C7 Mission Activated!(1)

Main Mission: Survive

[Objective] Survive in Isynlenor for five days! Upon completion, you will be rewarded with 100 Contribution Points!

[Restriction] Do not leave the village before completing the mission, or you will be executed!

[Background] In the 125th year of the Great Song Dynasty, barbarians invaded, putting the capital at risk, and forcing the emperor to flee south. The Great Song's defense forces were utterly defeated, and the lands ravaged by the barbarians were left barren. The civilians endured the hardships of war. Tonight, a vanguard of several hundred barbarian soldiers will reach this area, and their fate will be left to the heavens.

[Side Mission] Earn 50 Contribution Points for killing a barbarian soldier, 100 for a Hobgoblin, 300 for a Centurion, and 500 for a Shaman.

[Mission Difficulty] Level 1

...

"What?"

An Yixi's complexion turned pale as he exclaimed, "Combat with the barbarian army? And I have to survive? What kind of era is this Great Song Dynasty? How come I've never heard of it?"

"The Great Song Dynasty is merely a fabricated title; it's not of significance. What matters is that we survive."

Chu Hen contained his skepticism and turned away with a calm demeanor.

The others looked visibly shaken, except for Han Meng, who had a steely expression. After processing Chu Hen's words, he furrowed his brow in deep thought.

"A Shaman? Good heavens! A vanguard of a few hundred comes with a Shaman? That's the spiritual linchpin of the barbarian army, capable of healing wounds and boosting morale, not to mention wielding powerful magic," Xiang Ling said, her face ashen as she shared her knowledge.

Chu Hen gave a nod of acknowledgment. In the face of impending danger, she hadn't concealed all her cunning, which was fortunate.

"Barbarian soldiers are exceptionally brutal, attacking with the reckless abandon of moths darting into flames, fearless in the face of death. The Centurions are the cream of the crop, each one as bloodthirsty as the next. In one-on-one combat, we may well be outmatched..."

Han Meng's face remained a steely shade of gray, but he was noticeably more talkative. His ferocity had diminished significantly. Faced with an external threat, their intention to band together was clear.

Led by Han Meng, the four individuals exchanged glances, even An Yixing finally stopped her incessant chatter. The truth was self-evident: when the nest is overturned, no eggs remain unbroken. Naturally, everyone grasped this concept.

However, Chu Hen was skeptical. Unity was beneficial, but it came with conditions. A hastily assembled team like theirs might scatter at the first sign of real trouble.

Yet, Chu Hen's doubts ran deeper. How long could this superficial unity last? Would they end up with incompetent team members? And if so, how should they handle it?

He had his unique interpretation of the survival mission.

Chu Hen always planned for the worst-case scenario, a principle he lived by. He had never relied on others for his survival, and with this realization, he found solace.

"Right! Brother Han and I are on the same page. As the saying goes, united we stand, divided we fall. Let's head to the village and gather some information," Chu Hen suggested, pointing toward the village, though his expression suddenly shifted.

"Isynlenor!" The name stirred, the village flag—a vibrant red with a yellow border—snapped in the wind. The villagers began to stir, bringing the whole place to life.

An ancient and authoritative voice echoed in their minds.

"The mission begins. Random mission assignment!"

"Survival mission one: Reach the flag within the time of half a cup of tea. Those who fail to arrive in time will fail the mission."

"Forbidden: If all five complete the mission, it will be considered a mission failure."

As the voice faded, an hourglass materialized in their minds, its sands swiftly slipping away.

Chu Hen and the others were momentarily dazed. The terms 'forbidden' and 'mission failure' left them with a few seconds of mental void.

Was their unity about to shatter? Was the brutal competition starting already?

With a sharp exhale, Han Meng bolted, quickly outpacing the rest. His fierce nature, reminiscent of his days as a highwayman, left no room for mercy or chances for others.

"Half a cup of tea's time isn't long, but for those of us skilled in martial arts, it's more than enough."

"But... for those who are not skilled..."

Lianxiang and Xiangling looked incredibly distressed. Both women were acutely aware of their own limitations, especially Lianxiang, who had collapsed to the ground in defeat.

"Young Master An..." Lianxiang turned her tearful, pleading eyes toward An Yixi, her delicate face awash with tears.

"This..." An Yixi glanced at Han Meng and the remaining group, and after a brief moment of contemplation, Xiangling, clad in a pink dress, began to move with graceful, light steps.

She still possessed a layer of Spirit Forging skill, and coupled with her distinctive stepping technique, she could not engage in combat, but her speed was slightly faster than someone at the second level of the Mortal Realm. Chu Hen's lips curled into a faint smile, recognizing the girl's impressive background.

An Yixi's expression shifted, as if a realization had struck her. She abruptly straightened up from her stooped position and declared firmly, "Lianxiang, it's not that we won't save you, but we are bound by the rules. If all five of us make it, I fear we'll endanger everyone."

With that, he activated the long-neglected second level of Flesh Forging and strode away.

"I'll take you." Chu Hen extended his hand, grasped Lianxiang's arm, and helped her to her feet before moving forward.

The rigorous training Chu Hen had undergone in recent days was now proving its worth. The transformed Chu Hen was a far cry from his former wastrel self. Employing Physique Augmentation, he took giant strides, quickly overtaking An Yixi, and in no time, he caught up with Xiangling and was hot on Han Meng's heels.

"Young Master Chu, thank you, but doing this... I fear it will bring trouble to everyone... Perhaps it's best if you let me go."

Even an ant clings to life, so Lianxiang was naturally overjoyed to be rescued. Yet, when she thought of the rules, she was once again overwhelmed with tears.

"I have my own strategy; don't worry, sister."

Chu Hen had his own long-term considerations. If he abandoned Lianxiang now, he might save himself temporarily, but it would shatter any semblance of unity and breed mistrust within the team. With perilous challenges ahead and the main ordeal yet to come, abandoning her would be tantamount to sealing his own fate. By taking Lianxiang with him and competing against the other three, their elimination would be their own to accept. Moreover... Chu Hen glanced sideways and a smirk flickered across his face... if the situation became dire, he might have to make a difficult decision midway...

Hey! Isn't Han Meng still around?

Even if all five could make it on time, knowing Han Meng's personality, it would be clear who was left swimming naked when the tide went out, depending on whether Chu Hen did as he wished or not.

At that moment, a delicate fragrance characteristic of a young girl wafted through the air, drawing Chu Hen's gaze to Lianxiang, who was close by.

Upon closer inspection, she appeared even more delicate than before, with a tear-stained face, a breath as subtle as orchids, and skin so fair and full. Her hands were tender and seemingly boneless, her skin undoubtedly smooth and unmatched in softness.

"Ah, what a waste it would be to leave her behind," Chu Hen thought, unable to resist his protective instincts. He playfully asked, "Little sister, how do you plan to repay me for helping you survive this ordeal?" While his words lingered, Chu Hen was quick on his feet, nearly catching up with Han Meng.

Blushing at his words, Lianxiang murmured, "I... I do possess some talent in conversation. If it pleases you, I could attend to you at your bedside."