Chapter 539: Tribulation Crossing Realm

Wu Manyue was full of confidence. "If successful, all disciples involved in the mission will have the opportunity to cultivate once at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, specifically at the place where the Pavilion Master achieved Nascent Soul breakthrough."

Jiang Fan frowned. What kind of reward was this?

Wu Manyue said meaningfully, "When the Pavilion Master achieved Nascent Soul breakthrough, he underwent a baptism from heaven and earth. Years have passed, but a trace of that mysterious baptismal energy still lingers at the breakthrough site. For cultivators at the ninth level of Core Formation, it's a treasure trove for sensing heavenly tribulations and increasing their chances of breakthrough. For us cultivators in the early to mid-stages of Core Formation, it's a blessed land to receive that baptism. We might even break through a realm."

Jiang Fan clicked his tongue in amazement. Even the places where Nascent Soul experts had broken through were so miraculous. Just how powerful were Nascent Soul experts themselves? This reward truly appealed to him. However, he had to consider the risks of teaming up with Wu Manyue.

Seeing Jiang Fan's hesitation, Wu Manyue had to confess, "Of course, there are dangers. When the Pavilion Master achieved Nascent Soul breakthrough, he was struck by heavenly tribulations. Some dangerous residual tribulation lightning still remains there. But with the protection of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion elders, it shouldn't be a big problem."

"What? Tribulation lightning?" Jiang Fan, who had been hesitating, decisively asked, "When do we depart?"

Wu Manyue was stunned. Why did Jiang Fan agree so readily once she mentioned danger? Was he even a bit eager? Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her intuition told her Jiang Fan had another motive. Nevertheless, it was best if Jiang Fan agreed. The mission wasn't entirely safe and required a powerful assistant, and Jiang Fan was undoubtedly the ideal choice.

"In three days," Wu Manyue said cautiously, glancing at Liu Qingxian. "As for the mission details, they are currently confidential and can only be revealed upon departure."

"In three days?" Jiang Fan nodded slightly and asked, "How dangerous is it?" Wu Manyue didn't answer directly. "Just make as many preparations as you can." With that, she swayed her slender waist, humming a cheerful tune, and departed.

"Xiaofan, are you really going?" Liu Qingxian asked with some concern. She didn't want Jiang Fan to face significant danger again.

Jiang Fan mused, "Don't worry too much. You know that the missions issued by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion are always tailored to the disciples' strength. Unless there's an unforeseen accident, there's rarely a fatal danger. Extreme dangers like the Border Mountain battle are even less likely to occur."

Liu Qingxian thought about it, and her restless heart calmed down slightly. It was indeed true that since the missions were custom-designed for the disciples, their difficulty would match the disciples' strength. Otherwise, if so many elite disciples were lost, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion would be distressed itself.

"Alright, then get ready over the next few days. I won't disturb you," Liu Qingxian agreed, her small face looking troubled.

Upon returning to Border Mountain, Jiang Fan discovered that in just a few days, the mountain had undergone a complete transformation. Cultivators from various sects had arrived, numbering over a thousand, each possessing considerable strength. The peak of Border Mountain was now packed with people, resembling a bustling market. After bidding farewell to Jiang Fan, Liu Qingxian disappeared into the crowd, no longer visible.

"So many people, and they haven't all arrived yet," he thought, which instilled great confidence in him regarding the upcoming decisive battle.

At the same time, the slopes of Border Mountain were being equipped with various large-scale war weapons, specifically designed to counter giant demonic beasts. Compared to their rushed response to the corpse army last time, humanity would be fully prepared this time. It would be wishful thinking for the demon race to imagine easily conquering Border Mountain as they did before.

Suddenly, Jiang Fan made a pleasant discovery. With the decisive battle approaching and the numerous elders and disciples on the peak, a spontaneous market had formed in one corner. Disciples had set up stalls, hoping to exchange for items they desired.

After the Border Mountain battle, Jiang Fan had very few Revival Pills left, only five Spirit Replenishment Pills, and no Three-Step Drunkenness. He urgently needed to restock. He saw that many stalls had ingredients for Revival Pills and Three-Step Drunkenness, so he immediately took out the various spiritual meats and demonic beast materials he had previously collected and exchanged them for a sufficient amount of alchemy ingredients. The only regret was that the Moon-gazing Ganoderma, used for making Spirit Replenishment Pills, was too rare; he hadn't been able to find one by chance, as he had during his last encounter with Yue Mingzhu.

