After being shocked for a few brief moments, even the young man who had felt Chi Cangmei was making a mountain out of a molehill did not voice any more objections.
Chi Cangmei asked, “Qianjing, how do you think we should do this?”
Xu Qianjing thought about it for a moment and said, “I need to know what forces and resources are available.”
Chi Cangmei answered without hesitation, “We have two thousand elite cultivators who were chosen from the numerous factions under the Chi Clan. They consist of three hundred Heaven Dipper experts, five hundred Earth Dipper experts, and one thousand two hundred Human Dipper experts.”
“We also have six new Purple Hero Battleships and sixteen batches of crossbows bought from the Divine Workshop. Each batch is a different type and consists of one hundred crossbows.”
“Besides this, there is also military gear and medicine worth fifty thousand gold coins.”
Several people could not help but gasp. Although they knew that Chi Cangmei was determined to complete this mission, they had not expected her to prepare such an alarming amount of manpower and resources.
Two thousand elite cultivators!
Six new series Purple Hero Battleships!
Sixteen different types of crossbows!Last but not least, fifty thousand gold coins worth of military gear and medicine!
Such power and resources would be more than enough to deal with a Spirit Sea expert, let alone a Human Dipper youth!
From this, it was clear how highly Chi Cangmei regarded Lin Xun. This made the other youths realize that his origins were likely far more extraordinary than they had imagined. Why else would the Chi Clan invest so many resources?
Xu Qianjing's expression remained unchanged as his clear eyes swirled in thought. After a long time, he finally said, “It’s not enough. I need a group of wind shadow hawks to work as scouts and maintain surveillance of the target. Additionally, they will be used to establish an information network that will report all of the target’s movements as quickly as possible.”
“Besides this, I need detailed information about the two thousand elite cultivators.”
Chi Cangmei pondered for a while and agreed to his conditions.
Xu Qianjing looked toward the group of youths and asked, “May I ask who these friends are?”
Chi Cangmei explained, “They are my friends. They will work as your assistants in this mission.”
Xu Qianjing nodded, rose to his feet, and said, “I owe the Chi Clan a debt and will definitely do my best to fulfill this mission. However, allow me to say this first. I will bear no responsibility if the mission fails.”
With these words, he pushed open the doors and left.
“He has no manners!”
The other youths’ expressions could not help but darken at Xu Qianjing’s rude and unfriendly attitude.
Chi Cangmei, however, appeared unconcerned. She waved her hand and said, “That’s just how Qianjing is. Since he has agreed, he is definitely confident of completing the task.”
One of the youths sullenly said, “But his attitude is terrible.”
Chi Cangmei indifferently said, “You can act the same if you are as capable as him. If that was the case, I guarantee that I would respect you as much as him.”
The youth’s expression turned rigid and he immediately shut his mouth. No matter how unsatisfied he was with Xu Qianjing, he knew that he was far from comparable to the young Master Tactician from Qinglu Academy.
“Alright, you guys shall assist Xu Qianjing from now onwards. No matter who you are, you must do your best to follow his instructions and cannot show any dissent. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless if your negligence leads to problems.”
A chilling light flashed in Chi Cangmei’s clear, blade-like eyes, causing the youths’ hearts to shiver, not daring to meet her gaze.
……
Two days later.
Xue Jin left the courtyard and headed to the City Lord’s Residence.
The provincial exam results were out and it was to no one’s surprise that Lin Xun was awarded first place.
Xue Jin’s task was to help Lin Xun collect the provincial exam certificate. Only with the certificate would he be able to participate in the national exam three months later.
While walking along Haze City’s busy streets, discussions about the provincial exam results could be heard everywhere. Despite the varying topics, almost all of them would mention Lin Xun’s name.
His various performances in the provincial exam were vividly retold, occasionally drawing gasps of amazement, envy, and admiration.
This was the power of fame.
Lin Xun had become a shining superstar in the southwest province who was known by almost everyone and had garnered much attention.
Xue Jin could not help but sigh as he listened to these discussions. It had been less than a year from the time Lin Xun had first stepped into Haze City as an unknown person, and it was just miraculous how everything had transpired.
Xue Jin impishly imagined what kind of expression these Haze City cultivators would show if they discovered that their Great Master Xun was actually Lin Xun.
Today was the ranking announcement day where the rankings of the provincial exam would be officially revealed.
A huge crowd was already gathered in front of the City Lord Residence. The place was so tightly packed that even water would be unable to seep through. Nearly all of them were here to admire the great cultivators who had passed the exam.
Today, all one hundred passers would come to the City Lord Residence to collect their provincial exam certificate.
