"Brother Hao, which task are you going to choose?"

Li Yuanzhao looked over the task list and immediately asked Li Hao, clearly wanting to team up for mutual support.

"This one in Qizhou," Li Hao replied, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Li Yuanzhao glanced at the task and without much thought, nodded, "Then I’ll choose this one too."

"You all want to go to Qizhou?"

Du Qiuyue, who was nearby, looked over and immediately said, "Can you take me with you? I want to go there too."

"Me too, I want to go," Zheng Bai quickly added. It was a rare opportunity to carry out a task with the young master of the Divine General's Mansion, a chance to build a closer relationship. If they could become friends, it would be a huge advantage.

"Brother Hao, what do you think?"

Li Yuanzhao chose to ask Li Hao first.

"I don’t mind," Li Hao said.

"Since Brother Hao has no objections, then you all can go together," Li Yuanzhao said, seeing the situation.

Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai exchanged glances, both showing joy in their eyes.

At this moment, Su Yehua, who was up front, suddenly spoke, "Now, let me explain the rules. Each task can have a maximum of five people. I’ll count off now. The first task is to assist the Demon Control Office in Cangzhou to deal with a disturbance caused by monsters in a village. The credit points are five. Who wants to go?"

"I do."

Immediately, seven people raised their hands.

Among these tasks, the highest score was only 15 points, which was also the hardest. The task information indicated a high probability of encountering fully developed monsters at the Zhou Tian level.

However, for the first task, the information only suggested that monsters at the second to fifth levels of Zhou Tian might appear, making it relatively easier.

"The number is too high. You all need to discuss among yourselves, or decide based on the martial arts ranking. Those with lower rankings should choose another task," Su Yehua said.

The seven people looked at each other, and two of them sat down voluntarily.

Then, Su Yehua continued to announce other tasks.

Those interested raised their hands one after another, with some tasks having three people, some one, and others none, leaving them unselected.

"Brother Hao, they want to go to Yunzhou for a task. Not long ago, they just cleared out the monsters there, and they are going to help clean up the remnants."

Li Yuanzhao paid attention to the Li siblings, seeing them choose a full-score task of 15 points, and a hint of worry crossed his face.

Even though they didn’t get along well in the mansion, they had grown up together, and he didn’t want anything to happen to them.

"Tell them to be careful and not to be reckless," Li Hao said, glancing at the siblings, seeing their excitement and fidgeting expressions, and frowned.

"Okay."

Li Yuanzhao nodded, planning to remind them later after picking up the task.

Soon, Su Yehua mentioned the task in Qizhou.

Li Hao immediately expressed his intention, and Li Yuanzhao, along with Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai, also raised their hands.

At the same time, two others raised their hands in another corner, a boy and a girl.

"She wants to go too?"

Du Qiuyue was taken aback when she saw the girl who raised her hand. It was Ren Qianqian, ranked fourth on the martial arts list, the daughter of a master, with exceptional sword skills.

Zheng Bai's expression changed as he looked at the boy, who was not a newcomer but an older student, and his ranking was higher than his.

Now, there were six people, which meant that Zheng Bai, ranked last, would have to drop out.

Of course, there was also Li Hao, who was at the bottom of the martial arts ranking.

But the reason they chose the Qizhou task was mainly because of Li Hao's choice.

If Li Hao dropped out, Li Yuanzhao would probably follow suit.

Zheng Bai looked at Li Hao, his eyes showing a hint of hope, wishing he would choose another task.

Meanwhile, Ren Qianqian and the boy also noticed Li Hao and the others. Ren Qianqian only glanced over, her expression unchanged, still calm as usual.

However, the boy was stunned for a moment and then showed a pleased expression.

"There are too many people."

Su Yehua glanced around and said, "You all discuss among yourselves who is willing to drop out. If no one is willing, we will follow the rules."

Ren Qianqian sat down, ignoring the situation, as she had to go no matter what.

The boy's gaze flicked over to Li Hao, knowing that this young master of the Divine General's Mansion was not someone he could offend. Even though he was at the bottom of the martial arts ranking, just being in the academy meant he wasn't lacking in talent; he just hadn’t shown it yet.

His gaze shifted to Zheng Bai, smiling, "Qizhou is dangerous; it’s my hometown. I can lead them. How about you drop out?"

Zheng Bai's expression changed slightly. With those words, if he insisted on staying, it would be a bit offensive.

"Fine."

Zheng Bai's expression changed, but he quickly composed himself and said to Li Yuanzhao and Li Hao, "Then I wish you all a smooth journey. We can team up another time."

"Alright then."

Li Yuanzhao, hearing this, also stopped trying to persuade the boy and patted Zheng Bai's shoulder to comfort him.

"Be careful elsewhere," Du Qiuyue said.

