Chapter 5872
“We understand, thank you for the reminder.” Kai remained calm.
After the waiter left, the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord set up a soundproof barrier and said in a deep voice, “Kai, the Evil Path Hall’s influence in Crimson Flame City is probably quite significant. We need to proceed with caution.”
“Hmm.”
Kai nodded. “Let’s go to the Mission Hall first and see if there’s a way to quickly obtain the Earth Fire Trial qualification.”
“Also, we need to go to the Earth Fire Pavilion. Even if we can’t get in, at least we can find out its location and the guards.”
After a short rest, the two left the inn and headed to the Mission Hall in the south of the city.
The Mission Hall was a vast circular building, bustling with activity. Hundreds of huge jade walls floated in mid-air, displaying various mission information.
Cultivators were constantly coming and going, accepting, turning in, and issuing missions, creating a noisy atmosphere.
Kai quickly found the area where the Earth Fire Pavilion issued missions.
The jade walls there were crimson red, and while the number of missions was not large, the rewards for each one were extremely generous.
Each mission was marked “Extremely Dangerous.”
“These tasks simply cannot be completed in a short time.”
After reviewing the list, the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord shook his head. “Moreover, the risks are too great.”
Kai also frowned.
The qualification for the Earth Fire Trial requires 10,000 contribution points. Based on the difficulty and rewards of these tasks, at least two or three extremely dangerous missions would need to be completed.
There simply isn’t enough time.
“It seems the conventional methods won’t work,”
Kai muttered. “We need to think of another way.”
Just then, he overheard the chatter of several cultivators nearby:
“Have you heard? Elder Yan Xin of the Earth Fire Pavilion is leading a team to the Crimson Flame Canyon to collect Flame Spirit Grass and is recruiting temporary guards.”
“Flame Spirit Grass? That’s the main ingredient for refining Flame Heart Pills. It only grows deep within the Crimson Flame Canyon, protected by Flame Dragons. Elder Yan Xin is personally leading the expedition this time, so the demand must be considerable.”
“What’s the reward?”
“It’s said to be quite good. Guards who complete the mission will not only receive a generous amount of spirit stones, but will also get a discount on future purchases of Earth Fire Pavilion’s pills and magic treasures. If they perform exceptionally well, they might even catch Elder Yan Xin’s eye and be recruited into the Earth Fire Pavilion.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s sign up quickly! Elder Yan Xin is one of the three great alchemists of the Earth Fire Pavilion. Following him is a rare opportunity!”
Several cultivators hurried towards the recruitment area on the other side of the hall.
Kai’s eyes lit up.
Elder Yan Xin?
The alchemist of the Earth Fire Pavilion?
Leading a team to collect Flame Spirit Grass?
This might be an opportunity.
If they could infiltrate this team and perform exceptionally well in the mission, they might directly gain Elder Yanxin’s favor, thus qualifying for the Earth Fire Trial, or even directly obtaining clues about the Earth Core Jade Marrow Milk!
“Let’s go take a look,”
Kai said to the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord.
The two arrived at the recruitment area, where dozens of cultivators had already gathered, all with cultivation levels above the fifth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm.
On a makeshift wooden platform ahead, a steward from the Earth Fire Pavilion was explaining the recruitment requirements.
“…This escort mission will last for seven days, with the destination being the Crimson Flame Canyon. The main responsibilities are guarding and assisting with resource gathering. Cultivation level required is above the fifth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm.”
“The reward is five thousand high-grade spirit stones per person, with additional rewards for successful mission completion. Applicants must pass a simple test; places are limited, only the top ten will be accepted.”
The conditions weren’t harsh, and the reward was reasonable.
More importantly, this was an excellent opportunity to get close to the higher-ups of the Earth Fire Pavilion. Kai and the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord exchanged a glance and both decided to sign up.
The test was simple, merely demonstrating their cultivation and attack/defense capabilities.
However, when he arrived at the testing area to register, a young steward from the Earth Fire Pavilion glanced at him and immediately frowned.
“Fellow Daoist, are you sure you want to sign up?”
The young steward’s tone was clearly suspicious. “The guard mission requires a minimum cultivation level of the fifth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and you… seem not to meet the requirements.”
Kai was currently only at the first rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, completely failing to meet the requirements.
His words immediately attracted the attention of the other registrants around him.
Dozens of gazes focused on Kai, and when they sensed his first-rank Heavenly Immortal Realm aura, many people revealed undisguised contempt and mockery.
“A Celestial Immortal Level One cultivator wants to join the fun? Isn’t that just courting death?”
“What kind of place is Crimson Flame Canyon? It’s the dwelling place of the Flame Dragon! Even a Celestial Immortal Level Six expert wouldn’t dare say they could escape unscathed. What’s a Level One cultivator doing there? Becoming the Flame Dragon’s snack?”
“Probably some hothead from some small place, thinking the Earth Fire Pavilion’s guard duty is some easy job.”
“Tch, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.”
Whispers rose and fell, their tone full of sarcasm. In the eyes of these cultivators, at least at the Celestial Immortal Level Five, a Celestial Immortal Level One cultivator was no different from an ant.
Crimson Cloud Demon Lord stood behind Kai, his face slightly grim, but Kai gestured with his eyes for him to calm down.
Kai remained calm and said to the young deacon, “Although my cultivation level is not high, I believe I have some protective techniques that might come in handy. Since I’m here, may I try out for a test?”
The young deacon hesitated for a moment, about to speak, when a gruff voice interrupted:
“Try out? Kid, what do you think this place is? Playing house?”
The speaker was a burly man, nine feet tall with a face full of scars, carrying two cartwheel-sized axes on his back, his aura at the peak of the sixth rank of the Celestial Immortal Realm.
He walked up to Kai, looking down at him condescendingly, and sneered, “Guard missions are for risking your life, not for newbies like you to broaden your horizons. If you know what’s good for you, get lost and don’t delay our legitimate cultivators from registering.”
A burst of laughter erupted around them.
Kai looked up at the burly man, his tone still calm: “Fellow Daoist, the test hasn’t even started yet, how can you be so sure I’m not good enough?”
“Ha! You need to be sure?”
The burly man seemed to have heard a joke. “With your cultivation level, I could crush ten of you with a single finger! Kid, stop making a fool of yourself here, hurry up…”
His words trailed off.
Because Kai suddenly moved.
Not an attack, not a defense.
He simply took a step forward.
But in that instant, a trace of Kai’s aura leaked out.
Not a fifth-grade Celestial Immortal, nor a sixth-grade.
But an indescribable, seemingly all-encompassing yet transcendent aura!
Although it was only a fleeting moment, the burly man closest to Kai felt as if he had instantly been placed in endless chaos, all the laws around him trembling and submitting!
The raging spiritual power within him suddenly became stagnant and dormant, as if he had encountered a natural enemy!
The burly man’s expression changed drastically. He stumbled back three steps, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead, his eyes filled with astonishment and uncertainty as he looked at Kai.
The surrounding laughter abruptly ceased.
Those cultivators who had been mocking Kai now felt a strange unease.
Although they didn’t know exactly what had happened, the burly man’s reaction and the fleeting, strange aura were enough to tell the story.
This young cultivator, who appeared to be only at the first rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm… was probably not simple!