At the moment, some of the inner sect elite disciples were extremely excited, fearing that this mission might be related to the natural treasures near the manor.
If there were treasures, there would inevitably be some spiritual herbs growing around, with astonishing value, even estimated in spirit stones. If they could obtain some, their strength and realm would significantly improve.
Over the past two days, the higher-ups of the Lin family had also led some disciples to investigate near the manor, trying to find the root cause of the gathering of fierce beasts. One of the elders accidentally obtained a precious herb during the investigation, though it had no age, its value was still very high.
After this news spread, many inner sect disciples were eager to try, but unfortunately, the higher-ups ordered that inner sect disciples could not leave the manor without a mission.
This order was partly for the safety of the Lin family disciples, after all, with so many fierce beasts gathered, if anything went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.
At this moment, everyone looked at the grand steward on the platform, waiting for him to speak.
...
"The fierce beasts nearby are increasing. Without a mission from the higher-ups, inner sect disciples of the Lin family must not leave the manor, or they will face severe punishment," the grand steward said after a moment.
The disciples nodded, as this was a direct order from the family head and the two elders, and no one would dare to disobey.
"However, tonight I will select ten disciples for a mission from the higher-ups," the grand steward's gaze swept over the group of elite disciples.
Upon hearing this, the inner sect disciples were overjoyed. This was definitely a great opportunity. If they could obtain some precious herbs during the investigation...
"Lin Fei, Lin Zhen, Lin Caiyi, you will accompany five senior inner sect disciples to investigate within fifty miles of the manor. Your main task is to guard against fierce beasts. If you find anything unusual, report back to the manor immediately," the grand steward said, looking at Lin Caiyi and others.
The disciples whose names were called were extremely delighted and immediately agreed.
Eight out of the ten had been chosen, leaving two more disciple slots. It was unknown what the last two would be tasked with.
"Lin Hao," soon, the grand steward's gaze fell on Lin Hao, and he smiled faintly, "As the first among the younger generation of the Lin family, your strength at the realm of intent is such that even the combined strength of the first among the younger generation of the three noble families in Liuyun City is not your match. Therefore, your mission is even more important."
The grand steward's naming of Lin Hao was not surprising. However, if he did not let Lin Hao participate in this mission, that would be truly strange, unless the grand steward wanted to use his position to seek revenge and not let Lin Hao gain this opportunity.
After all, the conflict between the grand steward and Lin Hao was clear to most of the disciples present.
Lin Hao suffered humiliation in Fenglin Town, and even his spirit root was almost moved by those branch forces, all due to the grand steward's secret actions, which could be considered a blood feud.
After escaping back to the Lin family headquarters, Lin Hao, without hesitation, directly accused the grand steward and Fenglin Town, leading to the fragmentation of the Fenglin forces and the grand steward being severely reprimanded by Elder Lin Chen.
Especially in the past two days, Lin Hao, in front of everyone, used his realm of intent to crush Lin Xurui, which, though seemingly a friendly match, everyone knew was Lin Hao deliberately showing off to the grand steward, a form of indirect threat.
Today, the grand steward letting Lin Hao participate in this search mission might truly be an attempt to reconcile and make peace.
The disciples present thought that if they were the grand steward, they might also do the same. After all, Lin Hao's potential was immeasurable, surpassing Lin Xurui by more than one level in a short time, and no one knew how far he could grow in the future. Perhaps in a dozen years, Lin Hao could become the head of the Lin family. Showing goodwill now might still be in time.
However, some disciples had different thoughts. The enmity between Lin Hao and the grand steward might be irreconcilable. If Lin Hao truly grew to a certain level in the future, who could guarantee he wouldn't seek revenge on the grand steward?
The scene fell into silence, everyone eager to see what task the grand steward would give Lin Hao.
After a moment, the grand steward finally said, "Lin Hao, a hundred miles away is a gathering place for fierce beasts. Yesterday, the two elders rushed there but did not stay long due to time constraints. Since you are the first among the younger generation of the Lin family, your strength is sufficient to protect yourself. Go and investigate a hundred miles away, and I will have Lin Nangong accompany you."
A hundred miles away!
Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. A hundred miles away was a gathering place for fierce beasts, extremely dangerous. Sending a disciple there seemed inappropriate.
However, no one could say the grand steward was making things difficult for Lin Hao. Danger and opportunity coexist, and the more dangerous a place, the greater the opportunity, no one doubted this.
Perhaps a hundred miles away was where natural treasures were born, and the surrounding area might have precious herbs or even spiritual herbs. If Lin Hao had good luck, he might even find the natural treasure, which would be like a leap to the top!
At the moment, several disciples who considered themselves quite strong were somewhat envious. They also wanted to go a hundred miles away to see for themselves. As long as they were cautious and did not attract the attention of the fierce beasts, it would be fine.
"Alright, I accept," Lin Hao nodded, without refusing.
