Translator: CinderTL
As core disciples, naturally, few were foolish.
Upon hearing the words of the Core Formation Elder, even those who were previously unaware gradually began to understand.
The higher-ups had made thorough arrangements.
For this mission, there was basically no need to worry about life-threatening dangers.
Those with active minds began to entertain various thoughts.
"This time, I shall follow the lead of Sword Prodigy Li! The future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy... If I can forge a bond of camaraderie through this mission, and if he is willing to give me a leg up in the future when he becomes a Sword Prodigy, achieving Core Formation would not be an impossible dream."
"Although the sect must have made thorough arrangements before sending Sword Prodigy Li out for training, I should still keep an eye on him along the way. Any damage to the Sword Prodigy would be an unbearable loss for our Taixu Sword Sect."
"Wait! If Sword Prodigy Li is also participating in this mission, doesn't that mean... the higher-ups must be paying attention to this? If I perform exceptionally well in this mission, could I catch the eye of the higher-ups? What if I could be taken in as a disciple by an Elder or even a Peak Master... Core Formation would be within reach!"
As thoughts swirled, everyone's gaze towards Li Chunjun became fervent.
Almost everyone understood that this was an invaluable opportunity for them.
A chance to ride the wave of popularity.
Whether it was getting close to Li Chunjun or showcasing their own abilities, they were bound to gain something.
The key was how they chose to proceed.
"Buzz buzz!"
At that moment, the Core Formation Elder had already summoned a spirit artifact-level flying boat.
Under the infusion of mana, the boat rapidly grew from one meter to over ten meters in size.
"Board the boat."
The Core Formation Elder called out loudly.
Immediately, dozens of cultivators boarded the boat.
As he infused more mana, the boat rose into the air, soon reaching a height of over a hundred meters.
Then, with a change in the boat's formation, it accelerated sharply, reaching a speed comparable to a commercial airliner, heading towards the mission location.
Less than a minute after this boat had taken off.
A silver boat of similar size, but with far superior concealment and formation inscriptions, followed closely behind.
If anyone had developed their Primordial Spirit and cast a glance towards the boat, they would have seen it filled with the higher-ups of the Taixu Sword Sect.
The Sect Leader, Vice Sect Leaders, and Peak Masters were all present.
It could be said that more than half of the Taixu Sword Sect's leadership was on board.
Faintly, there were exchanges of Divine Sense.
"Why are all of you here? Didn't we agree not to pay attention to this matter?"
"Our future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy is out training, what if someone takes this opportunity to create an accident to harm him? I'm here to protect him, ensuring everything is foolproof! Besides, if you can come, why can't I? Also, if you hadn't come, how would you have known I was here?"
"Alright, alright, stop bickering. There's no shame in being discovered."
"Are you looking down on my Silver Wing boat? I dare say, on the entire Blue Star, the number of cultivators capable of sensing the Silver Wing can be counted on one hand."
"Didn't we already set up numerous Mirror Light spells in that area? We can 'see' the scenes from the sect, why bother crowding together here? Are you all so free with nothing to do? Don't you have sects to manage? Aren't there family members to search for?"
"I've worked hard for most of my life, what's wrong with taking a little rest?"
Thus, the so-called higher-ups of the sect squabbled noisily, following silently behind, completely unnoticed by anyone.
The world is indeed a grand, makeshift stage, as the saying goes, and this truth was once again validated.
...
The flying boat journeyed swiftly, covering six thousand miles before finally coming to a stop amidst a range of towering mountains.
"This is the Heaven's Rift Mountain Range, famous for its numerous crevices caused by earthquakes."
The Core Formation Elder explained: "The followers of the Sun Worshiping Sect are hiding here."
His gaze turned cold: "Your objective is to find them all, kill them, leave none alive!"
"Yes!"
The disciples responded in unison.
"The Spirit Jade you carry will record the number and strength of the targets you kill, which will determine your final contribution."
The Core Formation Elder said, not mincing words, and with a wave of his hand: "Go, make these people understand the price they must pay for daring to worship evil gods and still operate within the territory of our Taixu Sword Sect!"
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the order, everyone leaped off the boat, heading straight into the depths of the Heaven's Rift Mountain Range.
Li Chunjun, Pan Ruo, Xuan Wu, and others were among them.
"It's been nine years since I joined the sect, working diligently and cultivating hard, never daring to slack off. My mastery of the Celestial Origin Sword Scripture has even reached the level of touching the Spirit Refining chapter, yet in the past three years, my three applications to become a Sword Prodigy of the Celestial Origin Peak have all been rejected..."
Pan Ruo, the personal disciple of the Peak Master, sneered inwardly: "Hmph, the Celestial Origin Peak has never produced a Celestial Origin Sword Prodigy, and they don't believe that the Celestial Origin lineage on Blue Star has the conditions to produce a Sword Prodigy!? Then I will be the first! Today! I will show you how I trample the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy underfoot, and let you see if I, Pan Ruo, have the qualifications to become the Celestial Origin Sword Prodigy!"
With this thought, as soon as he left the boat, he rode the wind, rushing to the forefront.
Not just him, some ambitious core disciples harbored similar thoughts.
