Chapter 102: The Formidable Instructors

—Good! Good! Good!

The Flowing Water God didn't sound angry at all.

—Such boldness from a young man. How remarkable. If not for the fact that you killed my fourth junior brother, I would have truly been reluctant to destroy you.

Wang Sheng said, "Oh? You're set on using your seniority to bully the weak, Senior?"

—You and I are on different paths, which have led to us becoming enemies. What does age have to do with it? If you are afraid, you need not come. I will come for you eventually, and when I do, I'll end you with no more than a flick of my finger.

"Afraid? Not really," Wang Sheng said with a carefree smile. "Should I go over empty-handed, or would you prefer I tie my hands? After all, I am a sword cultivator. If I accidentally injure you, Senior, you might just lose all standing in the cultivation world."

The Flowing Water God's tone turned cold.

—Is your only skill a sharp tongue, you wretched brat? Not only do you have permission to bring your sword, but even those two beside you may come as well. What do I have to fear?

Fei Lianzi pursed his lips and then said, "Fei Lianzi of the Shu Sword Sect. I will be sure to witness your prowess later."

Mu Wanxuan simply snorted lightly. Though her delicate face had turned cold, her eyes practically burned with fire.

—In that case, we will do as your captain just said. If you four still haven't arrived in three hours, or if you dare play any tricks, the island will be destroyed along with the people. I will make sure all of you high-ranking officials meet a bad end as well! The secular world has no place in the cultivation world's affairs. Your interference is nothing but self-humiliation!

Woosh!

The call abruptly dropped. The device on the other end had likely been destroyed.

Wang Sheng sighed in relief. If not for the eyes in the cabin looking at him with a hint of admiration, he would have leaned against his senior sister to seek some warmth. Not only did he spout ruthless words, but he mixed in a bit of provocation as well. If he had to go to the island later to stall for time, he would have a reason to bring his sword. Fortunately, Fei Lianzi had been quick to react, which led to the number of people permitted to go ashore being increased to four.

The terms from the call were also immediately carried out. The Special Warfare Unit stopped its assault and widened the encirclement, while the enemy ceased their slaughter.

The corrupt cultivators likely thought that their brutal methods had intimidated the authorities. Little did they know, the authorities had long been prepared to launch an all-out attack.

"Are those corrupt cultivators idiots?" Fei Lianzi muttered under his breath. "They're actually giving us time to get to them! Do they not realize that there are several Illusory Core Realm experts aboard this very plane?"

"The elders with us were supposed to just be a part of an exchange meeting," Wang Sheng replied. "They had even already planned to return to their sects tomorrow, but they got caught up in this incident.

"The enemy likely made their own calculations. It would take at least half a day for righteous experts to descend from their mountains and reach the Yellow Sea, transit and flights included. They also know where the mistress originally was and how long it would take her to get there. Taking all that into consideration, they probably figured that they had a three-hour window."

Fei Lian chuckled. "They've walked straight into the trap, haven't they?"

Wang Sheng simply smiled in response. He estimated that the Daoist elders might not even have much chance to make a move today.

In truth, they only needed two hours and thirty minutes to reach the target location. Chi Ling had deliberately demanded an extra thirty minutes to ensure that the instructors from the Special Warfare Unit stationed across half of the Hua Republic would arrive in time.

In his previous life, Wang Sheng had heard rumors about the mysterious experts who had joined the military and enjoyed the benefits that the Hua Republic had to offer. However, he had never actually seen them.

As Wang Sheng and the others neared their destination, the temporary command center finalized the operation. They were going with Plan C.

Wang Sheng and Chi Ling would attract the attention of the corrupt cultivators and attempt to lure them to the beach. Meanwhile, three strike teams would launch surprise attacks from the flanks and rear, targeting weak points in the enemy's defenses to swiftly seize control of the village where the hostages were being held.

Even if Wang Sheng and Chi Ling only managed to draw away one Illusory Core Realm expert, it would significantly lower the difficulty of rescuing the hostages and potentially increase the number of people saved.

However, aside from the corrupt Illusory Core Realm cultivators, numerous Spirit Convergence and Seed Formation Realm disciples from various corrupt Daoist sects were also on the island. The enemy had a total of one hundred ninety-two combatants.

Naturally, Wang Sheng and Chi Ling were not mere bait. Their allies would ensure their safety with everything they had.