For those who could not enter Haze Academy to watch during the provincial exam, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse of these cultivators.
“Where’s Lin Xun? Why hasn’t he appeared yet?”
“Yeah, I’ve been waiting here since last night because I wanted to find the best spot to see what the champion of the provincial exam looks like. However, even though most of the others have already appeared, Lin Xun is still missing.”
“Hmph, he might be putting up airs. Who wouldn’t be proud of claiming first place in the provincial exam?”
“Bastard! I’ll fight whoever dares to say anything bad about my idol Lin Xun!”
Amidst the noisiness, Xue Jin’s figure appeared in front of the City Lord Residence, and he could not help but be slightly stunned at the magnificent scene.
After some thought, he moved forward.
Although he made no special movement, the crowd before him parted as if pulled apart by a mysterious invisible force, allowing Xue Jin to pass through. The people who had been shifted appeared completely oblivious.
It was an amazing and wondrous power.
When he arrived before the entrance, however, he was discovered by a scholarly man. The man immediately frowned and shouted, “Stop, this is the City Lord Residence. All trespassers will be killed!”
The scholarly man was Ruan Lingdu and was an advisor to Governor Liu Wudiao. Of course, Ruan Lingdu also had another identity: he was a cultivator under the employ of the Forbidden City Chu Clan.
During the Stone Cauldron Alms hundred year celebration, Ruan Lingdu had attempted to humiliate Chu Feng but it had ultimately backfired, causing him to humiliate himself instead.
Of course, Xue Jin was unaware of all this. The rude shout made him frown and he said, “I am here to help Lin Xun collect his provincial exam certificate.”
Ruan Lingdu’s expression darkened. “How arrogant of him. Isn’t he being far too rude in not personally coming on the day of the results announcement?!”
Xue Jin patiently explained, “He’s unavailable at this time. Friend, I hope that you can look past it.”
Ruan Lingdu icily chuckled. “No. The City Lord Residence has its rules. How can exceptions be made so easily? Moreover, what proof do you have that you’re here to collect the certificate on Lin Xun’s behalf? What if you’re a fraud with other intentions?”
The mention of Lin Xun made Ruan Lingdu recall the terrible memory of the Stone Cauldron Alms hundred year celebration. If not for Lin Xun, how could Chu Feng have any right to be one of the VIPs?
The incident had left Ruan Lingdu with a bitter taste in his mouth and a stomach full of anger. Since Lin Xun did not personally come to collect his certificate, Ruan Lingdu did not mind making things difficult for Lin Xun’s proxy.
“In other words, you’re not planning on letting me enter?”
A lazy smile formed on Xue Jin’s rugged face.
Ruan Lingdu frostily retorted, “What do you think?”
Xue Jin displayed his pearly-white teeth and said, “I already tried to be respectful. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Ruan Lingdu’s expression darkened and he furiously said, “Who do you think you are? Come, men, capture this ignorant fool who seeks to humiliate himself!”
Before the echo of his voice could fade, Xue Jin grabbed Ruan Lingdu by the neck and lifted him into the air.
Piak piak piak!
At the same time, a series of slaps ruthlessly struck Ruan Lingdu’s face, knocking several teeth loose and making his cheeks swell like a red tomato as he shrieked in pain.
The crowd gathered in front of the City Lord Residence could not help but gasp in horror. Who was this arrogant fellow?
Some of the sharper individuals in the crowd were even more shocked. Ruan Lingdu was a powerful expert but was currently being grabbed by the neck like a powerless chicken, unable to put up any struggle. Didn’t this mean that the towering man was an extremely terrifying expert?
Several guards charged at him but were sent flying by an invisible force before they could get close.
For a time, it was complete chaos in front of the City Lord Residence.
“I’ve killed countless trash like you. This time, for Liu Wudiao’s sake, I’ll spare your pathetic life!”
Xue Jin casually flung Ruan Lingdu aside like trash. Despite causing such a huge commotion, he swaggered into the City Lord Residence as if nothing had happened, leaving behind a mess of chaos, shock, and terror.
“Who the hell was that? I can’t believe he dares to forcefully trespass into the City Lord Residence.”
“I heard that he’s here to help Lin Xun collect his certificate. Damn, I thought he was just some errand boy. Who could have imagined that he would be so formidable?!”
“This is crazy. How can Governor Liu Wudiao let him off after creating such a huge ruckus?”
“Most definitely. If he doesn’t pay the price, it will be very difficult to leave the City Lord Residence with Lin Xun’s certificate.”
“Something big is certainly going to happen next!”