Zheng Bai smiled and nodded.

Although he felt regretful for not teaming up with Li Hao and the others, it was just the first task of the new school year, and there would be more opportunities in the future.

After confirming the numbers, Su Yehua continued to distribute other tasks.

Soon, everyone had made their selections.

Those who received the same task gathered together under Su Yehua's instructions.

"When are we leaving?" The boy, named Yu Wei, recognized Du Qiuyue but spoke to Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian.

"Now."

Ren Qianqian replied calmly.

Du Qiuyue looked at Li Hao.

"Brother Hao, what do you think?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

"Now is good; the sooner, the better," Li Hao said.

"Okay, I’ll go prepare the carriage."

Li Hao shook his head, "Prepare five Red Blood Horses; the carriage is too slow."

Li Yuanzhao was slightly taken aback but nodded.

Yu Wei was surprised, seeing Li Yuanzhao's demeanor, as if he were just a little follower of Li Hao.

But Li Yuanzhao was ranked sixth on the martial arts list, exceptionally talented, and it was said he had an eight-grade battle body qualification, only slightly inferior to the true prodigies.

After contacting the mansion, Li Yuanzhao walked over to the Li siblings who were preparing to go down the mountain.

"Brother Hao wants you to be careful and not to be reckless," Li Yuanzhao said to the siblings.

Li Yun raised an eyebrow and snorted, "You just take care of yourselves."

Li Zhining turned her head and glanced at Li Hao, who was talking to a few others, her eyes flickering slightly. She said to Li Yuanzhao, "Thank you, Brother Yuanzhao. You all should be careful too."

Li Yuanzhao smiled and said, "You take care too, Zhining."

After giving his instructions, Li Yuanzhao returned to Li Hao's side, and the group set off down the mountain.

Riding the Red Blood Horses, the five of them galloped out of Qingzhou.

The boy, with his sword in hand, and both Yu Wei and Li Yuanzhao had expressions full of excitement and joy, feeling a sense of freedom.

"Truly a top horse on the battlefield, such speed! I’ve heard it’s priceless," Yu Wei exclaimed, looking at the scenery rushing by.

This was Du Qiuyue's first time riding a Red Blood Horse. Although she was an older student, she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl. She tried to maintain a calm demeanor in front of the newcomers, but her slightly flushed cheeks revealed her lively and excited feelings.

"The Red Blood Horse isn’t for sale; buying one privately is a serious crime," Li Yuanzhao said, his youthful pride showing in his eyes.

Yu Wei and Du Qiuyue looked at him with envy. Some people are born at the finish line that others can never reach; that’s the difference.

With the speed of the Red Blood Horses, it would take less than two days to get from Qingzhou to Qizhou.

High above Qingzhou City, a black bird resembling a crow flew by.

The bird's eyes reflected the five fast horses below on the wild official road.

Suddenly, the bird blinked and noticed two figures following closely behind the five horses, about four to five miles back.

Surprisingly, those two figures were moving without horses, yet they seemed relaxed and managed to keep up without losing ground.

The bird blinked again, let out a low cry, and flew up into a higher cloud.

Then, the black bird swooped down from the clouds and flew into a nearby forest.

When the black bird landed, it transformed into the form of a seven or eight-year-old child, with a crest on its head. After landing, it ran toward a black water pool.

"Xuanjiao Jun, that person has come out."

The child called out to the black water pool.

The voice echoed into the depths of the pool, and suddenly, a deeper black shadow emerged from the still water, followed by a large dragon head breaking the surface, slightly inhaling and exhaling, revealing sharp teeth, looking quite fierce.

"Did you see clearly? Is that the son of the Execution Martial Marquis?"

"I recognize him; my Thousand Gods Eye technique never makes mistakes."

The child shivered slightly and quickly bowed respectfully, saying, "Also, there are two more people following them; it seems they have someone protecting them from the shadows. One is at the Divine Travel level, and the other... I can’t see through."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black water pool stirred, and another shadow suddenly appeared, another black dragon, but it was slightly slimmer, with a white scale on its belly.

"It’s been four years since we were sent here to assassinate the son of the Execution Martial Marquis. We have been waiting for four years."

"Ever since that human flesh type’s assassination failed and alarmed the snake, it has been too difficult to enter the mansion. If our strength is too strong, it will easily alert the Li family; if it’s too weak, it’s hard to get close to that kid."

The two dragons spoke human language, and then their figures flickered, leaping out of the pool and landing as a pair of black-robed couple. The man had a wicked face, and the woman had a charming smile.

They seemed to retain some snake-like traits, with long tongues flicking out to lick their lips and chins, while they smiled:

"They must think we’ve given up, but we demon cultivators have practiced for a thousand years, and what we have the most... is patience."

(End of Chapter)