Chapter 1535: B-Class Mission! Better Let Xu Jingming Handle It

After a brief mutual introduction, Xu Jingming and his group withdrew from the opulence and clamor of Xiaoyao Heaven.

They returned to the cold, grim alloy streets of the planetary fortress.

Intense lighting systems bathed the streets in daylight-bright illumination.

Patrol vessels occasionally swept through the air, their engines humming with low, steady thrums.

Unlike the warriors within Xiaoyao Heaven, immersed in pleasure and relaxation,

the figures moving along the streets mostly hurried with solemn expressions.

"Since you're already on the team, let's start by picking up a mission to get some coordination practice."

"The mission pickup point for the planetary fortress is just ahead—not far to walk."

Duke walked at the front, turning his head to grin at Xu Jingming beside him:

"Besides forced conscription orders, our operations in the Outlands are fairly free-ranging."

You can choose your own missions—either through the online virtual system, or here at the physical mission hall."

But you're new, so you probably aren't familiar with the virtual system yet."

So I'll take you to see the physical one first, so you get a concrete impression."

"Understood." Xu Jingming nodded.

Minutes later, an enormous holographic projection appeared at the edge of their vision.

The screen stood over a hundred meters tall and more than thirty meters wide, as if engulfing the entire district beneath it.

Its surface flowed with faint blue streams of data, countless pieces of information scrolling and refreshing at astonishing speed.

"Here we are—this is the mission deployment hub for Planetary Fortress 102."

Duke halted and raised his hand to point at the massive screen.

Xu Jingming looked up.

The entire holographic projection was clearly divided into several sections.

At the center, occupying the largest portion, was a dense, seemingly endless list of missions:

'Patrol Route (F-class): Patrol within a one-million-kilometer radius around the planetary fortress, duration one month. Reward: 500 military merits.

Hunt Mechanical Clan (C-class): Hunt cosmic-tier mechanical beings. Reward: Military merits.

Reconnaissance Outpost (C-class): ……'

The number of missions was immense; each listed specific requirements and the military merits awarded.

"Missions range from F-class to S-class, totaling seven tiers."

F-class are usually patrol duties, with extremely low danger levels.

B-class missions fall into the high-difficulty category, typically involving high-tier cosmic enemies.

A-class missions are even more perilous, often targeting cosmic apex entities.

As for S-class missions, they are exceedingly rare and even more difficult."

Duke explained with a smile.

Xu Jingming nodded and turned his gaze to the area to the right of the mission list.

There, two massive ranking boards stood.

On the left was the squad ranking.

At the top position blazed four burning virtual characters—Ashen Squad!

Behind it, a real-time fluctuating total military merits value.

It was a seventeen-digit astronomical number, ticking upward every few seconds.

Second place was Blood Hammer Squad.

The merit gap between the two squads was narrow, their numbers tightly locked, as if either could overtake at any moment.

Below them, third to hundredth place followed in sequence, equally fierce in competition.

On the right was the individual military merits ranking.

The name at the very top was one Xu Jingming knew all too well.

It was Lin Qianxue.

Her individual military merits far surpassed the second-place holder.

She led by a vast margin, like a solitary peak towering beyond sight.

"See that?"

Duke's voice sounded beside him.

He pointed at the squad ranking and snorted:

"We're number one now, but those bastards in Blood Hammer cling like glue—their merits are right on our heels."

In two years, this round of the Hundred Squad Rankings will be settled."

At that time, the top-ranked squad will receive massive public resource quotas, priority equipment procurement rights, and other privileges."

But Blood Hammer is closing in fast—this number one spot isn't guaranteed for Ashen Squad."

"The squad leader has been stuck at the cosmic apex for many years."

"This time, one of the rewards for the top-ranked squad is a 'Void Source Crystal.'"

Lai Er also stared at the board, "That's a top-tier auxiliary treasure, extremely rare, designed to aid cosmic apex cultivators in breaking into the Eternal Stage."

Whether the squad leader can break through soon may depend on this."

Xu Jingming understood.

No wonder his senior sister cared so deeply about the squad ranking—even personally leading the team.

No wonder Senior Sister values the battle squad ranking so highly, even leading the team in person.

No wonder Joel always had a tense atmosphere whenever they met.

The other party is also a cosmic apex, and also needs this 'Void Source Crystal'.

"So we need to earn more military merit!"

We absolutely cannot let Blood Hammer's bunch overtake us!

This isn't just for the squad's honor—it's for the commander too!"

Duke slapped Xu Jingming on the shoulder, his tone turning cheerful:

"But you're new here, so you'll need time to adapt to the extraterrestrial battlefield's environment and combat style."

He pointed to the B-rank zone on the mission list:

"In the past, our Wildfire Squad always took on missions starting at A-rank."

But this time, for safety's sake, let's take a B-rank mission first to get you familiar with the procedures."

What do you all think? Any objections?"

"I'm fine. I follow the captain's decision."

"Yeah, safety first—let Xu brother get used to it first."

Xu Jingming himself had no objections.

Lyer and Shishan also voiced their agreement.

Only You Yue, who had remained silent until now, reacted when Duke decided to accept a B-rank mission.

Her cold, clear eyes shifted slightly, fixing on Xu Jingming.

Her delicate eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Her red lips pressed together slightly, as if displeased with lowering the mission rank.

But in the end, she said nothing.

She simply turned her gaze away, returning to that icy, detached indifference.

"Since everyone has no objections, I'll make the selection."

Duke clearly noticed You Yue's reaction.

But he offered no further explanation, beginning to quickly scan and filter the B-rank mission list.

Soon, he locked onto one:

【Clear Out Alien Race (B-rank): Abnormal energy fluctuations and minor spatial disturbances recently detected on planet TX-114.

Suspected alien reconnaissance team active; proceed to confirm and eliminate any hostile units. Reward: 10,000 military merit.】

"This one. Distance is close—only 0.5 light-years."

Duke confirmed the mission acceptance.

The mission details instantly synced to every squad member's smart terminal.

"Departure!"

The group wasted no time and swiftly headed for the spaceport.

The Wildfire Squad had their own dedicated small assault vessel.

A sleek, fifty-meter-long, all-black S9-class shuttle, codenamed 'Shadow Strike'.

Shadow Strike's maximum flight speed was ten times the speed of light.

With its warp engine activated, the ship reached the target planet in just one day.

After activating the ship's radar scan, a prompt tone sounded soon after:

"Life signals confirmed... total of fifteen units."

"Energy response intensity analysis in progress..."

"Scan complete."

"Targets are relatively concentrated, located in the temperate valley region of the northern hemisphere."

The holographic projection switched to a 3D terrain map synthesized from the scan, along with a target distribution heatmap.

"Energy level confirmed:

Ten units at Cosmic Rank Six standard response, five units at Cosmic Rank Seven response."

The data was clearly displayed before them.

"Ha! Worth every credit I spent upgrading to this S-series radar!"

"We locked onto targets so fast!"

Duke laughed, "Everyone, prepare for combat.

Xu brother, you're new—stick close to me and watch how we coordinate."

Fifteen Cosmic Ranks?

Xu Jingming's eyes lit up; he was just considering how to ask the captain to hand these targets over to him.

You Yue's cold, clear voice suddenly echoed in the cabin:

"Since the commander himself has assessed that Xu Jingming possesses Cosmic Rank Eight combat power,

Why not let him handle these enemies alone?"