Chapter 449

Chapter 449: Outgoing Assignment

By day, he absorbed Purple Qi, and by night, he honed his profound techniques.

Upon returning to West Sea City, Wang Chen smoothly advanced to the third level of the Purple Palace without a ripple of disturbance.

During his time on Thunder Isle, he not only devoted himself to mastering the Sky Thunder technique but also maintained his practice of the Preheaven Five Element Technique.

Over time, his experience grew naturally.

With Wang Chen’s current root bone and comprehension, even without any further increase in specific numbers, he had the potential to condense a Golden Core.

Breaking through from the second layer to the third level of the Purple Palace was nothing significant.

His true aim was to reach the higher levels of the Purple Palace.

Of course, it would be ideal to condense a Golden Core within the West Sea Sect.

On another note, Wang Chen had yet to uncover any clues about the "Path to Heaven."

Years ago, Changchun had merely given him a name.

Wang Chen had tried, both openly and discreetly, to gather more information, but his efforts yielded nothing.

Yet, Wang Chen remained unperturbed. For now, the most crucial task was to elevate his cultivation level.

With formidable strength, even if he ultimately failed to ascend to the upper realm, he would stand a better chance of weathering the impending great Calamity.

In truth, Wang Chen was quite content with his current life.

Within the gates of the West Sea Sect, the spiritual energy was abundant. There were peaks for drawing in Purple Qi and islands for cultivating techniques. The sect’s library housed countless techniques, and he often received guidance on Golden Core formation.

Though he was not a true disciple, what more could a low-level cultivator ask for?

However, just as Wang Chen resolved to lay low for another year or two and strive to reach the mid-level of the Purple Palace, a talisman from the Sect Management Department shattered his tranquility.

"Guard the border counties of West Zhou?"

Wang Chen was taken aback by the assignment from the Sect Management Department. "I’ve already completed a special mission before!"

Sect disciples enjoyed the benefits of the sect, but they also bore corresponding responsibilities and obligations.

Whether they were Meridian Disciples or inner sect disciples, all were treated equally in this regard.

The so-called special mission was essentially a compulsory task with strict time limits and completion requirements.

Failure to complete it would require using contribution points to offset the penalty.

If contribution points were insufficient, expulsion from the inner sect—or even the sect itself—was the consequence.

The previous mission to eliminate the Xuanyi Horse Thieves had been a special mission, and less than a year had passed since then. To receive another assignment so soon left Wang Chen deeply unsettled.

He found it hard to believe that other inner sect disciples were assigned special missions as frequently as he was.

His intuition told him he was being singled out!

The steward of the Sect Management Department replied impassively, “That was last year’s task. This is for this year.”

Wang Chen’s face turned ashen. “But this mission lasts three years!”

The new assignment from the Sect Management Department required him to travel hundreds of thousands of miles to the West Zhou county government and serve as a celestial guardian.

The duration was three years.

This county capital, named Daying, is situated on the border of West Zhou. Being dispatched there as a celestial guardian carries a strong sense of exile.

"Upon completion, you will be exempt from special missions for three years."

The steward of the Sect Management Department gazed deeply into Wang Chen’s eyes, concealing a hint of pity. "This is the sect’s regulation."

He bore no personal animosity toward Wang Chen and certainly had no intention of making his life difficult.

This special mission was assigned from higher authorities, and he had no grounds to exempt Wang Chen from it.

One could only say that Wang Chen’s luck was unfortunate.

Wang Chen composed himself. "I understand."

The die was cast; as a mere Entry Disciple, he had no means to resist.

Unless he chose to leave the West Sea Sect and become a loose cultivator elsewhere.

As for using contribution points to offset…

Wang Chen had very few contribution points remaining. After the rewards from his last mission, he was left with only a couple of hundred points.

"The West Zhou region is indeed quite harsh."

Seeing that Wang Chen did not react with hostility, the steward of the Sect Management Department secretly breathed a sigh of relief and offered some comfort, "But the sect’s rewards are quite generous."

Ten bottles of Purple Essence Pills, ten bottles of Yuan Cultivating Pills, ten bottles of Soul Nourishing Pills, along with five hundred Intermediate Spirits and a set of second-grade robes.

This was Wang Chen’s initial annual stipend.

During his mission, he would receive the same stipend each year.

And this was only what the sect provided; the local county capital would offer additional tributes.

Celestial guardians within the sect held a rank equivalent to dispatched officials, primarily divided into long-term and short-term assignments.

Wang Chen’s three-year tenure fell under the short-term category, while long-term assignments could be permanent.

When Wang Chen was with the Yunyang Sect, he had served as a celestial guardian, stationed in a small town to suppress evil spirits.

However, the celestial guardians of the Yunyang Sect were entirely different from those of the West Sea Sect; the latter wielded far greater authority!

In fact, for many disciples with uncertain futures, being dispatched as a celestial guardian was quite a favorable opportunity.

Especially if sent to a prosperous and stable city, one could amass a considerable amount of cultivation resources over a few years.

But being assigned to the relatively barren West Zhou, particularly on the border, undoubtedly made this a grueling task!

The sect did provide substantial compensation; for instance, the rewards in contribution points would be higher.

The issue was that Wang Chen simply wished to cultivate in peace.

Thus, he remained entirely unmoved by the comforting words of the steward of the Sect Management Department.

"You have half a month to assume your post; if you exceed the deadline, you will face punishment according to the sect rules, so remember that!"

After leaving the Sect Management Department, Wang Chen hurried to Wailing City.

He was no longer a solitary figure; he had ties and bonds here.

Leaving for three years certainly required careful arrangements.

"You’re going to West Zhou Daying to serve as a celestial guardian?"

When Xu Xinlan learned that Wang Chen was soon to depart for West Zhou, she immediately declared without hesitation, "I will go with you!"

For Xu Xinlan, nothing mattered more than Wang Chen.

She would follow him anywhere, even if it meant leaving her hometown or defecting from the sect.

"No."

Wang Chen gently caressed Xu Xinlan’s delicate face and said, "You stay in Wailing City and focus on your cultivation. Wait for me for three years."

The journey spanned hundreds of thousands of miles, and with fortunes uncertain, he could move freely on his own, but taking Xu Xinlan along might not ensure her safety.

Xu Xinlan was only at the Qi Training level; there was no need for her to endure the hardships of West Zhou with him.

Though reluctant, Xu Xinlan understood that she could offer little help to Wang Chen and would only become a burden.

Moreover, three years was not a long time for a cultivator.

She silently nodded, her eyes already brimming with tears.

Three days later, Wang Chen boarded the flying ship bound for West Zhou.

Zuo Xiaomo came to see him off.

At parting, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. "Wang Shixiong, it’s my fault that you got dragged into this."

Wang Chen had always been low-key, often acting alone, and had neither many friends nor enemies.

Anyone who held a grudge against him likely had a connection to Zuo Xiaomo!

Although the truth remained unclear, Zuo Xiaomo understood that this matter must relate to him!

"Stop saying such foolish things."

Wang Chen patted his shoulder. "I’m not marching to my death. Don’t talk about being a burden. Just take care of Xinlan. If any issues arise, endure and be accommodating, and we will discuss it when I return."

Zuo Xiaomo nodded vigorously.