【Quest】: Hunt Secret Cult Dark Hall Deacon · Withered Bone
【Description】: Secret cult Dark Hall Deacon “Withered Bone,” 7th-Rank early stage, specializes in undead-type dark arts, stationed in an abandoned mine in the border region. Multiple cleansing squads have already been attacked. Quest Objective: Penetrate deep into the mine and eliminate him.
【Difficulty】: Extremely High
【Required Authority to Claim】: Mid-Rank Apostle and above
【Reward】: holy light origin (large amount), Quest Points, Apostle Experience
......
【Quest】: Hunt Secret Cult Missionary · Gray Robe
【Description】: Secret cult Missionary “Gray Robe,” 7th-Rank mid-stage, specializes in mind-attribute spells, skilled in disguise and infiltration, long lurking in the villages and towns around the Saintas Kingdom to spread the faith of the evil god. Quest Objective: Locate his whereabouts and eliminate him.
【Difficulty】: Extremely High
【Required Authority to Claim】: Mid-Rank Apostle and above
【Reward】: holy light origin (large amount), Quest Points, Apostle Experience
......
【Quest】: Hunt Secret Cult Guardian · Snake Bone
【Description】: Secret cult Guardian “Snake Bone,” 7th-Rank peak, specializes in physical arts, responsible for deploying the secret cult's armed forces across several kingdoms west of the Ash Mountains. Quest Objective: Eliminate “Snake Bone” to dismantle the secret cult's armed command system in this region.
【Difficulty】: Extremely Dangerous
【Required Authority to Claim】: High-Rank Apostle and above
【Reward】: holy light origin (massive amount), Quest Points, Apostle Experience, Holy Art Upgrade Opportunity
......
He was not eligible to claim the 7th-Rank peak quest.
Jiang Lin's gaze continued downward, scanning past several quests marked as “Extremely Dangerous” or even “Taboo.” The descriptions of those quests grew increasingly brief, and the rewards became more bountiful, but the required authority to claim them was universally listed as “High-Rank Apostle and above.”
Then, he saw the very last entry.
【Quest】: Hunt Secret Cult's Current Pope · Nameless One
【Description】: Current Pope of the secret cult. Real name unknown, age unknown, appearance unknown. Realm estimated to be 9th-Rank mid-stage. Under his command, he wields de facto rule over at least three kingdoms west of the Ash Mountains. Quest Objective: Eliminate the Pope of the secret cult.
【Difficulty】: Taboo
【Required Authority to Claim】: None
【Reward】: Unconditional promotion to High-Rank Apostle (currently Mid-Rank Apostle, leaping up one rank), eligibility for the “Proxy” assessment, holy light origin (ultimate amount), Divine Grace · Mid Stage unlocked, eligibility for a second Holy Art evolution
Jiang Lin stared at this quest for a few moments.
9th-Rank mid-stage.
Right now, he could fight against a 7th-Rank, would probably have to run against an 8th-Rank, and against a 9th-Rank...
There was no suspense.
He withdrew his gaze and dragged the quest panel back up to the entries he was eligible to claim.
The 6th-Rank late stage Blood Raven who was breaking through to the 7th-Rank, the 7th-Rank early stage Withered Bone, and the 7th-Rank mid-stage Gray Robe.
He could accept all three of these quests, but completing them all in the short term was unrealistic.
Although the East Continent was not overly vast, traveling on foot from his territory to the border, and then to the west of the Ash Mountains, would take a significant amount of time just for the journey.
Furthermore, the ranges of activity for Blood Raven, Withered Bone, and Gray Robe were different.
Withered Bone was stationed in the abandoned mine in the border region, Gray Robe was lurking in the villages and towns around the Saintas Kingdom, and Blood Raven was in the secret cult-controlled area west of the Ash Mountains.
With the three targets scattered across different regions, he could only pick the closest one first, or one that was along the way.
Jiang Lin weighed his options for a moment before accepting all three quests first.
Three quest logs popped up on his system panel, each marked as “Incomplete.”
Once he finished dealing with the teleportation array, he would decide which one to go after first based on the actual circumstances.
If the location connected to the other end of the teleportation array happened to be near one of the targets' areas of activity, he would handle them along the way.
He exited the quest panel, stood up, and walked out of the Statue Hall.
The afternoon sun poured in from the portico of the Temple's main entrance, spreading a warm, golden band of light across the floor.
He stepped down the stairs along that band of light, his golden hair gleaming with a warm luster in the sunshine.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians.
A late spring breeze blew through the tops of the sycamore trees, making the tender green leaves rustle in the wind.
