Translator: CinderTL
Tianhai City, the central metropolis of East Sea Province, was a dazzling hub of prosperity. Even its suburban districts boasted magnificent floating structures that pierced the clouds.
However, these aerial wonders remained detached from the ground. To maximize green space, Tianhai's outskirts were dotted with lush forests and wetlands, creating an exceptionally vibrant ecosystem.
The location for this S-Rank Mission lay within one such mountain range, known as the Ivory Mountains.
Buzz!
The aircraft descended at the entrance to the Ivory Mountains.
"We're here," Jiang Ye announced as he, Yun Qing'er, Liu Wanxiao, and Shen Changxi stepped onto the ground, all clad in Cosmic Battle Armor.
Clang! As Yun Qing'er landed, the warhammer strapped to her back—three times larger than her head—accidentally struck Liu Wanxiao's head.
"Hey!" Liu Wanxiao couldn't help but complain. "Doesn't carrying that massive hammer tire you out?"
Yun Qing'er remained silent, simply unstrapping her warhammer.
Seeing this, Liu Wanxiao quickly backed away, fearing she might strike him. Her brutal performance in the Freshman Competition had left a lasting impression.
Yun Qing'er glanced at him timidly, then patted her warhammer, her anxious expression finally calming.
Only when she held her warhammer did Yun Qing'er feel a sliver of peace.
The white-haired, crimson-eyed Shen Changxi glanced at the two men, shook her head, and concluded that neither seemed particularly reliable.
"Jiang Ye," she finally said, turning to the handsome young man, "do you have a plan?"
For this mission, Zhu Honglie hadn't provided any combat strategy. It seemed the only objective was to eliminate all enemies. But Shen Changxi knew their operational plans and tactics would undoubtedly be factored into their evaluation.
"Let me check," Jiang Ye said, pressing a button on his wrist.
Beep! A holographic projection materialized, displaying a map of the underground fortress.
"This fortress has three levels," Jiang Ye explained, studying the map.
"Level 1: Over 300 personnel, all near the first breakthrough."
"Level 2: Over 200 personnel, mostly at the first breakthrough."
"Level 3: Over 100 personnel, including more than 50 at the first breakthrough peak."
Before Jiang Ye could finish, Liu Wanxiao chuckled. "What's the point of a plan? The four of us can clear all three levels in minutes."
"It's not that simple," Shen Changxi countered, shaking her head. "Members of the Hidden God Organization possess bizarre secret techniques that allow them to temporarily amplify their strength."
"Those fifty-odd first breakthrough peak cultivators could potentially approach the second breakthrough after using their secret techniques," she said, her expression grave.
Liu Wanxiao's face also turned serious at this news.
Jiang Ye fell into deep thought.
Approaching the second breakthrough was far beyond the first breakthrough peak. Though not yet at the second breakthrough, they would be significantly stronger than ordinary first breakthrough cultivators.
The group could handle fifty first breakthrough peak cultivators.
But fifty approaching the second breakthrough? If they were surrounded, they would either die or suffer severe injuries.
"Before we start the mission, let's lay our cards on the table," Jiang Ye said. "No hiding your true strength. That way, we can devise a proper plan."
"Agreed," Shen Changxi nodded, taking the lead. "I've mastered the first and third ultimate moves of the Crimson Moon Sword Art."
"I've also reached Small Success with the Cosmic Secret Art 'Star Shatter'," she added.
"What do you mean?" Liu Wanxiao asked, surprised. "You haven't mastered the second ultimate move?"
Shen Changxi nodded. "During the Freshman Competition, I had only mastered the third ultimate move. I hadn't mastered the first two."
"I only mastered the first ultimate move in the past half-month."
"Damn," Liu Wanxiao said, speechless.
Jiang Ye was also somewhat astonished.
He had initially assumed she had mastered all three ultimate moves in just three months, which had greatly motivated him.
So it seems that wasn't the case after all?
Still, mastering the third ultimate move without having practiced the first two is quite remarkable.
Jiang Ye doubted he could have achieved that himself.
"Liu Wanxiao, what about you?" Jiang Ye turned to the handsome young man.
"I've only mastered the first and second ultimate moves of the Giant Wave Blade Technique," Liu Wanxiao shrugged. "I haven't learned any Cosmic Secret Arts, but I've practiced a variety of other art techniques. My combat strength is probably close to the second breakthrough."
Jiang Ye nodded and then looked at Yun Qing'er.
"I..."
"I can now perform two hundred hammer strikes per second," Yun Qing'er said timidly. "I'm not sure what level that is."
"Hiss!"
Everyone gasped, staring at the timid girl in shock.
Even Shen Changxi nearly lost her composure, her eyes twitching as she said, "Can't you switch to a different weapon? It's terrifying."
Yun Qing'er smiled shyly. "I can't learn any others."
"Hammers are good too," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "You're probably very close to the second breakthrough level as well."
Yun Qing'er nodded.
"Jiang Ye, what about you?" Liu Wanxiao asked curiously.
Shen Changxi and Yun Qing'er turned to look at him.
Jiang Ye stated calmly, "I've mastered the thirtieth form of the Great Sun Spear Technique, allowing me to execute the first and second ultimate moves, and I've developed a prototype for the third."
"As for the Cosmic Secret Art, I'm still halfway from achieving Major Success."
A hush fell over the group.
Hiss!
The next moment, they gasped in unison.
"No way, man!"
"Are you kidding me?" Liu Wanxiao asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "Just half a month? How could you improve so fast?"
Shen Changxi added, "I remember you had only just mastered the second ultimate move half a month ago."
"In just fifteen days, you've mastered six forms of spearmanship?"
She knew the Great Sun Spear Technique well.
Every twelve forms constituted an ultimate move.
During the Freshman Competition, Jiang Ye had only reached the twenty-fourth form.
How could he have progressed so dramatically in just half a month?
The group stared at Jiang Ye in astonishment.
"Teacher Zhu has been particularly strict with me lately," Jiang Ye said with a smile.
Yun Qing'er interjected, "Isn't it just good luck?"
"..."
You've already said everything! What am I supposed to add now?!
Jiang Ye shook his head with a smile. "Luck played a part, but it was mostly thanks to Teacher Zhu's guidance."
"Teacher Zhu's help? Is he really that amazing?" Liu Wanxiao asked, genuinely surprised.
He had chosen Teacher Gu Xuantong, but felt the guidance hadn't been particularly helpful.
"What else could it be? You think I'm cheating?" Jiang Ye glanced at him.
"Damn it," Liu Wanxiao muttered. "I'm tempted to defect and join Teacher Zhu's group."
The others chuckled, the earlier tension dissipating.
"Now that we understand our capabilities," Jiang Ye said gravely, "let's devise a battle plan. Though we haven't reached the second breakthrough, our combat power in battle armor is nearly at that level."
"Completing the mission won't be difficult, but achieving an A-grade rating requires a well-crafted strategy."
The group nodded in agreement.
"The first floor has numerous enemies, but none have reached the first breakthrough. We can sweep through them easily."
"The second floor..." Jiang Ye analyzed the tactics for the first three floors.
Shen Changxi, Yun Qing'er, and the others listened intently, occasionally offering their own insights.
Shen Changxi said, "Enemies from the third layer might reinforce the first two layers. To avoid a prolonged battle, we need to quickly sweep through the first two layers."
Jiang Ye nodded.
"Let's study the map distribution and discuss how to sweep through the first two layers as quickly as possible, then regroup at the entrance to the third layer."
Half an hour later, the four of them were fully equipped and ready. They raced toward the entrance of the underground fortress.
The Fortress Judgment had officially begun!
(End of the Chapter)
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