenant last time was, in fact, just a portion of the True Core powerhouses expelled from their clans.

Unwilling to stray far from familiar territories, these demons sought to carve out their own realm within the boundless wilderness.

Others crossed the vast expanse of the wilderness and ventured into the Abyssal Sea.

The Abyssal Sea was a chaotic region, far from the boundless wilderness, accessible only through teleportation arrays or other long-distance travel methods for those below the Law Manifestation level.

Even for Law Manifestation powerhouses, flying on their own without resting for ten to eight years would not suffice to travel from Lin Yuan City to the distant Abyssal Sea.

Zhang Shen, with his mere second-layer True Core martial cultivation, could easily travel tens of thousands of miles in a day alone. This highlights the immense distance between these two places.

During these five years, Zhang Shen also witnessed the death of many of his teammates. It was not a pleasant experience, but he found it hard to feel sorrowful. There was no helping it, as they had all agreed beforehand that if anyone were to fall, the rest would take care of their families.

They had made a solemn pact, the kind sworn in writing.

Although they had only interacted for a short period and got along reasonably well to make such a pact, for the living, it was a considerable income.

Like now, another teammate who had made the pact died in Zhang Shen’s arms.

Grasping Zhang Shen’s hand in his final moments, he said, “Brother Zhang, I can’t rest in peace! I’m filled with hatred.”

Zhang Shen could only sigh helplessly.

“There’s nothing we could do. Why did you charge in so recklessly and retreat so slowly? We’re all True Core cultivators, even if they are demons, everyone has their own skills. At the very least, self-destruction at the brink of death is a common tactic. How could you be so careless, not taking any precautions?”

It pained Zhang Shen. A year after joining the team, he and a few friends who had spent some time together made such a pact.

It had started half in jest, half as a safeguard for their families and powers behind them.

For Zhang Shen, it was, of course, more of a joke. But now, only he and another teammate, who had been injured early and gone to recuperate, remained alive.

It was quite frustrating, almost inviting suspicion. But the truth was, Zhang Shen hadn’t engaged in any underhanded tactics. He had merely refrained from using his physical strength, consistently demonstrating the power of a second-layer True Core cultivator.

“Forget it, I’ll take a loss and bear this stigma to help out,” Zhang Shen lamented, tears streaming down from the corners of his mouth.

“Rest easy, my friend. I will take good care of your wife, children, and family.”

With Zhang Shen’s assurance, the teammate in his arms died a bitter and resentful death. Nearby lay the True Core great demon that had killed his friend.

Its chest was pierced by a large sword, the True Core Flaming Sun Blade.

This fatal blow was delivered by Zhang Shen, taking advantage of the moment when the demon’s attention was drawn by his dying teammate. In a way, he had avenged his comrade.

“C’mon, let him go. You’re not even crying,” Li Xiao remarked, his sword in hand as he stood aside. 

Around him, two early-stage True Core great demons lay defeated. It was to be expected. These lesser demons were no match for Li Xiao, a formidable fifth-layer True Core master.

Once Zhang Shen couldn’t discern Li Xiao’s cultivation level, but now it was clear with just a slight sensing.

Li Xiao had joined the group two years ago, not on a mission from Lin Yuan City, but of his own volition. In Li Xiao’s words, he was practicing his swordsmanship, forging the sharpness of his sword path with the blood, flesh, and lives of the demon race.

Zhang Shen gave this idea two thumbs up.

Worthy of a swordsman, indeed fierce.

He was different, focused on sly and steady development.

Having Li Xiao join the team was indeed fortunate. Otherwise, given the high mortality rate among their group members, one might have suspected Zhang Shen of foul play. But now, with a witness present, it was all chalked up to accidents.

“We should still show some respect. After all, he was a comrade who fought alongside us for years.”

Standing up, Zhang Shen carefully gathered his fallen teammate’s body, planning to return it intact to the family. 

As for the pact they had made?

If the family wished to accept his protection and relocate to the Ancient Covenant’s territory, Zhang Shen would offer his support. But if they chose not to move? Zhang Shen would act as if the pact never existed.

However, he didn’t expect to come away empty-handed.

In terms of inheritances and cultivation resources, Zhang Shen didn’t have much need. What he truly coveted were the talents within these powers and their populations. Given the explosive growth of the Ancient Covenant’s population, the lands were still sparsely populated.

Not to mention, the Covenant was continuously expanding its borders.

The boundless wilderness was vast, filled with lands lacking spiritual energy and unclaimed by anyone.

“Hmm.” Li Xiao showed no displeasure at Zhang Shen’s candidness.

“Your five-year patrol term is up. Are you planning to return now?” Li Xiao asked.

Zhang Shen nodded. “Indeed.”

“The constant battles during the patrol were manageable, but they’re too dangerous for my current second-layer True Core state.”

“You are cautious,” Li Xiao commented. “That’s good. Your deceased teammates were just too reckless. Right, once you’re back, focus on your cultivation and grow stronger quickly,” Li Xiao suddenly remembered something and advised.

“Uh?” Zhang Shen looked puzzled.

“Daoist Li, have you heard some rumors? Are the human and demon races heading towards a major conflict?”

“Not really,” Li Xiao shook his head, hinting at something deeper. “Daoist Zhang, you need to understand, even though you’ve joined Lin Yuan City and have the status of an official member, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re one of Lin Yuan City’s own. But, if you can continually survive the tasks assigned by Lin Yuan City, demonstrating your potential and loyalty, you will also receive the cultivation and support you deserve.”

This was almost an explicit indication, and Zhang Shen understood its meaning clearly.

He couldn’t help but be tempted. The resources of Lin Yuan City were far more profound and extensive than the legacy of the Vanishing Mountain Sect that he had acquired. The two were simply not on the same level.

“I understand, thank you for the reminder,” Zhang Shen gratefully acknowledged. 

Without Li Xiao’s prompt, such thoughts might never have occurred to him.

Regardless of whether he would strive for it later, he appreciated the sentiment behind this advice.

Li Xiao smiled, his impression of Zhang Shen had always been favorable. Although he was a sword cultivator, straightforward in approach, he wasn’t stubborn. He admired Zhang Shen’s cautious manner. After all, a martial artist could only make a difference if they stay alive.

After conversing with Li Xiao for a while, Zhang Shen went to Ancestor Duan Hai to submit proof of the completion of his mission and then left the patrol line to return.

First, he visited the families and powers of his fallen teammates to inform them of the situation.

As he expected, some were reluctant, and he naturally didn’t press the issue.

In the end, only two families agreed to relocate a part of their members and population. That was enough for Zhang Shen. These were precisely the two things he wanted.

“Start preparing, I will send someone to liaise with you. You will wait no more than two months.”

Before departing, Zhang Shen left each a jade slip.

“This will serve as proof of my protection. Don’t expect it to maintain your current status and territory. Remember, don’t do anything foolish. Otherwise, I won’t come to your help.”

Zhang Shen understood why these two families had agreed, their situation was no different from that of the Li and Luo families he had known before.

Their glory depended on one person. And now, that pillar of support had fallen.