Just as Wang Sheng was about to close his eyes and focus on healing his bones, Mou Yue pushed open the cabin door and whispered, "Daoist Master Wang, an elder from the Medicine God Valley heard that your leg injury hasn't healed yet. He has offered to treat you."

She stepped aside, giving way to an elderly Daoist with white hair and a kind smile. Fei Lianzi stood up and greeted him with a bow.

"Let us not disturb Captain Chi Ling. Bu Yu, could you let him rest his legs naturally?" the elder asked.

Mu Wanxuan glanced at Wang Sheng for his approval. He quickly nodded.

The elder sat cross-legged before Wang Sheng and took out a small bamboo tube of silver needles from his sleeve. He wrapped the needles in true essence and slowly pierced them into various points on Wang Sheng's calf. The majority were concentrated around the injury.

"You are about to undertake a dangerous task. This leg injury must not hinder you. It's going to hurt a bit, so bear with it for a second."

The elder carefully poured out three drops of clear liquid from a jade bottle and used true essence to dissolve them. A faint white mist rose from his palm, which the silver needles absorbed and infused into Wang Sheng's legs.

Wang Sheng clenched his teeth. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead as he trembled uncontrollably.

Though anxious, Mu Wanxuan could only grip his arm tightly. She knew this was for his own good.

The intense pain lasted only a moment. As a gentle stream of true essence seeped into him, Wang Sheng felt his broken bones solidifying, layer by layer.

"There we go." The elder wiped the sweat from his forehead and carefully removed the needles.

Wang Sheng felt a wave of numbness in his legs, but sensation quickly returned. As his blood circulated and true essence flowed through, he immediately tried standing up.

The three drops of liquid that the elder had used must have been quite extraordinary. After all, Wang Sheng could now move without issue.

"The Medicine God Valley's methods are truly remarkable," Fei Lian praised, well aware that now was not the time to complain about their shady business practices.

The elder chuckled as he stood and handed Wang Sheng a porcelain bottle. "A reprieve pill. No matter how severe the injury, taking this will prolong your life for half an hour."

Wang Sheng accepted it with both hands. "I cannot thank you enough, Senior."

Smiling, the elder patted Wang Sheng's shoulder. "The world needs more young people like you. I will go and recover my strength. Later, I may also pay those corrupt cultivators a visit to ask why they slaughter the innocent and disturb the balance of the Dao."

Wang Sheng cupped his hands in farewell and then slowly walked around to adjust to his body. His gaze had sharpened quite a bit.

A bright and righteous world, clear skies, and vast lands.

"If one day fiends overrun the world, you must wield your sword, eradicate corruption, and uphold the Dao. Do not let our ancestors' millennium-old legacy be in vain."

The elder's teachings echoed in his ears. Wang Sheng's hand fell upon the sword case beside him, his gaze deep and unwavering.

***

Two hours later, at a coastal shelterbelt along the Yellow Sea.

Several helicopters flew in from the southwest and descended within the forest. As soon as they landed, dozens of figures emerged from the trees, swiftly moving toward them.

Chi Ling had just arrived when several officers surrounded her, immediately beginning the discussion for the next phase of the operation.

Four middle-aged men in military-green combat uniforms also walked over to them. The moment they revealed their cultivation, Wang Sheng felt a jolt of surprise. They were all at the Illusory Core Realm, their auras as imposing as towering mountains.

They did not greet Wang Sheng, Mu Wanxuan, or Fei Lianzi. Instead, they beelined to the seven Daoist elders, first saluting in unison before clasping their fists in greeting.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle and esteemed seniors. I am Zhang Zikuang of the Longhu Mountains."

"I greet you all as well, Martial Uncle and esteemed seniors. I am Mu Qiuli of Mount Mao."

"I am Mu Xuzi of Mount Sanqing. I'm glad you all arrived safely, esteemed seniors."

"It is an honor to meet you all, esteemed seniors. I am Yan Zhengnan, an unaffiliated cultivator."

The Daoist elder from the Longhu Mountains solemnly said, "Zikuang, you and the others are officially tasked to train military forces for the nation. There's no need for such formalities. We are merely here to assist in eliminating corruption. Everything will proceed according to your command."

The burliest among them, Zhang Zikuang of the Longhu Mountains, grinned. "I'm glad to hear that. Later, please follow our lead. You'll be part of the second wave, which will be launching a frontal assault. Now, which one of you is the Wudang Mountains' Fei Yu?"

