Chapter 95: First Task

Ye Qingrou stepped lightly, her hand smoothing back the wavy long hair that fell across her fair, ivory-white forehead. Her skin was as fair and delicate as ivory. Of course, what was most captivating were her eyes; when she glanced sideways, her eyes shimmered, and combined with her bright red lips, she exuded a charming allure.

Her waist was slender, and her figure was curvaceous, otherwise, Du Huaijin and Ouyang Qing wouldn't have debated whether she was a 36D or E. She approached gracefully.

Everyone was surprised. Ye Qingrou was extremely famous, one of the top fifty martial artists in the country. That she would willingly join someone else's team was astonishing.

Even the old man was astonished; he had originally intended for her to lead her own team.

Many people looked at Chu Feng. When this man had acted earlier, he was as swift as lightning, decisive and overbearing, instantly sweeping aside over thirty abnormals. He was truly terrifying.

In people's eyes, such a terrifying figure might be difficult to get along with. They might have an arrogant personality, or simply be the crazy type, not necessarily easy to talk to.

Who knew Chu Feng was all smiles, not reserved at all, and very happily nodded, willing for Ye Qingrou to join.

A group of people stared wide-eyed.

Furthermore, he turned around and began to dismiss Clairvoyant and All-hearing. "You two can leave!" he said.

"Huh?" The two were dumbfounded.

Everyone else was speechless. Was he implying they were in the way? That was too direct.

Even Ye Qingrou's expression stiffened slightly; her originally sweet and charming smile became a little unnatural.

"Big Brother!"

"Boss!"

Du Huaijin and Ouyang Qing reacted, rushing forward. One massaged his legs, the other his shoulders. They were as obsequious as could be.

Because Ye Qingrou had joined, they refused to leave, even if it meant death. They were completely shameless.

"Alright then, let's see your future performance," Chu Feng nodded.

The old man was very satisfied with Chu Feng. Because his combat power was too strong, if he was trained, he should be able to contend with beast kings in the future.

In his view, this was a rising star!

"Do you need more people?" the old man asked, in a great mood.

"I also want to join them," Chen Luoyan stepped forward. He was also one of the top fifty martial artists. This immediately made those present tremble with awe. A team like this, once deployed, would be enough to sweep aside all other abnormals.

Even Chu Feng himself was surprised. First Ye Qingrou, then Chen Luoyan. He wondered if he really had such great charisma.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you are strong enough, and it would be relatively safer to be with you. I want to fight my way into the Land of Fengchan!" Chen Luoyan said frankly.

Ye Qingrou, smiling, also nodded. Clearly, she had the same objective. They had also learned about the current situation from other sources.

Whether they became the leader of a team was not important. What they cared about was whether they could fight their way alive into the Land of Fengchan. Only if this team was strong enough would that be possible.

Chu Feng realized that these two wanted to become stronger and enter the Land of Fengchan to obtain extraordinary fruits.

"Alright, you're in!" Chu Feng nodded.

Finally, the members of the team were confirmed: Chu Feng, Ye Qingrou, Chen Luoyan, Clairvoyant, and All-hearing.

"You all, come with me!" The old man held these individuals in especially high regard and called them away privately.

In fact, these were all people he had been watching for a long time. This selection process primarily focused on them. Of course, Chu Feng was an unexpected addition, but he brought an even greater surprise.

They walked into a bright hall, but it was still underground.

"We have thoroughly reviewed the information and backgrounds of you all, and there are no issues whatsoever," the old man said to Ye Qingrou, Chen Luoyan, and the others. He also introduced himself as Lu Tong, responsible for managing the new recruits of the Jade Void Palace.

"There's a secret technique that can be passed on to you," Old Man Lu Tong smiled.

Clairvoyant Du Huaijin and All-hearing Ouyang Qing were both delighted. This was the main reason they joined the Jade Void Palace: to improve their strength here.

Ye Qingrou's smile was sweet, and she softly asked, "Is it a breathing technique?"

Chen Luoyan was equally attentive, his eyes holding a question.

"You're being a bit greedy. Breathing techniques are too rare; you need to take your time," Lu Tong replied. "This is a boxing manual, and it's also extraordinary. Consistent practice can also lead you into a certain breathing rhythm."

Then, he sighed, "The Shu Mountain Sword Palace has indeed emerged, and it truly contains a breathing technique, but unfortunately, two white cranes obtained it."