The air carried the scent of pollen and baked bread, while the distant cries of street vendors and the clacking of hooves on the cobblestone road drifted over.
Jiang Lin walked along the main street toward the south gate at an unhurried pace.
On his way back to the manor, he did not use a teleportation array, choosing instead to walk along the main road.
He had traveled this road many times. In the roadside fields, the winter wheat was growing well, with patch after patch of lush green spreading out like a velvet carpet under the afternoon sun.
A few farmers resting on the ridges of the fields looked up as someone passed. Recognizing him, they quickly stood up and bowed.
Jiang Lin waved his hand to indicate there was no need for such formality and continued forward.
Jiang Lin walked back along the main road at a leisurely pace.
The afternoon sun filtered through the fresh green leaves of the roadside trees, casting dappled shadows on the dirt road.
A few sparrows hopped along the ridges of the fields, pecking at scattered grass seeds. Hearing his footsteps, they fluttered up and landed on an old locust tree not far away, continuing to hop around.
As he walked, he turned over the information he had just gathered from the Temple's quest board in his mind.
The three quests—Blood Raven, Withered Bone, and Gray Robe—were scattered across different regions.
His most convenient route right now would be to first check the teleportation array in his territory's hidden room. If the other end happened to be near the active area of one of his targets, he would handle it along the way.
If it was far off, he would map out a new route.
However, he had not yet fully determined the exact location that the teleportation array led to, so he needed to go back to the hidden room to carefully calibrate the coordinate anchors once more.
At that thought, his pace quickened slightly.
By the time he passed through the sparse woods, the farmers in the roadside fields had already stood up to resume their labor.
Their figures, bent over as they hoed the soil, cast long shadows under the afternoon sun, and the air was filled with the distinct scent of freshly turned earth.
As the pale yellow walls of his manor came into view at the end of the woods, Jiang Lin saw a burly figure squatting on the stone path by the courtyard gate.
Fenrir was squatting there, holding a twig and drawing something on the ground.
The greatsword, which was as tall as he was, leaned against the doorframe, its blade slightly warm from the afternoon sun.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up. Seeing it was Jiang Lin, he stood up and brushed the dust off his knees:
“Teacher Jiang Lin, you're back. Elune said you went to the Royal Capital early this morning. I thought you'd be out for half the day again.”
“I went to the Temple to look up some information and picked up a few quests while I was at it.”
Jiang Lin walked into the courtyard, sat down on the stone steps by the entrance, and rotated his ankles, which were sore from the long walk.
Fenrir followed him over, sat on another step, rested his arms on his knees, and looked at him sideways:
“What quests? Do we get to fight again?”
“A few secret cult targets. I'll deal with them after I finish with the teleportation array in the hidden room.” Jiang Lin paused, glancing toward the main hall. “Where are Elune and Alicia?”
“Alicia is meditating under the old oak tree on the back hill, and Elune is messing around with something in the kitchen.” Fenrir lowered his voice. “I bet she's trying a new recipe again. That stew she made at noon almost burned right through the bottom of the pot.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door to the main hall creaked open a crack.
Elune poked half her body out. Her pale purple eyes looked exceptionally bright in the afternoon light. Her apron was dusted with flour, and she was holding a wooden spoon in her hand.
“You're back. I heard noises in the courtyard from the kitchen just now and thought Fenrir was picking a fight with those chickens again.” Her gaze fell upon Jiang Lin, her tone carrying a hint of concern. “Did you find anything in the Royal Capital?”
Jiang Lin stood up and walked toward the hall:
“Let's talk inside.”
The three of them sat down in the hall.
Elune went to the kitchen to bring out a pot of freshly brewed herbal tea, then casually took off her apron, folded it, and placed it on the armrest of the sofa.
Fenrir threw himself carelessly into an armchair. Alicia had also returned from the back hill, stepping silently through the door and sitting on a chair by the window.
Jiang Lin gave a brief overview of what he had read in the archives.
He spoke of the former lord, Viscount Hart, the reports of missing persons in the territory, the origin of the teleportation array behind the hidden door, and the inconclusive nature of the Temple's investigation report.
He explained very concisely, without any embellishment, simply laying out the facts one by one.
Elune's fingers tightened slightly around her teacup, but she did not interrupt him.
Fenrir, on the other hand, was straightforward. As soon as Jiang Lin finished, he spoke up with a frown:
“So that guy might not be dead? He escaped through the teleportation array?”
“It's possible.” Jiang Lin picked up his teacup and took a sip. “I've already calibrated the coordinate anchors of the teleportation array. It points to a location west of the Ash Mountains, which should be within the secret cult's territory.”
