Escort Mission (2)

Jian Zheng wasn't the type to get angry easily but these people were too unreasonable. He apologized and even lower his status to make them look bigger yet they thought he was some sort of softy that was easy to manipulate.

"Brat, who do you think you are?!" A disciple in green slam his hand on the table and shouted at Jian Zheng, but seconds later that same disciple body was covered in blood, "What did you do?!" He screamed in fright as he began circulating spiritual energy inside his body.

"Who am I? I am the one who will claim your life if you don't fuck off!" Jian Zheng held his hand on the hilt of his sword. No one saw when he drew his sword nor did they see when he sheathed it. The disciples jumped when they saw how it only took one second for one of them to be covered in injuries.

"You may have some skills but don't think you can deal with me!" Ya Ba became angry when he saw one of his underlings get injured under his watch. He got up and drew his sword in provocation.

He released his cultivation at the late tenth stage along with a yellow light that glow on his short sword.

"Is that so? Then I will show you what it means to provoke a swordsman!" Jian Zheng sword slowly left its sheath. It was moving so slowly that you could hear the blade moving out of the sheath.

He released his sharp intent with the intentions of decapitating Ya Ba in an instant as his eyes glow with a tint of true dao.

"Enough, is this how you treat the royal family?" Just when Jian Zheng was about to take action a cold voice rang out that dissipate their auras. Turning his head, Jian Zheng saw that the man in all black was looking at them both with calm eyes.

"Have you all forgotten why we are here?" Although his voice was cold, his calm expression scared Jian Zheng and Ya Ba, "How could I forget? I just wanted to teach this Junior a lesson or two about life, isn't that right Junior Brother?" Ya Ba anger turned into a wretched smile that made Jian Zheng sneer inwards, "Senior is right." He could tell that the smile directed to him meant that Ya Ba wasn't done with him, but he didn't care. He only came here for the mission and to get his reward so he could progress more in the Scarlet Phoenix Sword Art.

"Good, now since we all know about why we are all here why don't we introduce ourselves?" The man expression took a U-turn as he went back to his friendly persona. This gave Jian Zheng the chills as the man was currently giving him bad vibes.

"Ya Ba from the Yellow Cloud Sect."

"Lei Feng from the Green Mountain Sect."

"Wu Pengyun from the Cloud Temple."

"Jian Zheng from the Asura Cloud Sect."

Xue Yi from the Sword Cloud Sect." Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who didn't stand against him because of Ya Ba. Xue Yi is also the only person Jian Zheng saw in his entire life who was a male yet look so feminine, apart from himself that is.

"What a coincidence, we have the same first name." The man in black robes smile at Xue Yi then chuckled, "Oh where are my manners? As you all may know I am the Youngest Prince, it is a pleasure to meet you all."

"You can all just call me Prince Yi." The Prince said then went over all that is needed to know about this mission, "As you may know, The Nourish Fruit can only be found in places where nothing grows as it can only grow with the nourishment of a lot of rich soil."

"This fruit can also absorb spiritual energy and release it in a large amount making it the perfect spot for Huotian One beast."

"Um, What is a Huotian One Beast?" Jian Zheng raised his hand and ask. All his life he was only stationed in the sect so he hardly knows much about the outside world other than those that Gu Lingran told him

His question drew disdainful gazes filled with irony, "What a country bumpkin." Ya Ba ridiculed but Jian Zheng ignored him.

"As you may know, the Huotian Realm have ten stages. Just like us beast also have stages better known as ranks. A Huotian 1 - 3 beast can fight against Huotian Cultivators while a Huotian Beast 4 - 6 can fight against a Body Transformation Cultivator." The Prince explained smoothly making it easy to understand.

"As for Huotian 7 - 9 beast they can fight against those above the Body Transformation Realm and since there aren't many cultivators above the Body Transformation realm in the Cloud Empire it would be very bad if one of those beast were to enter our zone."

