Chapter 1397: Proud Moon Shadow! Sacred Spirit Sect Mission!

"Xu Jingming?"

Tarro slowly turned his head, gazing toward the direction Moon Shadow had departed, his eyes half-lidded.

"The top ranker in the Talent Competition? Interesting..."

After a long while, the orc Tarro finally retracted his gaze and turned away.

The Eta tribe loves raw flesh and possesses great patience toward their prey.

The same holds true for humans, especially women.

Xu Jingming is indeed a genius.

But he is only at Star Level One.

By the time Xu Jingming grows to my level, it will be centuries from now.

I have sufficient lead.

"Take it slow—the Beast Hunt Competition is my real chance..."

With his final murmur, Tarro's figure vanished completely from the island.

Above Island F-001.

A dark golden Lei Ting slashed across the sky, crashing down like a falling star before the central villa.

The wild Lei Guang dispersed, revealing Xu Jingming's tall, spear-like figure.

His black short hair stirred slightly in the breeze, exposing his cold, sharply chiseled face.

Prolonged, unceasing slaughter in the beast training zone had imbued him with a faint but terrifying aura of slaughter.

"Master, welcome back."

No. 1's holographic projection immediately appeared beside him, clad in the silver academy uniform that hugged her graceful figure, bowing respectfully:

"You've worked hard this past month. The parlor has prepared spirit fruits and tea; the bathwater has been adjusted to the optimal temperature—you may bathe whenever you wish."

Xu Jingming nodded slightly, about to enter the villa, when suddenly he sensed something and turned to look at the sky.

A emerald-green streak pierced through the clouds, landing lightly nearby like a spirit.

The light faded, revealing Moon Shadow's breathtakingly tall figure.

Her silver hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering with a soft silver glow under the starlight.

Clad in a silver-white battle suit, her curvaceous figure was rendered with perfect precision.

Especially her round, slender legs, tightly encased by the suit, appeared even straighter.

"Xu Jingming!"

Moon Shadow softly called out, an unconscious smile tugging at her lips.

That smile, like melting ice, instantly brought life to her previously cold demeanor.

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Four months had passed—this elven princess seemed... even more radiant and captivating?

No, it wasn't an illusion.

"Have you attained the Life Principle?" Xu Jingming sensed the difference.

"You've broken through to Star Level, so naturally I can't fall behind," Moon Shadow feigned indifference.

In truth, the corners of her reddened lips could barely suppress their upward curve.

These past months, she had trained relentlessly.

Thus, she had no patience for Tarro's repeated disturbances.

Fortunately, she had gained something—she had finally comprehended the Life Principle.

"Congratulations. You've progressed quickly," Xu Jingming said sincerely.

From the end of the Talent Competition until now, barely a year and a half has passed.

To comprehend the Life Principle from full mastery of the Life Domain, Moon Shadow's talent is truly monstrous.

"It's passable."

Moon Shadow waved her hand dismissively, then asked curiously:

"I heard you've been in the Trial Zone these past four months?"

"The Beast Hunt Competition is coming soon. The Trial Zone serves as a good simulation for preparation."

Xu Jingming nodded, not hiding anything.

"Tsk, you don't actually plan to achieve anything in the Beast Hunt Competition, do you?

We Star Level One cultivators are just fillers—we're lucky to get the base 30,000 points reward."

As she spoke, Moon Shadow's gaze swept over Xu Jingming, then suddenly exclaimed:

"You... broke through to Star Level Two?"

Although Xu Jingming did not release his aura,

as a possessor of the Silver Moon bloodline, she could faintly sense his aura had grown far more oppressive than four months ago.

"I broke through a few days ago."

Xu Jingming did not deny it.

In truth, had he not reserved his Source Points for the Source Core Secret Scripture and for Lightning and Destruction Principles,

his Source Point reserves would have allowed him to advance to Star Level Three long ago.

"Monster..."

Moon Shadow muttered under her breath, her red lips pouting slightly.

Four months ago, Xu Jingming had just broken through to Star Level—now he was already Star Level Two.

Such speed was utterly unheard of!

But soon she lifted her chin, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes.

These past four months, she hadn't been idle: she had successfully comprehended the Law of Life and advanced the Life Tree Tattoo to Intermediate Proficiency.

Though she couldn't match Xu Jingming, that monster, at least the gap hadn't widened further.

"By the way."

Yue Ying suddenly remembered the matter at hand and lightly tapped her smart wristband:

"Didn't we say we'd take a mission together? I found a good one."

A holographic projection unfolded, displaying the mission details:

【【Investigate the Holy Spirit Cult (C-Rank)】: A sect called the "Holy Spirit Cult" resides on Iron Meteor Star in the Scorpion Demon System.

Investigations indicate this sect has been corrupted by demons. Proceed to investigate and eliminate any demons present.

Warning: This mission may involve up to a Star Level Three demon.

Mission Reward: 20,000 credits per person; maximum team size: 4.】

The holographic display contained little information, but Xu Jingming scanned it once and absorbed all details.

"This C-rank mission isn't particularly difficult.

Add the mission reward to the new recruit bonus and team bonus.

Under ideal conditions, completing this mission would grant each of us 80,000 credits.

What do you say? Does this meet your requirements? Want to go together?"

Yue Ying invited with a smile.

"How far is Iron Meteor Star from the Star Alliance headquarters?"

The credit reward was indeed generous, but Xu Jingming didn't immediately agree—he asked instead.

If this mission consumed too much time, it would be better to stay at the academy and hunt beasts in the training zone.

"It's about six million four hundred thousand light-years away.

But if we take my S1-class starship, combined with a cosmic star gate, we can arrive in just three stellar days.

If all goes well, we can complete the mission and return in five or six days."

Yue Ying calculated.

These past months, she had reviewed countless missions.

Only this one fell within their capability and involved the Demon Clan.

Had it not been for the sheer distance, other students would have claimed it long ago.

"You have an S1-class starship?" Xu Jingming was stunned.

S1-class starships were typically used only by Immortal Peak deities.

"Of course. Don't forget I'm the Elven Princess."

Yue Ying slightly puffed out her chest, looking smug.

This made her already prominent chest appear even more pronounced.

"Alright, I forgot you're still a rich woman."

With a sigh, Xu Jingming said:

"The mission limits four people. Who else besides us?"

"Roy isn't taking any missions, and Bess has gone with others.

That leaves Lan Yu and Yan Ji—we'd have exactly four."

Yue Ying smiled.

"Fine, count me in.

But I'm busy tomorrow—let's depart the day after."

Tomorrow was Ye Li's class; Xu Jingming wouldn't miss it.

"It's settled!"

Yue Ying clapped her hands happily, her chest heaving, "Meet at my island tomorrow morning!"

Watching Yue Ying's cheerful retreating figure, Xu Jingming couldn't help but shake his head.

Was it his imagination?

The Elven Princess seemed less cold and distant than when they first met...