“The secret cult's territory.” Fenrir repeated the words, a rare look of gravity appearing on his rugged face. “You mean the places that your Temple and kingdoms can't manage to conquer?”
“Yes.” Jiang Lin set down his teacup. “There are four secret cult-controlled kingdoms on the East Continent, and they are quite large. These kingdoms either rely on geographical advantages, are isolated by array formations, or have blessings directly bestowed by the evil god, leaving even the 9th-Rank powerhouses of the Temple helpless against them.”
He glanced at the three of them and added calmly:
“Each of the four great secret cult kingdoms is guarded by a 9th-Rank powerhouse. If even the Temple's 9th-Ranks can't do anything to them, they are clearly not to be underestimated.”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Fenrir tapped his fingers on the armrest twice, then sat up straight, his voice dropping slightly:
“Teacher Jiang Lin, you plan on going there alone?”
“Yes.”
“We're going too.”
Fenrir's tone left no room for negotiation, sounding like he was stating a decision that had already been made.
Alicia did not speak, but she stood up from her chair by the window, her pale gold eyes fixed on Jiang Lin. Her meaning was clear.
Elune looked at him as well, her teacup tilting slightly as the tea swirled against the rim, but she remained silent.
Jiang Lin shook his head:
“You can't go.”
“Why?”
“I repaired that teleportation array, so I know its condition,” Jiang Lin said in a steady tone. “The teleportation channel is unstable and can only support one person. If I force a group through, the spatial tunnel might collapse midway.”
He paused, then continued:
“Furthermore, I don't have a full grasp of the situation on the secret cult's side. I don't know what the terrain is like, whether there are guards, or if there are traps.
“If I go alone and encounter danger, I can retreat at any time. But if I bring you along, I won't be able to use some of my life-saving methods.”
The three fell silent.
Elune lowered her head, her silvery-purple bangs obscuring her eyes as her fingers mindlessly rubbed the surface of her teacup.
Her lips pursed slightly before relaxing; in the end, she did not insist on going.
Fenrir leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his brow furrowed into a tight knot.
He opened his mouth, then closed it, clearly wanting to say something but unable to find a suitable argument.
Alicia sat back down, her pale gold eyes calmly studying Jiang Lin. After a brief silence, she spoke slowly:
“When do you plan to leave?”
“It's not set yet,” Jiang Lin said. “Although the teleportation array is repaired, the coordinates still need final calibration. I need to confirm that there is a stable landing point on the other side before deciding when to set off.”
“Then you should at least rest for a few days before leaving.”
Elune suddenly spoke, her voice softer than before, yet her tone carried an unyielding persistence.
“You've only been back from your last quest for a few days, and now you're running off to the secret cult's territory. Even if you're not tired, you should let your body adjust. Your 5th-Rank early stage realm needs consolidation too, doesn't it?”
Jiang Lin glanced at her.
Her pale purple eyes reflected the firelight of the fireplace, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes.
Her fingers holding the teacup were still tightly clenched, but her tone was no longer as tense as before.
He thought about it, then nodded:
“Alright. It just so happens that I need to visit the Temple's library over the next few days to pick out a few skill books.”
“Skill books?” Fenrir perked up. “Are you going to learn new things again?”
“Yes,” Jiang Lin said. “I've already mastered king-tier swordsmanship, but there is still room for improvement in movement techniques, defense, and close-quarters combat. Since I'm heading into secret cult territory, it's always better to be well-prepared.”
Fenrir's eyes lit up:
“Then can I accompany you to the Royal Capital tomorrow? I want to see what your Temple's library looks like too.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Then it's settled.” Fenrir stood up from the armchair and stretched. “I'll go check if those chickens have ruined the vegetable patch. Elune, don't make stew for dinner again. That roast chicken from last time was great.”
He pushed open the door and walked out, his footsteps gradually fading on the stone path.
The hall quieted down.
Alicia also stood up and headed outside. When she reached the doorway, she paused and said without turning back:
“Be careful, Teacher.”
Then she stepped into the afternoon sun, her silver-gray leather armor gleaming with a faint, cold light.
Only Jiang Lin and Elune were left in the hall.
The fire in the fireplace burned brightly, the crackling of the wood exceptionally clear in the quiet air.
The sunlight outside filtered through the window, casting a long, slanted beam of light on the floor, with dust motes drifting slowly within it.
Elune stood up, walked over to Jiang Lin, and placed the slightly cooled cup of herbal tea on the side table next to him.
......
Rate on N.U.