"Does the Jade Void Palace have breathing techniques?" Ye Qingrou asked, clearly concerned.

"Naturally, yes. You'll gain initial access to them once you've made contributions!" Lu Tong informed them.

He added, "Actually, various ancient martial arts manuals contain parts of breathing techniques, but you need to master them and become strong to a certain degree to extract them."

Then, at his signal, the four others were led away to study the boxing manual, leaving only Chu Feng behind.

Old Man Lu Tong turned around and led Chu Feng to another stone chamber, which was relatively more secluded.

"Your name is Chu Feng. You were in Mount Taihang a while ago, and only recently came to Shuntian to reunite with your parents," Lu Tong said, after reading the dossier on the desk, pondering.

Then, he suddenly looked up, as if something clicked, and asked, very surprised, "Don't tell me you're that Ox God King?"

"Yes!" Chu Feng admitted openly.

"It's really you?!" Lu Tong was startled. It was clear they had also been investigating the Ox God King, trying to find out who he really was.

Unexpectedly, the renowned Ox God King had presented himself today.

Lu Tong understood everything after a moment's thought. With a half-smile, he said, "You're afraid of retaliation from Heavenly God Biotech, and you want to hide in the Jade Void Palace."

"I'm only concerned about my parents; otherwise, I'd have no qualms," Chu Feng said with great composure. This was the truth; he now possessed the strength to back it up.

"You killed someone from the Mu family, which is a bit troublesome," Lu Tong waved his hand, speaking in a domineering manner. "But what kind of place is the Jade Void Palace? We fear nothing!"

The Jade Void Palace was determined to recruit Chu Feng. He was already so strong; he would undoubtedly be extraordinary in the future!

Lu Tong grew even more satisfied. He informed Chu Feng that he could bring his parents to the family living quarters in the compound above ground, where they would be absolutely safe.

Chu Feng nodded, a smile on his face. He was very pleased with this arrangement. Who would dare trespass into the Jade Void Palace's location? Unless it was beings like the White Snake of Mount Taihang or the Old Ape of Dalin Temple, otherwise, ordinary people would certainly never return.

"If it were anyone else, such preferential treatment would be impossible; everything would need to be based on merit," Lu Tong said with a grin. "I'm essentially paying you in advance now."

This old fellow certainly didn't look like someone willing to take a loss. Chu Feng felt uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Ox God King... I really didn't expect it to be you," Lu Tong muttered softly to himself, as if pondering something.

"I should get a copy of that boxing manual too, shouldn't I?" Chu Feng asked; he genuinely wanted to see it.

"Of course!" Lu Tong was very generous, taking a copy directly from a drawer and handing it to him.

Chu Feng examined it carefully. This boxing technique was strange. It could indeed induce a certain breathing rhythm. It was created by a powerful individual, but it probably wasn't ancient martial arts.

He wasn't very interested. The breathing technique hidden within was incomplete, not enough to attract him.

Nevertheless, he feigned solemnity and carefully put it away.

"I'd also like to see ancient martial arts secret manuals," Chu Feng said.

"Those secret texts are very precious; ordinary people aren't qualified to see them without making contributions," Lu Tong said. "But I'll make an exception for you!"

Then, he led Chu Feng into the distance, arriving before an underground palace.

It was heavily guarded—a place for storing scriptures!

The underground palace was made of stone. It was spacious, with expansive inner chambers. Inside, there were stone tables and stone bookshelves, holding not many books.

"Just this much?" Chu Feng was surprised.

"These are all ancient rare editions; do you think they're cabbages?" Lu Tong said solemnly. "Even I wouldn't be qualified to browse any of them without making corresponding contributions."

Chu Feng was astonished. He looked closely and found they were all rare secret texts. But in the end, he focused only on Xingyi Quan, wanting to start his research with it.

"Don't touch them carelessly; have a specialist retrieve them for you. Otherwise, the secret texts might be damaged," Lu Tong warned.

The stone bookshelves where the secret texts were kept were strange. It was not a simple place.

Finally, Chu Feng successfully obtained the Xingyi Quan manual. However, after flipping through it, he frowned again and asked, "Why are there only three of the twelve forms in this boxing manual?"

Lu Tong replied, "The twelve forms are too precious; complete sets should only be found within the Xingyi Sect, and are difficult to find outside. Combining the various scripture-storage locations of the Jade Void Palace, we can find about nine forms."

