Chapter 291: Blood Count

Lin Chao opened the express package.

A gilded invitation appeared within his field of vision.

"Royal Family... Spring Festival... Huang Hun."

He had not expected that Huang Hun would actually invite him to attend the Royal Family's Spring Festival.

The person himself did not arrive, but sent an invitation instead.

This was within reason.

After all, when Lin Chao left, he had explicitly stated that if there was nothing important, they should not come looking for him.

"If I am free when the time comes, I can go take a look."

Lin Chao thought to himself, then set the invitation down.

He continued reading his book.

Suddenly, an expression of surprise appeared in his eyes.

"S-rank Task?"

Within the Qijiao Building, an S-rank Task had suddenly appeared.

"This is likely the first S-rank Task to appear in the building."

Lin Chao had been in the Qijiao Building for such a long time, and this was the first time he had heard of an S-rank Task.

According to Lin Chao's understanding of the Qijiao Building, anything generally exceeding an A-rank Task was collectively referred to as S-rank.

Therefore, S-rank Tasks varied in strength.

The strong ones were extremely powerful, while the weak ones might only be slightly stronger than an A-rank Task.

If one did not experience it, it was impossible to judge its strength.

However, as far as Lin Chao knew regarding all the buildings, this was the first time an S-rank Task had appeared.

"It seems I can go take a look."

At this moment, the lobby of the Qijiao Building was also in an uproar.

"An S-rank Task, the building actually released an S-rank Task?!"

"This is the first S-rank Task, right?"

"I am so unlucky to have been picked for an S-rank Task."

"Luo Yu, it's good that you're here. Do you have any confidence in this S-rank Task?"

Nearby, a Resident looked toward Luo Yu.

Nowadays, Luo Yu was also a famous person in the Qijiao Building.

After all, it was rumored that Luo Yu had already practiced the technique purchased from Xu Ling and reached the legendary Fourth Tier.

A Fourth Tier expert could easily slay an A-level Monster.

Luo Yu frowned at this time: "I have never experienced an S-rank Task either, so I have no confidence."

In A-rank Tasks, the monsters encountered sometimes made things very difficult for him.

Luo Yu did not know how strong the monsters in an S-rank Task were.

He did not have much confidence.

"It's a pity that Senior Xu Ling is not open for business these days, otherwise I would definitely have purchased more items in advance." The person selected for the S-rank Task felt immense regret.

In the Qijiao Building, Xu Ling sold some items.

However, Xu Ling only sold them on one fixed day every week.

These Residents had not expected to encounter an S-rank Task.

"This task is so strange." Zhao Ting, who was to the side, spoke up with a strange expression on her face.

"Indeed, in previous tasks, the places we went to did not seem to be the real world.

This time, the task location is in our own world." Luo Yu said.

Others also began to look carefully at the introduction for this task.

"Fengsheng Island, south of Linhai City, was once an important stronghold for the Blood Clan.

Buried here are several corpses of Counts from the Blood Clan.

Recently, these corpses have shown some abnormalities.

Task requirement: Find the corpses of the Blood Count.

Task duration: Long-term."

"This task is actually related to the Blood Clan.

And it's in Linhai City, too." Luo Yu frowned, wondering what to make of it.

At this time, Zhao Ting, who was nearby, spoke up: "Linhai City was a special place during the Holy Dynasty.

Back then, the Foreign Lands, which were the Old Blood Clan, led an army to invade our territory.

At that time, Saint Emperor Yusu led a great army and annihilated the Old Blood Clan in Linhai City.

The corpses of the Count-level Blood Clan on Fengsheng Island are likely those high-ranking members of the Blood Clan."

Zhao Ting majored in history and was relatively knowledgeable about the history of the Holy Dynasty.

She knew quite a bit about this historical knowledge.

"How strong are these Count-level Blood Clan? Are they as strong as Royal-level Bloodkin?" Zhuge Anran asked.

