Chapter 25: A Tier Three Mission, Heading to Linwu Prefecture

After searching for quite some time, Huo Qing finally selected a task that appeared suitable.

"The sect discovered a cluster of Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit trees half a month ago and is now recruiting four outer sect disciples to go there together.

Requirements: Bring back as many trees as possible; all four disciples must possess strength comparable to the Heavenly Spirit Realm.

Task Reward: One thousand spirit points, distributed based on individual contribution."

"This is the one." Huo Qing made his decision with a single tap.

The Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit is a miraculous fruit capable of increasing one's spiritual foundation. Such fruit has excellent effects on cultivators ranging from the Fusion Realm to the Earth Spirit Realm. If it were to appear in the outside world, it would inevitably trigger a bloody massacre.

Amidst the curious gazes of those around him, Huo Qing handed the task sheet back to the old man.

"This task... are you sure you want to take it?" The old man frowned, his impression of Huo Qing worsening instantly.

This type of four-person team task had extremely high requirements for the members' cultivation levels. Although he had previously told Huo Qing he could choose, he had only intended for him to select some simple third-grade tasks. Huo Qing’s current choice struck him as an attempt to ride on the coattails of others to earn credit.

"You had better think this through. If you don't perform well when the time comes, the spirit points you receive will be very meager. If you have the time, you might as well take on some easier tasks..." The old man’s tone was indifferent, clearly dismissing Huo Qing as a freeloader.

As soon as these words were spoken, jeers erupted from the crowd. If there had been any sympathy or pity for Huo Qing before, it had now been replaced entirely by mockery and disgust. Someone who lacked the strength yet insisted on forcing their way into a task was usually labeled a "cunning old fox."

Huo Qing glanced at them and said, "This is the one."

"Very well. Be prepared to head to the outer sect's back mountain in three days; your teammates will be waiting for you there." The old man registered the task, his voice growing several degrees colder.

Under the disdainful gazes of those around him, Huo Qing turned and left the Task Hall.

"Heh, this kid is likely going to become the most brainless disciple since the founding of the Canglan Sword Sect."

"Calling him brainless isn't accurate; it should be 'shameless'."

"Let's just wait and watch the show. This matter might end up being known throughout the entire outer sect."

"..."

While the Task Hall was in an uproar, Huo Qing, the protagonist of the incident, began to seclude himself. In his exquisite small courtyard, violent spiritual energy surged, and sharp, biting winds whistled, creating a daunting spectacle.

"Rakshasa Fist!"

Huo Qing planted his feet and let out a low shout. A sense of slaughter suddenly surged forward, and he unleashed a punch, the fist imprint carrying terrifying power as it blasted outward.

Boom!

A rockery several feet tall collapsed instantly. Huo Qing withdrew his fist, his brows furrowed slightly.

"This power is truly far inferior to the level displayed by the two elders of the Han family that day."

"It feels like something is missing..."

Huo Qing paced in deep thought. With his current strength, if he exhausted all his means, he would certainly not be inferior to a late-stage Heavenly Spirit Realm expert. But why did he feel something was lacking when he executed the Rakshasa Fist?

At a certain moment, a flash of insight struck him, and he muttered to himself:

"Could it be the intent of slaughter gathered from one's entire being?"

Huo Qing fell silent for a moment. His mind flashed back to the tragic scene at the Supreme Sword Arena, where people were wantonly slaughtered and the horizon was stained with blood.

"Senior Brother, run! Never come back..."

"Master is risking his life to buy us time; you must not let it go to waste...!!"

"Go! Don't let our sacrifices be in vain!"

The fall of his master, the bloodshed of his junior brothers—those bloody debts were etched onto his heart, making him feel as if he had fallen into an abyss. This was a scene he would never forget until the day he died.

A surging, overwhelming intent to kill swept out like a tidal wave. His eyes turned blood-red, and the spiritual energy in his body flowed madly along the path of the "Rakshasa Fist." A towering sense of slaughter then erupted like a violent dragon.

As the killing intent emerged, the punch followed!

A fist imprint, ten feet wide and carrying an awe-inspiring momentum, shattered the air and blasted a nearby hilltop into pieces!

"Hoo... hoo... hoo..."

Huo Qing breathed heavily. That punch had consumed quite a bit of his spiritual energy, but the effect was truly quite good.

"It still needs more time to be polished. I will spend the remaining four days focusing entirely on practicing this Rakshasa Fist..." Huo Qing murmured.

Heading to Linwu County this time, he didn't know what unknown situations might arise, so he had to be fully prepared.

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, four days went by. During these four days, besides mastering the intent of slaughter more perfectly to maximize the power of the Rakshasa Fist, his comprehension of the Rakshasa Palm had also reached a proficient level. After all, the two shared commonalities.

In the early morning, as the sunlight spilled down, a wooden door on a hilltop opened, and a slightly lean figure emerged. He was dressed in a black robe, with handsome, sharp-featured facial contours and a glint of sharpness occasionally flickering in his eyes. This person was naturally Huo Qing.

"I hope this trip goes smoothly."

Huo Qing stepped on his spiritual energy and flew out, heading straight toward the back mountain.

At the summit of a towering peak, a breeze blew, and three figures stood there. Behind them was a giant eagle with golden plumage. The eagle had a fierce appearance, a wingspan of ten feet, and wings that looked as if they were forged from refined iron, pulsing with lethal power.

The Ancient Sky-Piercing Eagle, a top-tier third-grade spirit beast, was the tool specifically used by the Canglan Sword Sect to transport disciples for missions.

"What's going on? We've been waiting for that guy for so long, and he's still not here?"

At this moment, the woman on the far right frowned, standing up with a touch of dissatisfaction. She had a slender, graceful figure with alluring curves and a small, pretty face, though it faintly revealed a hint of pettiness.

"Jiang Moying, we arrived early. There is still a quarter of an hour left before the scheduled time, so we can't really blame him."

At this, another crisp, melodious voice rang out. The young girl beside her looked up, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face. She had silver hair and a cute