Chapter 161: The Legend of the Phoenix, Stop Wasting Time!
"So how should we arrange the third mission…"
This was their last chance. Originally, the task was meant to take an entire month, but now it looked like they would have to make it especially difficult—something almost impossible to complete.
These brats really had no sense of moderation!
Couldn't they have slowed down just a little, given others some face by not finishing everything instantly?
But on second thought, since things had reached this point, perhaps the best way was to find a way to delay them through the third mission.
He coughed lightly and said slowly, "In that case, for the third mission, let them go—capture the phoenix."
Ao Rui: ???
Was this man not worried about being hated for life by the Spirit Transferring Tower's young master, the hybrid heir of a million-year soul beast, the Deputy Tower Master's disciple, and a little divine craftsman—all at once?
This was outright targeting!
They had already obtained valuable information—phoenix feathers, evidence of the Holy Spirit Cult's activity, and even captured several Evil Soul Masters.
Normally, such accomplishments should have restricted their further missions—they'd earned enough merit already.
A Titled Douluo-level Evil Soul Master alone was a prize catch.
And yet instead of rewarding them, they were being punished with an impossible task?
Catch a phoenix? Was he serious?
Even those Evil Soul Masters had received information first and still failed to capture it. Clearly, this phoenix was no ordinary creature.
"Let's not," Ao Rui muttered. "They're still freshmen. Aren't you going a bit too far?"
"It's fine," Talon said casually. "They still have over two months left. And if by some miracle they do find the phoenix, catching it would just be an optional bonus anyway. The Federation will handle the rest."
He didn't care at all. Let the students exhaust a little more time. Even if they somehow managed to catch it, it would take at least one or two months.
If they finished that in a few days too… then he'd have nothing left to say.
Ao Rui gave him a long, speechless look.
Truly worthy of a university president—utterly fearless of backlash.
He, however, was worried. These students weren't just anyone. Their identities and potential meant that offending one of them could be career suicide.
Wait—hold up.
Ao Rui suddenly realized something.
Every mission assignment had gone through both their hands.
That meant if Talon was setting up this ridiculous challenge… they'd both take the blame!
His face darkened immediately.
So that's why Talon had agreed so quickly.
Of course, now it made sense!
"Calm down. Calm down!"
"No, you old fox! This isn't over between us!"
…
When Jiang Chen and his team finally returned, the crowd rushed to greet them.
"Ancestor~!"
Huo Yun'er threw herself toward him, eyes full of grievance, looking exactly like a pitiful wife abandoned by her husband.
How dare he! Leaving her behind was one thing, but taking Xue'er with him—and even that other woman, Gu Yue?!
Suddenly, Huo Yun'er felt a chilling dread wash over her, as if some primordial beast was glaring at her.
She froze, not daring to move.
In her head, she quickly recited, Sister Gu Yue is the best, Sister Gu Yue is number one!
Instantly, the oppressive aura vanished.
Ah. So superstition still worked.
"Alright already," Jiang Chen said, rubbing her head before gently pushing her off.
"Ahem. Congratulations, all of you, for completing the second phase of the freshman assessment. I won't announce the credit rewards here—they'll be updated on your academy cards later."
Sima Jinchi spoke with a strained voice, his expression uncertain.
He was still debating whether to hand them the new task. His superior's latest message had arrived, and honestly, he was terrified.
If he told them now, they might curse him right on the spot.
And afterward… what if his master (Jiang Chen) punished him?
"What is going on?"
Yue Zhengyu stared blankly. "I just got here, and the mission's already done? What did I miss?!"
Qian Gu Zhangting blinked, equally confused. "We finally catch up… and it's finished?"
Could they not slow down for once?!
Sure, free credit rewards were great, but none of them had even participated this time—it felt cheap, hollow.
As the Spirit Transferring Tower's young master, Zhangting's pride smarted at the idea of being carried so blatantly.
"What exactly happened?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward Jiang Chen.
He frowned, stepping slightly back while placing Gu Yue protectively behind him.
Faced with so many questioning stares, Gu Yue merely gave a cold snort. A wave of icy aura rolled off her, freezing any curiosity in their hearts.
No one dared to ask further.
So all eyes turned to Sima Jinchi instead—surely someone had to explain what actually happened.
But Sima Jinchi wasn't about to open his mouth either.
He didn't owe them any explanations.
"Stay where you are," he ordered simply, then vanished into thin air.
The others exchanged helpless glances, restless and curious.
A phoenix, after all!
A real phoenix!
Countless people lived their entire lives without ever seeing one. Even dragons—sure, they knew Di Tian existed—but phoenixes were pure legend, myths made flesh.
Interest surged through the group like a wave.
But with Gu Yue and the Snow Empress exuding such frigid power, none dared to approach them.
Instead, they shifted pleading eyes toward Jiang Chen like hopeful children.
"Brother~!" Xie Xie whined, grabbing his arm. "Just tell us, how did you find the phoenix? What did it look like? Was it ice or fire?"
"I didn't meet it," Jiang Chen replied flatly, picking Huo Yun'er up by the collar and walking away.
If he stayed any longer, they'd drown him in questions.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
While Class One was resting and preparing lunch in the wilderness, rhythmic hammering echoed from deep within the plain.
Behind a massive old tree, Jiang Chen supervised Huo Yun'er at a makeshift forge.
The girl raised a large iron hammer, striking elegantly against glowing metal with mechanical precision.
"Master ancestor!!!" she cried through gritted teeth.
They were still in the middle of training, yet he was making her forge!
How could he be so cruel?
Did he not see how delicate she was?!
He even forbade her from using too much soul power—forcing her to "experience the essence of forging through her body."
What essence! Her arms and legs were getting bulky!
She imagined herself looking all muscular and—
"Eek!"
She gasped in horror at the mental image.
She couldn't bear the thought. That would ruin her cute aesthetic entirely!
This was abuse—pure and simple!
Glaring at Jiang Chen, she pouted miserably, hammer still in hand.
Hmph! One day, you'll regret this, you mean old ancestor!
"Focus," Jiang Chen said sharply, frowning.
From the sound alone, he could tell her strikes had grown uneven.
"Move faster. Stop dawdling."
"Rrgh!"
(END CHAPTER)
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