Chapter Four: Ninth Rank

The first thing that caught the eye was not the person, but rather the wooden sword strapped to her back. By Chen Hongxu’s estimation, the sword was nearly as long as half a man’s height, three feet wide—certainly qualifying as a greatsword. Its surface was ancient and rustic, the grain of the wood standing out clearly, while the uneven marks upon it formed runic symbols whose purpose was as enigmatic as ghostly talismans.

Slung diagonally over the newcomer’s shoulder, the massive sword seemed almost too heavy for such a delicate frame, making one worry whether she could bear its weight, yet at the same time, the sword’s imposing runes were somewhat subdued by this incongruous image.

Zhang Shufang stepped off the platform, heedless of the curious stares from those around her. She walked straight to Fan Tianhua’s side, her face frosty as she demanded, “What’s the mission?”

Chen Hongxu furrowed his brow, murmuring under his breath, “She’s leading?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s reaction was even more pronounced; not one to offer pleasantries to someone so aloof, she quickly stepped forward, shoving aside Fan Tianhua, who had been about to explain the mission. With a sneer, she looked Zhang Shufang up and down. “Ice Queen, you’re only attached to the Black List, aren’t you? Black List missions have nothing to do with you. So, are you planning to walk out of here, or be thrown out?”

There seemed to be past grievances between Zhang Shufang and Su Xiaoxiao. Zhang Shufang showed little anger at the taunt; her ever-cold face now carried a touch of disdain. She met Su Xiaoxiao’s challenging gaze directly. “So you think that now you’ve regained your strength, you can bark in front of me? If you’re truly looking for trouble, I’ll oblige you anytime.”

Seeing the tension between the two women rise, and knowing both were the sort who cared not for consequences, Chen Hongxu folded his arms and watched coldly from the side. Fan the Fool and Bear had already retreated to a safe distance, not wishing to be caught in the crossfire.

As the auras of the two women continued to climb, the papers Su Xiaoxiao had just swept to the floor began to rise and spin in the air, fluttering without wind.

“Wait…” Fan Tianhua, neglected by all, suddenly jumped between them, legs trembling, his face contorted with worry as he stammered, “I… have something… to say…”

Not giving the women a chance to stop him, Fan Tianhua’s words came more smoothly as he spoke. “This mission is a routine probe and information gathering. Normally, Zhang Shufang wouldn’t be involved, but according to the report from Binglong, it seems a new passage has appeared at the barrier. However, opening it will require the original Yin-Yang Diagram from the Dao Embryo, hence…”

“Oh?” Su Xiaoxiao cast a glance at the sweating Fan Tianhua, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “So she’s only here because she’s useful?” As she spoke, she reined in her aura.

Zhang Shufang, equally expressionless, withdrew her own aura at the same instant. Clearly, she had already known this, and showed no outward reaction to Su Xiaoxiao’s tone. “The mission details?”

Relieved that the two women were putting the mission first, Fan Tianhua exhaled deeply and beckoned Fan the Fool closer, signaling him to listen more attentively.

Fan the Fool shook his head vigorously, adamant that he would not approach the pair.

Bear, feigning loyalty to Fan the Fool, also stayed well away. Lowering his head, he muttered, “Who’d have thought your uncle had such guts?”

Fan the Fool curled his lip dismissively. “Guts? He’s just worried the two women will wreck the equipment and he’ll lose his bonus. Otherwise, he’d have been the first to run.”

Seeing Fan the Fool’s lack of respect, Fan Tianhua merely snorted, making no move to force him over. Clearly pressed for time, he hurriedly turned and fumbled with a machine, then looked up at the display as it lit up.

“The barrier has always been the focus of international attention. The struggle outside it has been intense for years—no need to elaborate. Because Binglong suspects a new passage has opened, the usual mission is altered. You must determine whether the barrier can be breached, and if so, report the interior situation to the nation immediately.”

Fan Tianhua pointed to several glowing red dots on the screen. “These are the possible locations Binglong mentioned. You’ll each get the files later. Pay attention: after Binglong sent this message, all contact was lost. This mission is extremely dangerous, and there will be no backup. I hope you’re prepared.”

As Fan Tianhua stared silently at the screen, Chen Hongxu approached Su Xiaoxiao, puzzled. “What exactly is the barrier?”

Su Xiaoxiao seemed to be searching for the right words. After a moment, she replied, “The barrier is just our nation’s term for this kind of phenomenon. Think of it as a kind of boundary, enclosing certain places so they can’t be discovered by outsiders.

“As far as the world knows, there’s only one such barrier—in Africa. It was discovered by an American exploration team. At first, it was treated as an unknown event, but ordinary research methods got nowhere.

“When the Americans brought in all sorts of advanced equipment, it attracted international attention—using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, so to speak. So word of the barrier spread.

“No one knows what’s inside, but according to some of our country’s higher-ranked experts, there must be something extraordinary within.

“Every country has such experts. Since the barrier can’t be breached, the area outside has become a battleground for the world’s strongest, and countless experts and ordinary people have died there.”

Chen Hongxu lowered his head, digesting Su Xiaoxiao’s words, while silently asking Bingling if it knew anything about the place.

“There are many unknown places. I’ll need to think,” came Bingling’s reply.

As Chen Hongxu pondered, Su Xiaoxiao’s voice sounded again, “Be wary of Zhang Shufang. If I’m right, she’s already reached the Ninth Grade, and the sword on her back is likely a Taoist Peachwood Talisman Sword, with astonishing power.

“Taoists are adept at divining fate. If someone as valuable as her is being used in this mission, it means there may be unforeseen opportunities or dangers ahead.”

“Ninth Grade?” Chen Hongxu glanced at Zhang Shufang, who, though clearly hearing Su Xiaoxiao’s words, remained expressionless. He was surprised.

After all, Ninth Grade and Ninth Level were entirely different realms. The martial and Daoist grading system was handed down from ancient times; those of the Ninth Level were still of mortal constitution, able only to absorb limited natural energies and convert them into their own strength.

Ancient masters, seeking to return to a state of primal simplicity, classified those above the Ninth Level as Grades Nine through One. Experts of such grade could manipulate the world’s energy according to their own power. They were called Innate, or even immortals, perhaps not without reason.