"That would be me." Wang Sheng stepped forward with his sword case. "Wang Sheng, cultivator of the Wudang Mountains."

Mu Wanxuan followed suit, clasping her hands in greeting alongside Wang Sheng. Fei Lianzi stood beside them, appearing unusually serious.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am Fei Lianzi of the Shu Sword Sect."

"You three have both courage and skill. Well done!" Zhang Zikuang then turned and shouted, "Bring three sets of equipment over!"

Right after, he turned back to the three. "The plan is simple. You three will accompany Captain Chi Ling on a boat to the island. The four of us will remain hidden under the boat, ensuring your safety from the shadows."

Wang Sheng was startled. "Aren't you supposed to flank the enemy and rescue the hostages?"

Zhang Zikuang chuckled. "The rescue teams led by five other instructors have already infiltrated the waters near the island using concealment talismans. Our job is to protect you and crush the Illusory Core Realm cultivators you lure out.

"Don't worry. Our rescue teams' combat strength is twice and a half times greater than the enemy's. We won't give them the chance to slaughter the hostages."

Fei Lianzi asked, "What if you get detected?"

"Then we attack head-on and annihilate those arrogant cultivators," Mu Qiuli replied coldly. "With my concealment talismans, our auras will be completely hidden. Unless they see us, they won't detect our presence."

Zhang Zikuang then instructed, "The operation will begin once a sufficient number of enemy forces have reached the beach. As soon as you land, they'll definitely send someone to escort you and Captain Chi Ling deeper into the island for negotiations. That will be your chance to act. Do your best to stall them, but make sure not to provoke them into harming the hostages.

"Fei Yu, I've heard that your swordsmanship is exceptional. Still, be careful. Those corrupt cultivators have plenty of experts at the mid-stage to late-stage Seed Formation Realm.

"Fortunately, you goaded them earlier into letting these two accompany you ashore. You three will have to hold off their attacks while provoking their Illusory Core Realm experts into showing themselves. We will decide when to intervene based on the situation, but rest assured, we will never gamble with your lives or put you in excessive danger."

"You overestimate us, Senior. Still, we will follow your orders," Wang Sheng replied.

Several fully armed members of the Special Warfare Unit soon arrived with standard-issue equipment. Among them was a Primal-Qi Gatherer. Nevertheless, Mu Wanxuan and Fei Lianzi only selected one or two items each.

Looking a bit embarrassed, Fei Lianzi asked, "Could I get two good swords? I forgot to bring mine."

Zhang Zikuang bellowed, "Fetch two of our finest swords for Daoist Master Fei Lianzi!"

"One for me as well, please," Wang Sheng requested.

Yan Zhengnan, the unaffiliated cultivator, chuckled. With a flick of his belt, a treasured sword appeared in his hand, which he then handed to Wang Sheng. "Here. If Qing Yanzi found out that I met you and didn't give you a gift, he'd never let me hear the end of it."

Another one of Master's old acquaintances?

Wang Sheng accepted the treasured sword without any pretense. "Thank you, Senior."

He slung his sword case onto his back, slipped his left hand into the glove that he had brought, and exchanged a glance with his senior sister. His Dao Heart remained calm and steady.

Tonight, he would fight the corrupt cultivators to the end.

Spiritless would act as his trump card. Since the treasured sword that he had borrowed was a grade higher than Abyss Listener, it would allow him to unleash his full strength.

The next ten minutes passed in quiet preparation.

Wang Sheng, Mu Wanxuan, and Fei Lianzi were already done preparing when the agreed-upon time arrived. The three boarded a speedboat with Chi Ling, who had changed into camouflage gear.

Zhang Zikuang and his three companions had already attached themselves to the hull. The waterproof talismans on their bodies glowed faintly. If any spiritual consciousness swept over them, it would perceive them as nothing more than four pieces of metal.

As the speedboat headed to the island in the distance, combat units in different locations received a signal. Near the target location, figures lurked in the depths of the water, hidden by their considerably expensive concealment talismans.

The night was as dark as ink.

On the coastline, several Daoist elders and dozens of righteous cultivators, who had arrived within the past three hours, quietly watched the speedboat sailing into the distance. They waited patiently for the Illusory Core Realm cultivators on the island to clash.