"You’re Qin Feng?"
One of them, a young man of medium build with a square face and the sharpest eyes, was the first to speak.
His voice was low and raspy.
"I am."
Qin Feng met his gaze calmly.
"Zou Yun, you’ve got a good eye."
Another young man, slightly more burly with a neat, short haircut, nodded at Zou Yun, his tone carrying a hint of approval.
A look of justified pride appeared on Zou Yun’s face. He stepped forward to make introductions for both sides. "Qin Feng, let me introduce you. This is Shanyang, and this is Pang Chen. Shanyang, Pang Chen, this is the person I told you about, the final member of our squad, Qin Feng."
Shanyang was the sharp-eyed young man who had spoken first.
He extended a hand to Qin Feng and introduced himself concisely. "Shanyang. Life force index of 102. I specialize in saber techniques."
"Pang Chen."
The burly young man also extended his hand and shook Qin Feng’s. His palm was rough and powerful, covered in thick calluses. "Life force index of 104. I specialize in flying knives."
Their introductions were devoid of any pleasantries.
"Qin Feng."
Qin Feng’s introduction was just as concise. "Life force index of 110. I specialize in spear techniques."
As soon as he said this, even Shanyang and Pang Chen, who had thought themselves prepared, couldn’t hide the flicker of shock in their eyes.
One hundred and ten!
That number had firmly surpassed their own.
What was even more terrifying was that the person who stated this number was merely a new student, only in his third year.
"Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s get down to business."
Zou Yun eagerly gathered everyone together. He knew Qin Feng’s personality; he didn’t like to waste time on meaningless pleasantries.
Shanyang nodded. He scanned his surroundings and said in a low voice, "This mission is a special one."
"It comes from a senior member of our Warband. Using his high-level clearance in the mission hall, this senior secured a large-scale clearing mission with a 20-person cap. However, he has more important matters to attend to. So, in order to cultivate the next generation, he passed the mission down to members of our Warband as an ’internal assignment’."
"The mission requires us to participate in four-person squads, with five squads in total. Additionally, each squad must be composed of two senior students, enrolled for more than ten years, leading two junior students, enrolled for less than ten years."
Shanyang’s gaze swept over Qin Feng and Zou Yun.
"Pang Chen and I are the senior students. You two happen to meet the criteria for the junior students. Zou Yun has been enrolled for nine years, and you for only three."
Qin Feng listened quietly, understanding instantly.
’This really is a golden opportunity.’
Missions like this, practically spoon-fed by a senior, are usually carefully screened. The goal is to let promising new members quickly gain Contribution Points and combat experience in a relatively safe environment. It’s a hidden perk exclusive to members of top-tier Warbands.
"According to the information from our senior, this mission has an extremely low mortality rate but a very high failure rate."
Shanyang’s tone grew serious. "But if we succeed, the rewards will be immense."
"The mission is simple,"
he continued. "It’s a clearing mission. An enormous Spiritual Energy Vein has been discovered on the Empire’s Y12393-a12 Mining Planet. However, the area is currently occupied by a splinter fleet of the Mechanical Race. According to the final intelligence report from an Imperial Reconnaissance Ship, the strongest individual among the Mechanical Race forces stationed there doesn’t exceed a life force index of 110."
"Our task is to operate as five squads, simultaneously breaking into the Ore Vein Area from five different directions to clear out the Mechanical Race forces. The total mission reward is 1,000 Contribution Points."
"As for how the rewards are distributed..."
A glint flashed in Shanyang’s eyes. "It’s calculated based on the area of the mining zone each squad ultimately clears and controls. If our squad ends up controlling one-fifth of the total Ore Vein Area, we’ll receive one-fifth of the total reward—that’s 200 Contribution Points. Prestige points are calculated the same way. There’s also a total of 1,000, distributed based on performance. So, this is definitely a golden opportunity to strike it rich."
Hearing this, Qin Feng gave a slight nod to show he understood.
He had already done the math in his head.
If everything went smoothly and their squad secured a one-fifth share, that would be 200 Contribution Points. Split four ways, that meant 50 points each. As for prestige points, it would also be 50 points per person.
It was truly a fortune that would make any Level 4 Martial Artist green with envy.
"So, in reality, we’re both cooperating and competing with the other four squads."
Shanyang reflected, "Whoever clears their sector the fastest and shows the best tactical execution will get a bigger slice of the pie when all is said and done. That’s precisely why we needed powerful junior teammates—especially someone who excels at command."
His gaze finally landed on Qin Feng.
"Zou Yun recommended you to us in the strongest terms. To be honest, I had my doubts at first, but now..."
Shanyang’s tone was filled with awe. "I never imagined that a junior student, in only his third year, could not only raise his life force index to the incredible level of 110, but also master two killing techniques at the Control Realm."
"My recommendation is that we hand command of this mission directly over to Qin Feng."
Zou Yun, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up with the suggestion.