"They're still kept separately?" Chu Feng was surprised and suspicious.

Lu Tong said very solemnly, "Xingyi Quan is not simple; it's not some ordinary martial art. It can connect with the divine; this lineage is extremely formidable. In fact, mastering three forms is enough. Old masters in the past only practiced one or two forms, which was enough to ponder for a lifetime. If you absolutely must learn more, then you'll have to make great contributions to gather all nine forms from other locations within the Jade Void Palace. If you truly practice it to the highest realm, you'll be able to travel across the land unhindered and even claim a famous mountain without issue."

"The complete boxing manual is with the Xingyi Sect? That lineage hasn't been broken?" Chu Feng asked.

Lu Tong nodded and said, "Of course. That sect should not be extinguished. Ancient martial arts sects are all very mysterious."

When Chu Feng was about to leave, the boxing manual had to be returned. Lu Tong told him that he could come here to study it daily, but he couldn't take it away.

"Chu Feng, I've shown you the boxing manual in advance, and your parents' safety has been immediately secured. Shouldn't you also make some contributions?"

"You can't be serious? I just joined!" Chu Feng said. This old man truly wasn't willing to take a loss. He wasn't even familiar with the Jade Void Palace yet, and he was already being urged to make contributions.

"This matter is a bit urgent, and it must be you," Lu Tong said, extremely solemn. "Because there's no one more suitable than you!" His serious demeanor made Chu Feng's heart sink.

"Don't worry, Ye Qingrou, Chen Luoyan, and the others will cooperate with you and advance and retreat with you!" Lu Tong appeared even more grave.

Soon, the four others were brought back. Seeing the old man's extremely serious expression, they also felt a little uneasy.

"Alright, tell us, what is it?" Chu Feng asked.

Lu Tong gave an order. One abnormal left and soon brought Zhou Yitian back.

Chu Feng felt something was off the moment he saw him. He had a bad feeling.

Lu Tong introduced, "This is Zhou Yitian. He's currently helping the country film a large-scale documentary, recreating the grand backdrop of the coming mythical era. The film features brutality, but also humanity's struggle and rise. With people feeling uneasy right now, an inspiring documentary is needed. You will cooperate with him to complete it."

Chu Feng felt disgusted. His ominous premonition had come true.

The others were also somewhat stunned. What kind of task was this? They were abnormals, joining the Jade Void Palace, only to be asked to cooperate with filming a documentary?

"Everyone, I was also recruited not long ago," Zhou Yitian gave a dry laugh.

"Watch your words!" Lu Tong glared.

Then, he pointed at Chu Feng and said, "The real Ox God King is right here. So whether you define it as a mythological epic or a documentary, it'll be fine, won't it?"

"What?! You're the Ox God King?!" Zhou Yitian jumped up in shock.

Beside him, Ye Qingrou, Chen Luoyan, Clairvoyant, and All-hearing also froze. They stared wide-eyed at Chu Feng, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Why do I feel like I've fallen into a den of thieves?!" Chu Feng said.

Over the next few days, he, Ye Qingrou, Chen Luoyan, and the others were pressed into service, cooperating with reshoots of various scenes until they were almost numb.

It only ended five days later.

"Xiao Feng, you're finally back," Wang Jing saw him and was very happy. She was quite satisfied with their new home because the environment was excellent: outside the window was a small lake, and nearby were stretches of green trees.

Chu Feng felt that he was finally free. These past few days... were hell!

When they parted ways, Zhou Yitian also told him that this major production would become famous across the entire country. Other similar productions, even with big-name stars, would still be suppressed by it.

"Xiao Feng, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me?" Wang Jing raised her voice.

"Oh, I heard you," Chu Feng replied casually.

"Good that you heard. I've already arranged for you to meet that girl tomorrow," Wang Jing was very satisfied.

"Huh?" Chu Feng was startled.

"A blind date," Wang Jing said.

"What?!"

...

Meanwhile, in another residential complex, a young woman was on the phone, exclaiming, "Jiang Luoshen, help! You're in Shuntian, right? Come with me tomorrow and use your powerful aura to suppress someone for me! What, you ask what's wrong with me? My aunt took it upon herself to arrange a blind date for me. You're still laughing? Hurry up and come save me!"