He was also among those for this S-rank Task.

"Count-level Blood Clan are likely similar to the Innate Experts in our Qi-Blood Martial Dao.

And according to records in ancient books, an Innate Expert is capable of severing a warship with a single sword strike."

"Hiss? That strong."

The Residents present were inexplicably shocked.

Especially Luo Yu.

He was now Fourth Tier, which logically meant he was incomparably powerful.

However, he was also extremely wary of modern weapons.

Those powerful modern weapons were also capable of harming him.

Especially the Mushroom Bomb that had been causing such an uproar on the internet recently; Luo Yu felt that if it landed on him, he would undoubtedly die.

"If the true bodies of these Blood Counts were resurrected, we would indeed find them very difficult to deal with.

However, what we are facing this time are corpses, so it shouldn't be much of a problem."

The group discussed it among themselves.

The mission this time would not begin for two days, so there was enough time to discuss it.

At this moment, Zhuge Anran, who was nearby, reminded them: "Our mission this time is on Fengsheng Island, and we may come into contact with others, so we must be careful to hide our identities and not expose the Building."

On Fengsheng Island, there were also some Residents and tourist attractions.

Every year, quite a few people go there for tourism.

"Understood." The others nodded.

Naturally, they would not expose the existence of the Building.

If they did, they would be erased by the Building.

At the same time.

Over Linhai City.

A group of young people boarded a yacht, looking at the azure sea and sky with curious expressions on their faces.

"After cultivating bitterly in the Academy for several years, this is the first time I've come out to see your world." A man spoke, his face inadvertently carrying an arrogant expression.

"Senior Brother Wang Guan is gifted and hardworking; he is a role model for us all." A young man said with a hint of flattery in his eyes.

Wang Guan was a student of the First Immortal Academy.

However, his status was very special; he came from the Ancient Origin Realm and was the offspring of an Elder of the Fengxue Sect.

Therefore, he was highly sought after at the First Immortal Academy.

Listening to the adulation of the crowd, Wang Guan felt elated.

He said: "We didn't come here this time to play, so don't let your guard down."

Recently, some death incidents had occurred on Fengsheng Island.

According to official reports, it might be related to the Blood Clan.

In this world, the Blood Clan was related to Supernatural powers.

Ordinary police officers could not resolve the matters on Fengsheng Island.

Thus, Wang Guan and the other students from the First Immortal Academy came.

Firstly, to solve the problem, and secondly, for the sake of training.

"With Senior Brother Wang Guan here, isn't it just a small matter?" A man flattered him.

These students all called each other senior and junior schoolmates.

Only by calling an outsider like Wang Guan "Senior Brother" did they highlight his status.

"Senior Brother Wang Guan has experienced the training of the Fengxue Sect, so how could he take the training here seriously?"

Wang Guan stood up, his expression indifferent: "The training at the Fengxue Sect is indeed somewhat dangerous.

Perhaps one might see some monsters.

Or perhaps, one might have to deal with some orcs.

Those orcs are incomparably powerful and also incomparably cruel and bloody.

That kind of training is what is truly linked to life and death.

If you were to participate, I'm afraid only one out of ten would survive.

The Blood Clan in your world still has some strength.

Your strength is average, so training on Fengsheng Island is just right, but you must also be careful and cautious; be careful in everything."

As Wang Guan spoke, a sense of superiority inadvertently flowed through his words.

The students present, however, all had expressions of envy on their faces.

After all, in their eyes, the Ancient Origin Realm was the true world of Immortal Cultivation and the place they yearned for.

People who came from the Ancient Origin Realm were a cut above.

At this time, Lin Tingya spoke up: "We must indeed be careful during this training.

The first victim was discovered in a graveyard.

That tomb was the tomb of a powerful figure from Foreign Lands during the Holy Dynasty.

Someone saw the master of the tomb resurrect and suck human blood.