Although they dared not hope to receive the treatment of a Sword Prodigy, being groomed as the Sword Prodigy of one of the other five lineages, if they could trample the future Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy underfoot, fully demonstrating their talent and abilities, the resources they could eventually receive would be immeasurable.
As for possibly offending the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy?
Hmph!
Not to mention whether Li Chunjun could become the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy is still unknown, even if he has the qualifications, if one were to give up readily available resources out of fear of offending him, then what's the point of cultivating, practicing the sword, or seeking immortality?
Might as well stay at home and live a mundane life as an ordinary person.
There were cultivators with such thoughts, as well as those who wished to climb up by attaching themselves to Li Chunjun.
As everyone entered the Heaven's Rift Mountain Range, over twenty disciples immediately approached.
"Sword Prodigy Li, the followers are fierce, I wish to guard around you, ensuring your safety."
"After ten years of hard cultivation, I have developed a decent sword technique for combat, I am willing to be at your service."
"Ha, I wish to act together with the Sword Prodigy, sweeping through these cult followers with the force of a plow through a courtyard."
Everyone clasped their hands in salute.
Li Chunjun had already made his calculations.
If he let these people help him search for the followers, the efficiency of killing would naturally be very fast, but it would easily leave an impression of "greed."
Moreover, his goal this time was to raise his life level to 20, preferably accumulating experience to near completion, and then use the epiphany brought by reaching a stage of completion to master Sword Energy Meteor, Profound Phoenix Sword Wheel, Flame Phoenix Sun Refining, Void Sword Flash, and even comprehend Sword Intent.
This would inevitably involve at least one state recovery from leveling up.
This was one of his trump cards, and with so many people around, even with the cover of "Flaming Phoenix Blood," it would be hard to avoid exposure.
Therefore, he directly responded: "I appreciate your kind intentions, but my participation in this mission is as a regular disciple for training. The sect has already overstepped by sending a Core Formation Elder to protect my safety. If I were to let you all follow me along the way, it would defeat the purpose. Therefore, please return."
After a pause, he added: "You can also perform well during this period. If you are recorded in the annals of the sect due to outstanding merit, you may also take this opportunity to catch the eye of the higher-ups."
Hearing Li Chunjun's words, although the disciples were disappointed, they could not insist, lest they incur his displeasure.
Thus, these disciples had no choice but to bid their farewells.
This scene fell into the eyes of Huan Ming and others of the Taixu Sword Sect who had followed, leading to their own evaluations.
Li Chunjun had forsaken the path of leading the disciples to glory and adversity together.
But this was not a bad thing.
In a world where might makes right, individual strength can sometimes be more effective than collective strength.
Herds are for sheep and cattle, while lions and tigers walk alone.
...
Li Chunjun was unaware that his every move was being observed and evaluated by numerous important figures.
But with his keen perception that exceeded the range of Divine Sense, he could faintly sense the gaze of prying eyes.
However, he only thought that Jiang Yuqiu, concerned for his safety, had arranged a Dao Protector for him, and did not dwell on it further.
He just needed to slightly avoid this "Dao Protector" when "leveling up."
As for other times...
He didn't mind showcasing his own strength.
At that moment, he elevated his perception to the extreme, searching for any possible traces left by the Divine Race followers.
"If I can excavate the Flaming Phoenix Bloodline to the fourth revolution, condense the Flame Phoenix Brand, I will be able to see through the followers' disguises, which would be a great help in searching for them..."
Li Chunjun ran swiftly.
However...
His life level enhancement brought a sharpness of perception that was no less helpful than the Flame Phoenix Brand in searching for followers.
In less than half an hour, he had already detected traces of human activity.
The Heaven's Rift Mountain Range was a desolate place, rarely trodden by humans, save for the followers who were being targeted and had nowhere else to go...
There was no one else!
Following these traces, Li Chunjun quickly approached.
Soon, he arrived at a cavern extending underground.
After observing the cavern entrance for a moment, a thin thread appeared before his eyes.
A trap!
Li Chunjun circumvented the trap, carefully approaching.
With his Divine Sense and extremely keen observation, he detected three more dangerous spots along the way.
Before long, he had penetrated dozens of meters into the cavern.
It was at this moment that his vision suddenly widened, and a figure leapt into view on a high platform dozens of meters away in the cavern.
An ordinary person hiding in a concealment formation?
The moment Li Chunjun saw this figure, the figure also clearly saw Li Chunjun.
In fact, these followers had been driven into this area over a month ago.
Although they didn't understand why the Taixu Sword Sect had not yet eradicated them completely after more than a month, they knew full well that they had already been exposed.
Therefore, upon seeing Li Chunjun, this follower immediately let out a loud shout: "Enemy attack!"
Turning over his hand, he pulled out...
A specially made grenade!?
Before he could detonate the grenade, a flash of sword light severed his entire arm.
In the next instant, a dark red sword light pierced through his head before he could react.
Although the grenade was not detonated, his death scream had already served as a warning.
Amidst the clamor, more than ten life auras of varying strength appeared within Li Chunjun's Divine Sense perception.
(End of the Chapter)
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