"Luckily, beast aren't known to enter places crowded with people." The Prince continue smiling as he explained, "Thank you for your explanation!" Jian Zheng gave the Prince a thankful gaze which the Prince shake off with his smile, "No worries. We as your Seniors need to learn how to direct our Juniors."

"You are right, if only some people were as broadminded as you." Jian Zheng said as he gave Ya Ba an side glance which made him grind his teeth in anger.

"Good, now you may be wondering why this mission is considered a golden mission. Well that is because the beast occupying this Nourish Fruit is a Huotian Two beast." Prince Yi said with a gloomy face.

"Since its a Rank 2 beast then why don't you launch a party of Body Transformation Cultivators? Surely with the royal family power it wouldn't be difficult to do so." Xue Yi questioned with both his hands clenched together, hiding his face.

"That's because if the royal family were to use their troops it might gain the attention of our enemies." Prince Yi smiled cunningly at Xue Yi, "Why do you ask? Do you think I'll be sending you all to your deaths?" Prince Yi smile turn rather dark and evil to everyone who saw, not only that, but they also saw a dark being with crimson eyes staring hungrily at them.

Sweat cover Jian Zheng body. He felt like if that monster had any intentions of killing them then it could do it without lifting a finger.

"Knowing the Youngest Prince I wouldn't be surprised if you really are sending us to our death." Xue Yi continued as he look at Prince Yi whose being gave everyone the creeps.

"Everyone knows that the Youngest Prince have a reputation of some how losing those who follows him." Xue Yi said.

"Hahahaha!" Prince Yi only laughed at Xue Yi comment, "What an interesting fellow! Very well then, if any of you survive this trip then I will reward you with a top grade spiritual stone." Prince Yi response made everyone in the room eyes lit up.

"The Prince must be kidding with us? Why would we die, isn't it just a Huotian Two beast?" Ya Ba also laugh along with the prince.

"A top grade spiritual stone seems fair if we are going to risk our lives." Xue Yi nodded his head, pleased by the reward from the prince. Not only will they get medium and high grade spiritual stones from their sects, but they will also obtain one top spiritual stone.

As everyone was conversing Jian Zheng eyes waver, 'I feel like there's something the Prince didn't tell us." Jian Zheng did not know what to do at this point. Should he go on this mission or follow his gut? 'But if I don't go I will never be able to progress with the Scarlet Phoenix Sword Art!" Jian Zheng screamed in his mind.

'Where's Scarlett when I need her!" At this moment he felt like Scarlett was letting him down. Ever since their last conversation she have remained quiet. He couldn't even sense any fluctuations of her in his mind space which made him unease.

"Since we discuss all that needs to be mention who here thinks they aren't strong enough for this mission?" When Prince Yi said this everyone turned to Jian Zheng.

Seeing their gazes especially Ya Ba's whose gaze was filled with contempt he smiled, 'So what if this mission will be filled with danger? As a swordsman I need to know how to be determine to face all.'

'If I don't how else will my sword even make the darkest of places light up at my presence?' With that in mind his wavering heart calmed down as he face their gaze with a still expression.

"Good, don't say I didn't warn you all." Prince Yi said with a sly smile as he got up and head outside. When he stood up the rest followed. Before leaving though Ya Ba looked at Jian Zheng as if he was already an dead person, "I hope you survive cause the two of us have some unfinished business." Ya Ba gave him a evil grin filled with killing intent then left with a crude laugh.

His two followers also looked at him as if he was already dead. Jian Zheng looked at them all calmly, if it wasn't for the fact that he needed them for the mission he would have already drawn his sword at them.

"Don't mind them, if you had refuse to follow us on this mission then you would have disgraced us swordsmen." Xue Yi said as he looked at the three as if they were idiots. No, instead of idiots he looked at them as if they were his scapegoats, "Once the beast is killed and Prince Yi collect the fruit you better stand next to me, I can see you held some suspicion towards this mission." Xue Yi whispered into Jian Zheng ears then left, "As swordsmen we should look after each other!"