Suddenly, Jiang Fan's vision went dark as a pair of warm, soft, jade-like hands covered his eyes. At the same time, a playful voice came from behind him. "Guess who I am?"

Jiang Fan chuckled without hesitation, "Yue Mingzhu!"

"Tch! How boring," Yue Mingzhu said, recognized instantly, as she released her hands.

Jiang Fan turned to look. An exquisitely beautiful face, seemingly eighteen years old, came into view. Her skin was like cream, radiant and snow-white. Her delicate nose was upturned, and her red lips were as vibrant as flower petals. Her bright, sparkling eyes seemed to speak. At this moment, she pouted, clearly displeased at being recognized so easily. "I can't believe you remember my voice so well. You recognized it instantly."

Although she said this, the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. She had deliberately altered her voice, yet Jiang Fan had recognized it instantly. What did this mean? It meant Jiang Fan had her appearance and voice etched in his heart.

"That's not it," Jiang Fan replied. "Among all the women I know, you are the only one who can approach me from behind without making a sound." As his cultivation realm improved and his perception broadened, Yue Mingzhu's presence felt increasingly out of place to him. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if Yue Mingzhu was truly just a disciple. Now he was at the third level of Core Formation, yet Yue Mingzhu could still appear behind him without him noticing, just like before. This was simply too strange.

Realizing Jiang Fan hadn't recognized her because he missed her, Yue Mingzhu stamped her foot in annoyance. "Jiang Fan!"

"Uh—" Jiang Fan looked speechless. "What's wrong with you again? You're always getting angry for no reason."

Yue Mingzhu puffed out her cheeks, crossed her arms over her chest, and tapped her small foot on the ground. She looked as if she wished she could pry open Jiang Fan's head to see what was inside. How could this guy understand nothing about a woman's heart?

Suddenly, she noticed several familiar elders approaching. She quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and said, "I heard you joined the special operations team?"

"Isn't it confidential?" How did Yue Mingzhu know? He asked suspiciously, "Who told you?"

Did she, as a sect master, even need to inquire? Yue Mingzhu didn't answer him, but her expression became slightly serious as she said, "This mission isn't simple. Come with me; I'll give you some things to provide you with more protection." She headed towards the less crowded section of the Great Wall. Jiang Fan thought for a moment, then followed her, walking side by side.

At this moment, a flock of flying beasts arrived from the horizon. They were the latest tamed flying beasts from the Spirit Beast Sect, sent to Border Mountain to participate in the grand battle. On the leading flying beast, Yuan Zhiyu's resentful eyes scanned the crowd below. "That hateful Jiang Fan! He helped Yi Lianxing so much; she's already broken through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. I must confront him about this."

Gong Caiyi, sitting quietly nearby, heard the name "Jiang Fan," and her gaze became somewhat complex. That once-unknown young disciple was now a renowned young leader across the Nine Sects. Given time, he would undoubtedly become a brilliant star on the land of the Nine Sects.

"Ah! Found him!" Yuan Zhiyu suddenly shrieked, pointing at Jiang Fan, who was heading towards the Great Wall. Gong Caiyi quickly looked over, immediately spotting Jiang Fan's familiar back and feeling an inexplicable joy in her heart.

"Master, let's go down and find him!" Yuan Zhiyu said impatiently. Gong Caiyi was about to speak, but some intimate encounters with Jiang Fan flashed through her mind. She was silent for a moment, then shook her head. "I won't go. You can go find him yourself later."

She should still minimize contact with Jiang Fan, lest it stir up the regret of being born ten years too soon.

Suddenly, she noticed the woman beside Jiang Fan. The woman walked with a bounce, her small hands clasped behind her back. From time to time, she would turn her head to say something to Jiang Fan, flashing a bright smile. Occasionally, she would stop and walk side-by-side with Jiang Fan, exuding an aura of innocent romance and uninhibited liveliness. However, this made Gong Caiyi abruptly stand up.