บท 60: Briefing
Julong and Yao Yao both sat down at the stone table that sat in the middle of the gazebo. Fortunately, unlike the last time, there was no alcohol present, making Julong sigh a small sigh of relief.
"Firstly, sorry if bringing Yao Yao here causes any issues."
He didn't get to say more as she tilted her head at him in what was almost confusion.
"Why would I have any qualms with the presence of Yao Yao?"
"I don't know. You were trying to keep this secret were you not?"
With a half nod, she agreed with him, affirming his question.
"Yes, only the Sect Master and Peak Masters know of this. And don't worry, Shen Taiyuan will be informed once we leave as well."
"Good. I don't exactly want to come back to him thinking I just left."
She shook her head, then looked over to Yao Yao.
"So you being here, I'm assuming you would also like to accompany us?"
She shook her head.
"No, I must tend to the gardens, and depending on how long you two will be gone, welcome my Junior Brother Zhou Yuan into the Sect."
In the last few months, word from the outer mountains was being spread to the inner mountains. Zhou Yuan was a rather hot topic, he had apparently offended both a Fifth-Layer Alpha-Origin Expert and the most promising Genius of the bunch known as Lu Feng.
While Julong wasn't exactly sure how to feel about it, Yao Yao had a certain type of confidence that he would easily come first in the rankings.
"You mean the one who has stirred up so much trouble in the Outer Mountains?"
"That's him..."
Julong couldn't help but ponder on his stupidity sometimes, but then again, Julong also was not aware of the circumstances that could have been involved.
"Okay. Well, I'm now assuming you are here to learn some of the details?"
"Specifically how long you will both be gone for."
Li Qingchan nodded at Yao Yao's request.
"At a minimum, if we somehow manage to complete our task exceptionally quickly, we will be gone for a month, so it would be ideal for you to stay if you want to welcome your Junior Brother. If any delays occur, it could be extended up to a maximum of three months. Assuming our operation goes to plan, we will be back in a little over two months."
Yao Yao nodded, she was expecting as much. That was when Julong finally spoke up again.
"What will the rewards be, assuming we complete the mission and do not die?"
"You really have no trust in me, do you?"
Julong merely smirked at her. Both he and she knew that he was just poking some fun at her indirectly.
"Heaven Credits will be awaiting us upon return, two each. As for what we will ascertain while on the mission, we will be able to keep all of."
"From what you have said in the letter, it sounds like our operation is to retrieve something? Are we even able to keep whatever it is the Sect Master wants us to retrieve?"
"Yes. Sect Master Qing Yang has no use for the item that we are to retrieve, so he is willing to give it to us. He just wants to make sure that the Sacred Palace do not get their hands on it."
Julongs curiosity peaked at her words.
"And what exactly is it that we are retrieving."
At this Li Qingchan laughed dauntingly.
"Ancient Serpent Scales."
Both Julong and the almost non-caring Yao Yao perked at her words. Julong even bolted to his feet and slammed the table in exclamation.
"Ancient Serpent Scales!? How on earth would Sect Master not have a use for those!?"
Ancient Serpent Scales were even a priceless treasure in the Hunyuan Heaven, renowned for their astute ability in helping someone create Genesis Qi Stars. Such a resource was not cheap at all, and the Sect Master had openly told them that they were free to keep them.
Qingchan seemed to giggle at his reaction.
"I believe it is more of a pretense to provide you with greater Cultivation Resources. I'm not sure why Sect Master values you so highly, as he would generally never do this, even for the greatest of Geniuses, but he seems to hold you in a very favourable light."
Julong had an idea of why Qing Yang held him in such high regard, it was pretty obvious if one knew his roots and real identity.
"I'm sure there are things you have not told me, but I'm also quite certain that there is a reason for it. So I will not pester you, not unless you decide to tell me yourself."
He bowed to his Senior Sister.
"Thank you, Qingchan. Though, your words have piqued another question of mine. Could that also be as to why this whole operation is secret? For some reason, I'm beginning to think that you didn't just pull this mission off the mission board."
She shook her head with a laugh. Of course, he figured it out.
"You are correct in assuming I didn't just take this mission off the mission board. In all honesty, the operation was secret already with just my involvement. I just decided to ask for you to be able to join me. Under the pretense of using the experience to test your ability, the Peak Masters and Qing Yang agreed. It was only then that he conveniently had no use for the Ancient Serpent Scales."
Yao Yao closed her eyes, a humble look upon her face.
"Sect Master sure is generous."
"Mmm, I don't think I will be able to find a way to repay him."
Of course, Julong had lied since he was sure this was some sort of booster to allow him to help restore the Saint Genesis Peak faster.
"Still though, why is it you chose me? Surely if a great Chosen was given behest of the mission, someone of my Layer will not be of much help."
Qingchan smirked at his words.
"Well there was the simple reason that I wanted you to come because of my liking toward you, but I was finally convinced when Peak Master Liu Lianyi told me your Genesis Qi Star Count. She believes that when you breakthrough, you will go from around 1200 Genesis Qi Stars to around 2000. That is equivalent to a normal Seventh-Layer, you know that, don't you?"
"Of course, but that is still far cry from a Chosen - an abnormal Ninth-Layer who has at least 10000 Genesis Qi Stars."
"Just because I'm going does not necessarily mean that there will only be Chosen there, a Seventh-Layer equivalent will be plenty. Not to mention we can really confuse our opponents this way. Even so, if we're lucky enough, with your unusual talent, you may even be able to break through into the Fourth-Layer. I'm sure the Ancient Serpent Scales will help with that."
Julong rolled his eyes.
"You don't have to try and flatter me any longer, it should be a given that I had accepted a while ago, otherwise I would not be here."
Heat rose on Qingchans cheeks once more. She had been found out rather easily. It was of course a tactic to make him accept, but she should have known better. As per usual, thanks to this, her embarrassed - and as Julong referred to it - cute side, came out.
"Shut up!"
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