"At least there's still some good people out there." Seeing that Xue Yi was willing to support him, he smiled warmly. He even began viewing Xue Yi as a brother, "After this mission I will make sure to befriend him." He exclaimed then follow the rest.

When he came outside the castle he saw that there was already three carts waiting for them outside. The middle one was for Prince Yi alone while the other two was for Jian Zheng and the others.

Ya Ba and his crew immediately took the one at the back as their own leaving Jian Zheng and Xue Yi with the one at the front.

Boarding the one at the front Jian Zheng started talking with Xue Yi. Since they were both swordsmen there was a lot for them to talk about.

Jian Zheng first began by talking about sword aura which he came to know that Xue Yi sword aura was at the Huotian Upper stage which made him very shocked. His sword aura was only at the Huotian Astute stage which when he told Xue Yi this he also became shocked, "For you to reach the astute stage at such a young age must mean that your talent in the swords isn't ordinary, its a pity you didn't join my sect." Xue Yi sighed, "Why don't you leave your sect and join mine?" Xue Yi recommended which Jian Zheng declined, "Sorry, but there are people waiting for me at my sect." Jian Zheng shook his head at his offer. When he meant people he was only talking about Gu Lingran. If she wasn't still in the sect then he would definitely leave it to join the Sword Cloud Sect.

"Is that so, then its a real pity."

After that Jian Zheng learn that it took Xue Yi ten years to reach the Eclipsing Stage in his Sword Aura. Eight years to get to the astute stage and two years to reach the upper stage, "If it wasn't for a fortunate encounter then I would most likely still be in the astute stage." Xue Yi exclaimed.

Afterward they talked about the Sword Dao which Jian Zheng knew a lot about through Scarlett. When he mentioned them to Xue Yi he could tell that he was filled with shock and admiration, "Your path with the swords seem to be rather developed, who is your master?"

"I have no master." He said with a shake of head which made Xue Yi confused, "Then you must be a rare genius that's only born once a century. If you joined the Sword Cloud Sect then your prospects would grow to unimaginable heights." Xue Yi sighed once more believing that its a pity that Jian Zheng won't join his sect.

Soon they had nothing else to talk about and Xue Yi took out a small book that could be hold into a person pocket easily, "Senior Xue what is that book?" Curious, Jian Zheng spoke up when he saw Xue Yi immersed in the book.

"Sorry but I can't tell you since it belongs to my sect." Xue Yi grunted, feeling annoyed that he was disturbed from his reading. Seeing this Jian Zheng quickly apologized which appeased Xue Yi.

After ten hours of being in the cart they finally arrived at a deserted place. Getting out Jian Zheng saw that there was no sight of any wild plants or trees in this place and stepping on the soil made his feet burn through his boots.

"We have arrived." Prince Yi got out of his cart and looked ahead, "Follow me." He said solemnly as he walked ahead.

After walking for what seems to be over an hour the prince signalled them to stop. When they did they were confused, but just when they were confused their expressions changed.

In front of them was a Turtle the size of a huge tree. Comparing the turtle to them, they were extremely small in comparison. The turtle was currently laying down as it chew on what seems to be a small beast.

"This is the Green Desert Turtle. Known for their color and for the fact that they can only be found in desolated and treeless plain." Prince Yi explained with a grave expression, "At this time it should have been sleeping, but it seems like we were late by two incense." Prince Yi sighed. Hearing him, the disciples looked at Jian Zheng as if blaming him for making them arrive so late, "This is all your fault!" Ya Ba shouted loudly which drew the attention of the turtle.

ROAR!!! Before Ya Ba shout the turtle was happily chewing on a wild beast that it killed. When it heard the shout though its expression turned into anger as it roar as if saying intruder alert.

"You idiot!" Prince Yi expression turned gloomy as he look at Ya Ba with killing intent. Prince Yi change in expression stunned Ya Ba, but before he could say anything the turtle began moving towards them as its large feet cause the ground to tremble.