Chapter 254: Double Rewards

"What makes you say that?"

Gong Caiyi was a little puzzled. Given Jiang Fan's strength in slaying Black Lotus, even if he didn't dare take a Level 1 mission, Level 2 missions should pose no difficulty, right? Why did he say "didn't dare"?

Jiang Fan looked thoughtful. "I suspect your Spirit Beast Sect is being targeted," he said. "The reason the Black Lotus bandits ambushed us at the border between the Spirit Beast and Supreme Sects was very likely to steal the Demonic Wolf Spirit Beast being escorted by Senior Sister Zhang Xuemou."

Initially, Jiang Fan had thought the ambush was meant for him. But upon closer thought, the items they were escorting were merely spirit herbs for demonic beasts, completely useless to the Black Lotus bandits. It wasn't until he encountered Zhang Xuemou's team that he realized the truth.

Gong Caiyi's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying someone is selling information to the Black Lotus bandits?" Although Zhang Xuemou's mission wasn't a secret, it was only known internally within the Spirit Beast Sect. How did the Black Lotus bandits know about it and set up an ambush on the mandatory path? Clearly, someone within the Spirit Beast Sect was leaking information to them.

Jiang Fan shook his head slightly. "Not necessarily just selling information to the Black Lotus bandits! With a great disaster imminent across the Nine Sects' land, people are anxious and seeking security. Acquiring vital strategic resources has become the primary concern for any faction. And the Spirit Beasts of your sect, capable of assisting in combat, are undoubtedly among the most crucial resources. There's no reason why only the Black Lotus bandits would be targeting you."

At these words, Yuan Zhiyu and the other young disciples looked surprised. Ming Youlian, however, gave Jiang Fan a deep look. Despite being annoyed that Jiang Fan had caused their Heavenly Sound Sect to lose face, she had to admit that he possessed wisdom beyond his years. Even before the Nine Sects missions began, the Sect Master had discussed with her how some sects within the Nine Sects' territory would be targeted by unknown forces. Among them, the Spirit Beast Sect was a key point of concern. She hadn't expected Jiang Fan, a junior, to possess such remarkable insight.

In contrast, her own disciple, Fu Chaojun, hadn't realized this at all. "That's truly impressive!" Gong Caiyi's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration. "For someone so young, you have such a comprehensive view of the bigger picture. It would be difficult for you not to achieve great things in the future." She did not spare her words of praise.

"You're right," Gong Caiyi said gravely. "Our Spirit Beast Sect will indeed be a prime target for plunder. I reported this to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion long ago. To incentivize disciples to actively complete missions, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion doubled the rewards for our sect's Level 1 missions. Completing one is equivalent to completing two Level 1 missions from other sects."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan couldn't help but be tempted. While Spirit Beast Sect missions were certainly high-risk, their rewards were astonishingly generous!

"So, if you're interested in trying, you can choose from these important Level 1 missions. If safety is a concern, I can also find some Level 3 missions for you to complete." Gong Caiyi was very generous with Jiang Fan. Simple Level 3 missions were typically for mid-level disciples of the sect to earn merit points and were not usually open to outsiders. She made an exception only for Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan pondered for a long time. "I'll choose a Level 1 mission," he said. Firstly, the rewards were indeed tempting. Secondly, he wouldn't feel right competing with the Spirit Beast Sect's lower and mid-level disciples for Level 3 missions.

"I knew you'd choose a Level 1 mission." Gong Caiyi pointed to several jade slips. "You choose one first." This secretly displeased Fu Chaojun, who was standing nearby. They were all choosing Level 1 missions, so why did Jiang Fan get to pick first? Shouldn't the stronger person choose first?

He said, "Junior Brother Jiang, Level 1 missions aren't easy to complete. You should consider your capabilities." He admitted Jiang Fan had high comprehension. But the rumors about him having no spirit root couldn't be completely unfounded, could they? Was he truly qualified to undertake a Level 1 mission?

Jiang Fan said expressionlessly, "Just mind your own business." He then began selecting from the ten Level 1 missions. Finally, after careful consideration, he picked up a jade slip.

"Let me see which mission you've chosen," Gong Caiyi said, taking the slip. As she read its contents, her pretty face subtly changed. "Why did you choose this one? Pick another one!"