He also wanted to see if there really was a 'Mandala Species' monster a hundred miles away. If it truly existed, Liuyun City might be in trouble.
Lin Hao suspected that it might be due to Xingchen Yu's grudge, who planted a 'Mandala Species' seed in the Hundred Refinements Mountains when he passed by.
A monster like the 'Mandala Species' might not even naturally grow in the depths of the Hundred Refinements Mountains, let alone a hundred miles away from the manor. Moreover, the 'Mandala Species' mostly came from secret realms, born from the seeds of monsters, and only sect forces could access secret realms...
Lin Hao thought about it, and it seemed only someone like Xingchen Yu could do such a thing. He dared not act openly against him but secretly planted the 'Mandala Species' near the manor, and the higher-ups of the four noble families even believed it was a naturally born treasure.
Upon hearing Lin Hao accept the mission, the grand steward's lips curled slightly. This way, it would be difficult for Lin Hao to survive the night.
To avoid arousing suspicion, the grand steward deliberately chose this time and had Lin Nangong accompany Lin Hao. If both were torn apart by fierce beasts, it would be an accident, and it would have nothing to do with him. After all, on the surface, the mission he issued had no problems. Lin Hao, as the first among the younger generation of the Lin family, could crush Lin Xurui with a single thought. Who would have guessed that such a powerful disciple would die in the claws and fangs of mid-level fierce beasts?
Even from an outsider's perspective, he was showing no grudges and giving Lin Hao a greater opportunity.
...
"How about it, Lin Xurui isn't going, why must I go with Lin Hao?" Suddenly, Lin Nangong looked at the grand steward with a cold gaze.
The grand steward said expressionlessly, "Xurui's realm of intent was damaged a few days ago, and he is currently resting, so it's not convenient for him."
No one doubted the grand steward's words, after all, everyone had seen Lin Xurui being crushed by Lin Hao's realm of intent a few days ago.
After the mission was issued, Lin Hao and Lin Nangong received a map. The map was incomplete, only recording the area within a hundred miles of the manor. If they went deeper, they would lose direction.
At night, the activity of fierce beasts increased, and there were dozens of them a hundred miles away, with most being common fierce beasts and about ten mid-level fierce beasts.
If they attracted the attention of these fierce beasts, Lin Hao and Lin Nangong would almost certainly not survive.
Moreover, with more and more fierce beasts, it was unknown whether high-level fierce beasts would appear tonight.
At the moment, the ten gathered and left the inner sect manor, heading towards the gathering place of the fierce beasts.
On the way, several inner sect disciples were excited, their gazes sweeping the surroundings, not wanting to miss any clues. Perhaps there were precious herbs nearby.
"Hey... the Luo family's people!" Suddenly, one of the disciples noticed several Luo family disciples passing by, also active in the area.
"Not strange, the higher-ups of the four noble families are very concerned about the reason for the gathering of fierce beasts. If there are naturally born treasures, it could affect the fortune of Liuyun City. Whichever force obtains it could rise to the top," one of the disciples explained.
If the Lin family could send disciples to investigate, the other three noble families would not stand idly by and take no action.
"Treasure herb!" Suddenly, an elite disciple named 'Lin San' shouted, leaping forward like a beast.
At the same time, the inner sect disciples of the Luo family and Wang family also seemed to have discovered the treasure herb, rushing towards a flat valley.
"It's mine!" Lin San shouted excitedly, reaching the treasure herb before the Luo family and Wang family disciples.
"Get lost!" Suddenly, a woman from the Luo family leaped out of the crowd, seeing Lin San about to pluck the treasure herb, and immediately struck out with a fierce palm.
The treasure herb was entirely emerald green, not yet mature, and had no age, not on the same level as a true treasure herb. However, its value was still considerable. If placed in the alchemy shop, it would cost at least several million silver to purchase. Faced with such a treasure, who wouldn't be envious?
Especially for second-level earth gate martial artists like them, it was akin to a divine object.
"Luo Qingqiu, you...!" Lin San was hit by the woman's palm, flying out and landing, then glaring at Luo Qingqiu.
"Hmph, such a treasure, if taken by you, would be a waste," Luo Qingqiu calmly plucked the treasure herb, her cold expression turning to a smile.
"Ha, too bad we came late," at this moment, the Wang family disciples arrived, and Wang Yuzhou, the first among the younger generation of the Wang family, said regretfully upon seeing Luo Qingqiu already holding the treasure herb.
"It seems there are indeed naturally born treasures. I didn't expect to find a treasure herb just after leaving the manor. Heaven is on my side," Luo Qingqiu smiled faintly.
"Luo Qingqiu, I found this treasure herb first, how can you do this!" Lin San was furious, as the treasure herb was clearly his discovery, and he was about to pluck it when Luo Qingqiu from the Luo family snatched it away at the last moment!