The rank of that powerful figure during their lifetime was roughly comparable to an Innate Expert as recorded.

According to ancient texts, an Innate Expert is incomparably powerful, enough to move mountains and overturn seas."

The students present were slightly surprised, and many of them showed cautious expressions.

Wang Guan, however, was dismissive in his heart.

The Spiritual Qi in this world was very thin, and the energy level was very low.

It was fundamentally insufficient to support the birth of a powerful figure capable of moving mountains and overturning seas.

As for what was recorded in the ancient texts, it was mostly fabricated.

Of course, although Wang Guan knew this, he would not say it out loud.

A group of people sat on a yacht, heading toward Fengsheng Island.

……

Half a day later.

Night gradually fell.

Mawang Tomb.

Several groups of people appeared, all with wary expressions on their faces.

These groups came from Qijiao Building, Fengxue Building, and Black Tremor Building, respectively.

At this moment, about forty-some people were gathered together, looking guarded.

However, these people were all keeping quiet at this time.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on a young man.

Zhuge Anran had an excited expression on his face: "Senior, you have come?"

He had not expected that for this task, Xu Ling would actually come.

People from the other Buildings looked at Xu Ling, their faces also showing some shock and complexity.

During the earlier exchange, they had already learned the identity of that young man; he was none other than that mysterious powerhouse in Qijiao Building, the existence who had changed the landscape of Qijiao Building single-handedly.

Moreover, other Buildings had also changed because of that powerhouse.

The Residents of the remaining Buildings were all looking forward to that mysterious powerhouse being able to come and change their Buildings as well.

Especially the Residents of Black Tremor Building; their gazes toward Lin Chao were incredibly fervent.

Of the three Buildings present, Qijiao Building went without saying, and it was rumored that Fengxue Building already possessed mysterious items from Xu Ling.

Their Black Tremor Building did not yet.

"I am just here to take a look," Lin Chao said with a calm gaze, "You don't need to watch me; go ahead and do your task as you please."

After Lin Chao finished speaking, the people present withdrew their gazes, yet still did not make any moves.

A Resident of Black Tremor Building gathered his courage and said to Lin Chao: "Mr. Xu Ling... when will you have time to come to my Black Tremor Building?"

The other Residents behind him also looked at Lin Chao with anticipation.

After all, regarding Xu Ling, he was already a legend among the various Buildings.

Any Building that Xu Ling had set foot in, the Residents inside lived exceptionally well.

Unlike them, who lived in fear every day and could die in a task if they were not careful.

This time, they had encountered an S-rank Task and all felt that there was a ninety-nine percent chance they would perish here.

Now, encountering Xu Ling, they were incredibly excited and thrilled.

It was as if they had escaped death.

"In some time," Lin Chao said, his gaze carrying a hint of composure.

Encroaching upon these Buildings had to be done step by step.

To him, by encroaching upon the Buildings, these people who worked for those gods would become people working for him.

Hearing this answer.

The Residents of Black Tremor Building all revealed expressions of joy in their eyes.

"Many thanks, sir."

Regarding Xu Ling, many Residents truly viewed him as a savior.

With Mr. Xu Ling present for this S-rank Task, was there any fear that the task would not be passed?

They only needed to keep their lives.

"Disperse," Lin Chao said expressionlessly.

Only then did these Residents slowly leave.

Nearby, the Residents of Qijiao Building also dispersed in the same way.

Zhuge Anran, Wang Bing, Zhao Ting, and Luo Yu did not leave.

These four had more contact with Lin Chao.

"Why did Mr. Xu Ling suddenly come to participate in a task?" Zhuge Anran asked again, his words carrying a respectful tone.

Regarding Xu Ling, Zhuge Anran had many guesses in his heart.

But no matter the guess, Xu Ling was someone he could never offend in this life.

Moreover, because Xu Ling sat in Qijiao Building and also sold many items.

This had given him and Wang Bing a new lease on life, and he held strong gratitude toward Xu Ling in his heart.

