Chapter 694

Chapter 694: An Unusual Task

In the Patrol Office’s Exorcism division,

Guan Shengping sat prominently in a high chair, meticulously reviewing the documents in his hands.

A white-faced, beardless middle-aged cultivator stood attentively beside him.

The vast room was eerily silent.

After a considerable time, Guan Shengping set down the thick stack of documents, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes as countless thoughts raced through his Sea of Consciousness.

Unlike many Golden Core true masters who secluded themselves in their caves for hidden cultivating, he had chosen the path of worldly engagement, training from Qi Training to consolidating his Golden Core, all while serving in the office.

He had been the chief steward of the Exorcism division for twenty years!

Suddenly, Guan Shengping inquired, "How is that young man faring recently?"

The middle-aged cultivator promptly bowed and replied, "He has been diligently accumulating Immortal merits and has successfully completed all his tasks."

Guan Shengping chuckled softly, "Good."

He was referring to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen had slightly misjudged; Guan Shengping, unlike Master Ye, hailed from a prestigious immortal sect and possessed insights and determination far beyond the latter. He harbored no intentions of coveting Wang Chen’s secrets.

However, this Golden Core elder had recognized Wang Chen’s potential and viewed him as a talented individual worth bringing under his wing, which led to some deliberate actions.

It was merely a test of endurance.

In Guan Shengping’s view, his "test" of Wang Chen was actually an opportunity.

A chance for upward mobility!

But before that, he needed to temper Wang Chen’s pride, making him compliant and willing to serve.

Still not yielding?

Recalling that after their first meeting, Wang Chen had not actively bowed his head, Guan Shengping felt he had been too lenient, allowing this young man to foster the illusion that he could endure the pressure.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Young people need more experience; let’s increase his responsibilities."

The middle-aged cultivator bowed once more, "Yes."

Guan Shengping waved his hand, and the middle-aged cultivator quietly exited the hall.

The room was enveloped in silence once again.

The next morning, Wang Chen received another talisman from the Exorcism division.

He had a new task!

And this task was distinctly unusual.

The Exorcism division wanted Wang Chen to track down a high-level evil cultivator from the Purple Palace!

This was quite irregular.

It’s important to note that although the Exorcism division bore the name "Exorcism," dealing with evil cultivators was typically the responsibility of the Patrol Office. It was conspicuous that the Exorcism division assigned such a task to Wang Chen, suggesting they were overstepping their bounds.

However, the talisman clearly stated that this evil cultivator was originally a constable of the Exorcism division who, during a mission, was unfortunately tainted by dark forces, ultimately succumbing to the Demonic Path.

The Exorcism division pursuing him was a matter of cleaning up their own ranks and was indeed an internal affair, thus could not be delegated to the Patrol Office.

Additionally, the Exorcism division marked a high reward for this task; the Immortal merits were three times that of regular tasks!

But Wang Chen sensed a deep threat hidden within.

Someone was getting impatient!

Although, according to the rules, he could appeal upward, expressing his inability to complete such a task and request a replacement or more assistance—like a specialized pursuit team—Wang Chen knew very well that his appeal would be rejected.

He tried it.

The result was a stern reprimand from above!

He had to comply even if he didn’t want to; there was no room for negotiation; otherwise, he would face consequences for disobedience!

With no other choice, Wang Chen had to go to the Exorcism division to collect the talisman and leave Yongle Immortal City to pursue this evil cultivator.

The Haotian Realm was vast and boundless; tracking down a rogue cultivator was harder than finding a needle in the ocean. The talisman he received contained a fragment of the target’s divine sense, providing him with "locational navigation."

But it wouldn’t work if the distance was too great.

So, Wang Chen needed to move quickly.

He commanded the Longyuan Sword, soaring speedily like the Wind and Lightning, flying a thousand miles in one breath.

Following the guidance of the divine sense talisman, he finally pinpointed the location of his target.

At the peak of a solitary mountain!

As Wang Chen approached the mountain, riding his sword through the air, he saw a gray-robed cultivator standing alone atop the rock, surrounded by swirling black energy.

From dozens of yards away, Wang Chen shouted in a deep voice, "Liang Cen, your time has come, surrender now!"

The gray-robed cultivator turned to face him, looking at Wang Chen from the air with indifference. "Is there no one left in the Exorcism division? They sent a kid like you?"

Though Liang Cen had fallen to the Demonic Path, he hadn’t completely lost his reason or humanity.

Such evil cultivators were actually the most terrifying!

"If I capture you, I’ll be promoted to silver emblem."

Wang Chen replied calmly, "For my future, can’t you sacrifice a little?"

Liang Cen stared blankly at him, as if his brain had stalled.

After a moment, he responded, "You want to capture me? Who do you think you are?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly soared into the air, his robe expanding in all directions, releasing a massive surge of black smoke that enveloped him completely.

In just a few breaths, this evil cultivator transformed into a giant crow, flying toward Wang Chen.

The black smoke surged, and the dark forces surged with it!

"Speed!"

Wang Chen formed a sword tactic, and the protective Longyuan Sword transformed into a dazzling light, rushing toward Liang Cen like lightning!

The two sides closed in instantly.

Boom!

With a muffled sound, Liang Cen’s transformed giant crow suddenly exploded, scattering into thousands of little black crows that spread out.

The ambush from the Longyuan Sword missed entirely!

In the next moment, countless black crows filled the sky above Wang Chen, forming a gigantic net that fell upon him.

Each black crow exuded an ominous aura, making it impossible to discern which one was Liang Cen’s true form!

Wang Chen immediately darted backward to avoid getting caught in this crow net.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hundreds of black crows flapped their wings simultaneously, unleashing countless Feiyu toward Wang Chen!

Half the sky was obscured.

At the same time, a pitch-black claw appeared out of thin air, silently and swiftly grasping at Wang Chen.

Wang Chen focused his attention; he continuously retreated to dodge while simultaneously controlling the Longyuan Sword to intercept the black claw.

Not only that, but he also expanded his powerful divine sense.

He probed every black crow in the sky.

Wang Chen understood very well that if he couldn’t find Liang Cen’s true form, it would be meaningless to slay countless black crows because the black mist was rising, and more black crows were materializing and flying out of it.

Endlessly!

Crack!

The Longyuan Sword collided violently with the black claw, accompanied by a grinding sound that grated on the teeth; one of the claws was forcibly severed by the flying sword.

However, the remaining three claws suddenly constricted, tightly gripping the Longyuan Sword!

The dark forces contained within the black claw surged forth, attempting to taint Wang Chen’s life treasure flying sword.

"Break!"

In such a situation, with no retreat left, Wang Chen immediately unleashed the Fire Crow Technique, merging into the rapidly expanding body of the crow, actively charging toward the massive black crow swarm.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

The Fire Crow that fused with Wang Chen exploded upon contact with the black crows, turning into billowing black smoke before disappearing.

Like breaking bamboo!