The mission detailed in that jade slip was to escort ten Thousand-Mile Condors to the Joyful Union Sect. Thousand-Mile Condors were the fastest flying demonic birds in the Nine Sects' lands; there were none faster! They were indispensable scouting spirit beasts for repelling the upcoming beast tide. Currently, throughout the entire Nine Sects' lands, only the Spirit Beast Sect possessed these ten. According to orders from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, all of them needed to be transported to the Joyful Union Sect on the Western Front. Their importance and rarity were self-evident.

Undertaking this mission would, without a doubt, attract unwanted attention. Fu Chaojun glanced at the jade slip's content and immediately said, "Are you being reckless? How could you possibly complete such a mission? It's better if we handle it. With the Grand Elder protecting me on this trip, we can complete it flawlessly."

Gong Caiyi's intention was precisely this. She wasn't entirely at ease entrusting such a crucial mission to Jiang Fan. Firstly, she worried about the safety of the spirit beasts. Secondly, with the demonic beast army pressing on the Joyful Union Sect, it could turn into a battlefield at any moment. It was difficult to predict how chaotic the situation might become. It would be extremely dangerous for Jiang Fan to go there.

"No problem, I'll take this mission," Jiang Fan said, taking the jade slip back and directly putting it into his pocket. His firm attitude was clear.

"No! You must choose another one," Gong Caiyi stated resolutely. She couldn't let Jiang Fan be so headstrong. Losing the Thousand-Mile Condors would be a minor loss. Jiang Fan's demise, however, would be an irreparable, immense loss.

Jiang Fan sighed helplessly. "Sect Master, could we speak for a moment in private?"

He walked to a secluded corner. Gong Caiyi followed, her brows tightly furrowed, arms crossed over her chest, and said in an unyielding tone: "No matter what you say, it's not happening! I absolutely will not agree to... it..."

Her words trailed off when she saw the jade box Jiang Fan held in his hands. Her voice abruptly stopped. Her beautiful eyes gradually narrowed to pinpricks. Her exquisite face was filled with shock, and she gasped in disbelief, "This... isn't this..."

Jiang Fan quickly covered her lips with his hand, shushing her. "It's enough that the Sect Master knows; please don't spread it."

Gong Caiyi's mind was reeling with shock. She even wondered if she had seen incorrectly. Wasn't that the jade talisman capable of a Nascent Soul-stage attack, which had been so widely discussed not long ago? For this very reason, she had dispatched an elder to acquire it, regardless of the cost. Unfortunately, it was ultimately bought by Tie Bubai, the Grand Elder of the Giant Sect, for the astonishingly high price of two million spirit crystals. But how could it be in Jiang Fan's hands?

Jiang Fan put away the jade box. To secure this mission, he decided to go all out. Because the merit point reward for this mission was simply too high. A regular Level 1 mission granted one hundred merit points. However, this mission to escort the Thousand-Mile Condors offered a full two hundred. With the doubled reward, it would amount to a total of four hundred merit points! It was worth Jiang Fan risking completion.

"Well, Sect Master Gong?" Jiang Fan wore a faint smile.

Gong Caiyi regained her composure, her lips parted, wanting desperately to ask Jiang Fan how he had obtained the jade talisman. But she forcibly suppressed her curiosity. This was Jiang Fan's secret; it shouldn't be probed. Returning to the matter of the mission, she extended a slender, jade-like finger and poked Jiang Fan's forehead. Rolling her eyes slightly, she playfully chided: "You little rascal! If you had this item with you, why didn't you show it earlier? You just enjoy watching me worry about you, don't you?"

After saying this, she felt a little awkward. It seemed a bit too intimate. So she quickly changed the subject. "Alright, let's announce the mission assignments."

Meanwhile, Fu Chaojun watched Jiang Fan return. A sneer curved at the corner of his lips. "Do you really think Gong Caiyi's favor means she'll indulge your every whim? She's a Sect Master; she has to consider things from a broader perspective. If you lack the ability, don't try to take on delicate tasks! Just hand the mission back obediently!" The astonishing allure of two hundred merit points, plus the doubled reward, had also greatly tempted him. Therefore, he was determined to secure this mission.

However, after Gong Caiyi returned, she publicly took out the registration book and, without expression, registered the mission under Jiang Fan's name.