"I just felt it was interesting and came to take a look," Lin Chao said.

He scanned the surroundings.

The environment here was very peculiar, different from previous task environments.

Previous task environments were Foreign Lands ruins.

The environments inside carried various mists.

Whereas Linhai City was an Ordinary environment.

This place was between Linhai City and Foreign Lands ruins.

Vaguely, Lin Chao could feel a faint scent of blood wafting through the air.

Lin Chao walked toward the depths of Mawang Tomb, and Zhuge Anran and the others immediately followed.

Lin Chao did not say anything, nor did he drive them away.

"According to the data we checked before, on Fengsheng Island, there are a total of 7 skeletons of Count-level Blood Clan.

Buried in Mawang Tomb is one Count-level Blood Clan."

"However, recently, the night watchman of the Mawang Tomb died abruptly and turned into a dried corpse; I suspect it is related to the mutation of the remains."

Zhuge Anran consciously told Xu Ling the information they had collected.

With Mr. Xu Ling on this mission, Zhuge Anran also breathed a sigh of relief.

I fear that even if those Blood Counts were to be resurrected, they would not be a match for Mr. Xu Ling.

His previous worries had completely vanished.

"Mm," Lin Chao replied.

The group continued to walk forward.

Just then, a woman's voice came from ahead.

"Zhuge Anran... why are you here?"

Zhuge Anran was slightly stunned and looked to the side.

He saw a group of young men and women wearing student uniforms nearby.

Zhuge Anran recognized the woman who had spoken, and he even had a deep connection with her.

Once, Zhuge Anran had almost been betrothed to her.

But later, he heard she had gone to the First Immortal Academy.

Zhuge Anran had not expected to meet her and her classmates here.

"Sightseeing..." Zhuge Anran casually found an excuse.

It is just not good to perform missions in places like this; it is easy to run into people from the real world.

And they cannot reveal their identities as Residents of the Building; it is very complicated.

Lin Tingya's gaze swept over Zhuge Anran, Wang Bing, Lin Chao, and the others, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

"A murder case occurred here recently; it is very dangerous, so do not stay here for too long."

"Thank you for the reminder," Zhuge Anran responded politely.

How did people from the First Immortal Academy come here?

Could it be that the murder case here has attracted their attention?

Although Zhuge Anran said this, he had no intention of leaving at all in his actions.

At this moment, a male student beside Lin Tingya interjected with a condescending attitude: "We are students of the First Immortal Academy. A Supernatural event has occurred here; it would be best for idlers to step back. Otherwise, if an accident happens, we will not have the energy to spend time protecting you."

"Many thanks for your good intentions," Zhuge Anran replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, then ignored them and followed Lin Chao, continuing deeper into the Mawang Tomb.

"Tingya, is this your friend?" Watching Zhuge Anran's back, the man who had just spoken showed a trace of dissatisfaction on his face.

"He is a member of the Zhuge family," Lin Tingya sighed. "He has a talent for Immortal Cultivation and was originally going to enroll in the First Immortal Academy, but he refused."

Mentioning this, Lin Tingya still felt some sentiment.

"Refused to join the First Immortal Academy?" The dissatisfaction on the man's face turned into contempt. "He is quite the maverick."

Joining the First Immortal Academy means embarking on the path of Immortal Cultivation.

For everyone, this is the highest pursuit.

"I wonder if he will regret his choice back then when he is gray-haired and frail with old age," the man laughed.

Beside him, Wang Guan frowned.

For some reason, seeing those people just now, he always felt that they were somewhat different from Ordinary people.

But if asked how they were different, he could not say.

Thinking of another group of people he had encountered earlier, he frowned, wondering what he was pondering.

Thanks to 【Li Jun】 for the thousand-point reward; and to 【Using Good Articles to Pair with White Rice】 and 【My Ice Cream Girl】 for their tips.

(End of chapter)